Chapter 37

# 37

Regression User Manual Chapter 37

We Survived

[Alchemic Introduction by Lamus Tucker - Hero Grade - Alchemist Exclusive]

[Lamus Tucker, a renowned alchemist who was prominent in his era, was known for his expertise in biological and potion alchemy within the Republic's military. However, for some reason, he was purged on a certain day. Although he is dead, the alchemical knowledge he left behind is still passed down.

Alchemic Introduction by Lamus Tucker is one of the most complete and well-crafted books among his research works, containing various alchemical knowledge not found in basic alchemical knowledge.]

[By acquiring this basic alchemical knowledge, you gain unknown Hero-grade alchemical knowledge. Your mana increases by 1, and your intelligence increases by 1.]

‘Hero grade?’

With such an item in front of me, it’s not surprising that I would abandon the black mage parrot.

However, the stats it provides are not that significant.

Just 1 mana and 1 intelligence.

But considering the value of this item being Hero grade, I believe it contains far more knowledge than I can imagine.

As Kim Hyun-sung said, the status window doesn’t lie.

If this book is rated as a Hero-grade item, it must contain knowledge that corresponds to its grade.

“What do you think?”

“...”

The sudden appearance of such an item is a bit surprising.

From his expression, it seems he realized it was a mistake.

As a human, it’s natural for him to make mistakes, but he seems shocked that he fell for Park Deok-gu’s not-so-subtle provocation.

Of course, I admit that the soul’s cry had a strange resonance, but today, Kim Hyun-sung looks a bit cute.

“Where did you get this?”

“It was one of the books in that box. I thought it wasn’t useful, but it seems like good timing...”

“Still, you look more like a black mage...”

“It’s a Hero-grade item. Since I’m not an alchemist, I couldn’t read this book, but it’s likely to exceed expectations. Considering it’s just below the Legendary grade, this is probably the best option. I don’t like the idea of letting such an item go to waste.”

“Still... black mage... Hyun-sung...”

Even in this situation, Park Deok-gu is mumbling about being a black mage.

It’s a ridiculous excuse.

The ring he gave us and the bracelet he gave Park Deok-gu are likely items that can’t be found here.

The sudden appearance of a treasure box is a bit far-fetched.

Even if we assume he obtained it by chance, the presence of such a book here is not very convincing.

‘Is he laying it on thick?’

But looking at Kim Hyun-sung’s face, it seems he’s decided to play along.

I don’t know if he regressed with his inventory or if he’s using a shop that hasn’t been revealed to us, but I think this leather bag contains more items than I can imagine.

If he regressed with his inventory, his mistake is understandable, but if it’s the latter, it means he was lured by Park Deok-gu’s soul cry and bought this item.

It’s a suspicious item.

Thinking it’s pointless to ponder further, I nodded immediately.

“Actually, I was drawn to the black mage, but I think being an alchemist is better.”

Only then did Kim Hyun-sung’s face brighten up.

“You made a good decision.”

“Thank you.”

[You have changed your class to Alchemist. You have acquired basic alchemical knowledge.]

[Checking Player Lee Gi-young’s status window and talent values.]

[Name - Lee Gi-young]

[Title - None. You need to work harder.]

[Age - 25]

[Tendency - Strategic and Decisive]

[Class - Alchemist]

[Class Effect - Acquire basic magical knowledge]

[Attributes]

[Strength - 11 / Growth Limit - Below Average]

[Agility - 11 / Growth Limit - Below Average]

[Stamina - 15 / Growth Limit - Below Average]

[Intelligence - 29 / Growth Limit - Hero and Above]

[Endurance - 12 / Growth Limit - Below Average]

[Luck - 25 / Growth Limit - Hero and Above]

[Mana - 08 / Growth Limit - Below Average]

[Equipment]

[Alchemic Introduction by Lamus Tucker - Hero Grade - Alchemist Exclusive]

[Ring of Mana Shield - Rare Grade]

[Trait - Eye of the Mind]

[Overall Evaluation - You’ve chosen a decent path. I don’t have much to say, but seeing your dedication makes me feel a bit sad. Yes, really. You seem to have an overabundance of items. I hope you have the ability to understand Lamus Tucker’s alchemy. It would be a shame for a Hero-grade item to be wasted like a pearl necklace on a pig.]

My body briefly glowed blue, confirming the class change.

Basic alchemical knowledge flooded my mind instantly.

‘Not bad.’

It’s difficult but not incomprehensible. A satisfied smile formed on my face, and I could sense Kim Hyun-sung’s expression toward me subtly changing.

It seems his internal evaluation of me has improved.

From a competent administrator to a promising alchemist, the change is clear.

‘A pleasant development.’

It means I’ve become more valuable.

“Congratulations, Gi-young.”

“Ugh... It’s a bit disappointing, but if that’s your choice...”

“Congratulations, brother.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it, Deok-gu and Hyeon. I’ll accept the gift, Hyun-sung. I keep receiving things.”

I’m especially grateful to Park Deok-gu.

“No, if you get stronger, our party will get stronger. It’s only natural. I’m glad I can help.”

