The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 75

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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 075
The response that arrived from Korea was shocking.
In summary, it amounted to: ‘We appreciate the sentiment, but we’ll handle it ourselves. Don’t worry about it.’
Immediately, he dispatched Nasser, his most trusted confidant, to Korea on an emergency mission.
Upon arrival, Nasser sought out the Seoul Guild and found himself seated across from Choi Kang-chul, the head of the EX-Rank Response Team.
“We regard Seoul as…”
He paused, choosing his words carefully, then shook his head.
“…No, I should be clear about this now. We consider all of South Korea as our brothers.”
This was now diplomacy on a national scale.
“This is not the time for pride. It’s clear that a crisis has befallen him as well.”
Saudi Arabia understood the position of an EX-Rank Awakener.
In the midst of such rapid ascension.
He would be brimming with confidence that he could accomplish anything.
He would be arrogant, believing nothing in the world was impossible.
What Icarus, having reached the edge of the heavens, needed most was not wings—but a safety net.
“An EX-Rank Awakener has the right to be arrogant. Yet sometimes, one needs a friend beside them to say ‘stop.’ We simply wish to aid the EX-Rank Awakener with pure goodwill.”
Choi Kang-chul spoke.
“Ah, I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding, rather than…”
“We’ve genuinely resolved the problem.”
Nasser was taken aback.
As they discussed further,
‘So it wasn’t about pride after all?’
They had actually solved the inventory issue.
“How is that even possible?”
Tens of thousands of miners enter Gates every single day.
Thanks to the extremely low tribute rate, they work relentlessly around the clock, so the volume would be beyond imagination.
Choi Kang-chul shrugged lightly.
“He’s an EX-Rank Awakener.”
He offered no further explanation.
He made no mention of Kim Chul-in, the massive warehouse, or the complex contractual arrangements.
There was no need.
Nasser, having returned to Saudi Arabia, submitted his report to Al Hirab.
“In any case, it appears the EX-Rank Awakener has resolved the inventory problem on his own.”
“Nasser, what’s your assessment?”
“To be honest, I find it difficult to believe.”
An EX-Rank Awakener specializes in Tower climbing.
This requires an entirely different kind of ability.
Having experienced Korea firsthand, Nasser added his own perspective.
“Overshadowed by the EX-Rank Awakener though he may be, doesn’t Korea harbor another monster?”
Not long ago.
Someone had broadcast a world announcement through their own power.
“A +9 Enhancement Craftsman?”
“Yes.”
The world’s first.
An enhancement craftsman who succeeded in +9 enhancement.
“For reference, Emily from the London Guild has been dispatched to Seoul. Officially, it’s said to be for scroll production, but it’s likely not just for that reason.”
That’s exactly the reason.
“Emily and the +9 enhancement craftsman are likely cooperating in secret. In doing so, they’ve likely discovered a method to enhance inventory and applied it to EX-Awakened individuals. The probability is very high.”
“A good observation. Yes. A +9 enhancement craftsman was hidden in Korea.”
“Yes. It’s possible that Byun Ha-gu is the +9 enhancement craftsman. Recently, he was spotted cooperating with Emily.”
No.
The enhancement craftsman was Kang Hye.
Her profession was Explorer.
In any case, Al Hirab’s expression grew serious.
‘An EX-Awakened individual, and now an enhancement craftsman too.’
It seemed some kind of wind was blowing through East Asia.

