Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 7

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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 (7)

I can do it, that conviction arose

“…Si-hyeok?”

Yoon Seo-jin was following slowly at a distance, being considerate of Lee Si-hyeok who was touring the warehouse.

But Si-hyeok’s condition was strange.

He had been observing the Legacy Artifact when he suddenly grabbed his head and staggered, then even started gasping for breath.

“Are you okay!?”

Yoon Seo-jin rushed over and shook his shoulders.

No answer came back. Only painful groans flowed out between his tightly clenched teeth.

“I’ll call 119…”

As she pressed the phone number with trembling hands, Si-hyeok suddenly grabbed her arm.

“…I, I’m fine.”

She looked at Si-hyeok at his rough voice.

Furrowed brow. Twitching cheek muscles.

—Corners of his mouth turned up.

‘…Why?’

Just moments ago he had been expressing pain, so why was his mouth smiling? She could feel inexplicable excitement in his labored breathing.

Yoon Seo-jin forgot about calling an ambulance and stared at Si-hyeok with her mouth open.

After catching his breath, he spoke.

“Department Head.”

“…Yes, yes?”

“The development support for Termion Hex-9. Is there still work left for me to help with?”

Why is he suddenly asking this? Is his body really okay?

Questions arose, but Yoon Seo-jin hesitantly shook her head.

“No… there’s nothing more to ask of you, Si-hyeok. The First Research Department will handle all the remaining work.”

“Then may I leave first?”

“What? No, suddenly in the middle of our walk? If you’re going to the hospital, I’ll go with you.”

Yoon Seo-jin took out her car keys.

“There’s no need for that. It was just a brief headache. Anyway, then I’ll be going first. The walk was enjoyable.”

A firm tone. Si-hyeok took out an energy drink from his pocket and pressed it into her hand.

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll see you on Monday.”

And he left without looking back.

“What the heck…”

Yoon Seo-jin just stared blankly at his retreating figure.

 

* * *

 

Before going up to the research lab, Si-hyeok first stopped by the Underground 2nd Floor Warehouse.

Fortunately, it wasn’t that late yet. He caught an employee who was just about to leave work and purchased the ‘necessary materials.’

The Byproduct Purchase Voucher he got from Chairman Lee Young-hoon.

When he presented his employee ID, it was a free pass.

He put the materials in a box and arrived at his personal research lab.

He turned on the lights and quickly arranged the materials on the research table. So they’d be easy to distinguish.

After finishing organizing, Si-hyeok activated his skill.

 

[『Eye That Penetrates Essence』 presents information about the artifact.]

[What information would you like to check?]

 

‘Show me the materials needed to craft 〈Dusk Sword〉.’

 

[〈Dusk Sword〉 – Required Materials

Magic Stone (B-rank or higher): 2

Gate Core (B-rank or higher): 1

·

·

·

Abyss Silk: 2m

Essence of Darkness: 250ml]

[You currently have all required materials!]

[You can 『Mimic』 〈Dusk Sword〉!]

 

Si-hyeok gulped and closed the message window.

Ever since learning he could mimic Legacy Artifacts, his heart had been pounding with excitement continuously.

Humanity’s first.

A realm no one had ever reached.

He could go through a bit more design process before starting work, but Si-hyeok simply couldn’t wait.

Planning stage? Simulation?

The 『Mimicry』 skill would handle the insufficient calculations, and the skill would also assist with precise work.

Si-hyeok’s passion for research wasn’t shallow enough to be suppressed by mere patience.

‘Let’s do it.’

Si-hyeok put on his work gloves.

Tension coursed through each finger joint. Could he really pull this off? This difficult task?

 

[『Mimicry』 is activated.]

 

When he activated the skill, such trembling gradually subsided.

Rather than vague feelings about the unknown territory, the ‘new magical engineering approach’ that had entered his mind earlier set his thoughts spinning.

He could do it. That conviction arose.

Today happened to be Friday. If he didn’t go home all weekend and immersed himself in work, he could definitely produce results.

 

[Beginning mimicry of Legacy Artifact, 〈Dusk Sword〉.]

 

With firm resolve, Si-hyeok moved his hands.

 

* * *

 

Sunday afternoon.

Si-hyeok brought the Mana Conduction Stone to the sword’s handle.

Carefully so it wouldn’t break. With delicate hand movements, he pushed it into the small hole and it went in with a soft sound.

“Next is…”

He scanned the materials list with bloodshot eyes. Blood vessels had burst and he was extremely tired, but his concentration remained intact.

He adjusted the handle made by layering Abyss Silk multiple times to fit the shape of his palm.

He checked the sword’s balance and minutely moved the core’s position so power could be smoothly converted.

Success.

Now all that remained was to infuse his mana and balance things so the circuits would operate properly.

Swoosh.

He pushed aside the paper cups that had been taking up one corner of the table. How many cups of coffee had he drunk while staying up all night?

