Episode 8
8. Another Transmutation (3)
“This is...”
Simoon’s eyes widened as he scrutinized the information.
[Obsidian Tablet]
Grade – Replica (20%)
A conglomerate of human transmutation knowledge.
Contains various insights including human transmutation,
yet somehow cannot fully manifest its power.
The description differed little from the Emerald Tablet’s information.
But that wasn’t the problem.
“This is also a replica?”
What instantly seized Simoon’s attention was the glaring ‘Replica (20%)’ notation.
“What? I poured in 10,000 achievement points for a mere 20%?”
Even the Astraphe had achieved 10% completion with 500 points.
A wave of emptiness washed over him, but only briefly.
Simoon’s vacant expression hardened into resolve.
‘There’s more to this.’
The Philosopher’s Stone he’d known would never perform such inefficient transmutations.
After silently observing the Obsidian Tablet, Simoon clapped.
“I see. This time, there’s no rebound from the transmuted object.”
Hmm
The affirmative vibration resonated from his chest.
Simoon’s eyes curved slyly.
Of course—even as a replica, the lack of rebound meant one thing:
‘Permanent duration!’
Unlike the previous Astraphe replica,
this wouldn’t vanish after time.
‘If it progresses 20% per 10,000 points...’
Four more attempts.
40,000 more achievement points,
and he’d possess a myth-grade item.
‘Jackpot!’
Simoon reached toward the tablet with gleaming eyes.
Ooo
As if ignoring its own warning,
the Philosopher’s Stone hummed uneasily against his chest.
Simoon nodded calmly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared for qualification failure penalties.”
He’d have preferred crafting a paralysis potion,
but lacking materials, he’d preset Si-hyuk’s number on his phone—
one tap would alert his brother.
‘Come to think of it, pain doesn’t bother me much.’
Someone once claimed humans never grow accustomed to pain,
yet Simoon was exception incarnate.
‘Mana Disability erodes more than stat numbers.’
When STR-AGI-CON stats dropped,
excruciating agony followed.
Initially, it had merely fatigued him.
But after regular arenas began...
‘Stat reductions brought physical decay.’
Arena Disease patients like him faced nightmares—
unpredictable muscle spasms, searing neuralgia
requiring painkillers or paralysis potions to endure.
Simoon had brewed his own,
but without them, only grit remained.
‘A lifetime of pain.’
So severe that Go Mal-sook once mocked him as a living undead.
‘Fair enough.’
His gaunt frame and sudden convulsions did resemble the unliving.
Ooo
“Hm? Oh, I’m not scared.”
The Stone buzzed worriedly as Simoon dwelled on memories.
“Just reminiscing,” he smiled, shaking his head.
“Don’t fret. I tolerate pain better than you’d think.”
Ooo
“I know you don’t grasp the agony. But you’ll prevent death. That suffices.”
Yet internally:
‘Still...pain sucks.’
But Simoon remained unworried.
‘If I’m right, there’ll be no penalties.’
Ownership wouldn’t even be questioned.
Confidently, he touched the tablet.
Warm, flesh-like texture met his fingertips—
Squelch
The tombstone-shaped device bloomed like a flower,
tentacles surging forth.
Simoon stood unfazed as they coiled around him.
Squelch
The appendages constricted snake-like,
yet caused no pain or breath restriction.
‘As expected.’
The Black Goat constellation’s interest ensured its relic—even a replica—wouldn’t harm him.
Throb
“Kinda cute.”
Simoon chuckled at the nuzzling tendrils.
[Obsidian Tablet (Replica) requests fusion with Philosopher’s Stone.]
“Huh?”
Squelch
“Ugh!”
Tentacles spiraled around his chest.
Hmm!
[Philosopher’s Stone accepts request.]
“Wait! What’s—?”
Slither
The mass burrowed into his sternum.
“A-ah!”
Tendrils spread through his vasculature,
following paths carved by the Stone long ago.
“Haaah!”
Unfamiliar tickling sensations erupted—
not pain, but maddening pleasure.
“S-stop! This...Ah!”
[Fusion successful.]
[Philosopher’s Stone upgraded.]
Messages flooded his vision as consciousness faded.
[Welcome to Galaxy Arena.]
[Mode: Offense | Participants: 50]
[Condition: Cooperation]
[Form 5-member teams.]
Kim Min-hyung scowled at the floating text.
‘Offense mode right after tutorial? With cooperation?’
A Silver-rank event unsuitable for rookies.
‘I died instantly last time thanks to that monster Kim Si-moon.’
Two theories:
His B-rank [Agile Movement] and Seongsam gear maintained high MMR,
or Si-moon’s insane 15-kill tutorial skewed matchmaking.
‘But this is my chance!’
Min-hyung clenched his fists.
Other rookies hit by the ‘Si-moon truck’ had rebounded—
he could too.
“Offense? Seriously?”
“Damn, why not Defense?”
“My MMR’s too high.”
“Stop laughing, brat!”
Three newcomers silenced them.
Scorpion Guild emblems glared from their armor.
Min-hyung’s gut dropped.
Notorious for toxic utilitarianism,
they partied post-placements—hopeless to oppose solo.
“Seongsam mark?” sneered Choi Gi-yeol,
the short-haired leader.
Two lackeys circled.
“Kim Min-hyung? Never heard of you.”
Choi’s smirk widened.
“Fresh from tutorial, eh? No A-gear for failures.”
Min-hyung flushed but stayed silent—
outleveled and outnumbered.
“Follow orders, we’ll carry,” Choi draped an arm over him.
‘They’ll steal all rewards,’ Min-hyung seethed,
but placement-bound helplessness prevailed.
Poof
A new arrival materialized.
Min-hyung gasped.
Gray hoodie, no gear—
the Snap-Fingered Tutorial Monster himself.
“Freeloader?” Choi spat.
“Who else?” the man replied.
Min-hyung’s despair turned to grim hope.
God hadn’t abandoned him yet.
