Chapter 105: the seventh one.

A member of the World Alchemy Organization stepped off the plane, carrying a sense of tension.

Whether the seventh will be born or not depends on the state of Slime Land.

Grade A Alchemist, Alchemy Slime.

With unique alchemy products, it’s no exaggeration to say he has conquered the alchemy product market for ordinary people.

So far, Alchemy Slime has released more than twenty types of alchemy products.

Yet, every single one of those products has found its way, in big and small ways, into human life.

If you live in Korea, America, or Japan, there’s not a single day you could go without seeing at least one Slime.

In Korea, which is Alchemy Slime’s main area of activity and where the highest density of Slimes is supplied per unit area, it would be hard to find a home without even a single Slime.

Even the least popular Explosive Web Slime began to sell explosively the moment it received active promotion.

Alchemy Slime wields enormous influence not only in the general market, but also in the Hunter market.

The scale of activity and production defies understanding.

Work that would require a company with at least hundreds of employees is being accomplished by a single person.

At the root of such activity and production is the ability to create artificial lifeforms.

Even without that, he had overwhelming mass production capability, but without the support of artificial lifeforms, he could never have spread Slimes so widely as he does now.

So far, four artificial lifeforms have been created.

It was thought to be three, but the fourth was discovered recently.

All that was known was that it was underground, but it was later revealed to be serving as the core of the Tunnel Slimes.

Unless you’re an alchemist specialized in creating artificial lifeforms, there are no records of anyone making as many as four.

That’s how difficult it is to create artificial lifeforms.

And it was clear that Alchemy Slime, too, was struggling with these difficulties.

According to intelligence gathered, whether he succeeded or failed, he definitely consumed an enormous amount of skill levels as a sacrifice.

Even after offering up such sacrifices, there’s no guarantee of definite success.

In reality, Alchemy Slime has attempted it seven times to create four artificial lifeforms.

He failed three times, resulting in the creation of severe curses.

When creating artificial lifeforms, Alchemy Slime not only consumes vast amounts of ingredients, but it’s also clear he is processing something as dangerous as curses.

Curses and blessings both originate from powerful winds, so they’re separated by only a hair’s breadth.

When creating artificial lifeforms as Alchemy Slime does, curses can be used as valuable ingredients.

But if processing them were easy, curses would have been spotlighted as the next-generation energy source.

Since that’s not possible, every country operates powerful purification facilities.

That’s how resource-intensive and dangerous the actions Alchemy Slime takes are.

Even among the members of the World Alchemy Organization, some are displeased with Alchemy Slime’s repeated dangerous challenges.

Some think he’s being too greedy for money.

‘It’s all nonsense.’

Money?

Considering current demand for Slimes, he could cut production to a quarter and raise prices tenfold. In fact, in America, Slimes are sold for several times the price they fetch in Korea, yet they can’t meet demand due to lack of supply.

Even without creating the fourth artificial lifeform, he could have amassed several times his current wealth.

He even has a management expert on board now, so there’s no way he doesn’t know how to maximize profit.

Instead of pursuing profit, Alchemy Slime chose a thorny path.

He took on dangerous challenges so more people could benefit from Slimes.

Even if he failed, he didn’t give up and kept trying.

Instead, he used those failures to show even greater growth.

And in the end, he overcame recklessness, dramatically increased production, and began supplying Slimes to more and more countries.

At the root of Alchemy Slime’s actions is his warmhearted nature.

And this kindness is clearly revealed in the Slimes he creates.

The flames from burning Aroma Slime (Sacred Wood) are far warmer than those from burning Sacred Wood on the Altar of the Sacred Flame.

The member who has participated in the annual event of lighting the Altar of the Sacred Flame knew this well.

Not only that member, but countless others have felt the tranquility brought by the Sacred Flame.

And the effect was evident in the numbers.

Many who basked in the purifying flames gained courage, developed faith, practiced temperance, and became more active.

Unemployment rates dropped, and police callouts plummeted.

The number of people dependent on drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol decreased, while sports became more popular.

The changes were too clear in the data to be dismissed as coincidence.

As a result, many began demanding that their own states be blessed by the flames of the Altar of the Sacred Flame to drive out curses and bring in blessings.

Since the effects were clear, state governments began allocating budgets.

The Altar of the Sacred Flame is now burning as it travels across America.

