Declaration Of Extra Strike

 

At the time, I was too focused on completing the quest quickly, resorting to shortcuts. However, there are processes that simply cannot be skipped. It seemed that the solution to the Guiding Potion lay in taking the proper steps. Fortunately, unlike before, there was no time limit, so the pressure was less intense.

 

“Quest window.”

 Main Quest #5 Conditions have not been met. 

As expected, the fifth main quest had not yet been activated. Upon opening the quest window, a prompt appeared, reminding me to select the reward for the fourth quest, which I had postponed.

 Select the skill to activate:  (Maximum of 2 choices) ► Touch of a God (醫神) (S)   ► Born to be a Star (S) ► Owner of the Sacred Mountain (S)  ► Philosopher’s Eye (S) ►

Compendium of Heaven and Earth

^[1]

I previously translated this as Cheonji Bogam.

(S)  ► Mental Fortitude (S) 

…

 

I could choose up to two skills, but with the golden cauldron already in my possession, it was challenging to decide which skills would be the most beneficial. 

 

The two that tempted me the most were

Touch of a God (醫神)

and

Owner of the Sacred Mountain

. With

Touch of a God (醫神)

, I could diagnose why Seong San-ha’s hand was in such poor condition. On the other hand,

Owner of the Sacred Mountain

would grant me an interdimensional space where I could grow my own herbs, significantly reducing material costs, albeit with the inconvenience of having to harvest them myself. 

 

In addition to these, there was also the highly valuable appraisal skill

Philosopher’s Eye

and the recipe research skill

Compendium of Heaven and Earth

. Even if they weren’t S-rank, some of the combat-related skills I had struggled to obtain were also hard to pass up.

 

After much thought, I decided to postpone the decision again, waving my hand to dismiss the window. 

 

“I’ll decide later. There’s no rush.”

 

For now, the priority was stabilizing the Guiding Potion. I leaned back and opened the thick Expo guidebook and began flipping through the pages. 

 

While I had been holed up in the basement, the Expo had already kicked off with a grand opening ceremony, drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors each day.

 

“Crystal of Solstice… Crystal of Solstice… Found it!”

 「Part 4 <Atelier Friendly Competition>   Categories: Equipment, Clothing, Potions, Taming, etc. Rewards (per category):  – 1st Place: WOH Prize Money, S-rank Item, Crystal of Solstice  – 2nd Place: WOH Prize Money, S-rank Item   – 3rd Place: Crystal of Solstice」 

A competition prize? Well, that’s practically being handed to me.

I shut the booklet with a snap and jumped to my feet.

 

“The goal is third place.”

 

***  

 

I headed to Sangam-dong, where the World Atelier Expo was being held together with Yeon Seung-yeon. From the blocked roads preventing vehicle entry to the overflowing crowds in all nearby buildings, the place was packed. 

 

Since it was an international event, it wasn’t just hunters from our country; there were also foreigners visiting for tourism, making it hard to find a spot to stand.

 

It was a good thing I had come wearing a robe and mask, because I was worried that I might run into someone. With the S-rank ring item on top of that, who could even recognize me?

 

Just as I thought that, I froze the moment I entered the main building to submit my participation form for the friendly competition and saw a familiar face.

 『I’ve heard much about your reputation. I’m looking forward to it.』 『Hahaha. I’m counting on you this time too. The President specifically asked to meet Mystic. He will definitely be here today as he’s the Guild Leader Cheon Rang.』 『I as well… Oh, excuse me for a moment.』 

Trying to avoid being noticed, I turned my back and headed for the registration desk when suddenly someone grabbed the back of my neck and dragged me to a corner.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

“Who are you?”

 

Seong San-ha turned me around and pinned me against the wall. Realizing I had no way to escape, trapped by his arms, I awkwardly lowered my mask and smiled.

 

“Oh, it’s you? What a coincidence, meeting you here.”

 

“I told you not to leave the workshop.”

 

“This is the first time I’ve left. The first time.”

 

“If you wanted to see the expo, you should’ve told me. I would’ve taken some time to show you around.”

 

His patronizing tone made me bristle, but seeing Yeon Seung-yeon in the distance, returning after submitting the application and looking for me, I decided it was best to hurry. After all, there was no point in hiding it from someone who would figure it out anyway.

 

“I’m here because I have something to do.”

 

“What business could you possibly have at the expo?”

 

“I need the Crystal of Solstice.”

 

“Crystal of Solstice?”

 

Seong San-ha raised an eyebrow. Without even asking me more, he seemed to understand the situation and mockingly tapped the mask hanging off my chin.

 

“And you’re planning to go out looking like this? You know the competition is broadcasted live, right?”

 

“I didn’t know… but I’m wearing a mask, and I have the ring too. Besides, the competition allows anonymous participation, so it’s not that dangerous. I even planned to aim for third place, not first, to avoid drawing attention…”

 

As I rambled on, I abruptly stopped and glared at Seong San-ha with frustration.

 

“Damn it, why do I even have to explain myself to you? Where I go and what I do is my business.”

 

“Could’ve just waited until the expo ended. The item will be on the market then.”

 

“Why wait when I can get it now?”

 

“Of course, you’d think that.”