“I’ll live up to your expectations.”

Of course, now that this has happened, I must live up to his expectations.

Kim Hyun-sung is investing in me, and I need to show results to keep his investment going.

To put it simply, I’m a stock.

Kim Hyun-sung has invested in the stock called Lee Gi-young and is hoping for a price surge.

Even if I bottom out, he won’t abandon me, but a reduction in investment is inevitable.

To keep receiving investments, I need to show continuous growth.

“You don’t have to. Haha. For now, let’s rest here. Since we haven’t found a suitable place to camp, it seems the underground doesn’t have camping spots.”

“Alright. Let’s do that, Deok-gu.”

“Alright, I’ll tidy up the area.”

I nodded.

It was essentially homeless, but tidying up the area was the right thing to do.

A makeshift bed was quickly set up.

Feeling that the long tutorial was almost over, I nodded slightly.

Although the survival quest wasn’t completed, Kim Hyun-sung’s lack of anxiety suggests that the dungeon’s strategy is almost complete.

Whether it’s finding the entrance or dealing with the dungeon’s master, this party will navigate it smoothly.

Turning my head, I saw their figures.

Seeing Jung Hyeon dozing off and Park Deok-gu snoring made me smile.

Despite knowing we needed to sleep for the next day, I couldn’t fall asleep.

Or rather, I couldn’t sleep.

‘Alchemy.’

I needed to organize the new knowledge I had gained.

It’s not something I can use immediately here.

To seriously practice alchemy, I need various equipment.

There’s no catalyst for alchemical magic here.

But I need to study in advance. Organizing basic alchemical knowledge will take time, so I decided not to open Alchemic Introduction by Lamus Tucker for now.

“Can’t sleep?”

“I can’t seem to fall asleep.”

To survive, I need to level up.

Not only training myself but also avoiding complacency.

Basic knowledge of potion synthesis and homunculus, the relationship between alchemical catalysts and mana—none of it is easy.

I could feel Kim Hyun-sung’s gaze, but I ignored it.

I even wished he would look a bit longer.

‘I’m working hard, investor.’

Showing this dedication is beneficial.

I’m more satisfied than Kim Hyun-sung, who nods with a satisfied expression.

By the time I thought a bit of time had passed, it was already morning.

I didn’t sleep at all, but I didn’t regret it.

The party members slowly got up, and they were seen moving again, chatting about various things.

The atmosphere was more relaxed than gloomy.

Kim Hyun-sung occasionally made jokes, and Park Deok-gu laughed as if the dungeon would collapse.

Kim Hyun-sung’s more relaxed demeanor.

Others probably felt the change in his mood.

‘There’s no dungeon boss.’

There probably isn’t.

We were sufficiently alert, but we didn’t have the expression of facing a serious battle.

He seemed a bit relieved and worried about the future, but it felt like the real challenge was just beginning.

‘It’s just the beginning.’

It’s not over.

This is just the start.

The party, centered around Kim Hyun-sung, gradually began to escape this hellish place.

Occasional battles occurred, but they weren’t intense.

After walking for a while, we saw an entrance that looked different from the rest.

“Who knows, maybe a monster will jump out.”

“We’ll prepare for battle before entering.”

“Bro, let me take the lead.”

“Thank you.”

The large door opened, and a familiar voice echoed.

[A rare-grade forced quest has been activated.]

[Rare-grade Quest - Strategy (0/1)]

The door opened, and we looked around, but there were no monsters.

What we saw was a place that looked like a temple.

In the center was a strange magic circle, and on the opposite side was another door.

Park Deok-gu rushed over and tried to open the door, but it didn’t budge.

“The door won’t open.”

“There must be some condition. Escaping this place is the strategy.”

The situation felt different at that moment.

Unlike me, Park Deok-gu, and Jung Hyeon, who were hesitant, Kim Hyun-sung raised his hand as if he was familiar with the situation.

He sent a bit of mana to the magic circle in the center, and it lit up.

Everyone stared at it, looking a bit silly.

“It was mana...”

There was no grand puzzle.

Mana, a medium completely separate from our world, was the answer to the puzzle.

[A rare-grade forced quest has been completed.]

[Rare-grade Quest - Strategy (1/1)]

[Rare-grade Quest - Survival (1/1)]

“Hyun-sung.”

“I know.”

Kim Hyun-sung’s clenched fist showed a sense of accomplishment.

He didn’t show strong emotions, but his face looked genuinely happy.

At first glance, it seemed like he was crying, but it was different.

His shoulders trembled intermittently, but his face radiated a sense of immense achievement.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah.”

The ending in this bizarre place was a beautiful sight.

Light shot up from the ground and filled the high ceiling.

The door on the opposite side slowly opened, confirming that we were finally leaving this wretched place.

Sunlight, different from artificial light, poured in.

‘Sunlight.’

What appeared in my field of vision was not a landscape but people in armor and weapons. A woman who seemed to be in charge quietly approached.

“Congratulations on surviving the tutorial. I am Yang Se-hee, the supervisor of this tutorial dungeon.”

We survived.

It was a moment of realization.