Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

Where could the owner of these scales be?

The truth would be revealed in due time. For now, I needed to focus on what I could do.

Composing myself, I examined the circuit drawn on the floor.

A protective formula was overlaid on a knot centered around spatial and transfer formulas.

Judging by its scale, it could easily transport about twenty people at once.

‘If I hadn’t activated Explorer’s Eye, I might have missed this too.’

Although the formation was engraved on the floor, it was badly worn and barely visible to the naked eye. Praising my own insight, I placed my hand on the mana circuit.

Then I circulated mana to check its condition. Though some parts had been broken by the passage of time, it seemed it would work with a little repair.

Unless I was Kallos, I’d need magic stones to draw such a large circuit with my not-so-high stats. I took out several C-rank magic stones from my inventory. I had packed some high-grade stones from the guild storage, but these were sufficient for circuit repairs.

I injected mana into the magic stones. The crystalline stones became as pliable as clay. It was Kallos who first taught me how to utilize magic stones like this.

‘Whoever made this was incredibly skilled.’

I could work on it because I’d seen a similar circuit in a book Kallos showed me. Otherwise, I would have struggled.

It was even more impressive considering how long ago it was made.

‘Hmm… I think this should do it.’

The temporary repair was completed, ending with the overlapping circular shape in the center.

There was a particularly unique part that seemed to reflect the creator’s taste, and it was exceptionally complex. I couldn’t touch that area at all, so I just glossed over it. Still, it shouldn’t cause any problems in operation.

As soon as I finished the final stroke, a system message popped up.

[You have restored an ancient formula. (Usable times: 3)]

[Dexterity has increased by 1.]

‘So this can raise stats too.’

My eyes widened at the unexpected reward.

If it weren’t for my newly acquired trait, I might have passed by without noticing this, or even if I had found it, I would have had to turn back.

With not much of the petals left, I immediately placed my hand on the mana circuit to activate it.

“Ugh, this is no joke!”

All the mana within me was sucked into the circuit. The sudden drain of mana made my head throb.

Woong-

Mana infused the old circuit that had been untouched for a long time.

A small vibration occurred beneath my feet, and light began to leak from the circuit. As if resonating with the circuit, ripples formed on the previously calm lake. The entire lake was filled with bright light.

The surrounding scenery distorted as if reflected on the water’s surface, then suddenly my vision went dark.

As the dizziness subsided, I slowly opened my eyes.

[Entering special field, ‘Cradle of ■■■■ (?)’]

◆◇◆◇◆

A beautiful coral forest stretching as far as the eye could see, and an emerald sea.

I had fallen into the middle of a coral forest from beneath the lake in the coastal cave.

‘Where am I now?’

The color of the seawater was different from where I had just been. Judging by the sunlight, it didn’t seem too deep.

I raised my head to look around. The most noticeable thing was a large, translucent hemisphere surrounding the entire area. And purple writing next to the mana circuit beneath my feet.

‘Ugh, it’s not the common language.’

Within the World Tower, there are as many different languages as there are floors. Thanks to the system, players can freely use the common language of each floor, but other languages are restricted.

‘In other words, I can’t read this language.’

Intending to request a translation from a hunter with language-related skills when I return, I took a picture of the writing with my Hunter Watch.

The writing on the floor, whatever it was written with, gave me an increasingly eerie feeling the more I looked at it. Pushing aside the inexplicable uneasiness, I left the coral forest.

‘It seems an incredibly skilled craftsman must have lived around here.’

The hemisphere surrounding the entire field was too vast to explore completely in the remaining time. I guessed it was some kind of protective magic.

A formula protecting such an extensive area – I couldn’t help but marvel at the deep and broad world of magical engineering.

‘Let’s head in that direction first.’

Just over 10 minutes left. I needed to prioritize. In situations like this, it’s usually best to examine the central area. I swam towards the center of the hemisphere.

Fortunately, the center wasn’t far from here.

[Underwater City Badadkkot]

As I approached the center of the hemisphere, a system message appeared announcing the place name.

Occupying the center of the protective formula was a city, Badadkkot, densely packed with white buildings.

Perhaps because they were built underwater, unlike the square buildings of Shella, the structures here had a more free-form appearance. True to its name, the buildings surrounding the central tower in layers resembled a flower in bloom.

‘An underwater city… Probably the merfolk’s dwelling place.’

The city, which had looked incredibly beautiful from afar, was little more than ruins up close. The city of Badadkkot, which must have once boasted a brilliant white glow, had corroded in places and lost its original luster.

There wasn’t a hint of life to be felt anywhere in the vast city; only oblivious fish swam leisurely through.

Moving alone in this quiet city gave me an odd feeling.

“Let’s start there.”

I should examine that impressive-looking tower first. I swam towards the tower that looked like a flower’s stamen. The door at the base of the tower was locked, so I entered through the terrace.

