Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

– What? Hunter Cha Taeyang, that’s—mmph!

– Unni, shh! I told you it’s a secret!

My eyes blinked rapidly as Cha Taeyang’s hand covered my mouth.

What did I just hear? Cha Taeyang seemed completely oblivious to the bombshell she had just dropped.

‘This isn’t even a main quest, yet the story of this floor is changing.’

Ever since obtaining the Hidden Piece, my common sense has been continually shattered, but this was something I never expected.

Only main quests were supposed to be able to affect an entire floor. Yet now, an NPC had appeared who was going against the narrative created by the main quest.

– She said she’s just waiting for the seeds she’s planted to sprout.

Listening closely, it seems Metea had made a deal with the central authority to keep the overly influential Shipowners’ Association in check. Whether Metea succeeds or not, I had a strong feeling that this event would have a significant impact on this floor.

And that’s why it was even more surprising.

– You two. What are you whispering about?

Before I could gather my confused thoughts, we arrived at Badadkkot. The Sea Spirit urged us to disembark quickly.

I’ll have to think more about this suspicious floor later.

‘There are more urgent matters at hand right now.’

As soon as we arrived at Badadkkot, a strategy meeting began. But even after putting our heads together for a while, we couldn’t come up with a suitable plan.

– It might be slightly better to try purifying the pearl…

– I think so too!

Akis, who had been missing for a while, suddenly appeared wearing glasses from who knows where, nodding in agreement. He was clutching a hardcover book under his arm.

With a triumphant expression, Akis opened the book.

Fwip-fwip!

The pages of the book were projected into the air.

– When something is invaded by a power that contradicts its essence, Tarin, the master of mana studies, called this phenomenon ‘pollution.’ There are two ways to resolve a polluted state.

– …Purification items.

– That’s right! Using purification items that restore the original flow of mana is the first method. It’s a relatively common and gentle approach.

– What’s the second meth—

– Unni, unni!

Cha Taeyang, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, tugged at my arm. In her hand was an object I never expected to see.

– Didn’t they say purification item? Couldn’t we use this?

Am I seeing things?

Even as I took the disc, I was dumbfounded.

– Spring of Reversal? Wasn’t it destroyed?

– You seemed out of it, so I grabbed it. Was it wrong to bring it?

The Spring of Reversal, the item we used to purify the liquid in the coffin.

‘Why is this item here when I thought it had been destroyed long ago?’

The disc in Cha Taeyang’s hand was crumbling from the edges, but it undeniably existed.

I checked the item information.

[Spring of Reversal (A)

“And at last, spring arrived, cutting through the long wait.”

: A purification item made by an excellent craftsman.

: Shows exceptional effect on all kinds of curses and pollution.

※ The item has lost its original form due to excessive interference. It will be destroyed after fulfilling its purpose.]

– Destroyed after fulfilling its purpose. After fulfilling its purpose…

I read the last line repeatedly. The fact that it hadn’t disappeared yet meant it still had a purpose to fulfill?

Seeing my grave expression, the others focused their attention on the disc.

– It seems to be a well-crafted item. Did you make this, Player?

– I didn’t make it alone. Kalia helped me.

– Kalia… Do you mean the Sage?

– Yes. I received her help.

At my words, an excited Akis began swimming circles around me. Before Yun Su-ho could pry him away, Galatea stopped Akis.

With slumped shoulders, Akis tentatively asked.

– May I take a look?

– Of course.

– Hunter Yun Gaho, what kind of item is that?

Han Cha-hyun, who had only heard a brief explanation from Cha Taeyang, inquired about the Spring of Reversal.

While Akis examined the disc, I explained to Han Cha-hyun and Yun Su-ho about what had happened in the basement.

– It certainly seems worth a try.

– Can we really trust this NPC called Kalia?

– She’s far more trustworthy than you.

Hearing my response, Yun Su-ho’s face contorted. Suddenly, Akis thrust the disc towards us. Reflexively, I caught the disc as bluish-purple powder fell from it in specks.

– The item’s condition is too unstable. It might be difficult to purify the pollution with just this. Especially given how severe the pollution is…

– Eh, really? That’s a shame, after I went through the trouble of bringing it.

– Well, I more or less expected this.

This is pollution of a pearl estimated to be at least S-rank. If it could be resolved this easily, it wouldn’t be the World Tower.

While comforting a disappointed Cha Taeyang, I asked Akis about the second method.

– The second method is, simply put, like a battle of strength.

– What do you mean by a battle of strength?

– It’s about injecting more power than what’s already there to seize control!

The logic made sense.

Pollution is essentially a phenomenon that occurs when mana of an opposing attribute becomes excessively abundant compared to the original. In other words, it’s a problem that resolves itself once the original balance is restored.

‘Easier said than done…’

– This is power accumulated over decades. Unless we have an item that can match it, it won’t be easy.

– That’s true. It’s not just any power, but Helium’s mana.

– Are there no other sacred objects of Media besides the pearl?

– Well, Kalia…

– She used them all to create the protection formula.

The Sea Spirit answered on behalf of Akis, who couldn’t bring himself to respond.

Kalia… No wonder the circuit scale was so impressive. Not only did she steal a god’s mana, but she also used sacred objects as materials.

