Chapter 8

02. The Teacher's Grace is Like the Sky (4)

Unlike before, when I pressed each enchantment name, an additional explanation window appeared, resembling a kind of blueprint.

The additional explanation window contained pop-ups explaining the additional effects and the expected shape of the circuit. The circuit's shape changed depending on the type of enchantment. The additional explanations were rough, such as "■■ value increases slightly."

Still, this is something! It finally felt real that I had obtained an S-grade skill.

"Ga-ho, are you almost done? The safe zone will be lifted soon!"

"Almost finished!"

I answered Cha Tae-yang's question while keeping my eyes fixed on the system.

There was no innate effect that adjusted my mana value, but all the suffixes had a mana increase effect.

It must be because I use a staff.

The conflict between "Flame" and "Sage" deepened.

The A-grade enchantment "Sage" increases mana much more than "Flame," but it also has the risk of slightly decreasing health and agility.

The conclusion was soon reached.

I don't have the luxury to hesitate. If my mana value is insufficient, it could be a big problem.

I chose the "Sage" effect, which significantly increases mana, even if it slightly decreases other abilities. In exchange, I selected an innate effect that boosts health...

"I apply the enchantment 'Steel Sage.'"

"Focus."

Mini Carlos, who had perched on my head, led the way, moving the mana as if carving a path. His mana was delicately and sometimes boldly drawn into the circuit.

I could barely keep up with his movements, but before I knew it, the mana circuit had enveloped the two pieces of equipment.

It was more intricate and perfect than the expected circuit.

The form that extracted only the strengths of the two pieces of equipment gave me goosebumps.

"Teacher, you were truly a genius."

"Unnecessary talk."

Mini Carlos curtly replied and disappeared without a word. At the same time, a brilliant light poured out from the magic circle.

When I opened my eyes, the long-awaited success message was waiting for me.

– 'Steel' (C): Health +5, Magic Resistance +3

– 'Sage' (A): Health -6, Mana +21, Agility -3, Accuracy +7

[Steel Sage, Stud Gloves (C)

– Health: 5 (-1)

– Strength: 7

– Mana: 0 (+21)

– Agility: 3 (-3)

– Magic Resistance: 0 (+3)

– Accuracy: 0 (+7)]

[Viewing condition met! The additional skill of the 'Eternal Protection' (S) characteristic is unlocked.]

Finally, it succeeded!

I wanted to check the additional skill first, but it wasn't the time for that.

I approached Cha Tae-yang and handed him the completed gloves.

While Cha Tae-yang checked the options on the gloves, I listened to Seo Young-won's plan.

"Right before the Monster Wave starts, we will gather the monsters scattered throughout the mansion to one place. Hunter Yun Ga-ho, please move with Hunter Cha Tae-yang."

"What is the destination?"

"The glass greenhouse, specifically the open space in front of it."

It was a reasonable judgment. To gather all the monsters inside and outside, a wide space was needed. Although it was a bit far from the mansion, it was possible for A-grade hunters.

"You two will focus on the undead near the greenhouse..."

"Big sister! What did you do? This is a completely different item!"

"Let me see too."

Jo Sung-hyun's eyes widened as he checked the gloves. He stepped forward and pushed the gloves to Seo Young-won, then began to question me, disbelieving.

"What is that skill? Hunter Yun Ga-ho is C-grade, right!"

"Jo Sung-hyun, what are you doing? This is..."

"How can a skill of this grade be possible? A-grade? Surely not S-grade? It completely breaks the balance."

Seo Young-won, who had been trying to stop Jo Sung-hyun, changed his attitude after viewing the information. He stood next to Jo Sung-hyun, who was bombarding me with questions, and began to urge me for answers with his eyes.

I tried to act nonchalant, but with Cha Tae-yang joining in, the atmosphere became one where I couldn't avoid answering.

"Ah, unfortunately, I can't answer that now. Everyone, let's move to our positions."

"You must answer later!"

"See you at the greenhouse."

"Let's go, Kim Seobang!"

'There are times when a Monster Wave is welcome.'

Seo Young-won and Jo Sung-hyun persistently watched my back as I left the room with Cha Tae-yang.

Cha Tae-yang lifted me with one arm and jumped out of the corridor window.

The undead horde chased us, but Cha Tae-yang was not intimidated. Instead, he shouted loudly, making the mansion echo.

"Alright, it's time for the final battle!"

That recklessly aggressive statement somehow gave me confidence. Isn't this what every hunter dreams of? An optimistic remark slipped out, uncharacteristically.

"Let's clear the stage."

"Sure, let's go!"

Cha Tae-yang placed me on a suitable tree branch and ran around the greenhouse. Or, can you even call it running?

"Elusive!"

With the skill activated, Cha Tae-yang appeared and disappeared, running and gathering the undead.

'So, he can do all sorts of things like a goblin, huh?'

The goblin, perched on Cha Tae-yang's shoulder, rolled noisily on the ground.

