Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

A single option: Spring of the Sea.

Today’s system window was unyielding. As if insisting I must create it as is, the words ‘Spring of the Sea’ blinked. When I pressed the text, an unfriendly message appeared.

[Enchant ‘Spring of the Sea (?)’: Success rate ?%

– High chance of applying a special effect.

※ Caution! The medium’s condition is extremely unstable.]

Not only was the success rate unknown, but the expected circuit diagram, which was always provided as a matter of course, didn’t appear. While it was somewhat reassuring that there was a high chance of applying a special effect, a sense of helplessness prevailed.

Demanding this specific result while providing no guidance—it was an unsolvable situation.

– Don’t be afraid, Yun Gaho.

However, everything I’d experienced up to this point urged me forward.

From the moment I first found the coastal cave to when we rescued the children, all the events flashed through my mind like a kaleidoscope.

– It’d be a shame to give up after coming this far.

If there was any silver lining, it was that Spring was an enchantment I had personally modified. Its structure was still clear in my mind, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.

‘As for the acquired effect, sea is…’

I called out to Akis, who was observing me from a short distance. Before explaining, I roughly sketched the formula I intended to merge on the ground.

The ‘Spring of Reversal’ I had applied to the disc was a somewhat violent enchantment. To extract the desired effect, I had practically exposed all of the disc’s original attributes except for the ‘reversal’ aspect.

But this time, that approach wouldn’t work.

– I want to merge this formula while disturbing Lord Astrona’s circuit as little as possible. However, I’m not sure where to connect this part.

– Let me take a look. Ah. It’s a penetration formula. This spirit circuit is so inflexible and stubborn…

– Akina, what did you just say?

– Oh, Astrona, were you listening?

As the Sea Spirit cleared his throat, seemingly to express his displeasure, Akis gently stroked the spear shaft. Looking sheepish, Akis pointed to a corner of the Sea Spirit’s circuit.

– That part should be fine.

– Isn’t that section completely unrelated? It looks like an attribute formula.

– That’s right. It’s a circuit that infuses water energy. The penetration formula has good compatibility with water-attribute formulas. Their foundations are similar too.

This wasn’t information found in the basic text Kallos had given me. Akis added that properly learning the fundamentals of each attribute could be helpful in many situations.

He drew a guiding formula on the ground with his finger. As it was my first time drawing an entire circuit alone, I occasionally checked with Akis for confirmation.

– Player, don’t rush too much. I can see the impatience in your circuit. Here, and this part too, the finishing isn’t clean enough.

Unlike his usual self, which had some careless aspects, Akis meticulously pointed out even the smallest mistakes.

– I’m trying to stay calm, but it’s not easy.

– You’re doing well enough. I may be giving advice like I know everything, but I couldn’t do even a fraction of what you’re doing. Having talent in creation is so rare.

– You said you weren’t good at creating and breaking things, right?

– Well, about that, this one’s mana control is terrible.

Galatea, who had been watching us, casually remarked. Akis nodded with a dejected expression.

Galatea approached, swishing his tail a couple of times, and gently patted Akis’s head.

– But Akina, you have talent for wide-area magic. And what about your eye for circuits?

– Galatea…!

Leaving the two sea people lost in their own world, I moved on to the final touches.

As I raised my head to stretch my stiff neck, I saw the children who had grown tired of watching me, now restlessly exploring various parts of the tower.

– Akis, could you please check this one last time?

– Hmm, I think you can proceed with this!

– Thank you for your help.

‘Finally, it’s done.’

Han Cha-hyun, who had been quietly observing from the side so as not to disturb me, spoke up, saying I had worked hard.

– It’s not over yet.

– Even so.

Han Cha-hyun smiled kindly, a smile that suited his appearance well.

Before activating the skill, I rummaged through my inventory and pulled out a long staff.

– Are you going to use that as a sacrifice?

– Yes, Ji-hwa-nim gave this to me. I never thought I’d use it like this.

Although I had swept up various items for practice at the guild, I only brought one A-rank item. Kim Ji-hwa had given me this equipment, saying it was just sitting around without a proper owner.

“What’s the point of letting an item go to waste? I’ll write in the ledger that I took it. This friend would be happy to be used for Hunter Yun Gaho.”

I had refused several times, but I couldn’t overcome Kim Ji-hwa’s determination.

‘If I hadn’t accepted it then, we’d be in big trouble now.’

I placed the staff next to the spear.

Normally, you’d need to use an item identical to the enchantment target as a sacrifice.

This spear is an item that shares history and myth, so usually an A-rank item wouldn’t even be considered as a sacrifice candidate, let alone an actual sacrifice, but…

– Things are different now.

Since its rank is disturbed, it’s worth a try. Didn’t the A-rank enchantment ‘Spring of Reversal’ apply? An A-rank sacrifice should be enough.

However, my optimistic expectations were spectacularly off the mark.

[Insufficient rank! This item cannot be applied as a sacrifice.

※ Minimum requirement: S-rank]

– S-rank?

I frowned at the higher-than-expected rank restriction.

‘I barely managed to get an A-rank, how could I possibly have something like that?’

As expected of the World Tower. Nothing ever goes my way.

– Hunter Han Cha-hyun. You wouldn’t happen to have any spare S-rank equipment, would you?

– Pardon?

– No, never mind.

