Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

Chapter 69. Paracelsus’s Flask(3)

TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader

“Wow! This is it! This taste right here!”

A refreshing exclamation. Go Malsuk, having gulped down half of the 500cc beer glass in one go, wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve.

“You’re living the good life, aren’t you? Even the beer is handmade and stocked up.”

Having entered Ranker’s Palace. Go Malsuk judged someone’s life based on a single craft beer – so typical of her. Kim Shimun, amused by her remark, chuckled and asked, “Is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s damn delicious. Whose is it?”

“I’ll tell you later. That’s not the priority right now.”

“Fair enough.”

Nonchalantly sighing, Go Malsuk then finished the rest of her beer. Remember, it’s 500cc. Kim Shimun shook his head as she managed to down it in just two gulps.

“You’re the only one who’d clear a drink like that before meeting a Constellation.”

“You’re the one who’s been riling me up! Shouldn’t I at least soothe my insides with this?”

“Then why pick a fight you can’t win?”

“Damn it!”

Can’t win. Those words pushed Go Malsuk’s nerves once again. Of course, “Ease up. If you break my head, you won’t be able to meet the Constellation.”

“Ah, shoot!”

Even this was foreseen and mocked by Kim Shimun, leaving her with no options. Trembling with frustration, she put down her glass. It wasn’t just about the effort it took to get here.

She had initially tried to shake this insufferable guy, who never once gave up the lead. Just, ‘Why does this guy understand me so well?’

It was as if Kim Shimun could see through even the parts unknown to her. Furthermore, they supposedly first met in the Evergreen Forest dungeon’s arena. Yet, Kim Shimun treated her incredibly familiarly, as if they had known each other for a long time.

What’s amusing is, ‘I strangely feel comfortable around him too.’

She too found Kim Shimun surprisingly comforting.

‘But why?’

Leaving Go Malsuk’s confounded gaze behind, Kim Shimun, who had been drawing something in the center of the training ground, said, “Alright. Malsuk, stand here.”

After a few touches in the air, he called for Go Malsuk.

“What’s this?”

“Since this isn’t a regular arena, meeting a Constellation directly has some limitations.”

“So we can’t meet them?”

“No, we will meet. The Constellation will bear all the costs. This circle is for that process.”

As Go Malsuk stood in the center of the circle, Kim Shimun extended his hand. She quietly looked at his offered hand.

“What are you waiting for? Grab it.”

Although Kim Shimun urged her, Go Malsuk remained silent. After a moment, “Kim Shimun, tell me.”

Her gaze shifted from his hand to his eyes.

“Why are you doing all this for me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Exactly as I said. Why are you being so nice to me?”

Her eyes, slightly upturned, were captivating. A charmingly handsome man was reflected in them.

“It’s a matter of principle. I think of it as passing on knowledge to someone I met while dungeon crawling. There’s a code of honor in the combat world.”

His usual raw or rough demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Go Malsuk continued in a much calmer tone, “But Constellations are a different story. It’s an opportunity that you could fully enjoy on your own, so why give it up for me?”

After listening to her complete statement, Kim Shimun finally understood the gist of it.

‘Well, it’s understandable to be curious.’

It wasn’t doubt. Kim Shimun knew exactly how a doubting Go Malsuk would act. Hence, he had to be sincere and respond seriously, but, “Malsuk, you’re still not using your head.”

“What the hell?!”

She always fell for it once. Seeing Go Malsuk’s instant reaction made Kim Shimun let out a small laugh.

“Think about it. Why would I tell you to learn a technique from a Constellation that I was going to teach you?”

“That’s because! Wait, what?”

The antagonism in Go Malsuk’s eyes softened.

“Right! Come to think of it, you’re already using the technique a Constellation would teach, aren’t you?”

“Exactly. Which means, I’ve already learned the technique I was intending to introduce to you from a Constellation.”

“…Right.”

Is this awkwardness?

With an embarrassed face, Go Malsuk scratched the back of her head.

Then, “Ah, but! Just because we formed a party in the arena once doesn’t mean it leads to a Constellation!”

Ho-ho, our Malsuk. She’s quite sharp, isn’t she?

Internally admiring her sharp comment, Kim Shimun replied, “It’s enough. I’ve got a lot of other things to take care of, anyway.”

“More than having a Constellation as a backer?”

“Yes.”

