The Only Enhancer - Chapter 59
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Episode 59
Episode 59 – Clues of Level 6 and the Seventh Enhancement (2)
[Fragment of the Seven Stars]+7
-A wand crafted from fragments of deep starlight.
-Grants partial access to the power of the Seven Stars.
-If no offensive skills are possessed, the skill ‘Blink’ becomes available.(Extraction applied)
-If subspace-type skills are possessed, the skill ‘Gravity Field’ becomes available.(Extraction applied)
-When equipping ranged weapons, the ultimate skill ‘Horn of Attraction’ becomes available.
-When possessing penetration-type skills, the ultimate skill ‘Point Penetration’ becomes available.
-When possessing gravity-type ultimate skills, the transcendent skill ‘Fragments of the Seven Stars’ becomes available.
-When using skills through the wand, the skill ignores the barrier of Calamity Level 7 monsters.
└When used against Calamity Level 6 or lower monsters, it ignores their barriers and deals additional damage.
‘…Transcendent skill?’
A transcendent skill that surpassed even ultimate abilities.
Come to think of it, enhancements three through four granted normal skills, five through six granted ultimate skills.
It made sense that new skills would emerge starting from the seventh enhancement.
Wait—did this mean that achieving Level 7 would also grant transcendent skills?
‘This is rather intriguing.’
While I hadn’t yet discovered the conditions for reaching Level 6, learning this information in advance was certainly valuable.
I set aside other concerns and examined the Fragment of the Seven Stars first.
The transcendent skill had captured my curiosity entirely.
A skill superior to ultimate abilities—truly remarkable.
I grasped the Fragment of the Seven Stars and closed my eyes to concentrate.
In that moment, I felt the nature of the transcendent skill wash over me.
The effect of ‘Fragments of the Seven Stars’ that materialized in my mind was nothing short of astonishing.
A powerful gravitational field unfolds around a designated target, binding them in place as starlight cascades down from the heavens—such was the skill’s nature.
Even considering raw power alone, it was extraordinary, and the mere existence of a skill with such range was breathtaking.
‘I’ll need to seal this under normal circumstances.’
Unless the situation was truly dire or involved a Calamity Level 5 or higher, using it seemed inadvisable.
With such power, I could immediately handle Calamity Level 4 monsters alone.
Against Calamity Level 5, it would deal considerable damage.
To discover such an extraordinary skill in advance was remarkable.
As expected, a message appeared.
[You have confirmed a mysterious seventh enhancement item for the first time.]
[You obtain the foundation of transcendence.]
[Your level is insufficient.]
[Upon reaching Level 6, you will be able to confirm the conditions for Level 7.]
‘Well, I see.’
So this is what it means to progress faster than expected.
And I haven’t even discovered the clues for Level 6 yet.
I discovered the method to achieve Level 7 first.
Still, it was better than gaining nothing at all.
The remaining condition from my original plan was creating a unique option from a 5-star innate item.
However, I believed the probability was low.
‘When I created it at Level 4, there was no special message, was there?’
The system informed me of a clue to Level 7 despite lacking sufficient level—wasn’t that the nature of it?
Perhaps creating a unique option from a 5-star innate item wasn’t the answer.
But still, I couldn’t leave it untried.
The warning from that mysterious voice left me unwilling to attempt +7 enhancement again.
The mana consumption was indeed severe, making it dangerous.
Unless I prepared more magic stones, attempting it again now would be reckless.
I had nine remaining 5-star innate items at +5.
First, I would enhance all of them to +6.
‘I hope a unique option appears.’
The probability was quite high anyway.
Wasn’t it 15%?
One success seemed likely.
After rapidly recovering my depleted mana using the Ring of Reincarnation.
Since Enchanter’s Blessing and Mana Reinforcement remained available, I attempted immediately.
But as expected with a +6 enhancement attempt.
It wasn’t easy.
Finally, the last attempt.
On the ninth enhancement, I finally discovered what I sought.
‘It appeared!’
[Stolen Gale Boots]+6
-Boots crafted by an ancient legendary thief who stole the gale itself.
-How the thief managed to steal the gale remains unknown to all.
-Increases evasion.
-If you possess purification-type skills, you can use the skill ‘Swift Footsteps’.
-If you possess wind-type skills, you can use the skill ‘Tailwind’.
-If you possess wind attribute resistance, you can use the ultimate ‘Gale’s Eye’.
-If you possess movement-type skills, you can use the ultimate ‘Gale Shift’.
