Something suddenly appeared.
“What is this?”
Puzzled, Shinhyeok immediately tried using it.
‘Simulation?’
[Scanning targets that will serve as synthesis materials.]
[A total of 5 materials have been scanned.]
[Providing analysis results.]
==========================
[Analysis: Mutated Resurrection Plant Gene Structure]
Desiccation-resistant cell membrane layer
Water reversion active nucleus (復水核)
Elastic fiber root network
Dormancy conversion organ
Photomedia leaf blade
Predatory infiltrating root
Mana assimilation synthesis factor
=========================
[Analysis: Mutated Mandrake Gene Structure]
Semi-humanoid muscle-fiber root body
Acoustic secretion organ (Scream Core)
Toxic sap gland
Sensory root tentacles
Mental wave interference secretory membrane
Biological decomposition enzyme secretion gland
Predatory assimilation organ
=========================
[Analysis: Barley Gene Structure]
Cereal-type outer skin cell membrane
Light-absorbing leaf blade structure (basic photosynthesis type)
Upright stem fiber (medium hardening)
Endosperm accumulation gene (starch storage core)
Moisture-response root network (dryness-sensitive type)
Moisture transport vascular bundle (tubular transport route)
Harvest-stage automatic maturation factor
=========================
[Analysis: Potato Gene Structure]
Enlarged storage root (tuber) formation factor
Starch accumulation cell nucleus (storage-type amyloplast)
Underground growth-promoting fiber (negative phototropic response)
Moisture absorption-promoting root (porous root network)
Photosynthetic leaf blade (medium light response type)
Trace toxic alkaloid production gland (self-defense)
Sprouting active nucleus (sprout formation organ)
=========================
[Analysis: Apple Gene Structure]
Fruit expression tissue nucleus (cell differentiation)
Sugar content accumulation gene (sugar conversion enzyme system)
Fragrance secretory membrane (ester·terpene production)
Moisture-storing flesh layer (multilayer moisture-collecting tissue)
Photosynthetic leaf blade (high-efficiency light absorption type)
Woody stem fiber (enhanced vertical transport)
Flowering·fruiting cycle control factor
=========================
[Please choose the materials and traits to synthesize, and a virtual synthesis result will be shown.]
Shinhyeok could not help admiring the truly advanced skill.
“This is great. It cuts down on my trial and error.”
Baek Arin looked strangely at his suddenly enraptured expression.
“Mister, what’s with you this time?”
“Unni, why is Mister acting like that?”
Namgung Sohye also stared at him in confusion.
Shinhyeok did not care one way or another.
“Good! I’ll finish this in one go.”
He immediately began considering the materials and traits.
‘First, the potato.’
He chose the potato as the base as it was, removing only one thing.
‘Let’s take out the toxin.’
Then he selected the predation-related structures that appeared in both the resurrection plant and the mandrake.
Along with one peculiar-looking thing from the apple.
‘Flowering and fruiting… cycle control.’
He finished his selection.
[You have selected potato as the synthesis base.]
[The factor to be excluded is the Trace Toxic Alkaloid Production Gland (self-defense).]
[The factors to be added are as follows.]
=========================
Biological decomposition enzyme secretion gland
Predatory assimilation organ
Predatory infiltrating root
Mana assimilation synthesis factor
Desiccation-resistant cell membrane layer
Water reversion active nucleus (復水核)
Flowering·fruiting cycle control factor
=========================
[If there are no changes, the simulation will proceed.]
‘Do it right away.’
[Simulation consumes a large amount of mental power.]
[With your current Mental Power stat, the total number of simulations available is 3.]
[If the simulation is linked with the Akashic Pocket using a special golem, mental power consumption can be reduced.]
[Proceeding with simulation.]
[Virtual synthesis in progress………………… ]
His brain grew hot.
At the same time, the world spun.
“Ugh, damn it…”
Shinhyeok’s legs gave out right where he stood.
“Mister!”
Startled, Baek Arin hurriedly caught Bu Shinhyeok.
“Why are you like this again!”
“D-damn skill…”
Shinhyeok’s brain was spinning in real time.
It was the price of forcibly boosting himself with that skill to analyze the world.
[Analyzing virtual result………………]
‘Ah, I’m still… dizzy.’
Shinhyeok turned his body to the side and vomited.
“Bleeergh!”
Ding.
[Result has been generated.]
