Chapter 12

EP.12 Academy Monster Hunt (4)

In this world, the measure of strength is determined by runes.

This is not only applicable to Holders.

Monsters.

From F-class monsters that can be taken down by ordinary people with guns,

to E to A-class monsters that Holders hunt the most,

and S-class monsters that only a select few can hunt, or

even higher-class monsters that are considered legendary.

Powerful monsters all possess their own runes.

For example, the Epic Rune of the B-class monster, Centaur:

[Reckless Charge].

A special rune that allows the user to ignore all physical attacks not infused with mana during a charge and strike with a force nearly twice the strength of their physical power.

Since all Centaurs exhibit this effect during a charge and show a consistent pattern when used,

the research results confirmed that "monsters also possess runes."

Similarly, the B-class monster, Sizzling Salamander.

It was only natural that it would have a rune as well.

After all, it could handle fire and had numerous abilities to enhance its physical attributes.

However, my [Rune Hunter] can apparently replicate its rune.

Since the intense battle with it was recognized as a "duel,"

"This is ridiculous..."

I stared blankly at the information window.

The golden information window still flickered, urging me to make a choice.

In other words, every time I hunt a monster,

I can obtain the runes they possess.

Then there's no need to pick and choose opponents among Holders.

After all, I can get runes just by hunting monsters.

"Really, it's like a cheat rune..."

Of course, not all monsters possess runes.

Only those of a sufficiently high rank have runes, and even then, useful runes can only be obtained by hunting higher-ranked monsters.

The Sizzling Salamander.

This monster was a B-class monster, one of the stronger ones among its kind, and thus possessed three runes.

It was an unexpected stroke of luck and a rare opportunity.

'Which one should I choose?'

A total of three runes:

[Flaring Flame], [Quadruped Combat], [Lizard Scales].

Among these, [Quadruped Combat] can be immediately ruled out.

This was the reason why it could aggressively charge at me with its immense physical strength.

A rune that enhances the combat skills of quadrupedal monsters.

But as a Holder, it was utterly useless to me.

I am a bipedal human, so it would be meaningless to have it.

Besides, I already have a [Combat] rune.

'So, one of the two... '

[Flaring Flame] and [Lizard Scales].

After much deliberation, I finally decided on the latter.

The reason was surprisingly simple.

[Flaring Flame] is a rune that assists in handling fire, similar to a fire-element magic rune.

And such runes can be obtained in the future.

I could get one by dueling a Holder who can handle fire magic or by hunting special monsters that can handle fire.

Fire is one of the most common elemental types in magic, and there are many opportunities to obtain it.

On the other hand, [Lizard Scales] is a rune that can only be obtained from lizard-type monsters.

Even then, this monster is a B-class, which is why it has a rune. Other lizard-type monsters might not have runes at all.

Therefore, my choice was the last rune.

[You have chosen Lizard Scales. As it is a level 11 Rare rune, its level will drop to 6.]

[You have obtained a new rune.]

[The rune grants you 6 Durability.]

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Lizard Scales

◎Rank: Rare (R)

◎Level: 6

◎Engraved Part: Back

◎Special Effects:

- Once a month, you can shed your skin lightly. After shedding, minor cuts and scars will disappear, and you will have a clean and clear skin.

- Durability +6

◎Derived Skill:

[Strengthen]

◎Detailed Information:

- The sharp and hard scales that only lizards possess. No attack without mana can penetrate these scales.

<Skill Information>

◎Name: Strengthen

◎Derived Rune: Lizard Scales

◎Cooldown: 1 hour

◎Effect:

- For 5 seconds, your Durability is doubled, making you even tougher. Additionally, during this time, you gain 10 resistance to all elemental attacks. After 5 seconds, the effect ends.

"Strengthen... It's like this..."

I can't help but marvel at the skill naming sense.

It must have been created by the original author.

Still, compared to the trashy name, the effect is incredible.

It enhances Durability for 5 seconds, allowing you to prepare for a fatal blow, and temporarily increases elemental resistance to deal with magic.

The cooldown is a bit long, but for this level of effect, it's actually quite short.

'The rune is also quite good.'

The rune that derived the skill.

[Lizard Scales].

I was very satisfied with the rune I chose after much deliberation.

The most needed attribute for me recently was Durability.

Compared to other combat attributes, my Durability was quite low, and there was no way to improve it through training, which was a source of much frustration.

So when a rune that boosts Durability appeared, I couldn't help but be pleased.

Especially since it's a high-level rune, the increase is 6 points.

Thanks to this, my Durability is now 14, the same as my highest attribute, Strength.

'The level drop... It seems to vary depending on the rune level.'

I also gained new information.

The level drop indicated by [Rune Hunter] varies depending on the level of the rune.

From level 11 to level 6.

When I obtained other runes, they were all level 1 runes.

So they were registered as level 0 immediately, and I didn't notice...

But with a high-level rune, the drop was quite significant.

Even the [Rune Hunter], one of the most powerful runes, seems to have some sense of fairness.

"Holder Do Jae-hyun. Are you okay?"

While I was bursting into a wide smile after obtaining the new rune,

a professor walked over from the noisy crowd.

At first glance, he seemed to be a professor teaching the Holy class.

I showed my badly bruised and burned body and said,

"No... As you can see, I'm a mess. Could you please treat me?"

"Of course. Lie down right there. I'll start the treatment immediately."

"Thank you."

The appearance of a monster inside the Academy, an important early event.

Although the direction was a bit different,

the incident was eventually resolved.

* * *

A B-class monster appeared in the Academy.

This became a major topic of discussion not only in the Academy but across South Korea.

While monsters have appeared in urban areas and among people before, a B-class monster, a high-ranking monster that rarely appears, was a rare occurrence.

Especially in the Academy, it was even more unusual.

It was almost impossible for any monster, let alone a B-class, to breach the defenses and appear in the Academy.

"Is this the first time a B-class monster has appeared in the Academy?"

"Of course. The Academy has a barrier. A magical barrier to prevent monsters."

The Seoul Holder Academy has many high-ranking Holders with expertise in mana, serving as professors and administrators.

In an institution that cultivates future talent,

it is natural for high-ranking Holders to prioritize safety.

Therefore, the Academy is equipped with magical devices to ensure the safety of student Holders.

When the [Mana Control] rune reaches Max level,

the derived skill, [Mana Barrier], can be obtained.

This can be adapted for various purposes according to the caster's intention, and the [Mana Barrier] installed in the Academy is primarily a defensive barrier to prevent the appearance of monsters.

The sudden appearance of a monster in the Academy could only mean that this [Mana Barrier] had been breached.

"Some say a member of the <Villain> clan destroyed it."

"What? Is that true?!"

"Shh. It's just a rumor. It could be possible."

Thus, all sorts of rumors circulated about the incident.

The <Villain> clan intentionally destroyed the barrier...

The [Mana Barrier] manager was negligent...

It happened because the headmaster was incompetent...

Baseless rumors spread among the people.

While listening to the murmurs of passersby,

Professor Tack Won-ho, a member of the Warrior class at the Academy,

could not hide his anger.

As soon as he returned to his office, he roughly threw a pile of papers.

"Damn! What a disgrace..."

Tack Won-ho.

He is a professor of the Warrior class, known as a master of destructive and aggressive sword