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chapter-80

The Scavenger of the Fallen World (3)

It was the very moment the unfinished techniques left behind by the extinct mankind had finally reached fruition. Benadelite particles from all over the world formed together, forming a metal that had reached the realm of gods to become what the civilization before called Sky God Iron as it converged into one point. When the golden light that filled the world finally dimmed, there were no benadelite particles left, only the plum-sized purple metal beads held in Kang Shin-hyuk’s hand.

-After completing a magical technique that required excellent metallurgy, the magical tool [Great Heavenly Spirit (SS)] was born. There are many possibilities hidden in this treasure. As it was born of spiritual power, it also functions as an energy source that creates spiritual power.

-Talent [Golden-eyed Dragon (S)] has satisfied one condition for evolution. The moment the other conditions are met, the trait will evolve.

-You have escaped from the limitations of metallurgy to find your own possibilities. Metallurgy has grown to B-rank. Health has grown to A-rank.

-Synchronization has greatly accelerated—current rate of 20.1%.

It was at that moment that the floating magic on Kang Shin-hyuk dissipated. The reason was simple; the bead in his hand absorbed the magic.

“Ah.” He was over ten meters in the air, but the landing was light. Kang Shin-hyuk stood on the ground, examining the smooth metal beads that were a far cry from the unstable mass it had just been. He could clearly feel it dispelling the magic, too, with an ability similar to the Swallowing Fungus. As he stared at it, the item information started to appear before him.

[Great Heavenly Spirit]

[SS Rank]

[Special ability – absorption, generation]

* Absorption – Absorbs all types of power. However, it still possesses limits on how much can be absorbed. The item needs to grow in order to absorb more energy.

* Generation – Creates and stores spiritual power. When it absorbs energy, it generates a greater amount of spiritual power.

“I made something like this…?” It was an object beyond his understanding. He had imagined a vague sense of strength when he was using metallurgy, but an object of tremendous value had been created. However, he wasn’t able to put his intentions into it. There had been no time to capture them, unlike when he had repaired the Shinfeng Orb.

“No…still.” Kang Shin-hyuk frowned as he thought about metallurgy, but eventually, he let out a laugh as he realized it was pointless to worry about.

“Is it supposed to be this?” He could vividly remember when he touched the source of the dead mankind, wrapping their desire around the benadelite particles with his spiritual power. He was convinced he fully understood their heart at that moment.

‘Then I don’t have to regret it.’ In the first place, he was a craftsman, not a factory. How could the outcome be set before his work was completed? He could hope for the outcome, but he couldn’t dare foresee what the end result would actually be. He finally came to that realization.

‘I guess I shouldn’t have been disappointed with that sword. I was excited because of what I had made a few times before…’ Was there a problem with the sword he had made with Lee Na-hee? There wasn’t. Nor was there anything wrong with the claws he had made that became a terminal. Because of that, he had found the truth of this world and helped Shin Eunah grow. He had also crafted these beads.

-Member, are you okay?

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just thinking.” There was no need to worry once the object was completed. In the end, everything could be used somewhere. So, focus on making good things. Do your best, and you wouldn’t be ashamed of yourself. Kang Shin-hyuk came to this conclusion with a sense of pride.

“I wonder if Anvil thought so as he worked.”

-Well, I wonder if that realization came much later for him. Even though your assimilation rate has exceeded 20%, you’ve thought about it yourself and made your own conclusion.

“What do you mean…ah.” Synchronization was the process of dredging up his past life and matching it to his current. He supposed it wasn’t anything to worry about.

-There’s nothing more pointless than separating the two as the past and present. It’s all the same thing, anyway. However, you are living in the present and will continue to change from your experiences. So refer to the past, but don’t feel too conscious of it.

“Haha, I feel like I’ve heard similar things before but it’s still good advice.”

-For the current member, you’ll be able to handle it. This administrator is overwhelmed. 3,000HP bonus!

“Huh? What’s that, 3,000…” Kang Shin-hyuk mumbled as he thought about what the administrator said. 20% assimilation rate?

-The 2nd liberation of VIP is in progress. 100 million HP unlocked! VIP member benefits and dimensional quest rewards are increased! The time flow of My Room has been adjusted.

-You’ve awakened one of the skills of your previous life. You mastered the general skill [Emotion]. Under the influence of metallurgy and synchronization, your skill proficiency will grow to the B+ rank!

‘If I was going to awaken to it, why did you try to make me buy a skill stone?!’

***

The city left behind by the dead mankind was well preserved. The Swallowing Fungus only attacked living creatures, so the buildings weren’t damaged at all. The design of the buildings exceeded anything on Earth, and unknown magic circles dotted the streets. It had a very creepy feel as they walked through it.

