Honestly, at this point, Jung Ha-Yan’s criminal act and finding out what she took wasn’t important. Of course I thought that things could worsen if I left it alone, then it would be best to make her stop. But since she was far away right now, there wasn’t anything I could do. This was the result she showed despite the fact that she was still growing. If Jung Ha-Yan did become an archmage that could influence the continent just like Kim Hyun-Sung imagined, then things that I could never imagine could happen. The small peeping hole could expand into the entire wall and this bed may become an artifact that could put a strong curse on other people. Moreover, Jung Ha-Yan may even develop a brand-new eavesdropping or video recording spell.
‘A spell that has to do with the mind?’
It could be a mind-control spell that could control my mind little by little or she may even use my tooth as a catalyst and create a powerful spell where I was the only one that was being seduced. To make things worse, she could even make herself invisible and follow me all the time. Of course, Jung Ha-Yan didn’t like hurting me in any way and considering how she was maintaining her innocent supporter title, it was less likely that she would do something like that. However, after recalling how she severed Park Hye-Young’s limbs, I was starting to become convinced of the ‘less likely to happen’ situation.
If I wasn’t careful…
‘I could get fucked.’
The moment I act out of place, she might just take me out. I had to be careful regardless of whether Jung Ha-Yan was here or not. Even though Hwang Jung-Yeon was a talented mage, there could still be some kind of active device that she hadn’t noticed.
I did have insurance, but I had no other choice but to act carefully.
Now was the time for me to focus on one thing.
“You’re amazing,” Hwang Jung-Yeon said.
“Excuse me?” I asked.
“I never thought that you would use the entire second floor as a workshop,” she answered.
“Ohhh.”
I also thought that the huge space was kind of cool and as a mage, I was sure that this space felt like a dream to her. While the other guild members were gone, I connected my room to the alchemy workshop, so there was even more space for me to do my work. Rather than being surprised about how I was using the floor as a laboratory, the latest equipment must have been the ones that caught her attention.
‘Since I benefited a lot from the Black Swan Guild too.’
I could understand why she looked so mesmerized. After all, even though she was an experienced adventurer, there should still be a lot of equipment in this place that was worthy of her astonishment.
“I just connected my workshop and my room. Walking back and forth was a bit uncomfortable… the best textbooks to study were already here, so there’s no need for me to waste time,” I explained.
“No, I’m talking about the equipment you have out here because they’re amazing,” she explained.
“I received all of them as gifts… by the way, does the second party have nothing else to do?” I asked.
“We’re taking a break right now. Am I getting in your way?” she asked.
“That’s not it. I’m just thankful that you helped me with all sorts of things,” I answered.
“Well, I was free anyway… and as a mage, I was curious as well. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to write a thesis about Miss Ha-Yan’s magic or your alchemy results to try and get additional benefits,” Hwang Jung-Yeon explained.
“Yes, I know,” I told her.
When I used Mind’s Eye to look at her stats, I noticed a variety of information.
I saw it once before, but I wanted to remember the details.
[Checking Player Hwang Jung-Yeon’s Status Window and Stats.]
[Name - Hwang Jung-Yeon]
[Title - Soap Opera Lover]
[Age - 34]
[Nature - Boisterous Optimist]
[Job - Magic Scholar - Epic Rank]
[Job Effect - Acquired basic magic knowledge]
[Job Effect - Acquired basic demonic magic knowledge]
[Job Effect - Acquired intermediate magic knowledge]
[Job Effect - Acquired intermediate black magic knowledge]
[Stats]
[Strength - 30/Above rare growth limit]
[Agility - 40/Above rare growth limit]
[Stamina - 32/Below rare growth limit]
[Intelligence - 90/Above epic growth limit]
[Endurance - 32/Below rare growth limit]
[Luck - 54/Above rare growth limit]
[Magic - 80/Below epic growth limit]
[Attribute - Sensitive Body - Rare Rank]
[Attribute - Initial Memory - Rare Rank]
[Overall Review - Player Hwang Jung-Yeon’s magic growth has almost stopped. It’s not an exaggeration to say that her path to becoming a high-ranking mage is pretty much over, but it seems like she’s using her high Intelligence stat to hide her weakness. I guess you can consider this as a case where she was able to rise up to a high-ranking position because her attributes and job were matching. If her magic stat was above epic instead of below epic, the situation would have been different. You can say that she’s similar to you, but don’t think of her as your comrade. Unlike her who’s in a bit of an unfortunate situation, your magic stat is pretty much useless.]
