Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

[Spear that Splits the Sun, Astrona (?)]

The fact that I could access the information meant that this was an item a player could interact with.

If that’s the case, there might be a way.

– Akis, what do you think about bestowing purification power on Lord Astrona? Would that give us a chance?

– W-well, that would change things. It would be a great help. But, sniff, theoretically, that’s impossible, isn’t it?

– So there’s a possibility?

Akis slowly nodded. Cha Taeyang, who was the first to grasp my intention, widened her eyes and tugged at my sleeve.

– Unni, are you going to do that?

– Yes, I’m thinking of trying an enchantment using this disc as a medium.

The idea was to use the Spring of Reversal to help the Sea Spirit avoid depleting his power completely.

Even to me, it sounded absurd, and I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.

‘Combining a half-broken item with a special item that can’t be viewed… I might be crazy.’

There had never been such uncertainty.

– I think I heard that if the skill fails, the item is destroyed… Isn’t the risk too great?

Han Cha-hyun, startled by the mention of enchantment, whispered in my ear, quiet enough that those around us couldn’t hear.

Ah, I had completely left out the part about sacrifices when enhancing Choi Kwon-young’s Manpa.

‘Should I tell them or not?’

After a moment’s consideration, I realized there was nothing to gain by hiding it and decided to lay my cards on the table.

The people here can only speak up when my abilities are officially revealed. And by then, I’ll have to disclose the information about sacrifices.

Unless someone has the courage of Choi Kwon-young, no one would entrust their main weapon to me, risking its destruction.

‘It won’t hurt to reveal this a bit early.’

– If we offer an item of equal rank to the one being enhanced as a sacrifice, we can prevent destruction.

– Then, last time…

Han Cha-hyun looked at me with a peculiar gaze. It was a familiar look… I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

As my conversation with Han Cha-hyun seemed to drag on, Yun Su-ho, unable to contain himself, swam over to my side. The goblin, which had somehow climbed onto my shoulder, jumped over to Yun Su-ho.

– Hey, you stiff Mr. Kim over there, are you just going to leave that jinxed Mr. Kim alone?

– He’ll come when he wakes up.

– How irresponsible! You’re the one who knocked him out, aren’t you?

Yun Su-ho frowned at being called irresponsible. It certainly sounded like they were talking about Lee Kang-to. Didn’t he say they had finished their conversation amicably?

Just as I was about to ask what had happened, I realized why Han Cha-hyun’s gaze had felt so familiar. That look, though different in degree, was identical to the way he looked at Lee Kang-to.

‘Even so, isn’t it too much to put him on the same level as Lee Kang-to?’

I struggled to maintain my composure.

– I’ll be right back.

Apparently disliking being called irresponsible, Yun Su-ho made a sour face and disappeared to fetch Lee Kang-to.

– He’s so impatient.

– Oh, Sori!

As Yun Su-ho had left with the goblin still on his head, Cha Taeyang hurriedly chased after him. Watching their receding figures, Han Cha-hyun sighed and spoke up.

– Let’s get back to the main point. So, you’re saying there’s a chance if we enhance that spear using enchantment?

– I can’t be certain we’ll get the desired result, given its disturbed rank, but I think it’s worth trying.

– Alright. We have nothing to lose, so let’s give it a shot.

– Ah, I’ll need Hunter Han Cha-hyun’s help as well.

– Me?

As we saw earlier in the nest, Han Cha-hyun can draw power from things with a long history.

‘And this spear, Astrona, as well as the city surrounding us, have a very long history.’

If Han Cha-hyun, with his ability amplified by his skill, were to use the spear imbued with purification power, our chances would improve.

‘Not to mention the compatibility between Media and his spear.’

– If the enchantment succeeds, please use this spear, Hunter Han Cha-hyun.

The perceptive Han Cha-hyun understood my meaning without needing a lengthy explanation.

Hearing our conversation, Akis, who had stopped crying, unwrapped his arms from the spear shaft. His eyes sparkled as he looked at me, seeming almost excited.

– You’re going to bestow purification power?

– Yes, it’s like a kind of blessing. There’s no guarantee it’ll work, but we can’t just sit here doing nothing, can we?

Perhaps because of his experience repairing the teleportation formula, the Sea Spirit readily accepted my proposal. Han Cha-hyun, tapping his arm with his finger, added a comment.

– Please make one promise, Lord Astrona.

– What is it?

– Even if Yun Gaho fails, please wait until we find another way. We’d like to resolve this without you disappearing, if possible.

– Hunter Han Cha-hyun?

At my dumbfounded call, Han Cha-hyun smiled slightly and continued.

– I don’t think Media would want you to disappear either.

– …That’s true, but…

– This way, Gaho-ssi can approach the task with a clearer mind.

I averted my gaze at his words, which seemed to see right through me.

