Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 131

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even Hastily Made Ones Keep Stacking Up as EX-Rank (131)

 

High Tension

 

“…Lumibra?”

 

Lee Si-hyeok had quite a vivid impression of Lumibra remaining in his memory.

 

And for good reason, as it was both an artifact and a living being that inspired genuine respect as a magical engineer. To be precise, it was admiration for the Great Creator, but that didn’t mean he felt nothing toward Lumibra either.

 

So he clearly remembered that dragon’s voice. Moreover, the speech pattern was so unique that it was impossible to forget even if he tried.

 

“We meet again, little one.”

 

As Lee Si-hyeok stared intently at the experiment chamber with apparent tension, a figure slowly walked out from the naturally opened chamber door.

 

“I knew we would meet like this again.”

 

As the bubbles that had obscured his vision cleared away, the figure’s appearance was revealed in detail. A large-framed man reminiscent of the golems outside, and he was even naked due to having been in the preservation liquid.

 

For a moment, awe faded and bewilderment took its place.

 

“Uh.”

 

“Hm?”

 

As Lee Si-hyeok reflexively stepped back and spoke, what appeared to be Lumibra sent him a puzzled look.

 

“Your gender, what is your gender?”

 

Formal speech slipped out without him realizing it.

 

“You’re asking about my gender?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hmm, I don’t really have a gender per se. The Great Creator wasn’t particularly concerned with such things.”

 

“Still, there must be something, right?”

 

“If I had to say, I’d be closer to a female form. Though that’s just part of a much larger identity.”

 

“….”

 

He felt like he shouldn’t have asked.

 

Lee Si-hyeok swallowed hard and stared blankly at the sight of a soft, high-pitched voice flowing from the massive frame of a naked man. He was very conscious not to let drool escape from his slightly parted lips.

 

“Anyway, I’m quite delighted to reunite like this. Aren’t you also…”

 

However, when she immediately approached as if happy and even tried to embrace him, even Lee Si-hyeok had no choice but to back away considerably.

 

“…Hmm?”

 

“….”

 

* * *

 

In any case, the gains from this experiment were considerable.

 

He confirmed that a ‘consciousness’ could dwell in the power source of an artifact called 〈Dragon Heart〉.

 

And he learned that this consciousness could be transferred intact to another artifact.

 

What this meant was…

 

‘Someday I too can attempt to give birth to a living being through artifacts.’

 

However, now was still too early.

 

Not only were there plenty of other research topics, but he hadn’t completely grasped the principles behind it. It seemed optimal to challenge it after digging a bit deeper.

 

Furthermore, his curiosity about the Great Creator had grown even more.

 

What exactly was his identity that he knew all of this—even that Lee Si-hyeok would pick up a Hunter’s corpse and combine Lumibra’s soul with it?

 

Even if he had an artifact that could see the future, it was an astounding matter.

 

‘The only information I know right now is that it’s a being from another dimension.’

 

He had a strong intuition that as he walked the path of magical engineering, there would come a moment when he would eventually reach it.

 

“By the way, it’s a bit disappointing about the 〈Dragon Heart〉….”

 

“Is that what worries you?”

 

When Lee Si-hyeok let out a deep sigh, Lumibra, who was beside him, looked at him with warm eyes.

 

Seeing such a gaze from someone with the most masculine face made him feel quite nauseous, but at least unlike before, he was properly clothed now.

 

“Yes. The heart disappeared along with being fused into your body. It was quite a precious artifact.”

 

And he decided to just keep using formal speech. For some reason, it seemed like it would be more uncomfortable to speak casually to that face.

 

“I agree with that too. It was also the Great Creator’s first legacy… But don’t worry too much. It hasn’t completely disappeared – it will continue to dwell within my body.”

 

“To take it out again, we might have to completely dissect the body, so that’s why.”

 

“Then we can just do the dissection, what’s there to worry about?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I’m willing to offer my body gladly. If you want it, just say so anytime.”

 

According to the Great Creator’s will.

