Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 2

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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 (2)

One Step Closer to the Dream

20 years ago. Earth changed drastically.

The Status Window that appeared alongside the Gates. That was the cause. Blue windows appeared before the eyes of some people, and those who possessed them gained power on a completely different level from ordinary people.

Those who had such Status Windows were called Awakened.

With Magic Stones pouring down like bamboo shoots after rain and the existence of the Awakened, the world developed incomparably in just 20 years compared to before.

So the non-awakened had no choice but to be left behind.

Inferior humans who couldn’t feel mana in a world dominated by magic power. The minority of Awakened evaluated the non-awakened that way.

Lee Si-hyeok, a transport driver for Termion Corporation, was also one of those inferior beings.

—That was the story until just a moment ago.

Now Si-hyeok was staring at the blue window blocking his vision with a dazed expression.

 

[You have awakened.]

[Name: Lee Si-hyeok]

[Gender: Male / Age: 28]

[Checking possessed skills.]

[〈General Skills〉

「Mana Sensitivity」 – E Rank

「Mana Control」 – E Rank

「Mana Conduction」 – E Rank

「Mana Amplification」 – E Rank]

 

“My goodness.”

Si-hyeok exclaimed in admiration. It was exactly like the Status Window that Awakened people described on the internet. Who would have thought that the wish he had only kept as a dream would really come true for him.

From 「Mana Sensitivity」 to 「Mana Amplification」. These general skills determine the difference between Awakened and non-awakened.

Since these are basic skills that all awakened people acquire, without them, one cannot feel mana.

That means.

From now on, Si-hyeok can also feel mana.

“….”

Si-hyeok sat cross-legged on the bed and closed his eyes. He knew well about how to sense mana since he had looked up so many related papers.

As he took deep breaths and gradually relaxed his body, the intangible energy floating around began to touch his skin.

Mana.

He could feel that energy which seemed like he would never be able to reach or touch. Si-hyeok waved his hand through the air.

Normally, he definitely shouldn’t have felt anything, but now something caught with a swoosh. It felt like putting his hand in water and stirring it.

He opened his eyes.

In the air of the room that had been ordinary until he tried to sense it, blue threads were tangled everywhere. Mana was visible to his eyes.

“It works…!”

Si-hyeok was purely delighted. From now on, with skills like 「Mana Sensitivity」, he could also dream of becoming a magical engineer.

Although the skill rank was E, so what? S-rank? A-rank? He didn’t even dare to hope for those.

He could feel mana. That was enough.

‘What special skills do I have?’

If general skills are the most basic of basics that all Awakened share, special skills differ from person to person.

The skills determined here decide whether one becomes a combat-oriented ‘Hunter’ or a production-oriented ‘Engineer’ or other professions.

Thump thump… Si-hyeok clutched his pounding chest and opened the special skills window.

 

[Checking special skills.]

[〈Special Skills〉

『Mimicry』 – EX Rank (Current Lv. 1 / Limit Lv. 3)

『Eyes that Pierce the Essence』 – EX Rank

『Blooming』 – EX Rank]

 

EX Rank! Even Si-hyeok, who was well-versed in information, had never heard or seen such a rank in his life.

He had seen that the highest existing rank was S-rank, so how could this be….

Si-hyeok opened the descriptions of the skills one by one.

 

[『Mimicry』 – EX Rank (Current Lv. 1)

You can mimic anything you desire. Depending on your ability, it’s possible to surpass the original.]

 

It was peculiar that it had levels. Did that mean it could grow further? Anyway, 『Mimicry』 must mean he could mimic other artifacts more perfectly.

 

[『Eyes that Pierce the Essence』 – EX Rank

This is an ability you originally possessed. You have excellent insight in observing all objects and living beings. You can check information about artifacts.]

 

He originally possessed it…? Si-hyeok’s mouth fell open.

According to the description, Si-hyeok’s ability to mimic various artifacts until now, and his quick understanding when looking at blueprints or papers, was all thanks to that ability.

He thought he had grown through effort, but he had such talent all along.

 

[『Blooming』 – EX Rank

Your talent has bloomed! From now on, you can grow the ranks of your skills according to your actions. Experience limitless growth!]

