Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

The already heavy atmosphere in the President’s office thickened further. Kim Muyeol’s hand paused on the first page that prominently read 『Genetic Test Results』.

He slowly raised his head to look at Choi Changwook.

“… Is that true?”

He asked quietly. Uncharacteristically, instead of his usual silent nod, “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

Choi Changwook countered. His face, usually as stoic as a stone, but his eyes, unlike their usual resolute demeanor, “Hyung. Did you always mistrust me so much?”

Were now filled with evident anger. Perhaps it was because he had never seen this look in Choi Changwook’s eyes, or maybe because of the results he had just heard, instead of responding with his typical authority, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kim Muyeol averted his gaze. This only seemed to inflame Choi Changwook’s anger more.

“I’ve always been on your side since we were young! Don’t you know that?!”

For the first time, Choi Changwook raised his voice to his venerable brother.

“When you decided to bring down the Kim family that raised me, I supported you without hesitation.”

“……”

“I handled those who stood against you. I took care of those who had raised this orphan with my own hands!”

His nickname ‘Golem’ seemed almost ironic now.

“Even when I faced their resentful gazes, I moved according to your command. I killed them all because I swore to be loyal to you!”

His previously stone-like face contorted with anger.

“Even after turning my back on Mujin, who cherished me, I chose you. How could you not tell me anything!!”

His voice echoed throughout the President’s office. Despite the unprecedented rudeness, something even Kim Shihyuk had never dared, “……”

Kim Muyeol remained silent. Glancing at the genetic test results again, “… Since when?”

He finally spoke in a hushed tone. After he had vented, perhaps he calmed down somewhat.

“Since just after I met Shiyeon.”

Choi Changwook, smoothing his slightly disheveled hair, continued, “Though I noticed unusual behavior from you before that, which was unlike you… Once you ordered the genetic test, I had a strong feeling.”

He spoke with a voice tinged with a hollow laugh.

“Honestly, I thought you’d lost your mind at first, but it all made sense as time went on.”

Kim Shimun. While the Kim family was known for its heritage, Shimun stood out distinctly among its members.

Naturally, this wasn’t seen as odd at first.

“Shimun-ssi is an illegitimate child.”

His origin was indeed as an illegitimate child. Though scientifically, it might sound nonsensical, as long as there’s no inbreeding, be it from the main wife or a concubine, different bloodlines still mix.

However, within the Kim family, Shimun wasn’t the only one who stood out due to his background.

“And you, too, hyung. Are an illegitimate child of the Kim family.”

There were two things that should never be mentioned in front of Kim Muyeol. Choi Changwook had just brought up one of them.

“And also, Shimun’s mother is Eun-hye… isn’t she?”

He immediately uttered the other forbidden topic. However, instead of the expected wrath, instead of roots or such attacks targeting his vital points, there was only,

“……”

Kim Muyeol covered his quivering lips with his hand.

Watching him, Choi Changwook said, “No one but a fool could have missed the connection between you and Eun-hye-nuna.”

Step.

“That’s why I immediately changed both your names and Shimun’s to aliases for the test.”

He placed something on Kim Muyeol’s desk. It was a small card with a button, resembling a key fob for a new car.

“Just in case. I’ve left standing orders for immediate execution.”

Choi Changwook nodded towards it.

“As soon as the button is pressed, the medical personnel who conducted the test will be eliminated.”

Kim Muyeol silently looked at the button. Into his ears, Choi Changwook’s smiling voice intruded, “Well, you probably won’t need to use it.”

If misheard, it might have sounded like mockery. But seeing Choi Changwook’s face, he realized it was not mockery.

“… What do you mean by that?”

Kim Muyeol asked, realizing there was another meaning. Instead of answering, Choi Changwook said, “It would be better if you checked it yourself.”

He gestured towards the test results in Kim Muyeol’s hand.

Then,

Rustle.

Kim Muyeol quickly reviewed the test results. As he skimmed through the document,

“What is this…?”

His previously stern expression began to contort.

Finally, after reading to the end,

“What kind of nonsense is this?”

He looked back at Choi Changwook with a grimace.

“As I mentioned earlier, the DNA similarity between you and Shimun is a match. But…”

Choi Changwook, though not as disturbed as Kim Muyeol, “It’s below 25%. That’s similar to the matching percentage between you and your nephew Shihyuk. It would likely be comparable with Mujin-hyung as well.”

Answered with a somewhat contorted face.

