The Frost Queen nodded slowly. "You know, I have always wondered what made you so impatient. Now, I understand."

"There's another reason. Being weak makes me nervous," replied Seo Jun-Ho.

It was like taking off a bulletproof armor and putting on a cotton shirt that had a defense rating of zero. It was kind of an obsession. It had been a long time since he had lived a life exposed to danger.

"If it were anyone else, I would tell them that they would fall if they ran at such a speed, and try to stop them from getting hurt... But if it is you, it will be okay."

"That's a tremendous acknowledgment."

Seo Jun-Ho laughed helplessly and took out the "Frozen Heart" from his inventory.

"Then, shall I speed up again? Item appraisal."

[Frozen Heart]

Rank: Rare

Description: It is very cold ice in the form of a heart. If you touch it recklessly, your skin may come off.

Effect: Increases magic by 15 when consumed.

It was a simple explanation.

‘A rare item that boosts magic by 15.’

The Frost Queen made a fuss. "Oh! Isn’t that a lot? Hurry, hurry, hurry up! Melt it and eat it."

"Melt it? That would be a waste…" Seo Jun-Ho clicked his tongue.

She wasn't wrong, of course. Most people would roll their eyes and probably say the same thing. However, the most commonsensical method wasn't necessarily the best, much less the best for Seo Jun-Ho.

"Frost, you haven't taken a lot of elixirs before, have you?”

"...Elixirs? No, I have not."

Seo Jun-Ho gave a small smile to the flustered Frost Queen.

"I knew it. For elixirs, people who have taken it before know it best."

Just as thousand-year-old wild ginseng lost its effect as soon as it was exposed to fire, there would usually be a right way to take elixirs and many wrong ones. Those who believed the explanation of the item as it was were bound to suffer big time.

"In short, each elixir has a different method of consumption, and only that method will provide maximum absorption."

That was why people called elixirs, 'Giyeon.’[1]

Elixirs in the hands of the ignorant and the unaware lost their value so easily that it was simply a massive waste. It also didn’t matter if the person was ignorant in general or not; if they didn't know the right method, they wouldn’t be able to absorb the elixir’s energy properly.

"…I did not know. Then, how will you eat this Frozen Heart?"

“It doesn’t matter whether your lips are torn off or your tongue gets frozen, you have to eat it like you would an ice cream.”

It was a rather ignorant way. Of course, Seo Jun-Ho didn’t have to do that.

"But why would I do that? It’s during times like this when the power of frost should be used."

"…The power of frost is not meant to be used for this…”

"Don't believe me, just watch."

Seo Jun-Ho immediately placed the Frozen Heart on his palms.

"Ugh, it's cold.”

He groaned like a person who had entered a hot spring, then he slowly closed his eyes.

‘The method is the same...’

He just needed to think of when he had treated Choi Sun-Hee, who had suffered from the Nine Yin Severance Syndrome, and when he treated Simus. The magic circuit in both of his hands opened wide. Then, the intense yin energy contained within the Frozen Heart began to flow between the two open circuits in his palms.

Shake, shake, shake.

It was so cold that it made Seo Jun-Ho's body tremble despite his Cold Tolerance (C). This energy was a few levels higher than the Nine Yin Severance Syndrome, which had an intermediate level of yin energy.

‘I-I don’t think I can withstand it.’

He wouldn’t have been able to withstand the cold in a normal way. But Seo Jun-Ho started to increase Overclocking’s output. Since he was sitting calmly anyway, he didn’t have to worry about controlling that enormous power. Just slightly raising the temperature in his body was enough.

“…”

When absorbing the elixir, it was important to circulate the magic in the body so that the energy would spread evenly throughout the body. From that point of view, the effects of Overclocking, which circulated magic throughout the whole body's magic circuit dozens of times per second, was excellent. Worrying that she would disturb his trance, the Frost Queen covered her mouth and nose with her hands. But 30 minutes later, when Seo Jun-Ho still wasn’t done, she was already in agony.

Flash-!

Seo Jun-Ho opened his eyes. The igloo flashed with light as his eyes glowed stronger than before. "Puhaaaaah-!”

Only then did the Frost Queen exhale, gasp, and ask, "H-how did it go?"

"...It seems that the normal method to take it really wasn’t the best.”

The Frost Queen thought for a while as Seo Jun-Ho leaned down and muttered. Since he looked sad, she pondered whether she should comfort him, or sneer at him for pretending to know what he was talking about.

