Episode 26
Special Arena (1)
"Hmph!"
A hum brimming with exhilaration.
From Park Jin-wook's office to his studio apartment,
Simoon hadn't stopped this cheerful whistling.
A ticklish ringing echoed from the center of his chest:
Big bro, you’re that happy?
"Obviously. We hit an unexpected jackpot."
He’d only visited Park Jin-wook to complete the Heavenly Demon’s quest [Find a Disciple],
but not only did he accelerate Park’s recovery to empower his younger brother—
‘To think I’d score free material items!’
And that wasn’t all.
By using mana sclerosis treatment as an excuse, he could also claim all the materials night hunter Park Jin-wook had gathered.
‘No need to stress about elixir ingredients for a while!’
While elixirs were the fastest stat-boosting method,
their exorbitant material cost was their sole drawback.
Now that this was resolved, how could he not rejoice?
Anyway, our big bro might look clueless but has hidden depths, huh?
"I’ll take that as praise."
It is praise. That’s the problem. Unlike you, our handsome young master seems genuinely naive. What if he gets scammed?
The Philosopher’s Stone had started calling Kim Si-hyuk "young master" after meeting him.
Instead of addressing this, Simoon pivoted:
"Clueless my ass. That kid’s sharper than a tack."
Oh my? Big bro, are you jealous? Don’t worry—you’re my only one. I’m more loyal than I look.
"Enough. Let’s drop this."
Simoon surrendered to the Stone’s relentless teasing.
Well, it wasn’t bad that it viewed his brother favorably.
‘Elixirs aside…’
Simoon’s gaze shifted to a corner of his room
where slightly worn but neatly organized alchemy tools sat.
‘Mana sclerosis treatment—this could be a goldmine if handled right.’
Like night hunter Park Jin-wook,
countless players suffered from arena diseases regardless of rank,
especially high-ranked ones desperate for cures.
‘Not that I see patients as cash cows…’
But the profit potential was undeniable.
Between future labs and funding his operations…
‘Steady income is non-negotiable.’
Top players could rely on sponsorships and ads from guilds and corporations,
‘but that’s not my goal.’
His targets were those who’d kill his brother and destroy Earth—
Zhongli Chu, Continental Star, and that mysterious eyeball entity.
‘Si-hyuk must survive above all.’
Simoon recalled the system message from his past life:
[Constellation qualification holder confirmed deceased.]
[Terminating Arena operations on NO. 274 Earth.]
[Galaxy Arena closure revokes NO. 274 Earth’s protection.]
‘This must tie into Si-hyuk’s unique traits.’
While he vaguely grasped how these traits linked to the arena’s shutdown,
it remained speculation. Hasty conclusions were unwise.
His immediate priority?
Preparing for the Special Arena.
"Philosopher’s Stone? Let’s begin transmutation."
-Heehee! Been waiting for this!
A surge of transmutation energy erupted from his chest,
racing down his right arm to his fingertips.
[Insufficient transmutation energy for required synthesis.]
[The Philosopher’s Stone demands 10,000 achievement points to compensate.]
[Accept? (Yes / No)]
Simoon checked his status:
‘Current points: 10,450.’
He’d crossed 10k through streams, quests, and donations.
‘I planned to keep 1k as a buffer, but…’
The Obsidian Tablet’s growth rate would jump by 20%—
doubling its current efficiency at 40% completion.
Point preservation was irrelevant now.
‘Spending 10k leaves 450.’
Though 50 short for crafting Astrape,
‘I’ll earn those mid-quest.’
Plus, the tablet would double his physical transmutation prowess.
Even nerfed, he’d defeated a hobgoblin with transmutation alone.
Doubled power would render insurance unnecessary.
Without hesitation, Simoon selected [Yes].
Crackle!
Points drained as sparks erupted.
The familiar obsidian monolith materialized,
exuding dark smoke as it settled into his palm.
[The Black Goat Constellation gazes with pride.]
[Zeus and Heavenly Demon lick their lips.]
[Black Goat donates 500 achievement points.]
=See? Perverted old men. He’s MINE. Heehee!
The unexpected windfall erased his earlier deficit.
But Simoon focused on the messages:
‘So Constellations can sponsor too.’
He smirked at this first-time revelation.
[Welcome to Galaxy Arena.]