[Synthesis Simulation: Prediction Result Generated]
=========================
Synthesis Base:
Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Selected Gene Factors:
Biological decomposition enzyme secretion gland
Predatory assimilation organ
Predatory infiltrating root
Mana assimilation synthesis factor
Desiccation-resistant cell membrane layer
Water reversion active nucleus
Flowering·fruiting cycle control factor
=========================
“Ghk.”
Shinhyeok checked the result that appeared.
‘Yeah, I know what I picked, so clear that away.’
=========================
[Predicted Synthesis Tendency Analysis]
Survivability: ▲▲▲ (Extreme increase)
— Secured adaptability to both dryness and moisture
Aggression: ▲▲
— Predatory ability increased through the infiltrating root + decomposition enzyme combo
Growth Stability: ▼▼
— Increased risk of early rampage due to predatory traits and mana assimilation
Mana Affinity: ▲▲▲
— Stable absorption thanks to the mana assimilation synthesis factor
Mutation Possibility: !!
— Conflicting elements between the flowering·fruiting cycle control factor and predatory organs
=========================
‘This sounds like it’s a monster too, doesn’t it?’
Seeing the expected main traits that followed, his guess was correct.
=========================
[Expected Main Traits]
1. Dual survival structure – “Dryness ↔ Water Reversion”
2. Energy circulation based on predatory assimilation
3. Potato-based trait – “Multi-sprout eye predator”
4. Mana assimilation synthesis leaf membrane (newborn tissue)
5. Flowering·fruiting cycle modulation
=========================
“That’s roughly right.”
It was the result he wanted.
[Would you like to proceed with synthesis?]
“Yeah.”
[Selecting materials and factors to begin biological transmutation.]
The resurrection plant, mandrake, and potato were automatically selected and wrapped in mana.
[Proceeding with synthesis with the user’s consent.]
The synthesis, fusion, and extraction Shinhyeok had previously done by hand began to proceed automatically.
“Perfect auto mode.”
[Transmutation complete.]
Thud.
Three faintly glowing potatoes fell to the ground.
Shinhyeok carefully got up and gingerly touched the potatoes.
Tap.
Everyone flinched at the same time.
Baek Arin hugged Sohye and moved far away.
From way back there, Baek Arin shouted.
“Mister! Hurry up and plant them!”
Bu Shinhyeok looked at her standing so far away and was dumbfounded.
“And you still call yourself my comrade?”
“If it’s dangerous, I’ll run over right away!”
But her body moved even farther away.
“What a load of crap.”
Shinhyeok picked up a potato and carefully planted it in the ground.
Then he hurriedly ran away.
Wriggle.
The soil where he had planted it squirmed.
‘Fast.’
But then it only put out a small sprout and stopped.
‘Is that it?’
Shinhyeok thought about the characteristics of the result he had made.
‘It’s a thing that chews up and swallows mana and organic matter.’
There were no corpses near the spot where he had planted it.
It was because they had all been devoured after so many experiments.
“I’ll have to connect it with mana.”
Like scattering bread crumbs, he launched condensed mana and dropped it one by one.
Then there was an immediate reaction.
The crystal that fell onto the sprout was absorbed at once.
The stem that grew in an instant raced after the crystals.
“Good! Go to the corpse pile!”
When it reached the corpse pile, the stem began indiscriminately wrapping around the corpses and sucking them in.
“Nice!”
Shinhyeok enjoyed the sight while moving very far away.
‘It needs to die after doing this in moderation.’
After eating for quite a while, it bloomed on its own and grew larger and larger.
“It’s too big.”
Before he knew it, the stem emerging aboveground had surpassed five meters.
Shinhyeok carefully retreated all the way to the castle wall.
“Mister. I think you need to kill it quickly.”
Baek Arin drew her sword and held it out to Shinhyeok.
“No. Wait. The simulation was fine.”
‘Though it did say it might rampage.’
The potato did not stop.
It devoured every corpse in the vicinity.
However, it did not approach inside the castle wall.
Before long, everyone was watching the scene.
“Captain?”
Everyone looked at Shinhyeok, then stared at the thing that had grown to about a quarter of the height of the castle wall.
The towering thing circled around the surroundings and devoured corpses.
‘It’s too tall.’
It was a bit threatening.
“This won’t do.”
It seemed dangerous to keep watching any longer.
He stepped outside and approached the potato.
“Stop.”
[This entity recognizes its master.]
