The Automatic Rooting Range Is Too Wide - Chapter 92

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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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Auto Looting Range Too Wide Episode 92

 

Episode 92: The Eccentric’s Laboratory (1)

 

A huge hole was pierced through the Colossus’s torso.

 

The internal components were clearly visible.

 

Whirr-

 

Even in that state, the Colossus tried to move.

 

But its power was rapidly declining, so it couldn’t manage to raise its body.

 

Eventually, the Colossus completely collapsed. Soon after, its eyes began to dim.

 

When the light in its eyes completely disappeared, a message appeared before Mincheol’s eyes.

 

【You have defeated the Guardian Leader ‘Colossus’!】

 

As soon as he confirmed the message, Mincheol collapsed to the ground.

 

“This time was really dangerous. Right, Kkwak?”

 

“Kkwak.”

 

Kkwaekkwi, who had returned to its original form, perched on Mincheol’s head and responded.

 

【You have defeated the labyrinth’s boss monster!】

 

【’Colossus’s Core’ will be given as a reward!】

 

【30 Hidden Pieces ‘Lucky Coins’ have been awarded!】

 

Light gathered and something dropped in front of Mincheol’s eyes.

 

It was a cone-shaped component.

 

It was made of metal, but had a crystal embedded at the top.

 

It seemed like a valuable item, but he had no idea what it was used for.

 

Mincheol stored the core in his inventory for now.

 

“But the clear message isn’t appearing again.”

 

To clear the Hidden Quest, he needed to break through the labyrinth.

 

It seemed that just defeating the Colossus wasn’t enough to satisfy the conditions.

 

“I have no choice but to go over there.”

 

Mincheol said while looking at the door opposite the entrance.

 

He headed there with Kkwaekkwi perched on his head.

 

“Could that be the armory mentioned in the video?”

 

For a door leading to an armory, it was excessively small.

 

It was barely wide enough for one person to pass through.

 

“What if it’s locked and won’t open?”

 

Logically, wouldn’t a door leading to an important facility like an armory be strictly managed?

 

Fortunately, Mincheol’s worry was unfounded.

 

The door could be opened simply by pushing it with his hand.

 

“Wait, could I have just run here without fighting the Colossus?”

 

An ominous thought crossed his mind that he might have struggled for nothing.

 

Mincheol pushed that thought aside and entered.

 

For an armory, it was extremely narrow.

 

Not only that, but there were few items placed inside.

 

Just a bed and a desk.

 

“Huh, what’s this? I thought this was supposed to be an armory?”

 

Mincheol was looking around with a bewildered expression.

 

Suddenly, something rose from the floor in the center.

 

It was a hologram of Jenai, the owner of this Magitech Workshop.

 

-The fact that this video is playing means someone has finally reached my room.

 

-You might have taken the legitimate route, or snuck in. Or perhaps you dug a new cave leading to my room.

 

-Whatever method you used, congratulations. You will become the hero who first solved the eccentric’s curse on this continent.

 

From the voice in the video, Mincheol realized why this place was called the ‘Eccentric’s Magitech Workshop.’

 

“So it wasn’t the Guardian, but that person who was the eccentric?”

 

But why would he call himself an eccentric?

 

It’s not like it had any good meaning.

 

-Actually, I don’t like the nickname ‘eccentric.’ Beyond not liking it, I hate it.

 

-But you people always called me eccentric and looked down on me. No matter how amazing the magical devices I invented were.

 

-Can you even imagine how much my insides rotted away every time I heard those words?

 

Emotion could be felt in the previously kind voice.

 

Mincheol felt his spine chill at the suppressed, layered anger.

 

-So I spread rumors. That the eccentric would die soon, and that his Magitech Workshop was full of incredible weapons.

 

-That dangerous traps and Guardians were protecting them, but if you could break through and reach the armory, you could obtain powerful magical weapons.

 

-Surely people would flock like moths to a flame. They ridiculed me as an eccentric and despised me, but they knew well how amazing my abilities were.

 

Jenai covered his face and chuckled.

 

His hunched back shook intermittently.

