Ex-level Player With the Greatest Civilization of All Time - Chapter 33

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 33

Messages announcing Argelayer’s promotion.

[Argelayer’s rank has increased.]
[Rank: Second Lieutenant → First Lieutenant]
[Argelayer’s firepower increases by 20%.]
[Argelayer’s defense increases by 20%.]

I read through all the messages and checked on Argelayer.
I looked to see if there might be some visible change in her appearance now that she’d been enhanced, but…
There wasn’t anything obvious. If anything, her eyes—which seemed to be suppressing the joy of promotion—gave off an air that asked whether something was wrong with her instead.
Considering that things would start looking awkward if I kept this up, I hurried to wrap up the situation.
“I’ve prepared compensation as well. You can receive it through Neia later.”
“Thank you!”
“Good. I hope you’re pleased with it.”
I took care of the robots below Gurryeongdae too.
I hadn’t gathered them just to make up the numbers, after all.
They’d contributed to clearing this S-rank Hidden Floor as well.
“Today isn’t just about announcing a promotion. It’s also an occasion to commend all those who’ve worked for the City’s development up until now. So today, enjoy yourselves—eat, drink, and make merry to your hearts’ content.”
The robots’ reaction was enthusiastic.

[Beep beep— We’re excited!]
[Oil. We want oil—]
[I would like premium oil, please. Sweet premium oil.]

They really do talk, don’t they.
I headed down the back stairs, listening to the robots’ cheers.
That’s when Neia spoke.

‘Are you going to see Krail?’

“Of course. If he’s hurting and can’t enjoy himself, that’d be a shame.”

‘……’

I spoke into Neia’s silence.
“What? Is there a problem?”

‘I wouldn’t particularly recommend it.’

“Why not?”

‘The truth is, Krail refused his promotion.’

He refused his promotion…
In truth, when it came to clearing the 15th Floor this time,
Krail had made the greatest contribution.
In some respects, even more than Argelayer’s.
Yet he’d refused the promotion.
I couldn’t quite grasp it—couldn’t make sense of it at all.
“He doesn’t want it?”

‘Yes.’

Even if he said he didn’t want it, it might be better to force it on him anyway.
Setting aside Krail’s thoughts and circumstances, it was important to administer rewards and punishments strictly.
Otherwise, who would work hard in the future.
So I pressed him on why he’d refused.
“Your reason?”

『He claims he lacks the qualifications. Krail seems to be reproaching himself for not carrying out the mission perfectly.』

The operation had indeed been rough around the edges to call it a flawless success.
There were the drones torn apart by vines, the Gaias requiring mandatory repairs and reproduction due to core overheating, and most critically, those who had lost their lives to Belpherus.
The High Priest and his clergy were natives of the Tower, true enough, but strictly speaking they were victims all the same.
And the greater problem was that a considerable number of personnel had been lost to Belpherus in that chaos, utterly and without dignity.
Given Krail’s forthright nature, if he hadn’t taken it upon himself from the start, it might have been different.
From the moment he chose to accompany them, he’d begun seeing them as his charge—and now he felt the weight of responsibility for them.

『That is the extent of what I know. I’d recommend speaking directly with Krail. Shall I connect you?』

“Yes, do that.”
Snap—
Neia brought up a new screen at my word.
Krail, who had been lying alone in the Hospital Ward, hastily raised himself from the bed and saluted.
The shape of a robot arm not yet fully reconstructed.
Seeing that skeletal frame with barely its structure held in place, I gave him an order.
“Lie back down. It’ll put my mind at ease.”

『Thank you for your consideration.』

He too drew a blanket over his shabby arm, as if to hide it.
Watching him settle, I spoke quietly.
“I hear you’ve turned down the Promotion.”

『That is correct.』

“That could constitute insubordination. Are you aware of that?”

『If you mean to reprimand me, I will accept it.』

If only he’d accept the Promotion in place of a reprimand.
Right up until I connected with him, honestly, I’d thought persuasion might work.
But he showed more resolve than I’d expected.
Given Krail’s character, I’d thought emphasizing his military rank and ordering him to comply would be sufficient to move him.
But once it became clear that wasn’t going to work, I decided to let it go entirely.
“You’re stubborn as they come. There’s no talking sense into you, is there?”