And around it, a long procession continues, as if on a pilgrimage.

When so many people gather, you’d expect commotion.

Yet the people in that procession maintained a surprising calm as they continued their pilgrimage.

After seeing that scene, there’s no one who would doubt Alchemy Slime’s ability to heal people.

This alone is enough to justify giving Alchemy Slime the title of ‘Alchemist of Healing.’

However, this was not achieved by Aroma Slime (Sacred Wood) alone.

The Altar of the Sacred Flame, an S-class artifact, is also necessary.

Aroma Slime (Sacred Wood) fell short of being something that could be considered the pinnacle of a single field.

It was already used for promotion to Grade A Alchemist.

That’s why the members of the World Alchemy Organization decided to judge promotion based on the Slime Land Alchemy Slime created this time.

If Slime Land is deemed to have reached the ultimate extreme of ‘healing,’ Alchemy Slime can be promoted to S-rank Alchemist.

‘It won’t be easy.’

No matter how high the level of Slime Land, it’s still people who judge it.

If the viewer’s perspective is skewed.

If they’ve already decided to give it a bad rating.

Then a judgment of ‘insufficient’ is inevitable.

‘Why should age and experience matter so much?’

After news spread that Alchemy Slime was creating a giant artificial lifeform and building Slime Land inside it, there was debate within the World Alchemy Organization about whether to recognize him as an S-rank Alchemist.

Selection of S-rank Alchemists is a unique right and duty held only by the World Alchemy Organization.

It takes precedence over all other matters.

Unfortunately, at present, the opposition holds the advantage.

The reason: experience.

The claim that he lacks experience can be refuted.

In terms of the number of alchemy products sold by a single alchemist, Alchemy Slime has surpassed even most alchemy companies.

The number of alchemy products he has invented is greater than what most Grade A Alchemists develop over their entire lifetimes.

Considering what he’s accomplished so far, the fact that he’s been active for less than a year is not an issue.

This can be argued, but there’s a reason the experience argument can’t be completely dismissed.

-In ten years, Alchemy Slime will have created products far superior to those he has now, so can we really say he’s reached the pinnacle of a field yet?

The Alchemy Slime of the future is holding back the Alchemy Slime of the present.

Of course, by that logic, no one could ever become an S-rank Alchemist.

Only when they’re at death’s door could they finally be recognized.

The S-rank Alchemist license would become not a symbol of honor, but a declaration of ‘that’s as far as you go.’

-Still, shouldn’t we give it when someone has achieved at least half of the level they’ll reach in the future?

The problem was that Alchemy Slime had accomplished something absurdly great in less than a year.

If the level he’s reached now is no more than a baby’s first steps, then you can’t say he’s reached the pinnacle of a field.

To someone who could soon develop the technology to reach Mars.

The argument was that recognizing the moon landing as the pinnacle would only hinder further growth.

It’s sophistry.

No one can know how far someone will grow.

But no matter how unreasonable, if enough people want it, it gains power.

In the end, the discussion was postponed.

They decided to judge after seeing the Slime Land being built this time.

Judging by the current atmosphere, unless he produces results so overwhelming that no one can object, promotion to S-rank will be difficult.

The pro-promotion members traveled to Slime Land by vehicle instead of riding the Tunnel Slimes.

Overwhelmed by the majesty of Slime as seen from the outside.

A sense of pressure washed over, as if facing a mountain range made of sheer cliffs.

According to intelligence, it has dug underground to depths that cannot be observed.

What is visible above might just be the tip of the iceberg.

As a structure, it could be called the largest building in the world in terms of volume for a single edifice.

If viewed as a living organism, it was a marvel that could only be seen in the deep sea.

Probably half of the opposing council members changed their minds the moment they saw the exterior of Slime Land.

The other half are the types who would sneer, saying things like, If you’re planning to give the title of Giant Alchemist, then I agree.

‘There’s no way it can move from that spot.’

It’s astonishing enough that it maintains such mass on the ground, and it even accommodates countless people inside.

The fact that it holds up without collapsing is astounding in itself.

The thought of that mass leaving its pit and roaming the ground didn’t seem plausible.

If it could move, then it’s not the Alchemist of Healing but truly the Giant Alchemist.

The council member headed toward the entrance.

