I Transferred to the SSS-rank Crafting Field

Chapter 13

03 – The S-classes are Falling from the Sky (5)

     Five pieces of equipment were destroyed, one after another.

     “I’m sure I got it right…” I wracked my memories, but I couldn’t figure out what was the problem. I confirmed the mana circuits and enmeshed the two by drawing lines with my mana. This was all correct.

     “Why isn’t anything working?” Was I the problem? Was I being too greedy to wish for an S-rank skill when I was only a C-class Hunter? My overflowing confidence quickly disappeared.

     “This is the worst day ever.”

     I couldn’t believe I failed as soon as I bragged about my S-rank skill. I couldn’t bear this shame.

     I wanted to return to the 33rd floor and meet Carlos straight away, but I had work in the afternoon. I would only have enough time to visit the World’s Towers the day after tomorrow…

     “No, this is not the time to be like this.” I returned to my senses.

      As Yoon Suho had said, a C-class Hunter like me was a half-talented human being that could be replaced at any moment. For me, this was a golden opportunity.

     I wasn’t in a position to give up–not after trying and working so hard. I tried to pull myself together; it would all be settled when I returned to Carlos. Yeah.

     “Let’s stop here for today.”

     I didn’t think it would make much of a difference if I tried any harder. I slumped onto the floor and swept away the equipment remains scattered on the floor.

     “Ah, I should check *that* as well.”

[Chimera Egg (B)

   : Something created by the Black Wizard in his old age–his life’s greatest masterpiece. It feeds on mana to grow. (Incubation Rate: 0.2%)

 ※ Non-tradeable item]

     The chimera egg was smaller than I had imagined, as the egg fit in my cupped hands. Unlike the eeriness implied by its name, the egg’s navy coloration adorned with silver patterns was quite pleasing to my eyes.

    ‘So, a chimera is going to come out of this, right?’

     Though I stared, almost possessed at the sight, for some reason I didn’t want to touch it.

     “Let’s see…” I examined the structure of the chimera egg using my ‘Explorer’s Eye.’

     “Ugh, what on earth is this…”

     Dozens of complex symbols were overlaid across the entire egg. Now I could understand why Gyun Jiwoon described it as a highly sophisticated magic diagram. This must have been made by a man who managed to reach a great stage in his magical career.

     I couldn’t puzzle out the egg’s structure with my naked eye, so I placed a hand on its shell. An intangible force pulled at my mana as I cautiously groped around at the circuit.

[Imprinting complete!]

[‘???’ recognizes its parent. (Incubation rate: 1.0%)
 ※ The chimera’s final shape changes depending on the nature of the mana it consumes.]

[Please give  ‘???’ a name.] 

     “Imprint? What’s that all about?”

     When I came to my senses, the egg and my wrist were connected by something that resembled a blue thread.

     I tried to pull as hard as I could and cut it with a sharp edge, but this strange thread wouldn’t break. When I tried putting the egg in my inventory, the place where the thread should be was replaced by a small tattoo.

     What even is this? I didn’t even get a proper explanation. Also, why did the incubation rate rise? I wanted to tear my hair out from frustration.

     ‘I shouldn’t have touched it so recklessly.’

     My intuition told me that I was now firmly entangled with this egg.

      “Let’s think carefully, Yoon Gaho.”

     The World’s Towers system was unkind. I would have to deduce what had happened.

     For now, let’s check the egg’s information again. Don’t people say all clues are found at the starting point?

     ‘It grows by eating mana.’

     Don’t tell me… I closed my eyes and concentrated on the mana root paths in my body.

     From the moment they awaken, Hunters accumulate mana in their bodies, and mana root paths develop based on this phenomenon. In general, one’s heart or brain was the center of the circuit. In my case, my heart was the center.

     “I found it!”

     From the center of my circuit to my wrist to the tattoo-like pattern created by the chimera–my mana leaked out of the blue tattoo.

     I tried to block the passage of mana, but things didn’t go my way.

     Fortunately, the leak wasn’t very large. Actually, one could call it insignificant; the output was less than the mana generated naturally from within the body.

     “It feels like I’ve become a potion.”

     That didn’t feel very pleasant. My only comfort was the word, ‘Mother.’ Judging by that, it seems the chances of the chimera attacking me wasn’t very high.

     As soon as I took the egg out of the inventory to observe it once more, a system window popped up before my eyes.

[Please give  ‘???’ a name.] 

     What nonsense–give it a name? I grumbled as I closed the window.

[Please give  ‘???’ a name.]

[Please give  ‘???’ a name.]

[Please give  ‘???’ a name.]

[Please give  ‘???’ a name.] 

.

.

     Then, the windows flooded in as if the system had heard me, trying to force me to name it.

     “Agh–S0 startling.”

     A chimera’s name, huh? I didn’t really feel like naming it. I stared at the egg.

     Blue, round, and silver patterns were engraved onto its surface, like sea waves.

     “Bluey or Circle-y… Hm, that’s probably not good, right?”

     “Hae-rang (海浪).” 1

     I named the egg after its wave-like patterns. Was I being too insincere? I pondered for a brief while, but I soon shook my head.

“At least I gave it a name.”

     Perhaps satisfied with my answer, the system windows cluttering my view disappeared.

     Looking at the egg in my hands, its patterns seemed to glisten more than it had before. Or was I just seeing things?

     “I’m just wasting time before departing for work.”

     Whether enchanting or the Chimera, nothing seemed to be going my way.

     As soon as I laid down on my bed in despair, the alarm on my Hunter Watch rang, signaling that I had 30 minutes until I left for work.

