Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

A towering figure of muscle, reaching up to three meters in height. Apart from the sharp tusks and green skin, the appearance was not much different from that of a human.

Moreover, ‘Karlok, huh…’

Even the name was Karlok. Shimun couldn’t help but smirk at the massive green figure openly requesting to “team up”.

‘I never expected to see you here.’

Shimun let out a small chuckle. And for a good reason.

‘High Orc Karlok. You were Diamond Rank at this time.’

High Orc Karlok. One of the overlords in the Green Skin Dimension Alliance. A key figure in consistently defeating Earth in dimension battles against the Green Skins.

One of the strongest players among the Green Skins.

‘Did you become that strong in just a few years?’

Who would have imagined he would be at Diamond Rank at this point in time?

‘Indeed, the energy mixed with that laugh earlier…’

A unique stat.

Practically, the Green Skin’s own innate energy. Considering that even a genuine laugh carried that energy,

‘His skill level already seems to be at the Master Rank.’

Otherwise, why would he be matched in a Master Rank promotion test?

Given his overwhelming nature as a High Orc. Had Karlok read Shimun’s gaze?

“Haha! Looks like I was too eager.”

Karlok laughed heartily.

“If you want to form an alliance, I should show my worth first.”

He pounded his rock-like chest.

“Well, there’s really no need…”

Shimun, knowing somewhat what kind of powerhouse Karlok would become, tried to dissuade him.

‘No, that’s the Karlok of a few years later, not now, right?’

Momentarily paused. Might Karlok have read Shimun’s thoughts?

“Hohoho! No need for difficult words, my white friend.”

Karlok burst into a jovial chuckle, waving his hand dismissively.

“Evaluating by sight is possible for anyone with discernment, but more than that…”

In a voice and with eyes that didn’t match his massive size,

“The true skill is known only when the axes clash, isn’t it?”

He asked in a subtle tone. Shimun blinked for a moment, “Ah.”

And let out a small sigh. He understood what Karlok was trying to say.

“You want to have a go?”

Was he spot on?

“Uhaha! As expected, you have the sharpness to match your spirit.”

Karlok laughed loudly and added, “An alliance should be between equals, shouldn’t it?”

Crack.

He twisted his thick neck, revealing a competitive spirit.

“Ah! Don’t misunderstand. I just want to prove my skills since I’m the one proposing the alliance.”

His desire to fight was obvious to anyone, yet he tried to rationalize it with nonsensical reasoning.

At that, “Hmm.”

Shimun raised an eyebrow, letting out a small hum. His keen eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.

Unlike earlier, when there had been various large and small battles like the one with Malsuk and the vampires, the participants in the promotion test were now in a complete lull.

Judging by this, ‘It seems the remaining players have roughly figured out the strategy for this arena as well…’

Even the “real” participants who knew what the Ascension Fortress was, like Karlok ahead, would have figured out the strategy for this arena.

In fact, “Hey, want to join us?”

“We’re higher species. We’re better than those mid-tier species.”

With the enhanced hearing from the Obsidian Tablet’s growth, “Hah! Do they even categorize species at this stage?”

“How obvious.”

“Hmph, the higher the stage, the more naturally species divide.”

“The essence of species is most apparent at such times.”

Indeed, he could hear the surviving players conversing about forming alliances.

Like the giant green figure in front of them, they were all thinking of forming alliances to handle the siege warfare first.

Shimun’s eyes gleamed as he glanced at them.

‘In the end, the last part is survival. Positioning in survival is what matters.’

As per the usual promotion test criteria, Unless there are special conditions for individual players, typically, only the top 10% advance.

‘There are 1,000 participants in this arena. So only 100 will advance to Master Rank.’

100.

Not a small number, but considering the total of 1,000 participants, it is quite limited.

Therefore, ‘Even with the condition of two-person cooperation, forming a team now and stably getting into the top 100 is wise.’

If he were alone, he wouldn’t have considered any conditions and would have charged ahead, but wasn’t there another person beside him?

Perhaps noticing Shimun’s glancing gaze, “What is that look? It’s making me incredibly uncomfortable.”

Go Malsuk slightly frowned, but that was all. Shimun, not wanting to hurt her pride and having nothing particular to say,

“Just. Because you’re cute.”

He scratched her in a completely different way. At the unexpected reply, “… Are, are you crazy?!”

Go Malsuk, uncharacteristically, couldn’t hide her shock. She wasn’t the only one.

-?????

