Chapter 57

EP.57 Return and Inspection (2)

- Roar...!!

After a long time, the cries of lizards spread through the dungeon.

The lizardmen, who had almost taken over the area.

Even as C-rank monsters, they were dangerous when gathered in large numbers.

However, to me, who had become accustomed to one-against-many battles while attacking the hobgoblin village, fighting these creatures now felt much easier.

Moreover, these creatures had no shields.

They relied solely on tridents and their physical strength.

- Roar!!

- Roar, Roar...!!

"Better than a kelek."

The cries of the lizardmen seemed more familiar than those of the hobgoblins.

The battle formation was similar to the one used in the hobgoblin village.

[Dagger] or [Bow] to draw their attention, and then take them down one by one with the main combat runes.

The primary runes I used were [Sword].

Among the sword techniques, I combined [Tidal Wave Sword Technique] and [Flowing Water Sword Technique] appropriately.

For movement techniques, I used [Agile Movement].

I had the capabilities of a bruiser, able to take on both the roles of a tank and a damage dealer.

The diverse distribution of runes made this possible, and my well-rounded growth in abilities supported it.

[Your rune level has increased.]

[Your rune level has increased.]

After cutting down about 70 lizardmen, the information window for the long-awaited rune level increase appeared.

"This really works."

What I wanted to test in this inspection was the versatility of the new rune [Swallowed Wave] obtained from defeating the Leviathan.

I wanted to find out the scope of "related to water" in the special effect of this rune, which was "increased growth and enhanced effects for all water-related runes."

Both [Tidal Wave Sword Technique] and [Flowing Water Sword Technique] were sword techniques that mimicked the shape of water.

The former was modeled after a rapidly advancing and receding wave, while the latter was modeled after a gently flowing wave.

Therefore, I speculated that both sword techniques would be considered water-related runes.

The word "related" could be interpreted broadly depending on the perspective.

And as expected, my speculation was...

Exactly correct.

"The growth rate is faster, and the power is stronger."

When using a sword to hunt lizardmen, I felt it was much easier than before.

While my abilities and rune levels had increased compared to before, the effect correction provided by [Swallowed Wave] could not be ignored.

Moreover, the levels of the two sword techniques had just risen to level 8.

The incredible growth rate was a result of the synergy between the increased growth of the aforementioned water-related runes and the growth increase from [Sweat of the Seeker].

Now, only 2 levels remained to reach level 10...

Perhaps, before advancing to B-rank, the restriction on the ultimate skill might be lifted.

-Keeeh...!!

A familiar cry was heard from the middle section.

Toxin Iguana.

A monster with a small build but swift attacks and [Deadly Poison] that could put a holder in danger.

Against this creature, I focused more on how to take hits well rather than how to deal damage.

It was much stronger than the lizardmen, making it difficult to hunt in large numbers, and it was necessary to inspect tanking-focused runes.

[Enjoying the Hits! Your defense against the opponent's attacks with a flesh-and-blood defense is starting to develop.]

[Your rune level has increased.]

[You gain 1 durability from the rune's tendency.]

[The deadly poison flows through your body. Your understanding of handling deadly poison has increased.]

[Your rune level has increased.]

[You gain 1 poison resistance from the rune's tendency.]

The low-level runes had steadily grown.

[Meat Defense], obtained from the hobgoblin chief, had reached level 5, and [Deadly Poison], which I had endured from the Toxin Iguana, had also grown to level 5.

"Now, most of my main runes are at least level 5."

Except for special runes that could only grow in specific situations, such as [Intimidation], [Sturdy Teeth], and [Quadruped Combat], all the main runes used in battle had surpassed level 5.

Whether it was tanking, dealing damage, or supporting.

I could take on all the roles that would be distributed in a party.

There was no jack-of-all-trades like me.

"...But there are downsides too."

As the number of runes increased, so did the time I had to invest in them.

Even with [Sweat of the Seeker], this was one of the factors that slowed down rune growth.

This was probably a problem I would have to continue to ponder.

If the growth of main runes accelerated further, I might have to give up on the growth of some runes.

For example, [Simple Curse], which hadn't even reached level 1 after being obtained.

-Keeeh!!

-Kee, Keeeh...!!

Looking around, I saw that the Toxin Iguanas were endlessly swarming.

They had already formed a group while I was distracted.

