Chapter 21

021. Hunter Han Seong-yun (1)

"You have purchased a Return Stone (F+)."

I caught the bright red stone that appeared in the air and examined the Return Stone.

"Return Stone"

"Grade: F+"

"An item used for returning, available only to challengers who have reached the 5th floor of the Tower of Trials."

"It has the property of being indestructible, and when infused with mana, it returns the user to their original location."

"However, if 3 days have passed since the return, the user will be sent back to the original floor of the Tower of Trials."

Three days, a short time, but the important thing was the 'return.'

'If I can return to Earth, it doesn't matter.'

No one would worry about me if communication was cut off, but I still wanted to go back.

Starting from food to clothing, the Tower of Trials was not a place where I had any freedom, so it was natural.

'Not to mention, I couldn't even take a proper shower, and my clothes were tattered.'

Thanks to the assassin's cloak covering my body, no one had noticed.

My current appearance was such that I could be mistaken for a homeless person.

Furthermore.

'There are things I need to do when I return...'

Perhaps it could be called preemptive action.

There were things that would become troublesome if done later, and I needed to handle them now.

In any case, there was no reason not to return.

Especially since the points required for the return were only about 500 points.

However, I didn't use the Return Stone immediately.

'I need to check the trial rewards first.'

Returning was one thing, and checking the rewards was another.

I didn't neglect what needed to be done.

Putting aside the ample points I had earned, I first checked the additional breakthrough rewards, which were new skills.

"Skill – Instant Acceleration (D)"

"Mastery – 0%"

"Effect – When the skill name is spoken, mana is used to momentarily accelerate the body."

"This is the first active skill I've seen, and it's pretty good."

Apart from items, I had never used an active form of anything before.

High-speed regeneration, pain resistance, ranger's discipline, physical resistance, hunter-style dagger techniques, and so on...

I had gained many skills, but most of them were not active skills and activated naturally.

'But active skills are activated by the user's will.'

Like the challenger, Yi Si-yeon, who used a flail and activated the unique trait 'Snake's Binding.'

Of course, the activation condition of 'speaking the skill name' is not just about saying it out loud.

I heard that once a skill is familiar, it can be activated just by thinking about it without saying it.

This applies to unique traits in active form as well.

'Of course, since it's a unique trait, the activation conditions might be a bit different.'

Most skills obtained for the first time are used by speaking them out loud.

Instant Acceleration, with its good effect and high base grade, is not bad.

'If I train and use it whenever I have a chance, it won't be a bad thing.'

Given that my highest attribute is agility, the efficiency should be good.

"Han Seong-yun"

"Strength – 47" "Stamina – 44"

"Agility – 48 (+5)" "Mana – 32"

"Endurance – 28"

"Unique Trait – Necromancy (E)"

"Skills – View Details"

The status window that suddenly opened was telling me that I had grown significantly again.

'Now, the skills aren't even listed properly.'

Perhaps it's because the number of skills has increased so much, but it's amazing.

The fact that skill listing omissions, which I once only heard about, are now happening made me smile.

Although small monsters no longer increase my stats much, the stats that have increased due to the sheer number are all quite impressive.

'The only regret is my endurance stat.'

Thanks to the low base value, it grew quickly, but compared to other stats, it is woefully inadequate.

It hasn't even surpassed my lowest mana stat.

But with this, my stats have practically skyrocketed.

Feeling reasonably satisfied, I activated Necromancy.

"Please select a spirit to absorb from the spirits you possess."

"Current number of possessed spirits – 4/15"

"Player 'Yi Si-yeon'"

"Player 'Yi Jin-ho'"

"Player 'Lim Sang-yun'"

"Goblin King"

'I've been putting it off, but if I can absorb human spirits, there's no reason not to use them.'

Spirits are a kind of reward obtained by fighting to the death.

But if I don't use them because they go against my ethics?

'It would just be a loss for me.'

Without the growth assistance ability, I would be just a player close to an ordinary person.

Overwhelming stats and various skills with effects...

Most of my abilities stem from Necromancy, so it's even more so.

'I can't afford to be picky while growing.'

Having reached this conclusion, I selected all the spirits without hesitation and absorbed them.

'If I'm lucky, I might get a skill from one of the four.'

When I absorbed the doppleganger, I gained the physical resistance skill, so it was possible.

After a brief moment, the messages I hoped for appeared.

"Absorbing one of the skills possessed by player 'Yi Jin-ho'."

Despite the low probability, another message about absorbing a skill appeared.

I wanted to cheer, but before I could, a change came over my body.

"Using all possessed spirits to permanently increase stats."

"Strength increased by 5."

"Agility increased by 3."

"Stamina increased by 4."

"Mana increased by 6."

"Endurance increased by 8."

Perhaps because the opponents were stronger than the goblins, the stat increases were significant.

"Status window."

"Han Seong-yun"

"Strength – 52" "Stamina – 48"

"Agility – 51" "Mana – 38"

"Endurance – 36"

"Unique Trait – Necromancy (E)"

"Skills – View Details"

'The reward is good, but a bit disappointing.'

The +5 agility effect from the assassin's cloak disappeared.

The effect was removed as my agility stat exceeded 50.

But where there is loss, there is gain.

"You have learned the skill 'Combat Continuation (F)'."

