The Return of the Genius Ranker’s Myth Warehouse - Chapter 8

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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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Chapter 8
Chapter 8
“A spear? I didn’t know you could use one.”
“I can handle most weapons.”
“Incredible! A true master of all arms! But wait—what in the world is that spear? Such a sinister aura!”
A sinister aura, indeed.
It made sense.
Gae Bolg was a weapon known as a demonic spear, and its very appearance was blood-red, with sharp barbs bristling beneath the spearhead.
“Appearances aside, it’s the perfect weapon for taking down a monster like that.”
I gripped the center of the spear with my right hand and drew my shoulder back in a wide arc.
It wasn’t the typical stance of a spear fighter.
This was the fundamental posture of javelin throwing.
In other words, the stance for hurling a spear.
‘One chance. That’s all I get.’
Just as with Astrape, a weapon so poorly suited to my abilities could only be used once.
And even then, its power would fall far short of its true potential.
Yet despite this, I was confident.
With Gae Bolg, I could bring down the Big Slime—the hidden boss monster lurking in the City of Beginnings—in a single strike.
Gurgle!
The Big Slime responded to my killing intent and surged toward me.
Despite its massive bulk, it moved with terrifying speed.
In my grip, Gae Bolg trembled violently, as though refusing to acknowledge me as its master—my level, my stats, my skills all falling short of its requirements.
I tightened my grip to suppress the vibrations and faced the approaching Big Slime.
Whoosh!
I hurled Gae Bolg.
The moment it left my hand, Gae Bolg vibrated even more intensely, radiating its sinister aura as if delighted to be free.
And then Gae Bolg—
Squelch—!!
Gurgle—
—pierced directly into the Big Slime’s body.
Its penetrating power was so tremendous that Gae Bolg sank in completely, from spearhead to shaft, burying itself within the creature’s form.
But—
“Blast! What a waste! If I’d been just a bit closer, I could have pierced its core!”
Gae Bolg had narrowly missed the Big Slime’s core.
The core itself moved fluidly in response to the creature’s movements, making it difficult to hit.
And Gae Bolg had thrashed about so violently in my grip, refusing to accept me as its wielder, that proper aim and execution were nearly impossible.
Considering it had even vibrated during flight, hitting this close to the core was actually a remarkable throw.
Yet even though Gae Bolg had missed the core, I felt no regret whatsoever.
“That’s enough.”
“Enough?! You missed the core! Run! Put distance between us first, then we can resume with the bow!”
“No, it’s already over.”
I was certain of it.
Gay Bolg had already pierced the Big Slime’s heart.
Or rather, its core—there was no difference.
That very instant.
Vwoooooom!
Gay Bolg, embedded in the Big Slime’s body, trembled violently.
Sensing the anomaly, the Big Slime thrashed about even more ferociously and charged toward me.
The Guard Captain behind me immediately screamed and tugged at my clothes, but I didn’t budge an inch.
And then, the moment the Big Slime reached right before my face.
Splooooosh—!!
Thirty crimson thorns erupted from Gay Bolg, piercing through the Big Slime’s body.
Thorns that extended so far they protruded beyond the Big Slime’s surface.
Naturally, one of those thorns pierced straight through the Big Slime’s core.
“Gluuuurgh—.”
The Big Slime collapsed with a deflating sound.
“Gasp…!”
Behind me, the Guard Captain was utterly shocked, his breath catching in astonishment.
Well, would an NPC from the City of Beginnings ever have seen an epic-grade weapon with a 750-level restriction?
It was only natural to be amazed.
When I first witnessed Gay Bolg’s ability, dopamine surged through me so intensely that I used nothing but this weapon for quite some time.
“Did you… really defeat the Big Slime? In a single strike?”
“Yes, as you can see.”
– I shall partake gratefully, Master.
Whoooosh.
Luke, now swallowing the Big Slime without needing my command.
Since it was a hidden boss monster incomparable to ordinary monsters, Luke devoured the Big Slime.
[ Luke has consumed ‘Big Slime’. ]
[ Luke’s stats have increased by 20. ]
Four times the stat increase compared to defeating an ordinary monster.
Of course, these were Luke’s stats, not mine.
But considering I could borrow those stats whenever I wished using Black Flame, it was essentially as if my own stats had risen.
And there was one more thing.
This time as well, I obtained the ‘Big Slime’s Core’.
Since this was also a quest objective, I tried to hand it over to the Guard Captain immediately.
“No need to give it to me. Isn’t this your achievement?”
“Shouldn’t I report it back with the core?”
“I witnessed it with my own two eyes perfectly well! Don’t worry, I’ll give you proper compensation. Ah, and take this as well.”
[ You have completed the linked Quest ‘Slime Hunting 6’. ]
[ You have obtained the Guard Corps Seal. ]
“What is this…?”
“It’s a seal granted to adventurers who have rendered great service to the City of Beginnings. Everyone in the City of Beginnings will recognize it.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me—I should be the grateful one! We’ve been struggling with fewer adventurers compared to the slime outbreak. Now that you’ve defeated the Big Slime, we can breathe easy for a while.”
Normally, I would have needed to hand over the Big Slime’s core to the Guard Captain.
But because the Guard Captain had followed me, that entire process was bypassed.
Thanks to that, I was able to keep the Big Slime’s core.
I already possessed every item that existed in First, but the Big Slime’s core was among the finest materials obtainable in the City of Beginnings.
There was no harm in keeping it.
