Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 74

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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 (74)

On Air!

The next morning, the day of the final session.

Eterion Dormitory Building B Room 505.

―Ding!

[Your experience has reached a critical point, and the special skill 『Blooming』 is flowering.]

[Accordingly, the ranks of general skills increase by one level each!]

Lee Si-hyeok’s eyes, who had been quietly meditating while sitting on the wooden floor, calmly gazed at the messages that appeared.

[「Mana Control」 B-rank → A-rank]

[「Mana Sensitivity」 C-rank → B-rank]

[「Mana Conduction」 C-rank → B-rank]

[「Mana Amplification」 C-rank → B-rank]

The cold chill rising from the floor slowly awakened his just-awakened body.

After a moment, the corners of Lee Si-hyeok’s mouth curved upward.

‘As expected.’

It was just as he had anticipated.

Recently saving Ryu Se-eun, and as she requested, returning the bracelet to Yoon Seo-jin wasn’t enough—he had even modified it into an artifact.

She might not know it, but in fact, all of that hadn’t started from simple goodwill.

‘It’s been about a month now, hasn’t it?’

Probably since arriving at Eterion Magic Engineering Academy.

Just before the seminar started, Lee Si-hyeok, who had been helping Professor Hong Yong-jin with various research, felt a certain ‘intuition.’

Something in his head was tingling, and it felt like if he just reached out, he could touch what lay beyond…

The feeling of reaching a critical point toward the next stage.

Lee Si-hyeok speculated that this was a sign that 『Blooming』 would activate, and he had been making various efforts to satisfy this condition.

The reason he explored inside the Rift while taking risks during the first session was also for this purpose.

And a few days ago.

[〈Bracelet of Promise〉 – ??? Rank / Accessory

A bracelet containing a promise with someone precious. Though it may be made of crude materials, the meaning contained within is more valuable than anything else.]

[+ The creator’s modification has been added! A special ability is generated!]

[Special Ability 「The forgotten memories…」

Through redesigning the ‘Memory Projection’ method, it brings subconscious latent memories to the surface once more, limited to the target ‘Yoon Seo-jin’.]

The moment he modified Ryu Se-eun’s bracelet was the decisive blow.

Applying the idea of the ‘Memory Projection Documents’ he experienced at the Central Records Hall to the bracelet. With this, the bracelet was completed as an artifact, and the accumulated enlightenment finally saw the light.

―Swoosh.

Lee Si-hyeok, who had closed the message window, slowly closed his eyes. Then, sitting cross-legged, he carefully began to operate his mana.

From 「Mana Control」 to 「Mana Amplification」. He tried activating all four skills step by step.

First, starting with ‘sensing’ the surrounding mana.

[「Mana Sensitivity」 is activated.]

Swoooosh…

Along with the cool air, a tingling sensation was felt on his skin.

A sharpness that seemed to cut through flesh and a softness like touching silk coexisted simultaneously.

Yet it couldn’t directly harm him.

‘Mana.’

This was precisely the characteristic and essence of mana.

Always coexisting nearby, but its uses varied tremendously depending on how it was used.

Though he had always known this theoretically, perhaps thanks to the skill upgraded to B-rank, he could feel it more clearly. Who would have thought the day would come when he could experience this directly through his skin.

On the other hand, he became newly curious about ether, which ignored all these essences and possessed only the property of ‘destruction.’

‘…I’ll probably need to research this more to understand it.’

Since there were too many things to worry about right now, he decided to put it on hold for the moment.

Lee Si-hyeok finished checking the other skills one by one as well.

He had just reached B-rank, but just thinking about what synergy it might create with special skills made his heart swell with excitement.

After getting up, finishing his shower and coming out, Isaac, who hadn’t been there just moments before, was waiting.

“Boss. Are you all ready?”

Lee Si-hyeok was startled for a moment, then answered while ruffling his hair.

“Well, roughly. By the way, what about what I instructed you to do? How did it go?”

“I actually came to report on that.”

“Tell me.”

Last night, before going to sleep, Lee Si-hyeok had asked Isaac to look into Chronos Industry’s movements. It was to check if there were any changes from the proposal Ryu Se-eun had left behind.

“Most of it seems to be going according to the original plan. They don’t seem to have noticed the bomb the Boss planted yesterday at all.”

“…Most of it?”

“There was nothing unusual inside Eterion Magic Engineering Academy. The originally expected personnel were all there as planned. But the outside of Eterion was a bit concerning.”

“When you say outside, where exactly?”

“I literally mean the Eterion Outer Wall.”

In other words, the security fence surrounding the entire site.

“I spotted several Chronos employees there. They were hiding so as not to be detected, but for some reason they were moving busily.”

While listening quietly, Lee Si-hyeok changed into his outdoor clothes. As always, a neat black shirt with a tie, and a white research coat.

“I couldn’t confirm exactly what they were doing. It didn’t seem like they had properly started anything yet.”

“So it’s a preparation stage?”

“It seems so. Besides, even if I had seen it, it would have been hard to understand. I don’t have deep knowledge in magical engineering…”

Isaac trailed off. Lee Si-hyeok, who had finished changing clothes, chuckled and patted his shoulder.

“Good work. That much is, well, sufficient.”

“…”

“Anyway, I should keep it in mind. With the feeling that other variables might arise.”

He thought there wouldn’t be any major problems. Thanks to his skill ranks increasing, he could handle most variables.