 

Mincheol felt an indescribable emotion.

 

Though it was just a video, he could keenly feel one man’s pent-up anger and hatred.

 

Separately from that, he recalled the countless corpses that had been lying in the lobby and the Colossus’s Room.

 

“Still, it seems like way too many people died.”

 

Then suddenly, one thought flashed through his mind.

 

-As you can see, there are no weapons. I disposed of them all before I died.

 

-I’m saying this now, but I never wanted to make weapons. I wanted to create magical devices that would make people smile.

 

-But no one was interested in such devices. To raise my value, I had to make weapons.

 

Hearing those words, Mincheol suddenly looked up.

 

“What? Then what am I supposed to do!”

 

He had struggled to break through the Colossus and reach this place, only to get nothing?

 

“This can’t be! No, this shouldn’t happen!”

 

“Kkwak! Kkwak!”

 

Kkwaekkwi also protested along with him.

 

But the person before his eyes had been dead for a long time. There was no one to protest to.

 

“Ugh.”

 

Mincheol was swallowing his tears when.

 

-But I can’t just send you back empty-handed after coming this far.

 

-I can’t give you weapons, but I’ll give you honor instead.

 

Suddenly, one wall opened.

 

There hung a mask and cloak.

 

They were exactly what Jenai had been wearing in the video.

 

-These are items that symbolize the temple. If you take them, everyone will acknowledge your Achievement.

 

Saying this, Jenai removed his mask.

 

“….”

 

At that moment, Mincheol was left speechless.

 

His two eyes were different sizes. His nose was upturned and his mouth had a cleft lip.

 

As if that wasn’t enough, his entire face was severely burned.

 

Mincheol understood at once why Jenai had been called the Ugly Monster.

 

-I hated my face. But now that I’m about to die, my thoughts have changed.

 

-I’m sorry for showing you my hideous appearance at the end. Still, I hope at least you will remember my face.

 

With those words, the video ended.

 

“So this is why he was called the Ugly Monster.”

 

Mincheol scratched the back of his head. He felt many emotions.

 

“I’m not some great person, but I’ll remember your face.”

 

Mincheol approached the wall. First, he picked up the cloak.

 

【Silver Curtain Cloak】

 

-Grade: Rare

 

-Description: A cloak made by the Empire’s greatest magical engineer Jenai to protect himself in emergencies.

 

-Effect 1. Can activate skill ‘Stealth’.

 

-Effect 2. When damaged, skill ‘Auto Repair’ activates.

 

“Oh?”

 

It wasn’t amazing equipment, but it had quite useful effects.

 

Stealth went without saying, and auto repair was also very handy.

 

“Plus it looks pretty sturdy.”

 

The inside was soft but the outside was stiff.

 

It seemed like it could easily block most swords.

 

“What effects does the mask have?”

 

Mincheol next picked up the mask.

 

【Mask of Concealment】

 

-Grade: Unique

 

-Description

 

A mask made by Jenai to hide his face.

 

Jenai was famous as the Empire’s greatest magical engineer, but lived his entire life hiding his face due to his ugly appearance.

 

But the more he concealed his looks, the more people wanted to know how ugly he was. Even using magical tools to find out.

 

To avoid becoming a laughingstock, Jenai used his greatest skills to create the Mask of Concealment.

 

-Effect 1. When worn, Magic Power +200 increase.

 

-Effect 2. When worn, Special-grade Recognition Inhibition magic activates.

 

-Effect 3. When worn, Special-grade Mental Protection magic activates.

 

-Effect 4. Appearance can be changed.

 

“Whoa!”

 

Mincheol couldn’t help but cry out.

 

It was truly packed with only the best effects.

 

Not only did it increase Magic Power stats by a whopping 200, but it also had recognition inhibition magic.

 

On top of that, it even blocked mental magic.

 

“I heard that as floors get higher, more monsters use curses.”

 

Dizziness, nausea, hallucinations, and so on.

 

The Tower had many monsters that tormented Awakened using curses.

 

That’s why from certain floors onward, countermeasures were absolutely necessary.

