AECS 49

Chapter 49

Universal Rune (2)

[Welcome to the Enhancement Chamber!]
[Enhance or refine your runes!]

Baek Jin-woo went straight to the enhancement chamber.
He had amassed a heap of miscellaneous runes from all the spinning he had done so far, ready to be used as materials.

[Do you want to enhance them?]
[Y/N]

Rare runes were already born as “graduation runes.”
No need to wash his hands clean or pray while enhancing.

“Yes.”
Let’s do them all at once!

[Level 2!]
[Strength +12% → Strength +24%]

[Level 3!]
[Intelligence +12% → Intelligence +24%]

[Level 4!]
[Health +12% → Health +24%]

[Level 5!]
[Agility +12% → Agility +24%]

[Level 6!]
[Strength +24% → Strength +36%]

[Level 7!]
[Intelligence +24% → Intelligence +36%]

[Level 8!]
[Health +24% → Health +36%]

[Level 9!]
[Agility +24% → Agility +36%]

[Level Max!]
[Critical Damage +20% → Critical Damage +40%]
[Enhancement has reached its maximum!]

“Ahh…”
A lot of enhancement materials disappeared in a lump, but the stat gains were so satisfying that it didn’t feel wasteful.

[Rune]
[Grade: Supreme (Rare)]

Limited to 100 worldwide.

[Set Effect: Universal]

Equipping 6 increases all stats by 500% and HP by 10,000.
Adds 2 additional stat options.

[Level: Max]
[Stat Increases]
Strength +36%, Intelligence +36%, Health +36%, Agility +36%, Critical Hit Rate +10%, Critical Damage +40%

“Yes, this is it!”

Baek Jin-woo continued enhancing all six of them.

‘No need for polishing agents.’
If he used them, he could theoretically achieve 100% critical rate, but was it necessary?
After all, these were semi-graduation runes.
They weren’t perfect “graduation runes,” and he planned to replace them with better ones later.

“Master, thank you.”

Baek Jin-woo inserted the six enhanced Universal Runes into Hoon-gyo. And then…

[Summon: Training Instructor]
[Species: Human]
[Grade: EX-Class (Quarantine)]

Isolated due to discovered balance-breaking potential.

[Level: 40]
[Stats]
Strength: 315, Intelligence: 315, Health: 315, Agility: 315
HP: 30,000, MP: 5,000
Critical Rate: 80%
Critical Damage: 260%

[Skills]

Growth: Grows through training.
Charisma: Overwhelms other summons.
Instructor: Unlocks potential in other summons and accelerates their growth.

‘Crazy.’

The stat boosts were monstrous.
Originally, Hoon-gyo (Lv. 40) had Strength/Health/Agility/Intelligence all at 20.
Each of the six runes added 36%, totaling 216% from runes alone.

20 × 2.16 = 43.2 → truncated to 43, then adding set effect 500% as multiplicative.
This resulted in the absurd stat of 315.

‘To put it in perspective…’

Average adult strength is about 2.
Professional athlete: around 5.
Beyond that, it’s superhuman.
Roughly: Gorilla ~10, Tiger ~20… anything beyond is up to your imagination.

Even Baek Jin-woo couldn’t grasp how strong 315 really was.
‘Maybe enough to clear up to floor 60 of the Tower of Trials without issue.’
‘Just… insanely strong.’

“Master, should I use it well and then hand it over to Aso?”

“Did you know?”

“Of course. Weren’t you planning to combine three Universal Runes with the Rune Dwarf to make the Trinity Rune? That one’s exclusive to Aso.”

Hoon-gyo had spoiled it.
Baek Jin-woo had planned to explain it later.

“Yeah… I guess I can’t compete with you.”
Indeed.
Hoon-gyo had unlocked the potential of the Rune Dwarf.
The Trinity Rune is unique and far more powerful than the Universal Rune.
It’s strong enough for floor 100 of the Tower of Trials.

That was why Baek Jin-woo insisted on having 18 Universal Runes.

“I’m fine. The rune I want for myself is different.”

“I know. The Teacher Rune, right?”

“Yes, master.”

The Teacher Rune is also rare.
It specializes in teaching others.

“I derive joy and pleasure from training someone and seeing them improve. Universal Runes are fine, but the one that suits me best is the Teacher Rune.”

Baek Jin-woo understood.
Hoon-gyo was saying this for himself.
Summons are sentient; of course, they have preferences.

‘Someday…’
He could make another one.
There were 100 Universal Runes in total.
If needed, more could be made, or the Rune Dwarf could produce them.
Theoretically, even two or three more Trinity Runes could be created.

“Then I’ll continue training!”

Thanks to the rune effects, Hoon-gyo left with lighter steps.
Baek Jin-woo nodded in satisfaction.

Then, a message arrived from Jasim.
If Baek Jin-woo could save his beloved daughter, he would not only give him five Universal Runes but also better gifts.
He could come anytime without concern.

“Jin-woo.”
Yoo Ji-ah came to deliver the message.