 

This was impossible.

Growing ranks? He had never seen that anywhere. If you’re born with an E-rank skill, you have to live your whole life as E-rank.

But this 『Blooming』 was shattering that common sense.

“…This is insane.”

The corners of Si-hyeok’s mouth curled up. He could take another step closer to the dream he had been disappointed about.

Could there be anything more exciting than this?

All this time, making things alone by copying others’ works, analyzing research materials that didn’t even work. It was so moving to know that all of that wasn’t meaningless.

Now that he could feel mana. That would become fertile nourishment to support Si-hyeok’s dream.

Calming his tickling heart, Si-hyeok lay down on the bed.

 

* * *

 

The next day.

After work, Si-hyeok hurried home.

There was a package waiting. The cheap C-grade Magic Stone and Gate Core he had ordered from an online shopping mall last night before falling asleep.

Today he planned to test his 『Mimicry』 skill with these materials.

How complete could he make an artifact imbued with mana?

“Whew.”

He neatly arranged the work materials on his desk.

They weren’t high-quality materials. High-performance materials, that is, B-grade or higher Gate byproducts, were all bought up by companies like Termion Corporation.

Still, C-grade Magic Stones like these could be purchased inexpensively from shopping malls.

The work he would test mimicking today was none other than….

‘Termion Hex-9.’

The prototype he had seen in Termion’s underground warehouse a few days ago.

Termion Company’s representative work, a pistol-shaped artifact.

The prototype seemed to have defects, so he had asked Manager Yoon Seo-jin about it, but she didn’t think much of it.

That remained a question for Si-hyeok, so he wanted to try mimicking it while fixing the flaws himself. Today during work, he had also carefully observed the shape of the Hex-9.

“….”

He closed his eyes and drew the blueprint.

Given the materials, he didn’t expect to achieve performance close to the original. It wouldn’t even come close to its toes, but it would be amazing if just the ‘mana operated.’

Lee Si-hyeok, having finished his thoughts, put on his gloves.

 

[『Mimicry』 is activated!]

[Assisting the user’s thinking.]

[Assisting the user’s movements.]

 

Semi-transparent plastic made by melting monster bones.

As Si-hyeok slowly assembled it, his thinking expanded instantaneously.

His mind, which usually worked quickly during tasks, was now surpassing its limits.

The initial blueprint he had conceived was being revised. He was appropriately extracting optimal design plans to match each timing.

Whirrr!

Holding the mana adhesive tool that spewed high temperatures, he attached the magic stones together.

The magazine section and the center of the barrel. The center of the pistol body.

Ideas that emerged in the blink of an eye meshed together, finding precise positions.

 

[『Eyes that Pierce the Essence』 is activated!]

 

With the skill’s assistance added, Si-hyeok’s actions became even more uninhibited.

His hand movements were also different from usual. Moving smoothly and seamlessly like a flowing river, he handled the materials with precision.

Now the basic mana circuit was complete.

Like the Termion Hex-9 he had seen in the warehouse, layering multiple circuits on the barrel to improve accuracy.

Thinly grinding the semi-transparent body to enhance portability—everything was successful.

Until yesterday, he couldn’t handle mana, making it impossible to even create mana circuits. It felt deeply moving.

It was time to address the prototype’s flaws.

Crack. Crackle!

To prevent unnecessary mana leakage, he dispersed the existing circuit that had been thickly extending in one direction into three delicate circuits.

During this process, Si-hyeok was certain. Without the 『Mimicry』 skill, doing this work raw would have taken an extremely long time.

“…Is it done?”

Si-hyeok raised his head. Time had passed by without him noticing.

 

[『Mimicry』 suggests.]

[Connect the magazine circuit and barrel circuit to each other.]

 

What does this mean? Si-hyeok pursed his lips in thought.

A simple message. Si-hyeok traced back through the numerous research materials he had seen and recalled one that matched this.

‘If I connect all three dispersed circuits to the barrel…’

Rapid-fire capability would be greatly improved. It was a paper published by a small research lab in America!