"Well…" She patted him with a bitter look. "Well, people don't always pick the right answer. So how much did your magic increase?”

"30…"

"Yes, yes, compared to what you expected... What did you say?!”

The Frost Queen's hand abruptly stopped. When she looked closely, a smile was in full bloom on Seo Jun-Ho’s lowered face. The Frost Queen shook his arm when she saw it.

"D-did you not say that the normal method to take it wasn’t the answer?"

"Yeah. With the normal method, you’ll only gain 15 points.”

In other words, he had doubled the efficacy of the Frozen Heart in a way that no one else had done before.

Seo Jun-Ho smacked his lips and moistened them with his tongue for no reason before speaking, "Ah, I want to eat a Frozen Heart again."

He waved his hand and brought up the message window in front of him.

[Your magic has increased by 30.]

[The grade of Cold Tolerance (C) has risen to Cold Tolerance (B).]

The surroundings became a notch warmer. It was because of the strong magic that was spreading throughout his body. Of course, the fact that Cold Tolerance had risen in grade also was a factor for this warmth.

"I gained a lot from this journey."

Moreover, this wasn't the end of it. He hadn’t even touched the main dish yet.

"Let's go and eat the main dish."

***

When Seo Jun-Ho returned to Del Ice, the dwarves were waiting with their heads leaned forward in anticipation. They just wanted one answer. Seo Jun-Ho shrugged his shoulders and spoke pleasantly as if he was a real estate agent.

"Congratulations! I took a look at your house, and it was very clean. You'll be able to move in as early as tonight."

"Ohhhhh!"

"Yes! Great!”

"What happened to the Ice Witch?”

"Oh, that's...”

It was something they didn’t have to know, but Seo Jun-Ho wanted them to know the story about the Ice Witch they hated all this time. Since the dwarves that gathered looked like boys and girls, he felt like the atmosphere was appropriate for reading them a fairytale from a book.

"…Hmm."

"So she actually has a secret past."

"Keuk, such a poor child."

"We had no idea at all...”

The dwarves’ eyes became red as they prayed for the well-being of the girl who had lost her family to the Ice Witch and couldn’t even rest properly after death.

"Seo Jun-Ho," Graham, the White Anvil tribe leader, approached with a stiff face.

He struck Seo Jun-Ho's chest, around the heart, with his fist.

“…?!”

When Seo Jun-Ho stared blankly in surprise, Graham stuck out his chest.

"Come, hit me!"

"…What?"

"It's a greeting for a friend." Kim Woo-Joong walked out from the back with a small smile. "By tapping on each other's hearts, you establish a friendship with each other.”

"Oh…"

Seo Jun-Ho carefully tapped Graham on the chest.

Graham frowned and shouted, "Harder! I can't feel it!"

"…Feel what?"

"Your soul and sincerity!"

Seo Jun-Ho didn’t know what Graham meant, but if he wanted something strong… Seo Jun-Ho struck Graham's chest with his normal strength. It was only then that Graham burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! The White Anvil tribe has gained a new friend!"

"Is that it? We also regained our lost home!"

"The banshee girl was saved, and the Ice Witch has been permanently eradicated!"

"It's a joyous occasion in the snowfields!"

The quick-witted dwarves quickly entered their respective homes and picked up some things. They brought wine, champagne, and food.

"The dwarves celebrate like this when they make new friends. It is their tradition," Kim Woo-Joong explained once more.

His gentle storytelling tone made Seo Jun-Ho feel as if he was watching National Geographic.

"Bring the cheese!"

"Who wants to drink raspberry wine?"

"Ohhh, you're finally uncorking the bottle you've been storing away!"

"Because it’s going to be a burden when I move! Hahaha!”

Kim Woo-Joong smiled softly and looked at the excited dwarves. "The dwarves certainly have their own charm. It is different from the elves."

"…Player Kim Woo-Joong, have you met elves before?"

"What? Oh, I happened to meet them by chance."

How lucky could he be to bump into elves, who were infamous for being closed off?

"Kilkil, is that all? It's an open fact that the elf princess-nim is crazy about him."[2]

A dwarf came up waving a wine glass and teased Kim Woo-Joong, who had put on an embarrassed expression.

"It's just a close relationship. It’s not like that at all. I also don’t have any intention to do that...”