"...Let's go, go."

My choice was [Charge].

I ran without looking back.

No matter how strong I had become, it was still difficult to face this many B-rank monsters at once.

To be precise, I could somehow deal with them.

[Blazing Flame] and [Swallowed Wave].

Now that these two runes, which utilized mana, had established themselves as damage-dealing runes.

However, these two runes were not effective against the monsters.

Using water and fire on lizard-type monsters wouldn't have much effect.

The reason Juyeon's mana attacks were effective was that her fire magic was powerful enough to ignore the elemental disadvantage.

If the two mana-related runes grew significantly, I might be able to deal damage to them.

"...Maybe I should just get a lightning-related rune?"

Perhaps that would be faster.

* * *

On the day of my internship induction into <Judgment of Fire>.

I was at Yeouido Station.

While the clan buildings of domestic clans are distributed in various places, the three major clans and some mid-sized clans are mostly based in Yeouido.

This is probably because both the political and business cores are located in Yeouido.

While admiring the buildings that seemed to pierce the sky, I was standing at the exit when I felt someone tap my shoulder.

Ten minutes earlier than the scheduled time?

I was slightly surprised that they had already arrived and turned my head.

"Early to come..."

And when I saw her in my field of vision.

My surprise doubled, and I caught my breath.

Today was the day I was to receive a simple introduction to the clan from Juyeon and finalize my internship induction at the clan's personnel department.

That's why I was waiting at Yeouido Station, and as expected, the person who tapped my shoulder was Juyeon.

However...

"...You're too beautiful."

I momentarily stared at Juyeon blankly.

She always had a unique appearance, but wearing casual outdoor clothes made her look even more radiant.

A flowy white blouse and a tight black jeans.

Her black hair that reached her waist.

And the red necklace she always wore.

The perfectly matching outfit...

Enhanced her sharp and elegant image even more.

"It's different from when I see you at the academy."

Is it because there are too many pretty girls around?

Seeing Juyeon outside the academy gave me a new feeling.

"...Hello."

"Uh, uh. Hello."

Thanks to this, my greeting was a bit delayed.

Feeling a bit embarrassed for staring too intently, I scratched my head and changed the subject.

"It feels like it's been a long time since we last saw each other. Has it been a week?"

"Uh-huh."

"...Haha. This is the first time I've seen you in formal attire. It suits you well."

At this, Juyeon's expression became a bit strange.

...Did I make another mistake?

I became more cautious.

Fortunately, her response was ordinary.

"You remember?"

"Huh? Uh, yeah. You always wore slacks. Sometimes a skirt."

Was this too specific?

It felt like I was acting like a stalker.

But since it didn't seem to be an unpleasant topic, Juyeon slightly adjusted her magic bag and clothes and turned her gaze.

Then she asked in a small voice.

"...Does it suit me?"

"Uh. Yes. Completely. Perfectly. You could wear this every day."

My words came out in a rapid-fire manner.

Oops.

I didn't realize I was speaking from the heart.

Juyeon smiled slightly at this.

She didn't laugh out loud, but making her smile like this was a significant improvement.

The Juyeon I knew wasn't someone who easily showed such small smiles.

Not as much as Gaeun, but...

Perhaps I had become one of her close friends.

I felt a sense of pride.

"I heard you advanced to C-rank. ...Congratulations."

"Huh? Uh, thanks."

Given that I was receiving such congratulations, I wanted to boast about being Juyeon's friend.

But I asked with a slightly puzzled look.

"But who told you? I didn't talk much about it to people around me."

"...Gaeun."

"Sure enough, she's the center of all rumors and gossip."

Sure enough, I had expected as much.

I had only told Gaeun, Chaeun, and Jin-woo about my advancement.

Chaeun and Juyeon seemed to have some kind of rivalry, and Jin-woo wasn't very close to Juyeon.

So, the only person who could have told her was Gaeun.

However, to my surprise, Juyeon strongly agreed with me.

"You're right. Most of what she says is gossip."

"Huh?"

"...Never mind."

Juyeon, with a slightly frowning face, spoke sparingly.

...I didn't expect this kind of reaction.

It seemed she had some issues too.

What is Gaeun up to?

Anyway, we lightly caught up and started walking through the buildings, leaving the station.

<Judgment of Fire>.

It was the first clan I was visiting.