Episode 81: The journey of Yeo Su-haeng (3)
* * *
At that time, Seoul Station.
“… … trembling.”
A woman was standing still in the lobby of Seoul Station, passing the time as if it had stopped.
The heaviness, as if my feet were stuck to the ground, did not go away.
I found myself looking around more than necessary, and my head was filled with vague fear.
I tried calling the person I remembered several times, but I couldn’t get through.
“That’s right. You said you couldn’t answer the phone while you were in the dungeon. That time must be now.”
Her true identity was Jeong Yu-ri. The person she was trying to call was Kang-hu.
It was a new experience.
Who would have thought that this would be the end of a life of self-chosen seclusion at Ground Zero?
The reason was clear. It was thanks to Kang-hoo unknowingly giving him energy.
What should I say? It felt like the world had shown a ray of hope to me, who had been so hurt and withdrawn.
Jung Yu-ri gained the will to create a new future from the short but intense memories she had with Kang-hoo.
A life that could have been traumatized, haunted by the horrific memories of Chae Gwan-hyung.
However, Kang-hoo clearly showed that not everyone in the world is as corrupt as Chae Gwan-hyung, and that there are people with sufficient good intentions.
It made me realize that blindly avoiding things isn’t the answer.
“It would be nice if we could go sightseeing in Seoul together. I guess there’s no other way. Tsk.”
After pouring out all the resentment(?) that the person in question had no idea about, even his feet, which had been glued to the floor, felt considerably lighter.
When I imagined myself walking around Seoul Station with Kang-hoo and making all sorts of puns, my heart felt lighter.
“Let’s go get some fresh air first!”
Jeong Yu-ri stepped out of the station with force.
First of all, I was thinking of buying a pretty scarf that I always like to wear around my neck.
And I decided to enjoy my trip to Seoul to the fullest. It was my first time in Seoul in a long time.
Sometimes I see people looking at me, and those gazes feel particularly hostile… … .
I thought it was my own delusion and tried to be indifferent.
All of these feelings are excessive and are a product of the trauma left behind by Chae Gwan-hyung.
She told herself strongly. It was nothing. No one was looking at her.
“I’m going to live my life now.”
Jeong Yu-ri clenched her trembling hands tightly.
As soon as I came into the world.
Now you have to learn how to get through it without getting eaten.
And there are quite a few people by your side who can help you stand up on your own.
People like grandparents, for example.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that time.
Kang-hoo’s journey to learn the Savage Age skill book was also continuing.
‘I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve seen a dungeon raid that had absolutely no crisis issues.’
Baek Seon-tae was amazed at Kang-hoo’s dungeon raid, which was so peaceful, if not leisurely.
The middle boss attack section, which I thought was a critical point in the middle, also went by really smoothly.
Baek Seon-tae didn’t know though.
Kang-hoo was able to obtain a passive skill called ‘Bleeding Enhancement’ from the middle boss.
When I was injured by the middle boss’s attack, I thought the bleeding wasn’t stopping well, but there was a reason.
【Bleeding Enhancement】
【Skill Proficiency: Lv Max】
【Increases the effectiveness of skills with existing bleeding effects by 2 to 3 times with a random probability.】
For a hunter with no bleeding skills at all, this would be a meaningless skill, but for Kang-hoo, who has skills like bleeding stab, this skill had great synergy.
Anyway, Baek Seon-tae thought ‘neat’ over and over again while looking at Kang-hu.
Hunters in the Assassin class all want a style that is understated and has no frills but has a single punch.
However, this is only a story of what is hoped for and what is aimed for, and the flow in actual practice is very messy.
It’s not like the target hunter or monster will move as you wish.
Because of the numerous variables and unpredictable responses, confusion is bound to arise.
No matter how smart you are, you can’t keep in mind responses to thousands or tens of thousands of situations.
But Kang-hoo never once showed any confusion or sluggishness in any attack or defense.
It’s as if you have a clear idea of how you should respond if the other person reacts this way.
Of course, the reason why that was possible was obvious: the attack repertoire was very diverse.
The number of skills that Baek Seon-tae has personally confirmed with his own eyes is well over 15. It is a number that far exceeds the number of skills he possesses.
‘I just can’t stand it.’
Baek Seon-tae broke his promise to not show curiosity to Kang-hoo and silently focus on his role as a ‘watcher’.
Kim Ja-ho warned her not to give her heart to outsiders or create a connection of fate.
For that to happen, Kang-hoo had too many of the characteristics of the role model he wanted to be like.
Although his level was much lower than mine, he felt like he was several levels above me in skill.
And for Baek Seon-tae, level wasn’t a very important factor to consider. Level isn’t everything.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
‘Level 94 before the main boss.’
Kang-hoo was looking at his level, which had reached 94, with satisfaction before the final battle with the main boss.
Level 100 is just around the corner.
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Level 100 is also the point where basic skills are added.
At the same time, it is also the time when ‘Qualification Notification’ is sent to all constellations in the Great Temple at once.
What I mean is.
An official notification appears, stating that a hunter has overcome many crises and reached level 100 in what is called the Demon Realm.
At this time, many contracts were made as all constellations were aware of the existence of the hunter.
So, more than 99% of hunters above level 100 have a contract with a constellation.
Because any constellation will stick to it, even if it is of low status or lacks something.