Lee Si-hyeok took out his smartphone, checked the text message from Chairman Lee Young-hoon, and packed the necessary items into his bag.

And while checking if he had forgotten anything, something crossed his mind.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Lee Si-hyeok quickly opened a drawer and picked up something.

A small artifact. It was a new artifact he had made when modifying the bracelet, and it would be essential today.

“Now let’s really go.”

Having finished all preparations, Lee Si-hyeok left his room.

* * *

Coming out of the dormitory building, there were quite a few people on the road.

“Did you get some sleep? I was so nervous I couldn’t sleep a wink.”

“Oh my. What’s there to be nervous about? This isn’t your first time at such an event.”

“It’s my first time. I’ve been to similar events in San Francisco, but even those compared to this seminar…”

‘Are they researchers from Canada?’

They were participants who had become familiar by now.

Besides them, people from various countries could be seen, and unlike the beginning, despite being from different countries, they all seemed to get along well.

Except for teams like Chronos and Ray Wen, who were receiving international ostracism.

Of course, Lee Si-hyeok was no exception.

Patter patter patter patter….

“….”

The Canterbury Research Group had been following behind him the whole time.

They kept glancing around nervously without saying a word, trailing after him.

Patter patter patter….

“…Just walk with me.”

“Really? Is that okay?”

Patter patter patter patter patter…!

When he spoke indifferently, Aila immediately quickened her pace and stuck close to his side.

“What about Professor Hong Yong-jin?”

“He probably arrived first. They say people sleep less as they get older.”

“Puhi? Puhihi?”

This person even laughs strangely.

“By the way, Mr. Choi Hyeok?”

“Yes.”

“Did you prepare well for the session? I heard this time they’re not dividing into teams? All participants will cooperate? As one team?”

“Enough not to be a burden. What about you, Ms. Aila?”

“I worked really? hard?”

Surprisingly, when Aila said that, the Canterbury Research Group members behind them simultaneously made ‘mm-hmm!’ sounds and murmured.

“Hard work….”

In truth, it would all be useless.

Pyo Jae-hwan’s plan was scheduled to begin before they could do anything proper.

“Hihit?”

However, seeing Aila’s joyful smile, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything. Lee Si-hyeok, who had been pondering while looking at her, spoke briefly.

“Effort never betrays you….”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

…Just because.

Leaving the puzzled Canterbury Research Group behind, Lee Si-hyeok entered the Central Engineering Hall.

While chatting about various things as they walked, they had arrived before they knew it.

This time, instead of heading to the usual 3rd Floor Grand Auditorium, they went directly into the first floor’s shared research lab.

Since all participants would cooperate in conducting ‘joint research,’ they said it would start in Eterion’s largest research lab.

―Creeak.

Opening the massive marble door and entering, the research lab came into full view.

Lee Si-hyeok gulped at the magnificent sight.

A ceiling so high you couldn’t see the end.

Dozens of research tables neatly arranged in rows.

Various experimental fields of different types equipped within a single research lab.

And mechanical cranes hanging from various spots on the ceiling.

‘This is insane, really.’

It was the most impressive research lab he had ever seen in his life.

Rather than a research facility, it felt more like some industrial site. The analysis drones buzzing around in the air were particularly eye-catching.

“You’re here?”

“…Yes.”

Lee Si-hyeok hid his bewildered expression and took a seat next to Professor Hong Yong-jin. The Canterbury Research Group that had followed sat down next to them in a row.

“It starts in 10 minutes. Until then, you can prepare various things.”

Professor Hong Yong-jin, who was checking the research equipment, said.

While helping him, Lee Si-hyeok quickly scanned the interior of the research lab.

‘Let’s see, where is Pyo Jae-hwan….’

However, despite looking around for a while, Pyo Jae-hwan was nowhere to be seen. Not only that, but the entire Chronos Team.

As expected, they seemed to have scattered throughout Eterion to create mana rifts.

‘They probably won’t show themselves until the session ends.’

And he could feel Yoon Seo-jin staring at him intently from earlier, but he didn’t bother to respond. When the time came, there would be an opportunity to talk.

How much time had passed after that?

The host climbed onto the platform on the opposite side of the research lab.

After finishing brief greetings, he began the main topic.

“As mentioned, this session is a ‘cooperation’ session where all participants work together to conduct research.”

But then he suddenly clapped his hands.

“However, before we start! There’s one thing we need to inform you about. A surprise rule we haven’t announced yet!”

“…What? A surprise rule?”

“No, again?”

People began to murmur.

And for good reason, there was precedent from the first session.

They had suddenly added a voting rule in the middle of the session to rank participants and give rewards.

With this unexpected turn, people’s voices grew louder.

“This isn’t right! You should have told us in advance!”

“Is it another ranking thing like last time?!”

However, the host responded with a calm attitude.

“Haha. I fully understand that you’re flustered. But don’t worry. Unlike last time, this surprise rule won’t directly affect the results at all.”

“…?”

“It won’t?”

“That’s right. Without further ado, let me explain right away. Look!”

Beep, when the host pressed the remote control, presentation screens appeared on monitors hanging throughout the research lab.

The sentence that appeared:

[On Air! Live Broadcast]

“Huh? On air?”

“Don’t tell me….”

While everyone was confused, the host shouted loudly.

“That’s right! This ‘cooperation’ session will be broadcast live to audiences around the world from start to finish!”

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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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