The Automatic Rooting Range Is Too Wide - Chapter 169

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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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Auto Looting Range Too Wide Episode 169
Chapter

Episode 169: Ramakan (3)
“Uh….”
I stared at the motionless Ramakan with a bewildered expression.
“It seems to have ended far too easily than I expected?”
Ramakan was a hidden boss that had never been conquered once throughout the entire world.
It had been designed to be impossible to conquer in the first place.
That’s why I was certain the battle with Ramakan would be difficult.
But no variables had occurred.
Everything had fallen into place exactly as planned.
[It just means you prepared so thoroughly, Master!]
“Is that so?”
[If it weren’t for your unique skill in the first place, you wouldn’t have even conceived the idea of defeating it!]
“Well, that’s true, but….”
[Ah, but you didn’t win with just Auto Looting! Without your skills and items, you wouldn’t have been able to deplete Ramakan’s mana! When I think about it this way, it’s all thanks to you, Master!]
I wore a displeased expression.
I felt good after being given a ride on the aircraft, but… why did this guy suddenly become so cunning?
“Why are you suddenly flattering me like this?”
[Oh, did I upset you?]
“No, that’s not it.”
[Then I’ll continue! And strictly speaking, it can’t be called flattery! The fact that you were the core of the operation was true!]
An artificial intelligence that had become a sycophant—was this really okay?
In any case, it felt good to hear, so there was no problem….
“Wait.”
[What’s wrong?]
“Why isn’t a message appearing?”
Since I had defeated a hidden boss, some message should have appeared, but it remained silent.
[Could it be because the body is still intact?]
“The Tower wouldn’t be that careless….”
That’s when it happened.
A chilling sensation, as if my throat were being strangled, washed over me.
I reflexively turned to look at Ramakan.
Ramakan was completely motionless, having lost its core.
But why was it?
The ominous feeling I sensed grew even stronger.
‘What is that?’
A rectangular hole pierced through Ramakan’s body.
Inside it, I could see a black crystal.
Within the crystal, black flames flickered and danced.
“…Let me ask you one thing.”
[Huh? What is it?]
“You said Ramakan extracts and stores magical power from a power source, right?”
[Yeah, that’s right. But why the sudden question?]
“Then what is the power source that Ramakan uses?”
[Ah, that varies by version. I heard the latest version of Ramakan uses an Iranka Reactor. It’s a power reactor that uses magical power—high output but stable….]
Crack—
At that moment, a fissure appeared in the crystal.
In an instant, the crystal was covered in cracks and shattered into pieces.
Along with it, what had been contained within was released.
A viscous, mudlike substance flowed out from Ramakan.
It was pitch-black, and the magical power emanating from it was utterly repulsive.
It was as if the accumulated filth of a sewer had taken form.
Squelch—
The clumps merged together and shaped themselves into a human form.
“Huuuuh.”
The black entity straightened its back and drew in a deep breath.
Then it laughed loudly and cried out.
“Ahahaha! I’m free! Finally escaped from that horrible place!”
Surprisingly, the black entity possessed intelligence.
But for some reason.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that conversation with it would be impossible.
“Oh, ooh? Oooooooh?”
Upon discovering me, the black entity began to exclaim at length.
“A human? It’s actually a human! How is there a human in the Machine Empire? The Machine Empire couldn’t have developed a Dimensional Gate… Aha, you came through the Tower?”
I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
Throughout my climb, I had encountered many intelligent beings.
But this was the first time I’d met one that recognized this place as the Tower.
“You… aren’t a resident of the Tower?”
“Resident? Aha, so that’s what you call us in your dimension? No, I am ■■■.”
The last words were obscured by noise and couldn’t be heard.
The black entity tilted its head.
“Huh? Why is it being censored? Don’t tell me you’re still a ■■■ who hasn’t reached ■■■? How did a ■■■ defeat Ramakan?”
The noise prevented the meaning from being properly conveyed.
From the way it spoke, it didn’t seem like the black entity had done this intentionally.
“A human who hasn’t even reached ■■■ defeated Ramakan… I can hardly believe it. Well, it’s none of my concern anyway. What matters to me right now is that I’m free!”
The black entity bared its teeth in a grin.
Though it was merely laughing, I felt a chill as if a blade had touched my neck.
[M-Master.]
At that moment, a voice came from the drone attached to the back of my neck.
[Y-you need to run right now! Th-that’s far too dangerous.]
“…What on earth is going on?”
I whispered softly.
Then Bokdol-i explained in a trembling voice.
[R-Ramakan isn’t purely a device developed by the Machine Empire’s technology. There was a reference entity.]
“A reference?”
[Ramakan’s core functions and even its structure were all ■■■ from that entity. The life form used back then was ■■■’s ■■■!]
Bokdol-i wasn’t free from censorship either.
[What we faced wasn’t a mass-produced unit. A prototype powered by ■■■… the only product where ■■■ was directly used… the original!]
I couldn’t hear what it was saying clearly.
But one thing was certain.
That black entity was dangerously threatening.
“Magnificent human! Since this is fate, let’s exchange names! I’m Hisolikan! If you tell me your name too….”
