AECS 33

Chapter 33

Lightspeed Rune (1)

The next day.

Early in the morning, Baek Jin-woo arrived at the open training grounds after spinning through the weekday dungeons to warm up.

Hoon-gyo and the other summons were already in place, training diligently.

“First, let’s check the rewards.”

He went through the rewards obtained from floors 2 through 9:

• Floor 2 – Essence of Light × 10
• Floor 3 – Universal Polishing Agent × 10
• Floor 4 – Highest-Grade Rune (Lightspeed) × 1
• Floor 5 – Intermediate Skillbook Selection × 5
• Floor 6 – Highest-Grade Rune Selection (Bound)
• Floor 7 – Highest-Grade Summoning Scroll × 3
• Floor 8 – Highest-Grade Rune Selection (Bound)
• Floor 9 – Universal Polishing Agent × 10

“Phew.”

To sum it up, the haul was pretty good.

Except for the small “junk” – the ten Essence of Light – everything else was solid.

Essence of Light? It’s a rare material. Likely used in some blueprint designs.

“Though I probably can’t use it right now.”

It was uncertain if a relevant blueprint would appear soon. Selling it at the market for a high price was the better option. Very high. Being rare, those in urgent need would pay any price.

“And the jackpot…”

The Floor 4 reward.

The highest-grade Lightspeed Rune!

Lightspeed is an upgraded version of the Swift rune that Lamba currently uses. If equipped correctly, it can push attack speed to the extreme.

[Rune]

• Grade: Low
• Set Effect: Swift
  • Equip 4: Attack Speed +30%
  • Equip 6: Attack Speed +50%

Now, the new Lightspeed Rune:

[Rune]

• Grade: Highest (Rare)
• Limited to 100 worldwide
• Set Effect: Lightspeed
  • Equip 6: Attack Speed +300%
  • If the summon uses a staff: Attack Speed +200% additional

The set effect of the Lightspeed Rune was insane. Just equipping it gave 300% extra attack speed; for Lamba, it would total 500% thanks to using a staff.

“And it’s a rare rune!”

Rare runes only appear in the Trial Tower. While Rune Dwarves can craft them, that’s for later. Rare runes have top-tier stats and reach maximum potential even when upgraded. They are essentially graduation-worthy runes.

Baek Jin-woo checked the stats:

• Level: 1
• Stat Increases:
  • Intelligence +12%, +30
  • Agility +12%, +30

“Wow.”

Perfectly tailored for magic-based attack speed. Ideal stats for Lamba: Intelligence boosts skill effects, Agility boosts attack speed.

“Perfect.”

Rare runes’ stats are fixed; wherever and whenever the Lightspeed Rune is obtained, it always comes with these stats.

If maxed to level 10? Lamba would receive her graduation rune—a rune worthy of her full potential.

“Since it’s like this, let’s graduate Lamba first.”

Baek Jin-woo boldly used the highest-grade rune selections (bound) from floors 6 and 8 in succession:

• [Using Highest-Grade Rune Selection (Bound)!]
• [Player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ has obtained Highest-Grade Rune (Lightspeed)!]
• [Using Highest-Grade Rune Selection (Bound)!]
• [Player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ has obtained Highest-Grade Rune (Lightspeed)!]

Among all runes displayed, he selected the “Lightspeed” rune from the center.

The stats for each rune now read:

[Rune]

• Grade: Highest (Rare)
• Limited to 100 worldwide
• Set Effect: Lightspeed
  • Equip 6: Attack Speed +300%
  • Staff-using summons: +200% extra
• Level: 1
• Stat Increases: Intelligence +12%, +30 / Agility +12%, +30

“I need three more of these.”

For full set effect, he would ask his younger sibling to scour the global market and acquire them with Yu-baek’s capital.

“The Universal Polishing Agent is for later.”

The 10 Universal Polishing Agents from floors 3 and 9 would be used after maxing rune upgrades. They push stats to the absolute maximum regardless of the base stat, and the polishing agents are only for graduation runes. Again, only found in the Trial Tower, so they’re priceless.

“Floor 7’s three highest-grade summoning scrolls…”

Also very valuable now. But they shouldn’t be used or sold, as they will be materials for the future guaranteed summoning scroll (B-grade).

“Keep these too.”

Finally, the leftover rewards:

“Five Intermediate Skillbook Selection from Floor 5.”

Somewhat “junk,” since he had Hoon-gyo already. Still, they weren’t useless.

“First things first.”

Baek Jin-woo organized what to sell and what to acquire, then stood up.

“Hoon-gyo.”