Since it was technology that only applied to small artifacts, specifically pistols, it hadn’t become much of a topic. But for this pistol-type Hex-9, it was more than applicable.

Si-hyeok knew this because he thoroughly scoured academic paper sites after work, but Termion Company seemed to have missed it.

Si-hyeok put his gloves back on and hurriedly added the work.

The circuits connected quickly without breaking.

Only the final stage remained.

Si-hyeok activated his 「Mana Conduction」 skill and infused his mana into the pistol.

Whoomm!

 

[『Mimicry』 successful.]

 

“It worked!”

Si-hyeok, wearing a happy smile, cheered with his arms raised.

To think he’d actually make an artifact himself! From his usual position of just watching, he felt like he could fly.

However, there were still steps remaining.

After making a product, one must go through the testing process.

“Hmm. This won’t punch through the wall, will it?”

He pulled out cushions that had been shoved in a corner and layered them against the wall. Would this be okay? He was worried, but it was an artifact made with cheap materials.

“It should be fine.”

Si-hyeok pulled the trigger.

—Bang!

With the gunshot, mana drained from his body.

And…

The mana bullet that pierced through the cushions made a hole in the wall.

‘Shit.’

Si-hyeok grabbed his weakened legs and examined the hole. Soon he let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it seemed to have stopped in the middle of the thick wall.

It would have been real trouble if it had flown to the next apartment.

“…Wait. This is a rental.”

This was serious.

 

* * *

 

Just because he had awakened didn’t mean he could neglect his main job.

“I wonder when they’ll come out.”

Si-hyeok, who had come to work, was waiting in front of the Gate for the hunters to emerge as always.

Still, there was a smile on his lips. Because he was holding the pistol he had mimicked yesterday.

Whoom.

“…Hm?”

Si-hyeok, who had been humming, felt a small vibration. A minute tremor that would be unnoticeable without concentration.

The Hunter Association employees controlling the Gate didn’t seem to notice. They were having normal conversations among themselves.

‘Is it because I’m in the truck?’

The vehicle’s slight shaking would be easier to detect than for people with their feet on the ground.

Whoomm.

Even now. Si-hyeok, who had been staring at the Gate, realized one fact.

That it was mana fluctuation.

Cracks appeared on the Gate. Sparks flying with crackling sounds. Si-hyeok, who couldn’t see mana before, wouldn’t have known, but now he could notice.

‘Gate Break.’

A phenomenon where monsters pour out after failing to clear the Gate within the time limit.

The Association employees still hadn’t noticed.

That made sense, since the precursor signs of a Gate Break are very subtle. Only Si-hyeok, who was well-versed in Gate-Mana Theory, could recognize it.

Hoooonk!

Si-hyeok honked the horn. The Association employees covered their ears and sent questioning looks.

“Get back! Gate Break is…!”

Crackle! In an instant, a crack formed in the center of the Gate.

One second, two seconds, three seconds. With a tremendous explosion, monsters poured out of the Gate.

Si-hyeok, who had reversed the truck to create distance, was fortunately safe.

After a moment, the smoke cleared and the view was revealed.

Some employees had minor injuries, but most had drawn up their mana to protect themselves. It was thanks to Si-hyeok alerting them.

“Ahhhhh! I’m, I’m dying!”

One hunter came running out among the bursting monsters.

There were a total of three hunters who had entered this B-rank Gate today. Since no other hunters were visible, it seemed only that hunter had survived.

Grrrr.

Screech, screech!

The number of pouring monsters was alarming.

One that looks like a boss monster.

As for regular monsters….

“Fuck.”

Just how many of those things are there? I roughly counted and it went over dozens.

“Evacuate!”

Association employees shouted while blocking the massive boss monster.

Lee Si-hyeok placed his hands on the steering wheel.

Now that all the regular monsters’ aggro was drawn to that hunter, this was the chance to escape.

Vroom!

As Si-hyeok turned the car around, he caught sight of the fleeing hunter.

A familiar face.

“Hey! S-save me! Please!”

The hunter who had thrown away the Document Bundle that Si-hyeok had handed him a few days ago.

It was Lee Gang-mok.

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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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