The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 39

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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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The Return of an EX-Rank Mage Episode 039
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[Hall of Fame (11th Floor)]
[South Korea]
1. -(Seoul, EX)
…
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I had added one more to the list.
Eleven consecutive EX clears.
Once again, my name was etched into the Hall of Fame.
[Wow lol isn’t this going to have a huge impact on the competition?]
└If it’s Lee Byung-gyu cheering, that deserves a thumbs up lol
└Lee Byung-gyu must have been Yi Sun-sin or King Sejong in his past life
└???: Wouldn’t just having an EX-rank Awakener be enough?
While the EX-rank clear had become a major issue, the other Tower guilds didn’t view it entirely pessimistically.
“The fortunate part is that it’s a lower floor.”
“Since it’s a lower floor, the score will likely be low as well.”
Based on overseas precedents, the Tower’s evaluation criteria were clear.
Who cleared which floor, how high, with how many people, and at what rank.
“We just need to do our part.”
“We won’t be able to attempt Floor 12 for a while anyway.”
Everyone knew this. From Floor 11 onward, the difficulty was markedly different.
It wasn’t a section you could rush into unprepared. Especially not if you wanted a high clear rank.
“This could actually be an opportunity.”
“The EX-rank Awakener will rest for a while.”
The competition was ongoing.
The official end date was unknown. However, based on overseas precedents, it would last at most a month, or as little as a few days.
It wouldn’t be easy for the EX-rank Awakener to climb multiple floors within that timeframe.
“We probably don’t need to worry about the EX-rank Awakener for now.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Especially the Incheon Guild had staked everything on this.
“The Real Madrid Guild has made contact with us.”
The investment in Shin Chae-ryung, the Busan lord, had been a failure.
Now she was a discarded piece.
Instead, they had connected with another lord who possessed information about the EX-rank Awakener—Incheon.
“They said they would provide us with optimized strategies for Floors 30 to 40.”
Fire ignited in the eyes of the Incheon Guild members.
Receiving strategies from the world’s top guild. That alone was an opportunity.
“Joshua has agreed to help gradually as a training instructor.”
“Pardon? Joshua?”
Officially, Joshua was a ranker belonging to the London Guild.
“He appears to be a spy from Real Madrid.”
Planting spies in rival guilds was commonplace in the age of Tower civilization.
“With the EX-rank Awakener lying low now, we’re aggressively targeting the higher floors of the Tower. We’ll be entering the 40s soon. The scores from the 40s and 10s are certainly different.”
Seoul had only one EX-rank Awakener.
Everything was being supported by that single individual.
No matter how much support the London Guild provided, Seoul and Incheon were in different weight classes.
If they received support from the same top three guilds, Incheon was the one that could soar far higher.
That’s what Incheon believed.

* * *
11th Floor EX-rank cleared.
Choi Kang-mok, feeling a slight sense of liberation, had to warn himself.
“I can’t let myself enjoy smashing things too much.”
Of course, it was one of the thrills that magic provided.
But if that became everything, magic would degenerate into nothing more than a ‘combat technique.’
Dealing damage.
I needed to be somewhat cautious of the addiction that this primal act could bring.
‘The EX Shop.’
From the 7th to 10th floors, there hadn’t been any items that sparked a desire to purchase.
───────
[EX Shop]
[11th Floor] [Mage Series]
1. Crimson Rune (Attack Speed Increase) – 6 EX Points
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“Tch.”
It was a rune that wasn’t particularly effective for me right now.
My own magic fragments were the most dangerous enemy.
Adding speed to that?
That would be insane.
“Hmm. Maybe I’ll browse around a bit?”
Today was just a slightly capricious day.
I, who always examined only the Mage Series tab, casually glanced through other tabs as well.
Most of the tabs had red exclamation marks attached to them.
It meant there were unconfirmed update contents.
There were so many that I rarely checked them anymore.
“A yellow exclamation mark?”
[Explorer Series]
A yellow exclamation mark was distinctly visible on the Explorer Series tab.
This seemed worth checking out.
───────
[EX Shop]
[Floor 5] [Explorer Class]
1. Job Rank Enhancement Voucher – 5 EX Points
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‘Huh?’
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[Job Rank Enhancement Voucher]
Enhances an Explorer’s job to their maximum potential threshold.
※Limited to use only on Explorer-class jobs.
───────
‘Ah….’
This changes everything.
I was Choi Kang-mok, who had experienced being an Unawakened.
Back then, it was my family who helped me endure that misery.
‘I should give this to Kang Hye.’
The problem was EX Points.
One per floor cleared. There were bonuses every 5 floors, but I had no idea how long that would last.
‘Let me calculate conservatively. Absolutely just one.’
A situation where reckless spending was difficult.
‘There’s no need to rush. Let me think a bit more about what would truly benefit us.’