Aren’t they giving away the Second Level of Heavenly Demon Mastery and 5,000 achievement points for free?

Besides, due to the characteristic of the Stigma trait, it’s impossible to have a Constellation as a backer anyway.

“Moreover……”

Trailing off, Kim Shimun took a step forward, grabbing Go Malsuk’s hand.

[Connecting the terminal with the Constellation, Heavenly Demon.]

While connecting the terminal with the Heavenly Demon, he whispered, “Because you are here, that’s why I can live as I am now.”

“Eh, huh?”

For a moment, Go Malsuk blinked dazedly, soon, her face turned red. The connection with the Heavenly Demon commenced, and light swirled around Go Malsuk.

Soon, “Take care.”

“Hey! Why suddenly that’s……”

Poof.

As Kim Shimun sent her off with a warm smile, Go Malsuk disappeared in a burst of light. A moment of silence ensued.

Amid that silence, – Oppa, are you purposely saying it like that?

The voice of the Philosopher’s Stone intruded.

“Purposely?”

– You know, what you said earlier. That you live because she was here.

“Why ask? It’s true.”

Kim Shimun looked down at his chest with a puzzled gaze.

“If it wasn’t for Malsuk, I would have died a long time ago in my past life. She helped me more than Kim Shihyuk did.”

– No, I mean! I get the point, but what you said, oppa, it’s just……

“Just?”

– Sigh, never mind. It’s not even my business anyway. I like how this is turning out! Who cares if you are too cool~.

“It’s not okay to stop halfway. Don’t you know that’s one of the most infuriating things to do?”

– It’s okay for you to be a bit mad. But speaking of which, she take such good care of you in your past life?

Quickly changing the subject, the intention of the Philosopher’s Stone was all too clear.

But Kim Shimun wasn’t too curious, he nodded, moving on.

“Indeed. She took great care of me.”

After the fall of South Korea and fleeing to China, Kim Shihyuk was not only a powerful force but also a mental pillar for the Korean survivors.

Additionally, leading a guild and dealing with China’s checks, it was natural that he wouldn’t have spare time to look after his elder brother.

Yet, Go Malsuk would always find time to visit the lab, lounging and spending time together.

‘Seeing this, Malsuk really took great care of me.’

She agreed every time I requested for items, including the Emerald Tablet. And whenever it was dangerous or I needed help, she was there as long as it was reasonably possible.

‘Wait for me, Malsuk. This time, it’s my turn to take care of you.’

Thinking of the elixirs that would be automatically produced in the lab, Kim Shimun stretched energetically.

“Ah! Time to receive some rewards.”

-Right. 2nd Level must be quite complex? It’s been a while since you really had to think!

Before him, a message floated. Kim Shimun received the reward for the quest [Find a Disciple] given by the Constellation, Heavenly Demon.

[You have completed the Constellation Heavenly Demon’s quest ‘Find a Disciple’.]

[You have received 5,000 achievement points as a reward.]

[You have acquired the Second Level of Heavenly Demon Divine Art as a reward.]

A piece of paper gently fell. Catching it, Kim Shimun immediately held it to his chest.

“Philosopher’s Stone.”

-Um. Leave it to me!

With the cheerful exclamation of the stone, the paper vanished as if melting away.

Soon.

Swhoosh.

Centered around the Philosopher’s Stone, a dense demonic ki began to circulate.

Instinctively, Kim Shimun assumed the lotus position, And began the process of Ki circulation, guided by the Philosopher’s Stone.

* * *

Scratch, scratch.

A regular and smooth sound was heard.

Yet, for a result so distinct from such sounds, a thin middle-aged woman spoke.

“You girl! How can you not peel an apple properly at your age?”

Lee Yeonhee voiced her dissatisfaction. Despite the consistent cutting, the chunks of fruit kept falling but showed no sign of diminishing. Was it that annoying?

“Just give it here. Let me do the peeling.”

Lee Yeonhee extended her bony, branch-like arms.

“Ah, seriously! Why do you nag so much!”

An annoyed voice burst out instantly.

“What’s a person who hasn’t even been fully recovered for a day doing trying to peel fruit?”

“Then you peel it nicer. Is that even an apple? Looks more like scraps left after eating.”

“Mom!”

Yujeong eventually shrieked. The usual serene image of her was the complete opposite. She was behaving utterly unlike herself with no restraint. It was understandable. After all, the woman before her was her mother, waking up after seven years.