If it were only moderately large, I might have felt nervous about the sensation of entering the mouth of a giant creature, but its unreal size actually provided a sense of reassurance since it didn’t feel like entering a living being at all.

After signing the pledge and receiving a bracelet, the supporting council member entered Slime Land.

At that moment, he was convinced.

‘There’s no way to deny this.’

Even the means of transportation made no sense.

Among the opposing council members who experienced the Tunnel Slimes or moved around inside Slime Land, the remaining half probably changed their minds.

Of course, half of the remaining opposers would likely say things like, If you call it the Alchemist of Transportation, then I’ll acknowledge it.

After wandering around inside Slime Land, his thoughts became even more resolute.

“Yes!”

He cheered, holding up the golden Slime he had obtained.

Even if his body was still old, his mind felt like it had returned to childhood, and they wouldn’t grant ‘healing’ for that?

He’d smack such a person with the Stick Slime he found.

***

S-rank Alchemist.

It’s the highest rank, with no further to climb.

Even council members of the World Alchemy Organization cannot issue this license with just a few votes.

Unanimous agreement among the council members is required.

How difficult and historic a moment must it be for them to even broadcast it?

It may seem obvious, but the World Alchemy Organization is quite active, contrary to the weight its name carries.

Considering the size of the organization, one might think it couldn’t move easily, yet its movements are remarkably swift.

International organizations are usually entangled with the interests of various countries.

Last time, they promised to issue a Grade A license if the dead land was dealt with at a formidable speed.

This time, all the council members came to visit Slime Land and then left.

They’re more open-minded than I thought.

“I propose to grant the title of ‘Alchemist of Healing’ to Alchemy Slime.”

The vote to promote me to S-rank Alchemist has begun.

And everyone unanimously agreed to my promotion.

“Congratulations on the birth of a new S-rank Alchemist with a round of applause!”

So, I’m an S-rank Alchemist now.

Honestly, I thought I couldn’t even rise to a Grade B Alchemist, which requires going overseas.

Yet, my rank kept rising on its own, and now I’m an S-rank Alchemist.

Ah, come to think of it, Ash did congratulate me on the promotion.

I thought the timing was odd for congratulating a Grade A promotion.

He must have predicted that I would become an S-rank Alchemist.

There are no benefits to being an S-rank Alchemist.

But it’s certain that it’s a position respected wherever you go.

If I refuse, no one will forcibly try to strip me of my title.

That will probably be the same during immigration checks.

If I get a private jet, I can go through the departure and entry processes entirely non-face-to-face and head overseas.

With this, the path to go overseas has opened for me.

Overseas, huh.

I can go overseas now, but there’s no reason to anymore.

Unless I needed to obtain a license, there’s no need to go abroad now that there’s no higher rank to achieve.

If there’s business requiring coordination with someone abroad, Hans usually handles it.

If I had to say, maybe I’d use it to visit my friend Gisu in America?

But Gisu himself probably wouldn’t like that, so I don’t feel the need to go.

If there’s another good thing about becoming an S-rank Alchemist…

Maybe the number of visitors to Slime Land will increase.

A theme park built by a Grade A Alchemist versus

A theme park built by an S-rank Alchemist, one of only seven in the world, sounds much more impressive.

***

The child wearing a hoodie made of Slime pressed the button on the bracelet.

The Slime enveloped the child’s entire body.

The child, wearing a reddish-pink Slime costume, carefully checked to ensure no skin was exposed.

After confirming that there was no way for any flame to leak out, the child left the room.

“Mom.”

The mother, wearing a penguin set dyed in the same color, bent her knees to look at the child.

“Will you be okay?”

“Yeah.”

The child tightly held the mother’s hand.

When they stepped out of the house and onto the street, the child momentarily stopped.

Instead of forcibly pulling, the mother waited for the child to muster up resolve.

The destination for the child and mother was Slime Land.

If it were nearby, it might be different, but it was a very distant place.

Moreover, it was a place crowded with people.

The child trusted the Phoenix Slime costume made by Penglime.

Still, there was anxiety.

Accidents can come suddenly, after all.

The child looked up at the mother.

“Mom…”

“You want to go, right?”

“Yeah.”

A place crowded with people like an amusement park was the last place the child wanted to go.

But Slime Land was a place full of Slimes that the child loved so much.

After days of deliberation, the child desperately wanted to go.

After a moment, the child gathered courage and took a step forward.