Ruler of the Game 900

Chapter 900 – Before the Storm

“Apart from that, I am on vacation for two weeks starting today. Make sure you get plenty of rest.”

“Wow!!”

Hunters of Eden cheer wildly at Seongil’s declaration of a big holiday. Although it was a short period of time, the mental and physical pain they suffered through this operation was significant, so they cheer Seong-il’s words.

‘At the moment… The cooldown of the Book of Creation is over… So I have to use it…’

As I was promoted to B grade, the cooldown time for the artifact that strengthens my skills must have expired. After letting the hunters rest, Seongil moves to his office to use her items.

『Do you plan to use the Book of Creation to create a skill enhancement voucher this time?』

“Yes.”

Naturally, the best consumable artifacts he can currently create are skill enhancement tickets, so Seong-il answers Dana’s question in a firm tone.

“Is there a strengthening skill you would like to recommend?”

『If it were me, after creating the skill enhancement ticket, I would start by absorbing the dungeon cores I acquired this time for two reasons.』

“… Why?”

Seong-il asks back with a questioning look on Dana’s unexpected explanation.

『It’s simple. Since the Book of Creation is an artifact that can be used once every six months, it is better to use it quickly whenever the cooldown expires.』

“… And?”

『After the Game Master was upgraded to Class B, you obtained powerful artifacts such as the Book of Creation, right? Do you know anything? Through this operation, you will be upgraded to Grade A and obtain an artifact that has a synergy effect with the Book of Creation.』

“Hoo…”

Dana’s assumption is plausible. In fact, if an artifact that can synergize with the skill enhancement ticket is provided, it could be of great help to Seong-il, so Seong-il feels persuaded by her words.

‘Well… Even if I can’t upgrade or get an artifact that doesn’t have synergy, it won’t be a bad thing to see it because it won’t cause any harm to me.’

Since the advice is literally no-risk, high-return, Seong-il decides to quietly follow Dana’s advice and absorb the dungeon core instead of using the skill enhancement ticket.

“You’re crazy…”

The enormous number of dungeon cores collected in North America not long ago was so large that it seemed like a joke. A whopping 10 times more than the previous number was put into the operation, and as the operation was carried out strictly to slaughter only the dungeon, the number of cores unfolding before Seongil’s eyes today was shocking in itself.

“The cores are piled up like a super large logistics center…”

Even so, among the huge amount of cores currently piled up in front of us, all the lowest level cores are missing to make way for the twisted dungeon core. Since the lowest grade was a B-grade core, Seongil knew that the core in front of him was not just large in quantity but also extremely high in quality.

“Okay… Let’s try it!”

Seong-il takes out his smartphone again with an expectant expression and places it on the dungeon core. Then, as expected, the game master begins to absorb it at an incredible speed.

『23%… 24%…』

As the level increases and digestion-related characteristics are gained, the Game Master absorbs core energy at a rate that is truly incomparable to before, and succeeds in consuming a huge amount of energy in less than 10 minutes.

“…73%?”

Absurdly, despite absorbing so much dungeon core energy, the Game Master is not upgraded to the next level, and Seong-il looks shocked even though he had already thought about it.

“No, fuck… Even though I wasted so much, I still got an A grade? Is A final grade?”

If A is the final grade, this is quite possible. Looking at the situation, it seemed like I could reach Grade A if I acquired all the remaining cores on Earth and gave them to the game master, so it seemed right that there was no next level.

Tiring!

“…?”

At that time, Seongil was staring blankly at his phone with a slightly shocked expression. A message comes from his smartphone for the first time in a long time

『Game Master: S is the final grade.』

“… You crazy bastard. What should I do if S doesn’t work after destroying all the cores on the planet? Their ascension ritual is going to start soon, so you want me to wait for the dungeon to be created? Are you serious?”

Seong-il feels curses flowing out of him without realizing it at the game master’s absurd words.

『Game Master: Don’t worry. Dungeon core energy is meaningless when upgrading to S rank.』

“… Nothing?”

