SWNOVELXO Chapter 84
Chapter 84. Alchemist’s Friend (1)
TL: xLordFifth
ED/PR: The reader
Shimun and the viewers.
The reason everyone was astonished after seeing their surroundings was simple.
-Oh shit!
-Gold… a checkpoint?
-We’re screwed. This map starts from Platinum.
-Looks like first place is impossible now.
A straight, one-way terrain layout.
While the map could slightly vary, A bridge-type map, also known as a checkpoint, only appeared in Platinum tiers and above.
-Wasn’t he Gold? Did he climb up the ranks in the Arena without streaming?
-That can’t be. Given Shimun’s skill, he would have debuted in Platinum.
-Yeah, didn’t he say something about his stats being adjusted upwards? That must be why.
-How high must his stats be for him to get a Platinum map? I don’t get it.
-No, I actually understand. Just looking at his skills, he was overpowered.
-Agree. It was OP level.
The viewers realized this Arena was a checkpoint, and their excitement skyrocketed.
For one, “The checkpoint itself isn’t bad.”
Back in the early days of the Arena, the placement tests, Shimun had already experienced a checkpoint map called [The Sunk Goblin’s Bridgehead], reflecting on the message with calm instead of excitement.
[Your matching has been adjusted upwards due to possessing stats not fitting for your current tier.]
“Stats not fitting for my current tier?”
Shimun naturally opened his status window.
And then.
“Ah. So this is why.”
He immediately understood why he was adjusted upwards.
Alchemy Energy: 100 (+4)
-Demonic Ki: 52
-Dragon Force: 52
Remaining Stats: 10
“My Alchemy Energy exceeded 100.”
Originally, his Alchemy Energy was 75.
“I absorbed the Dragon Force from Nidhogg who corrupted the World Tree, gaining a whole 25.”
As a result, his Alchemy Energy reached 100.
“And was recognized as Platinum.”
The main condition for entering Platinum was indeed for one’s main stat to exceed 100.
That’s why most Golds would ascend to Platinum during the late 100 levels.
If one fails to achieve enlightenment in shaping their qi by that time, “The status window forces qi shaping to become possible.”
This phenomenon is called “adjustment.”
Of course, there was a clear difference between Platinums who achieved qi shaping through their own enlightenment and those who gained it through adjustment.
Starting from Platinum, the rank couldn’t simply be raised by increasing the number of Arena matches.
This was also the divide that separated true Platinums from the fakes.
The section that determined whether one would advance to the Diamond rank with further enlightenment or fail to do so.
“Known to some as the Yeti section, it was also called the Rank of Wailing.”
In the end, people are divided into those who will succeed and those who will not.
Upon realizing that one cannot advance merely through repeated attempts or effort, some resorted to trolling, preventing others from climbing, or became gatekeepers during their prolonged stagnation, massacring players who just reached Platinum.
A realm where the survival of the fittest reigns, Filled with all kinds of human nature.
[This Arena’s mode is ‘Defense,’ and there are 20 participants.]
[The condition ‘Cooperation’ is added.]
[All participants will form teams.]
[The Arena will start once all participants are visible.]
Fortunately.”
Huh? No! Why did I come here? Am I in gold?”
“What, it’s a checkpoint!”
“Damn! Has this arena finally gone mad?”
“It might just look like a checkpoint, doesn’t mean it is one.”
“What are you talking about, it clearly says ‘Defense’ as the category. If it’s shaped like a bridge and is either offense or defense, doesn’t that clearly mean it’s a checkpoint?”
The players matched with him didn’t seem to be in platinum.
As Kim Shimun observed the players he was matched with, he realized some faces looked familiar.
‘The map is platinum, but all the participants are gold.’
Did they recognize Kim Shimun as well?
“You are!”
“Kim Shimun?”
“What? Kim Shimun?”
“The winner of the gold debut match?”
The players were startled and began to whisper to each other.
‘So, that’s what’s happening.’
Kim Shimun nodded slightly after surveying the matched players.
‘At least there’s some decency. Matching me only with the top players in gold.’
Most of the matched players had participated in the gold debut match.
Had the players realized that as well?
“All familiar faces.”
“Exactly. I was praying to meet your ass on the opposing side.”
“Bullshit, considering how you got thrashed last time. Be thankful we’re meeting under cooperative conditions.”
