Chapter 99

[Translator - Kiteretsu][Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 99

Reigner had become LeBlanc's disciple only three years ago.

At that time, he wasn't even an alchemist, just an adventurer.

An adventurer was a profession where you traveled freely between villages, completing requests and earning a living from the rewards.

The lowest grade was F.

F-rank adventurers could only take on F-rank requests.

Most of them were menial labor, and the rewards were meager.

However, all adventurers started at F-rank, and they could raise their rank by accumulating reputation points, which were given 1 point for each successful request, and then taking a promotion exam.

The higher the rank, the better the requests and the higher the rewards they could receive.

Even reaching B-rank allowed them to receive considerable rewards, so everyone strived to collect reputation points.

However, just collecting reputation points didn't mean they could raise their rank.

The promotion exam.

If they failed the exam, they had to stay at the same rank.

'I couldn't go any higher than D-rank.'

Reigner had been an adventurer for 11 years, but he was a perpetual D-rank.

His peers had all risen to C-rank or higher, and some had even reached A-rank.

Feeling deprived, Reigner quit being an adventurer and was looking for a job in the Märchen Kingdom capital when he caught LeBlanc's eye.

'Oh, you're quite a talented child.'

LeBlanc had pointed at him and said he had talent.

With those words, he decided to become his disciple.

And for three years, he had been assisting him and studying the basics of alchemy.

'...That outsider was right.'

Three years.

In those three years, this was the first time he had seen his master's eyes shine like that.

So his master was also capable of such a look.

"Give it to me."

Reigner snatched the gold pouch from the outsider.

If it was his master, he would surely be able to decipher that recipe.

After all, his master had personally developed more than 70% of the alchemy recipes in the Märchen Kingdom.

"Then please call me if you need me."

The outsider didn't leave the mansion, but went straight to the guest room and settled down.

"Wh-Who said you could just come in?"

"I paid the deposit, didn't I? Can't I even rest?"

"...That's not it. That's my room."

"Please give it up. It seems like this is the only room here."

"Ahem."

How did he know?

Except for this room, all the other rooms were used as storage.

"I'll stay here until the deciphering is done. I might need something in the middle of the process."

"Need something?"

"I'm tired, so please leave."

The outsider kicked Reigner out of the room.

To be kicked out of the room he had been staying in until just a moment ago.

He tried to resist out of pride, but he was instantly thrown out into the living room, overwhelmed by the outsider's strength.

"...Okay. Since it's come to this, I'll just help Master."

Reigner knocked on the door of the room his master had entered.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

"Yes."

With LeBlanc's permission, Reigner carefully opened the door and went in.

He was sitting on a chair, wearing a monocle and reading all the ancient documents spread out.

"Come sit next to me and read these. If my body doesn't allow me to decipher it, you'll have to do it."

"...Me?"

What did he just say?

Reigner couldn't believe his ears.

"Humph, what have you been learning all this time? You call yourself an alchemist if you can't even do this?"

"...But I only learned enhancement techniques."

"That's right. This is a recipe related to enhancement."

"Really?"

"Definitely."

Although it was severely damaged, some of the letters were recognizable.

This recipe was definitely related to enhancement.

It was a recipe for an enhancement technique that had been lost.

'...An incredible technique might be discovered.'

LeBlanc calmed his pounding heart and continued reading the document.

* * *

Jeong-Hoon took out Anima and summoned Michael.

"Master, you called?"

"Hmm? Why did you call me? It doesn't seem like a combat situation."

Michael replied politely, and Anima, perched on Jeong-Hoon's shoulder, looked puzzled.

"I called you because I was bored."

"...Is that really true?"

Michael asked back with a suspicious look.

He couldn't believe there was nothing to do, as he had been in charge of all sorts of tasks whenever he was summoned.

"You're quick-witted as always."

Jeong-Hoon grinned.

At that devilish smile, Michael made a dejected expression, as if he had expected it.

"I see... So what should I do this time?"

"You know Kim Bong-Goo, right?"

"...Of course."

Michael didn't like Kim Bong-Goo.

No, he was enraged just by looking at him, and he was barely holding back the urge to punch him in the face.

