Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Clatter.

Thud.

The familiar sound of work. Using it as background noise, Shimun stirred the contents of the massive cauldron.

Bubble, bubble!

After stirring the violently boiling contents a few more times and examining it closely, he nodded in satisfaction and moved to the opposite workbench.

“This should do.”

There, inside a flask, the Philosopher’s Stone was diligently working with multiple mechanical arms.

Spark.

Alchemy sparks flew as the work continued.

“How’s it going, Philo?”

Kim Shimun asked.

– You already set up the structure… Phew! It’s done. Now we just need to imbue the abilities.

The Philosopher’s Stone answered, presenting the work.

“Let me see.”

Kim Shimun looked at the small polyhedron refined by the mechanical arms and alchemy.

Then.

『Empty Kit』

Grade: SS+

A kit capable of containing anything. Can store items up to SS grade through high-level alchemy.

The information window popped up, showing the SS+ grade due to perfect craftsmanship.

‘SS+, huh… This should be more than enough.’

Kim Shimun nodded in satisfaction.

It was no wonder.

‘Wasn’t the highest grade for alchemy kits in my previous life SS grade?’

Before regressing. In his previous life, the highest grade alchemy kit was SS grade. Originally, the purpose of alchemy kits was

‘to store items like campfires or temporary shelters.’

They were meant to ensure convenience in terms of food, clothing, and shelter during outbreaks or in dungeons.

Of course, an SS-Rank kit could store items of the same grade, including an entire building.

In his previous life, the SS-Rank kit was mainly used for transporting key buildings, so it wasn’t frequently used beyond that.

Therefore, from the perspective of his previous life,

SS+ was already more than sufficient.

‘This level is enough to implement my theory.’

To execute his theory, this grade was just right for Kim Shimun.

“Let’s move on to the next step.”

Okay.

Kim Shimun visualized a specific alchemical product in his mind and snapped his fingers.

Snap.

『Your Alchemy Energy is insufficient to proceed with the alchemization.』

『To establish the necessary equivalent exchange with the Philosopher’s Stone, 300 achievement points are required.』

『Do you accept? (Yes / No)』

The familiar equivalent exchange window appeared before his eyes.

Choosing ‘Yes’ without hesitation, with a blue alchemical light, a heavy hammer appeared in Kim Shimun’s hand.

Crackle.

Thud!

It was a one-handed hammer, similar to the Thor’s Hammer he had alchemized in Nemea’s Valley before.

The only difference was it wasn’t for harming anyone but for crafting.

And so it was.

『Constellation Hephaestus sends a glance at the sudden appearance of his hammer.』

『Constellation Hephaestus smiles satisfyingly, saying ‘It was you? As a fellow creator, it is an honor.’』

Hephaestus, the owner of the alchemized hammer, responded. Reading this, Shimun scratched his cheek lightly.

‘To be called a fellow creator by the backer of Robert Redmain…’

Number one in production in his previous life. To be called a fellow creator by Hephaestus, the backer of God’s master craftsman Robert Redmain.

For a producer, this was the highest compliment.

‘It’s kind of embarrassing.’

Kim Shimun’s ears turned slightly red without reason.

‘This isn’t the time for this.’

Snapping out of his thoughts, Shimun grasped Hephaestus’s Hammer, which emitted a subtle glow.

‘Robert from my past life mentioned this, too.’

Robert Redmain, known as God’s Master Craftsman. From the time he started his career, he had never failed to create SSS-Rank items, reaching the pinnacle of production.

He was revered and respected by all in the production community. However, in one of his rare interviews, he had spoken about it with a solemn expression.

‘He said that the reason he could produce SSS-Rank items every time was thanks to the backing of his patron Constellation.’

While he had certainly created SSS-Rank items by his skill alone, he admitted that most of his successes were due to the support of his patron Constellation.

And the reason he had spoken about this became clear to Kim Shimun when he saw the information window.