*Enchanter-Exclusive Option*
-You can use the skill ‘Experience Amplification’.
Finally, it appeared.
The options were quite respectable, but my attention was drawn most to the exclusive option.
‘Experience Amplification?’
Now that I could level up by finding hidden conditions, it held no meaning for me, but for my guild members still at Level 3, it was undoubtedly welcome news.
‘This could change how I operate the guild.’
Though it was premature, when recruiting a second team, I could now select people with high ability stats at lower levels without issue.
Of course, I’ll need to verify how much that experience enhancement skill actually increases, but it’s certainly no small boost.
I could sense something, but after all, the other exclusive option that appeared from the innate 5-star grade was nothing less than a guaranteed single enhancement.
Keeping that in mind, this skill would undoubtedly provide a substantial increase as well.
Regardless, I’ve now enhanced all the innate 5-star grade items.
With their exclusive options activated.
Min-jun waited for a message just in case, but nothing appeared.
‘This isn’t it?’
They said the number of uses would be revealed once conditions were met, so the fact that nothing appeared meant I hadn’t satisfied the conditions.
What on earth could it be?
I can’t even get a sense of it.
If it’s not this….
‘Do I really have to defeat a Calamity Level 5?’
There was no other method left.
The Association Chairman said it was related to the initial skill.
I thought it was about item enhancement.
But it seems that’s not it.
The remaining initial awakening skills are Physical Enhancement and Enchanter’s Blessing.
Enchanter’s Blessing didn’t give me any sense of it, and with Physical Enhancement—would I need to apply it to party members against a Calamity Level 5?
Until now I’ve been gaining experience through item enhancement, but now I’d have to face monsters?
I wondered if there was something else I hadn’t discovered yet, but I still couldn’t tell.
‘I should try what I can, but is a Calamity Level 5 raid even possible?’
Can the Guild’s current forces manage that?
The answer came easily with just a moment’s thought.
There’s no way.
We don’t even have a Level 6, and the number of Level 5 hunters is severely lacking.
There are quite a few Level 3 hunters though.
First, I need to raise all of them to at least Level 4.
Everyone needs weapons that are at minimum +6 enhancement grade.
For that, my own preparations are still insufficient.
‘I’ll need to distribute +6 grade items.’
I’m still short on +6 grade items, but that’s just a matter of time.
What I expect will take the longest is leveling up the Guild members, and I’ll have to see how much this raid resolves that.
‘I’m glad the experience enhancement skill appeared. Then let me start creating +6 grade items.’
There are many items to create, but that’s fine.
I have an abundance of unenhanced base items.
‘Ah, and I should start revealing it soon.’
That I’m an Enchanter.
That way distributing +6 grade items becomes easier, and future activities become more convenient.
2
“Haaaaaawn.”
Min-jun emerged with a prolonged yawn, his face etched with exhaustion.
Ma Hyun-seok, observing the young man’s state, inquired with concern whether he was alright.
“You really should get some rest, shouldn’t you?”
“Pardon? Oh, I’m fine. I just haven’t slept for a few days.”
“…That’s precisely my point.”
Ma Hyun-seok found himself at a loss for how to make this youth understand the concept of overwork.
Had he simply taken care of himself, Ma Hyun-seok wouldn’t be worrying like this.
Moreover, he’d heard that on their first coordinated raid, Min-jun had slain five Level 4 Calamities.
At this rate, it hardly seemed like a raid—more like a hunt.
Excessive effort, no matter how impressive, was never truly beneficial.
Just as Ma Hyun-seok was about to voice his concerns—
“Ah, Chairman, there isn’t a Level 5 Calamity that’s opened a territory around Korea, is there?”
“…???”
For a moment, Ma Hyun-seok blinked, struggling to comprehend what he’d just heard.
What had he just been asked?
Observing Ma Hyun-seok’s bewildered expression, Min-jun tilted his head quizzically.
“Did I misspeak because I’m drowsy?”
“Uh, what? That, that seems to be it. What did you say?”
“Is there a Level 5 Calamity that’s opened a territory around Korea?”
“You said it correctly!”
“Oh! Thank goodness.”
Where should he even begin to object?
A Level 5 Calamity was a creature bordering on catastrophe itself.
But more than that—was he already preparing to hunt a Level 5 Calamity?
Surely not?
“You don’t mean to say…?”
“Yes, I intend to hunt it.”
“Hah….”
Ma Hyun-seok was genuinely astounded.
