Episode 12
12. Placement Exam (4)
Thud.
The hulking red-skinned figure collapsed.
The hobgoblin with a snapped neck slumped lifelessly to the ground.
[Constellation Black Goat’s mission has been completed.]
[500 achievement points acquired.]
[Constellation Black Goat expresses immense satisfaction with the utilization of human transmutation.]
[Additional 500 achievement points acquired.]
“Whoa!”
Simoon’s previously composed face lit up instantly.
‘Another 500 points?!’
Suppressing his inner cheer, Simoon sneakily glanced upward.
‘Zeus really is a miser.’
He recalled Zeus offering a 1,000-point mission for first place in the tutorial, only to grant a measly 100 points afterward. Comparatively, Black Goat’s generosity stood out—though in total, Zeus’s 1,100 points still outweighed this 1,000.
Yet more followed:
[Hidden boss ‘Hobgoblin’ defeated solo.]
[Reward: 500 achievement points acquired.]
‘A hidden boss?’
Simoon frowned despite the windfall.
‘So it wasn’t meant to be hunted.’
Hidden bosses—monstrous entities exceeding their rank’s power. Yet some rookies, like his prodigious brother Kim Sihyuk (later dubbed “Sword Saint”), slaughtered them even at low ranks.
‘While others rely on mythic gear from Philosopher’s Stones…’
[Galaxy Arena, currently debating your case, is stunned by your actions.]
[Constellation Black Goat sneers: “F***ing bureaucrats. This is why I never registered.”]
[Discussions about you in Galaxy Arena intensify.]
Message windows flooded the air. Simoon’s gaze locked onto one:
‘They’re talking about me?’
He nodded, recalling similar alerts when he’d crafted the Obsidian Tablet.
[Due to consecutive unprecedented achievements, Galaxy Arena initiates formal discussion regarding player Kim Simoon.]
‘Galaxy Arena’s attention… Is this beneficial?’
No player in his past life had drawn their direct scrutiny—or so he knew. Either way, it felt ominous.
‘But Galaxy Arena ensures risk and reward.’
This arena alone—a 5-player platinum-tier map—had been cleared solo. The rewards? Unfathomable.
As Simoon turned to leave—
“Kkiik! Kkee…!”
Ten goblins trembled, their morale shattered after losing their leader.
“Pity,” Simoon mused.
-Pretty faces have their perks, Oppa. But a soft heart’s useless, chimed the Philosopher’s Stone.
“Think so?” Grinning, Simoon strode past the cowering goblins.
“H-human! Spare us!”
“Kind human!”
-Don’t fall for it! They’ll stab you later!
“I know.”
“Kkick! Nice human!”
“Thank you, human!”
-Wait—you’re actually sparing them?!
Simoon didn’t stop.
“Philosopher’s Stone, you’ve misunderstood.”
-Huh?
“I never said I’d let them live.”
Snap.
Simoon returned to his room amidst shimmering light.
[Arena ‘Corrupted Goblin Stronghold’ cleared.]
[All enemies defeated solo in a 5-player mission. Rewards amplified.]
[Philosopher’s Stone (E) shares EXP. Level +4.]
[Philosopher’s Stone level +2.]
[Hobgoblin’s Battle Axe acquired.]
Messages cascaded:
[Hidden boss reward: Corrupted Hobgoblin Serum.]
[Hidden achievement: ‘Hidden Boss Hunter (1/?)’ unlocked. 1,000 achievement points acquired.]
“Wow…”
Status:
Level: 7 → Achievement Points: 9,350 (▲2,500)
Alchemy: 17 (▲4)
‘10,000 points soon. Another Obsidian Tablet…’
-Next synthesis costs 10k, but scaling changes later, warned the Stone.
“Expected.”
The Tablet’s permanence and stat boosts outweighed consumables. With his alchemy now 40% stronger, Simoon grinned.
‘But I’ll save extra points first.’
No AP rewards yet—unsurprising during placement exams.
Next, loot:
[Hobgoblin’s Battle Axe (B)]
+10% slashing damage
Inflicts paralysis
+5 Strength
Requires Lv.50, Strength 35
“Platinum-tier stats?!”
Even nerfed, the boss had dropped an unadjusted prize—a top-tier axe worth a fortune.
[Corrupted Hobgoblin Serum (C)]
A toxin-laced ingredient. Simoon’s expression darkened.
-You used this for painkillers before the Elixir, the Stone realized.
“...Circumstances forced it.”
-But why keep it now?
“Poison becomes medicine.”
-You’ll refine it?! The Stone vibrated excitedly.
-Twisting its essence—deliciously cruel! Imagine its humiliation!
Simoon smirked. “Alchemy’s art.”
