Chapter 23

Chapter 23

[Episode 05] Proof (3)

“I will show you.”

A man in a neat suit flipped the briefing screen and sparkled his eyes.

Eyes overflowing with motivation to an excessive degree.

“If you think of it as an ordinary prosthetic, it is troublesome. Because this is the world’s first ‘mana-reactive’ prosthetic that our research team developed hanging on for 3 years.”

When he opened the case, one silver arm shone smoothly receiving the lighting.

A form where each joint segment was precisely interlocked.

“Ordinary prosthetics move with electromyography signals. But this is different.”

The man confidently tapped the prosthetic with his fingertips.

“It directly recognizes Explorer-nim’s mana waves and reacts. In other words, it means it moves the moment of thinking.” “With only thought?” “Yes! Even.”

He continued speaking without even catching his breath.

“Grip strength is three times that of an ordinary arm, reaction speed is more than twice as fast. It means there is no problem at all even for instantaneous defense or counterattack during combat. Moreover, it was made only with byproducts that came out from the dungeon.”

Shim Kang looked down at it blankly.

“It is not an item?” “But the possibility of being made into an item is sufficient. We are also making every effort to recruit a good blacksmith.”

Just because made with byproducts that came out from the dungeon, not all become ‘items’.

If so, the main weapon of Explorers would have been ‘guns’.

‘This kind of item is hard to be registered as an item.’

Still, it didn’t matter.

Because it was not being purchased to use inside the dungeon.

“Can I check the performance a bit?” “Of course. I will assist with equipping.” “Thank you.”

Shim Kang equipped the prosthetic.

A special prosthetic made targeting ‘Explorers’ who lost arms or legs like herself.

Certainly the reaction was good.

But.

‘Slow.’

After all, it could not replace the arm of a Level 50 [Unique] grade Explorer.

Slow, and the detail was lacking.

With this, it is hard to recover the power of the main body.

Still.

‘It should be to the extent of being able to draw a bow moderately.’

I experimented directly.

A [Rare] grade bow obtained with difficulty.

I tried drawing the bow there.

Zuuuuk—

At first the prosthetic trembled, but soon when Shim Kang took a posture, the shaking stopped.

Pshook!

The arrow hits the exact center of the target in the training ground.

“It is usable.” “Fortunate that you are satisfied.” “I’ll buy it. How many are there?” “Will you buy several? It is modular so even if it breaks, replacement is possible quickly but...” “Is about 3 possible?” “Of course!”

A salesperson whose whole face fills with laughter.

“Please leave it.” “Thank you!”

He left and Shim Kang took out her own bow.

[Unique] grade bow.

And tried to draw the bowstring.

However.

Squeak— Squeak squeak—

A bowstring that doesn’t move even a bit.

With the strength of the prosthetic, even drawing the bowstring was impossible.

‘As expected, it doesn’t work.’

If it was in that state obtained during the Tutorial, it would have been usable.

However, all Tutorial weapons upgrade once at the [30th Floor].

The moment of clearing the 30th Floor, it transforms into an item befitting that level.

Shim Kang’s bow was the same.

Therefore.

‘It has to be my arm.’

Regrettable.

Because [Unique] and [Rare] show an overwhelming difference in that performance.

Suddenly Kim Jaehyun’s words came to mind.

(By any chance, if a [Unique] grade weapon in the form of a crossbow comes out, how much are you thinking of buying it for?)

Well.

How much should I give.

Even if giving all assets, it would be insufficient.

What I said to Kim Jaehyun was sincere.

‘Shall I look for even a [Rare] grade crossbow as a stopgap?’

Even with just that, the dungeon clear difficulty would drop significantly.

Shim Kang wandered auction sites and searched for crossbow listings.

***

While the Management Bureau was publicizing about me and the world was in chaos, I was in the dungeon.

Because it became noon.

‘[Rare] grade after a long time.’

The first [Rare] grade dungeon that appears after changing class to Ice Mage.

The three choices on the altar were as follows.

[Wind Longbow] [Shadow Dagger] [Iron Wall Shield]

There is no Mage.

The fortunate thing is that all three are choices I know.