The Min-jun he knew occasionally displayed somewhat naive behavior.
Publicly revealing his level had been one such instance.
If Ma Hyun-seok were to consider whether this was another such occasion, he would answer no.
Certainly, Min-jun still possessed naive aspects.
He was only twenty, after all.
Naivety was only natural.
Yet naive though he might be, he was not foolish.
He never repeated the same mistake twice.
Thus, he hadn’t revealed his level again at the Guild’s founding ceremony, nor disclosed his identity as an Enhancement Mage.
He believed the time for such revelations had not yet come.
But.
“Don’t tell me your level has increased?”
“No, I haven’t found any clues yet.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“Yes, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Ma Hyun-seok understood immediately from Min-jun’s words.
He had tried every condition worth attempting for enhancement, but nothing had worked.
It seemed only a Disaster Level 5 remained, so what choice did they have?
They would have to hunt it.
In other words.
Ma Hyun-seok looked at Min-jun and asked, trembling slightly.
“S-so you’re saying you’re prepared?”
“Oh, not quite. The guild members’ levels are still insufficient.”
“Phew, thank goodness… wait, is it only their levels that are lacking?”
“Yes, well, that’s about it.”
“…”
That meant the items were all prepared, didn’t it?
In other words, he had crafted quite a number of +6 enhanced items?
As his reasoning reached that conclusion, goosebumps erupted across his entire body.
Surely he hadn’t crafted one for him as well?
“Innate +6 items can only be equipped by Level 6 hunters, but the +6 items I crafted can be equipped even by those who aren’t Level 6.”
“Ah, I see.”
Sensing that continuing further would actually result in receiving something, Ma Hyun-seok felt a sudden foreboding and quickly changed the subject.
It was the tank’s remarkable crisis detection ability.
“…As far as I know, there’s no Disaster Level 5 that has established territory in this vicinity.”
“Hmm, that’s unfortunate, but we can level up in the meantime.”
“Hehe, the last Disaster Level 5 appeared five years ago, so they don’t show up very often.”
Min-jun nodded helplessly at Ma Hyun-seok’s words.
He hadn’t really expected anything anyway.
Disaster Level 5 was called a calamity for a reason.
Having many of them would be strange too.
Even Disaster Level 4 creatures were said to be few in number.
If anything, having too many would be problematic.
As Min-jun, leaving his regret behind, bowed in gratitude and turned to leave.
Ma Hyun-seok’s expression brightened.
‘He’s leaving!’
After all, +6 enhanced items weren’t child’s play—you couldn’t just hand them out to anyone.
Ma Hyun-seok stood up to see Min-jun out.
Then Min-jun suddenly turned back as if he had forgotten something.
“Right, I forgot to give you something.”
At those words, Ma Hyun-seok’s face instantly drained of color.
Or perhaps it might not be?
Contrary to such hopes, the item Min-jun retrieved from his inventory gleamed with a resplendent violet radiance.
It was also the iron mace that Ma Hyun-seok frequently wielded.
Watching Min-jun produce it, Ma Hyun-seok found himself at a loss for what expression to wear.
The gesture of giving a gift was so touching, so worthy of gratitude.
But what could I say?
“….”
I didn’t want to accept it.
If I took this, retirement would truly feel even more distant.
No, the thought that I might not be able to retire at all made me hesitant.
But look at those eyes.
Min-jun’s eyes sparkling with such brightness.
Seeing the gaze of someone who had only just reached adulthood, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
Ma Hyun-seok spoke with his eyes squeezed shut.
“My, is it really alright to give something so precious to me?”
“Well, it is precious, but considering what the Hunter Association chairman has done for me, it still feels insufficient.”
“Ah.”
How could I refuse after hearing such words?
Ma Hyun-seok spoke with genuine gratitude.
“I’m truly grateful. I don’t believe I’ve done anything to deserve such a precious item… but if that is your intention, I will accept it with thanks…”
The final words wouldn’t quite come out, but that was fine.
Couldn’t I simply hide what I received?
Honestly, how often would the Hunter Association chairman actually need to take action?
So I could just hide the item from the government.
After all, the government doesn’t even know that Min-jun is an enhancement specialist!
So hiding it would be justified.
Then suddenly, a thought occurred to me.
“…It seems you’re planning to hunt a Level 5 disaster. In that case… are you planning to reveal it?”
“Yes, I suppose I’ll have to. Well, even if I don’t reveal it, wouldn’t it become obvious anyway? If the Guild members are carrying around so many +6 enhanced items?”
