Chapter 37: We survived

[Ramus Tucker’s Introduction to Alchemy-Hero Level-Alchemist Only]

[Grand Alchemist Ramus Tucker is a representative alchemist who has enjoyed an era. As a member of the Republic’s military, he has earned his reputation as a leader in the field of biological and potion synthesis, but it is known that it was all purged one day for some reason.

Although he died, the knowledge he left behind is still being passed on.

Ramus Tucker’s Introduction to Alchemy is one of the highly complete books that can be seen as a compilation of his research work. It contains a variety of alchemy knowledge not included in Basic Alchemy Knowledge.

Acquires knowledge of hero grade alchemy that is unknown as a basic class. Magic increases by 1, intelligence by 1.]

‘Hero level?’

Since this item was currently in front of me, it did not seem unreasonable to forsake Park Deokgu’s enthusiasm.

In fact, it cannot be said that there would be so many stats to raise.

1 Magic and 1 intelligence.

However, since the item’s value was said to be of the hero level, I expected that it would contain more knowledge than I imagined.

As Kim Hyunsung said: Ji-Chang does not lie.

If that book is a hero-graded item, it will surely contain the corresponding knowledge.

“How is it?”

“…”

It felt a little embarrassing as to how this item came out so suddenly. Looking at Kim Hyunsung’s face, he seemed to realize that he also made a mistake.

It was natural to make mistakes as he was also a human being, but even he seemed confused about how he had just exposed himself.

“Where did you get this?”

“It was the book that was in the box at that time. I thought there was nothing to it at first, but now it seemed like a good timing…”

“But Hyung would look better as a warlock…”

“It’s a hero-grade item. I couldn’t read this book because I’m not an alchemist, but it’s probably more than expected. If you think about it being an item just below the legend level, this would be your best bet. Most of all, these items are not corrupt.”

“Still… The Warlock… Hyung…”

Even in this situation, Park Deokgu kept muttering about me being a Warlock.

It sounded ridiculous to me.

There was a high probability that the ring that was given to us in the first place, or the bracelet presented to Park Deokgu, were also items that cannot be normally found here.

The story that a treasure chest suddenly popped out from somewhere sounded suspicious to me.

Even if you tried it a hundred times and obtained it without an accident, it is certainly not convincing to have such a book here.

However, after looking at Kim Hyunsung’s face, I could guess that he was still trying to keep up his innocent façade.

I didn’t know if he was using some type of inventory, or if he was using something akin to a store that was not open to us yet, but I thought that leather bag contained more than what met the eye.

There were so many explanations to consider. Even if one were to look at it, the explanations I had thought up for its validity didn’t seem all that unusual.

Thinking that it was meaningless to worry any more, I immediately nodded.

“Actually, although the Warlock was appealing, I think Alchemists would be good.”

Only then did Kim Hyunsung’s face begin to light up.

“You chose well.”

“Thank you.”

[You have changed your job as an Alchemist. Basic alchemical knowledge is acquired.]

[Check player Ki-young Lee’s status window and talent level.]

[Name-Ki-young Lee]

[Title-No. You should try a little more.]

[Age-25]

[Orientation-Willing Strategist]

[Profession-Alchemist]

[Job Effect-Acquisition of basic alchemical knowledge]

[Capacity]

[Strength-11/Growth Limit: Normal or less]

[Agility-11/Growth Limit: Normal or less]

[Health-15/Growth Limit: Normal or less]

[Intellect-29/Growth Limit: Hero or higher]

[Endurance-12/Growth Limit: Normal or less]

[Luck-25/Growth Limit: Hero or higher]

[Magic-08/Growth Limit: Normal or less]

[Equipment]

[Ramus Tucker’s Introduction to Alchemy-Hero Level-Alchemist Only]

[Magic Shield Ring-Rare Grade]

[Talent-Eye of the Mind]

[General comment-You have chosen a good path. I have nothing to say, but seeing your hard work makes my heart ache. Yes. Really. It seems to you that you have gotten some undeserved items. We hope you have the ability to understand Ramus Tucker’s alchemy. Hero-grade items are too precious to simply be used as a display.]

After my body flashed in a blue light for a moment, I could see that I had definitely changed my job.

In an instant, the knowledge of the basic alchemy poured into my head.

‘Not bad.’

It was difficult, but not to the extent where I couldn’t understand. When I smiled satisfyingly, Kim Hyunsung seemed to sport a different expression.

It seemed that his internal evaluation of my worth had risen considerably. It must have changed from a usable administrator to an Alchemist who needed to be well raised.

‘That actually spells good news.’

That means that I have become precious to whatever his plans were.

“Congratulations, Mr. Ki-young.”

“No… Unfortunately, only if Hyung’s choice was…”

“Congratulations, Oppa.”

“Thank you. Thank you, Deokgu and Hayan. I will be grateful for the gift, Mr. Hyunsung. You just keep giving them to us so generously.”

In truth, I received this gift thanks to Park Deokgu’s insistence.

“No. If Ki-young becomes stronger, it is natural that our entire party will also become stronger. Rather, I feel better because I can help.”

“I will meet your expectations.”

Of course, as long as this was the case, one had to work to continually meet the leader’s standards.

As much as Kim Hyunsung felt compelled to invest in me, he would continue to invest only if I continued to give such results.

As such, I was his current investment.

Kim Hyunsung put money in an investment called Lee Ki-young, and he must be hoping that he’d get his money’s worth.

