Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 9

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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 (9)

Out of Specification, Grade Measurement Impossible

“What the hell is this…!”

Song Chae-ah’s eyes widened as if they would tear apart as she stepped back.

Assistant Manager Han Da-hee ignored her shock and looked at Lee Si-hyeok.

A calm expression.

A relaxed smile as if this was the expected result from the beginning.

She was known within the Association for being ice-cold, but right now she couldn’t compose her disheveled expression no matter what.

For a moment, Han Da-hee only made sounds like “Ah, ah…” before pulling herself together.

Then she questioned Lee Si-hyeok.

“This artifact was made directly by you, Mr. Lee Si-hyeok… is that correct?”

“Yes. It’s shown right there, isn’t it?”

“H-how…?”

“Through hard work. I worked hard and it turned out this way, you know?”

Hard work.

Lee Si-hyeok answered sincerely. To him, it was such a natural response.

Was he born with talent from the start? No. When everyone else was awakening at age 10, Lee Si-hyeok barely awakened at the late age of 28.

Through effort. At the end of 5,000 countless reproductions, the Status Window acknowledged Lee Si-hyeok’s struggle. The nutrients accumulated there led to today’s achievements.

Inferiority complex. Longing for what he couldn’t have.

Frustration born from deficiency.

Those negative emotions that Song Chae-ah secretly harbored, Lee Si-hyeok had experienced dozens of times more intensely for much longer.

“…”

However, Han Da-hee didn’t know about those times. Rather than accepting the situation, it was natural to suspect a malfunction in the measuring device.

She looked up at the hologram floating in the air again.

After tapping the mana detector a few times, she tilted her head.

“…Please wait a moment.”

Eventually, she brought another new measuring device. Since Legacy Artifact measuring devices weren’t used much, there was quite a surplus.

Whoom!

It scanned the 〈Shadow Blade〉 once again.

But the device’s reaction was no different from before.

 

[This is humanity’s first Legacy Artifact created by the human ‘Lee Si-hyeok’.]

 

Now she had no choice but to acknowledge it. That it wasn’t some device error, but Lee Si-hyeok’s skill.

Hiding her complicated feelings, Assistant Manager Han Da-hee recorded the special circumstances on the evaluation form.

In the corner of the examination evaluation form.

 

□ Out of specification, grade measurement impossible.

 

There was a small checkbox. This checkbox had never been filled in even once despite countless examinations.

 

■ Out of specification, grade measurement impossible.

 

But today.

The first mark was carved there.

 

* * *

 

The second stage test was conducted on the very next floor.

Lee Si-hyeok followed Han Da-hee up to the 18th floor.

While the 17th floor where they examined ‘completed artifacts’ felt somewhat like a makeshift Research Lab, the 18th floor had a full-fledged Workshop atmosphere.

Various materials and tools for artifact creation were thoroughly prepared.

“We will begin the second stage, ‘real-time creation’ examination.”

Since Song Chae-ah and Lee Si-hyeok were focused, Han Da-hee explained the process.

The content was simple.

It was to examine what kind of artifact they could create within the time limit using the given materials.

It could be seen as a process that simultaneously tested an awakened person’s judgment, quick thinking, and creativity.

“You need to complete an artifact within one hour using the materials on the Work Table. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“…Yees.”

Why is that person acting like that? Lee Si-hyeok glanced at Song Chae-ah.

Drooped shoulders and a face lacking confidence. The person who was so energetic just moments ago suddenly looked completely drained.

‘It’s not something I need to worry about.’

She probably needs to use the bathroom urgently. Right in the middle of the test… He felt sorry for her, but Lee Si-hyeok shook his head.

Now was the time to focus on the test.

Lee Si-hyeok didn’t feel the need to hide the fact that he had obtained an EX-rank skill.

Well, he obviously wouldn’t reveal the skill name. But when he could finally achieve the ‘awakened registration’ he had only dreamed of, why should he hide his abilities?