『Hephaestus’s Hammer』

Grade – Replica (64%)

A hammer belonging to the Constellation Hephaestus. It can create the finest creations, but for some reason, it cannot fully unleash its power.

It can raise the grade of any creation by one level.

(This effect applies up to the SSS grade.)

Maybe due to his growth in alchemy energy?

The completeness of the mythic-grade artifact had increased to 64%.

However, Shimun’s gaze wasn’t on that part.

‘So, this is why he said that.’

He focused on the last line: “This effect applies up to the SSS grade.”

‘Of course, this is a replica and not the true mythic grade, so I’m not sure if the real artifact has the same limit…’

Considering that Robert had created SSS-Rank items without Hephaestus’s backing, ‘There must be some requirements for creating items above the SSS grade.’

There must be something more needed for creating items above the SSS grade. At that moment.

– Oppa, the solvent is all boiled. Hurry and finish the kit.

A cheerful voice snapped Kim Shimun out of his thoughts.

“All right.”

Kim Shimun immediately raised the hammer high.

Then.

Thwack!

Kim Shimun struck the alchemical kit with the hammer.

Surprisingly.

The alchemical kit struck by the hammer didn’t have a single scratch.

Instead.

Whoosh!

It began to emit the same subtle glow as Hephaestus’s Hammer.

Sizzle.

Hephaestus’s Hammer rebounded and disappeared. But it was a one-time use anyway, so Kim Shimun didn’t mind.

‘Is it done?’

He examined the subtly glowing polyhedron.

『Empty Kit』

Grade: SSS+

A kit capable of containing anything. Can store items up to SSS+ grade through high-level alchemy. Kim Shimun’s eyes widened a bit.

‘SSS+ grade?’

He had expected SSS grade. It seemed the perfect craftsmanship of the + grade was maintained, elevating the alchemical kit from SS+ to SSS+ grade.

‘Even Robert in my past life had never created an SSS+ grade item…’

Having achieved an unexpected result, Shimun smiled in satisfaction.

“All right. Now let’s finish the solvent.”

With a satisfied smile, he turned towards the ‘nameless cauldron’ on the opposite side.

Then.

Kim Shimun promptly put it into his inventory. When his hand emerged from the inventory again.

Flutter.

He was holding a thin, paper-like blue leaf. It was one of the by-products of the World Tree that he had obtained earlier, the ‘Blue Leaf of the World Tree’.

Perhaps thanks to Gabriel coming and going more frequently than expected after the connection with the Heavenly Realm?

‘Considering the amount of liquid, three leaves should be enough, right?’

There were a total of four Blue Leaves of the World Tree in his inventory. Taking out three of them, Shimun threw them into the nameless cauldron without hesitation.

– Oppa, should I stir it?

“No, I’ll do it.”

Just like when he used alchemy at level 1. Carefully and consistently stirring it a few more times, the bubbling cauldron let out a clear burp, and the blue contents settled calmly as if by magic.

Pop.

Gazing into it,

『Blue Solvent of the World Tree』

Grade: X+

Completely removes specific energies when used in production. A solvent made from the unique material. Enhanced effectiveness through high-level alchemy.

The information window hovered over the blue liquid.

Kim Shimun focused on the effect: ‘Completely removes specific energies when used in production.’

‘Successful.’

A solvent for production, not consumption.

“This part is done then.”

Closing the information window, Shimun brought the alchemical kit he had prepared to the side of the cauldron.

“Now comes the real deal…”

An SSS+ grade alchemical kit produced with Hephaestus’s Hammer. An X+ grade Blue Solvent of the World Tree made from the Blue Leaf of the World Tree.

The container and auxiliary materials were ready. Now he just needed to resolve what would be contained within.

However.

‘Please work…’

Even for Kim Shimun, who had faced few problems in alchemy since his regression, this was a nerve-wracking task.

As if sensing his tension,

– Oppa, you can do it.

In an unusually gentle voice, the Philosopher’s Stone spoke.