“That’s a lot of money…! So that’s why everyone told me to quickly become a VIP.”

“Eunah, I’m going to model here, help me!”

“Huh!” After confirming that Kang Shin-hyuk was safe, Claire and Shin Eunah were excitedly exploring the city. They were shopping through the empty department stores.

“Let’s check out some other places.”

“Then, let’s go check out that bell tower!”

“Yeah.” He had nothing to gain from it, especially given his lack of magic, so Kang Shin-hyuk waved at the two and stepped away from them. He had something more pressing to take care of.

“100 million HP…how can I use it effectively?

-If the administrator should recommend…

The administrator had predicted he would want to use it right away.

-I think purchasing a resist poison skill stone would be best.

“…Administrator, that was the first thing you recommended.”

-Don’t be surprised to hear that a Resist Poison (SS) Skill Stone, the most popular Hero Universe product, has an average selling price of 150 million HP!

“Expensive!” Did that mean both Shin Eunah and Claire bought one for that price? There was a chance it would be wasted!

-Currently, you can buy one for 70 million HP at a VIP member-limited price! They are sold at less than half due to various conditions. You can only buy it now!

Still expensive, but now it felt a bit more realistic.

“Do you know who the seller is?”

-Forgive this administrator who can’t refuse anonymity even if she is a woman who hates her sale target.

“I knew it.” Kang Shin-hyuk let out a sigh but purchased the skill stone. The seller was Tsukuyo, as expected. If it wasn’t her, it would’ve been Eunah.

“Does this person hate me or like me?”

-Don’t worry, it’s just one of the two stupid foxes that can’t distinguish between the past and present lives. Just use them as much as you can and then throw them away.

He ignored the implication of who the other was and the radical words of the administrator.

-Previously, I told you to buy Resist Poison (B), as you didn’t have the money necessary for the higher-level resistance. But learning the lower ranks will make it easier to learn the higher-ranked skill as well. The probability of the skill stone being wasted is lowered.

“That’s comforting.”

-I thought it would be.

Now with the burden of failure relieved, he broke the skill stone. The rust-colored magic contained within it was absorbed into him with some unexpected results.

-You learned the resistance skill [Resist Poison (SS)], which has inherited the skill level of [Resist Poison (B)]. The rarity [Resist Poison (SS)] has increased due to the regeneration power, becoming [Resist Poison (SS+)]. Proficiency of [Resist Poison (SS+)] increased to B-rank.

“Oh.”

-Oh.

Even the administrator was surprised.

-The SS rank is the general limit that a mortal can reach, called the prevailing limit. Surprisingly, the rarity exceeded SS rank, although it is due to your regeneration.

“How about for other members?”

-There are rather few mortals among the members of the Hero Universe.

He had asked for nothing. Come to think of it; a dark-haired girl was running around this forsaken city with an SSS-rank trait.

“It feels good. I want to use this momentum to learn other skills. Are there any of the four major attributes like wind mastery I can learn?”

-As you already know, skills that allow you to deal with the power of attributes are very rare and highly desired. They are usually sold as soon as they are released, but thanks to the slow flow of time in this world you’re in right now…

“There is one?!”

-Fire Mastery (C+) skill stone for 260 million HP. You can purchase it at 210 million HP…

“Let’s forget about it.” No matter how valuable it was, that was more expensive than the SS-rank resistance skill he had just bought.

“Wait a minute, if they learn this…”

-For these people, learning is meaningless.

“That’s right…!”

-And sold.

Kang Shin-hyuk let out a sigh.

“What item does the administrator recommend?”

-Now that you’ve reached the 2nd Liberation, you can now purchase status growth potions.

“Yeah, that’s right.” The chances of getting a growth speed buff as a login bonus had increased too. The administrator said it would overlap with the buff.

-The price of a lower potion that increases the growth rate by 30% for a day is 300,000 HP. Drinking it boosts the growth rate of all your stats, so don’t miss out.

“300,000 HP?”

Only

-To grow 30% faster! With the VIP discount, it’s 240,000 HP!

After purchasing the Resist Poison, the remaining HP he had was about 33 million. He was a bit worried, but he decided to buy a bundle of 10 at an additional 10% discount.

-You’ve purchased 10 bottles of Growth Boost Potion (lower grade) for 2.1 million HP. Would you like to drink one now?

“No, I’m going to smith here rather than train…hm?” He felt something pull his foot. Looking down, his eyes met with a small creature there.

“Sir…my request still remains.” The King of Jijoo was holding onto his leg with bloody claws from digging through the ground.

“The ground is so bright…and I need a new kingdom. Can you make my claws now?” Kang Shin-hyuk responded with a smile.

“I won’t disappoint you this time, sir.”