Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 71

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

Even Hastily Made Ones Keep Stacking Up as EX-Rank (71)

What Magical Engineering Is

“….”

Lee Si-hyeok immediately checked the contents of both files right there on the spot. His pupils moved rapidly as he read through the text.

After some time had passed, Lee Si-hyeok couldn’t help but mutter unconsciously.

‘This is insane.’

First, starting with what appeared to be the ‘Large-Scale Magic Power Rift Generation Plan’ that Ryu Se-eun had directly recorded.

[This document contains information about the ‘Large-Scale Magic Power Rift Experiment’ that Chronos Industry is planning.

The location is the entire grounds of Eterion Magical Engineering Academy.

However, please note that future changes cannot be recorded….]

All the plans that Pyo Jae-hwan was scheming for the final session were recorded in detail in this single file.

Even down to specific dates and personnel arrangements.

It exceeded the scope of what Lee Si-hyeok had anticipated.

‘When did she write all this?’

Whooom.

He examined the ink on the paper through his 『Eyes that Pierce the Essence』. Upon checking, the ink had dried about three weeks ago.

That meant….

‘…When she first met me?’

Could she have anticipated this happening?

No, that couldn’t be it. No matter how much ether she had absorbed into her body, that level of cognitive ability would be impossible.

Then she probably figured out Lee Si-hyeok’s identity to some extent, and likely held onto hope for the possibility, just in case.

“So she hadn’t completely given up after all.”

Lee Si-hyeok smiled bitterly as he brought up his status window.

When he scrolled through past records slightly, he found the message he was looking for.

[Target ‘Ryu Se-eun’ has arrived in the Imitation World 〈Orbes〉.]

[The Orbes People who serve you have noticed the target’s presence! They attempt to make contact with the target.]

[Contact successful.]

[Target ‘Ryu Se-eun’ has accepted the Orbes People’s proposal. The target will help them conduct joint research from now on.]

[Orbes’ development speed will accelerate further.]

These were the messages that had suddenly appeared this morning.

After sending Ryu Se-eun beyond the rift, he had been worried since there was no news for several days, but fortunately she seemed to have arrived safely.

There were two reasons for sending her to Orbes.

First, it would take quite a long time to remove the magic power imprint fused with ether.

Second, full-scale research on ether was necessary.

‘Actually, I had hesitated a bit about it.’

It would be a completely unfamiliar environment for Ryu Se-eun.

Still, she had agreed to it herself.

Moreover, after experiencing past events, she had been almost completely forgotten by people, so he judged that would be better for her.

…And honestly, the second reason was bigger.

The substance called ether possessed power that far exceeded existing materials on Earth. If so, he could only develop further by making good use of it.

Excluding Lee Si-hyeok, wouldn’t the Orbes People be the ones who could best perform that role?

Of course, he would continue researching through Blackie as well.

‘Simply put, it’s like running hunts simultaneously in two places.’

Direct hunting and auto-hunting.

The efficiency would definitely be maximized.

In the midst of this, a worry suddenly crossed his mind.

‘By the way, I wonder if she’s getting along well with Elec?’

Ryu Se-eun’s occasional mischievous side seemed to be just her original personality… wouldn’t that be completely incompatible with Elec?

On the other hand, thinking about it, since he’s an old man who gets quite lonely, they might get along pretty well.

He wasn’t sure.

―Pfft.

Lee Si-hyeok chuckled as he imagined the two bickering and closed the message window.

‘Either way, she left behind quite an incredible gift.’

This plan document would be a huge help.

“And….”

[Chronos Industry Property. Hidden Asset List 31 Types]

The other file.

This was a kind of treasure map that recorded the locations of artifacts and high-grade magic stones that Chronos Industry had secretly hidden away.

There was no need to check this immediately.

After neatly arranging the disheveled bedding, Lee Si-hyeok quietly left the dormitory.

* * *

The next place he headed to was the Public Reading Warehouse in the Outer Annex.

It was past late night, close to midnight, but Lee Si-hyeok moved without delay.

―Beep! You have been authenticated.

When he held the card key to the door lock, the large iron door opened.

Inside the revealed space, various magic stones and gate byproducts were packed tightly in a container-like area.

‘Let’s see, the things I need….’

The time remaining until the final session started was only two days.

He had to start preparing in earnest from now. Thanks to Ryu Se-eun, he now knew Chronos’ scheme, so it was right to prepare everything he could in advance against them.

And one of those things was creating artifacts that would be useful in two days.

“Three binding matrices and eight control modules. And also….”

Lee Si-hyeok went around the public warehouse, carefully gathering the necessary materials.

Since there were two types of artifacts to make, he needed more materials than expected.

Clank, clatter.

Looking at the cart that was gradually filling up, somehow a sense of satisfaction arose in one corner of his chest.

Eventually, Lee Si-hyeok, who had gathered all the materials, arrived at the research lab.

After neatly organizing the materials on the work table, he activated his skill.

