Chapter 43

EP.43 C-Class Holder Promotion (2)

[Your speed, which races without end, is boosted. You can run even faster.]

[The level of your rune has increased.]

[You become faster, more agile. Your movements become so fluid that they are difficult to track with the naked eye.]

[The level of your rune has increased.]

[You gain 1 point in Speed due to the nature of your rune.]

C-Class Holder Promotion Performance Test.

Although I came to the Bukhansan field with a specific purpose for hunting, I was unexpectedly able to steadily achieve rune growth.

The runes that mainly leveled up were [Sprint] and [Agile Movement].

As I ran non-stop to enter the middle section of Bukhansan, the level of the assault-type rune [Sprint] increased, and as I quickly and decisively dealt with the monsters, the proficiency of the footwork-type rune [Agile Movement] also rose.

Moreover, only two runes grew significantly.

The levels of other runes also increased slightly.

‘Indeed, practical experience is the best for growth.’

The monsters I hunted in the Bukhansan field were mostly goblins and imps, E-Class and D-Class monsters.

Now, as I have entered the middle section, C-Class hobgoblins frequently appear.

Compared to the monsters I hunted in the ‘Academy Underground Dungeon,’ these are clearly lower-level monsters, but hunting them has greatly helped my growth and practical experience.

There are probably several reasons for this…

‘I guess it’s because I’m fighting alone.’

In the underground dungeon, there were various party members.

During the first attempt, there were three damage dealers and an additional tank, Park Jin-woo, and later, when we consistently hunted and strategized, there was the [Ice] mage, Kim Chae-eun.

But now, with the level of the monsters having decreased,

I fight alone.

The variables have increased, and my role has changed.

Unlike before when I only played the tank role, I now have to take on the roles of damage dealer, tank, and support.

Physically, it is much more demanding, but fortunately, the [Steadfast Endurance] I obtained at the end of the semester evaluation has significantly reduced the burden.

‘So, my growth has accelerated even more.’

Thanks to this, various growths of my runes have become possible.

I consistently used [Sword] and [Dagger], as well as [Fisticuffs], and steadily leveled up many other auxiliary runes.

One regrettable point is that…

Since I rarely get hit…

The growth of my durability and related runes is slow?

-Clank…

I slashed the chest of the last surviving hobgoblin.

Due to the decreased durability of my sword,

An unpleasant sensation traveled up my hand.

…Do I have to discard this sword now?

“Please, slow down a bit…!!”

Then, a voice filled with complaint came from somewhere.

Turning my head, I saw Lee Ji-hye.

She was the association examiner in charge of this promotion test.

At first, she watched me with enthusiasm.

But now,

She is struggling to keep up with my insane hunting speed.

I felt a bit embarrassed for a moment.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“Huff… Huff… What’s the rush?”

“Well, there’s a reason.”

“Reason… Huff… Can’t you go a bit slower?”

It sounds a bit strange.

I scratched my head and said,

“If you’re tired, you can go ahead.”

“Huff… It’s fine… I’ll fill the 3 hours.”

The examination time for this promotion test is a total of 3 hours.

However, this is the standard time, and if the examiner thinks the holder has shown sufficient results, the examination can be ended early.

After all, the important thing is to submit the required performance to the association.

The performance I have already shown is more than enough to end the examination.

Yet, she insists on filling the 3 hours and descending the mountain.

Lee Ji-hye must be a holder who is quite stubborn.

“Why aren’t you collecting the mana stones? They’re so expensive.”

“While the examiner is watching, the byproducts are recorded as performance even if I don’t collect them. As I mentioned, I have an urgent matter, so I want to save as much time as possible.”

Soon, the Swole Leviathan will appear in the East Sea.

It’s an S-Class monster that I can’t catch even if I die and come back to life, but if I become a C-Class holder, I can participate in the resource attack team recruited by the state.

Participating in the attack team gives anyone the qualification to attend the ‘Auction’ held in Daegu afterward.

So, my plan is to buy the Swole Leviathan’s mana stone at that auction.

To do this, I need the qualification to participate in the attack team.

I need to quickly complete the C-Class holder promotion.

And actually, if Lee Ji-hye leaves…

I will naturally collect the mana stones.

“Tsk. Holder Do Jae-hyun seems to have a generous budget. Just discarding several hundred thousand won worth of mana stones.”

“Huh? But the examiner’s necklace is worth 300 million won…”

“Be quiet…!!”

The economic sense of holders is different from that of ordinary people.

The market price of mana stones is very high, and the byproducts left by monsters are sold at high prices.

In return, the prices of equipment and items that holders need to invest in themselves are beyond imagination.

Even normal-grade items cost several hundred or thousands of won,

And if they are rare-grade items, they easily exceed the hundred million won mark.

It’s impossible not to be indifferent to a 2 million won D-Class mana stone.

‘Of course, Lee Ji-hye will pick them all up when she goes down.’

Right now, I’m just exchanging time for money.

2 million won is still a significant amount for a lower-class holder like me.

“Anyway, it seems we’ve completely entered the middle section. I haven’t seen anything but C-Class monsters for a while.”

“…That’s right.”

The Bukhansan field is just beginning.

The middle section, where C-Class monsters start to appear in large numbers.

The level and diversity of monsters increase as you climb the mountain, and by the time you reach the summit, B-Class monsters… and even A-Class monsters occasionally appear.

So, my hunting speed has slowed down significantly compared to before.