 

After checking his watch, Seong San-ha glanced around and then walked over to a booth distributing promotional items. He grabbed a paper mask and handed it to me. The mask had a goofy character face with tiny dot eyes and a silly grin. I stared at it, unimpressed.

 

“Make sure to cover your face well.”

 

“I’m not wearing this. I’ve got a mask on and a robe—”

 

“Which is how I spotted you immediately?”

 

I had no response to that. I looked down at the childish mask again and suddenly remembered the cool mask Seong San-ha had worn in the dungeon. Hesitantly, I asked, 

 

“…Can’t you just lend me your mask?”

 

At my request, Seong San-ha narrowed his eyes and grabbed my wrist.

 

“Will you be okay if your mask gets exposed on the news? If you go out wearing it, everyone will start wondering what your connection with Mystic is.”

 

I shuddered at the thought while Seong San-ha smirked as he toyed with my ring. I grimaced and tossed the mask aside.

 

“Just forget it. If you don’t want to lend it, just say so. I’m not going to beg.”

 

“I know you’re quite skilled, but don’t be too disappointed if you don’t win a prize. The competition is tough, with many foreign participants.”

 

That’s when I realized why Seong San-ha had let me go so easily. He thought I’d be knocked out in the preliminary rounds! I sneered at his narrow-minded intuition and turned away.

 

“Forget it. I’m leaving.”

 

“If you finish early, come by. I’ll show you around the expo since you’re here.”

 

“I’m busy. Well, since you asked, I might consider it. By the way, I’d like to check out the central plaza first.”

 

“Let me know if you’re eliminated before I leave. I’ll send someone to get you.”

 

I gave him the finger and walked away.

 

***

 

Ugh, this wasn’t what I wanted……

 

“Announcing the finalists for Group C: Ma Du-seok, Camilla!”

 

“Here are the Top 10 finalists for the final round: Leo, Anonymous 76, MotionK, Ma Du-seok, Camilla, Hwata…”

 

“Yes! It’s finally the semifinals. Lindsey, Anonymous 76, Ma Du-seok, and Suad!”

 

“

Ma Du-seok

^[2]

Ma Du-seok is Joo Ho-hyun, our MC. If you think you’ve heard the name, “Ma Du-seok” before, that’s because it’s referenced to Ma Dongseok, a famous korean actor from action movies.

won the match against Lindsey! Ma Du-seok advances to the finals!”

 

Even though I purposely made mistakes in front of the judges to stay under the radar, my score kept climbing higher and higher. I had planned to lose in the semifinals to secure third place, but somehow I had made it to the finals. 

 

At least there was Anonymous 76, so I wasn’t the sole leader.

 

It’s now a choice between first place and second place. The Crystal of Solstice was also a first-place prize, but winning would force me to reveal my identity for WOH and the expo promotion. That’s not an option.

 

‘I’ll just ask the third-place winner if they want to buy it. The Crystal of Solstice has limited use, so they might be willing to trade it for the first-place prize.’

 

“Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The final round!”

 

Anonymous 76 and I took the stage. All eyes in the stadium were on us, and numerous cameras captured my shabby mask. Yeon Seung-yeon, who had turned pale, fidgeted anxiously in the front row.

 

‘If I hadn’t worn the mask, it would have been a disaster. I have to lose this time.’

 

Anonymous 76, similarly robed and with their face concealed, had not answered any interviews, so the announcer had to talk even more.

 

“This year, we had some sad news in the potion industry. Let us take a moment to honor our eternal potion master, Kang Eui-jin.”

 

Sad music played, and I looked down at the audience with disbelief.

 

‘This ceremony is unnecessary!’

 

After the awkward moment passed, the announcer perked up their voice.

 

“But the future of the potion industry remains bright. Both of you have made it to the finals. It’s an anonymous battle. Both Anonymous 76 and the pseudonymous Ma Du-seok have climbed to the top without any mistakes. These secretive potion makers have kept their voices hidden, and I might even cry with joy if I hear them in the winner’s interview.”

 

The audience laughed at the exaggerated gestures and faux-sob from the announcer.

 

Wanting to leave quickly, I scanned the audience with a bored expression. I suddenly spotted Seong San-ha, leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, staring intently at me.

 

Despite the plan to place third falling through, I felt a sense of satisfaction standing in the finals and looking down at Seong San-ha. Noticing the gaze behind the mask, I gave a small wave with my gloved hand.

 

The final match began. This time, I deliberately sabotaged my potion. Unlike the smoothly aromatic concoction of Anonymous 76, my cauldron was bubbling with a thick, nauseating mess. Even though I had made it, the result was revolting. There was no doubt about who had won.

 

“An overwhelming victory! The winner of this friendly competition is Anonymous 76!”

 

Even though I threw the match, it was clear that the winner was highly skilled. I glanced at Anonymous 76, who was grinning beneath the robe. There was something oddly familiar about that grin, causing me to tilt my head.

 

‘Hmm? What is this…’

 

The announcer approached Anonymous 76 and held out a microphone.

 

“Congratulations! Could you please introduce yourself?”

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Slowly, the robe was pulled back. Under the bright lights, a face was revealed that made my eyes almost pop out in shock.

 

“What the hell?”

 

Standing there was someone who looked eerily similar to me. A very handsome face…

 

Grabbing the microphone from the announcer, the figure spoke.

 

“I am the Potion Master Kang Eui-jin.”

What the fck-