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

[What information would you like to check?]

‘The first one should be 〈Isolate Barrier〉.’

[〈Isolate Barrier〉 – Required Materials

Magic Stone (A-grade or higher): 7 pieces

Gate Core (B-grade or higher): 3 pieces

Lattice Frame (Receiver/Antenna): 35m

·

·

·

Magic Power Conduit: Silver-plated copper wire + magical fiber

Control Module: 1 small quantum-series companion chip]

[You have satisfied all required materials!]

[You can now『Mimic』〈Isolate Barrier〉!]

Isolate Barrier.

In simple terms, it could be considered a super-large defensive barrier.

A top-tier defensive artifact that deploys a barrier as if completely separating the space itself from the outside.

Of course, it wasn’t something Lee Si-hyeok had developed himself.

‘I believe it was developed by Professor Sandip Malhotra from the Indian Institute of Technology.’

That was the very old man who had gotten into a fistfight with the Australian Team over Lee Si-hyeok in the Grand Auditorium not long ago.

Lee Si-hyeok nodded and closed the message window.

In two days, this barrier would become a lifeline for countless people. Rather than spending time creating something new, it would be better to focus on improving what was immediately available.

‘Let’s begin.’

Lee Si-hyeok put on his work gloves.

[『Mimicry』is activating.]

His complicated thoughts instantly cleared. This was probably the effect of《Clear Mirror Still Water》. The blueprint, which had been little more than a simple sketch, was suddenly given concrete form.

Parts connected with parts, and mana circuits branched out in hundreds of directions.

“….”

This was different from before.

Until just a few months ago, his thoughts had stopped at mere visualization, but now they didn’t stop there and began racing even further.

Lee Si-hyeok’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. His rapidly spinning thoughts made his mind burn hot, and each brain cell seemed to blaze as if scorched by fire.

Just as a burning smell seemed to reach his nose.

―Ding!

[Production stage composition complete. Beginning work.]

A vivid image appeared before Lee Si-hyeok’s eyes.

The optimal path. Maximum efficiency. A simulation created with only these in mind began assisting Lee Si-hyeok.

[Stage 1. Set the core.]

He immediately picked up the magic stone and Gate Core. Both were A-grade. Rich mana could be felt from the energy they emanated.

Next, he carefully inserted his hand into the spotless Clean Table, then used tongs to carve minute grooves into the core’s surface.

Woom! A short vibration sound echoed.

[Resonance frequency setting value 32,190.]

[Stage 2. Beginning lattice assembly.]

The core setup was now complete.

This stage involved creating a kind of support structure to hold the core. He then made an antenna from plated fiber and assembled it to a titanium alloy frame.

“Okay. That’s done and….”

Rune circuit inscription to perform key functions.

Control module integration to enable precise adjustments.

Initial charging and reactance injection as a catalyst.

Lee Si-hyeok completed the complex processes with flowing ease and remarkable speed, then slowly picked up the finished product.

[Stage 6. Calibrate the stabilization loop.]

This was the final stage. He approached the corner of the research lab and retrieved a crystal sensor from the drawer.

Using this to check the barrier’s frequency and calibrate the rune circuits and control module to function properly would complete it.

“Wait, before that.”

Narrowing his eyes, Lee Si-hyeok discovered something the skill had failed to detect.

The barrier was a thin, square metal plate, and when he shook it slightly, he found that minor mana leakage was occurring.

It seemed the circuit pattern carved into the plate had gotten tangled….

Crack. Crackle!

He disassembled it without hesitation, revealing mana circuits intertwined like capillaries.

‘The left side is the threat recognition function. The center handles absorption.’

Then the right side must perform the ‘reflection’ function. This was to maximize defensive effectiveness by reflecting a portion of mana energy.

This part had followed the direction Sandip Malhotra had developed, but it seemed it needed some modification.

‘A multi-layered web structure would be much better than a triangular form.’

Lee Si-hyeok continued working according to his plan, and before long, he was able to complete all stages up to the stabilization loop.

[Artifact crafting successful!]

[Astounding completion quality!]

[This achievement far transcends the grade of the original artifact!]

‘Success.’

Lee Si-hyeok smiled with satisfaction.

From the Central Records Hall to Ryu Se-eun’s situation. He had unknowingly become a bit exhausted from the consecutive events, but at this moment, the corners of his mouth naturally lifted.

Magical Engineering was truly.

He thought he understood why《Clear Mirror Still Water》was given as a passive skill for『Mimicry』. It felt this good.

“Then continuing with this momentum….”

On to the next artifact.

This time it was closer to an offensive type rather than defensive. What was unique was that anyone could use it, even non-Hunters. The reason was that it was an installation-type.

Lee Si-hyeok calmed his excited heart and scanned through the list of required materials.

Unlike before, since this was a Legacy Artifact, he needed to put more effort into it.

[『Mimicry』is activating!]

Lee Si-hyeok’s hands began moving once again.

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