ACS 09

Episode 9

The [Single-Use Blessing of Light] that Seo Ha-yeon gave me for emergencies.

‘If it protects from all attacks…!’

[Throwing Lv.4]

My [Throwing] skill had reached level 4 thanks to the numerous “Golem  killed by the bombs earlier.

[Would you like to use the ‘Single-Use Blessing of Light’?]
[Please select a target.]

“The “Golem’s  Magic core!!!”

[Searching….]
[Target: Ragged Lava Golem’s Magic Core]
[Target selected.]

Wheeeeeek―

I summoned all the strength in my shoulder and threw the [Single-Use Blessing of Light] towards the Magic core floating in the air.

Whoosh—.

‘All attacks are currently focused on the Magic core…!’

If I designate the Magic core as the item’s target, the Blessing of Light should envelop the Magic core to block the attacks flying towards it.

‘Then it should also block the gathering golem fragments!’

And if it’s a powerful Blessing of Light, it should probably burn away the monster’s miasma.

“Please!!!”

Whoosh—.

My [Throwing] skill level didn’t betray me.

Clang—!

The [Single-Use Blessing of Light] hit the Magic core, shattered, and golden liquid coiled around the Magic core.

And then…

Flash—!

“Yikes!”
“What!”
“My eyes!!!”

‘It’s incredibly bright….’

I shut my eyes tight, and the whole world turned white.

When the tremendous flash of light enveloped the battlefield, Seo Ha-yeon’s mind was filled with questions.

‘That was….’

The [Single-Use Blessing of Light] she gave Lee Si-woo.

“Why did he use it there….”

She trailed off as a sudden thought struck her.

‘……Was he trying to completely burn away the Magic core’s miasma with powerful light Magic?’

“No way.”

Moreover…

“The golem fragments can’t stick to it.”

The golem fragments, blocked by the Blessing of Light, were falling off, unable to adhere to the Magic core.

“Did he anticipate all of this…?”
“Vice Guild Master! The fragments are falling! Be careful!”
“Oh, yeah! Got it!”

Crash—!

Whether the connection to the Magic core was severed, the fragments floating in the air began to fall, one by one.
“Everyone, watch out!”
“Ugh!”

Crash—!

And as the light enveloping the Magic core faded…

Whoosh….

Thump—.

“……It fell.”

The unregistered golem’s Magic core, which had been glowing red, lost its light and fell to the ground. And in the distance, the gate began to close.

Hung—.

“I-It’s over!”
“Woohoo!!!”
“Thank goodness… I’m so relieved…!”

‘What about Mr. Si-woo?’

Thinking that, Seo Ha-yeon looked around and spotted Lee Si-woo, sitting slumped on the spot, letting out a sigh of relief.

“That person… ended it.”

Regardless of what anyone said, the number one contributor who ended this incident was Lee Si-woo.

‘I’m recruiting him for sure.’

“Section Chief, prepare to recruit Mr. Lee Si-woo. We must recruit him unconditionally.”
“Huh? Ah! Yes, understood.”
‘He’s no ordinary person… absolutely…!’

“Phew, we barely managed to finish it.”

My guess was correct, and the unregistered golem’s Magic core was purified by the light Magic.

‘By the way… Ragged Lava Golem, huh….’

A Lava Golem.

A variant of a Rock Golem, with lava flowing inside it. It attacks by spewing lava and is difficult to handle even when killed due to the lava inside.

But ‘Ragged’?

This is…

“It must refer to the golem fragments gathering earlier.”

A Ragged Golem, formed by gathering not only its own fragments but also those of other small golems.

“That was close.”

It was already big originally, but if it had combined with the numerous fragments of small golems, its size would have been…

“Probably about six stories tall.”

The more I think about it, the more absurd it seems.

“Huh……”

“Si-woo! You rascal!”

As I sat slumped on the spot, catching my breath, Senior Kijun came over and hugged me.

“You really worked hard today! It’s thanks to you!”
“Oh my… Senior Kijun worked hard too. What about the team leader?”
“Team leader? He’s at the command center now. There’s a lot to sort out, like merits and rewards. But this time, I think you’ll get the biggest bonus.”
“Hehe… nice.”

Of course, I’m the one who solved it.

“Anyway, good work… huh?”
“?”
“Mr. Lee Si-woo. You worked very hard.”

Thump, thump—.

The person walking towards me and speaking was none other than…

“Ah… Ms. Seo Ha-yeon. I’m a bit worried I might have used the [Single-Use Blessing of Light] you gave me recklessly.”
“No, you did well. Thanks to you, we resolved the situation, right?”
“Haha, that’s true.”
“I’ll contact you separately later. Then, for now…”

“Yes……”

Thump, thump—.

“Hey, hey, what’s that? Seo Ha-yeon just made you a recruitment offer, right? Right?”
“No, why are you saying that already… Don’t get ahead of yourself…”
“No, no. Even I’d want to recruit you. A rare position and the number one contributor in this incident? I’d recruit you too.”

Anyway, you have to give Senior Kijun credit for being excitable.

‘What a shame….’

I watched the cleanup crew that had already arrived collecting the Magic core.

‘What if I wasn’t part of Hanak Gong?’

And what if I were an Awakened acting solo?

‘Then I could have taken that Magic core for myself.’

[Magic Core of the Ragged Lava Golem]

It definitely looks like an item of immense value. Not to mention the intermediate and high-grade Magic stones scattered everywhere.

‘I did secretly absorb dozens of low-grade Magic stones, but….’