Si-hyeok gripped the sword’s handle. For final tuning, he placed his right hand on the blade and slowly infused mana.

 

[「Mana Conduction」 is activated.]

 

Was it thanks to the skill growing to D-rank? It was much easier than when making the Termion Hex-9.

Instead of mana draining from his body all at once, it was controlled step by step with efficient amounts. It felt like consideration for the user.

 

[『Mimicry』 has succeeded.]

 

“…It’s done.”

Lee Si-hyeok swallowed dryly. After staying up for two nights, he had finally completed it.

However, he still hadn’t taken off his work gloves.

He couldn’t end it here.

There was a necessary procedure remaining.

‘I absolutely cannot copy the original Dusk Sword as is.’

The Dusk Sword was an item thoroughly kept under Termion Corporation’s security.

Despite having tremendous power, it was preciously stored away without being provided even to contracted hunters due to its value. Not even to Hunter Lee Gang-mok, the chairman’s son.

But what if the fact that Si-hyeok had copied that Dusk Sword without permission became public?

It would cause tremendous repercussions.

That’s what Legacy Artifacts meant. Just being discovered alone made the world stir, so what would happen if it became known that a person had ‘directly’ made one?

Whether good or bad things would happen. How would Termion react?

It was different from the case of Hex-9. That was already a popularized general artifact. Also, no one would recognize it except for Manager Yoon Seo-jin.

But the Dusk Sword?

Legal lawsuits, or physical retaliation.

Regardless of what results Si-hyeok’s development brought about, Termion would simply consider it a criminal act. That he had stolen company property without permission.

So Si-hyeok was thinking of making some modifications to this Dusk Sword he had just created.

Upgraded performance.

Circuit redesign. Form transformation techniques.

If he structurally improved from the original and made functional differentiations, it would clearly escape the realm of theft.

If he went through the modifications he had in mind, it was safe to say there would be no problems.

 

[Ending 『Mimicry』.]

 

Si-hyeok turned off the skill.

From now on, it was purely the realm of creation. The 『Mimicry』 skill was no longer needed in this process.

Whirr.

He closed his eyes and placed his hand on the blade’s surface. Through 「Mana Sensitivity」, he touched the circuits one by one.

Multiple circuits extending in straight lines. He gently moved them, weaving them into double and triple layers. Overlapping them repeatedly to make them thick.

Wooong!

He completed a ‘shock absorption circuit’ that could partially absorb enemy attacks.

This was the result of combining knowledge from papers he usually read with circuit approach methods obtained from 『Eyes that Pierce the Essence』.

Connecting simple theory with complex circuits. It wasn’t easy, but it was an idea he barely managed to come up with.

Next, he loosened the handle’s connection and flowed ‘Essence of Darkness’ through that gap.

With this, this long longsword now possessed a ‘form transformation function’ as well.

He could freely adjust the sword’s length.

Click. Swoosh!

When he flowed mana into it, the longsword shrank and transformed into a dagger. It would be useful depending on combat situations.

‘This should be enough…’

Si-hyeok pressed his dry eyes gently and showed a satisfied smile.

Mimicry and modification.

It was the most complex and difficult work he had ever done in his life. The sense of accomplishment and joy he felt was several times greater than usual.

―Ding!

 

[You have succeeded in crafting a ‘Legacy Artifact’.]

[A realm no one has achieved!]

[The flow of Gates is stirring at this marvelous achievement.]

[This is not an artifact completed with 『Mimicry』.]

[Therefore, you can set a new name for the artifact.]

[〈Dusk Sword〉 → New name!]

 

Si-hyeok’s expression, which had been showing a happy smile, suddenly stiffened.

Naming.

It was one of the parts Si-hyeok found most difficult.

Since he had only made copies of works with existing product names, he had never tried naming a new artifact.

“Hmm.”

A memory flashed through Si-hyeok’s mind as he pondered.

When he saw the description of the Dusk Sword before, it definitely said ‘weapon used by Shadow Soldiers’.

Probably there was a monster called Shadow Soldier inside a C-rank Gate, and a hunter obtained it from there.

“I’ll go with 〈Shadow Blade〉.”

Si-hyeok, who borrowed the idea, muttered.

Even he thought it was a cringeworthy name, but nothing else came to mind.

 

[〈Dusk Sword〉 → 〈Shadow Blade〉]

[The name has been changed.]

 

Si-hyeok stood up from his chair.

Crack crack. Strange sounds came from his waist and shoulders since he had been sitting continuously for over ten hours.

Though he desperately wanted to rest right away, Si-hyeok moved with the Shadow Blade.

The experimental small containment room prepared in one corner of the research lab.

It was to test the performance of the Legacy Artifact.

“Let’s start with this.”

Si-hyeok picked up a sword-type general artifact that was prepared in the containment room first.

He had purchased it in advance to compare how much stronger the Shadow Blade’s power would be compared to general artifacts.

Whoosh!