Of course, this wasn’t a new issue for Kang-hoo, who had already made a contract with the Dimension Robbers before escaping from the Qingming Detention Center.
But one thing.
The notification of qualifications was likely to be a stimulus to the constellations that are currently supporting or watching Kang-hoo.
The Wilderness Strategist prepares more sponsorship bundles.
It seems that the ‘Great Disaster – Darkness’ that is keeping an eye on Kang-hoo may propose a contract earlier than expected.
So, reaching level 100 had a great meaning to Kang-hoo as well.
The same would apply to the Dimension Robbers who already have Kang-hoo as their main contractor.
Although she never revealed it directly to Kang-hoo, she was very nervous.
Because she never knows when or how a rival constellation will emerge, it is her greatest crisis.
After finishing investing bonus points and checking stats and skills, Kang-hoo sat down on a rock to take a short break.
“Excuse me, Jeong Seon-gyu.”
Then Baek Seon-tae, who had been following at an appropriate distance, spoke.
I thought he was just watching quietly, but it seems he has a question.
“yes.”
“Could you please tell me who your teacher is?”
“Master.”
“Yes. I think you must have had a good teacher. Of course, he must have had a big vessel to hold his teachings.”
The reason Kang-hoo chewed on the word teacher was because there was no such person at all.
But I could easily guess why Baek Seon-tae mentioned the word teacher.
I think that if I hadn’t had a teacher who systematically helped me take shortcuts, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my current level of skill.
In fact, if you look at the hunters who are called named, more than half of them often have good teachers.
As a close example, in the case of Jang Si-hwan, there was a teacher he called his lifelong benefactor. He is now dead.
Lee Ye-rin is also being taught by a skilled teacher, even though he is not Korean.
Anyway, rather than ignoring Baek Seon-tae’s question, Kang-hu wanted to give his own answer, so he answered in a clever manner.
“You are here. It’s been a while since I last saw you, but I feel like you’re always by my side.”
Although he said so, Kang-hoo’s teacher was himself, the source of all enlightenment and learning.
The character of Shin Kang-hoo is structured like that.
It wasn’t for nothing that he was called Jang Si-hwan’s greatest rival in the original work, ‘Archie Enemy’. He was a character who could surpass the main character.
Kang-hoo threw out a joke at Baek Seon-tae, who was continuing to look at him closely.
“Are you ready to dig behind me?”
“yes?”
“That expression is exactly the kind of expression you get when you want to know more about someone. Is it that you’re so curious that you’re almost overflowing with it?”
“… … I won’t deny it. But the expression “can” is a bit much! I’m just genuinely curious.”
“Haha. I’m joking.”
Although Kang-hoo rarely jokes, he found it quite amusing to play such pranks on Baek Seon-tae.
It was because I thought he was still a young man who had not yet matured as a hunter.
Considering the atmosphere of the warlord ‘Ja Kang’, he was actually a hunter who did not seem to fit in well.
“Seon-gyu, if it’s okay, can we go together to attack the boss monster? I’ll keep the experience points.”
At that time, Baek Seon-tae made an unexpected suggestion.
I thought he would just be faithful to his role as a watcher, but I never thought he would insist on participating in the attack on the boss monster.
Preserving experience points means leaving the battlefield 1 minute before the boss monster dies.
Then, all parts related to damage contribution will be reset.
Since you ultimately don’t contribute anything, you naturally don’t share any experience points.
In short, it means that they will just work together and leave all the blame to Kang-hoo.
From Kang-hoo’s perspective, it was an offer he was grateful for, and there was no need to refuse it.
Although he could guess what he was thinking, Kang-hoo asked why.
“Shall I hear the reason?”
“I want to try breathing together once. I personally watched it and was impressed by it.”
“It’s not a skill that’s particularly impressive.”
“I don’t know about other hunters, but to me, you have skills that are enough to be a role model.”
The corners of Kang-hoo’s mouth twitched.
Because Baek Seon-tae couldn’t shake off the pleasant feeling of having made up his mind to fly the plane.
Kang-hoo is someone who judges himself coolly and conservatively.
It somehow finds what is lacking, and whips you into dissatisfaction with what is overflowing, so that you avoid complacency.
But Baek Seon-tae kept looking at me with eyes of respect and awe, so I couldn’t help but feel good.
On the one hand, there was also a part where I wanted to see Baek Seon-tae’s skills.
Anyway, if you’re a hunter in the same profession, there might be something that you can look up to. The level is also high.
“Then I would appreciate it if you just followed the existing rules. After all, I am a boss monster with rights.”
“Of course!”
Baek Seon-tae, who had received permission from Kang-hu, smiled innocently like a child who had received a gift.
It looks good.
Right then.
“The flames of death that I have created will provide foolish creatures with a shortcut to hell.”
The boss monster, who had been staring at Kang-hoo, said his comment as if he had been waiting for it.
If it was a monster with weight and a sense of intimidation, it would be a line that would send shivers down your spine the moment you heard it.
but.
“It’s just fire chicken after all.”
Kang-hoo trampled the majesty and authority of the boss monster ‘Cannabis’ with just one word.
Fire chicken.
Cannabis, who dreamed of becoming the phoenix, the incarnation of blazing fire, became just a lowly chicken.