Looking at the intermediate and high-grade stones, I can’t help but feel regret.

‘With a high-grade Magic stone, I could raise a stat….’

For now, being at Hanak Gong is much more advantageous, but considering the rights to monster byproducts, it’s a pity.

“Not yet.”
“Hmm? What is?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Just talking to myself…”

‘It’s not the time yet.’

The right time will come. My plan is…

‘I need to leave Hanak Gong and become a solo-acting Awakened before the Gaemagowon Plateau recapture operation.’

And before leaving, I’ll reveal the fact that I’m Re-Awakened.

‘Phew, the only answer is to get stronger quickly.’

And I think I’ve found a clue to that method of getting stronger.

“Seo Ha-yeon…”

She definitely seems to have her eye on me…

‘I should ask her to teach me archery.’

Guns have their limits for growth. It’s time to quickly transition to archery.

First, let’s check my status.

“Somehow I have 13 skills already…”

[Agility], [Beginner Dagger Proficiency], [Collection], [Butchery], [Analytical Eye]…

There are quite a lot. Aside from [Agility], 12 of them are newly acquired.

The skill I gained from this operation is Throwing.

The rate of increase is unusual.

“And the higher-tier skills are [Analytical Eye], [Beginner Firearms Proficiency], [Explosive Strength]. Three in total.”

Skills can combine to form a single higher-tier skill.

“In that case, it’s best to acquire as many skills as possible to get higher-tier skills.”

[Explosive Strength] was so effective it even raised my [Agility] stat by 1.

[Beginner Firearms Proficiency] allowed me to handle all types of firearms proficiently. [Analytical Eye] let me instantly understand an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and target their vulnerabilities.

“And now it’s time to gradually transition to archery.”

I’ve decided to focus on long-range attacks for now. And since firearms have growth limits, I need to learn archery.

“I also need to prepare for close combat…”

What should I use for that? I have the [Beginner Dagger Proficiency] skill, but that probably won’t be enough.

Daggers have short reach, requiring ultra-close combat, and I don’t have the specs for that yet.

“Spear technique…”

The most balanced option is Spear technique. Spears vs. swords have always sparked much debate, but one thing is certain…

“Spears have long reach and become usable with even a little proficiency.”

There’s a reason bamboo spears were used in peasant revolts throughout history.

Even though they were made of bamboo, they could stand against regular armies?

“For Spear technique… the Cheongpung Guild?”

Archery is the Golden Arrow Guild, swordsmanship is the Taehwa Guild, and Spear technique is the Cheongpung Guild. They’re famous like that.

“Swordsmanship for later. For now, let’s go on a two-track path: archery and Spear technique.”

Then I need to get close to the Cheongpung Guild too…

I’ll think about that later.

“Hello, is this Vice Guild Master Seo Ha-yeon who gave me your business card last time?”

For now, let’s focus on the Golden Arrow Guild.

“I’d like to learn archery. Would that be possible?”

Let’s use the Vice Guild Master’s connections to get me enrolled for free at a decent archery dojo.

“Uh….”
“Alright, control your breathing.”
“Yes.”

I didn’t know it would turn out like this?

‘She’s personally instructing me in archery.’

—Then, would you come to the guild headquarters?

After receiving that text, I headed to the Golden Arrow Guild headquarters.

On my day off, of course.

But…

Swish—!

[Beginner Archery Proficiency Lv.1 → Lv.2]
[Experience increases rapidly due to guidance from an excellent tutor.]

I didn’t expect Seo Ha-yeon to personally teach me.

“You’re quite good. You haven’t Re-Awakened another ability, have you?”
“Hahaha… No, it’s just that the [Agility] trait makes learning things a bit faster.”
‘She’s sharp.’

To suspect Re-Awakening.

‘Well… considering the last battle, maybe it’s understandable.’

And since she awakened light Magic, she possesses light attributes.

Light illuminates things, revealing their true form.

Because of that trait, Seo Ha-yeon can somewhat grasp the true nature of those she sees.

‘She might already know I’m Re-Awakened.’

However, since I’m not hiding it with sinister intentions, she might just be observing for now.

“Focus. Your breathing is unstable now. You’re not thinking about something else, are you?”
“Ah, sorry. I’ll do it again.”

Swish—!

‘Archery is definitely good.’

Guns have complex mechanisms, and bullets are more structurally complex and faster than arrows, making it difficult—almost impossible—to imbue them with Magic or AI chemical treatment.

In contrast, bows and arrows have simple structures, making it very easy to apply AI chemical treatment or imbue them with Magic.

“I didn’t know arrows could be reused…”
“That’s the greatest advantage of our Golden Arrow Guild. Arrows are no longer consumables.”

AI chemical treated arrows can be reused. At least three or four times.

“So, what do you think? Isn’t the Golden Arrow Guild good?”
“Ah…”

‘As I thought, she’s personally teaching me archery to make a recruitment offer.’

“Haha, let me think about it. Leaving a stable job at Hanak Gong suddenly makes me hesitant too.”
“Ah! It’s okay! You don’t have to decide right now!”

Seo Ha-yeon spoke as if it were fine.

“Will you continue teaching archery… like this on weekends? Personally?”
“Yes, if I don’t have other plans, I’ll come out and teach you. I’ll do this even if you don’t join the guild.”
“Thank you.”

Nice. Archery seems to be settled this way.

‘What’s left is….’

Spear technique.

‘I need to make a connection with the Cheongpung Guild too….’

It’s time for me to gradually expand my reach.