“Hm?”
[Status Window]
Name: Potato (LV.78)
Health: 627
Mana: 1456
Traits: Predation, Growth, Revival
[The pet recognizes its master.]
The enormously grown potato shook its flowers and greeted Shinhyeok.
“Ah? H-hello.”
The potato trembled as if pleased.
Then, after eating all the corpses, the potato gradually withered.
Soon it slumped limply to the ground.
“Is it dead?”
[It will revive if planted again.]
“Ahh.”
He understood well enough.
Shinhyeok headed to the spot where it had collapsed.
There, a faint light was visible from the ground.
“What’s this?”
When he dug up the earth, countless enormous potatoes were there.
“Wow…!”
When he touched one with his finger, a description window appeared.
[Potato’s Baby Potato][Rare][Life][Material]
=======================
A baby potato packed full of nutrients. It was created by preying on various organic matter, and even has a juicy taste.
Full of satiety and nutrition
When consumed over a long period, improves one’s constitution to a healthy one
=======================
[Warning]
If you consume an excessive amount, you will be full.
=======================
“Juicy?”
At the absurd description, he snapped one off and bit into it.
Crunch.
But he really did taste juice.
A flavor that mixed pork and beef, a dream collaboration.
“Why is it delicious?”
Shinhyeok looked at the residents lined up atop the castle wall and said,
“This is delicious!”
Everyone began murmuring.
As if they could not believe it, they all slowly came down, following Shinhyeok’s example and biting into the potatoes.
“Oh my! It really is!”
“Grandfather! This is delicious!”
Startled, Namgung Sohye quickly offered one to Namgung Jincheon.
He, too, was surprised after eating it.
“How can this be?”
Shinhyeok smiled and dug into the earth.
“Everyone, let’s hurry and harvest!”
“Right! Let’s get moving!”
Everyone laughed as they dug through the ground and harvested the potato’s baby potatoes.
“Goodness! Is this really a potato?!”
Everyone’s eyes widened at their ridiculous size.
They dug for a long while and harvested all the baby potatoes.
They crammed them inside the castle.
They took a few out and held a feast together.
The potatoes roasted crisp over the blazing fire.
“Ah, that meaty aroma is killer.”
Hong Ichan was going mad from the rich meaty aroma coming from the potatoes.
Everyone felt the same.
Namgung Sohye stamped her feet as she waited for the roasted potato.
Greywain smoothly cut open a roasted potato with his sword.
“Now, Princess, please have a taste.”
Sohye smiled and took the warm potato in her hands.
When she blew on it and put it in her mouth, she beamed.
“It’s sho good!”
Everyone approached the potatoes, sliced them with their own tools, and put them on plates.
Sohye went up to Shinhyeok and whispered quietly.
“Mister. You’ll plant apples too, right?”
She asked Shinhyeok with sparkling eyes.
Shinhyeok stroked Sohye’s head.
“I’ll plant them all for you.”
“Waaah!”
Sohye laughed and bounced up and down.
“Apples!”
Delighted by the child’s pure reaction, Shinhyeok put a potato in his mouth.
Crunch.
“Even raw potato tastes good.”
It felt like eating raw beef.
Crunch, crunch.
Shinhyeok looked around while lying down.
‘I need to widen the moat-like holes, too. And reinforce the castle walls to make them thicker.’
“Should I deliberately place those failed ones from earlier?”
Baek Arin listened from beside him and responded enthusiastically.
“That sounds good. I think all the small fry would get swept away.”
“Right? But it’d be nice if they could distinguish friend from foe.”
“True.”
They were far too vicious.
‘It’s fine for now. I’ll try it slowly.’
The problem lay elsewhere.
There would be no time reduction for the next defensive battle.
It was more accurate to assume they could not do it.
‘If the defense drags on, the problem will be a bottleneck.’
For that, Hong Ichan desperately needed an upgrade.
“Good. It’s time to upgrade that bastard.”
As if his ears itched, Hong Ichan scratched them.
Then he whipped around, looked at Shinhyeok, and shouted.
“Hyung! You were badmouthing me, weren’t you!?”
“Yeah.”
“I knew it!”
He glared at him sulkily for a moment, then turned away with a snap.
To him, Shinhyeok quietly said,
“Want me to make you some equipment?”
Ichan’s head snapped around immediately.
“Yeah! Yeah, yeah! That’d be awesome! Make it for me right now!”