Honestly, when I first heard your theory, I thought you had finally lost it. But the more I thought about it, the more possible it seemed.

“But it’s still just a theory.”

Oh my, why are you acting out of character? Isn’t the charm of alchemy in bringing such theories to life?

“That’s true.”

He realized he had momentarily forgotten a fundamental truth.

“Thanks, Philo. I feel better now.”

His gaze softened as he looked at the Philosopher’s Stone.

– Oh no, don’t look at me so deeply like that! You’re making me blush!

Leaving the returning-to-normal Philosopher’s Stone behind,

“Alright, here goes.”

Kim Shimun raised his hand immediately. Visualizing the alchemical goal in his mind.

Snap.

With a finger snap.

『Your Alchemy Energy is insufficient to proceed with the alchemization.』

『To establish equivalent exchange, the Philosopher’s Stone demands 500 achievement points.』

『Do you accept? (Yes / No)』

The familiar equivalent exchange window appeared.

However, Shimun did not immediately choose ‘Yes’ as usual.

“Philo, I need your assistance.”

– Sure, leave it to me!

He rarely asked for aid from the Philosopher’s Stone.

“Here we go.”

Yes!

Choosing ‘Yes’ with caution this time.

Ssss.

The achievement points converted for equivalent exchange flowed from his chest, centered on the Philosopher’s Stone, to the finger he snapped.

Then, as they began to alchemize into the visualized creation,

“Philo! Now!”

– Here it is!

The Philosopher’s Stone quickly scooped the Blue Solvent of the World Tree from the cauldron with its mechanical arm.

Ssssss!

As the alchemical light fell upon it, a mystical smoke mixed with gleaming light arose.

Pop.

The same clear sound and smoke that appeared when the Blue Solvent was completed. Watching it attentively for a moment, ‘Please work. Please let only the achievement points disappear…!’

Biting his lip unknowingly, as the blue smoke cleared completely, ‘It worked! The alchemical circle is still intact!’

Seeing the gradually fading complex circle, his eyes sparkled.

Click.

Kim Shimun immediately held the ‘Paracelsus’s Cylinder’ mounted on his left wrist up to it.

The ‘alchemical circle storage function’ of Paracelsus’s Cylinder, Just as Kim Shimun expected, the Paracelsus’s Cylinder stored the increasingly transparent and complex alchemical circle.

Buzz.

However, Shimun didn’t relax. For good reason. A faint hum echoed as the alchemical circle stored within the Paracelsus’s Cylinder started to blur.

This was because the achievement points that formed the basis of the mythic-grade artifact had been removed.

“Philo!”

Kim Shimun urgently called for the Philosopher’s Stone.

– Yes! Here it is!

The Philosopher’s Stone, waiting for this moment, quickly handed over the polyhedron. The SSS+ grade alchemical kit created by Hephaestus’s Hammer. Kim Shimun immediately activated the Paracelsus’s Cylinder over it.

Buzz!

With a slightly more intense sound than usual, the cylinder expelled the stored alchemical circle of the mythic-grade artifact.

The expelled alchemical circle naturally sank into the alchemical kit.

“Did it work?”

Not sure. We followed your theory exactly, but…

The tension-filled silence was short-lived. The previously colorless polyhedron was now faintly tinged with a golden hue, and within its semi-transparent interior, a complex circle emitting a soft hum could be seen.

The mythic-grade alchemical circle they had alchemized was still intact.

“Did it work?”

– Yes! It’s exhausting!

Kim Shimun and the Philosopher’s Stone sighed in relief. Their joy, however, was short-lived.

『You are the first to interfere with the ‘Law of Equivalent Exchange’ on Earth.』

『As a reward, you have earned 50,000 achievement points.』

With the reward for their success, more notifications appeared.