[Entering Special Arena: Nightmare of the Blazing Mine via entry item.]
[Consuming [Doria’s Mithril Ore].]
[Unlimited preparation time granted.]
A void darker than a panic attack’s grip.
Yet Simoon—the clear-eyed, handsome participant—
merely blinked curiously.
"Oho? Special Arenas give prep time?"
Soon, his interest waned:
"Nothing special here."
Obviously. This is just a temporary subspace. Seriously, rushing into a Special Arena now?
The Stone’s crisp voice chimed from his chest.
"Planned this once the tablet hit 40% completion."
With doubled transmutation strength, it’s manageable.
"Plus nearly doubled achievement points."
450 points had become 950 after the Goat’s donation.
Including the Stone’s rebate, he could craft two Astrapes.
‘More than enough for a Silver-tier Special Arena.’
Overqualified, really.
Smirking, Simoon activated Azenia—his stream.
‘Should I use a clickbait title?’
Mixing "Silver," "Abyss," and "Special Arena" would draw crowds.
But…
‘No. Stick to the usual.’
His last stream’s Constellation "cosplay" had already caused enough stir.
Though they weren’t cosplayers—actual Constellations—
the incident ended as mere Abyss-stream drama.
More antics might backfire for an unaffiliated low-ranker.
‘Still, I’ve built some viewership.’
Last stream peaked at 5k viewers.
Even a quarter of that would suffice.
As predicted:
-Ooooh! Stream’s live!
-Simoon! Been waiting!
-Just finished an arena. Chicken and beer time lol
New viewers flooded in:
-This the guy with the Constellation clickbait?
-They debunked it already. Obvious clout chase lol
-He really suplexed a bus driver? FR?
-IDC, redo the Constellation bit! Missed it!
Viewership hit 1.5k—then 2k—before slowing.
‘Good thing I avoided clickbait.’
Relieved, Simoon addressed the chat:
"Hello everyone! Welcome!"
His figure materialized on the dark screen.
-It’s him! Total scammer lol
-Squee! Possible?
"Ha! Sorry, but ‘possible’ isn’t on the menu. Come on in!"
"Today’s stream isn’t a regular arena—it’s a Special Arena."
-???
-Wait, what?
-FR? A Special Arena?
-Bro you’re Silver!
-This from that Black Zone sneak peek last time?
Shock flooded the chat.
Special Arenas—high-rank exclusives known only by entry items—
were unheard of in Silver.
No explanations needed.
"Starting now. Apologies if I miss chat mid-arena."
[Location: Nightmare of the Blazing Mine.]
[Survive the mine’s nightmare.]
The void rippled, morphing into a cavernous expanse.
Simoon inhaled the dank air as reality solidified.
-No matchmaking? Solo entry item?
-This guy’s screwed. Silvers can’t solo Specials!
-But he’s stacked. No way he’s Silver-tier.
Doubt turned to awe as the mine materialized.
‘Survive the nightmare… Vague as always.’
Special Arenas—story-driven with abstract objectives—
rewarded those who deciphered their secrets.
Simoon trailed fingers along polished walls,
sensing no mana in the air or stone.
‘Not illusion-based. So the "nightmare" refers to an event…’
Like a collapse? But the mine’s engineering defied disasters.
Rounding a corner, a guttural croak echoed.
Fetid stench assaulted his nostrils—
Crack!
Simoon kicked off the ground without looking.
Thud!
A massive impact cratered where he’d stood.
Clinging to the ceiling via [Black Panther’s Tissue],
he faced his ambusher:
A three-meter-tall draken—
bulky torso, stunted legs, thrashing tail.
A low-tier dragonkin typically seen in Gold+.
Here in Silver? A nightmare incarnate.
Chat erupted:
-WTF A DRAKEN? THIS IS BROKEN!
-Silver my ass! Galaxy Arena’s rigged!
But Simoon’s attention snagged on system messages:
[The Heavenly Demon Constellation frowns.]
[Zeus expresses displeasure.]
[Black Goat grinds teeth in irritation.]
Their disdain mattered little.
"Grah, human!"
The draken’s tail whipped upward.
Simoon pushed off the ceiling,
channeling ogre-like strength into his arm—
Crunch!
He smashed the tail with force rivaling the draken’s bulk.
