Chapter 142: Alchemy

Under a twilight-dyed sky,

I descended with Kim Seo-hyun cradled in my arms like a princess. Looking up, the massive seed that obscured the sky was now over half corroded, appearing as if ashes were being scattered across the twilight.

A strange feeling stirred within me.

“Is this somewhat resolved?”

Of course, there was still much left to do.

From determining whether The Overlord was alive and well, to addressing the reason we came to China due to something bad happening to Ara’s mother.

Moreover, with the Phoenix causing chaos and relics being released outside—most of which were used as offerings to summon apostles—the thought of retrieving them was daunting.

However, the most pressing issue, the apostle’s rampage, had been resolved, allowing me a moment of relief.

“We sent it back, though.”

The situation was more serious than I had anticipated.

An environment had been created where Mines could wreak havoc beyond my wildest dreams.

But since they had caused enough trouble to summon an apostle with human sacrifices, Mines should lay low for a while. It should be fine for some time.

While contemplating the seed, I felt an intense gaze upon me.

It was Kim Seo-hyun.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Did we win?”

“We won.”

“That’s right.”

Kim Seo-hyun’s voice was filled with joy.

“At first, I really thought I was going to die.”

“Why would you die?”

“…It’s always good to be prepared when fighting Mines.”

“It’s okay. Even if that really happens, I’ll sacrifice my life to save you.”

It’s best if such a situation never occurred.

But if it did, it really had to be that way.

I couldn’t promise revenge, but I believed Kim Seo-hyun would surely avenge me.

“…….”

Looking at Kim Seo-hyun’s face, I noticed her cheeks were warm with a bashful flush.

“Seo-ha.”

“Hm?”

Kim Seo-hyun called out to me.

Then, she opened her arms and hugged my neck just like that.

‘Uh…?’

And then, she awkwardly kissed me on the lips.

The softness of her lips.

What kind of situation was this?

I looked at Kim Seo-hyun with a dazed mind.

Kim Seo-hyun looked down as if nothing had happened.

With her cheeks blushing red.

[Achievement content is being settled……]

[You have successfully expelled the apostle. The reward will be upgraded.]

[You have perfectly completed the Invasion Quest Chapter. 1. The reward will be further upgraded.]

[Your bond with Kim Seo-hyun is established. Although longing is said to be the furthest emotion from understanding, it's also the emotion of wanting to understand someone the most. She will stand by your side rather than behind you, facing your back, to fight the enemy together.]

[Longing Lv 2. Kim Seo-hyun feels the emotion of longing towards you.]

[All rewards have been settled. You have acquired a total of 1,500,000p!]

[Special Stat Struggle increases by 5.]

[Conceptual Stat Energy of Defying Heaven increases by 5.]

[Conceptual Stat Alchemy increases by 5.]

[You have acquired a branch that the darkest apostle crawling in the darkest places had.]

“Quite tremendous.”

The first thing that struck me was the immense amount of points.

Additionally, the amount of increased conceptual stats and obtaining the branch that the apostle was holding were significant.

“An item imbued with the power of death.”

As the level of death increased, the required amount escalated dramatically, making it not an efficient ability.

However, it’s a different story if it was used for mass killing of those at lower levels.

“I should ask the vice-principal for help.”

The vice-principal would help. Since she was currently repairing the principal’s star, I could ask for her help once that’s finished.

“And get some enchantments done while at it.”

I checked my points.

[3,057,057p]

…I had indeed gathered a tremendous amount. It wouldn’t be strange to acquire a proper S-grade talent or skill. Or even to upgrade the rank of the Sword Demon that I had been using until now.

“I should think about this later.”

As we descended to the ground, Kim Ara approached us.

“…What happened?”

She looked as if she had seen something suspicious.

‘She didn’t see it, did she?’

The moment Kim Seo-hyun and I kissed. Maybe she couldn’t see it because I reflexively covered it with the Black Wing.

But I felt guilty. I knew that Kim Ara has feelings for me.

‘It somehow reminds me of a previous life.’

There were a few similar scenes in my past life.

“By the way, where is The Overlord?”

“…Papa is inside the cave.”

Kim Ara said, her expression darkening.

“He sent us outside to fight the opponent called the Witch, so he must still be fighting.”

“It’ll be fine. Since we’ve dealt with the apostle first. If it’s one on one, there’s no way The Overlord could lose.”

“Right?”