"I can't just stand by."

I used a skill to climb a tall tree near the greenhouse. The view was excellent!

"Activate Bow Assistant. Anchor!"

A targeting scope appeared before my eyes.

The target was the monsters not aggroed to Cha Tae-yang. Seo Young-won would handle the ones near the mansion, so I focused on the ones around here.

The number of monsters with arrows above their heads gradually increased.

"Apply 2nd slot 'Scatter.'"

A card with a dandelion seed design floated up. I frowned as I read the system message that appeared almost simultaneously.

– 2nd slot: Scatter (Remaining uses: 2)

[Do you want to stack the effect? (Max 2 times)]

What is this? The skill name changed from attribute assignment to enchantment.

"Stack? I don't know what it means, but... Stack the effect!"

I answered without thinking, and the number of targets nearly doubled.

Is this stacking a new feature that opened up with the successful enchantment? I opened the skill window, but there was no additional explanation.

"It seems you can stack two attributes to activate the skill."

Indeed, an S-grade characteristic! I thought it was only specialized in crafting, but it has this use too. Not just a golden path, but a rosy path for the damage dealer Yun Ga-ho has opened up!

I smiled and shot an arrow into the air, wrapped in mana.

"Release!"

A giant magic circle illuminated the dark sky. Arrows rained down on the wide area near the greenhouse.

The monsters, caught off guard by the sudden attack, were in a frenzy. The power wasn't very strong, but it successfully drew aggro.

"Good. Let's move quickly now."

I was about to activate 'Cat's Step' and move, but my vision suddenly blurred.

I almost fell off the tree, swaying violently.

I could feel Cha Tae-yang looking worriedly in my direction from a distance.

Leaning against the tree trunk, I checked my status window.

"What? Mana depletion?"

Mana depletion is a status abnormality that occurs when the amount of mana in the body is below 5%. I'm not a beginner and always calculate my mana...

My body gradually grew cold, and my lips trembled. I quickly drank the highest-grade mana potion I had.

There was nothing unusual, so what is this misfortune?

"Could it be... because of the stacking?"

It seems that using the stacking function consumes more mana than usual. A rough calculation showed it was about three times as much.

I cursed, and my body shook. Several undead were shaking the tree simultaneously.

"Ugh, so impatient."

I threw the potion bottle to the ground and activated the skill again.

I'm not particularly high in health, and I don't have the attack power to break through the horde of monsters. If I fall to the ground in this situation, it's over.

I crossed the trees, on edge.

Looking back, a huge cloud of dust was rising. I could see Jo Sung-hyun and Seo Young-won in the dust. They seem to have finished their part well!

"Activate 'Master of Hunting'!"

I activated the skill that turns arrows into hooks and leaped onto the greenhouse roof.

I had intended to draw all the monsters, but looking down from above, my spine shivered.

If Cha Tae-yang fails... No, Cha Tae-yang will definitely succeed. Don't be scared in advance.

"Big sister, big sister! I brought all the monsters outside!"

"Kim Seobang! I did my best too!"

Cha Tae-yang, enveloped in blue flames, advanced without hesitation. On the opposite side, a goblin, defying the laws of physics, rolled and climbed onto the greenhouse roof.

The monsters reached out to the greenhouse roof or climbed the walls, but they didn't break it. It seemed some special command was given.

Cha Tae-yang busily knocked down the undead climbing the greenhouse walls, and I shot arrows to keep the flying monsters from approaching.

"I thought I was going to die."

"Stop exaggerating."

"No, senior, you can't stand the sight of the basement, right?"

"A-grade hunters don't die that easily."

The two, covered in dust, bickered as they leaped onto the greenhouse roof. With the addition of the monsters they had brought from the mansion, the open space in front of the greenhouse was filled.

Decayed flesh, skeletons, and mummies—each one was a spectacular sight. The smell was unbearable with this many.

"I think I'll hate the letter 'U' in undead for the next few months."

"Same here. I feel like my nose will fall off."

Seo Young-won, who had knocked down a monster with his shield, handed something to Cha Tae-yang.

"That, that's an A-grade potion...!"

"Hunter Cha Tae-yang, please take it."

"Can I drink it now?"

Cha Tae-yang stared at the cobalt liquid, which shimmered with a golden light.

'Well, when I first saw a potion, I wondered if it was really safe to drink.'

Soon, Cha Tae-yang closed his eyes and drank the potion.

"Ugh, it's tasteless. It tastes like herbal medicine."

"Do you know how much that costs?"

High-grade potions affect the skills used immediately after consumption, making them very valuable. Jo Sung-hyun, who knew the value of high-grade potions, was indignant on behalf of Cha Tae-yang.

"I just said it's tasteless."

Cha Tae-yang shivered. Regardless, his mana seemed to be fully restored, and he looked much better than before.

Grrr— The cries of the monsters filled the air.

"I'll start."

Cha Tae-yang took a deep breath. Everyone watched him silently, tense.