NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 49 - Universal Rune (2)
Chapter 49: Universal Rune (2)
[Welcome to the Enhancement Station!]
[Try enhancing or polishing your runes!]
Baek Jin-woo immediately headed to the Enhancement Station.
He had collected a pile of spare runes to use as materials from the repetitive grinding sessions.
[Would you like to enhance?]
[Y/N]
Rare runes were inherently graduation runes anyway.
There was no need to perform rituals like washing his hands clean or praying with a bowl of water.
“Yes.”
Let’s do it all at once!
[Level 2!]
[Strength +12% -> Strength +24%]
[Level 3!]
[Intelligence +12% -> Intelligence +24%]
[Level 4!]
[Stamina +12% -> Stamina +24%]
[Level 5!]
[Agility +12% -> Agility +24%]
[Level 6!]
[Strength +24% -> Strength +36%]
[Level 7!]
[Intelligence +24% -> Intelligence +36%]
[Level 8!]
[Stamina +24% -> Stamina +36%]
[Level 9!]
[Agility +24% -> Agility +36%]
[Max Level!]
[Critical Damage +20% -> Critical Damage +40%]
[Enhancement has reached the maximum limit!]
“Ah, this is great.”
A significant chunk of enhancement materials had vanished, but the resulting stats were so impressive that it was well worth it.
[Rune]
[Grade: Top-tier (Rare)]
– Limited to 100 worldwide.
[Set Effect: Universal]
– Equipping 6 pieces increases all stats by 500% and HP by 10,000.
– Adds two stat options.
[Level: Max]
[Stat Boosts]
Strength +36%, Intelligence +36%, Stamina +36%, Agility +36%, Critical Rate +10%, Critical Damage +40%.
“Yes, this is it!”
Baek Jin-woo continued enhancing the runes.
All six of them.
‘No need for polish.’
He didn’t bother applying it.
Using polish could even grant a 100% critical rate, but there was no reason to go that far.
After all, these were semi-graduation runes.
Not perfect graduation runes.
They were placeholders he planned to replace with better ones later.
***
“Master, thank you.”
Baek Jin-woo handed over the six enhanced Universal Runes to Hun-gyo.
Then—
[Summon: Training Instructor]
[Race: Human]
[Grade: EX-class (Isolated Status)]
– Designated for isolation due to balance-breaking traits in certain scenarios.
[Level: 40]
[Stats]
Strength: 315, Intelligence: 315, Stamina: 315, Agility: 315.
HP: 30,000, MP: 5,000.
Critical Rate: 80%.
Critical Damage: 260%.
[Skills]
– Growth: Grows through training.
– Charisma: Dominates other summons.
– Instructor: Unlocks the latent abilities of other summons and accelerates their growth rate.
‘Insane.’
His stats were absurdly inflated.
Initially, Hun-gyo (Lv. 40) without any runes had base stats of 20 each for Strength, Intelligence, Stamina, and Agility.
The 36% stat increase per rune across six runes, totaling 216%, was applied.
A stat of 20 multiplied by 2.16 became 63.2.
Rounded down, it became 63.
The set effect of a 500% increase was then applied multiplicatively.
The result was an insane stat total of 315.
‘Just how strong is this…….’
The Strength stat of a regular adult was about 2.
A professional athlete might have a Strength stat of around 5.
Beyond that, it surpassed human limits.
While not exact, roughly speaking, a gorilla might have a Strength of 10, and a tiger might have 20…… Beyond that, use your imagination.
To be honest.
Even Baek Jin-woo couldn’t fully grasp what a Strength stat of 315 meant.
Maybe it could easily dominate up to the 60th floor of the Tower of Trials?
‘Let’s just assume it’s ridiculously strong.’
“Master, should I use this for now and pass it on to Aso later?”
“You knew?”
“Of course. You’re planning to combine three Universal Runes with the Rune Dwarf to create the Trinity Rune, aren’t you? The Trinity Rune is perfect for Aso.”
Damn.
He had planned to explain it later…….
Hun-gyo had spoiled the plan.
“You’re right. I can’t win against you.”