‘Bastard.’
I definitely didn’t like the overall review, but I really liked her stats and growth. There was no point in comparing myself to her, but she was a mage that relied on her intelligence more than her magic stats. When she saw that her magic stat was growing ever so slightly, she must have thought of different ways to carve out her own path.
On top of the spells that Jung Ha-Yan used, Hwang Jung-Yeon was also akin to that of a large textbook.
‘Her attributes are okay too.’
Even though her sensitive body caught my attention, it didn’t have any sexual meaning. She was the type to receive a lot of influence from magic and the atmosphere around her, but her initial memory attribute caught my attention the most.
[Attribute - Initial Memory - Rare Rank]
[Provides near-perfect initial memory.]
Since it was rare, it must be imperfect, but under the circumstance that the rank could be increased, then that ability could be more effective than my Mind’s Eye skill.
‘For example, having a perfect memory...’
It wasn’t impossible at all.
When I slightly turned my head, I heard her voice. “Do you mind if I read it?”
“Which one?” I asked.
“The books that you have organized,” she answered.
“Of course. I actually wanted to get your opinion,” I said.
“Nonsense, it wasn’t even actual advice. All I told you was nothing more than my personal opinion. You’re the actual expert in this field. I’m unfamiliar with this knowledge… so it’s a difficult topic for me as well,” she said.
“Even with the knowledge of a high-ranking mage?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Hm…”
“Oh, now that I think about it. Mr. Ki-Young, it seems like you don’t know the details about intelligence since you’re busy researching the stats,” she said.
“Yes, that’s right,” I told her.
“Hm, do you have any questions about the intelligence stat?” Hwang Jung-Yeon asked.
Of course, I had questions.
“Yes. Unlike strength, stamina, and magic which can be measured with numbers. Luck and intelligence stats are difficult to measure. Even though my intelligence stat is increasing, it’s difficult to feel what exactly has changed. I’m certain that my understanding of alchemy has increased, but…” I explained.
“You already know a lot,” she commented.
“But other than that, it’s difficult to tell which part of me changed,” I told her.
“I’m not sure either, but I’m sure what you’re thinking is correct, Mr. Ki-Young. You don’t become a genius just because your intelligence increases. This means that there’s no significant change in your basic way of thinking since the knowledge you never possessed won’t suddenly appear,” she explained.
“It’s unclear as to why the stat even exists. Does that apply to people whose intelligence stats are in the 70s and 80s?” I asked.
“Yes and to be blunt, it’s possible that a person whose intelligence stat is in the 90s may not even know the multiplication table,” she answered.
“That’s a bit too harsh,” I commented.
“Yes, it’s a very rare situation, but it just means that the intelligence stat has nothing to do with the knowledge that the person possesses,” she explained.
“Are you saying that the magic that a job has or the increase in my knowledge about alchemy is all there is to it?” I asked her.
If that really were the case, then it simply meant that my stats were weak. Of course, they weren’t completely useless, but when comparing it to my other stats, I could only sigh.
“Of course, that’s not the only thing,” she answered.
“Hm.”
“Even though it doesn’t involve the intelligence that an individual has, I’m sure it helps in some way. When the stat goes over 80, you can definitely feel its influence a little bit,” she said.
I could feel what she was about to say.
