Chapter 151

In the Polaris universe, spells are further categorized.
For example, nature manipulation, physical support, matter creation, etc. It’s not a simple combat/non-combat divide.
Ishrad is largely to blame for this fine-grained categorization becoming commonplace. Of course, this was before the 2000s, so it’s a little different in different countries now.
In any case, Ish’lard was a nation deeply committed to the study of the spell, to the point of setting international standards. Even before the catastrophe began in earnest, the development of the spell was a major topic of study.
Over the course of its history, the organization has grown steadily. The ratings organized by the association had a tremendous amount of credibility, at least in Korea.
In other words, you’re throwing money at the judge.
“That’s great.
The judging took place outdoors.
Smoothly paved roads and rows of buildings. It’s a scene reminiscent of downtown Seoul. Standing in the waiting position, Kim looked around.
“Is there anyone else besides me?”
I felt like I was on the set of a soap opera. It wasn’t an open street, but a place managed by an association. Chelsea and Asterique were on the other side.
Before the screening, there was a simple process of manifesting spells. It was explained to me that I would be placed in the appropriate examination center based on my individual characteristics, which means there are many more places like this.
The auditor’s voice came out of my in-ear.
-Consider yourself lucky, you don’t usually have that luxury. It’s not like you can just ask for a review and get it, it’s not a system like that. I need to fill it up with people…….
“But why today?”
-I don’t know, if it’s on, it’s on.
I had a pretty good idea when I heard the story.
“You must have gotten some input from the blacksmithing line.
The kindness was almost overwhelming. About 9% of the time, I was bored. I didn’t even want to see the stages that I had breezed through in the game in real life.
“IS-TR4.
Memories were refreshed. A place used not only for judging, but also for spell development programs. You must use the cover available throughout to take out your targets.
-I’ll adjust the difficulty level, so don’t be too nervous……?
After a pause, the auditor asked bluntly.
-Why are you laughing?
“No. Not really.”
I laughed out loud at the idea of controlling it.
Anyone who’s ever played Polaris will tell you that. There are tons of stages in the game, but there are a few that users are particularly skilled at.
That’s exactly what the bang-bang stage is.
‘This stupid game is so stupid that Otto is paid….’
I often just spun it by hand. I’ve cleared IS-TR4 over 100 times, no matter how bad I am at it.
There’s also a trick to playing with experience and skill mastery: reducing or increasing the number of agents in your group doesn’t change the rewards.
So.
“Normally, I’d do an inch.
You’ll quickly become proficient if you solo every time you pick up a new character. Once you’ve gotten into a groove, clearing the stages solo is a must-have skill.
Kim’s user level is 200.
The maximum level you can climb to.
He was what the community called an “old man” type of user.
Newbies try to burn the forklift at every opportunity.
-You’re good to go.
The signal dropped.
Kim started his run at a leisurely pace at the start line, conscious of the cameras everywhere. The footage would be recorded in Ishurad’s database.
“Whatever.
We’ve come too far to hide the and spell. There’s no one left to antagonize in Ishrad. The capital is especially well-policed, with no common criminal organizations.
It never hurts to be careful, but today is cheat day.
I’d also like to see Kim’s performance in a game.
Tak.
He’s got [Browning] with nothing in his hands. The corner is just around the corner. Kim stopped moving for a moment and aimed to the right. With a short gap, he fired into the air without hesitation.
Tududududu!
The drones were shot down as soon as they appeared around the corner. Clean shots. Embarrassment flashed in the eyes of the examiner who watched intently.
“I think you just shot it before it even came out.
What was that? Did I hear an airplane?
What if I broke that thing in the first place……?
-You’re crazy! I’m not sending them out to hit them all! That’s not what they’re supposed to do! They’re supposed to hide, run away, sabotage, whatever against drones with heat sensors!
“How am I supposed to know that, you should have told me.”
-I didn’t know they’d destroy it right out of the box! No, and there’s no way a regular bullet would work.
“It’s not a regular round, isn’t it the auditor’s job to check that?”
-That’s… That’s right. Hmmm.
The shock and dismay is short-lived.
The auditor’s voice began to rise in excitement.
-Do you want to continue?
Kim cringed inwardly. As far as he knew, there was one thing all Isuradians shared in common. They were more studious than others.
“I’m biased.
At least, that’s the case for most people who have a seat at the table in the capital city of Wisma. Politics alone can only take you so far, so you have to be an expert in your field.
Even if he’s not quite at Asterike’s level.
It was enough to pique the auditor’s interest.
Bang, bang, bang!
[Browning] opened fire. The drones, made of high-strength materials, crashed in quick succession, just as the ground-navigating UAVs emerged from the alley.
Boom!
A triple-row grenade exploded as it rolled down the street. Expensive precision machinery was quickly reduced to scrap metal, and even the machines that were still intact had one bullet after another lodged in their sensors.
-Oooooh! Can you show me something else?
“Try exporting more.”
-Uh, I don’t know if I should do this…….
“Why not come all this way?”
-That too!
Nineteen hours to go before the auditor eats the discipline.
* * *
“Hey, that was fun!”
Asterike returned from the examination, her expression bright. This time, she didn’t equip the [Vibranium Composite Sword]. It was her own doctor, not Kim Yi-hyun.