Even if I fell to the bottom, he wouldn’t abandon me, but it would be natural to assume that he would stop trying to invest in me.

In order to continue being invested in, I had to continually show that I was getting better.

“You don’t have to. Haha. For now, let’s rest here. If you can’t see a suitable place after walking this much, it seems that there is no place to camp in the dungeon.”

“Yeah. I will do that. Deokgu?”

“I’ll come after cleaning up the surroundings.”

Hyunsung nodded roughly in response. This place was uninhabited, but it was still right to clean up the surroundings.

Even the long tutorial felt like it would soon come to an end.

Although the survival quest had not yet been completed, it felt correct to guess that Kim Hyunsung was not showing much impatience, so this dungeon strategy must actually be the final stage.

Whether it was finding the entrance or taking care of the dungeon’s owner, this party would go through it successfully.

As I turned my head a little, their images appeared in my view.

I laughed when I saw Jung Hayan, who was dozing off, and Park Deokgu, who was already snoring.

On the other hand, I didn’t fall asleep even though I knew I had to sleep for tomorrow.

No, to be precise, I couldn’t sleep at all, even if I wanted to.

‘Alchemy.’

This was because I had to organize my new knowledge.

First of all, this was not an ability I could use right away. In order to perform alchemy earnestly, various types of equipment were required. There was no catalyst here that could use alchemy magic.

However, it was also natural to study in advance. As it took time to organize basic alchemy knowledge, Ramus Tucker’s Introduction to Alchemy has decided not to unfold itself to me yet.

“Are you not going to sleep?”

“I can’t sleep.”

To survive, you had to level yourself up.

It would be appropriate to say that this passion was created by the idea that I should not settle down in one place, of course, to train myself.

There was nothing like potion softness, basic knowledge about Homunculus, and the correlation between alchemy catalyst and magic.

I felt Kim Hyunsung staring at my side, but of course, he was not aware that I noticed his gaze. I could feel the high hopes and expectations that he began to place on me.

‘I’m working hard, investor,’ it was an advantage to show such bravado on my part.

I felt more satisfied when I saw Kim Hyunsung nodding with a satisfactory expression.

It felt like it happened in no time at all, but soon, morning came. I couldn’t even find it in myself to sigh, but I didn’t regret not sleeping at all.

The party members slowly woke up and began to stir up a small, steady stream of chattering.

Rather than a gloomy atmosphere, it felt a little relaxing.

In the middle of the way, Kim Hyunsung threw a joke, and Park Deokgu laughed at the joke as if we weren’t currently in a dungeon.

Kim Hyunsung seemed to have given himself some time to rest.

‘There is no dungeon boss?’

From the looks of it, probably not.

Hyunsung was vigilant enough, but he wasn’t looking for a horrific battle.

‘It’s just the beginning.’

It was not over yet.

At first, it seemed like a hassle to walk around so much, but this party gradually managed to escape this hellish place.

Sometimes battles happened, but they weren’t all that dangerous.

After walking for a while, I could see a slightly different entrance in front of me.

“I don’t know if it’s a monster popping out.”

“I will enter after preparing for battle.”

“Hyung, let me take the lead.”

“Please do.”

A large door opened, and a familiar voice rang through my ears.

[Rare-grade forced quest is activated.]

[Rare Grade Quest Strategy (0/1)]

We looked around as soon as we got in, but there seemed to be no monsters.

What we saw in front of us was a place that looked like a temple.

A strange magic circle could be seen in the center, and another door was seen on the other side.

Park Deokgu ran to the door and tried to push it, but the door did not open.

“The door doesn’t seem to open.”

“Maybe there are some conditions we need to meet. Leaving out of this place would be a sound strategy.”

It was then that I thought that the situation changed a little.

Unlike me, Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan both hesitated a little, and Kim Hyunsung slowly raised his hand as if he were seeing something very familiar.

Magical power was gently sent to the magic circle in the center, and the magic circle in the center soon began to emit light.

Looking around me now, it seemed a little funny seeing everyone so transfixed on the light.

“This is… magic.”

There was no such thing as a great quiz in the form of a monster we needed to attack.

The answer to the quiz was magical power itself, which can be said to be a medium far from where we lived.

[Rare-level compulsory quest has been completed.]

[Rare Grade Quest-Strategy (1/1)]

[Rare Grade Quest-Survival (1/1)]

“Hyung.”

“I know.”

Kim Hyunsung’s expression with clenched fists showed that he seemed to have done something. He didn’t show much of his emotions, but from what I could see, what he had been doing seemed to be going as planned.

At first glance, he actually seemed to be crying, but this wasn’t the case at all.

Unlike the intermittently trembling shoulders, there was a tremendous sense of accomplishment just from the subtle facial expressions, so I knew I was right.

“It… it looks so pretty.”

“It does.”

Only

The light finally gave way to what seemed to be an intricately designed palace.

The lights emanating from the ground rose above the high ceiling, and the lights above the ceiling filled up the place.

Looking at the door on the other side slowly opening, I could see that I was really leaving this dungeon.

Sunlight completely different from artificially created light began to pour out.

‘Sunshine.’

It was not the landscape that we automatically focused on, but those carrying armor and weapons. I saw a woman who seemed to be a representative approaching quietly.

“Congratulations on your life in the tutorial. I’m Lee Sang-hee, and I’m in charge of this tutorial dungeon.”

We survived. It took us a moment to realize that.