* * *
A few days ago, Kang Hye checked her notifications.
[Congratulations!]
[Your bloodline blessing recipient has achieved 10 consecutive EX-rank clears.]
[You have obtained the title ‘EX-Rank Supporter’!]
[Title effect updating…]
[1% 2% …]
From that moment on, Kang Hye stayed awake through the night, eyes wide open, watching the notifications.
[…95% 96% 97%…]
The update would be complete soon.
[…99% 100%]
[Title effect update complete!]
“Done!”
For safety reasons, I moved into a safe house provided by the Seoul Guild.
I had also taken a leave of absence from school.
───────
[EX-Rank Supporter]
Through the unique ability ‘Bloodline Blessing’, you have achieved the greatest results.
Enhance Bloodline Blessing to maximum (+9).
However, if enhancement fails, your Awakener status will be revoked.
※Enhancement Success Rate: 33.33%
※Enhancement success rate is affected by your job rank.
───────
Kang Hye flung the door open with a whoosh.
“Big brother!”
With the nimble movements of an explorer, I vaulted over the sofa and rushed toward Choi Kang-mok’s room.
Bang bang bang!
Whether it was a knock or an assault, the door swung open at the sound.
“What’s going on?”
“Big. News.”
“What is it?”
Kang Hye shouted without even catching her breath.
“I can enhance my Bloodline Blessing! Up to +9!”
Currently, all enhancements were known to cap out at ‘+9’.
“The success rate is over 33 percent. That’s insanely good, right?”
“Isn’t it 3.3 percent?”
“No way! I’m telling you it’s real! I’m going to enhance it right now!”
Kang Hye laughed with delight.
I could actually enhance my Bloodline Blessing?
“I’ll get it to +9 and help my big brother!”
“Hey, hey, calm down for a second. Speak slowly. What exactly are you talking about?”
After exchanging a few words, Choi Kang-mok furrowed his brow slightly.
“You. You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
“What are you saying? Something I didn’t mention? What? Huh? What?”
Choi Kang-mok sighed.
“It’s written all over your face—’I’m hiding something.'”
“….”
“Tell me the truth.”
Kang Hye rolled her eyes, then gave up and looked away.
And instead, she raised her voice.
“Why should I care what my older brother thinks when I just want to try enhancing to +9? Enhancement attempts are a national pastime!”
The failure rate overwhelmingly exceeded the success rate.
The more enhancement attempts, the worse those odds became.
Yet despite this, countless people relentlessly pursued enhancement.
That was simply how it was.
Kang Hye’s words tumbled out faster.
“Besides, it’s an ability I got thanks to you anyway.”
“Slowly.”
“I’m just an ordinary prospect, and you’re an EX-rank Awakener, so it’s only rational that I act in whatever way benefits you most. Right?”
Choi Kang-mok sighed.
“Rational?”
“Of course. I’m just serious about +9. Really.”
“If you’re like this, what does that make me?”
Choi Kang-mok opened the EX Shop.
‘She’s better than me.’
Back when I was an Awakener.
It was family that kept me standing.
A debt that could never be calculated.
She doesn’t calculate today either.
As if it were always natural.
“What about you, older brother?”
“I used to calculate things.”
What would be more advantageous.
I thought that was natural, but it wasn’t.
From the start, I had lived an unnatural life.
I felt a little sorry.
-Your judgment was quite rational.
It’s a common phrase, but it brings a small measure of comfort.
-I’m glad you feel that way… I want to protect you even better.
-Stay as you are, breaking apart little by little, because that makes you all the more precious.
“….”
Crackle.
-I reiterate: your judgment is sound.
-Kang Hye’s recklessness may prove to be a variable in our favor.
Choi Kang-mok extended a Job Rank Enhancement Voucher toward her.
Kang Hye’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Huh? What is this? No way! This is completely broken—why does something like this even exist?”
Conventionally, Awakening occurs only once in a person’s lifetime.
And it was established doctrine that an Awakener’s rank could never change.
Yet this item promised to elevate that very rank.
“It appeared in the EX Shop.”
“Seriously?”
This time, Kang Hye’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“There’s no catch to buying it, right? Like some kind of penalty?”
“Why would there be?”
“You don’t have to spend an astronomical amount of EX Points or something?”
Just as Kang Hye hadn’t explicitly mentioned the penalty, I refrained from stating the price outright.
EX Points could always be earned again.
“What do you take the EX-rank Shop to be?”
“I, I suppose you’re right.”
Convinced by my reasoning, Kang Hye fell into contemplation.
“Brother, how much do you think this would sell for?”
“Who knows? It’d be absurdly expensive.”
This was an item capable of completely transforming someone’s entire life.
There would surely be world-class tycoons willing to pay for it.
Even the most renowned explorer-class Rankers would covet it.
They would likely purchase it regardless of the astronomical cost.
“Just use it already. Stop overthinking.”
“But wouldn’t selling it be better than having someone ordinary like me use it….”
“With this, you can definitely reach 9-Star.”
“Ugh!”
Logic defeated.
Persuasion successful.