-What nonsense is this now?

-Is he calling Miss Psycho cute? Is he insane?

-Didn’t she just rip vampires apart?

-Oh, come on. It’s clearly flirting.

-Who flirts like that these days?

-For real, lOLOLOL you must be an outcast to think that’s flirting.

The viewers watching the broadcast also went wild.

-He’s just picking a fight with Go Malsuk.

-22 Gotta be kidding. So random.

-Even without punching, he’s doing a great job LOLOLOL

-Knocked out a nuclear punch on Go Malsuk’s face LOL

But since Shimun didn’t mean anything specific by it, he didn’t even glance at Go Malsuk and just said, “Alright. I’ll accept the alliance offer.”

Accepting Karlok’s alliance proposal. Perhaps it was only then that she realized she was being teased.

“You bastard! Hey! Aren’t you going to answer?! Have you lost your mind all of a sudden?”

Ignoring Go Malsuk’s enraged shouts from behind, “However, let’s get to know each other after the siege battle.”

Shimun postponed the duel offered by Karlok. Even though the alliance, which was initially proposed by Karlok, had been established, wasn’t his real objective the temporary alliance for the promotion test?

“Hmm, after the siege battle… you say?”

Karlok couldn’t hide his disappointment.

To that, “Yes, look around us.”

Shimun pointed with his chin at the players starting to form alliances.

“Now, beyond us, many have figured out the strategy for this arena.”

“Form alliances and pass through the Ascension Fortress first, right?”

“Exactly.”

Shimun nodded, continuing to speak.

“If we ally and go through the main strategy, it’s likely that the number of Valkyries appearing will be one per two people.”

Shimun’s gaze fixed behind Karlok.

“Or…”

When Karlok and Nerelok turned their attention there, they could see,

“Ugh, urgh!”

“Finish them quickly.”

“Let’s get kills here and reduce the numbers.”

“There might be other conditions too.”

The weaker-looking or smaller groups were being defeated through one-sided attacks.

Seeing this, “They might adjust the passage conditions of the Ascension Fortress based on the reduced number of participants.”

Continuing Shimun’s words, “Indeed…”

“That was something we had predicted too.”

Karlok and Nerelok nodded, having anticipated this from early on in the arena.

Eventually, “Alright. Then…”

Karlok’s words trailed off. Blinking momentarily, Shimun said, “Ah! I haven’t even introduced myself yet. I’m Kim Shimun. And this is…”

“Go Malsuk.”

He introduced himself and Go Malsuk.

“Kim Shimun, Go Malsuk… quite unique names. We should formally introduce ourselves too.”

Could it be a cultural weight to the name introduction?

Karlok and Nerelok pounded their sturdy chests with a fist.

“I’m High Orc Karlok Dersh.”

“I’m Nerelok Dersh.”

Offering a courteous greeting.

Naturally, ‘To mention their clan name along with their origin as High Orcs… they must think well of us.’

Understanding the significance, Shimun replied,

“Thank you for the sincere courtesy of warriors.”

Though not as much as Karlok and Nerelok, he pounded his chest with a fist in a respectful gesture.

Seeing this, “I don’t know what this is about, but let’s do well together.”

Although not as ceremonious, Go Malsuk pounded her chest with a fist, mixing in her unique nonchalance.

Unexpectedly surprised by their courteous gesture, “Khaha!”

“Ahaha!”

Karlok laughed heartily, Even his usually calm brother Nerelok burst into a robust laughter.

The two Orcs seemed very satisfied.

“Turns out, you are warriors who know honor!”

“Looking forward to working with you.”

They responded with eyes filled with deep affection.

Then, “So.”

Maintaining the same expression, “What’s your plan? Will you take the straightforward approach to beat the Valkyries? Or….”

As if setting their sights on this place, “Will you sweep them away first, aiming to reduce the numbers?”

They gestured with their chins toward the group of players making their way there. Shimun glanced at the direction indicated.

“Let’s prioritize the siege. Once we pass through the Ascension Fortress, the numbers will naturally dwindle.”

“What? The numbers will dwindle on their own?”

Leaving them with this incomprehensible statement, he turned his body. To be precise, he looked at the Ascension Fortress.

Then, raising his head toward the sky filled with dark clouds, “I have something I’d like you to do.”

He extended his nimble and graceful hand. At that, “Hey, what’s wrong with you? Have you really lost it?”

Go Malsuk, standing beside him, displayed genuine concern.

But, “Ho?”