If possible, he wanted to demonstrate his skills to the fullest and achieve good results.

“Then, let’s begin.”

Han Da-hee activated the timer.

 

[59:59]

[59:58]

 

Lee Si-hyeok examined the prepared materials.

This material composition changes randomly with each test, they said. So that you can’t prepare in advance what artifact to create.

Metal types including Mana Steel.

Magic Gems and crystals.

Catalysts and other components.

It was quite a variety for just a one-hour limit.

Probably intended to confuse the awakened by providing many options. The more branches you can take, the more naturally time gets delayed.

However, for Lee Si-hyeok, it was just a meaningless trick.

 

[『Eyes that Pierce the Essence』 activates.]

[Comparing with data possessed by user.]

 

As he quickly scanned the table, message windows popped up before his eyes.

Dozens of artifacts that could be created with these materials.

If he only had 『Eyes that Pierce the Essence』, such organization would have been impossible, but Lee Si-hyeok’s brain contained vast data.

5,000 reproductions.

That meant he had directly analyzed and created as many as 5,000 different artifacts.

Although they wouldn’t function since it was during his non-awakened period, the tower of knowledge accumulated in that process was endlessly high.

‘This is it.’

After deliberating, Lee Si-hyeok selected an artifact and put on his Work Gloves.

 

[『Mimicry』 activates.]

 

However, he didn’t move his hands immediately.

Lee Si-hyeok was still rotating his thoughts, assembling blueprints in his mind. How could he construct a more efficient circuit?

—The circuit structure of Legacy Artifacts.

The realization he had gained recently suddenly struck his frontal lobe. A design that was more efficient and revolutionary than anything else.

While he lacked the time and materials to create a Legacy Artifact, there was more than enough to combine that idea with a General Artifact.

 

[Beginning work.]

 

Lee Si-hyeok nodded and drew up his mana.

 

[57:36]

 

It had been barely three minutes.

 

* * *

 

‘What, why so fast…!’

Song Chae-ah, who had been resting her chin in her hand and thinking deeply, blinked her eyes in shock.

That man next to her had already started working. She hadn’t even chosen what artifact to make yet.

She shouldn’t be hasty.

Anxiety washed over her. Why did he have to interfere at this time…

‘Focus, focus!’

Song Chae-ah slapped her cheeks a couple of times.

She had prepared for six months just for today. An unexpected variable had appeared, but if she let it shake her, the loss would be entirely hers.

She picked up the Mana Steel.

She resonated with its interior using the Magic Amplifier. The Mana Steel began responding with a humming sound.

‘…Thank goodness.’

Once she entered the work phase, her confused mind gradually calmed down.

Just as she had learned from the community, she sketched the blueprint of the artifact she would create on paper with scratching sounds. Not too detailed, just a rough storyboard.

What Song Chae-ah had decided to make was a dagger.

According to an anonymous user who claimed to be an expert and posted tip threads, simple weapons were good for the second-stage examination.

Because there was a time limit.

Moreover, basic artifacts like daggers could be easily made regardless of what materials appeared, so there was nothing to worry about.

Song Chae-ah thought it was reasonable advice. She had repeatedly read that tip thread like gospel and steadily practiced dagger crafting.

Whoosh!

Screech… Scriiitch…

She refined metal in the ultra-high temperature furnace, shaped it to the appropriate length, and precisely tuned the mana circuit in the blade for efficiency.

Sweat flowed down Song Chae-ah’s forehead.

‘How much time is left?’

She checked the timer.

 

[51:13]

 

What? Less than 10 minutes had passed? Song Chae-ah’s lips curved up slightly.

Indeed, crafting a simple dagger was faster than her previous test. At this rate, she could finish with a full 10 minutes to spare.

“…Hmm?”

But her head turned with a creak.

The next table. The artifact the man was working on came into view.

A long gun barrel, and a gun bore with a subtle glow. A magazine made of translucent Mana Steel. A scope with technology she’d never seen before.