“It’s an apple for me to eat! I’m not peeling it for mom to eat!”

There was a valid reason for her to lose her temper.

“Who said I’m going to eat it? I was doing it for you.”

“Mom, please, just rest completely, I beg you.”

“How can I rest properly when peeling one apple only yields a slice? Don’t go around saying you’re a Dohu’s daughter.”

“Mom…” Yujeong’s voice finally softened.

“Haha, understood. Such a spoiled girl.”

However, Lee Yeonhee only responded with a gentle smile.

“…It’s because I mainly use clubs, that’s why I can’t peel with a knife as well as mom. It’s obvious.”

Crunch. Eventually, Yujeong put down the knife and bit into the whole apple, muttering. After nibbling on the apple for a while, she quietly cleared away the tray.

“This isn’t really a dream, right? Right?”

She softly nestled into Lee Yeonhee’s embrace.

“Oh my, daughter. This is already the fifth time. Shouldn’t it feel real by now?”

Despite her grumbles, Lee Yeonhee stroked Yujeong’s head.

“Don’t know, don’t care.”

Yujeong enjoyed the touch as if burrowing deeper into Lee Yeonhee’s embrace. A familiar and clear fragrance flowed.

‘Mom’s scent, it’s nice.’

Though tinged with the distinctive smell of the hospital, Yujeong indulged in acting spoiled, intoxicated by the scent of her long-missed mother. At that, Lee Yeonhee glanced at the empty potion bottle nearby and spoke teasingly.

“If it’s going to be like this, maybe you shouldn’t have drunk the potion Shimun gave you.”

“Why?”

Was it because of the mention of not drinking the potion, or because of the name Shimun mentioned earlier? As if about to fall asleep right in her mother’s embrace, Yujeong suddenly raised her head.

Observing her daughter’s reaction, Lee Yeonhee let out a small laugh and gently tugged on Yujeong’s white cheek.

“Then this little spoil-sport wouldn’t have left her mom alone, would she?”

“Eek! Mom!”

Yujeong, with her cheek caught, glared back. Lee Yeonhee smiled once, then her expression changed as she looked outside, quite different from before she fell unconscious.

‘I thought I would never see this scene again when I collapsed…’ She knew Korea was a country of rapid changes, but seeing it anew after seven years truly brought a fresh sense of nostalgia. Lee Yeonhee gazed out the window pensively. She recalled the grown figures of two young men, as changed as the cityscape.

“Shimun and Shihyuk, both of them have grown up impressively, haven’t they? It’s only been seven years, but boys really grow up in no time.”

“Orabeoni might be impressive, but not Shihyuk. He’s even shorter than orabeoni.”

“Oh. Well, it’s only a height difference of 1 or 2 centimeters.”

“Mom, you’re a player and you say that? A 1 or 2-centimeter difference is huge.”

“Judging by your grumbling, it seems you’re still on good terms with Shihyuk.”

“…I should get more potions from orabeoni. Mom, you haven’t fully recovered yet.”

Yujeong grumbled. Watching her, Lee Yeonhee smiled warmly and glanced at the empty potion bottle beside her.

“I couldn’t even move my vocal cords properly yesterday to thank him. How can I ever repay Shimun for this grace?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take proper care of orabeoni.”

“Oh my. Got something planned?”

Lee Yeonhee inquired. Yujeong sighed deeply.

“Honestly, I haven’t decided yet. I don’t really know what orabeoni needs.”

“He’s been promoted to gold level, right? Why not give him something that can be used for an item upgrade or stat improvement. No man hates becoming stronger.”

“I know that. If it were up to me, I’d give him an SSS-Rank weapon or something…”

“But?”

“It may sound unbelievable, but it seems like orabeoni doesn’t need anything like that.”

Yujeong laughed at her own words. Naturally. SSS-Rank items, particularly weapons, would be coveted by any player, willing to change their profession just to use them.

‘But compared to the weapons orabeoni uses, they seem somewhat lacking.’

Like the long fork that turned over seas or the lightning rod that single-handedly destroyed a naginata wielder in combat. And yet, there were other weapons she had not shown. Although I’m not sure what the concept behind their use is, it was clear that they were far inferior compared to SSS-Rank artifacts.

‘That’s probably why she still doesn’t carry around even the common staff.’

Lee Yeonhee, quietly observing her daughter lost in thought, spoke up.

“Daughter, how about helping in other areas then?”