Well.
It was expected.
After all, it was Hun-gyo who unlocked the Rune Dwarf’s latent abilities.
The Trinity Rune was a unique rune that only Rune Dwarves could craft.
Moreover.
It boasted far superior performance than the Universal Rune.
Enough to be used effortlessly up to the 100th floor of the Tower of Trials.
That was precisely why Baek Jin-woo insisted on collecting 18 Universal Runes!
“I’m fine with this. Actually, there’s another rune I’d like more.”
“I know. The Teacher Rune, right?”
“That’s correct, Master.”
The Teacher Rune was also a rare rune.
It was specialized for teaching and mentoring others, and Rune Dwarves could create it as well.
“I feel joy and exhilaration when I train someone and see them improve. While the Universal Rune is great, the Teacher Rune suits me better.”
Yes.
Thank you for saying that.
Baek Jin-woo understood.
Hun-gyo was saying this out of consideration for him.
Summons were sentient beings who could think and speak.
It was natural for them to desire good and expensive runes.
‘Someday.’
He would create another and give it to him.
After all, there were only 100 Universal Runes.
He could acquire more, and if not, the Rune Dwarf could craft them.
Theoretically, two more sets of Trinity Runes could be created!
“Then, I’ll return to training!”
Perhaps due to the rune effects.
With an even lighter stride, Hun-gyo disappeared, leaving Baek Jin-woo nodding in satisfaction.
***
Baek Jin-woo received a call from Ja-sim.
If he could save Ja-sim’s beloved daughter, Ja-sim promised not only five Universal Runes but also even greater rewards.
He told Jin-woo to come whenever needed without hesitation.
“Jin-woo.”
Yoo Ji-ah came over to deliver the message.
“They want you to come to Dubai. They’ve sent a private jet and a pilot for you, so you can travel comfortably.”
Wow.
As expected of a Middle Eastern tycoon.
They sent a plane just to bring him over?
Actually, that wasn’t the point.
Baek Jin-woo could feel the emotion behind the gesture.
‘Desperation.’
It showed just how much they wanted to save their daughter.
“They’ve apparently commissioned countless players before. Not a single one has identified their daughter’s illness.”
“I see. So I just need to go alone?”
“No.”
Yoo Ji-ah shook her head.
“Jin-woo, do you speak Arabic?”
“Nope.”
Arabic? He couldn’t even manage English.
“Then you’ll have to go with me.”
“…You speak Arabic too, Ji-ah?”
“Yes, I can manage most languages to some extent.”
“Oh.”
That was a surprisingly elite skill set.
Most people brag about being multilingual, but to claim proficiency in almost all languages?
Wasn’t that just genius-level talent?
There are so many languages in the world!
‘Still, it’s a relief.’
In「Battle of Summoners」, there was automatic translation, but reality was different.
“Alright, let’s go together. Let me know when we’re leaving. It won’t take long.”
***
Thud-thud-thud!
The private plane took off.
Baek Jin-woo and Yoo Ji-ah were on their way to Dubai, the capital of the UAE.
During the flight.
To prepare for any possible incidents, Lamba stacked buffs on Hun-gyo during the flight.
Additionally, Dol-dol, who was waiting nearby while invisible, was also prepped with stacks.
For reference, the basic summon duration for summoned creatures was five hours, and if unsummoned and resummoned, the stacks had to be rebuilt.
“Hingoo!”
Because of this, only Lamba had a hard time.
“When we get back to Korea, I’ll stock the fridge with cream buns for you, so hang in there.”
“Got ittttt…”
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
From the moment they arrived in Dubai to the time they returned to Korea.
There could be no letting down their guard.
Whether domestic or abroad, safety wasn’t something to take lightly.
After some time passed.
Thud-thud-thud!
They soon landed in Dubai.
Not at an airport, but on a private estate runway.
‘Impressive.’
A house with a runway.
It was the first time he’d ever seen such a thing.
As they stepped off the plane, a bearded man in white robes and a headscarf greeted Baek Jin-woo.
“So you are the renowned Player Baek Jin-woo from South Korea. It is an honor to meet you!”