‘A, a sniper rifle?!’

Song Chae-ah dropped the dagger she was working on with a thud. She couldn’t help it. It was a scene that defied common sense.

Less than 10 minutes had passed since the crafting examination began, and he had already progressed that far?

At this level, it was as if he had pulled out a finished product from somewhere while she wasn’t looking.

And a firearm-type artifact.

They were famously difficult to make. Among them, why did Termion Corporation alone monopolize the market for ‘pistols,’ which were said to be the simplest?

Because even the easiest pistols had insanely complex design structures compared to other melee weapons.

But that man was now making a ‘sniper rifle,’ which was considered the top tier in that field.

‘No, no…’

He wasn’t making it.

He had already ‘made’ it.

“Manager. I’ve completed the artifact crafting.”

The man calling for the supervisor.

Song Chae-ah’s eyes began trembling.

‘But, they definitely said not to make firearm artifacts…’

It was one of the taboos in the community. Making complex artifacts.

When people posted reviews about failing after attempting this, the comments would be flooded with mockery calling them idiots.

…She had to continue working. Song Chae-ah moved her hands again, but couldn’t easily calm her mind.

 

* * *

 

Beep! Beep!

 

[00:00]

 

“The second-stage test is now concluded.”

Han Da-hee clapped her hands once.

Lee Si-hyeok was leaning against the wall in one corner of the workshop, watching Song Chae-ah’s work.

‘Oh. That’s a relief.’

For some reason, she had been working with trembling hands ever since Si-hyeok finished his work.

Still, she had managed to finish crafting right on time. A simple dagger. While it didn’t contain tremendous skill, it seemed she had put quite a bit of thought into it.

“Do we move directly to the third stage now?”

“Yes. It will be conducted on the 19th floor.”

Practical Application Test.

The artifacts crafted in the second stage would be immediately examined in the third stage.

In this process, the examination supervisor would enter the simulation device and use the artifact to battle virtual monsters.

This was because crafting-type awakeners lacked combat skills, making practical tests difficult. Therefore, combat-type supervisors would check performance and grade on their behalf.

“We’ll proceed with Song Chae-ah’s examination first.”

“Yes…”

Song Chae-ah answered weakly.

Han Da-hee, paying no particular attention, gripped the dagger and entered the simulation device.

—Beginning Practical Application Test.

A mechanical voice flowed out, and the combat simulation began. The interior could be seen from outside.

‘Oh.’

Si-hyeok was inwardly impressed.

Manager Han Da-hee had considerable combat skills. She stabbed and brought down the charging monsters with the dagger.

A total of 100 monsters. The simulation ended and test results appeared on the screen.

 

[Attack Power (Destructive Force) – B]

[Efficiency (Operational Difficulty) – B]

[Durability (Sustainability) – C]

 

“Damn it…!”

Song Chae-ah muttered quietly in frustration. When Si-hyeok looked at her, she startled and covered her mouth with her hand.

―We will now begin Lee Si-hyeok’s assessment.

Han Da-hee’s voice flowed from the microphone inside.

She held the sniper rifle that Lee Si-hyeok had made and took a shooting stance.

Virtual monsters began pouring out.

Han Da-hee closed one eye and aimed at the leading monster.

She pulled the trigger.

Bang!

With a gunshot that rang through their eardrums, a mana bullet was fired from the muzzle. The bullet flew leaving a blue trajectory and pierced through the monster’s forehead.

Instant death.

Han Da-hee’s eyebrows twitched slightly in admiration. She moved the muzzle toward the next monster.

Originally, it was common knowledge that sniper rifle-type artifacts couldn’t perform rapid fire. Since each shot was powerful, it took quite some time for the magazine to be filled with mana.

But why was it?

Han Da-hee felt an inexplicable certainty. A certainty that even if she moved her finger immediately, even if she pulled the trigger, she would be able to fire a bullet.

Not baseless confidence, but the intuition she had built up as a hunter.