Gurgle.
At that moment, the sound of a stomach growling echoed.
It was a common sound, but the problem was its volume.
My body trembled from the sheer loudness. It was like a ship’s horn blaring.
“Ah, it’s been so long since I woke up—I’m starving.”
Hisolikan’s eyes fixed on me.
“Should I fill my stomach first?”
Kalabe stretched his arm toward me.
[Master, dodge!]
An urgent cry.
Immediately after, invisible slashes engulfed me.
Boom—
I was sent flying backward, crashed into the wall, and collapsed.
My limbs went limp. A pool of blood began spreading beneath me.
“Huh?”
Hisolikan tilted his head in confusion.
“I was going to tear you into pieces and eat them one by one. Why is there still a form left?”
As Hisolikan tilted his head back and forth, he soon realized the reason.
“Damn it! I’ve weakened! All that time having my mana drained away—my very existence has become faint!”
Hisolikan stomped his feet and spewed curses.
“You damned scrap metal bastards! I won’t leave a single one! I’ll crush every last one of you to dust….”
Suddenly, Hisolikan’s movements stopped.
He slowly turned his head and laughed with interest.
“You’re alive?”
I had gotten up, though I was thought to be dead.
The problem was that I wasn’t in good condition.
My armor was shattered into fragments, blood seeping through every crevice.
In short, my entire body had been slashed to ribbons.
The fact that I was still alive was a miracle in itself.
“Oh, hurts quite a bit, doesn’t it? Let me finish this quickly for you.”
Hisolikan pointed his finger at me again.
Just as he was about to unleash a slash, Hisolikan’s body froze.
It was because of the gleam in my eyes, visible through strands of hair.
Despite experiencing the vast difference in power firsthand, there was no trace of fear in my gaze.
Rather, I was radiating an intense killing intent.
“Oh, did I really get under your skin?”
But Hisolikan paid it no mind.
Would any human fear a mouse’s anger?
Similarly, Hisolikan was not a being who could be affected by a human’s rage.
“This time, I’ll slice you into fine pieces.”
Mana erupted from Hisolikan’s hand.
An invisible slash swept across the space where I stood.
* * *
At that same moment.
Something was unfolding within my Inventory.
“Hmph, you came.”
Cardmos Dunwall spoke with an unwelcoming expression.
Across from him sat a young girl perched atop a column.
“Anyone seeing this would think I came uninvited. Yet it was you who summoned me, Grandfather.”
“Silence. Do you think I called you here just to measure our strength?”
Sihae Yeomhwa’s expression turned exasperated.
She had heard he was an absolute being who once ruled an entire dimension, yet this pettiness and shamelessness—what was this all about?
“The reason I summoned you is because of that brat. As a teacher, shouldn’t we discuss how to properly raise a disciple?”
“I’ve told you before—I’ve never considered myself a teacher.”
“Stop spouting nonsense. I heard you taught that brat not just skills but also philosophy. If that isn’t being a teacher, what is?”
“Think of it however you wish, Grandfather.”
Sihae Yeomhwa replied indifferently.
“That brat succeeded in using your skills without the system’s aid.”
Yet at these words, her pupils dilated.
“…He used my martial arts without inner energy?”
“Moreover, he even demonstrated a new skill he recently learned from you.”
“Are you trying to deceive me?”
“Has your killing intent rotted your very marrow? What benefit would I gain from lying to you?”
Cardmos replied with displeasure.
“Don’t take it so badly. If our positions were reversed, you would have doubted me as well.”
“Hmph.”
Cardmos snorted derisively. Yet he did not deny what Sihae Yeomhwa had said.
Using skills without the system’s assistance.
In truth, it was a technique that Awakened ones didn’t necessarily need to master.
The Tower’s system was an extraordinarily sophisticated technology.
Even an inferior being who couldn’t become a commoner could wield the world’s greatest techniques freely with the system’s aid.
So why would there be any need to use skills without the system’s help?
However, there was another reason why these two were so delighted by Mincheol’s achievements.
“If what the elder said is true… then he possesses the necessary aptitude.”
In each dimension, there existed absolute beings comparable to gods.
Sihae Yeomhwa was one, and so was Cardmos Dunwall.
Mincheol possessed the same aptitude as these two.
“That boy has extraordinary talent. But even a raw gemstone becomes worthless if not properly cut and polished. We, as his teachers, must guide him correctly.”
Cardmos spoke with a serious expression.
“Perhaps new changes are already occurring. Such is the nature of mana.”
This power—called mana, inner force, or in some dimensions, spiritual energy—was virtually omnipotent.
In the hands of a commoner, it scattered like dust, but in the hands of a genius, it wielded godlike authority.
“You truly regard that person as your disciple.”
Sihae Yeomhwa spoke up.
His tone suggested he himself did not.
“Are you not afraid? The Tower is a dangerous place. What if, after investing such affection, he dies?”
“Hmph, so you’re nothing but a coward after all.”
Cardmos spoke with a hint of ridicule.
Yet Sihae Yeomhwa showed no particular reaction.
“That boy won’t die.”