* * *
Two hours had passed since Emily and Byun Ha-gu announced their timeline.
The two shouted simultaneously and high-fived.
“Preparations are complete!”
“Preparations are complete!”
They were a duo with excellent chemistry in every way.
Various scrolls lay scattered across the desk, and bottles filled with colorful powder emitted faint rays of light.
An unknown liquid bubbled vigorously inside a flask, and a peculiar magical aroma permeated the air.
Emily approached quietly.
“Master.”
“…Yes.”
What exactly was she saying in English that translated to “Master”?
Kim Chul-in was the same way, and so was Emily.
That gaze was somewhat burdensome even for an EX-Awakened individual to handle.
“Let me explain once more. We’ll be copying the Tower Entry skill, transforming it, and creating a Labyrinth Entry skill book.”
Byun Ha-gu interjected.
“I’ll handle the transformation process. If I may, I’ll need to place my hand on your back.”
Apparently, physical contact was necessary for transformation, much like with Blood Blessing.
In any case, preparations for creating the skill book were complete.
By the way, nearly 300 kilograms of Novaite had been consumed.
After joining several blank scrolls together and working on them, a blank skill book was generated.
“Hold this skill book in your hand and recall the Tower Entry skill.”
The task itself wasn’t difficult.
[Would you like to copy the ‘Tower Entry’ skill to the skill book?]
Byun Ha-gu’s hand touched Choi Kang-mok’s back.
A verdant glow spread from near the shoulder blade.
A whisper-like voice, soft and incantatory. A chant that rewove the patterns of mana circuits.
The master craftsman of grotesque creations intoned the spell.
The skill book immediately rose into the air.
Whoosh—
Pages turned of their own accord.
Flash!
It became white ash, scattering like wind.
[Skill book creation has failed.]
“…A failure.”
“It’s fine. We have seven attempts.”
Second attempt.
Whoosh—
Flash!
[Skill book creation has failed.]
Third.
Failed.
Fourth.
Failed.
Fifth, sixth… consecutive failures.
Emily cradled her head in her hands, while Byun Ha-gu squeezed his eyes shut, pouring verdant mana into the attempt relentlessly.
One final attempt remained.
‘If this one crumbles, it’s over.’
Whoosh—
Pages turned.
Flash!
Light erupted in a violent burst.
[Skill book creation has…]