He activated mana and swung the sword.

The experimental magic target in the center of the containment room.

A thin scar appeared on its surface.

The fact that Si-hyeok, who didn’t even have combat skills, inflicted a meaningful wound was indeed worthy of Termion Corporation’s products.

However, monsters wouldn’t budge with this level of attack.

Hiss, after a moment passed, the magic target’s scar recovered. It was a self-repair ability.

Now it was the Shadow Blade’s turn.

Si-hyeok gripped the blade and quietly aimed at the target. How much deeper a wound would it make? Two spans? Three spans? His anticipation swelled.

Wooong.

Vibration resonated as mana drained from his body.

Dark energy seeped out around the Shadow Blade.

―Whoosh!

He swung his arm. A black trajectory flashed between the target and the blade.

Kwaaaaang!

It was instantaneous.

The experimental magic target’s surface cracked, then even its internal body was cut through in an instant. Cracks infused with black energy spread out.

Rumble rumble rumble! When the impact hit a beat later, the magic target collapsed as if it were hollow inside.

Shattered fragments rolled on the floor, and all that remained were completely broken debris.

The magic target was smashed to pieces without leaving any trace of its form.

―With a single strike.

Lee Si-hyeok repeatedly opened and closed his mouth, looking down at the Shadow Blade in his hand.

“…Wh, what is this….”

It was beyond imagination. At most, he thought he’d make a wound about three spans deep on the magic target’s body.

Lee Si-hyeok was a complete crafting type awakened with no combat skills whatsoever.

But what on earth was this scene?

The Shadow Blade wasn’t satisfied with just cutting the target—it had completely pulverized it.

This was a moment when he painfully realized once again why Legacy Artifacts were so rare, and how they far transcended General Artifacts.

Lee Si-hyeok shifted his gaze to look ahead.

…The destroyed magic target wasn’t repairing itself. That was probably natural. The magic stone inside had been completely destroyed.

“The repair costs are going to be massive….”

If I’d known this would happen, I should have controlled my strength a bit.

 

* * *

 

After two days of research lab life, Lee Si-hyeok finally returned home.

He had to go back to work starting tomorrow, so he needed to rest well.

“What’s this package?”

However, there was a package in front of his door. Had he ordered something from a shopping mall? He tried to recall, but nothing came to mind.

He set down his luggage and opened the box.

He could see an elegant wrapping cloth. He lifted it slightly to look underneath.

“Korean beef set?”

And it was a very expensive, highest quality Korean beef set packed in a large gift box. Just looking at it, the quantity was enormous.

He narrowed his eyes and thought about who might have sent it, when a letter fluttered down from the unwrapped cloth.

 

[Instead of a meal, I’m sending this. Thank you for back then. -Hunter Lee Gang-mok]

 

“Well, I’ll be.”

Lee Si-hyeok unconsciously let out a chuckle.

Honestly, he was surprised.

When they first met, Hunter Lee Gang-mok had completely ignored Lee Si-hyeok and didn’t even treat him as a person.

After surviving that life-threatening crisis, he had even made an uncharacteristic apology, and now he’d gone as far as sending a gift.

When Lee Si-hyeok had said “buy me a meal or something,” it was just a casual remark meaning not to worry about it.

He never thought he’d actually send a Korean beef set like this….

Well, it wasn’t a bad feeling. He’d been starving himself while developing, and his stomach had been acting up.

Sizzle!

Lee Si-hyeok immediately grilled the Korean beef and opened a beer. You have to eat it while it’s fresh for the best taste. With the greasy food going down, even his fatigue seemed to fade a little.

He ate piece by piece while turning on his computer.

Before the weekend ended, he needed to make a reservation for the Association’s ‘Awakening Grade Test’ in advance.

A system implemented at the national level to prevent awakened individuals from using their abilities indiscriminately.

Within one month of awakening, you visit the Association building, complete various tests, and receive an awakened ‘grade’ assignment. Then your registration with the Association is complete.

Lee Si-hyeok planned to complete his registration before it got any later. He didn’t want to become a criminal who violated the Special Awakened Law.

He opened a messenger program.

Normally, the official procedure was to make a reservation on the website and then visit according to the schedule, but it was different for Lee Si-hyeok.

 

[Choi Min-seong]

 

The name was still showing in his recently added contacts.

It was that Association employee who had supported Lee Si-hyeok when the Gate Break occurred not long ago.

He had told him to contact him if he wanted to register as an awakened. He’d said he would connect him directly.

Lee Si-hyeok sent a message while chewing meat.

Ding!

Despite the late hour, a reply came back immediately.

 

[Yes ^^ Tomorrow works too. Just come right after you get off work~]

 

“Okay.”

After sending a reply, Lee Si-hyeok shifted his gaze.

On the bed.

The 〈Shadow Blade〉 stored in the scabbard he had crafted together with it.

He planned to bring that with him to tomorrow’s grade test.

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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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