SWNOVELXO Chapter 68
Chapter 68. Paracelsus’s Flask (2)
TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader
Hovering alone atop the red currents within the flask was an eye and a mouth.
The large eyeball and the torn mouth were quite grotesque, yet…
Swoosh.
The distinctively handsome young man lifted the round flask with an indifferent expression on his face.
Then he said, “Time for you to wake up.”
The young man shook it recklessly.
At this, -Ahhhh! Stop, stop it! Oppa, please stop!
The one eye amidst the sinisterly laughing red currents seemed as though it was trapped in a prison, banging into the flask’s surface like a bouncy ball, here and there.
-Oppa! I was wrong! I won’t do it again! I promise!
Suddenly reverting to a youthful voice, the Philosopher’s Stone desperately signaled its surrender, waving a white flag.
At this, Shimun cracked a smile and carefully placed the flask down.
-You brat! I just wanted to startle you a bit!
The one eye in the red currents. The Philosopher’s Stone glared at Shimun with teary eyes.
-How did you figure it out?
Proudly pointing to the center of his chest, Shimun replied, “Your very essence is still palpable from there, it’d be quite the feat for me to be fooled.”
-Right…… Even as a Homunculus. The bond I share with oppa remains unchanged.
With that, the one eye in the flask drooped.
-Sigh! And here was a fine opportunity to tease!
“You scamp.”
The Philosopher’s Stone voiced its disappointment. Cheered up by the stone’s silly demeanor, Shimun carefully picked up the flask again.
“But Philosopher’s Stone. Isn’t creating a Homunculus forbidden territory?”
-Indeed.
It was one of the alchemical taboos Shimun once saw in the Emerald Tablet. Among them, creating a Homunculus, along with human alchemy, was forbidden.
-So what? The constellations who forbade it have vanished, and we’ve merely recreated a Homunculus using items from those constellations .
“Well, that’s true but…”
-You’ve already mastered human alchemy as well. There’s no problem in breaking another taboo.
Wasn’t it Shimun who had already broken the taboo of human alchemy?
Moreover, there was no longer any entity to reward or punish for adhering or violating these taboos. Perhaps, that’s why the Black Goat had sponsored him with 1,000 achievement points.
As Shimun nodded unconsciously, the Philosopher’s Stone spoke.
-There’s quite a lot I can do in this state.
“Really?”
-Yeah! For starters, I can make life much easier for my busy oppa!
Winking, the Philosopher’s Stone in the flask continued, -Oppa, you said you can feel both the me inside the flask and my original self, right?
“Yes.”
-Then, that makes two of me, doesn’t it?
“Well… yes?”
Shimun’s expression turned somewhat displeased.
-Eek! Why that look? Having two of me should be twice as nice, shouldn’t it?!
“It’s because it is nice.”
-Hmm…
Eyeing Shimun sleepily, the Philosopher’s Stone soon shrugged.
-Well, let’s just say that’s the case. Anyway, that’s all.
At this remark, Shimun tilted his head, then quickly widened his eyes.
“Wait. You’re not saying simultaneous alchemy is possible, are you?”
Simultaneous alchemy.
Having his original body and an entity within the flask that feels just like another version of himself meant that it was possible to perform all alchemizations, including mythic-grade weapons, in pairs at the same time.
However, -You were close, but that’s not it.
The Philosopher’s Stone shook its head.
-After all, performing multiple alchemizations at once is already possible, as long as equivalent exchange is adhered to.
“What? It’s possible?”
-To not know that!
The Philosopher’s Stone seemed even more surprised by Shimun’s astonishment.
-You’ve managed to perform human alchemy simultaneously yourself.
“Right?”
-So, it means alchemizing multiple mythic-grade weapons at the same time should be possible, right?
“Yeah, it does seem so, doesn’t it?”
-Oh, dear me! This oppa of mine!
If it had hands, it would have grasped its own forehead. The Philosopher’s Stone in the flask sighed deeply, shaking its head in disapproval.
-I’m really not living right! Oppa, you need to become aware of your own talent. Since the essence of alchemy is the same…
Though its earnest explanation was quite adorable, ‘If I say it as it is, I won’t be able to hear about the abilities today.’
Anticipating Philosopher’s Stone to fly into a rage at being spoken to seriously, Kim Shimun quietly shut his mouth.
-Anyway, the idea of doing two at the same time was good. It’s not wrong at all.
The Philosopher’s Stone in the flask leaned slightly in one direction. Catching the hint to move, Kim Shimun followed the guidance of the Philosopher’s Stone.
The destination was a spacious room designated as the laboratory. Thanks to the continuous tool crafting with materials supplied by his two younger siblings, the spacious room was filled with enough alchemy tools to be deemed a proper lab.