『I apologize.』

“Never mind that. How’s your recovery coming along?”
Forcing the Promotion on him under these circumstances felt wrong anyway.
I changed the subject.
Krail seemed to understand my intent, managing a wry smile as he spoke.

『I’m managing… though seeing a body made of metal and wiring isn’t exactly pleasant.』

“Right. If you change your mind later, let me know.”

『Yes.』

“Neia, let Krail rest now.”
Click—
The screen went dark.
Well, that crossed one appointment off the schedule.

[Promotion Examination]
– Promotion available: 1 use remaining
Tomorrow it would recharge to 2 again.
Should I use it on Argelayer one more time?
The impulse flickered through my mind for a moment.
But I was aware enough not to act on such a whim.
The recharge happened on the first of every month, so I decided to save it for then if I had no immediate use.

* * *

“Status window.”
With one schedule cleared, I opened the status window next.
There was another reason besides the promotion ceremony for visiting this place today.
While supplying Magic Stones and enjoying time off, I’d taken the opportunity to organize my thoughts, as it happened.

[Lv.25 Kang Seon-woo.]

[Security Clearance Level 5]
– Level 20
– Mana 50
– Magical Force 50
Mana: 48 → 66
Magical Force: 48 → 66

The objective was to strengthen my Security Clearance Level.
I intended to access information I’d previously been unable to reach due to authority restrictions.
I’d nearly achieved it already thanks to the Mana and Magical Force from my equipment.
But with a ten-level jump this time, I’d cleared the threshold easily.
“Neia, check my current Security Clearance Level.”
Neia’s voice came through moments later.

『Clearance verification in progress… Verification complete. Your current Security Clearance Level is 5.』

“I’d like to know what new information I can access.”

『The newly accessible information is as follows.』

-[Enhanced Equipment Blueprints viewing]
-[Access to Core Center 2nd Floor Biological Recovery Chamber]

“…That’s it?”

『Yes.』

Less than I’d hoped, it seemed.
I made my way inside the Core Center.
“Enhanced Equipment Blueprints? Let’s take a look at that first.”

『I will guide you.』

Following the blue dotted line Neia displayed on the floor, I walked until I reached the archives on B1.
As I stood before the door, it slid open with a sound—the sealed entrance that had been locked before.
Screeeeak—
I stepped inside and surveyed the interior.
For a place that had been restricted for so long, it was remarkably clean.
It probably wasn’t due to anyone actually entering; it was more likely because of that module system Neia had mentioned before.
“Hmm…”
I pulled out one of the file folders from the nearest shelf and examined it.
Strange characters—the kind I always saw when moving around the City.
I’d thought about learning them once, but the prospect was daunting.
Truthfully, there was no need.
I have Neia, after all.
“Check this for me, will you?”

‘These appear to be research materials on antimatter-related weapon parts.’

“Antimatter? That’s actually possible?”
Even with my limited knowledge in this field, I know that much.
One of the most dangerous and destructive forms of energy that exists.

‘Analysis suggests it would be possible if all inactive facilities within the City were brought online.’

“So it’s impossible right now?”

‘Absolutely impossible.’

In other words, pie in the sky.
I smacked my lips in frustration and returned the document folder to its place, then surveyed the interior.
The archive was a space of roughly a thousand square feet.
With the very first file containing materials on this scale, my expectations climbed.
“Neia, classify everything in here as quickly as you can. Focus on what’s currently applicable to our drones.”

‘Beginning analysis. Scope limited to weapon strategy research materials.’

The moment Neia’s crisp, businesslike voice faded, blue luminescence began flowing through circuits between the bookshelves that filled the space.

‘Analysis complete. Approximately 3,200 titles identified. Materials judged applicable at present time are as follows.’

I gathered one by one the files marked with blue light.

[Enhanced Ultra-Current Blaster]
[Plasma Penetrating Nozzle Upgrade]
[Portable Energy Shield]
[Accuracy Correction Tactical System]
…

When gathered together, the sheer volume was staggering.
Over two hundred items in total.
“Let’s learn all of these and apply them.”

‘That is not realistically feasible.’

“Why?”

‘Many of these weapons have contradictory effects. Even if their properties don’t clash directly, considering the drone-based design model, they would create mobility problems.’