 

Looking at Lumibra who added that quietly, Lee Si-hyeok raised his eyebrows as if flustered, then soon shook his head.

 

“That’s fine. I don’t have such thoughts yet.”

 

It wasn’t for emotional reasons. Lee Si-hyeok was clearly recognizing Lumibra as an artifact.

 

He just thought it wasn’t the right time yet.

 

“When the time comes that I truly need the 〈Dragon Heart〉 next time. I’ll tell you again then.”

 

“Hehe, then that’s fortunate. I can breathe a little longer too.”

 

Lee Si-hyeok, who had been watching the massive frame that shook violently with each laugh, turned his head with a displeased expression. The luggage from the main laboratory that had been moved earlier was neatly organized.

 

The 〈Soul-Pursuing Harpoon〉, which was originally the golem’s weapon, had been returned to its owner.

 

Various Gate byproducts had also been run through the ‘Magic Crystal Growth Device’ once each, then properly sorted in the warehouse so they could be taken out and used as needed.

 

For now, the things that needed to be done in subspace seemed to be finished to this extent.

 

From the Origin Artifact to the revival of [Lumibra].

 

‘It was incredibly productive.’

 

Now only the things that needed to be handled outside remained.

 

Lee Si-hyeok completed a final overall inspection of Gyeongdogak, then quickly returned to the first floor lobby.

 

“So you’re planning to return to that place called Earth?”

 

“I have to. I need to look into Hunter Baek Min-ji that you told me about, and there are some other things I need to do.”

 

“That thieving bitch….”

 

For a moment, Lumibra’s expression became even more menacing before returning to normal.

 

“Ahem, anyway, I understand. Have a safe trip.”

 

“I’ll be going then.”

 

A rift appeared in the air and Lee Si-hyeok’s body disappeared.

 

* * *

 

…The place Lee Si-hyeok headed to after leaving subspace was the Termion Security building.

 

It feels like it’s been quite a while since I came here. He muttered that as he stood across from the building and raised his head to look up.

 

Looking at the tall building with dozens of floors, his head naturally tilted in puzzlement.

 

“Was it originally this tall?”

 

The last time he came was right after the GateTech Expo ended long ago.

 

He hadn’t visited even once since briefly stopping by to hand over the company operations guidelines manual before departing for the ‘Obsidian Mining Site’.

 

Who would have thought it would change this much in the meantime.

 

After confirming the green light at the traffic signal, Lee Si-hyeok crossed the crosswalk. As he passed by the cafe where he first met Deputy Representative Lim A-yeon, he felt strangely nostalgic for some reason.

 

“Management Consultant!”

 

As he smiled faintly, a welcoming voice came from across the way.

 

The person standing at the building entrance was none other than Deputy Representative Lim A-yeon.

 

“Ah, it’s been a long time. Deputy Representative.”

 

“Indeed. I wonder how long it’s really been.”

 

“But we’ve been keeping in touch continuously, haven’t we?”

 

“That feels different though. Besides, I was always the one who contacted you first.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

That’s true.

 

Following Lim A-yeon’s guidance into the building, Lee Si-hyeok let out a small gasp of admiration. What had changed wasn’t just the sophisticated exterior appearance, but the interior of the building as well.

 

“Amazing, isn’t it? You’ve only been away for six months, yet it’s changed this much.”

 

“…At this level, it seems there’s hardly any difference compared to Termion Headquarters building.”

 

“This might actually be better. It’s not just any contractor, but we directly remodeled and expanded based on the Management Consultant’s blueprint.”

 

In fact, as she said, when Lee Si-hyeok handed over the operations guidelines manual, he had also prepared and delivered building remodeling blueprints.

 

Perhaps it was because he felt a sense of responsibility after taking on the position of management consultant.

 

So, anticipating the operational profits that would come in after the expo, he directly designed a more trustworthy exterior and interior to match the image of ‘security’.

 

Even so, the reason he was so impressed was because the implementation exceeded his imagination.