“It feels so much better than it used to.”
Asterique no longer needs the Spell Inhibitor from Celbrox Labs. Without [Vibranium Composite Blade], she can’t use her second skill, but she can still control her first skill.
“What should I say? I think I know where to draw the line.”
The power of the spell was enough to make my mind spin. The AP-116 I’d given him earlier seemed to be working.
I didn’t have to go into the full program, but the screening alone helped me. The screening itself didn’t mean much, but at least it gave me a chance to see where I stood.
“I’m jealous, I’d be stretched thin.”
“Chelsea is out of shape. She needs to exercise.”
“You could work out for a hundred years and never be as fit as Mr. Asterike.”
“That’s all an excuse, anyone can do it, ahhhhhhhhh!”
“Yuck. That’s a lot of pressure. Still, if it’s just a run…….”
Unlike Kim and Asterique, who were on fire on the pitch, Chelsea were a bit of a sullen bunch. They were disappointed with the result, and rightly so.
“You’re already whining about how long it’s been since you got the spell. Get back to training.”
“Was it hard for you at first, too?”
“I didn’t puke and make a big deal about it, man. When I was a kid….”
“아, 아! 이놈의 꼰대 듀오 좀, 제발!”
“To tell you the truth, these things are getting annoying, eek, eek, eek.”
“Chelsea have a lot of hype.”
There was also the hilarious incident of Chelsea’s mental attack.
That’s another story, but a few days later, Leila got an offer.
“Surgery?”
“Yes. It’s hard to touch it in the lab, but Ishirad has advanced medical technology. Of course, it’s just a suggestion, and you don’t have to take it if you don’t want to.”
Kim absentmindedly stroked my neck. I could feel the pale gray crystals. It wasn’t painful, but it was a hassle in an otherwise unremarkable moment.
“I’m wondering if we’re going to move forward with removing the crystals and then grafting the skin, and if you’re feeling uncomfortable, I thought it might be a good opportunity.”
Leila’s demeanor conveyed nothing but good intentions. You could say she’s a nuisance, but I can’t help but smile bitterly at how seriously she takes her job.
“Okay, thanks.”
There was no reason to say no.
Asus General Manager Raonis says I’m not wearing a prosthetic leg because of my stubbornness. Kim isn’t stubborn, but rather, she’s uncomfortable with any sign of mutation.
The surgery was done in secret.
“I’ve never seen this before, when did it happen?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is this a genetic disease? Does it run in your family…….”
“I don’t know because I’m an orphan.”
Coincidentally, the surgeon was a familiar face. Not an agent, but a doctor from the side story of a character from Ish’lard. He was quite a prominent figure in the Ivory Tower.
“I don’t like him.
Edward Frerick. A man with a mad scientist’s temperament. He’s not quite crazy enough to play pranks on the Blacksmith’s guests, but he’s not someone to let your guard down.
“I’ll take the decision to be frugal with me.
Maybe they’ll realize the truth. The information “Dustborn’s Kim is becoming a monster” should not be revealed.
But don’t worry.
“Hey, hey, hey, hey, sterile bags…!”
Through her anesthetized, blurred mind, she heard a small commotion; the crystals had turned to powder as soon as they were removed from Kim’s body, dissolving into Chapter in a final puff of smoke.
Kim was aware of this phenomenon beforehand. In life, sometimes some of the crystals would fall off. Like a scab on your skin.
I couldn’t help but think about it.
It’s like a parasite.
The surgery was successful.
It was surprisingly easy, despite the number of crystallized areas. It was a testament to Ishrad’s medical technology and Edwards’ skill.
“That’s neat, thank you, sir.”
“……I’m sorry to hear that, but you’ll need to stay out of the sun with sunscreen for up to 3 months, maybe 6 months, as you may experience some pigmentation. After you return to the Cellbrox Labs, you’ll want to talk to someone with medical knowledge and monitor your progress.”
My expression was grim, as if I hadn’t been able to keep my decision. Kim chuckled to himself and checked my skin again.
‘It’s definitely out of sight, out of mind….’
There was no change in the mutation rate. It literally became invisible. The parasite is still hanging out in the body. Helixivir should be used with caution.
Still, what the heck.
“Hyun, let’s go eat!”
“…….”
“Uh, string? Eh.”
Asterike pinched her cheek and made an odd noise. She blinked, then giggled. It had been a long time since Kim had made out with her.
Asterique reached out and grabbed his hand. It felt raw without the gloves she usually wore. She wasn’t stupid, she knew he’d been reluctant to expose his skin.
Now it seemed to work fine.
“I want something to eat. I’m on a string today.”
“Why don’t we just go back to the hostel and eat?”
“Ugh, romance is exhausted.”
“Who taught you how to talk like that?”
“There’s someone other than Chelsea.”
* * *
November 11, 2044.
Before departing from Ishraad and returning to the lab.
The ops team took a break from their work to give Kim hope.
There was business in the kingdom of Shamalshina. It wasn’t an urgent errand, just someone who wanted to get off his chest beforehand, given the timing and direction.
Approaching the border with a light heart.
Kim couldn’t help but notice.
“What is this…….”
The apocalypse was beginning in an unexpected place.