Chapter 81

# 81

User Manual for the Reincarnated 081

Third Job (7)

"......"

"If you could just give me a chance to sit down, it would be, really, great. I didn't really wish for something like this, but since you asked me to speak my mind..."

It was clear that she really did mean it.

Honestly, I didn't particularly want to get involved in their love affairs, but the idea of gaining such a capable assistant with just a few words was a very appealing proposition.

However, it was natural to want to hear the reason. It was pure curiosity, not concern for Park Deokgu.

"Since when..."

"It's not really for any specific reason, but... I just can't forget Mr. Park Deokgu's appearance... It's been stuck in my memory..."

Perhaps it's due to the traits she possesses.

"I once ran into him at a restaurant... The way he looked at me, seemingly indifferent... It strangely... stuck in my mind..."

'He's a real femme fatale.'

I was a bit taken aback by the unexpected nature of her traits. But then again, she had mentioned that she preferred big, warm people, so it's understandable that she would be drawn to Park Deokgu. Still, I couldn't believe that she would be swayed by just a glance.

Objectively, Hwang Jeongyeon is considered a beauty. Her calm and composed demeanor gives off the impression of a virtuous and devoted wife.

Her hair, tied to one side and draped over her shoulder, and her appearance that suits a gentle smile, contribute to this image. While I don't mean to belittle Dukgu, she feels like a different species altogether.

It took only about 10 seconds to win over a woman with a 90 intelligence stat.

This was a stark contrast to the days I wasted trying to bring Jung Hyeon to my side.

Though a bit taken aback, accepting her request was the obvious choice.

"Creating a seat for you is not a problem."

"Ah... And if you could, maybe find someone really good... or someone trustworthy... someone who would be a good match... just a little help in that direction..."

"......"

"I'll do my best to assist you. I'll make sure not to interfere with your research."

"Yes. I'll include that option. In return, you'll have a lot of work to do."

"Thank you."

With just a few words, I gained a very capable assistant.

Whether they become a couple or not is not really my concern, but I thought the probability might be a bit higher.

If I were to give a good evaluation of her, it would count as a point in her favor with Dukgu, who trusts me completely.

Thinking about it this way, this peculiar transaction felt rational.

At the very least, it wouldn't have a negative impact on me.

In fact, it would be even better, as it would allow me to focus solely on my research.

"Let's get started, Doctor."

"Let's do it, Assistant."

Thus, I was able to begin my serious research with an unexpected collaborator.

A little time passed.

"Have you found anything yet?"

"Not yet. But it's not like there's nothing at all."

Our goal is to reestablish the results of Jung Hyeon's research.

We're not trying to create a new theory or revolutionize anything.

The most important things are the increase in stats and the job change.

In the early stages of research, it was easy to increase stats, but as we progressed, the speed slowed down significantly.

The efficiency of the catalyst-based method of increasing stats, which worked well before, began to decrease.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's not that I've delved into any specific knowledge. It's just about what Hwang Jeongyeon saw before. As I mentioned earlier, my main focus is on alchemy, specifically on whether it's possible to compress and maintain the magic in the catalyst, and whether genetic information can be utilized. That's about it."

"Ah, I see."

"The structure and design of the spells are starting to become visible. It's not particularly useful information for this, but I understand why Jeongyeon called Hyeon a genius."

When I couldn't understand, things that seemed impossible started to make sense one by one.

I began to understand why Jung Hyeon was called a genius, why the magic on me was so remarkable that it could be written into a paper, and why the magic stored in the catalyst had the potential to create a whole new school of thought.

'Unique.'

The way she arranges magic power, the order and method of building the magic tower, are very sophisticated.

Unlike Hwang Jeongyeon, whose intelligence is focused on developing memory, Jung Hyeon's intelligence is undoubtedly developed in the direction of handling magic, and it continues to develop.

Just by looking closely at a completed spell, you can feel this.

'Genius.'

I could understand once again why Kim Hyunseong was obsessed with Jung Hyeon.

Of course, the research continued.

When we hit a roadblock, sleepless nights became frequent, and skipping meals became common.

Hwang Jeongyeon, who was helping with my experiments, was no different. While she didn't have much to do, her presence was invaluable for explaining the magical aspects I found difficult.

[Your intelligence has increased by 1.]

[Your intelligence has increased by 1.]

The alarm, though small, was a pleasant sound as it indicated a slow but steady increase.

When my intelligence stat broke into the 50s, I began to understand the mechanism of increasing intelligence.

The first was the acquisition and understanding of new knowledge.

The second was deep thinking.

Imagining, experimenting, reestablishing theories, and reading books—all these processes helped increase intelligence.

