Episode 78
078: The Fourth
“What is the ‘magic’ you envision, that you wish to learn from me?”
Astrid continued calmly. But it was golden hand who was at a loss for words. Because he had never thought deeply about what ‘magic’ was.
No, for golden hand, magic was just another tool. A tool merely for crafting new equipment and bestowing powerful attributes. Further, it was just a means, a tool to compensate for lacking attack power.
“Th-that is…”
As Geumsom hesitated, Astrid continued for him. About outsiders, about players.
“You outsiders treat magic too lightly. You think of it only as a means to gain greater power, to obtain rarer things.”
“I am different! I…!”
“And even when you bother to learn magic… it’s for dealing with monsters, isn’t it? Of course, that is not a trivial matter, but is magic truly necessary for such things?”
Magic for handling monsters or for combat. That’s usually the magic players desire. A means to defeat monsters faster and more effectively, to gain more wealth and level up.
Broadly speaking, golden hand was no different. golden hand, too, subconsciously desired powerful magic.
“You already seem to possess sufficiently strong power. Wouldn’t focusing on the strength you already have be the wiser path? Moreover, I don’t have much time left… no, I lack the leisure.”
golden hand couldn’t refute Astrid’s words. Because none of it was wrong. Furthermore, if golden hand obtained the profession ‘Wizard’, it would be his fourth, following Blacksmith, Magic Engineer, and Alchemist. If you asked about a fourth profession on Repinet, you’d be mocked relentlessly. They’d say it’s the fastest shortcut to ruining a character due to profession penalties.
‘Is it… unreasonable?’
golden hand gritted his teeth. Astrid, seeing through golden hand’s circumstances—unaware of players’ general situation—didn’t seem to be simply refusing, but speaking out of genuine concern. However, golden hand’s eyes changed at Astrid’s following words.
“Magic must paint miracles.”
“Miracles… you say?”
“Yes. Miracles that overturn impossible reality. That is magic.”
Astrid’s words were euphemistic, but a clear refusal. Yet that final statement ironically ignited a fire in Geumson’s chest. Clenching his fists, he spoke.
“If painting miracles is magic… then I must learn it.”
golden hand’s resolute gaze. Startled by his sudden intensity, Astrid also set down her teacup, straightened her back, and asked.
“Do you… have a miracle you must paint?”
At that question, the day the ashen sky collapsed surfaced in Geumson’s mind. Countless regrets and angers, the constant self-loathing from inadequacy, and the many people sacrificed. Memories he had buried deep rose vividly. Every day he wished to forget, all of them.
Observing golden hand intently, Astrid asked seriously.
“That thing you’re thinking of… may I see it briefly?”
Astrid asked for golden hand permission. He didn’t know what magic this was. But as Geumson nodded, Astrid slowly approached and touched his forehead. Then, her pupils glowed faintly as she seeped into golden hand’s memories.
She saw.
Monsters pouring through open Gates.
golden handed comrades falling helplessly.
People who gave up everything in despair.
The hellish world rampant with distrust and deceit, where even fellow humans couldn’t be trusted. The powerlessness of experiencing it all yet being able to do nothing. The frustration of effort bearing no fruit.
Crinkle-crinkle—
Crash-crash-BOOM!
The sky collapses.
Even within that whirlpool of countless emotions.
The sky, ultimately crumbling away in futility.
And Geumson, the man who wished to change it all.
Astrid saw golden hand within the memories.
Astrid opened her eyes and looked at golden hand again. For the first time, sorrow and pity clouded her face.
“You need your own miracle, child. It must have been hard for you.”
She asked nothing.
Whether those memories were real or not.
Whether they were a product of delusion, she asked nothing.
She merely gently embraced Geumson’s shoulders.
Geumson, unbidden, choked up at the warm comfort but bit his lip and barely held back. He tasted the coppery tang of blood as his lip split.
“What is your miracle? The miracle you wish to paint?”
Along with her question, messages began to appear. There was no difficult test or quest to gain a profession. golden hand had merely shown his sincerity. Astrid needed nothing else.