‘I studied all kinds of Rare-grade classes for this day.’

I predicted that such a day would definitely come someday.

Although I hadn’t memorized all Rare-grade classes, still I made an effort to memorize as much information as possible.

As a result, I could recite the skill list coming out from those three choices one after another.

‘First, exclude the [Iron Wall Shield].’

In the Explorer community, it was one of the 1st tier choices.

Because if choosing the [Iron Wall Shield], one can ‘definitely’ survive in the Tutorial.

‘Because the basic skill is quite fraudulent.’

Mana Armor.

A skill that summons mana armor on the whole body, and while the skill is activated, it becomes complete immunity to goblin attacks.

In the meantime, just beating the goblin with the shield is enough to pass the Tutorial.

But.

‘It is a skill unnecessary for me.’

Goblin guys die before even approaching me.

If approach is possible, it would be a much higher monster than that, and in front of such guys, Mana Armor is no different from a sheet of paper.

The most important thing is.

‘One has to be holding the shield to use the skill.’

The utility is too lacking.

So eliminated.

‘Either the [Wind Longbow] or [Shadow Dagger] would be better.’

Currently my Agility value is 695.

Classes that have Agility as the main stat are all at the level of overwhelming.

So both the [Wind Longbow] and [Shadow Dagger] couldn’t help but have good compatibility.

Precisely speaking.

‘If choosing the [Wind Longbow], the [Wind Boots] obtained at Level 5 is good, if choosing the [Shadow Dagger], the [Shadow Step] obtained at Level 1 is too good.’

Both are skills usable without exclusive weapons like [Search Eye].

After consideration, I chose the [Shadow Dagger].

[Changing class to Shadow Rogue (Rare).] [You have acquired the skill ‘Shadow Step’.]

‘Shadow Step.’

When casting the skill, the surrounding darkness gathered toward me and then hid the appearance as is.

There was a restriction that it can only activate if there is a ‘shadow’ and movement speed sharply slows, but nevertheless the evaluation that the performance alone is certain.

Immediately went to test the skill.

Rumble—

The clear room’s door opened, and three goblins popped out, but.

-Kiruk? -Kiririk? -Gel gel gel gel

An appearance of not being conscious at all even right in front of me.

‘This is okay.’

With this much, I should also consider investing Skill Points to raise the performance.

‘Chain Lightning.’

Crack—

[You have defeated the Goblin.] [You have defeated the Goblin.] [You have defeated the Goblin.]

[You have cleared the Rare Dungeon (1st Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.]

‘Invest the newly obtained points into Agility and...’

[Agility value has become 705.]

With this, the front digits of Mana and Agility became the same.

A quite bizarre Status Window for a Mage.

‘Shall I invest in Mana Sensitivity soon as well.’

Firepower is sufficient.

Even taking Energy Bolt as the standard, all monsters are one-shot cuts.

So rather than Mana, there was a need to raise the Mana Sensitivity stat which is directly connected to mana capacity and mana recovery power.

‘When clearing the Unique-grade dungeon, mana becomes precarious.’

Quickly continued the dungeon clears.

[You have cleared the Normal Dungeon (2nd Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.] [You have cleared the Normal Dungeon (3rd Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.] ······ ······

Like that, invested all 140 newly acquired points into Mana Sensitivity, and.

[Mana Sensitivity value has become 391.]

I could feel that the mana capacity itself had increased about 1.5 times.

Now what remains is the [Unique] grade dungeon 16th Floor.

A floor where orcs begin to appear in [Normal] grade.

‘Unique-grade orc guys...’

Recalled the case of skeletons.

How much more vicious would it have become this time.

‘For now, let’s eat and come and think.’

Today is the day of bringing the parents to Motungi Hanwoo.

***

16th Floor of a high-end building.

Arriving at the entrance, the parents showed a bewildered reaction.

“Didn’t we find the wrong place?” “It doesn’t seem like here.” “We found it correctly.”

Coming to eat meat but finding a study, one couldn’t help but think it strange.

I approached the study like Jeong Ha-eun did then and pulled one of the books.

Then.

Click— Rumble—

The study moves as a whole and the luxurious interior inside is revealed.