“Huh?”
He was speaking fluent Korean?
“Haha, I expected that reaction. Do you see the bird on my shoulder? It’s a B-grade limited edition translation bird. It creates a translation zone within its range. Just speak comfortably; it’ll automatically translate for me.”
“…Oh.”
So that’s a thing?
Then Yoo Ji-ah didn’t really need to come, huh?
Glancing over.
Yoo Ji-ah stared blankly at the bird, looking utterly dejected.
‘Well.’
After studying languages so hard, seeing a bird like that would probably make anyone feel disheartened.
“So, you’re Ja-sim. I’m Baek Jin-woo.”
“I heard you might be able to diagnose my daughter’s illness. And if you can treat her, you asked for the top-tier Universal Rune as compensation, correct?”
Ja-sim didn’t waste any time.
The urgency in his tone as he jumped straight to the point was evident.
That was better for Baek Jin-woo.
“Yes, that’s correct. However, I’m not certain. I’m just here to take a look.”
“…Even if it’s uncertain, that’s fine. As long as there’s a chance, please, try anything.”
Ja-sim looked relatively young.
But his immense love for his daughter was clear.
“Alright, then let’s take a look at your daughter.”
***
Ja-sim led them into a lavishly decorated room.
On a pink, French-style bed lay a pale young girl.
She appeared to be around 13 or 14 years old.
“Ja-sim.”
“Yes.”
“Would you mind stepping out for a moment?”
To diagnose the girl, Baek Jin-woo needed to consult with Hun-gyo.
Having Ja-sim present made that uncomfortable.
“…”
Seeing his hesitation.
“If you’d like, we can set up a system contract. One that guarantees no harm will come to your daughter.”
Baek Jin-woo offered a compromise.
But.
After a brief pause, Ja-sim lowered his head and stepped back.
“No, if I’ve entrusted you with this, I must trust you completely.”
In truth, Ja-sim had already conducted a thorough investigation into Baek Jin-woo before calling him.
A national hero of South Korea!
A man revered as ‘JinuGod’ by world-ranking players.
Someone like him wouldn’t do anything vile or coercive with his daughter.
No, he couldn’t possibly.
Even if he did, Ja-sim wouldn’t be able to stop him anyway.
“Thank you for trusting me.”
Once Ja-sim left, Baek Jin-woo called out to Hun-gyo.
“Hun-gyo.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Take a look at her. She doesn’t seem to be in good condition.”
“Huff… Kuff…”
The girl was breathing heavily, her body drenched in cold sweat.
Her skin felt cold, and her complexion was poor.
Step.
Hun-gyo stepped closer, took her arm, and checked her pulse.
‘As I thought.’
Closing his eyes, Hun-gyo nodded.
‘Absolute Pulse Disorder.’
A congenital illness, known as one of the most incurable diseases in martial arts circles.
‘And it’s the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse.’
An excess of yin energy had caused the nine blood vessels within her body to malfunction and become obstructed.
As a result, her energy couldn’t flow properly, leaving her chronically ill and shortening her lifespan.
There was no known cure, but if there was a way, it would require one thing.
‘Powerful yang energy.’
“Do you know what’s wrong with her?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“Nine Yin Absolute Pulse.”
“…Nine Yin Absolute Pulse?”
What on earth was that?
“Can it be treated?”
“Please give me a moment. I’m considering it.”
Hun-gyo closed his eyes, and a vast repository of knowledge unfolded in his mind.
As he sifted through it, Hun-gyo himself was astonished.
‘Was it always this extensive?’
The knowledge flowing into his mind was far greater than before.
‘EX-class.’
Was it because of his grade increase?
Or perhaps due to the recently acquired skill, ‘Instructor’?
Among the knowledge was the expertise of the S-class summon, the Divine Doctor of the Martial World, Hua Tuo.
While it wasn’t the actual skill to perform treatments, it contained knowledge capable of training Hua Tuo.
And that knowledge included a cure for the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse.
“Explosive Dragon.”
“Huh?”
“We need Explosive Dragon’s Flame, my lord. With that, it can be cured.”