The Philosopher’s Stone took its place among the largest section.
-Place it here.
It settled on the potion and elixir crafting station.
The little one, perched atop the potion rack, looked at the bottles used for the aunt’s medicine.
-Oppa, I’ll use a bit of the alchemy energy.
With those words, a subtle vibration emanated from the core within.
A fine alchemy energy was felt to be transferred to the Philosopher’s Stone in the flask.
And on the crafting station made of ant shell, an A-grade material, -Swish, swish, swish.
Wooden arms of the same material as the crafting station sprouted up.
Then, -Stir and mix, swirl, and mix again!
They maneuvered like someone’s arms, grabbing empty bottles and shaking them back and forth.
“My goodness…”
Kim Shimun’s mouth dropped open at the sight. No wonder.
The Philosopher’s Stone had lent its alchemy energy, displaying its unique alchemy.
In other words, “Delegation of production?!”
It meant labor for mass production of the medicine could be significantly saved.
– Ahem! How is it? My delegated alchemy! Isn’t it awesome?
Before long, the one who had alchemized even the surface of the flask, posed with its small arms akimbo in pride.
Without even getting a chance to ask where it learned the phrase ‘awesome,’
“Oh, you little treasure!”
-“Argh~ Crushed by handsome pecks and heading off… No, no! Oppa, calm down! It might break!!”
Kim Shimun hugged the Philosopher’s Stone in the flask tightly.
* * *
Ranker’s Palace.
A building so expensive that no Korean would not know it to be the most expensive building in South Korea. A woman, craning her neck, scanned its towering skyscrapers and murmured quietly, “Is this the place…”
Breath misted from her red, lush lips—a chilly February in Seoul. The woman, donning a cap and a black hoodie, shoved her hands in her pockets and headed towards the entrance.
“Hold on a moment.”
A man naturally blocked her path. He was a security guard.
“Excuse me, miss. What’s your business here?”
“My business? Ah, I’ve got someone to meet.”
“Someone to meet?”
The guard squinted skeptically at her, sizing her up.
“Sorry, miss, but there isn’t anyone here you can meet like that.”
“What?”
Her voice rose a tone.
Although threateningly, the guard remained unfazed.
“Raising your voice won’t get you anywhere. Please, turn back.”
“Excuse me, sir. Aren’t you the security guard here?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why are you speaking to me like that? Shouldn’t you verify whom I’m here to see before deciding to turn me away?”
“Pfft!”
The guard burst into laughter.
With an expression of disbelief, he responded, “Hey, miss. Could your look be any more telling?”
“My look? What about it?”
“An oversized hoodie, a hat that covers half your face, and on top of that, worn-out jeans. You’re wrapped up in knock-offs from head to toe.”
“Damn, I can’t believe this. Who cares about brands these days? You don’t look like you’re wearing any brands yourself.”
“Good grief! And here I thought it was a quiet day…”
The guard, clearly annoyed, scanned the woman.
Soon after, “Ah, so that’s what it is?”
A sly smile crept upon the guard’s face. That only made the woman raise her voice even more.
“What’s with that disgusting response?”
“People with stuff always add more to it. Why call me here instead of enjoying what you have…”
“Hold on. Are you having some dirty thoughts right now?”
“The weird one would be you, miss. And dirty, all the same.”
“This guy is insane!”
Her anger was so intense; it felt like the hoodie could fly off her.
“Gasp! An Awakener…”
The moment the guard froze, “What’s going on here?”
A man’s voice echoed from the entrance. The refreshing sight of a young man, someone every Korean would recognize.
“S-Sword Saint-nim!”
The guard’s face visibly lightened. As if clinging to a lifeline, he quickly moved beside Kim Shihyuk.
“Threatening regular folks is a crime for Awakeners. Weren’t you aware?”
With a more subdued voice than usual, Kim Shihyuk looked at the woman.
Then, “Oh? You are…”
The woman, her hood now off. Though still wearing her cap, the pale and sharp face below, with cat-like eyes, revealed her considerable beauty. But Kim Shihyuk was not surprised because of her beauty.
“Go Malsuk, right?”
Go Malsuk raised an eyebrow at Kim Shihyuk’s question.
“Ha! How could the great Sword Saint know my name?”
“Saw you on a broadcast. You had quite the combat sense.”
“A broadcast? Whose?”
“That would be…”
Kim Shihyuk glanced at the guard beside him.
Then said, “It was on someone I know’s broadcast.”
He smoothly dodged the question, smiling refreshingly.
“Seems like you are here to meet someone. Please, come in. I’ll guide you.”
He personally opened the entrance.