『Constellation Zeus and Odin are wide-eyed, exclaiming ‘No way. Is this possible?’』

『Constellation Black Goat mutters ‘Even Paracelsus couldn’t achieve this…’ with a slight gape.』

『Constellations Ra, Heavenly Demon, and Baal chuckle in disbelief.』

The reactions of the watching constellations poured in like a flood.

*

Her face emanated a serene beauty.

Next to her slender jaw, a drop of sweat trickled down.

Drip.

Unaware of this, Yujeong slightly parted her lips and stared blankly ahead.

‘This is incredible…’

She wasn’t the only one. Kim Shihyuk, Park Jinwook, and Go Malsuk, seated in one corner of the lab, were equally awestruck.

Despite being rankers. Or perhaps because they were rankers.

‘Everything oppa handles… nothing is ordinary.’

Even as a ranker, she was astounded by the extraordinary presence of the hammer. The blue leaves so clear that they felt refreshing just to look at, and the intricately crafted polyhedron that seemed almost as if it were made by a machine.

Every single material and tool that Kim Shimun handled was nothing short of exceptional.

Even.

Pop!

Buzz.

Kim Shimun’s movements, devoid of any unnecessary actions, were like those of a master craftsman, despite alchemy not being her field. It was clear that his level far exceeded that of a simple master.

Yes.

It was akin to watching a ranker fight for the first time. This was not a feeling exclusive to her and her companions.

『Constellation Raphael clasps both hands tightly, anxiety in their chest.』

『Constellation Gabriel watches Player Kim Shimun with bated breath.』

Due to Kim Shimun, the two archangels connected through their patron constellations, Raphael and Gabriel, were equally engrossed in Kim Shimun’s ongoing work.

Eventually.

A small, yet distinct mystical hum pierced through the silence, a sound no ranker could miss.

Following it, “It worked!”

– Ah! That was exhausting!

Kim Shimun and the Philosopher’s Stone exclaimed in relief.

Then, “Shihyuk.”

“Y-yes?”

Kim Shimun turned his attention to where Yujeong and her team were seated.

“Come over here.”

“O-okay! Coming!”

For the first time, Yujeong, born as the Daughter of the Holy Trinity, felt envy spurred by material things.

“Is this it? How do I use it?”

“You have some achievement points, right?”

“Yeah! I’ve got tons!”

“Good. Using this will probably bring forward…”

‘I’m so jealous…’

*

『Welcome to the Galaxy Arena.』

『This arena is for the Master Rank promotion match.』

『The format is Survival, and the participants number 1,000.』

The familiar message appeared. Upon seeing it, a clear-faced young man with an alluring appearance.

“Survival, huh… Just what I needed right now.”

Sword Saint Kim Shihyuk pulled up the corners of his mouth in a smirk.

As expected,

– Kyaa!! Look at that smile!

– King Shihyuk! I’m dying!

– I guess this guy forgot all about the Continental Championships LOL

– Shihyuk’s advantage is his coolness.

– What’s a defeat gotta do with anything? Only haters would make a fuss.

– For real, it’s not like it’s his first battle with the King of Swords. He won last time.

As with any ranker’s broadcast, numerous viewers expressed various reactions.

– By the way, why does Shihyuk seem unusually happy today?

– 22 I thought it was just me, but he does look happier.

– Maybe because it’s a Master Rank promotion match? The regular arena rank has expanded.

– Could be. Isn’t this the first promotion match since the regular arena?

Long-time viewers noticed that today’s smile on Kim Shihyuk’s face was different from his usual one.

But this was only a minority,

– But still, there are a thousand people for the Master Rank promotion match?

– Really, is the next rank after Diamond this populated? Are there that many Diamonds as good as Kim Shihyuk?

– It’s across multiple dimensions, so that’s why.

– Yeah, and not everyone will get promoted anyway.

In the chat focused on the new Master Rank and promotion match, this didn’t become a huge topic.

Soon after,

『All participants have been matched.』

whoosh.

With the notification that all participants had gathered, the entire space of the void changed rapidly.