Just as Park Deokgu increased his strength through weight training, I fattened my brain by cramming in knowledge.

"I'll clean the room a bit, Kiyoung."

"Yes, please do. Don't clean around me, though. I still have unorganized materials."

"Of course. How about getting some sleep?"

"No, it would break my flow."

Naturally, the room became very messy.

My organized materials and theoretical books started to pile up, and the space to move around became limited.

The arrangement of all the materials centered around the bed was quite an interesting scene, but studying wasn't fun.

'Boring.'

It was definitely boring.

Continuously knocking on the door, but feeling like it would never open, was stressful.

But it was only natural to grit my teeth and keep going.

At this moment, the party members who went out with Kim Hyunseong were probably developing.

If you fall behind, you're left behind.

It doesn't mean that Kim Hyunseong would abandon me. If I can't keep up with the party's level, it's only natural that I can't go with them.

I didn't want to end up as a simple potion factory.

I had to stay attached to the bed, no matter what.

"Kiyoung, how do you unfold magic into a magic array?"

"Ah. Everyone has a different way of casting spells, but I cast them by building a tower. In Hyeon's case, it's more like making a precise clock—like taking all the parts out and arranging them in one place."

"I see what you mean."

"Actually, it's more complex than just unfolding my magic. The hardest part seems to be aligning the genetic information values."

"Just interpreting the spell is already difficult... Converting it into a magic array must be stressful."

"Yes, but it's a simple task... It just takes time."

I had drawn the circle, and there was definitely progress.

There were results, but I was getting impatient.

A month passed, but fortunately, Kim Hyunseong's party hadn't returned yet.

'They must be suffering.'

They definitely are.

The consumables they took were probably useless or insufficient, and the atmosphere when they left was a mess.

Jung Hyeon would spend every night in tears, and Kim Yeri, without Kim Hyunseong's orders, would shoot arrows in the wrong direction.

Perhaps Park Deokgu had reverted to being a coward.

Seon Hee-young would probably move normally, but she would find it burdensome to lead the party, making the whole party feel lost.

Thinking that I wasn't the only one suffering made me feel a bit better.

And a little more time passed.

It was a short period, but by this time, I had mostly understood Jung Hyeon's magic, and my intelligence stat was approaching 60.

Personally, it was a very satisfying achievement.

"There are results."

"Yes. The intelligence stat has actually increased. We've almost reached the target value."

"Ah, congratulations. How about taking a break today?"

"No, I think it's best to finish up before resting."

Since I wasn't the only one fighting, it was only natural that I couldn't take a break.

When I started living without distinguishing between day and night, I could ask myself more fundamental questions.

Not about the hidden truths in magic, but about the job change I aimed for.

How did Jung Hyeon advance to the next level without gaining experience?

I already knew the answer.

'I understand.'

Jung Hyeon obtained her job without ever going hunting.

I didn't ask her how she did it, but it was probably because she had a revelation about magic.

She understood and applied this field of study.

In other words, she reached a small truth.

I was the same.

'I need to understand.'

Besides analyzing, describing, and organizing data, I needed to understand everything I was imagining in my head.

This path is right, and this direction is right.

After that, I remember constantly asking myself questions.

I started to focus more on 'why' rather than 'how.'

I reached out for the unseen truth rather than the visible results.

I imagined, experimented, and tried to find the reasons for my failures. The experiments weren't difficult, as I had a very capable assistant by my side.

"You've lost some weight."

"But I don't feel bad."

It wasn't a grand revelation or a breakthrough.

I was just fixated on 'why.'

I didn't want a grand answer.

A small piece was enough.

The changes in genetic traits, the information values, the impact of magic on an individual, whether a transformed individual by magic is complete or incomplete.

I didn't stop experimenting with the tangled DNA, the viruses that were fatal to certain monsters, and why certain genes couldn't accept certain viruses.

I didn't fully understand any of the small pieces—magic arrays, magic, genetics, information—but one thing was clear.

I was developing.

"What about this time?"

"Please use the catalysts from the Garden of Fear."

It wasn't something grand.

I was never a studious person, and I wasn't particularly smart.

In fact, I wasn't a scientist, and I didn't know much about genetics.

But at this point, the process of finding answers was enjoyable.

"You seem to be enjoying it."

"Not really."

[Your intelligence has increased by 1.]

"It's fun, isn't it? I felt the same way."

"No, to be honest, it's boring."

[Your intelligence has increased by 1.]

"Liar."

[Your intelligence has increased by 1.]

And when I finally grasped a small piece that seemed invisible.

I was able to develop a little more.

[You have discovered a new job.]

With a result that I could be satisfied with.

"Phew."