Kim Ara looked at me with slightly moist eyes.

Kwaang─!!

An enormous power burst from the cave, creating a massive hole as The Overlord emerged through it.

‘Can’t make a normal entrance, can he.’

The Overlord glanced at the sky for a moment, then turned his eyes to me.

“I’m glad you’re alive.”

“Did you think I would die?”

“No. But I thought you might get hurt, yet you don’t even have a scratch.”

“No matter how infamous the Witch is, she can’t reach my renown.”

The Overlord said and threw something on the ground.

It was a slender arm, burning to ashes. Even a glance could feel the dreadful demonic energy.

“I missed the Witch, but I could get one arm.”

Looking at the arm turning into ashes.

The regeneration of Mines was truly tremendous, restoring even severe injuries and limb loss. However, if The Overlord used his origin power, it’s a different story. It might take a long time to recover.

“At least 10 years.”

That arm would remain unrecovered.

“But did you defeat the apostle?”

“No.”

I wasn’t sure how The Overlord knew to ask, but he did.

I responded with a smirk curling up one side of my mouth.

“It was just that the ritual was unstable, so we sent it back. With me and…”

I was about to mention Kim Seo-hyun, but my face flushed with heat.

And I was flustered. I hadn’t even been this bad during my teenage years.

“Did I suppress it too much?”

I didn’t expect a mere peck to make my face turn this red. Maybe it’s because my body has just returned to a healthy state.

“I did it.”

Kim Seo-hyun stepped in when I couldn’t continue.

“Hmm…”

The Overlord glanced at Kim Seo-hyun and me, then patted my shoulder, whispering so only I could hear.

-Luckily, you’re not impotent. That’s enough for now.

…Who’s calling me impotent, really?

The matter with Kim Ara’s mother turned out to be nothing serious.

She was suffering from a disease and urgently needed a potion, but who was I? The God of Alchemy who ascended to divinity through gathered faith.

“Thank you.”

She bowed respectfully to me, still looking young, expressing her gratitude.

“No, it’s Ara’s parents’ matter, after all. And it’s not like I’m doing this for free.”

“No, my wife is right. It might have been easy for you, but most of the famous ones couldn’t properly cure this disease. Is there anything you want?”

“Something I want?”

I pondered seriously.

If there’s something I wanted, not right now.

Weapons? The Black Heaven sword was enough for now.

Catching the apostle and unlocking new abilities has added the power I was most lacking, and the Guardian’s Armor (S-) not only performed well but also felt like wearing clothes rather than armor, making it hard to give up. I also had the Shield of Spirit Ability in terms of talent.

As for accessories, I wore suitable ones, but I didn’t feel a lack.

“What do I really need?”

The materials for alchemy, which could be considered my main profession, were so abundantly provided by the Emperor that he insisted I take them all, and the materials given by the clergy from the Church of Veritas were all of the highest quality.

Not to mention, the Electronic Witch also contributed to my needs, so there’s hardly anything on Earth I couldn’t get.

Money? I had more than enough.

Since mastering alchemy and securing the Electronic Witch’s license for various projects, I had amassed over a hundred billion won.

“There’s nothing I need.”

“Tsk. I see how much the Emperor spoils you. You’re turning down a legal opportunity to strip me bare.”

The Overlord muttered in disbelief.

I couldn’t help but agree.

“Take it.”

The Overlord tossed something at me. Catching it reflexively, I looked at him in surprise.

“I found it at the site of the human sacrifices. It’s been contaminated by external Qi, but… its essence is quite similar to yours.”

“That makes sense.”

I examined the sheath.

The dark sheath pulsed with a significant amount of Energy of Defying Heaven.

“Cleaning off the contamination will reduce it, but…”

I recalled the apostle’s branch. That, too, was imbued with a potent energy from the apostle.

“Wait. Could this possibly work?”

Suddenly, an idea struck me.

I had a strong feeling it would work. Although it would require a lot, including the vice-principal’s assistance, if successful, it seemed like an interesting item could be created.

But that wasn’t something I could do right now.

“Are you leaving already? You could stay a bit longer.”

“I’ll just take your thoughts for now. I have a lot to do.”

I responded to Kim Ara’s slightly disappointed comment.

After expressing my gratitude and receiving various gifts, I returned to Korea.

And then.

“O Veritas! Please grant me the opportunity to witness the truth!”

It was time to return to my main job.