* * *
Kang Hye’s mouth fell open in shock.
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[Status Window]
Name: Kang Hye
Awakening Rank: SSS+
Job: Promoter’s Explorer
Nickname: SuperSuper Supernova
LV: 42
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“This can’t be real. My awakening rank is….”
I couldn’t believe it.
The symbol attached to my awakening rank felt like a joke.
“I’m SSS+.”
The job title ‘Promoter’s Explorer’ was somewhat unfamiliar, but information automatically flooded into my mind.
“The basic enhancement of an Explorer’s abilities is substantial….”
An additional ability befitting SSS+ had been granted to me.
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※Adjusts the Tower Clear Rank of all party members who participated in the conquest upward by 1.
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Party play became possible starting from Floor 30.
From that point onward, this ability would shine with extraordinary brilliance.
It meant that one person’s power would grant a ‘grade adjustment’ to everyone.
“I’m absolutely insane!”
Finally, admiration burst forth.
It wasn’t self-praise—it was closer to an objective assessment.
This wasn’t even the end.
The EX-Rank Supporter title was radiating with light.
──────────────
[EX-Rank Supporter]
Through the unique ability ‘Bloodline Blessing,’ you have achieved the greatest result.
Enhance Bloodline Blessing to maximum (+9).
However, if enhancement fails, your Awakener status will be revoked.
※Enhancement Success Rate: 33.33%
※Enhancement Success Rate: 77.77%
※Enhancement success rate is affected by job rank.
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Odds that couldn’t be called a gamble.
Numbers sufficient to send me into a frenzy.
“I have to do this. I absolutely have to do this.”
“Don’t get too excited. Think about this for a moment.”
“No. Nothing can stop me now.”
Rank 9? I can’t resist this.
On the surface, I played it cool.
‘Either way, I have to do this.’
Kang Hye’s eyes grew serious as she gazed at the enhancement window.
‘Everything I’ve wanted to achieve was ultimately for my family.’
The world was connecting.
There would be many forces targeting EX-rank Awakeners.
The Seoul Guild’s inner sanctum wouldn’t remain safe forever.
‘I’ll protect my family myself!’
Bloodline Blessing Rank 9.
With this, I could accelerate the EX-rank Awakener’s growth even faster.
I believed this was the path to protecting my family.
[Enhancement begins.]
[3]
[2]
[1]
A small card inscribed with “Bloodline Blessing” materialized in the air.
Radiant light of five colors converged upon the card.
Flash—!
Light erupted outward, brilliant enough to consume my entire vision.
[+1 enhancement successful.]
Flash—!
[+2 enhancement successful.]
Flash—!
Flash—!
Flash—!
[+8 enhancement successful.]
The final light burst forth.
Flash—!
The moment of truth—Rank 9.
Kang Hye’s eyes widened.
‘Success or failure!’

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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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