Chapter 51

EP.51 Companion (1)

I had often studied the [Rune Hunter] during this time.

What are the criteria for a duel, and what are the criteria for victory?

Also, to what extent does the rune degrade.

Since the [Rune Hunter] was the most crucial rune among the runes I possessed, I needed to gather more information.

As a result, I discovered a few points.

'The criteria for a duel are lenient yet strict.'

The system is lenient in that it recognizes not only one-on-one duels but also one-against-many battles as duels.

However, it does not recognize the literal meaning of a duel.

Only 'battles' are recognized as duels.

For example, deciding victory through rock-paper-scissors or guessing the side of a coin is not recognized as a duel.

...Obviously, a night duel or something like that is also not recognized.

Only battles.

Moreover, these battles must be against monsters or Holders, using runes to fight.

The second point is the criteria for victory.

As long as there is no intentional manipulation of the outcome,

the criteria for victory are quite lenient.

'Because of the contribution.'

Even in a one-against-many battle, if I don't deliver the final blow,

as long as my contribution is high, victory is recognized.

I have obtained many runes through this contribution system, and I have proven it through party play in the academy's underground dungeon.

However, does that mean that just being present is enough to be recognized for contribution?

That's not the case.

Even when playing in a party,

I didn't obtain the runes of monsters I merely passed by.

If the Holder system judges that the contribution is insufficient, the [Rune Hunter] does not activate.

That's why the phrase that always appeared was 'high contribution.'

'But why this time...'

I stared blankly at the information window.

Despite not doing much, the [Rune Hunter] activated.

After being packaged with the vague term 'ambiguous contribution,'

I received half a victory and a random rune.

'Did blocking the water bullets twice play a big role?'

The only possibility was that.

There was no chance of an error in the Holder system, and it seemed that using [Iron Defense] and [Rushing Water Slash] to block the monster's water bullets twice was effective.

Especially since Jung Seon-young, the core dealer of the attack team,

was the main target of my defense, those points were recognized as contribution.

In any case, from my perspective, it was like getting a free rune.

'What a surprise...'

[Wave that Swallowed the Whirlpool].

An S-grade monster's rune, and it's even an Epic rune.

The highest-grade rune that can come from a monster.

To get it randomly...

There's no luck like this.

I carefully examined the rune information.

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Wave that Swallowed the Whirlpool

◎Grade: Epic (Epic)

◎Level: 4

◎Engraved Part: Mouth

◎Special Effects

: You can freely manipulate water. When using water magic in the sea or skills related to 'waves' and 'whirlpools,' the power is significantly enhanced.

: Provides growth increase and effect amplification to all water-related runes.

: Water Resistance +4, Magic Power +3

◎Derived Skill

[New Wave]

◎Detailed Information

: Within the wave that seems to cover the entire land, a fierce whirlpool is contained. The one who can control the wave that swallowed the whirlpool will soon be able to wield water and the sea like an extension of their body.

"Wow..."

I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Is this really a rune I can get randomly?

The effects were so good that it felt almost unethical.

Breaking it down, there was not a single effect that was useless.

First, the ability to manipulate water.

Similar to [Flaring Flame], [Wave that Swallowed the Whirlpool] is a magic-related rune that allows you to manipulate water and use water-element magic.

Although I haven't learned how to manifest magic yet, I can use water as an attack method through magic power.

Additionally, I can freely move water in any place where there is water, such as rivers or the sea.

Thus, I can now handle both fire and water.

'The growth increase and effect amplification for all water-related runes? Insane.'

The second special effect.

This is really a cheat.

At first glance, it might seem like a rune with no use if there are no water-related runes.

But who am I?

I'm not just any Holder; I'm the Kakashi of the Holder world, who possesses the [Rune Hunter].

I can always and will continue to have opportunities to obtain water-related runes, and the more related runes I get, the more this effect will amplify.

Moreover, I already have water-related runes.

[Wave Sword Technique] and [Rushing Water Sword Technique].

These two runes are sword techniques, but as their names suggest, they are also runes that contain the essence of water in the sword.

If these two sword techniques are judged to be related to water,

it would be a definite opportunity to grow my core runes.

'I'll have to experiment with this later.'

If I get a chance to experiment,

I'll be able to understand the effects properly.

Lastly, the derived skill [New Wave].

Given that I can't manifest magic, it seems to be a magic power skill rather than a magic form.

It's a skill that can create a massive wave in any place with even a little water...

Unfortunately, it has a cooldown of one day.

A skill that can only be used once a day.

It seems difficult to use in dungeon strategies or field hunting where you have to continuously hunt monsters.

Still, since it's a derived skill of an Epic rune, there must be some use for it.

Plus, it increases water resistance and magic power.

There was not a single effect that was useless.

'If this is considered top-tier among Epic runes...'