 

What he liked most was the mask’s design.

 

It seemed modeled after a human face, with the shape of lips and nose remaining.

 

It was decorated with various patterns and gems.

 

It was an elegant and artistic mask that could be used at a masquerade ball.

 

“I wasn’t happy with that plain mask anyway, so this works out well.”

 

He had used it effectively so far, but the design had been quite unsatisfactory.

 

“Everyone’s been treating me like a crazy murderer because of that mask anyway.”

 

Of course, the reason Mincheol was treated like a crazy murderer wasn’t just because of the mask.

 

Anyway, in this situation he had obtained equipment that was essentially a superior version.

 

From Mincheol’s perspective, it was a situation he couldn’t help but be excited about.

 

-Ah, right.

 

“That scared me!”

 

“Kkwak!”

 

Suddenly the video started playing again.

 

Mincheol cried out in shock. Kkwaekkwi was also greatly startled.

 

-I forgot. If, perhaps, on the off chance, though I don’t think it’s possible.

 

-If you defeated the Colossus, insert the core here.

 

Another wall opened.

 

There was a huge machine of unknown identity placed there.

 

-I’ve adjusted it so you can make any magical tool you want, just once. But you can only use it by inserting the Colossus’s power source.

 

With those words, Jenai’s video ended.

 

“Geez, that scared me.”

 

“Kkwak.”

 

Mincheol and Kkwaekkwi glared at the spot where the video had played with unfriendly eyes.

 

“I can craft any magical tool I want?”

 

Mincheol approached the machine Jenai had shown him.

 

“Do I insert it here?”

 

Mincheol inserted the Colossus’s power source into the hole in the center.

 

It fit perfectly as if measured with a ruler.

 

Whirrrr.

 

The power source glowed and the machine began operating.

 

【Hello. I am the artificial spirit ‘Alb’ who will assist with magical tool creation.】

 

Soon a voice was heard. Mincheol was greatly relieved.

 

He had been worried about what to do if the machine’s usage was complicated.

 

“I want to make a weapon.”

 

What Mincheol needed most right now was a weapon with an activation-type skill.

 

The more such weapons he had, the more useful Kaela Marbenian would become.

 

【Sorry. Weapon crafting is prohibited.】

 

Mincheol was disappointed by Alb’s words.

 

“Aw, come on, at least allow this much.”

 

Come to think of it, didn’t he originally say he didn’t want to make weapons?

 

He didn’t expect that conviction to be displayed here as well.

 

“Then what can you make?”

 

【Most accessories and clothing are possible.】

 

“What kind of effects can you grant? Is everything I ask for possible?”

 

【I will show you the list.】

 

A list appeared before Mincheol’s eyes.

 

There were quite a lot of options. Mincheol admired the list as he looked at it.

 

“Oh, impressive. Can you only grant one effect?”

 

【No. Up to three effects can be granted.】

 

“Ooh…”

 

Mincheol briefly closed his eyes and felt grateful to Jenai.

 

He also apologized for cursing him as a nasty human being.

 

“Hmm, hmmmm.”

 

“Kkwaaak.”

 

Mincheol stared at the list for a while together with Kkwaekkwi.

 

“Isn’t there anything more offensive? Like exploding or destroying?”

 

【Sorry. That is prohibited.】

 

“Ugh.”

 

Mincheol scratched his head vigorously.

 

Then suddenly, an interesting effect caught his eye.

 

“…Shock Release?”

 

【It’s an option that accumulates external shocks and then releases them.】

 

【When absorbed to maximum capacity, it exhibits the power of a medium-sized bomb.】

 

“…But you said offensive options are prohibited?”

 

【No. This is an option used for ‘self-defense’.】

 

It was logic that somehow didn’t make sense.

 

However, since it had the penalty of having to absorb external shocks, from a certain perspective it might indeed be for self-defense.

 

“I really like this effect…”

 

If he could make it into a weapon, he could have used it by parrying enemy attacks while accumulating shock, then releasing it at the decisive moment.

 

But this machine couldn’t make weapons.

 

It was when Mincheol was racking his brains.