 

“You really did exactly as I described.”

 

“It’s thanks to all our colleagues working together. Plus, headquarters also stepped in to help a lot, like assigning Research Department 1 to us.”

 

“Research Department 1, where Research Director Yoon Seo-jin is?”

 

“That’s right. I heard she volunteered first. When we met at the expo back then, we were complete strangers, so I was really grateful.”

 

Lee Si-hyeok crossed the first floor hall, which had an overall blue tint, and passed through the security door with Deputy Representative Lim A-yeon.

 

As he was inwardly resolving to express his gratitude to Director Yoon Seo-jin later, Lim A-yeon continued speaking.

 

“I’ve been talking too much about various things. Anyway, you said you had business here?”

 

“Yes. It’s nothing grand, just a personal matter.”

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

She pressed the elevator button. However, when the top floor button lit up, Lee Si-hyeok looked at her with puzzlement.

 

“Don’t you work on a different floor, Deputy Representative?”

 

“That’s right. My office is on the 17th floor.”

 

“Then why the top floor…”

 

“The Representative said he wanted to meet the Management Consultant in person.”

 

“The Representative, you mean Representative Hwang Eun-ho?”

 

“Yes.”

 

For a moment, Lee Si-hyeok’s expression became enigmatic.

 

His memory also clearly retained memories of CEO Hwang Eun-ho.

 

The general manager of Termion Security and the ace who was personally selected by Chairman Lee Young-hoon and rose to that position.

 

However, he was a tragic figure who had lost all will due to consecutive corporate failures and had given up completely, letting go of everything at the company.

 

Even when he had personally visited him to revive the security company, he clearly remembered how he spoke in a dragging tone, finding everything bothersome.

 

But…

 

“That person wants to meet me?”

 

“Actually, there’s something I didn’t tell you, management advisor.”

 

As the elevator floors went up, Lim A-yeon’s brief explanation continued, and Lee Si-hyeok blinked after hearing the entire story.

 

“…CEO Hwang Eun-ho is currently in charge of the overall company management?”

 

“Yes. Of course, we’re operating based on the guidelines manual you provided, management advisor, but the CEO is leading those businesses again like before. As you said, our customer base has expanded considerably, and various Hunters are continuously applying for security positions.”

 

“Why is he suddenly like that? Back then, it seemed like he would resign at any moment.”

 

—Ding!

 

The elevator door opened. Looking at the CEO office beyond the long corridor, Lee Si-hyeok and Deputy Representative Lim A-yeon got off and started walking.

 

“Isn’t it all thanks to you, management advisor? After the Expo, the company’s stock price went up like crazy, and since then, everything you’ve done has been a huge hit.”

 

“The company grew together as a result of that effect?”

 

“Exactly. The CEO had really fallen into a deep swamp, but he’s someone who comes back to life in the face of results.”

 

That meant he had escaped from that swamp thanks to Lee Si-hyeok.

 

Lee Si-hyeok briefly let out a contemplative sound at the chain of events that had occurred like a butterfly effect, and soon arrived in front of the CEO office door.

 

Just as Deputy Representative Lim A-yeon was about to knock.

 

“Ah, oh my! You’re here!”

 

The door burst open first and CEO Hwang Eun-ho shot out like lightning. A high tone poured out matching his movements.

 

“I’m sorry! I should have come down personally! Work has been so busy… I left it to Deputy Representative Lim!”

 

“No, well. I don’t really mind that sort of thing.”

 

“That’s a relief! Then please come in and let’s talk!”

 

High tension, high tone.

 

Lee Si-hyeok, who was a bit flustered by the completely different atmosphere from when they first met, saw towers of documents stacked up to almost reach the ceiling through the open door gap.

 

Next to them, dozens of crumpled coffee paper cups were rolling around, and at least ten monitors displaying incomprehensible graphs were hanging on the wall.

 

“Haha, ha… Please don’t mind it and have a seat!”

 

It seemed that his words about being so busy were somewhat of an understatement.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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