I’m not some newbie who just entered the World Tower, what am I doing? My face burned, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at Han Cha-hyun.

After a lengthy argument, Han Cha-hyun finally managed to extract a promise from Astrona. Despite everything, it was true that my shoulders felt lighter, so I expressed my gratitude to Han Cha-hyun with a nod.

– I’ll help too!

– Akis?

– My skills may be lacking, but please let me assist.

Akis, with a completely different expression from earlier, thrust his face close to mine. As I nodded while awkwardly backing away, he beamed. Seeing this, Galatea heaved a deep sigh.

– Despite appearances, this one’s eye for circuits is quite accurate. He’ll be of help.

– Galatea! What do you mean, ‘despite appearances’?

– Akina, you know the answer to that better than anyone, don’t you?

Akis puffed out his cheeks sulkily and flapped his tail. Galatea didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow at the sight. I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene, so incongruous with the serious situation. The tension in my hand gripping the spear eased.

– My haste must have burdened you.

– Not at all. I’m fine now.

As I was about to activate Explorer’s Eye, Akis suggested we go somewhere filled with mana. Swimming along as if being dragged, I unconsciously looked back.

The children, their faces flushed with excitement, were following behind Akis and me. Their tails, with scales in five colors, shimmered like sunlight on water.

Among the uniformly blue-hued children, a girl with dark blue hair that stood out waved her hand enthusiastically. It was a complete 180 from her timid appearance when I first saw her.

Seeing this, a desire to succeed no matter what welled up inside me.

– Ta-da! We’re here!

Akis stopped in front of a tree located in the center of the tower that rose like a flower’s pistil. Colored threads and silk with seashells attached swayed gently from its branches.

– This tree is connected to the cradle. If Badadkkot is Media’s flower, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this guardian tree is a single blossom that bloomed from the Deep Sea Pearl.

– A flower within a flower. How poetic.

Perhaps due to his humanities background, Han Cha-hyun offered a sentimental comment.

The entrance to the cradle, and the flower of the pearl. It was as grand a tree as its mystical appearance suggested.

‘If you have any power left, please help me just a little.’

Silently praying, I placed the spear and the disc beneath the tree.

– Then, I’ll begin.

[Your exceptional insight grasps the essence of the target.]

– Ugh, what in the…

The dizzying sight that unfolded as soon as I activated Explorer’s Eye momentarily overwhelmed me. I had prepared myself, knowing this was an item as good as alive, but I never expected this.

An incredibly complex circuit intricately embroidered the underwater scene. The excessively vast circuit made my eyes spin, and I felt dizzy.

Just then, a lukewarm hand appeared from somewhere and covered my vision.

– Player, stay calm.

– But the circuit…

– Just stay like this for a moment. I’ll fold the circuit for you.

Fold the circuit? As if sensing my unasked question, Akis continued his explanation.

He said that ‘folding the circuit’ refers to visualizing only the necessary parts within the circuit. Belatedly, I recalled how Kalia had compressed the circuit like folding a map.

– You said you have the ability to bless items, right? Could you explain the working mechanism in more detail? I need to know that to fold away the unnecessary parts.

After I explained the general mechanism, Akis let out an exclamation of admiration.

– Modifying items, huh. What an interesting ability! If that’s the case… hmm, I’m starting to get the hang of it. Keep your eyes closed and wait. Watching the circuit being folded will make you even dizzier.

Disobeying Akis’s warning, I secretly opened my eyes a crack, only to quickly close them again upon seeing the dazzlingly distorting circuit. Even that brief glimpse made me feel nauseous, and I pressed my solar plexus firmly.

Despite his modest claim that this was the largest circuit he had ever seen, it didn’t take Akis long to fold it.

Akis tapped the back of my hand, telling me it was okay to open my eyes.

– This is much, much better. Thank you.

– I may not be good at creating or breaking things, but when it comes to analyzing and organizing, I’m confident!

Although it still filled my vision, I could see a much simpler circuit. Unlike the original circuit where I didn’t know where to start, this one had been stripped down to the essentials, making it far easier to understand.

It was so well organized that I even had the leisure to examine the Spring of Reversal.

– The Spring of Reversal is in a critical state, as expected.

It looked terrible to the naked eye, but its circuit state was even worse. It was barely functioning, and it wouldn’t be strange if it broke at any moment.

I couldn’t even attempt repairs, as clumsily adding to the formula might cause the remaining circuit to crumble.

– Well, let’s start by assessing the situation.

As I expressed my will to connect the two items, the system responded.

[‘Choose an effect to apply to ‘Spear that Splits the Sun, Astrona (?)’:

– ‘Spring of the Sea (?)’]

It was a message window similar to usual, yet different. I couldn’t help but sigh in frustration and displeasure.

– …Nothing is ever easy.