Just because they are the same grade doesn't mean they are the same level.

Just as [Rune Hunter], which can replicate an opponent's rune, and [Intimidation], which is only effective against low-level opponents, cannot be placed on the same level, there are differences in performance and effects even among Epic runes.

[Wave that Swallowed the Whirlpool].

This Epic rune, which was possessed by an S-grade monster, was a top-tier rune that could be considered one of the best among such Epic runes.

To receive such a rune randomly...

It's a good thing to live a good life.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Just as I was gaping in amazement,

I turned my head at a voice from behind.

The dealer I had guarded during this monster hunt.

A-grade Holder, Jung Seon-young.

She smiled and extended her hand to me.

"My name is Jung Seon-young."

"Ah! I'm Do Jae-hyun. It's an honor to meet you, senior."

I quickly bowed and shook her hand with both hands.

Jung Seon-young chuckled.

"It's been a while since I heard such a title. I usually only hear 'sister' or 'big sister.' I've seen many C-grade Holders... but they're all the same."

"Ah... That seems to be the case."

All the C-grade Holders, including me, were rookies.

However, A-grade and B-grade Holders stood out with their battle sense, which came from experience.

Their movements suggested they had hunted disaster monsters many times.

Moreover, the fact that they knew each other's names indicated that they had a certain level of familiarity.

Unlike the new C-grade Holders who didn't know anything,

A-grade and B-grade Holders were seasoned veterans who frequently went on hunts.

"Your name, Do Jae-hyun, sounds new... Are you an academy student?"

"Ah, yes. I'm currently a first-year student."

"A first-year student?"

Jung Seon-young was surprised.

"Yes. Is there a problem...?"

"No, you're much younger than I thought. For a first-year, you fought really well."

"Most of it was done by Holder Jung Seon-young. I just held a shield and blocked."

"You even used an ultimate skill with a sword."

I closed my mouth at her words.

...Of course, she saw it.

There was no way she couldn't.

I used it right in front of her.

And with flashy incantations.

At that point, it would be foolish not to recognize it as an ultimate skill.

"...I was lucky."

"I know. Probably your stats or rune levels didn't match. You were restricted after using it, right?"

"How did you...?"

"It's obvious when a C-grade Holder uses an ultimate skill. I did the same. Anyway, I can see that Do Jae-hyun is a talented Holder. To use an ultimate skill at your age and with your stats..."

"..."

Using a skill beyond my limits.

It seems I wasn't the only one who experienced this.

Jung Seon-young smiled again and continued.

"Anyway, it's nice to meet you. Watching you fight from behind, I really wanted to talk to you."

"It's an honor to meet you too."

"Do you have any plans after this hunt? The academy is on break, right?"

The S-grade disaster monster in Pohang.

The hunt for Swell Leviathan.

Actually, I wasn't particularly interested in hunting this monster.

More accurately, after hunting this monster,

my goal was to obtain its magic stone.

[Forgotten Dragon's Stone Plate].

I suspected that one of the five magic stones needed to complete this item was the monster's magic stone.

Well, if not, it would have been a wasted effort.

"I plan to participate in the auction in Daegu. I don't want to miss the priority for the auction..."

"Ah, then do you want to go with me? I'm planning to go to Daegu too."

"Me? With you?"

"I was bored going alone. It would be nice to talk to a talented junior I haven't seen in a while. What do you think?"

Not bad.

No, it's even better.

Jung Seon-young is an A-grade Holder with extensive experience.

She is knowledgeable in theory and has a lot of experience, so there is much to learn from her.

During the 2-3 days in Daegu,

I will definitely gain something by spending time with her.

Moreover...

"Jae-hyun! Are you okay?"

A Holder shouting from a distance and approaching us.

My best friend, Kim Chae-eun.

I smiled at the sight of her.

Jung Seon-young seems to be one of the top Holders in the ice-element runes.

There are no Holders in Korea's S-grade who can handle [Freezing].

And Kim Chae-eun is also a rare resource as a mage who can handle [Freezing].

Interestingly, both of them belong to the same element.

Meeting top-tier Holders of the same element is a rare opportunity.

If the two of them are together... even if Jung Seon-young makes a joke, Kim Chae-eun will probably take notes.

I turned to Jung Seon-young and asked,

"Do you mind if I bring one more person?"

"Girlfriend?"

"Ah, no, it's not that..."

"Girlfriend, then. As long as you don't show affection in front of me, it's fine. Seeing such a scene in front of an unmarried woman might make me lose my temper. Hehe."

A-grade Holder and a mage-type dealer.

Considering her age, which seems to be around late 30s,

it's more likely that she hasn't married rather than can't marry...

But this is a joke from a good-natured person.

I smiled and replied,

"Understood."

Thus, the three of us, leaving behind the body of Swell Leviathan, which was being processed, moved towards the warp gate to Daegu.