NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10 - Meeting Players
‘Unlike beef, about half of the fat is unsaturated fatty acids.
Next time, let’s grill some hearts.’
But Han-wol’s pork superiority theory was quite firm.
As a side note, he was a bit disappointed that he couldn’t bring some soju.
x x x
Now that he had filled his stomach, it was time to move again.
The tools he had synthesized soon crumbled and turned into black ash.
‘So this is what happens when you don’t go through proper manufacturing processes.’
The series of actions Han-wol demonstrated were all results of applying the ‘Material Conversion’ skill.
How did he come up with such an application method?
It was a few days ago.
While creating additional magic handguns to entrust to the vigilante corps.
Han-wol was researching the Material Conversion skill in his room.
‘Hmm… so Material Conversion feels something like this.
It’s like a pre-made computer program.’
As a magic expert, Han-wol had a very unique perspective on skills.
Most people’s first reaction when seeing a new skill is as follows:
-Wow! A new skill! I must try it right now!
But most of them are simply satisfied with being able to use the new skill and that’s it.
Of course, a very small minority occasionally discover new methods.
-How can I use it better? Is there a more efficient way? Is there any potential for further development?
They don’t settle for the present and continuously explore.
They try anything to strengthen their skills.
These numerous attempts eventually allow them to obtain better skills.
Such people can be said to have a “talent” for being players.
But Han-wol was on a different level from even these “talented” players.
‘Isn’t a skill essentially equivalent to executing a pre-made program?
Of course, I’ll need to research more to know exactly what a skill is…’
Skill.
It was a blessing bestowed by the “entity beyond comprehension” to save humanity.
Even Han-wol couldn’t freely handle phenomena at the level of divinity.
However, he could at least “reverse-engineer” them.
‘…Still, I think some interference might be possible?
Maybe not before the regression, but now I can directly handle magic power with my bare hands.’
Experiment, collect data, and delve into the “principles” of skills.
Based on this, formulate hypotheses, solve equations, and ultimately establish a theory.
If wrong, create a new model and start over.
If correct, develop it further to uncover unknown facts.
And that inevitably leads to new “principles.”
As long as the phenomenon was given, there was no theory Han-wol couldn’t analyze.
[You have awakened to the principle of the skill ‘Material Conversion’!]
“Success…”
Han-wol clenched his fists in the joy of success.
He felt something cool and hard in his hands.
Just moments ago, he had been holding 2-Star magic stones.
But now, something completely different was in his hands.
It was the first metal used by humans.
Gold.
[You have successfully applied the skill ‘Material Conversion’!]
[Title ‘Second Alchemist’ acquired.]
[Title: Second Alchemist]
[Description: Magic is the power of possibility.
Magic contains all futures that humans can imagine.
Magic uncontaminated by any thoughts truly displays a pure white light.
It has no abilities but is the essence of possibilities that can become anything in the future.
That is the definition of magic.
From by Lee Han-wol
The ‘First Alchemist’ who spread magic on Earth.
Did he know this fact?
However, the dead don’t speak.]
[Effect: Application of the skill ‘Material Conversion’.
You can synthesize materials using magic stones and magic power.]
[※However, you must properly understand the structure.]
[※The lifespan of the material is determined by your understanding of the structure, the grade of the magic stone, and the precision of the synthesis.]
[※Materials that have reached the end of their lifespan turn into ash.]
‘Second Alchemist…? I’m not the first?’
Han-wol frowned immediately after reading the last explanation.
‘No, that’s not what’s important. A human spread magic?
Then was the appearance of monsters on Earth also someone’s intention?’ Preservation Process.
Therefore, the player system was given by an entity beyond comprehension to save humanity.
But “monsters” were different.
According to the title’s description, the one who spread magic, the “First Alchemist,” was the one who spread monsters on Earth.
There was no magic until monsters appeared.
‘…Then what are the monsters? Is the monster also the First Alchemist? But it says he’s already dead…’
I don’t know.
Various hypotheses come to mind, but there’s still far too little information to pinpoint one.
‘Damn… anyway, there was someone ahead of me, wasn’t there?’
Despite achieving tremendous results with this research, Han-wol wasn’t feeling particularly good.
That’s how important being “first” was to a scholar.
Following that, as if fanning a burning house, the gold in Han-wol’s hand crumbled and turned into black ash.
Its lifespan had ended.
‘Well, at least he’s dead.’
The First Alchemist who had already died.
What kind of being was he?
x x x
He decided to try hunting again and was walking around diligently.
But somehow, as if predicted, even after walking for thirty minutes, not even a pig’s tail was visible.
It was probably because they all fled due to Han-wol’s Pig Slaughterer title.
‘Do I spread pheromones like ants or something?
Now they run away even before I meet them.’
Han-wol hated the Pig Slaughterer title he had unwittingly obtained.
Thanks to the title, he could eat in peace, which was somewhat convenient, but for hunting, it was as good as garbage.
‘I guess I need to change hunting grounds.’
The next hunting ground after the Pig’s Den was the Tiger’s Den, a 3-Star hunting ground.
But Han-wol wanted to be more fully prepared before changing hunting grounds.
Han-wol’s goal was efficient and overwhelming hunting, not bloody adventures.
He had experienced enough adventures before the regression to be sick of them.
He needed to upgrade to a better weapon and reach at least 2-Star level.
Only then could he achieve one-shot, one-kill with a single bullet like now.
Killing monsters with just a few finger movements without exerting effort.
Han-wol was completely addicted to this massacre-style hunting method.
Just then.
‘Oh ho. I was wondering where they all ran off to, but they’re having a gathering over there.’
Han-wol spotted a dense group of white pigs.
“Hmm?”
But something was strange.
The white pigs were gathered thickly around the center.
Looking toward the middle, there were three armed people.
“Other players?”
x x x
In the center of the white pig group were three players.
“Ugh! If this continues, eventually…! Why did they suddenly all come rushing in like this!”
“B-but we can still hold out, right?”
The Taoist shouted urgently, but the warrior boasted.
It wasn’t a complete lie, though.
Because in the warrior’s hand was a magic handgun instead of a sword.
They had purchased the magic handguns that Han-wol had entrusted to the vigilante office.
The warrior, at the forefront, drew the monsters’ attention with his shield.
All the while, he kept pulling the trigger.
White pigs that would have taken dozens of hits from his sword were now falling with just five shots.
Moreover, the sharp blade attached to the end of the barrel made close-quarters defense easier.
Despite this, there was a reason the Taoist was worried.
“That might be true now, but what will you do when you run out of bullets!”
Currently, the white pigs were startled just by the sound of the magic handgun, but what would happen when the bullets ran out was obvious.
“…I’m out of bullets.”
“What, already!?”
The Taoist’s ominous prediction came true quickly.
The rogue took out his dagger after running out of bullets, but it was pathetically inferior compared to the power of the magic handgun.
The defense line soon began to waver.
The Taoist, who was against the wall, still had some bullets left and held out for a bit, but soon reached his limit.
“Urgh…!”
With support from the rear cut off, they were cornered further, and the white pigs’ attacks grew increasingly fierce.
Now, no one but the warrior had bullets left.
When the warrior’s bullets run out.
That would probably be the moment of their death.
Everyone thought so, and it didn’t take long for that moment to arrive.
Click.
Click.
“B-bullets… g-gone!?”
The warrior hurriedly drew his one-handed sword.
It was the moment the pigs had been waiting for.
The demonic weapon that had been making them hesitate was gone.
“Kwoo-wooo!”