It seems that something special is needed when upgrading from A grade to S grade. Seongil feels something passing through his mind as he hears the game master’s story.

“… Are you sending me a message to tell me how to get promoted?”

『Game Master: That can’t be possible. There’s another reason I’m talking to you. I’m here to tell you that grades B to A are rewarded twice because the core energy required is enormous.』

“Oh…?”

Interesting Game Master’s answer. Since the core energy required to reach Grade A is enormous, he says that the reward will be split into two installments: 50% and 100%.

『Game Master: By the way, this item will really be of great help to you, so you can look forward to it.』

“Oh…!!”

Seong-il looks at the smartphone with an expectant expression, as the game master, who usually doesn’t lie, says this, there is a high possibility that it is a truly enormous item.

“Congratulations! You have successfully obtained 50% core energy for A-rank upgrade! We will give you an artifact compensation ticket accordingly.』

『Blessed Pandora’s Box (Unique): Putting consumable items here enhances performance or unlocks additional functions. (Can be used once)』

“Oh my…!!”

The appearance of an artifact that looks unusual at first glance. A box with antique jewels studded here and there catches the viewer’s attention.

“It’s a one-time thing…”

Although it had the disadvantage of being an item that could only be used once, it was clear that Pandora’s Box would have incredible performance just by looking at it.

“This… Anyone can see that it should be used for skill enhancement tickets.”

The location of use is obvious even without looking at it. Did I think the same thing? She agrees with Seong-il’s opinion.

“You’re right. Master. In my opinion, it seems appropriate to use Pandora’s Box for skill enhancement tickets. Hehe! After all, I’m smart!』

“…”

In the meantime, it was absurd to see Dana praising herself, but Seong-il does not deny that her advice was helpful.

“Well… You said the right thing. It was a good thing I didn’t use the skill enhancement ticket.”

『Is that so? Write it right away! I need to see the answer!』

“… But can’t you think of other items?”

『Is there a consumable item that has as strong an impact on the owner as the skill enhancement ticket? Why don’t you just use it?』

“Uh… Um…”

When Dana answered in a shameless manner, Seong-il, who could not think of anything to retort, quietly put her skill enhancement ticket into Pandora’s box instead of answering her.

Wow…!!

When the skill enhancement ticket enters Pandora’s box, the box begins to emit intense light. And the box starts to crumble. As Seong-il, who was surprised, quickly placed the box on the floor, the box disappeared and a golden scroll appeared on the floor.

『Skill Fusion Ticket: You can fuse two of the user’s skills to create a new, stronger skill. However, skills cannot be combined at will; there must be something in common between the skills.』

“Fusing skills that have something in common…”

Although he expected an incredibly good artifact, Seongil frowned when the usage was slightly ambiguous. However, unlike her embarrassed Seong-il, Dayina shouts out to her Seong-il in an uncharacteristically fierce tone

『Master! This is a tremendous item! You have truly received an incredible opportunity!』

“… That much?”

“Yes! Do you not feel the purpose of this item? There are two skills that are perfect for the master…』

“… There is one? I’m not sure yet.”

『Three thousand worlds and the Creator’s doll! These two skills have something in common!』

“…!!”

After hearing Dana’s opinion, Seong-il feels her come to his senses. Although their uses are different, the two skills have something in common: the ability to create an ‘alter ego’. If she could fuse the two skills as Dana suggested, there was a strong possibility that she would develop a powerful skill.

“… Okay. Let’s proceed right away.”

After Seong-il picks up her skill fusion ticket, she tears the scroll and uses the item with the two skills she wants in mind.

“Kuh…!!”

Then, Seong-il experiences extreme pain that feels like splitting his head. A terrible feeling, as if my soul was being shattered. At the same time, he feels that two small universes in his soul violently collide and become one.

“Kuh…!!”

Finally, a long time had passed since Seong-il, unable to bear the pain, fell to the floor holding his head. At some point, he feels that the headache that was bothering him disappears.

“… Was it successful?”