“…Right, that’s true.”
Ma Hyun-seok squeezed his eyes shut and thought in another direction.
‘If I donate the +6 enhanced items and then retire…’
But that was a gift I’d just received.
Ma Hyun-seok felt hemmed in from all sides and thought inwardly.
‘…I’m trapped.’
And so retirement became even more distant.
3.
There was no Level 5 disaster nearby.
It was unfortunate, but unavoidable.
‘I’ll have to organize an overseas expedition later.’
I smacked my lips as I thought about it.
Well, there was nothing I could do about it.
With that, I turned my gaze to Jung Ji-hwan, who sat across from me.
This situation still felt unfamiliar.
It was my first time having someone visit my home.
‘Or was it? The real estate agent came in for the first time too, didn’t he?’
In any case, this was my first time inviting a guest over.
Though unfamiliar, it wasn’t awkward.
Jung Ji-hwan was someone I trusted just as much as Ma Hyun-seok, the Hunter Association chairman.
‘He’s a bit eccentric, though.’
Still, he was kind and more loyal than anyone else.
He was like an older brother, dedicating himself to helping me above all else.
Those with actual older brothers would find it ridiculous, but I, who had nowhere to rely on until now, couldn’t help but feel this way.
Now I intended to reveal it.
A secret I had only told the Hunter Association chairman until now.
I planned to reveal that I was an Enhancement Mage.
It was perhaps overdue, but Jung Ji-hwan wasn’t the type to get angry about me revealing it now.
“Actually, the reason I called you here today is because I have something to tell you.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I want to tell you about my secret.”
At my words, Jung Ji-hwan also straightened his posture, ready to listen intently to what I had to say.
He looked at me as if prepared to hear it.
I spoke calmly.
“My characteristic is actually not that of a Healer.”
“….”
Jung Ji-hwan’s reaction was unremarkable.
He simply sat there as if ready to listen further, and I continued immediately.
“I’m an Enhancement Mage.”
“I see.”
“…???”
“…?”
I spoke calmly, and Jung Ji-hwan nodded and accepted it just as calmly.
Seeing that, I felt something was off and tilted my head in confusion.
Similarly, as I looked bewildered, Jung Ji-hwan gazed at me as if asking why.
Shouldn’t this normally be the other way around?
What’s with this guy?
I looked at him strangely and asked.
“…You don’t believe me?”
“No, I do believe you. I’m quite shocked, despite how I appear, but all the circumstances fit perfectly now that I think about it. I had already suspected your characteristic might be different from what was known, since the Hunter Association lacked the resources to provide items of the quality you’ve been receiving.”
After all, Jung Ji-hwan likely possessed the most information about the Hunter Association after the chairman himself.
That meant Min-jun had realized the source of the items he’d suddenly brought was suspicious.
Normally, one would ask about it here, but the fact that he waited without asking was even more impressive.
“…You already knew everything, didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t know you were an enhancement artisan. In any case, if things proceed this way, we can establish a clear direction moving forward. You’re planning to create items of Grade 6 or higher to build the strongest Guild, and to establish the first Guild capable of tackling a Disaster Level 5 raid.”
“…Yes, yes.”
“Then will you reveal this to the Guild members soon?”
“Ah… yes, I was planning to.”
“Then I’ll arrange a gathering in the near future.”
Should I call him exceptionally competent?
From the start, he’d immediately believed Min-jun’s words and without any particular doubt, he’d interpreted the declaration of becoming the strongest Guild and derived the correct answer right away.
And now he was even thinking ahead to revealing it to the Guild members and arranging a gathering for it.
I wondered if this man was truly born for work.
And it didn’t end there.
“Then I’ll need to search for Disaster Level 5 creatures. It’s still too early, but I’ll gather information to see if there are any Disaster Level 5 creatures that have established nests.”
“Th-thank you.”
How competent is this person?
Admiration spilled out naturally.
But why was it?
Min-jun felt oddly disappointed that things had passed over so smoothly.
Had Jung Ji-hwan perhaps sensed Min-jun’s feelings?
Jung Ji-hwan opened his mouth with a somewhat solemn expression.
“Since you’ve shared a secret with me, I’ll reveal a secret of my own.”
“…?”
What is he talking about?
Min-jun focused intently.
Jung Ji-hwan removed his glasses as he spoke.
“These glasses—they actually have no lenses.”
“…????”
Is this man truly insane?
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————