“Considering that typical parent-child genetic similarity is in the 50% range…”

“Kim Shimun is clearly not my blood, then.”

Despite the scientific confirmation of the issue that had plagued him since the vision in the void, Kim Muyeol did not feel relieved.

The reason was simple.

“And as you can see, the genetic similarity with his mother, sister Eun-hye, is also below 25%.”

This meant, “A genetic similarity with both parents that doesn’t even reach 50%…”

Combining DNA from both the father and mother, the similarity doesn’t even reach 50%.

“Hah!”

Kim Muyeol scoffed.

“Then what are these DNA samples? It’s clear there are multiple, but even with all sorts of affairs, such a thing is impossible, isn’t it?”

Even if Eun-hye had engaged with men other than Kim Muyeol and Kim Mujin, biologically, it was impossible to combine multiple men’s seeds to conceive a single child.

Of course, this might be different for non-human entities in the Arena, but at least for humans, this was true.

“Because of that, I requested additional tests from the association’s medical team.”

Had he prepared something else in advance?

Rustle.

He handed over a small, crumpled paper.

“This is the identity of the other DNA samples found in the test.”

Spreading out the paper, Kim Muyeol quickly compared it with the genetic test results.

And then, “… This is insane!”

He exclaimed, standing up abruptly.

It was no wonder.

“As you can see, the DNA includes those from Ogres, Goblins, black Panthers, Moon Owls, sharklodons, and even White Dolphins, among many others. The variety is unimaginable.”

The DNA compared on the test were all from non-human entities.

Moreover, “Especially, over 30% of the DNA is presumed to be from a dragon species.”

Human DNA.

And DNA from various other species on the level of dragons.

His eyes twitched in shock.

The reason was simple.

“Did you just say… ‘presumed’?”

‘Maybe’.

Or ‘possibly’.

One of the words Kim Muyeol despised the most had been mentioned. Choi Changwook nodded with a somewhat darkened expression.

“Yes, it is certainly dragon DNA, but it’s from an entirely new dragon species that we’ve never seen before. It’s said to be similar to the highest-tier dragon species.”

“Ha ha…”

A laugh surged out after many years.

Into his ear, “And I also asked what would happen to a human with all these genes…”

Choi Changwook continued.

“They said such a creature couldn’t exist, and even if it did, it would resemble a chimera.”

A chimera.

Any player beyond the Platinum rank would likely have encountered monsters with various forms. There were hypotheses that they were born through magic or experiments, combining multiple creatures.

However,

“Chimera…”

Unlike such chimeras, Kim Shimun’s appearance was perfectly normal.

Suddenly feeling a dizzy spell, “Phew…”

Kim Muyeol placed his hand on his forehead.

Since the beginning of this year, from the first time he met Kim Shimun after his Arena debut, ‘This kid is impossible to figure out.’

Even until now, Kim Shimun was a mystery.

However, ‘What on Earth is he?’

Never before had he felt this confused. Even the Ironwood King was, after all, just human?

Or was it simply due to aging?

“Then…”

The hand covering his forehead trembled slightly.

“So there’s no way to determine the boy’s… real parents with a genetic test.”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

In fact, instead of providing clarity, the results had only made things more confusing, even chaotic. Kim Muyeol instinctively reached for a cigarette.

Click.

Choi Changwook naturally stepped forward to light it. Inhaling deeply, Kim Muyeol felt a rare sensation of calmness as it flowed through his throat and into his lungs.

After a few more inhales, ‘In the end… there’s only one option left…’

He recalled the past vision and the cunning Oriental man from the void. He remembered the Dimension Trickster, Haruto.

Then, “How is the arrangement with Zhang Liqiu?”

“We’re in discussions. They will inform us of the dates soon.”

“Report to me as soon as it’s scheduled.”

“Yes.”

With that, their conversation concluded, and Kim Muyeol continued smoking silently. Once the cigarette burned down to a stub, which he stubbed out in the ashtray, “Let’s discuss the support for Europe.”

He resumed his role as President Kim Muyeol.

*

As soon as Shimun returned to his lab,

『You have successfully cleared the Master Rank promotion test.』

『You have met the conditions for two-player cooperation, siege warfare, and survival at the highest level.』

『Clear rewards will be increased based on your performance.』

『The bound attribute ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ has distributed a certain amount of experience points.』

『Your level has increased by 45.』

『The Philosopher’s Stone level has increased by 40.』

A series of reward windows appeared like a welcoming ceremony.