“Most people whose intelligence stats are over 90 tend to develop one side of their brain. The mages around me and the talented people in Lindel whose intelligence stats are over 90 tend to have abilities that are considered extraordinary. There are people who tend to become calculative and there are others whose thinking skills become advanced,” Hwang Jung-Yeon explained.
“Sigh.”
“There are also people whose creativity or understanding skills have become noticeably different. For me, my memory has improved so much that it can’t be compared to before,” she said.
“I see,” I nodded.
“Since I was young, I did hear from others that I had a good memory, but the moment my intelligence reached 90, I felt like my brain improved so much that I just couldn’t understand it. Of course, there weren’t any big changes in my other stats. It’s nothing more than a simple assumption among us, but we believe that the effect maximizes the efficiency of the developed part of the brain,” she said.
“That’s… a very interesting theory,” I commented.
“Right? Out of the attributes that I possess, I obtained the initial memory attribute the moment my intelligence went over 90 and the others experienced something similar. I think you’ll obtain something like that as well, Mr. Ki-Young. Since you’re skilled in romance, you may develop skills in romance… hehehe,” she said, jokingly.
“I’d rather not have that,” I told her.
As someone that felt hopeless, it was very good news. I thought that there was something behind the intelligence stat, but I never thought that it had the ability to affect the developed part of the brain. If what Hwang Jung-Yeon said was right, I was capable of reaching 90 points for my intelligence stat which meant that one part of my brain would be developed.
‘I wonder what it’ll be.’
I was sure that it would be different for everyone since Hwang Jung-Yeon obtained the initial memory attribute the moment her intelligence went over 90 and after hearing that she had a good memory.
I tried to recall what people told me since I was young, but I eventually had to shake my head.
‘He’s really good at playing petty tricks.’
‘Huh, you’re pretty fierce for a kid.’
These were the things I heard. I wasn’t sure if having the ability to play petty tricks would be part of my growth, but if I obtained something similar to that after going over 90, then I would be disappointed. Considering the future, it would be best to test out the different possibilities, no, that could actually be better.
If I obtained a developed attribute for romance just like Hwang Jung-Yeon joked about, that would be the worst.
‘How in the world would I use that?’
“Do talented players with intelligence stat over 90 all receive an attribute?” I asked.
“That’s not the case, but excluding the attribute that the person possesses, it’s no different from obtaining another one. It’s just not explained in the system,” she answered.
“Thank you for all the information,” I said.
“It’s nothing. You were going to find out about them eventually, so knowing about it this early won’t change anything. But I do want to mention that people with high intelligence would find it hard to comprehend a knowledge they’re unfamiliar with. Hehehe. More than that, I feel like we’ve made some progress,” she said.
“I’m just taking baby steps. Even though the purpose isn’t to understand magic itself, I can’t help but keep thinking about it,” I told her.
“Since you have already started, consider it half-done. If there’s anything else I can help you with, please let me know,” she offered.
“I won’t decline then,” I responded.
There was no reason for me to decline, but I knew better than anyone that people were kind for a reason.
“I can’t consider this as returning the favor, but if there’s anything I can help you with, please let me know anytime,” I returned her words back to her.
“Well, I didn’t offer because I wanted something in return…” she tried to explain.
“You don’t have to decline,” I said.
“I-In that case…”
“Okay!”
Hwang Jung-Yeon immediately accepted.
‘As expected.’
Even though we were part of the same guild, she explained so many things and helped me a lot for it to be considered a simple kindness. The setup began as if we met by chance, but she did have some kind of goal from the start. When I felt that she was going to ask for a favor that I wouldn’t be able to help her with, I tapped on the table and that was when I heard Hwang Jung-Yeon’s voice.
“Well…”
“What is it?” I asked.
“After everything is over, can you introduce me to Park Deok-Gu?”
I guess I wasn’t imagining it when I felt like she would ask me for a favor that I wouldn’t be able to handle.
‘Was that guy really a love doctor?’
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