“Oh my.” “Wow.”

A feeling as if coming to an amusement park.

“Welcome.”

Following the staff’s guidance, we took seats in a private room.

A slightly more modest room than the place I came with Seo Tae-woong’s party last time.

When we sat in the seats, the full-scale course started along with the chef’s explanation.

Whether renewing the menu every day, the course composition was quite different from when eating with Seo Tae-woong.

While listening attentively to the explanation about the course, at that time Dad next to me whispered to me.

“Jaehyun. This place seems too expensive, if Dad’s help is needed, say so.” “It’s fine. This much I can buy every day.”

Dad opening his eyes wide and showing a thumbs up.

“Then I will eat well. Thanks to having a capable son, the mouth is being treated.”

Mom was carefully listening to each of the chef’s explanations and carefully tasting the dishes.

“Oh my my my.”

An appearance of concentrating on eating meat while repeatedly uttering exclamations from earlier.

Just seeing that reaction I was seeing for the first time in my life made my heart proud.

“Dad, will you drink alcohol?” “It’s fine. Dad has to drive.” “Just call a designated driver.” “Shall I?” “I’ll order it.”

I chose the same alcohol that Seo Tae-woong bought.

Because I liked it so much then.

When I received the champagne that the chef poured directly.

“Wait, wait. Is it okay to drink alcohol?” “It was okay. I already drank it.” “Really?” “Here, cheers, cheers.”

After clinking glasses and drinking one sip, Mom said while reddening her eyes.

“Living, the day of toasting with our son also comes? One has to live long to see.” “Yes. Drinking alcohol with the son like this was Dad’s wish.”

For others a trivial daily life, for our family it seemed to be a special matter to the extent of calling it a wish.

If I hadn’t Awakened, such a day wouldn’t have existed.

Grateful that the system chose me.

Like that, finishing the enjoyable meal and calling a designated driver to return home.

“You called a designated driver?” “?”

A familiar face appeared.

“Eh?” “Oh my.”

Mom carefully asked.

“Aren’t you Shim Kang-ssi?” “...Yes. Where is the car?” “There...”

Dad lowered his voice while watching Shim Kang silently entering the driver’s seat and pulling out the car.

“It must be hard these days. Because one arm is gone.” “Even so, she is a very famous Explorer...” “There must be circumstances. Originally if earning a lot, the spending also grows together like that. Let’s pretend not to know.” “I will.”

And then the parents sending a worried gaze toward me.

It seems they are worried if I will become like Shim Kang.

“Don’t do too dangerous actions.” “Always be careful.” “······Yes.”

Like that, we headed home riding the car Shim Kang was driving.

I looked at Shim Kang’s right arm with curiosity.

‘It is a prosthetic.’

Thinking that one arm was not empty differently from usual, she was wearing a prosthetic.

Whether it was not an ordinary prosthetic, that appearance was very natural.

“You worked hard.” “Please go in carefully.” “Shall I escort you outside? The way out is a bit complicated.” “It’s fine. I also live here. Then I’ll be going.”

Shim Kang bowed her head and headed somewhere.

Our family was watching that appearance bewildered.

Because the side she was heading was the building we lived in.

Beep— Zing—

Shim Kang entering as if nothing.

“?”

Our family followed in while floating question marks as a group.

Meeting Shim Kang again in front of the elevator.

An awkward air flowed.

And when riding the elevator.

[30th Floor.]

Shim Kang pressed the 30th Floor first.

‘What is she trying to do?’

Thinking of following to the house?

Like that, when arriving at the 30th Floor.

“Goodbye.”

Shim Kang got off first and opened the door of the next house and entered.

“Oh my. The person who moved in earlier was Shim Kang-ssi.” “Wow. Amazing. Such a celebrity even coming to our apartment.”

“······.”

I concentrated mana in the eyes.

[Skill ‘Search Eye’ activates.]

Then one silhouette riding the apartment wall was visible.

“I’ll go in first!” “Eh, yes. Ate well today, son!”

Like that, my room window.

Shim Kang was hanging as if natural.

She said.

It seems there is something to say.

“What is the matter?” “China has moved.”

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