Only sincerity.
That alone was necessary.
[The Archmage ‘Astrid’ accepts golden hand as her disciple.]
[You have achieved a World’s First!]
[You are the first to become the disciple of the hidden NPC ‘Archmage Astrid’.]
[This great achievement is the result of your unbreakable will and sublime devotion to saving the world.]
[The system salutes your potential and possibilities.]
[Fame has increased by 2,000!]
[The ‘Wisdom’ stat is unlocked, and you receive a +50 bonus.]
[All stats permanently increase by 10!]
[golden hand has become the sole successor of the Archmage ‘Astrid’.]
[You have acquired the title, ‘Successor of the Stars’!]
[Title: Successor of the Stars]
– Description: One who has inherited the ancient flow of magic, distant and profound like the stars of the night sky. A new history of magic shall be written at your fingertips.
– Effect 1. [Whisper of the Stars]: Proficiency gain for all skills increases by 200%.
– Effect 2. [Magic Resonance Amplification]: The range and duration of all spells increases by 20%.
– Effect 3. [Ancient Wisdom]: Ability to decipher ancient texts is enhanced. Chance to discover hidden information when appraising ancient artifacts increases by 50%.
[You may freely enter and exit ‘Astrid’s Floating Island’ and gain high trust with its inhabitants.]
[Full access privileges to Astrid’s personal library and laboratory are granted.]
[Subclass ‘Wizard’ has been acquired.]
…
He had merely become Astrid’s disciple. That was all, yet a dazzling flood of rewards poured forth.
‘This… I think I’ll have to do something for Jeong Harin.’
Unintentionally, he had taken the rewards that would have belonged to the future ‘Fantasia Archmage’, Jeong Harin. He felt indebted to her. It seemed he would have to prepare custom equipment for Jeong Harin. To repay this debt.
Fwoosh—
With a familiar sound, his consciousness returned to reality. golden hand rose, his body stiff. But Astrid’s final words seemed to linger in his ears.
“Miracles, you say…”
Recalling the rewards gained from becoming Astrid’s disciple. The newly unlocked Wisdom stat, and all stats rising by 10. golden hand now had a total of 11 stats, including Wisdom. Meaning 110 stat points gained at once.
[Player Details]
[Basic Stats]
– Strength: 110(+50)
– Agility: 99
– Stamina: 100(+50)
– Magic Power: 99
[Unlocked Stats]
– Luck: 102
– Precision: 110
– Divinity: 106
– Leadership: 110
– Concentration: 110
– Endurance: 95
– Wisdom: 60
[Remaining Stat Points: 50]
golden hand pulled out his smartphone and opened his 《Lepione》 character information. Stats unbelievable for level 60. Just looking at the stat info made him feel pleased.
‘This is why unlocking stats early is important. The gap will only widen further from here.’
Even receiving the same rewards, the gap would only grow wider. golden hand continued checking his player info.
[Player Information]
– Name: Golden Hand
– Level: 60
– Profession: Blacksmith
– Subclasses:
Magical Engineer
Alchemist
Wizard
– Titles:Narcissist
The First Heretic
Right Hand of the Sun
Successor of the Cogs
Void Refiner
Liberator
Lone Conqueror
Successor of the Stars
– Achievements: (Listed, from 1 to 13)
– Possessed Skills: (Listed, from 1 to 15)
– Fame: 6,000
– Possessed Attributes:
[Flame: 31%], [Light: 15%], [Darkness: 1.5%]
– Stored Blueprints.
…
An overwhelming amount of densely packed information. Records that would astonish others. But golden hand’s gaze settled calmly. For some reason, he seemed dissatisfied.
‘Skill levels… they’re too low.’
Skill levels weren’t rising as well as he thought. Of course, others would curse Geumson for thinking this, but that didn’t matter to him.
‘Is it because of the profession penalty?’
It seemed to be due to the profession penalty. But from now on, the situation would change a little.
‘All skill proficiency gain increased by 200%…’
Checking the effect of the title, ‘Successor of the Stars’, a satisfied smile spread across golden hand lips.