“Long time no see.”
“Indeed. Good to see you.”
The players quickly grasped the situation and started to adapt.
Among them, a man of considerable stature approached Kim Shimun.
“Kim Shimun.”
A muscular man in his mid-30s approached Kim Shimun.
“It’s been a while.”
Recognizing him, Kim Shimun responded in kind.
“Long time no see, Choi Jinsu.”
Choi Jinsu.
The holder of the SS-rank trait beastification and a top prospect of the Myth Guild.
Before awakening, he was a professional UFC fighter, and later, a high-ranker in the arena.
Despite their previous encounters in competitive arenas, “You’ve gotten stronger.”
The look in Choi Jinsu’s eyes was filled with a certain fondness as he observed Kim Shimun.
“Does it seem so?”
“It’s not about seeming. It’s about feeling.”
He looked at Kim Shimun with the discerning eyes of a beast evaluating its prey.
“Externally, you still look like a parasitic little brother, but I can feel it. You’re much stronger than when I saw you in the debut match.”
He showed off his arm, laden with muscles and scars.
The fine hairs on his robust arm stood on end.
Seeing his arm, Kim Shimun was quick to agree with Choi Jinsu’s assessment.
‘It’s because of the beastification trait.’
The SS-rank trait beastification.
True to its SS-rank, it enhanced overall physical abilities to those similar to a beast’s, even without actively transforming.
Perhaps like the bristled fur.
The beastly instinct was telling him.
The creature before him was a predator far superior to himself.
There was no point in hiding his skills.
“I can’t deny that. I’ve experienced some real combat recently.”
“Real combat, huh? So there was a special training method to become strong.”
Being a former UFC fighter, Choi Jinsu’s eyes sparkled unusually at the mention of real combat.
Kim Shimun didn’t feel the need to correct his misunderstanding.
“So, if I join that guild, will I experience real combat like you?”
“Eh? Guild?”
“I’ve never once talked about guild stories?”
As Shimun’s eyes widened like a rabbit, Choi Jinsu spoke as if he knew everything.
“There’s no need to hide anything. Not long ago, the guild master called me to inform me.”
“The guild master? You mean Cheolhyeol Gochangjin?”
“That’s right.”
Cheolhyel Gochangjin.
A Ranker of the first generation, like his uncle Kim Muyeol, and the founder of Myth Guild, one of the three major guilds in Korea.
An attractive middle-aged man with sharp eyes, popular among women of all ages for his force as well as other crucial abilities needed for influence within the game.
“The guild master suggested something. He asked if I had considered temporarily joining another guild.”
Choi Jinsu raised one corner of his mouth.
“At first, I thought it was a guild expulsion. It’s not surprising. Considering the support I received and yet didn’t win the debut match.”
“I see…”
As Shimun awkwardly muttered, Choi Jinsu shook his head.
“There’s nothing strange for you to think. You’re a worthy strong contender. Compared to your abilities, that position seems lacking.”
Perhaps owing to his straightforward nature as much as his appearance, Shimun blushed slightly at Choi Jinsu’s unabashed praise and acknowledgment.
“Anyway, the reason he called me was simple. It was because of a temporary growth buff the guild possessed. That Cheolhyeol’s insane growth buff.”
“Ah.”
At those words, Shimun let out a soft exclamation.
-Growth buff?
-Aren’t all guild buffs similar?
-If Cheolhyeol Gochangjin is going crazy over it, the effect must be insane?
-So this is why he’s been so strong. There was a reason after all.
-I’m dying of curiosity. How significant is the effect exactly?
The chat started buzzing at the mention of a growth buff.
Given Shimun’s overwhelming abilities up to this point, their curiosity was natural.
Not just the viewers.
-Growth buff? Never heard of such information.
-If they’re considering sending a promising player to another guild, the buff must have significant effects.
-Since the guild master personally brought it up, it seems like such information circulates only among the major guilds.
-Then, it must have been proposed to the Holy Trinity Guild as well.
-If anyone has information about that guild, please contact me. I will make sure to compensate you generously.
Guild scouts who were paying close attention to Shimun’s broadcast.
The story also made rounds in their communities.
Unbeknownst to the two, “So, you thought I’d belong to that guild because of the buff?”
“That’s correct.”
The conversation continued as usual.