“Even the most brilliant geniuses die like insects in the Tower.”
“I’m not saying this because of his talent.”
“Then why are you so certain?”
“You haven’t read that boy’s memories, have you?”
Cardmos continued, crossing his arms.
“That boy is the most insane Champion I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t fear death. Rather, I’d say he enjoys it.”
“Enjoys it?”
“Whenever he faces a strong opponent, he acts like a lovesick colt.”
Had Mincheol heard this, he would have raged.
Telling him not to spout such nonsense.
“And from the opponent’s perspective, there’s no more troublesome type than him.”
In the third Quest, Mincheol achieved a one-sided victory over William.
This was something even Cardmos hadn’t anticipated.
He knew Mincheol would win, but the dominance was overwhelming.
There was only one reason why Mincheol suddenly became so strong.
Insult to his Mother.
Though the insult wasn’t directed at his own mother, merely hearing it was enough to ignite Mincheol’s fury.
For a Champion, anger was a dangerous emotion.
It granted momentary bursts of overwhelming power, but at the cost of clouded judgment.
Yet Mincheol grew colder instead.
Beyond mere composure, he displayed abilities far sharper than his usual performance.
In short, Kim Min-chul was a man who….
“grew stronger the angrier he became.”
* * *
‘The injuries are severe.’
Mincheol assessed his physical condition first.
Lacerations covered his entire body. It was difficult to find a single unscathed area.
Only because he’d shielded his face with his forearms had he avoided instant death.
‘It hurts.’
Had he ever sustained injuries this grave while climbing the Tower?
Even at rest, waves of excruciating pain crashed through him. Breathing itself was a struggle.
Pain summoned fear. But it brought more than fear alone.
Rage.
He didn’t know what that black entity was.
But the fact that he’d nearly died to it.
That this horrific agony stemmed from it.
Stripped away his reason entirely, leaving only fury.
‘I’ll kill it.’
The moment he set that objective, reason—eclipsed by rage—reasserted itself.
Simultaneously, his mind crystallized into absolute clarity. All distracting thoughts dissolved.
‘It used the same technique as Ramakan.’
‘A skill that releases mana, then.’
‘Can it use other skills?’
‘Even if it could, they wouldn’t be as threatening as that slash.’
He focused every thought solely on killing the entity before him.
‘It said itself that it had weakened. It can’t unleash that slash infinitely.’
‘But right now, I have no way to evade it. Enduring is impossible.’
‘It compresses mana, then releases it, it said.’
If he could sense the mana, he could dodge the slash.
But how? By what means? Was it even possible?
Mincheol recalled the Quest from Cardmos Dunwall.
The third Quest where his skills had been sealed.
Back then, without the system’s aid, he’d moved mana. He’d used a skill.
The sensation from that moment remained vivid….
In that instant, a single revelation struck his mind.
【The traits ‘Boneless’ and ‘Super Soldier’ are reacting.】
【Two traits merge. A new trait is born.】
At the same moment, a message appeared.
【Trait: ‘Superhuman Physique’】
-Description: A body transcending human limitations. Not only physical enhancement, but also acquisition of supernatural senses.
-Effect 1. Mana consumption reduced by 30%, skill power increased by 40%.
-Effect 2. All stats +20% increase. Five senses +70% enhancement.
-Effect 3. ‘Sixth Sense’ activated.
The creation of a new trait.
Along with the acquisition of sixth sense, new information flooded in like a tidal wave.
“This time, I’ll slice you into pieces.”
A cutting slash erupted from Hisolikan’s hand.
Invisible. Soundless.
Yet I clearly sensed the blade’s existence.
【’Shadow Speed’ is activated.】
【Consuming ‘210’ mana.】
My body became blurred.
The slashes passed through my body and embedded themselves in the ground.
Crack—
The ground fractured into several pieces.
Hisolikan’s brow furrowed sharply upon witnessing this.
“Human, what did you just do…”
Rather than respond, I burst forward.
Toward the approaching me, Hisolikan unleashed another cutting slash.
【’Shadow Speed’ is activated.】
【Consuming ‘210’ mana.】
My body split apart.
Not actually multiplied. It merely appeared that way due to my extreme speed.
Scrape—
As the ground split instead of me, bewilderment crossed Hisolikan’s face.
【’Black Horn Bullet’ is activated.】
【Consuming ‘140’ mana.】
In that instant, I kicked off the ground and launched myself upward.
My body soared through the air. As if the earth itself had propelled me.
I twisted my body mid-air, channeling rotational force as I swung my right leg down.
Crash!
Struck on the shin, Hisolikan was sent flying backward.
“Grrgh!”
Hisolikan, who had been tumbling across the ground, pushed himself up.
Half of his face was shattered. His eye was gone, and only half of his mouth and cheek remained.
“How dare a pathetic inferior race that cannot even live two hundred years touch my face!”
Hisolikan clutched his mangled face and let out a agonized scream.
“I’ll slice you to pieces from your fingertips and watch you die!”
In his remaining eye, a vicious fury blazed.
Mincheol raised his middle finger and shot back curtly.
“Fuck off.”

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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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