The reason was simple.

He looked exactly like Ziru, the dark mage he hated the most.

He was so sure that if Ziru had a reincarnation, it would be that guy.

Jeong-Hoon gave a cruel order to such a hateful person.

"Help him clear the Ruined City."

"The Ruined City...?"

"Yes."

He had given Kim Bong-Goo the video, but it would be difficult for him right now.

'He's probably died twice by now.'

The problem was whether he had progressed more than halfway.

He briefly checked World Com, and it seemed that the viewers who had watched the LIVE broadcast hadn't properly cleared the Ruined City yet.

Should he upload the recording to YouTube quickly?

[Whisper/zl-Zone-Ha-Jin12 -> Hoon: Hey, are you busy?]

A whisper arrived from Ha-Jin.

[Whisper/Hoon -> zl-Zone-Ha-Jin12: Nope, resting right now. Why?]

[Whisper/zl-Zone-Ha-Jin12 -> Hoon: Dae-Hwi is asking for the recording, should I send it? Or not?]

[Whisper/Hoon -> zl-Zone-Ha-Jin12: It's not time to send it yet. Wait.]

The first 1,000 people.

Even though it was revealed on LIVE, it wasn't an easy dungeon to clear quickly.

Originally, this dungeon was supposed to be cleared first by Iwase, and Japan was supposed to reap the benefits, but with history changed, Korea had the chance to get the honey.

It wasn't time to release the video yet, as there were still few people enjoying the honey.

[Whisper/zl-Zone-Ha-Jin12 -> Hoon: I knew you'd say that.]

That Ha-Jin guy.

He was quick-witted at times like this.

"...Uh, will it make a difference if I go?"

"It will. You'll be helping them clear it using cheat codes."

"Cheat codes...?"

"Yeah. Kim Bong-Goo has the token, so go study with him and clear it."

The Ruined City wasn't that far from here.

As long as Jeong-Hoon had enough mana, Michael wouldn't be recalled.

"Uh... Is it really necessary for me to go and help? Wouldn't it be better to just abandon him if he can't clear it?"

"He's still useful in many ways. Do you want to do what Kim Bong-Goo is supposed to do? And for the record, it'll be very painful."

"I'll be back!"

Michael hurriedly headed to the Ruined City.

"...Then can I ask why you called me?"

It was Anima's turn now.

"Yes. Anima, I'm planning to enhance you first when I make the enhancement stone with this recipe."

"Me first?"

"Yes."

Enhancing Legendary equipment.

Jeong-Hoon's plan was to create a safe Legendary Enhancement Stone through this recipe and then enhance Anima.

[Great! I'll yield!]

Mukho declared its concession as if it had been waiting.

"...I won't be destroyed, right?"

He couldn't go outside, but since he had become Jeong-Hoon's owner, he could see and hear everything that was happening outside even when Jeong-Hoon wasn't holding a weapon.

In the process, he had also heard all the conversations between Jeong-Hoon and Mukho.

"Ah, don't worry about that."

Jeong-Hoon's lips curled up into a wide smile.

That dangerous enhancement was about to disappear.

[...What? You're saying I don't have to worry about being destroyed?]

"Yes. But Mukho, you can't be enhanced yet."

[Why!]

It was because of the document Siegfried had left behind.

- Don't try to enhance Mukho until its power is fully restored.

It wouldn't be a problem to try... but its stats wouldn't grow significantly. That's how it was designed.

That's right.

Unfortunately for Mukho, Jeong-Hoon had no intention of attempting enhancement until it was fully restored.

* * *

Another 24 hours passed.

Kim Bong-Goo barely endured the headache from studying, something he had never done in his life.

'Mom! This bastard is studying!'

'Oh my! My goodness!'

'Is that true?! Tell me honestly! Did you cause some trouble again?!'

He had been caught by his sister in the middle of it and was utterly embarrassed.

Kim Bong-Goo entered the capsule and logged in.

He had reviewed so much, so this time he was determined to break through at least the middle stage.

'If I die this time too... I'll just say I failed.'

Honestly, he didn't think he could clear it.

"Ha, you're so damn late."