The cylindrical tower, surrounded by coral-like branches, had a hollow center allowing free movement up and down.

Rooms were arranged around the edges with the central empty space as an axis, but there were too many to check them all. Since important facilities were likely to be at the top, I started my search from the top floor.

Sure enough, the door on the top floor was made of a particularly luxurious material.

I flung the door open.

‘Ah, right. I’m illiterate here.’

I’m not sure what the room was for, but it was filled with various types of documents. The problem is, I can’t read these documents.

I tried putting the documents in my inventory, but a message popped up saying it wasn’t possible. But this actually motivated me.

‘If this isn’t allowed, it means there must be a usable item somewhere.’

Time was running out. I hurriedly searched every corner of the room. But until the last moment, I couldn’t find any clues.

‘Did I guess wrong?’

What if it’s not this room… Just as I was losing hope and slumping down, I discovered something on the floor.

A familiar shape of a scale. But unlike the ones I’d seen so far. Unlike the gray scales that seemed ready to crumble at any moment, this scale was a mysterious blue-green color.

No, not blue-green.

It was a transparent scale with an opal-like sheen, filled with a liquid that closely resembled the surrounding sea, making it appear blue-green.

[Sea People’s Scale (A)

: A scale said to have been coveted even by gods. Its color varies depending on the sea where its owner was born and raised. Its beauty reaches its peak when nurturing young sea people.]

[The true name of the field is revealed.]

[Special Field, Cradle of the Sea People (A+)]

Sea People? That’s the name of this floor. I thought it was just a metaphorical expression for the NPCs of the port city Shella…

‘So this refers to merfolk?’

If Sea People means merfolk, it changes everything.

The floor name penetrates the core of the main quest.

If Sea People means merfolk, it changes everything. Does this mean players have been misinterpreting it?

‘No, that can’t be. How could they have cleared the floor then?’

I had no time to ponder. I had to leave the tower because the effect of the Umanta petals was wearing off. I had cut it really close wasting time inside the tower.

There wasn’t even time to go back to the circuit leading to the coastal cave, so I swam straight up to the surface.

My worry about not being able to pass through the protective hemisphere proved unfounded; fortunately, I could pass through without any resistance.

However, the real crisis came from elsewhere. I still had quite a way to go before reaching the surface, but the blessing of the petals had run out. It was far beyond the reach of my amateur swimming skills.

It seemed this was the end, even with sunlight so tantalizingly close.

Suddenly, a scene from a movie featuring a wizard came to mind. I hastily summoned my bow.

‘Apply ‘Condensation’ to slot 3.’

[Skill ‘Attribute Bestowal (C)’ is activated.

– Slot 3: Condensation (Remaining uses: 5)]

A huge arrow made of mana was nocked to the bowstring. I fired the arrow with my back to the surface. The arrow, flying with ferocious momentum, split the blue-green sea.

Unlike usual when I’m firmly planted on the ground, the recoil pushed my body back.

One more shot! After two shots, my body was flung up to the surface as if slapped. I hurriedly gulped in air.

“Ha… I’m alive…”

In the distance, I could faintly see what I assumed to be Shella.

“How long will it take to get there?”

While worried, I couldn’t help but smile at the satisfaction of having found a clue to the hidden quest.

◆◇◆◇◆

[- Sender: Han Cha-hyun

To think the Sea People were merfolk. Surprising.

I didn’t expect we’d find a clue on the first day. Good work.

I’ll forward the photos you sent to the guild.

I’ll also request hunters who can move underwater.

I’ll contact you again tomorrow.]

A characteristically neat reply from Han Cha-hyun.

You must be tired after spending all day with Lee Kang-to. Take care. I sent a silent word of encouragement.

My body was completely drained from the considerable distance between Badadkkot and Shella. Had I ever swum for so long before? If I weren’t an awakened person, I would have collapsed from exhaustion midway.

Cha Taeyang returned only when the sun was setting.

“You were here first?”

“Taeyang, greetings! You should say ‘I’m back!'”

“I’m back!”

The oddly old-fashioned goblin nagged Cha Taeyang again today.

Cha Taeyang’s head was covered in dust, suggesting she’d been somewhere dusty. The girl standing behind Cha Taeyang and the goblin was in a similar state.

‘Wait, a girl?’

A young girl, perhaps around thirteen, peeked out from behind Cha Taeyang.

“Atera, you should greet them too!”

“Atera?”

The girl with dark blue hair,

Atera, hid behind Cha Taeyang, avoiding my gaze.

According to the Special Law for Awakened Persons, entry to the World Tower is prohibited for minors under 15 years old.

If that’s the case, there’s only one answer. Atera is an NPC.

Oh, my head. What were you thinking, picking up an NPC? I found myself rubbing my forehead without realizing it.

Oblivious to my thoughts, Cha Taeyang placed her hands on her hips and smiled brightly.

“I brought her!”