Especially, “45 levels?!”

Shimun’s eyes were fixed on the notification about his level increase.

Considering that the Philosopher’s Stone also increased by 40 levels,

‘So in total, I’ve effectively leveled up by 85 levels…?’

This meant that the total clear experience was equivalent to 85 levels’ worth. Shimun wasn’t the only one surprised.

-Urrghh!!

A strange scream reached Shimun’s ears.

Like a malfunctioning airplane, the eyeball in the flask spun wildly in the air.

The Philosopher’s Stone,

-This is a disaster! 40 consecutive level-ups have turned me into a mess!!

Its large eye rolled back as it flew around haphazardly. Feeling the genuine vibrations from the Philosopher’s Stone in the center of his chest,

‘It must be really pleased.’

Shimun chuckled and nodded.

‘Well, I can’t close my mouth either. It must be elated.’

His current level was 292.

By the standards of his past life, the average level of top-rank Diamond and entry-level Master ranks easily exceeded 500.

He was only halfway there.

However, after level 300, leveling up required immense effort, progressing slowly.

Yet he had instantly gained 45 levels. With a total experience boost equivalent to 85 levels?

Even with the Shimdrasil growth buff and the rewards from the Ukraine incident, this was excessively generous.

Moreover, ‘This was a promotion test…’

This Arena was notoriously stingy with its rewards, especially for promotion tests.

During his Platinum promotion test, Shimun had leveled up by 6, and the Philosopher’s Stone by 4, totaling 10 levels.

For Diamond, he had leveled up by 10, and the Philosopher’s Stone by 6, totaling 16 levels.

Comparing that, an 85-level increase was simply absurd.

‘It’s basically like gaining 100 levels in one go.’

Under normal circumstances, the Galaxy Arena would immediately investigate such a situation. However, there were no notices or messages from the Galaxy Arena.

The reason was simple.

‘Well, I did come in first place in both the siege and survival events in a dual-category test.’

Out of the 1,000 challengers, only he and three others had cleared the siege event. In survival, he secured first place by defeating Karlok and subsequently Nerelok and Go Malsuk.

Furthermore, he had taken out the remaining players with the True Strike Lightning Spear before his final showdown with Karlok.

Upon reflecting, ‘Come to think of it… although I’m first in kill count, my total kills might not be that high?’

Shimun tilted his head.

Then, “Ah.”

He thought of a plausible hypothesis.

‘Could the kills Heimdall made have been credited to me?’

If that were the case, the 85-level boost made some sense. Even though a high-ranked Constellation like Heimdall had intervened, paying the karma himself, Ultimately, tracing back the causal chain, it stemmed from Shimun requesting Odin’s intervention.

All of this with a ‘legitimate payment’.

“Well, this is…”

Given the unexpected rewards, ‘I got really lucky with the 20,000 achievement points I spent.’

Shimun couldn’t help but smile.

‘Breaking into the 100,000-point range was worth it.’

Before attempting the promotion test, Shimun had spent 100,000 achievement points to boost the completion rate of the Obsidian Tablet to 80%.

The remaining 100,000 points were left untouched after much deliberation. Thanks to the growth buff from the Ukraine incident, He had considered using the points to enhance the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to the sixth stage.

That dilemma persisted even until the promotion test.

‘With Nuada’s Silver Arm, there’s no immediate need to burn 100,000 points on the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.’

Having obtained Nuada’s Silver Arm, Even at a restoration rate of only 10%, Its performance had proven not just satisfactory but astonishing.

There was no palpable lack of strength warranting immediate expenditure of 100,000 points for enhancing his martial prowess.

So then, ‘The reward buff period from the Ukraine incident is almost over, right?’

The two-week experience buff from the Ukrainian outbreak was nearing its end.

Considering this, ‘It’s best to further enhance the Shimdrasil seed.’

It was wise to boost the Shimdrasil growth buff even more.

Of course, this was just an excuse.

‘I can’t miss out on this growth boost…’

With the Master Rank, leveling up would become increasingly difficult. Enhancing this might slightly ease the difficulty.

More importantly, he wanted to maximize the experience buff for when the opportunity arose.

So, “Then let’s start with the enhancement.”

Just as Shimun raised his fingers,

Bang!

The door to the lab was thrown open violently.

“Daaaaamn it!!!”

A terrifying scream intruded.

TL’s Corner:
Shimun messed his DNA with all that human alchemy.