* * *
Emily and Byun Ha-gu didn’t seem particularly satisfied.
Emily held up the completed skill book and examined it.
“We did succeed, though.”
“But this is a bit….”
Kang Hye, who had been bowing incessantly beside them.
And Christine, who had somehow found herself bowing alongside her, drew closer.
“What’s wrong?”
“Is there a problem?”
They had succeeded, technically.
───────
[Labyrinth Entry]
Type: Skill Book
Grade: SSS
Description: A skill book that allows one to learn the skill of entering the Labyrinth.
───────
SSS-grade.
In theory, a perfect success.
But Emily’s expression was far from bright.
“The basic description looks fine, but when I sensed it, the conditions are far too restrictive.”
Hidden restrictions lurking behind the pages.
There was a settings window visible only to the master craftsman’s eyes.
───────
1. Must be designated as the owner of the Labyrinth.
───────
“What is this now? How does one even obtain such a bizarre title? Does the Labyrinth actually have an owner?”
The London Guild was technically the Labyrinth owner, but Emily, being a master craftsman, was unaware of such details.
As Emily tilted her head in confusion, Choi Kang-mok raised his hand.
“Ah, that’s me. I’m the Labyrinth owner.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re…saying you are?”
“Yes.”
“….”
“…Well, that passes.”
Byun Ha-gu read out the next condition.
───────
2. Total of pure Stamina, pure Strength, and pure Agility exceeding 77
(excluding effects from artifacts/runes/buffs, etc.)
───────
“This one’s a bit harsh.”
Emily knew.
This delicate mage was someone who manipulated hundreds of mana fragments.
A mage who handled micro-fragments raising Constitution, Strength, and Agility? When even investing everything into Intelligence wasn’t enough?
Byun Ha-gu nodded in agreement.
“This is unreasonable. I’ve attempted plenty of perverse modifications myself, but I’ve never seen one manifest like this. Usually, when crafting skill books, the caster’s disposition and condition have significant influence, but….”
Choi Kang-mok opened his mouth.
“It passes.”
“Pardon?”
“Pardon?”
The master craftsmen were even more astonished.
How could a delicate mage manage this?
In any case, Emily’s face brightened.
“We did it!”
───────
3. Possesses 1 title related to ‘Modification’.
───────
This one was straightforward.
Most mages typically carried something like ‘Magic Modifier’.
Of course, Choi Kang-mok had one too.
“Third condition cleared! Next!”
───────
4. Possesses two titles related to Combat Master.
───────
“You just need to obtain two titles related to Combat Master!”
Following Constitution, Strength, and Agility came Combat Master titles.
Whether coincidence or not, multiple conditions related to combat mages had been attached.
It wasn’t bad.
There were quite a few well-known methods to obtain titles related to Combat Master.
“Let’s clear the London Guild strategy and earn the title! Christine! Bring the strategy quickly! We need one related to Combat Master!”
“She already has it.”
“What do you mean? That person isn’t even a combat specialist mage.”
“She has that as a basic.”
“?”
“Combat Master titles include Mock Battle titles too, right?”
“Yeah. Mock Battle combat counts as combat.”
“Then we’re good.”
Christine knew.
“She has one ridiculous title.”
“Hmm. Are you talking about something like Mock Battle Master?”
Choi Kang-mok stated the truth.
“Mock Battle Absolute.”
“Pardon?”
Emily blinked rapidly, double-checking Choi Kang-mok’s record.
“You’ve only participated in three mock battles?”
Christine spoke up.
“That’s why it’s absurd.”
“Wasn’t the Mock Battle Emperor you possess the highest rank in mock combat?”
“Apparently not.”
Christine shook her head in disbelief.
A Mock Battle Absolute title with only three total mock battle matches—what kind of nonsense was this?
By Korean standards, this was completely ridiculous.
“Ah… I thought it was a partial failure, but it wasn’t actually a failure?”
He was destined for this.
It was a situation tailor-made for Choi Kang-mok.
Emily continued carefully.
“All conditions are perfect, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. As a mage, you understand this well…”
Using a grimoire doesn’t automatically guarantee successful spell acquisition.
Skill books work the same way. Success isn’t guaranteed.
The more conditions you satisfy, the higher the probability becomes.
“Yes, I understand.”
Magical language rose from the skill book and was absorbed into my body.
Flash!
Golden light erupted outward.
Emily and Byun Ha-gu cried out simultaneously.
“Golden light!”
“Gold!”
Emily and Byun Ha-gu shouted at the same time.
It wasn’t mere light.
Perfect conditions. Perfect timing. Perfect aptitude!
It was the mark of perfect achievement—a radiance that bloomed only when every puzzle piece aligned flawlessly.
For instance,
[True Labyrinth Master + Body Strength exceeding 100 + Mock Battle Absolute + Transformation Artisan + Strength-Stacked Mage]—like that.
A signal that appeared only in impossible circumstances.
A notification reached me.
[You have acquired the skill ‘Labyrinth Entry.’]

* * *
The Beijing Guild had long been the sole supplier of Novaite.
But now, the time had come to relinquish that monopoly.
[Seoul Novaite boasts superior quality compared to Beijing Novaite…]
There was a fundamental quality difference from the start.
Seoul operated a premium mine. Beijing, upper-middle tier.
Moreover, Seoul’s mine had a tribute ratio of merely 1%.
Miners’ profits translated directly into consumer prices, securing competitive advantage.
Furthermore, Korea was the headquarters of the Boddari Union.
They controlled both ‘production’ and ‘distribution’ simultaneously.
Supply prices plummeted. Demand skyrocketed. Beijing’s mine profitability was hemorrhaging.
“At this rate, we’ll lose the entire market.”
“True. We need a breakthrough.”
There was no room for further negotiation or reconciliation.
They had already declared war on us (they never did).
[How dare they touch a great nation?]
└These guys are completely insane
└Where do these small-timers get off?
└What is Beijing doing? Don’t they see they’re being disrespected?
└One of the world’s four greatest Guilds has lost all face
As public sentiment deteriorated, internal discord erupted.
Arguments for aggressive retaliation gained traction.
“What’s the status on talks with North Korea?”
They had found their own breakthrough.
The answer lay in North Korea.

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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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