In the underground dungeon, I could handle multiple B-Class monsters because my role was solely focused on being a tank.

Now, handling all the roles of the party alone…

Dealing with multiple C-Class monsters is not easy.

Still, it’s possible because I have a more diverse set of runes and higher stats compared to a regular C-Class holder.

I looked up at the upper part of the mountain and then

turned to Lee Ji-hye and spoke.

“Examiner?”

“Yes?”

“I think I can pass now, so let’s go down.”

It’s good to amplify the performance in front of the examiner, but I also need to act on my own.

Moreover, C-Class monster mana stones are worth about 7 million won,

It’s a pity to miss them, so I have to slow down my hunting speed.

“Is Holder Do Jae-hyun going down too?”

“Ha ha. No, as I said, I have an urgent matter to attend to.”

“Then I will…!”

“It will get dark in the evening. When it gets dark, it will be hard to see the monsters’ attacks. The risk I take is my own, but I can’t put the examiner in danger, right?”

To be honest, it’s a bit of a lie.

There’s still a lot of time before it gets dark, and Lee Ji-hye, being a C-Class holder, can take care of herself.

In other words, I want to go alone.

After saying this, she seemed to understand.

Lee Ji-hye no longer insisted.

“Tsk. I get it. I’ll see you at the final evaluation. When you come to the association, you must find me!”

“I understand. I’ll definitely come to you.”

“…Be careful with your hunting.”

After the greeting, Lee Ji-hye descended the mountain.

After watching her leave,

I immediately moved my body.

Not to hunt again,

But to find something hidden.

“Definitely… it was around here.”

With all my weapons put away,

I moved quickly.

The target of my search was the nearby trees.

Specifically, the small holes that look like grooves in the trees.

“…Huh?”

After about 10 minutes of searching,

I finally found a peculiar tree.

“Here…!”

Several indented tree holes.

Among them, a small hole in a tree that particularly pulsed with mana.

Just like when I discovered the ‘Academy Underground Dungeon’.

This time, I found the entrance to a ‘dungeon’.

And I came here with a plan,

Knowing exactly what kind of dungeon this is.

“Hobgoblin Village….”

The Bukhansan field, where many dungeons lie dormant.

But one dungeon that has yet to be discovered.

A hidden piece that was only briefly mentioned in the original story.

An undiscovered dungeon.

The entrance to the ‘Hobgoblin Village’.

Without hesitation,

I slowly infused mana into the medium entrance.

[You have entered the dungeon.]

[The dungeon’s murky aura slightly reduces the holder’s strength.]

And my body moved to a specific space.

After coming here,

The start of my second dungeon strategy.

* * *

Hobgoblin Village.

Unlike the many existing dungeons that are mostly in cave form,

This is an open-type dungeon that forms a village.

C-Class monsters like hobgoblin warriors, archers, and shamans.

Various types of hobgoblins make up the majority,

And when you reach the ‘boss room,’ the ‘chieftain’s house,’

You will face the B-Class monster boss, the ‘Hobgoblin Chieftain.’

And to reach there,

You have to completely strategize this tedious monster village, which is covered in hobgoblins on all sides.

-Clank, clank!

-Clank…!!

“Damn… It’s so noisy, really.”

After hearing so many goblin cries,

My ears feel like goblin ears.

I hunted the endless hoard of hobgoblins, stacking up promotion performance and mana stones.

Clearly, unlike the ‘field’ where monsters appear sparsely,

The dungeon is a gathering place for monsters.

No matter how many hobgoblins I hunt,

The next and the next hobgoblins are waiting.

If I didn’t have [Steadfast Endurance], I would have had to stop hunting long ago due to physical exhaustion.

Still, the results don’t lie.

Having hunted so many hobgoblins,

I’m sure I’ve easily surpassed one-third of the promotion performance.

“Flow.”

Occasionally, I tried [Rushing Water] to show off,

…But of course, it didn’t work because the conditions weren’t met.

I awkwardly looked around and cut down another hobgoblin.

“Still, it’s rewarding.”

Maybe the rewards come with the effort.

Although dealing with so many hobgoblins alone is a bit challenging, the rewards afterward are better than expected.

The ‘Hobgoblin Warrior’ and ‘Hobgoblin Archer’ only have runes like [Sword], [Shield], and [Bow], so unfortunately, the [Rune Hunter]’s utility is limited.

But…

[You have won the duel! By the mysterious power of the Rune Hunter, you can duplicate one of the opponent’s runes. Please choose the rune to duplicate.]

[You have chosen a simple curse. As it is a level 4 rare rune, its level will decrease, and it will be registered as level 2.]

[You have obtained a new rune.]

[You gain 1 point in Holiness and Mana due to the nature of the rune.]

I got quite a bit from the ‘Hobgoblin Shaman.’

Shamanism is a slightly different ability from magic.

It is composed of faith in the entity that is the subject of the shamanism, regardless of the arrangement or structure.

The manifestation only borrows the power of mana to a certain extent.

Therefore, after obtaining the [Simple Curse] rune,

I could increase both Holiness and Mana ability points.

Holiness ability points are almost unnecessary, but the increase in Mana, which I have been desperately needing, is a significant benefit.

“Haha. It’s a goldmine, a goldmine.”

Wiping away the sweat, I smiled broadly.

The reason I chose this place among the many undiscovered dungeons.

The ability points that I currently lack and need.

This dungeon can relatively easily fill those gaps.