“Hmm…”

Had they guessed something?

“The Ascension Fortress will be quite challenging, won’t it?”

“Indeed, this is under Asgard’s jurisdiction.”

Karlok and Nerelok watched Shimun with eyes filled with half-expectation, half-disappointment.

Receiving their gazes, Shimun looked up at the cloudy sky. To be precise, he looked at what had appeared against that backdrop:

『Constellation Odin is grinning, ‘Hehe! I was wondering why you didn’t call me!’』

『Constellation Black Goat is pouting, ‘Hmph. Are you happy? Happy now?’』

『Constellation Odin is sticking out his tongue, ‘Why wouldn’t I be happy? Why? Jealous, huh? Huh? Neener neener!’』

『Constellation Black Goat is glaring, ‘That damn bastard!’』

Shimun observed the reactions of the constellations.

Then,

『Constellation Odin proudly inquires, ‘You want me to help you pass through the Ascension Fortress, right?’』

After thoroughly mocking the Black Goat, Odin asked.

“Yes, at any cost.”

Shimun lightly nodded.

‘If possible, I wanted to proceed with the arena without the intervention of the constellations…’

This way, wouldn’t there be natural growth in combat senses and various experiences?

But, ‘This arena is too malicious.’

This arena was excessively extreme. It wasn’t simply created to test the players’ limits. Wasn’t it structured to test their patience?

Shimun wasn’t naive enough to play along with such blatant malice. Knowing this well, Odin seemed to understand.

『Constellation Odin nods emphatically, ‘Indeed, the structure of this arena is so filthy, it makes one think someone rigged it.’』

Immediately, he agreed with Shimun.

Then,

『Constellation Odin says, ‘However, this is a Master Rank promotion test, so to pass you and your companions… it’d cost around 5,000 points.’, he taps his chin thoughtfully.』

Odin named the price as 5,000 points.

Naturally, ‘5,000 achievement points… not bad.’

Knowing well that these were achievement points, Shimun rested his chin for a moment.

“Then what if it’s limited to just ‘me and my companions’?”

He added another condition.

Surprisingly, 『Constellation Odin blinks, ‘Huh?’』

A momentary reaction of surprise from Odin.

“Why? Isn’t that more than feasible for you?”

With Shimun’s continued words,

Rumble!

Suddenly, the sound of thunder boomed from the sky.

Shimun instinctively realized it was Odin’s laughter.

‘So it is possible.’

He smirked.

Sure enough,

『Constellation Odin is roaring with laughter on his throne.』

The words indicating Odin’s laughter appeared before him.

Soon after,

『Constellation Odin says, ‘Haha! Hahahah! Kim Shimun, you’re really something!’ He wipes away the tears from his eyes.』

Odin, regaining his composure, said,

『Constellation Odin says, ‘Alright! 20,000 points. Just 20,000 points and it’s done. This is my domain, after all.’, he holds up two fingers.』

He proposed a price of 20,000 achievement points.

『Constellation Odin demands 20,000 achievement points.』

『Would you like to accept? (Yes / No)』

A system notification reflecting the deal popped up before his eyes.

‘I have more than enough spare achievement points.’

Thinking of his available points, Shimun chose without hesitation.

“Alright.”

He selected ‘Yes.’

Had the achievement points been deducted?

『Constellation Odin says, ‘Just wait. I’ll show you the majesty of my power.’, his eyes glitter.』

Unlike before, Odin sent a message with a somewhat serious tone.

Once Shimun confirmed it, he took a step back.

“How did it go? Was it resolved well?”

A deep voice came from behind. Noticing Shimun’s communication with the Constellation,

“Looking at your face, it seems it went well.”

Said Karlok, who had been waiting quietly from behind.

Shimun let out a chuckle.

“Yes, the Ascension Fortress has been taken care of.”

He nodded.

“You’re quite the mysterious fellow the more I get to know you. Who on earth is backing you to influence the Ascension Fortress…”

Before Karlok could fully express his surprise,

『For certain players, the passing qualifications for the Ascension Fortress have been altered.』

A series of messages appeared, and then,

Wooong!!

With a massive ringing that shook the sky,

Boooom!!

A colossal rainbow-colored pillar crashed into the Ascension Fortress, almost too vast to take in with a single glance.

And from within it,

『Kim Shimun… Where are you?』

A voice resounded that made the entire body tingle just by hearing it.

TL’s Corner:
TLDR: Shimun flirting, Shimun cheating…