• Yes, my lord!

“You’re training. I’m going to meet my sister for a bit.”

• Understood!

It was time to meet his sister. With the heap of materials from the intermediate weekday dungeons and the Essence of Light to sell, it was essential.

Player Zone.

Baek Ah-jin’s usual offline market spot.

“Eh?”

Baek Jin-woo was surprised. A masked woman had taken her usual spot.

“Why is Yu-ji-a here?”

Yu Ji-a, from Yu-baek, was chatting warmly with Baek Ah-jin, appearing to have become close friends.

“Oh, Jin-woo?”

“Oppa!”

The two women greeted him cheerfully.

“What’s going on?”

They quickly summarized:

“Ah-jin is partnering with Yu-baek too.”

“Yes. As the materials you bring in pile up, I also want to sell professionally in the market—learn marketing, client management… those kinds of things from the pros.”

At the same time, Baek Ah-jin summoned her creatures.

“And we need to let Wool-el hunt too. Until now, we’ve focused on trading, but with Yu-baek’s help, we’ll have time.”

“…Wool-el?”

“Yep! Shadow Wolf and Shadow Elf! That’s their nickname.”

Ah, so that’s what she meant. Not bad. In fact, it was good. Even with management, trading separately with his sister had been a little uncomfortable for Baek Jin-woo.

The important point:

“Is the 20% share still guaranteed?”

“Yes, we’ll coordinate with you, Jin-woo. The original contract needs adjusting, so your 20% for Ah-jin will remain fixed.”

“Fine by me. Do whatever is convenient, just keep Ah-jin’s 20% fixed.”

“Understood. Also, Ah-jin will be promoted to director and hire more staff.”

As expected, Yu-ji-a was meticulous.

“Good.”

Baek Jin-woo smiled; Yu-ji-a exhaled slightly in relief, concerned he might feel uncomfortable.

“First, Ah-jin.”

He handed over a sheet of notes with the materials he brought.

“These are what you need to sell and buy.”

“Oh, there’s stuff to buy too?”

“Yes.”

B-grade guaranteed summoning scroll materials: 10 higher-grade summoning scrolls and 10 World Tree Leaves. And the three highest-grade Lightspeed Runes.

Baek Ah-jin was shocked reading the list:

“Highest-grade Lightspeed Rune…? That’s a rare rune?”

“Yes.”

“Wow… must be expensive. I heard all world-ranking players use rare runes.”

“Price doesn’t matter. We’re partnering with Yu-baek anyway.”

Baek Jin-woo looked at Yu-ji-a, who lit up.

“Finally, you have the runes you need!”

“Yes, whatever the cost… please handle it.”

Rare runes are limited, difficult to obtain, and extremely costly. Yu-ji-a was thrilled.

‘Finally, I can help Jin-woo?’

“Jin-woo!”

“Yes?”

“Use these.”

“These?”

“Yes. Intermediate Skillbook Selections. Teach each of your main summons a skill.”

The good method to protect his family was in these intermediate skills.

“What skill?”

“Desperate Summon.”

“Desperate Summon…?”

“Yes.”

• Desperate Summon: Once per day, forcibly summon the target player.

In Battle of Summoners, it was nearly useless, called trash. But in reality, it was invaluable. With this, you could aid your loved ones in emergencies.

“Teach it and set the player to me.”

One for each parent. Four of the five intermediate skillbooks would be used this way; the remaining one would be kept.

[Player ‘Baek Ah-jin’ sets player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ for skill ‘Desperate Summon’.]
[Do you agree?]
[Y/N]

[Player ‘Yu-ji-a’ sets player ‘Baek Jin-woo’ for skill ‘Desperate Summon’.]
[Do you agree?]
[Y/N]

Of course, both chose Y.

Now only one thing remained:

“I need to get stronger.”

If he became strong enough to never lose to any player worldwide, he could proudly declare himself Baek Jin-woo’s family.

“Alright.”

Let’s go!

The challenge of Trial Tower Floor 10 would be in a month.

That morning, he asked Hoon-gyo how long it would take to defeat the One-Eyed:

• One month! Exactly one month, my lord!

Confident from insight, Hoon-gyo’s estimate was likely accurate.

‘Perfect timing.’

That aligned with the national representative selection Yu-ji-a mentioned. His goal: clear Floor 10 by then.

“Alright, I’ll get going. Time to upgrade the runes.”

After bidding farewell to the two women, Baek Jin-woo headed to the enhancement workshop.

The task ahead:

Upgrade the three Lightspeed Runes to the maximum level and then apply the polishing agents.