 

“…There’s no law saying I can only throw weapons, right?”

 

Even getting hit by a smartphone hurts.

 

There was no need to insist on weapons.

 

“A necklace? Earrings? A ring? No, those are too light.”

 

After thinking for a moment, Mincheol spoke to Alb.

 

“I want to make a bracelet.”

 

【Do you have a desired form?】

 

“Yeah, I’d like it to be ring-shaped. That way it’ll fly easily when thrown. And when I press the top part, it should come off easily…”

 

Mincheol meticulously described the form of bracelet he wanted.

 

【Order confirmed.】

 

【A form suitable for throwing that can be easily removed in emergencies.】

 

【I will visualize the expected design.】

 

An image appeared in the air.

 

A bracelet-shaped hologram was rotating 360 degrees, showing the entire thing.

 

It was exactly what Mincheol had wanted.

 

【Next, please choose the options.】

 

“First, I’ll choose Shock Release.”

 

【Shock Release has poor compatibility with bracelets. Are you sure you want to select this option?】

 

Alb’s concern made sense too.

 

How could you block attacks with something as thin as a bracelet?

 

A bracelet was just an accessory, not armor.

 

“Yeah, I’ll go with that.”

 

But Mincheol chose Shock Release without a moment’s hesitation.

 

‘I’m going to throw it anyway.’

 

Was there a law saying you had to accumulate shock by blocking enemy attacks?

 

He could just throw it recklessly to absorb shock.

 

【Please select the next option.】

 

“An option that enhances durability would be good.”

 

【I will add the ‘Durability 300% Enhancement’ option.】

 

It was a necessary option since he planned to use it by throwing it around.

 

“What should I choose for the last one…”

 

Mincheol browsed through the selection window.

 

Then a quite unusual option caught his eye.

 

“Enhanced Projection? What’s this?”

 

【It was an option used in ‘Arkan Elma’, a time-honored sport of the Empire.】

 

“Arkan Elma?”

 

【It was a sport where people competed by throwing magical tools to see whose would fly the farthest.】

 

“That’s just flying paper airplanes… Was that popular?”

 

【Yes, it was. It was so popular that accidents caused by Arkan Elma never ceased each year.】

 

“What kind of property damage could come from flying magical tools?”

 

【The magical tools in flight would veer off course and collide with buildings, causing collapse incidents. In the most severe case, there was even an instance where a small bridge was brought down.】

 

Mincheol made a dubious expression.

 

It was supposed to be for sports, but something seemed off.

 

“I thought you said attack options weren’t allowed?”

 

【It’s not for attacking. It was purely an option for sports purposes.】

 

Mincheol was confused by this ridiculous excuse.

 

“What kind of nonsense is that… Anyway, I’ll choose ‘Enhanced Launch’ for the last one.”

 

【It doesn’t suit a bracelet. Are you sure you want to select that option?】

 

“Yeah.”

 

【Adding the ‘Enhanced Launch’ option will greatly increase the risk of losing the bracelet.】

 

【We recommend adding a ‘Return’ option instead.】

 

“Ah, that’s fine.”

 

There was no need to add such an option.

 

Mincheol had Auto Looting after all.

 

In a way, it was like saving one option thanks to Auto Looting.

 

“Then please proceed with the crafting as is.”

 

【Crafting request approved.】

 

The machine began operating with loud noises.

 

After a moment, the machine opened and a bracelet popped out.

 

It looked similar to an attack-capable bracelet from a famous movie.

 

Mincheol picked up the bracelet that still retained some heat.

 

【Colossus】

 

-Grade: Unique

 

-Description

 

The final work of Jenai, the Empire’s greatest magical engineer. Crafted to 100% reflect the client’s preferences.

 

Named after his last Guardian, Colossus, in commemoration of its memory.

 

-Effect 1. Durability increased by +300%.

 

-Effect 2. Can activate skill ‘Enhanced Launch’.

 

-Effect 3. Can activate skill ‘Shock Release’.

 

Mincheol wore the bracelet on his right hand with a satisfied expression.

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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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