     “Agh, let’s just work… Get to work.”

***

     “Unni, we meet again!”

     “Kim-seobang-ah! Hello!”

     “I think we’ll be working together for a while. I look forward to your kind cooperation.” I said.

     Cha Taeyang, who was idling good-naturedly in the waiting room, waved her hand as soon as she noticed me.

“I hope Hunter Yoon Gaho will become Taeyang-ie’s guide.”

     Underage hunters are required to be accompanied by mentors–called guides–for a certain period of time. Usually a Hunter from a similar class is assigned, but Kim Jihwa requested that I act as Cha Taeyang’s guide. Perhaps the younger girl had spoken fondly of me.

     I had been a little inwardly worried, but, seeing her happy and enthusiastic welcome, my lips turned into a smile almost unwittingly.

     “I’m glad Unni is here!”

     We had only done one mission together, and yet Cha Taeyang was so friendly with me.

     “Hunter Cha Taeyang doesn’t find it too difficult to be with me?”

     No one had ever said I made a good first impression–not even as empty flattery–due to my blunt tone and appearance. Though I wasn’t expecting much from her, Cha Taeyang shook her head, “Of course not! Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”

     “I’m not the type who others find comfortable to approach.”

     Cha Taeyang wrinkled her nose as if she had no idea what I was talking about.

     I patted her on the shoulder, “What field are we going to, today?”

     Because of yesterday’s grand experience, we had few worries about the fixed field we were assigned, today. It was a fairly large field, so quite a few people were assigned.

     “Good morning. I’m Han Cha-hyun, the party leader.” At the designated time, a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses entered the room.

     “I guess the field must be near Korea’s National Museum.” When I saw Han Cha-hyun was the party leader, I roughly guessed at the nature of the field we’ll be clearing today.

     “Everyone, please be seated. Let’s begin the briefing.” Han Cha-hyun, who looked incredibly tired, began his explanation.

     Today’s field was a B+ ranked fixed site called, ‘Ancient Ruins Lamenta.’ This field wasn’t that dangerous if set rules were followed.

     And, if Han Cha-hyun is there, then it’s all the better.

     “Lamenta is an adventure-type field that can be cleared by exploring the ruins and collecting scattered artifacts before offering them all to the central altar.” Han Cha-hyun divided the party members into four groups. I was assigned to the same group as him and Cha Taeyang.

     Kim Jihwa must have been very worried about us yesterday–although we had one fewer member than other groups, our safety was assured.

     After the briefing, we were transported to Yongsan district by a car prepared by the guild.

***

     “Hunter Cha Taeyang,  there’s a trap to your right.”

     “Ah!  Thank you, Unni!”

     As expected, our group found the relics without much difficulty. In this place, at least, Han Cha-hyun, an all-rounder, and Cha Taeyang, the source of overwhelming destructive power,  made for a good combination.

     Traps installed here and there could be avoided with the Explorer’s Eye, further reducing the time needed to complete our goal.

""

     “Just leave this to me!” Cha Taeyang grinned.

     When the relics were placed on the altar, a group of ghosts manifested. Each time that happened, Cha Taeyang rushed out and burned the evil spirits with her blue flames. As if she had already learned the ropes in one day, her movements were even lighter today. The battle ended quickly without a particular need for rest.

     Her future as a Hunter was almost frighteningly bright.

     “Kim Seobang, are there always only dead things in fields?” The dokkaebi grumbled loudly as if she were dissatisfied.

      “If we really took the data points, that’s probably rare. We’ve coincidentally only dealt with relatively dark-attribute beings for two consecutive days.”

     “I heard there was a big incident last night–I see, it was about Hunter Yoon Gaho’s party.”

     “Phew, I almost died yesterday you know!”

     Since Cha Taeyang killed all the evil spirits around, we would be safe for a while. Taking advantage of the interlude, we sat around the altar and conversed.

     Han Cha-hyun became quite bright after entering the field. One might even say he looked happy.

     Cha Taeyang explained what happened yesterday with a flushed face. When Han Cha-hyun heard the chant used to open the door to the underworld, he pondered for a while before speaking, “That spell…it resembles the ritualistic, melodic chants spoken during Shaman death rites.”

     “What’s that?”

     “It’s a ritual that soothes the soul of the deceased. I heard it’s also connected to [Ba-Ri-Gong-Ju] 2 … I had heard it in passing while I was in college, so I don’t know much about the details.”

      “You said you majored in archaeology, right?” I asked.

     Han Cha-hyun awkwardly fiddled with the frame of his glasses before nodding.

      Han Cha-hyun, who had been an ordinary archaeology student in graduate school, was famous for awakening at a museum. Usually, people awakened while participating in outdoor activities. I, for one, awoke at the archery range I had often attended for fun.

     Even within our guild, which was filled with many people with rare skills, Han Cha-hyun’s skill–which varied in efficiency and could be S-ranked in certain fields–was quite unique.

     ‘If it’s him, then he’ll know how to handle high level skills.’

    At that sudden thought, I held onto the man and asked him various things. In the background, the dokkaebi and Cha Taeyang chattered to each other, asking if the dokkaebi could find out if ‘the king’ knew Princess Bari [Ba-Ri-Gong-Ju].

    Han Cha-hyun’s response was quite unsatisfactory, though. “No–I never had any problems with my skill, even from the beginning.”

    I sighed as I looked at his vague expression. I needed to go to my Master as soon as possible–my brain was crammed with concerns about crafting.