“If that growth buff is as tremendous as you say, then your incredible progress makes sense.”
Impressed by Choi Jinsu’s deduction, Shimun thought, ‘I told Park Jinwook to fill up the guild’s empty slots at the highest price, but…’
That was all.
Shimun had not mentioned being the guild master himself.
Yet, based on Shimun’s demonstrated strength alone, Choi Jinsu had figured it out.
‘Indeed, the Beast King. Not just strong in power.’
Much like the nocturnal hunter Park Jinwook.
Despite his large and rugged appearance, Choi Jinsu possessed a remarkably sharp mind.
‘After all, one cannot become a high-ranker by might alone.’
Contrary to the perception that power is everything for a player, relying solely on brute force was not enough to reach the ranks of a ranker.
Intellect and judgment needed for conquering the arena were just as important.
Of course, there were exceptions.
‘Like Go Malsuk, or Heavenly Demon.’
Our future Heavenly Demon, Go Malsuk, Despite being ‘a bit simple’.
Even the Beast King before him had to yield to his overwhelming power, climbing his way up to a high-ranker.
‘Malsuk’s only rival was among the four high-rankers, wasn’t it?’
Korea’s Sword Saint, China’s Spear King, along with the top champions from Europe and America. Malsuk being on par with the top four rankers was a fact acknowledged by all. However, driven by personal vengeance, she led a life practically stateless. Moving solely for her revenge, she inevitably clashed with various forces, leading her to not be recognized as one of the top five rankers but rather as one of the world’s three craziest women.
“Being guildmates is a pleasure,” one said casually. Given that there was nothing wrong with becoming friendly with a future high-ranker, “I would say welcome aboard, but I doubt we’ll run into each other much, right?”
Shimun extended his hand openly first.
‘They have no idea it’s because of me that they’re getting their growth buff, right?’
Not to mention, they probably didn’t realize he was the guild master. Just considering the guild members like Kim Shihyuk, Lee Yujeong, and Park Jinwook, who would think of him, a gold-rank, as the guild master?
“I haven’t officially joined the guild yet, but that’s okay. Apart from eating and sleeping, I’m devoting all my time to the arena to surpass you.”
Choi Jinsu grinned as he shook Shimun’s hand.
‘Must be that competitive spirit from being an athlete,’ Shimun thought with a slight admiration and responded with encouragement, “Since you’re aiming for me, I guess I need to work harder not to be caught up.”
“Heh. That’s the spirit,” Choi Jinsu said with a light handshake before turning away with a satisfied expression.
“It’s a shame we met under these circumstances, but I’m looking forward to this arena.”
As Choi Jinsu walked away, the last participant was matched amidst a bright light, and messages floated in the air:
[All participants matched.]
[The arena will begin.]
[The target area is ‘The Poisoned Supply Route’.]
[Defend the target area by any means within the time limit.]
[The more survivors, the larger the clear reward.]
[Time limit 29:59]
The air was warm and humid like a tropical swamp.
“Ugh.”
“Damn it!”
The players cursed, not because of the sweltering environment, but because of the notorious difficulty of The Poisoned Supply Route.
“This is crazy, why do we have to deal with one of the hardest checkpoint maps even in Platinum rank? Is the arena crew not going to say anything?”
“I’m screwed. I didn’t bring any antidote!”
“Same here. And a bottle or two wouldn’t do any good anyway.”
True to its name, the theme of poison was heavily present, with every beautifully blooming flower and mushroom around them filled with toxins. Naturally, the monsters appearing were also equipped with various poisons.
“How many support classes do we have? Anyone can detox?”
“I’ve seen this setup a few times on streams. Let’s form our lineup before the start NPC shows up.”
“Hey! It’s fine if you group up with acquaintances, but can the tanks step forward already?”
The players quickly exchanged information, each finding their positions. Meanwhile, “The Poisoned Supply Route, huh…”
The instigator of this situation, Shimun, coolly observed the path stretched in front of him with calm eyes.
‘Now that my alchemy energy has reached over 100, might as well put it to use.’
Especially since feeling the need for ‘it’ after surviving an assassination attempt during the last continent war.
‘With an alchemy energy over 100, it’s going to be much more efficient than in my previous life.’
Investing all his remaining stats into alchemy energy, Shimun then faced the newly appeared start NPC, a mysterious hooded figure.