“Other areas?”

“The rewards from the arena are the same. Reward doesn’t have to be limited only to equipment.”

“If you’re talking about material items, I’ve already given everything I have. And I’ll give everything I get in the future as well.”

“I’m not talking about that.”

Lee Yeonhee slightly shook her head and grabbed an empty potion bottle next to her.

“This healing potion as well, didn’t Kim Shimun make it himself after saying it was for maintaining my magic circuit?”

“Yes, I didn’t use it to maintain the magic circuit, though.”

“Then the answer is clear.”

“Answer?”

Lee Yeonhee held out the empty potion bottle and shook it slightly.

“The arena disease cure that Kim Shimun made, it’s going to be sold on the black market, right?”

“Probably? Since the treatment for Mana Petrification Syndrome was sold there last time as well.”

“Daughter, think about it. Even if you won your debut gold match, you’ve just entered gold level.”

Selling arena disease cures as such a player.

Wouldn’t there really be no problem at all?

Confusion briefly marred Lee Yujeong’s face, unconsidered aspects slowly dawning on her.

“So you mean, look after the back end of selling the cure?”

“More precisely, create a safe route to sell the cure.”

“Route… I see what you mean.”

“Originally, Holy Trinity Group was established for that purpose too. Remember how much your mother supported the alchemists back then?”

When Galaxy Arena first made its appearance. The significance of production classes wasn’t highlighted much. Naturally, despite awakening, alchemists among other production classes led a destitute life.

However, even back then, player Lee Yeonhee, who was always at the forefront, quickly recognized the value of production classes.

Holy Trinity Group, too, emerged under her lead, which Lee Yujeong was well aware of. It’s one of the strong foundations supporting the current Holy Trinity Guild.

“But mom, orabeoni might misunderstand.”

Going beyond simple potions or scrolls. Now leading in various medical devices and medicines as byproducts of the arena, Holy Trinity Group. Being associated with the name Holy Trinity.

Could give the wrong impression, as if a major corporation might swallow it up.

However.

“Child, do you still not understand him after following around always saying it’s good?”

Lee Yeonhee meant something entirely different.

“Kim Shimun isn’t a foolish child. He might rather want to make a contract, considering the black market is not a place for long-term deals.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Just focus on distribution on good terms. Sigh, kid. While your mom was bedridden, instead of management, you were all about the arena day and night?”

Lee Yujeong flinched under her mother’s piercing sharpness, turning her eyes away rather than responding, while Lee Yeonhee shook her head at her daughter’s reaction.

“But mom, after you collapsed, grandfather has been managing Holy Trinity Group! Now it’s even linked internationally with China…”

Lee Yujeong protested, but…

“Should we have just let go of the business then? But daughter, who owns Holy Trinity Group?”

“… Mom?”

“So, with mom awake now, would grandfather be a problem or not?”

“Not… a problem?”

“That’s right, you silly!”

“Ah, don’t pull! My makeup is coming off!”

Lee Yeonhee, as she playfully pulled on her daughter’s cheek.

Then.

“Yujeong, I know you’ve had a hard time.”

She gently stroked her daughter’s head with a warm smile.

“It must’ve been tough because of grandpa. He’s a thorough capitalist. He probably interfered a lot thinking you were too young.”

“Mom…”

Tears welled up in Lee Yujeong’s eyes.

“But it’s unforgivable that the sole daughter of Holy Trinity can’t think this far. Wait until your mom’s bedridden days are over. I’ll teach you management from scratch.”

“Mom!”

Though the mood was seemingly broken by the reprimand.

Unlike the isolation she felt up until now, having her mother as a strong support gave her strength.

Naturally.

‘Orabeoni I will repay this kindness in any way I can.’

The man who gave back this happiness came to mind.

Then.

Ding.

A familiar notification sound came from Lee Yujeong’s phone.

“This sound?”

She quickly took out her phone to check the notification.

“Why so surprised? Could it be, a boyfriend?”

“It’s not! It’s orabeoni’s broadcast alert.”

“Girl, why get so worked up over that? Let me see.”

The past and present rankers, mother, and daughter, immersed themselves in the broadcast of the newly promoted gold player.

“Oh my, look at those shoulders! Men really do get more dashing as they age. He’s become a fine man, truly.”

“Right? And how tough he fights in battles. Last time…”

In hushed tones, they delved into the broadcast of the gold rookie.