“I’ll report your achievements in detail to the Guard Corps! You’ll likely receive separate word from them soon.”
“Thank you.”
“Stop thanking me! You’re destined to become a hero! The only way I, a mere Guard Captain, can pave the way for a hero’s future is if you remember my name.”
“What is your name?”
“Guard Captain of the Western Gate in the City of Beginnings. They call me Hans.”
“I’ll remember it well, Hans.”
“Ha, when you return, leave me an autograph. From what I can see, you’re destined for greatness, and I’ll treasure it as a keepsake.”
“That’s hardly necessary….”
“No, I’m certain. You’re definitely….”
The Guard Captain of the Western Gate.
Hans’s eyes gleamed.
“Destined for great things.”
* * *
After barely declining Hans’s offer to share a meal, I returned to the Inn.
I had already maxed out the affinity I could build with Hans, and from what I recalled, there were no more hidden pieces to gain from him.
After a simple meal at the Inn, I called Luke again.
“Could you bring out some level 10 elixirs?”
– Understood, Master.
Now that I’d reached level 10, I should start consuming elixirs.
There weren’t many level 10 elixirs, but as the saying goes, many a little makes a mickle.
I maximized the potency of the few elixirs I had through alchemy.
Then I consumed them.
[ You have consumed ‘Sprouting Elixir’. ]
[ All stats increase by 5. ]
[ Fire attribute affinity increases slightly. ]
….
Once again, all my stats rose.
Thanks to the Alchemy Achievement, the success rate had increased, making crafting far easier.
Once I obtained the Alchemy skill itself, manufacturing would become even simpler.
After consuming the elixirs,
After taking the medicine that way.
I could see the ‘Big Slime Core’ stored in my inventory.
“Hmm.”
As I mentioned, this is one of the top five finest materials available in the City of Beginnings.
If I process this, I can craft equipment of the highest caliber in the City of Beginnings, or even elixirs.
However, one of the elixirs I just consumed was based on this Big Slime Core, so consuming it again would serve no purpose.
Elixirs don’t produce effects when you consume two of the same type.
If that were possible, I could continuously consume easily-obtainable elixirs to raise my stats infinitely.
“I suppose making it for sale would be the better choice?”
Since I already possess equipment and elixirs for every level, items like this hold no value for me.
Then crafting it for sale is the perfect solution.
I did want to play Second, the sequel to First, but I also started the game to earn money.
“Yes, elixirs would be better than equipment.”
Even if I craft excellent equipment, it would only be level 10 gear.
Two years have already passed since Second’s launch, so no matter how well I craft level 10 equipment, its value wouldn’t be particularly high.
But elixirs?
“Anyone who hasn’t consumed this type would seek it out, regardless of level.”
Unlike equipment, it’s an item everyone desires.
Two years into the game’s launch, everyone would understand how precious each stat point truly is.
Especially, the number of users who have consumed elixirs made from Big Slime Cores—obtainable only in the City of Beginnings—would be extremely rare.
Though it’s a low-level elixir with modest potency, an elixir is still an elixir.
It will certainly have competitive value.
With that thought in mind.
“Luke, could you hand me some auxiliary reagents?”
– Understood, Master.
I immediately began alchemy.
Though I lack the relevant skill, I trust my rare-grade alchemy kit, my own proficiency, and the benefits from my Achievement completion as I transmute the Big Slime Core.
“With only one main material, I doubt the result will be particularly impressive.”
The Big Slime Core.
It’s an excellent elixir material, but honestly, it doesn’t compare to the elixir I just consumed.
With just one core, even using multiple auxiliary reagents, it’s difficult to create significant synergy.
Well, that’s fine.
You can’t be satisfied on your first attempt, can you?
Even if it doesn’t sell for much, I worked diligently on the elixir hoping it would at least cover my expenses.
As a result.
[ Alchemy has succeeded. ]
[ Judgment: Critical Success ]
“Oh, luck was on my side.”
I achieved another critical success.
Critical success isn’t a judgment that comes easily.
To achieve it twice without the skill—that’s remarkable.
It seemed the success rate bonus from the rare-grade kit had made a significant difference.
Once I properly learned the Alchemy skill and used better kits, I’d be able to consistently achieve great successes, though that was a matter for the future.
In any case, when I checked the information on the potion I’d created.
[ Viscous Elixir ]
Type: Potion
Grade: Rare
Requirement: Level 10 or higher
Description: An elixir that amplifies the slime’s power contained within the core of the Big Slime to its extreme, increasing maximum health and health recovery upon consumption.
“Not bad.”
The result was perfectly adequate.
A rare-grade potion.
Its effects increased maximum health and health recovery.
It was an ability that melee-focused players would covet, and even for non-melee players, there was absolutely nothing wrong with consuming it.
Honestly, I’d hoped for a Legendary-grade potion given the great success verdict, but it seemed that materials from the City of Beginnings had their limits.
“Since it’s a level 10 restricted potion, its potency is lower. But it should still sell, right?”
Without high expectations, I listed the potion on the auction house.
Unlike other games, Second had implemented a “game item cash trading” function from the very beginning.
Since it would be impossible to prevent cash trading once the game’s scale grew, the decision was to officially mediate cash transactions and pocket the commission fees.
Thanks to that, I could conveniently list potions by manipulating the system.
As I lay in the bedroom of the Inn and logged out afterward, I had no way of knowing.
Just how much of a sensation the “Viscous Elixir” I’d listed without great expectations would cause on the auction house.

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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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