Han Cha-hyun blinked, not understanding the situation. Right, I shouldn’t hope for the impossible.

Officially, Gyeon Ji-woon is the only one in Korea known to possess SS-rank equipment. S-rank items are only slightly more common.

‘There’s no way I could casually obtain something like that.’

What’s the point of completing the formula for the enchantment? The sacrifice rank is insufficient. I should have checked this first, but I made a mistake in my haste.

The risk was too great to use the skill recklessly when the probability was unknown.

– I guess we’ll just have to wait quietly for Kalia…

– If that’s what you need, use this.

A deep red cloth fluttered down next to the spear lying on the ground.

I turned around to see Yun Su-ho carrying a struggling Lee Kang-to like a sack of rice. He urged me with his eyes to pick it up quickly.

– What’s this all of a sudden?

– A sacrifice.

– I appreciate the thought, but take it back. You must not have heard, but the minimum rank is S-rank. Ah, is this even possible?

– I know.

Seeing that I showed no signs of taking the item, Yun Su-ho picked up the cloth with his free hand and thrust it into my arms. Why is he doing this when I said it’s useless? I clutched the silky-smooth cloth.

– Check the information.

With narrowed eyes, I checked the information of the item in my hand.

[Last Flame (S)

“I will protect only you until the distant future.”

 – Health: 17

 – Strength: 8

 – Mana: 7

 – Agility: 7

 – Magic Resistance: 25

※ Changes form according to the owner’s will.

※ Protects the owner from all types of flames.]

– Are you crazy?

– Why are you acting like this? Is this also interfering with you?

Angered by his absurd question, I kicked Yun Su-ho in the shin. He easily dodged my kick. Cha Taeyang, who had arrived late, looked back and forth between us with a question mark above her head.

– Yun Gaho, I don’t know why you’re doing this, but if you hit me with your stats…

– I’d only hurt myself.

– That’s right. So if you’re angry, hit me with that cloth instead.

– Unni, did that ahjussi say something weird again?

An S-rank equipment with an epithet and special effects. He’s just giving it away like this? Does he not know what an epithet is? No, even so…

– If the enchantment fails, the sacrifice will be destroyed. You know that, right?

Yun Su-ho nodded as if the question had finally cleared up his confusion.

His usual indifferent face looked like a savior, and at the same time, like the most foolish person in the world.

– Forget it. Let’s put this on hold. We might find a way if we wait a few more days.

– It’s an item I don’t need. The stats are ambiguous, and I already have a fire resistance skill.

Yun Su-ho spoke unusually at length. Seeing him like this, it really did seem like he was okay with it.

– Still. If we put this up for auction, do you know how much it would go for?

Yun Su-ho looked at me with an expression of disbelief. His face seemed to say, “Do you think I’d care about something like this?” As a defensive free hunter known for his high price tag, he must have plenty of money.

‘But still…’

I couldn’t help but sigh at his otherworldly sense of finances.

– Don’t blame me later.

– You’re worrying about needless things.

– …Thank you.

Yun Su-ho stared at me blankly after I muttered those words quietly.

– Is this the first time you’ve heard a thank you?

Embarrassed, I glared at Yun Su-ho, who stroked his chin in response.

Turning my gaze away from him, I focused once again on the Sea Spirit.

– Now I’m really going to start.

– I leave it to you.

[Enchant ‘Spring of the Sea (?)’: Success rate ?%

– High chance of applying a special effect.

※ Caution! The medium’s condition is extremely unstable.]

I transferred the circuit I had drawn on the ground to the part Akis had pointed out. The children who had been wandering around aimlessly suddenly gathered around me, sitting closely together.

I raised my fingertips, afraid of making even the slightest mistake in a stroke. With each line I drew, the voices and figures of the others gradually faded away.

‘This part here should be modified a bit. Ah, this formula too…’

While keeping the spirit’s framework intact as much as possible, I poured all my remaining mental strength into ensuring the purification effect could manifest.

I concentrated so intensely that even my own breathing began to irritate me towards the end.

The only welcome distraction was a faint melody I could barely hear. This auditory hallucination with its warm tune helped calm my mind whenever it threatened to become hasty.

– Applying enchant ‘Spring of the Sea’.

After tying the final knot, I immediately declared that I would bestow ‘Spring of the Sea’.

At that moment, the tight grip of concentration loosened, and my narrowed perception suddenly expanded.

– Our spring is gentle and vivid. Don’t fear this winter.

[The effect of the special skill, Incantation (C), brings a small fortune to all allies in the field.]

[Effect stacked! The skill’s effect is enhanced.]

[Effect stacked! The skill’s effect is enhanced.]

[Effect stacked! The skill’s effect is enhanced.]

…

The sea people surrounding me were singing.

– It wasn’t an auditory hallucination…

I waved my hand to clear the messages obstructing my view.

Sea people holding hands and singing, Atera gripping a conch shell tightly while singing, the goblin transformed into human form swaying with Cha Taeyang, Yun Su-ho with his arms folded trying to look solemn as always, Lee Kang-to clutching a jewel box to his chest, Han Cha-hyun nodding as if everything would be fine.

Everyone was looking at me.

– On the day the flowers bloom, we will meet again.

Seeing that scene, I was no longer afraid of uncertainty.

May this small blessing bring spring to this place.

With a heart more earnest than ever before, I infused my mana.