But a familiar face was standing at the entrance of the Ruined City.

"Michael...?"

It was Michael, the summon Jeong-Hoon controlled.

"Why do I have to waste my precious time waiting for your ass?"

"...Why were you waiting for me?"

"Obviously, because we have to clear this place together."

"Huh...?"

This was news to him.

"He said he won't let you off if you can't clear it."

No, that wasn't true.

Jeong-Hoon hadn't said anything like that.

Michael was just trying to scare Kim Bong-Goo because he didn't like him.

Of course, the effect was excellent.

Kim Bong-Goo's face turned pale.

"What?!"

"So try your best. There's nothing I can help you with, right?"

"...Can't you help me clear it?"

The Ruined City allowed up to 5 people to enter.

And Kim Bong-Goo was currently attempting a solo clear.

Of course, the difficulty was so high that he had failed twice without even reaching the middle.

"What can I help you with?"

Michael snorted with an indifferent face.

"Please watch this."

Kim Bong-Goo took out the token and pressed the button.

The token projected a holographic video, showing Jeong-Hoon clearing the Ruined City using cheat codes.

"Hmm? This is simple. You just have to find the hidden cheat codes and open them, right?"

As expected, Michael's reaction was lukewarm.

"Yes... but..."

"Come on, follow me."

"Are you going with me?"

Kim Bong-Goo's face brightened.

Michael frowned.

"Are you crazy? I'm saying I'll train you so you can clear it."

"Huh...?"

* * *

'If only I had come a little earlier, the deciphering wouldn't have taken so long...'

That's what Iwase Haruto had said.

Iwase had met LeBlanc only about half a year from now.

The problem was that LeBlanc's condition had worsened, and he was showing signs of delirium.

The symptoms were so severe that the deciphering process couldn't be done properly, and it ended up taking a lot of time.

But not now.

LeBlanc's condition wasn't that bad yet.

'Two weeks. Shouldn't that be enough?'

LeBlanc wouldn't be the same LeBlanc who kept going in circles due to delirium, so two weeks should be more than enough.

But LeBlanc's deciphering ability was beyond that.

"The deciphering is almost done, so come in."

The locked door opened after only five days.

"...Already?"

"It was possible because there were many traces of the ancient characters I had learned in the past. Otherwise, it would have been impossible."

LeBlanc said modestly.

"I see."

Jeong-Hoon followed LeBlanc into the room.

In front of him, the Ancient Recipe and a copy of the deciphered recipe were placed on the table.

===

[Transcendent Enhancement: Legendary]

- Type: Skill

- Grade: Legendary

- If you attempt enhancement according to the recipe for the first time, you can acquire 'Transcendent Enhancement: Legendary'.

===

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The skill that had allowed Iwase Haruto to become the ultimate Enhancement Master.

'The only person who can safely enhance Legendary grade equipment.'

Just hearing it was crazy.

After obtaining this skill, Iwase started to accumulate enormous wealth, established a guild, and quickly grew it into a renowned one.

He led a revolution in the equipment meta, and was even considered an essential asset, ranked first in recruitment priority when New World synchronized with Earth in the future.

'Iwase, this is mine now.'

He had given the traitors various big middle fingers since his return, but this would probably be the biggest one.

Just by taking this one skill, he would completely twist Iwase's future.

"This is a recipe that allows you to learn a skill. Fortunately, I have all the ingredients... but I'm missing one."

LeBlanc explained with a bitter face.

"What are you missing?"

"A Legendary Enhancement Stone. I need that."

The Legendary Enhancement Stone was an enhancement stone that even LeBlanc had only seen once in his life.

And even then, it was just a fragment left over after use, not a complete stone.

To obtain an enhancement stone of that grade, you had to hunt boss monsters over level 300, and only a very small number of people were capable of that.

'Of all things, he needs that...'

He was very disappointed.

He didn't have much time left to live.

In such a situation, he had the chance to decipher the Ancient Recipe, which was on his bucket list.

However, how could he not be disappointed that he couldn't experiment with the recipe due to the lack of ingredients?

"That's great. I happen to have a Legendary Enhancement Stone."

"...What?!"

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]