“…Thank you.”
Go Malsuk expressed her gratitude softly and headed towards the entrance.
Of course, “Hey, guard old man. Who did you call weird and dirty?”
“Uh? No, that was not…”
“Look at yourself before judging others, you bastard. Damn! How dare you judge me.”
She didn’t hold back giving him a piece of her mind before leaving. After she entered and the door closed behind her, “Guard, what was that all about?”
Kim Shihyuk, still wearing his refreshing smile, turned to the guard.
“Ah. That was, well…”
The guard stumbled over his words, clearly anxious.
Kim Shihyuk’s smile grew wider.
“Well, after all that push from the association, we reluctantly accepted you, and then you end up disrespecting our visitor?”
“It’s a misunderstanding! I can explain!”
“Of course, you must. But I’ll also be getting an explanation from the person who just entered.”
At those words, the guard turned deathly pale. As if waiting for this moment, “See you at the association later?”
Kim Shihyuk smirked at the frozen guard.
Creak. Creak.
Clatter.
From the ceiling to the walls, and even the floor.
Unfamiliar arms placed throughout the laboratory moved incessantly.
“What on earth is this…”
Go Malsuk blinked in daze at the strange sight.
“It’s surprising, isn’t it? You have no idea how shocked I was when I first saw it.”
Kim Shihyuk smiled brightly as he spoke, having guided her to the research lab inside Kim Shimun’s penthouse. His smile seemed to mix a sense of pride, though it was hard to place.
“It is surprising, indeed.”
Go Malsuk was busy looking around the laboratory, where automation was in full swing.
“Maybe because of the noise coming in, soon hyung will…”
“Shihyuk, why did you come all of a sudden without contacting me?”
Before Kim Shihyuk could finish his sentence, a man with more pronounced features, though resembling him, entered the laboratory.
“Hyung.”
It was Kim Shimun.
“I thought you had a guest, so I brought her here.”
“My guest?”
Kim Shimun blinked at his brother’s words and then:
“Yeah, man. This lady has arrived.”
Go Malsuk, who had been frantically surveying the laboratory, approached jauntily after taking off her cap.
“Go Malsuk? Why are you here all of a sudden without contacting?”
“Hey, you told me to come whenever I had time!”
Kim Shimun blinked at that and then sighed softly.
“Ah! Right, I did. I’ve been so busy lately; I completely forgot.”
“Busy? Seems like all these arms are doing everything for you.”
“Who do you think made all these arms? Every automated factory requires initial setup.”
“Break a leg then~.”
“Thanks, appreciate it.”
“Argh! It’s not a compliment!”
Go Malsuk became frustrated, not getting the reaction she hoped for. However, for Kim Shimun, who had been dealing with her since their previous life, this was nothing.
“If it’s not a compliment, what is it? Don’t tell me… you were about to curse right after arriving?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden! What do you take me for! I was just amazed because it’s my first time seeing something like this and also…”
Naturally, Go Malsuk tried to take charge right from the start but Kim Shimun skillfully cornered her. Watching the two bicker, Kim Shihyuk’s lips formed a meaningful smile.
“Well, it would be surprising if there was anyone like hyung. I guess Yujeong would be pretty chuffed?”
“Huh? Shihyuk, what did you say?”
“Nothing. I’ve got to go now.”
With that meaningful smile still on his face, Kim Shihyuk left the lab.
“I have some business to attend to, so I’ll leave first. Have a great time, you two!”
Might it be a misconception to feel that there was a misunderstanding in the words left by his brother?
Kim Shimun immediately wanted to catch his brother and clarify, but:
“Hey, quickly teach me that technique. I came all the way up here.”
A friend who had come from afar.
Moreover.
[The Constellation Heavenly Demon exclaims, ‘Ha! Now that I see it, even Heavenslaying Star is perfect!’
He watches this place with sparkling eyes.]
[The Constellation Black Goat watches this place with interest.]
Because the quest of Heavenly Demon had to be completed.
“Follow me. I’ll teach you right away.”
Kim Shimun led Go Malsuk to the training room.
As Go Malsuk followed Kim Shimun out of the laboratory, as if seeking revenge for what happened earlier:
“Hey, are you trying to pull something weird? I’m not easy. At least open a decent bottle of whiskey…”
She rambled on with an odd nuance.
Then.
Thump.
“Uh?”
Suddenly, Kim Shimun pushed Go Malsuk against the wall.
He trapped her with both arms, looking down at her intensely.
“Go Malsuk…”
“Hey, hey! What the!”
In this unexpected situation, her face flushing red, he brought his lips close to her ear and whispered softly.
“Idiot.”
TL’s Corner:
Malsuk is back!!!