She was an artisan who was surprising in many ways.

‘Thanks to her, we’re in quite a predicament today.’

Han Cha-hyun tried to lift the sinking mood.

– It’s not like it’s going to explode right away, so let’s think about it a bit more.

Right, we have plenty of time, so let’s not rush and think it through some more. If we really can’t find a way, we can wait until Kalia wakes up, can’t we?

– Then I’ll go to the library…

– Where do you think you’re going?

– None of your business.

The Sea Spirit, who had been standing a bit apart, stopped in front of me as I was bickering with Yun Su-ho. He looked somewhat resolute.

Does he have something to say?

– Gaho, use me.

– Astrona!

– This is all I can offer you now.

Galatea clung to Astrona’s body. The Sea Spirit removed Galatea’s arm and transformed into human form.

[‘Great Ocean’s Astrona’s’ true name is revealed.]

[Special Item, ‘Spear that Splits the Sun, Astrona (?)’]

– I am Astrona of the Great Ocean. The oldest spear that realizes Media’s will.

– Special… item?

The Sea Spirit smiled slightly and placed my hand on his arm.

– I entrust everything to you. Just do your best.

A flash of light erupted.

The spirit with his wavy hair disappeared into sea foam, and a trident appeared. The spear, blue and transparent as if made from water, emitted a faint warmth.

I stared at the spear in my hand with a bewildered expression. It looked too delicate to be considered a weapon. Although it was enormous, easily surpassing my height, it felt as light as a speck of dust.

The blue jewel decorations hanging like curtains swayed with the trembling of my hand, and the three spear tips, elegantly curved like deer antlers, gleamed with iridescent light.

– This is… the Sea Spirit?

Everyone blinked silently, not having expected this situation.

Galatea broke the brief silence.

– Long, long ago, when Medina sealed Helium, Astrona fought by her side. And now, he protects Badadkkot in Medina’s stead.

– Galatein, you talk too much.

Galatea continued his explanation, undeterred by the telepathic message emanating from the spear.

– The fact that Astrona is Media’s oldest will and spear was a secret passed down only to the leaders of Badadkkot.

– Is it okay to reveal such things…

– You have proven your loyalty. I merely responded to that.

– You could have at least told the children to leave.

One of the children swimming gracefully raised their index finger. As if on cue, the other children followed suit, making shushing sounds with their fingers to their lips.

– I wonder who they take after, being so willful.

Galatea sighed and shook his head as if resigned. Then he bowed to me, who was standing there fidgeting with the spear in hand.

– When Astrona decides to do this, there’s no stopping him. I leave him in your care, Player.

Just as I was about to respond, Akis, who had been standing behind me, suddenly lunged forward and clung to the spear. Embracing the shaft with his whole body, Akis cried out.

– Absolutely, absolutely not!

– Akina.

– You can’t fool my eyes, if no one else’s. Astrona, you’re on the verge of shattering right now, aren’t you?!

Tears welled up in his blue eyes.

The Sea Spirit made a troubled sound but couldn’t deny Akis’s words.

– Foolish spirit! Stupid spirit! Astrona, you’re an idiot!

Berben, who had been silently standing at a distance, approached and gripped Akis’s shoulder.

– Stop crying and explain properly. What do you mean, on the verge of shattering?

– Sniff, who do you think is responsible for Badadkkot remaining intact like this? Astrona protected Badadkkot all alone, without the pearl or anyone to help. And then he even overexerted himself last night! How could his body possibly hold up?

– Akina, dry your tears. You’ll catch a fever at this rate.

– Worry about yourself instead of me!

I thought his expression seemed resolute, but I didn’t realize he was prepared for annihilation.

Me, awkwardly holding Astrona; Akis, clinging to the spear and sobbing; Berben and Galatea comforting the children. A solemn commotion arose.

– Let’s look for another way.

– There’s no need for that.

– Astrona, now is not the time to be stubborn!

– Why take the long way when there’s a quick and easy path? This is my calling, so Akina, you’re the one who should stop being stubborn.

Without the Spring of Reversal, we couldn’t have saved the children, but of all times for the penalty… Kalia’s absence was keenly felt.

– If we wait just a few more days, a solution might present itself. How about waiting?

– There’s no need for that. And… I don’t want to wait for anything anymore.

– Lord Astrona…

The Sea Spirit simply wouldn’t budge.

The quest would end if we just returned the pearl. So we could just leave it be, but somehow, I felt uneasy. Even though this wasn’t our responsibility anymore.

The intermittent sounds of sniffling tugged at my heart.

– I got too invested. I really…

With mixed feelings, I looked down at the disc in my hand.

If there had been any sacred objects left, I thought about trying to enchant using this as a medium. Although its original form was destroyed, the special effect of the enchantment remained, so I thought it might be worth a try.

– Wait a second…

A thought flashed through my mind, and I opened the information window for the spear in my hand.

[Insufficient qualification for viewing! Detailed information cannot be accessed.]

I was taken aback by the message saying I couldn’t access the information, but a small hope appeared in the pop-up that followed.

[Spear that Splits the Sun, Astrona (?)

※ Currently, rank assessment is impossible due to source depletion.]

It seems I might have found a way.