When I saw the message that I had gained the skill 'Combat Continuation,' I clicked on 'View Details' in the skill section.

I then clicked on the newly created 'Combat Continuation' at the end of the list.

"Skill – Combat Continuation (F)"

"Mastery – 0%"

"Effect – When judged to have received a critical attack in combat, movement restrictions are weakened for 1 minute."

It's a skill I know.

'A famous skill among hunters.'

It's so well-known that if anyone asked how to get this skill, I could immediately tell them the method.

It's a skill that activates in a life-threatening situation, so it left a vivid impression on me.

The acquisition condition is to 'reverse a battle that leads to death at least ten times.'

Depending on one's aptitude, the number of battles required may vary, but the basic condition is that.

But the effect is quite impressive.

Whether it's poison or mana-induced binding, 'all movement restrictions' are weakened.

Of course, you can't completely ignore movement restrictions...

But as the skill level increases, the duration extends, and the backlash after using the skill decreases.

'However, due to the harsh acquisition conditions, not many people can easily get it.'

Only those who can throw themselves into dangerous battles can obtain this skill.

Long-time hunters or those who deliberately engage in dangerous battles are the ones who get it.

The former naturally obtain it as they gain experience, and the latter shorten the acquisition period by taking crazy risks.

It seems that 'Yi Jin-ho' was the latter, though it wasn't intentional.

'But what kind of trials did he go through to face so many life-threatening battles?'

I haven't even had 10 life-or-death battles yet, but 'Yi Jin-ho' seemed different.

It was strange that he was so scared and whining despite having such a skill.

'Well, there's no need to think too deeply about it.'

Since everyone's trials are different, making assumptions is not good.

In any case, the benefits were more than I expected.

With this, the reward check is complete.

What's left is when to use the Return Stone and 'equipment purchase.'

'Hmm, but can I bring equipment purchased in the Tower of Trials to Earth?'

If I can, I won't have to worry about money.

Even if I just sell E-grade items, the amount I would get would be enormous.

But when I was brought to this tower, I was stripped of all items except my clothes.

So, I wondered if the items in this tower couldn't be taken out as separate items.

I had some items in my hands, but I was unsure if they would remain.

'Will thinking about it change anything? If so, I should go to Earth as soon as possible.'

I want to get out of this ragged state.

Properly washing, eating, and sleeping, and taking a break, even if it's just for a short time.

I need to return to do these things properly.

Additionally, I need to get a refund for the money I spent at the player-exclusive gym.

Even if I've become stronger in the Tower of Trials, the real-world situation hasn't changed.

The circumstances of being an incompetent player and living by part-time jobs haven't changed.

Being able to get back half of the membership fees I've paid for seven years is important.

It's a significant amount of 35 million won.

'I need to save every penny now.'

Of course, if I lacked points, I would have refused, saying it's just money.

But honestly, I have enough points to buy the necessary equipment.

I checked the shop just in case, but I had enough points to buy all the equipment I needed and still have some left over.

'Is it because I cleared a special mission, or is it a considerable amount of points?'

The consistent additional breakthrough rewards also played a role.

In the end, there's no lack of points to go to Earth.

Additionally.

'It's not just for solving that, but if I can handle other things while I'm there, it should be fine.'

Since I'm going to solve various issues, it won't be a loss.

I infused mana into the clear red stone in my hand, which resembled a ruby.

"Challenger Han Seong-yun, your will to return has been confirmed."

"Using the Return Stone to return to Earth."

And at that moment, the world turned black.

***

"......"

The moment I opened my eyes, I felt a sinking feeling in my chest.

The familiar ceiling, and when I turned my head, the familiar scenery of my studio apartment.

-Seven rules that hunters must know, to be observed in dungeons.

-Methods to significantly improve a hunter's skills, as told by an S-class hunter.

-The passing criteria for the hunter exam and the training required to pass it.

Post-it notes with various information stuck to the wall caught my eye.

I had copied everything by hand and checked it every day, vowing to remember it all.

For a moment, I wondered if the 'Tower of Trials' was just something I imagined.

A fleeting fear that everything I had achieved might have disappeared.

But.

"Challenger Han Seong-yun has returned to his residence."

The negative thoughts were dispelled by the message that appeared before me.

And the next message reminded me that I needed to move.

"In three days, you will return to the Tower of Trials."

"May this return be meaningful for the challenger."

It was telling me to finish all the tasks within the limited time.

It felt like it was urging me to move quickly instead of wasting time on emotions.

'Tight schedule, huh?'

Well, to get a refund and deal with the situation of being away for a while, it is tight.

As I was getting up, something hit my hand.

Thud.

"Wait, what?"

I blinked when I found the cause.

"Why is this here?"

A black-coated blade and handle, a dagger that was clearly a fine weapon.

The black iron dagger I obtained as a trial reward was on the bed.

And to the left was the dead giant tree shield I originally had.

'Could it be?'

Feeling around the bed, I found a piece of cloth different from the blanket.

The item I obtained in the second trial and used effectively, the assassin's cloak.

Contrary to my expectations, I could bring all the items with me.

I was momentarily surprised but quickly accepted it as a good thing and smiled.

"This means I have more to do."

I already had quite a few items to dispose of soon.

Holding up the dead giant tree shield, I chuckled.

'I was going to need some money anyway, so this is fortunate.'

It seemed I would soon be handling a large amount of money.