“They said it’s Dubai. They sent a private jet and a pilot, so you can travel comfortably.”

Wow.
As expected of a Middle Eastern rich man.
He even sent a plane for him.

Baek Jin-woo felt the underlying emotion in this act.
‘Desperation.’
That much desire to save his daughter.

“So far, countless people have tried. But none of them succeeded in curing his daughter’s illness.”

“I see. Then should I go alone?”

“No.” Yoo Ji-ah shook her head.
“Jin-woo, can you speak Arabic?”

“No, of course not. Not even English.”

“So you have to go with me.”

“…Ji-ah, can you speak Arabic?”

“Yes. I can speak a little of most languages.”

“Oh.”

That’s impressive.
Most people brag about speaking a few languages, but she knew a little of nearly all.
Genius, really.

‘At least that’s reassuring.’
Automatic translation works in Battle of Summoners, but real life would be different.

“Then let’s go together. Let me know when we depart. We’ll return quickly.”

Thud-thud-thud!
The private jet took off.
Baek Jin-woo and Yoo Ji-ah headed toward Dubai.

During the flight, in case anything happened, Lamba stacked Hoon-gyo with sufficient buffs.
Also, Dol-dol was nearby in stealth mode, already buffed.

For reference, a summon’s default summon time is five hours.
If recalled and resummoned, stacks must be reapplied.

“Hingoo!”
Lamba had a hard time because of this.

“When we get to Korea, I’ll fill the fridge with cream buns for you, so hang in there.”

“Okaaaay…”

From the moment they arrived in Dubai until returning to Korea, their guard could not be lowered.
Security wasn’t perfect anywhere.

Time passed.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
They soon landed in Dubai.
Not at an airport, but on a runway attached to a private residence.

‘Incredible.’
A house with its own runway.
First time seeing this.

A white-clad, turbaned, bearded man greeted Baek Jin-woo.

“You must be the famous player from Korea, Baek Jin-woo. It’s an honor to meet you!”

“Eh?”
His Korean was fluent.

“Haha, I expected that reaction. See the bird on my shoulder? It’s a limited B-class translator bird. It turns the area into a translation zone. Speak comfortably; it will automatically translate to me.”

“…Oh.”
So, Ji-ah’s presence wasn’t strictly necessary.

Glancing at her, Yoo Ji-ah looked stunned, staring at the bird.

‘Makes sense.’
All that language study, and then a bird does it all? I’d feel the same.

“You must be Jasim. I’m Baek Jin-woo.”

“I heard you might know my daughter’s illness. And if you succeed in curing her, you requested the highest grade Universal Rune, right?”

Jasim didn’t waste time.
He was desperate.
Which was good.

“Yes. I’m not certain. I just want to see.”

“…It doesn’t have to be certain. If there’s even a chance… please try your best.”

He looked young, but the love for his daughter was immense.

“Then, shall we take a look at your daughter?”

Jasim led them to a magnificent room.

A young girl, pale, lay on a pink French-style bed.
She looked about 13 or 14.

“Jasim.”

“Yes.”

“Could you step out for a moment?”

To diagnose her, Baek Jin-woo needed to converse with Hoon-gyo.
Jasim’s presence would be uncomfortable.

“….”

Seeing his hesitation, Baek Jin-woo offered a deal.
“We can create a system contract guaranteeing no threat to your daughter if you prefer.”

After a brief pause, Jasim bowed and stepped back.
“No. Once we trust, we must trust fully.”

In truth, he had already investigated Baek Jin-woo.
A national hero of Korea!
Possibly the world-renowned ‘JinuGod.’
He wouldn’t harm or threaten his daughter.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

With Jasim out, Baek Jin-woo summoned Hoon-gyo.

“Hoon-gyo.”

“Yes, master.”

“Take a look. She doesn’t seem well.”

“Huuu… kkuuu…”

Her rapid breathing left her drenched in cold sweat.
Her body felt cold, and her complexion was poor.

Hoon-gyo stepped closer and felt her pulse on her arm.

‘As expected.’

Closing his eyes, Hoon-gyo nodded.

‘Jue-Maek Syndrome.’
A congenital disease, one of the most notorious incurable illnesses in martial arts.

‘Even worse, Nine-Yin Vein Block.’

The Yin energy was so strong that nine major meridians were blocked.
Qi couldn’t flow, and she would waste away and die young.

There’s no conventional cure, but… one method exists.

‘Powerful Yang Energy.’

“Do you know what the illness is?”

“Yes, master.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Nine-Yin Vein Block.”

“…Nine-Yin Vein Block?”

“Can it be treated?”

“Please wait a moment. I’m thinking.”

Hoon-gyo’s mind unfolded a vast knowledge base.
Sifting through it, even he was surprised.

‘EX-Class.’

Was it due to the rank upgrade?
Or the recently learned skill, Instructor?

Included was knowledge of S-Class summons and the martial arts divine doctor, Hua Tuo.
Technically, Hoon-gyo could train Hua Tuo, not perform the skills, but this knowledge alone suggested a treatment for the Nine-Yin Vein Block.