Trusting that intuition, Han Da-hee immediately pulled the trigger.

―Bang!

Once again, the gunshot echoed.

The power was so strong that the noise leaked through the Simulation Room to the outside.

“…Huh.”

Song Chae-ah unconsciously flinched her shoulders.

The combat situation inside was too realistic. Because of that, she could feel the performance of that sniper rifle even more clearly.

It was wondrous beyond shocking. How did he do it? She examined the artifact using all the skills she had, but couldn’t understand it at all.

It was technology that was several steps ahead of her common sense.

―Ending combat simulation.

Lee Si-hyeok smiled with satisfaction.

Fortunately, the performance came out as much as he had thought. The approaches obtained from the Legacy Artifact certainly showed tremendous efficiency.

Soon, the test results appeared on the screen.

 

[Attack Power (Destructive Force) – Beyond specifications, grade measurement impossible]

[Efficiency (Operation Difficulty) – Beyond specifications, grade measurement impossible]

[Durability (Sustainability) – Beyond specifications, grade measurement impossible]

 

“Huh…”

Still, he didn’t expect this. No, he thought it would at least be displayed as a grade… but all of them were unmeasurable.

Wouldn’t this result in registration failure? At the dizzying thought that crossed his mind, Lee Si-hyeok sucked his lips.

“We conclude the awakener grade test. Thank you for your hard work.”

Han Da-hee came out holding the evaluation sheet and said.

“First, I will announce Song Chae-ah’s awakener grade.”

“Yes…!”

“It’s B-grade. Unfortunately, the same grade as before has been maintained.”

“Ah…”

Song Chae-ah’s face was instantly colored with frustration. She trudged over and plopped down on a chair in the corner.

Watching her with pity, Lee Si-hyeok asked what he had been curious about.

“Um, what happens to me? All the grades that came out were strange. I’ve never seen ‘beyond specifications’ before.”

“…That’s a first for me too. Just in case, I reviewed all the previous records of the Grade Assessment Team, and this seems to be the first time.”

Han Da-hee furrowed her brow as if troubled.

“Lee Si-hyeok. Could you please wait for a moment? This is a matter that requires discussion with higher-ups.”

“Ah, yes. Please go ahead.”

Lee Si-hyeok answered and sat down on a chair.

Next to him, Song Chae-ah was crying with her face buried in her knees.

 

* * *

 

Kim Seung-hyeon.

Team leader of the Grade Assessment Team at the Korea Awakener Association.

During his rare vacation period, he was leisurely enjoying a hotel vacation.

Ring ring! Ring ring ring!

While he was savoring wine in the bathtub, a phone call came to his mobile phone.

“…Deputy Manager Han Da-hee?”

Just as irritation was about to surge, Kim Seung-hyeon’s face showed puzzlement after checking the caller.

Why would that businesslike and cold Han Da-hee contact him at this late hour?

He answered the phone.

“Deputy Manager Han Da-hee? What’s the matter at this hour?”

―I’m sorry for the late hour, Team Leader. A sudden situation occurred while conducting an awakener grade test.

“…A sudden situation? What, did the guy who came for assessment cause a scene? Those bastards are always so arrogant…”

―No, that’s not it.

“It’s not?”

Then what is it? Kim Seung-hyeon blinked.

―The test results came out, but it’s difficult for me to judge the grade alone.

“Grade assessment? Just follow what the machine outputs… Ah. D-don’t tell me an S-grade came out?!”

He shot up. Bathwater splashed everywhere, but this wasn’t the time to care about that.

S-grade.

Fewer than 5 people in South Korea, beings whose very existence could shake international affairs – humanity’s strongest.

“First, don’t tell anyone! After internal meetings and official announcements…”

―No. It’s not S-grade.

“…Then what…?”

Han Da-hee paused for a moment. That emotionless deputy manager took a deep breath as if trying to compose her emotions.

―Beyond specifications, grade measurement impossible. The EX-grade that only existed as a hypothesis has just been born in South Korea.

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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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