"Well, of course, you wouldn’t, you bad guy who makes a woman cry! Oh, of course, since it’s to the miserly elves, it’s fine. Rather, you did well."

What? The elf princess liked him and followed him around? Was this guy the main character of a novel? 

When Seo Jun-Ho stared at him, Kim Woo-Joong felt the former’s gaze and he couldn’t help but dryly cough.

"Khmm-khmm, don't worry too much about it, Player Seo Jun-Ho."

"Yes…"

"Anyway, have you thought about the type of weapon you would ask the dwarves for?"

"Oh, that? Of course…"

Seo Jun-Ho smiled brightly and took out a piece of paper. Kim Woo-Joong was surprised to see something densely written on a sheet of A4 paper.

"What… is that?"

"A list to ask the dwarves to make. I made it on my way here.”

"…Wait, did you say list?”

A list was talking about a group of items with the same attributes—this meant there was more than one weapon being requested.

"Yes. Graham never said he would only make one, did he?”

"That's... technically true?”

Seo Jun-Ho gently shook the A4 paper.

"Would the proud dwarves of the White Anvil tribe just make one and be done with it?”

"…Hahahaha!"

Looking briefly at Seo Jun-Ho, Kim Woo-Joong suddenly burst into laughter. Kim Woo-Joong’s expression looked like Seo Jun-Ho’s statement was really funny to him.

"As expected, Player Seo Jun-Ho, you are interesting. I never get bored when you are around. I almost want to be with you all the time."

"I’m sure it’ll be possible someday..."

There was a saying that birds of a feather flock together. If there was a big gap in skills, it would be difficult for both sides. Kim Woo-Joong noticed the deeper meaning of his words and he smiled before nodding. "I will be happily waiting. I hope you can obtain the qualification to go up to the 3rd floor soon.”

"The 3rd floor..."

It was a symbol of humanity and was also a sore spot since it was like a barrier to Players who wanted to grow.

"Are you not going to tell me the conditions to enter the 3rd floor?”

"Even if I want to say it, I cannot. Do you remember the Cave of Trials?"

"Oh, I understand."

It meant that the secrecy was being enforced by the system.

"I can tell you one thing, though.”

"What?"

“The Silent Moon Guild and I... we expect floor masters to come out on every odd floor."

Seo Jun-Ho's eyes sparkled. The final boss on the 1st floor was the Frost Queen, and she had also been the floor master.

‘For them to expect that such an existence was on every odd floor meant...’

This meant that there was no floor master on the even floors, or at least on the 2nd floor. Then, just what were the conditions to enter the 3rd floor?

"How interesting…"

"It won't be that difficult for you, Player Seo Jun-Ho. In fact, there are countless people who have obtained the right to enter the 3rd floor.”

It was just that they couldn’t be active on the 3rd floor. After all, it was a place where lava popped up all year round and was a place hostile to life.

"I'll catch up as soon as possible."

"Yes, and let me give you one more piece of information."

"…Information?"

"It’s actually a kind of a reward. Didn't you come all the way here to help with my request? The cost of teleporting here should have been expensive, right?"

Well, that really didn’t matter because Skaya had teleported him over here, but it wasn't like Seo Jun-Ho to refuse when someone was voluntarily giving him benefits.

"Do you still have the ‘Final Horizon’ you got last time?"

"Yes."

"Then, you should go and visit Duke Schubert one day."

"Duke Schubert!"

Seo Jun-Ho was also familiar with this person. No, even the Players on the 1st floor were familiar with him in advance.

'The two great mountains of the empire.'

He was one of the only two dukes among the nobles. Of course, his power was enormous. If you lined up even just the nobles who were following him, it would be enough to fill an elementary school playground.

"We were talking about the Final Horizon, so why all of a sudden did you bring up such a great figure?”

Even with Seo Jun-Ho's current reputation or popularity, he would be fortunate if he wasn’t directly rejected at the door. Kim Woo-Joong smiled widely at Seo Jun-Ho, who appeared to be doubtful.

"Well, wouldn't it be more interesting to find that out for yourself?"

Kim Woo-Joong had given Seo Jun-Ho all the hints. If Seo Jun-Ho had luck on his side, and if he really was a great Player, he would be able to get the best results without missing out on this little clue.

1. Giyeon is like having a fated connection. If you aren’t fated with one, you might end up wasting the elixir in this case. ☜

2. ‘Kilkil’ is a snickering sound. ☜