“Then you decide which weapons are most efficient and equip them.”

‘I estimate approximately twenty percent increase in firepower from current levels. Shall I proceed?’

“I’ll take whatever I can get.”
It was while Neia was gathering information for a major upgrade of the drones.
Then a thought suddenly struck me.
“Actually, since we’re on the subject—how long until Seizrunner is ready for production?”
The truth was, this 15th Floor.
If Seizrunner had been available, things might have gone differently.
Argelayer is a Hero-class Unit, but at the same time it’s a combat drone with inherent limitations by design.
But Seizrunner is a true Final Battle Weapon.
The chances were high that the course of battle would have shifted dramatically, regardless of whether it was even a basic model.

‘Still awaiting production.’

“But… nearly a month has passed?”

『Since I’ve been entrusted with the drone production process, I’ve scheduled the Seizer Runner — which has the longest production time — as lowest priority.』

Looking at what had been produced in the meantime, there were twenty combat drones, fifteen hunter drones, and five retired Aegis units.

『Additionally, I’ve been urgently manufacturing replacement drones to compensate for the damaged units, which has delayed production. At the current pace, the Seizer Runner is expected to be completed in approximately a month and a half. Shall I adjust the production order?』

“No, wait a moment.”
That was something he’d been thinking about during his leave.
To put it simply: was the City really doing fine as it stood?
Whatever the circumstances, restoring the damage was a foregone conclusion.
As long as Baek Jin-seong didn’t fumble the negotiations.
And he still hadn’t opened the reward box from the Hidden Floor either.
In any case, now that things had improved somewhat—
He’d been considering whether to raise the City’s operational level up a notch.
That would include research facilities and necessary installations, but naturally it also meant factories.
“Neia, what’s the current operation rate of the City?”

『Operation Rate: approximately 0.02%.』

“I’m thinking of raising that operation rate this time — basically by adding several more factories.”

『An excellent decision, sir.』

Investment poured into the City always made Neia excited.
“Compile a preliminary list for me.”
Neia’s eyes gleamed.
Soon, having completed her calculations, Neia spoke.

『I have selected factories to newly activate, taking power consumption into account.』

Concrete expansion remained uncertain for now.
First he needed to open the reward box and see how much capital could be secured.
But a small factory or two should be manageable, shouldn’t it?
No matter how he thought about it, he had the capacity for that much.

– Ultra-Small Factory.
– Ultra-Small Factory.
– Ultra-Small Factory.
– Small Factory.
..

Most of them were Ultra-Small Factories.
But among them, one Small Factory caught his eye.
“What about this Small Factory?”

『If you’re asking about power consumption, it’s expected to use approximately five times the electricity of an Ultra-Small Factory process.』

“But it can still produce new units, right?”

『Your assumption is correct, but based on the current facility infrastructure, I judge there would be no difference in the producible list between the Small Factory and the Ultra-Small Factory.』

“Then let’s temporarily activate one more Ultra-Small Factory for now. As for the Small Factory, I’ll think a bit more about whether to operate it.”

『Orders confirmed. I will activate one additional Ultra-Small Factory. I understand that this newly activated factory will produce Seizer Runners. Is that correct?』

“Yes.”
When he headed back outside today, he had things to do.
The priority was to open the Reward Box as soon as possible.
I left the Advanced Weapons Research Lab.
Neia spoke from beside me.

‘The next facility is the Biological Recovery Chamber. It’s on the 2nd Floor.’

“Ah, is that one of the places that was sealed off when I toured before?”

‘That’s correct. That’s the one.’

We took the elevator down to the 2nd Floor and stepped out to find a door glowing with pale blue light.
As I approached it, the door recognized my presence and slid open.
Stepping inside, what greeted me was a severely dim interior.
“Neia, the lights.”
The moment I spoke, the interior lights blazed to life and flooded the space with brightness.
At the same time, I spotted a row of cylindrical pods lining the chamber.
Each one was filled with a white liquid.
Most of them were empty.
But one in the center held something—or rather, someone.
The instant I confirmed the presence, I couldn’t help but freeze.
“This can’t be….”
Inside the Biological Recovery Chamber lay—
“That’s you, isn’t it?”
Neia.

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