Chapter 62

EP.62 New Effect (2)

Limit on the number of runes that can be obtained.

This was not part of the setting of the <Next Rune Holder> that I knew.

Perhaps it was only natural.

Even if a holder possesses common runes of a specific series and sets up derived runes...

The basic number of runes a rune holder can hold is around 10.

Shinyuna's rune setup, for instance, consisted of only 7 runes.

Jinwoo, as the protagonist, had around 15-20 runes due to his monopolization of various hidden pieces and special rewards.

In short, there is no holder who can possess 30 runes.

"But my case is different..."

The [Rune Hunter] can copy any number of runes from the opponent if victorious in a duel.

I had 21 runes obtained this way, and 7 runes from hidden pieces.

Including the [Dagger] and [Rune Hunter] I initially possessed...

A total of 30 runes.

Acquiring a number of runes that an ordinary holder would hardly ever see, I once again broke a limit.

"Hmm..."

Taking a deep breath, I called up the rune information.

It was the information window of the [Rune Hunter], which had been updated.

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Rune Hunter

◎Grade: Epic (Epic)

◎Level: Max

◎Engraved Part: Heart

◎Special Effects

: Upon victory in a duel, can replicate one of the opponent's runes. Only one rune can be replicated from the same target, and the obtained rune will be registered with a lower level and reduced performance.

: Additional parts for engraving runes have been added, increasing the acquisition limit to 50.

: If certain special conditions are met, 'Advanced Runes' can be combined. Once an Advanced Rune is combined, the level of the lower runes will not increase, but proficiency will continue to accumulate, and all derived skills of the lower runes can be obtained.

◎Derived Skills: -

◎Detailed Information

: A rune that can be obtained by artificially acquiring 7 runes through the holder's personal effort. Once obtained by someone, it cannot be obtained again, making it a unique rune.

The [Rune Hunter] had two new special effects added.

First, the relaxation of the rune acquisition limit.

The number of parts for storing runes, which was originally 30, has increased to 50.

The parts where runes are engraved differ for each holder.

Just because I have a rune on my leg doesn't mean another holder will have one on their leg.

For example, I have the [Dagger] rune engraved on the back of my left hand, but there is no rune engraved on the back of my right hand.

Therefore, if a body part is lost, the rune will be moved and engraved on another part.

The total number of parts that can be filled was 30.

The first special effect seems to create 20 additional parts beyond the 30 parts given to me.

"And the second effect is..."

This is a truly fresh effect, which is rather perplexing.

Combining Advanced Runes.

When certain special conditions are met, the effect allows the combination of possessed runes.

The exact conditions and the resulting runes are unknown...

However, considering the name 'Advanced Rune,' it is clear that it is a special rune compared to existing runes.

"The fact that the level of lower runes cannot be increased is a bit ambiguous..."

The drawback is that the levels of the runes that become lower runes cannot be increased.

However, there are several mechanisms to offset this.

The part that says "proficiency accumulates even if the level does not increase" and "acquiring derived skills is still possible."

It means that while the ability values from rune level increases cannot be obtained, the other effects remain the same.

"Recently, it's hard to increase ability values."

Recently, with my main ability values—strength, speed, and endurance—all exceeding 30, it has become difficult to expect ability value increases from rune level increases.

The only way is through random acquisition due to the [Sweat of the Seeker] effect.

Moreover, when an Advanced Rune is combined and obtained, ability values will be gained when leveling up the Advanced Rune, so the effect is similar.

In practice, it's a risk-free opportunity.

A way to organize the runes I obtained haphazardly and a chance to acquire new runes.

And it seems that the conditions are met.

Some of the runes in my body were glowing.

[There are currently combinable runes. You can obtain an Advanced Rune using the mysterious power of the Rune Hunter.]

[Advanced Rune: Martial Master / Lower Runes: Sword, Dagger, Combat, Bow, Axe, Spear, Blunt, Shield]

"Martial Master..."

The 6 weapon runes [Sword] and [Dagger], and [Shield] and [Combat].

It seems that [Martial Master] is an Advanced Rune that combines a total of 8 runes and is judged as a martial skill.

What the effects of the Advanced Rune are and what new runes will result from the combination...

I know nothing.

Combining them could be a kind of gamble.

However, the naming of 'Advanced Rune' as proof of a high-level rune.

And if not combined, useless runes like [Axe] or [Blunt] will take up the 50 rune acquisition limit.

Considering all these points...

Combining Advanced Runes is not a choice but a necessity.

This function is another opportunity to upgrade my holder information.

Without much deliberation, I chose to combine.

[You have combined the Advanced Rune 'Martial Master.' A total of 8 runes, including Sword, Dagger, ..., and Shield, are selected as lower runes. The judgment level of the Advanced Rune, which combines the lower runes, is 4.]

[You have obtained a new rune.]

[The rune's tendency grants 2 strength and 3 speed.]

The information of the new rune appeared in succession.

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Martial Master

◎Grade: Epic (Epic) / Advanced (Superior)

◎Possessed Lower Runes

[Sword] [Dagger] [Combat] [Bow]

[Axe] [Blunt] [Spear] [Shield]

◎Level: 4

◎Engraved Part: Right Upper Arm

◎Special Effects

: Can apply proficiency adjustments to lower runes through the special power of the Advanced Rune. Each lower rune can increase proficiency as a single rune and also through the adjustments of the Advanced Rune.

: The rune holder can freely switch 'weapons' in the storage compartment on their body. The time it takes to switch decreases as the rune's level increases.

◎Derived Skills

[Declaration of Melee Combat]

*Lower Skills

[Combo] [Rapid Strike] [Quarter Knife] [Iron Defense]

◎Detailed Information

: An Advanced Rune created by combining multiple lower runes. Can easily handle all weapons, including bare hands. Additionally, when acquiring a rune suitable for the Advanced Rune, it can be incorporated as a lower rune.

"...Is this real?"

The overwhelming amount of information before my eyes makes my mouth open without me realizing it.

Suddenly, I feel like a fool for hesitating over the combination of [Sword] and [Dagger] due to their levels.

The special power granted to the [Rune Hunter], 'Combining Advanced Runes,' is an incredible function that surpasses my imagination.

"Wait, what grade is this..."

First, the grade is Epic.

Combining 8 normal runes into an Epic rune?

There's no such generous combination.

So far, I have had a total of 5 Epic runes, and they all boasted astonishing performance.

Naturally, this rune also boasts a cheat-like performance worthy of its Epic grade.

First, the first special effect.

Proficiency adjustment of lower runes through the Advanced Rune.

Though the wording is a bit difficult, the conclusion is that as the level of [Martial Master] increases, the proficiency of lower runes like [Axe] and [Blunt], which I haven't used, will also increase.

"Good."

Since the other lower runes are far from my main runes, I didn't have the time to focus on them, but this effect, where proficiency increases automatically without attention, seems quite promising.

Moreover, proficiency can still be increased individually.

Just as I have been leveling up [Sword] and [Dagger], it means that the ability of the corresponding rune can still be trained to increase proficiency.

In other words, only the level of the rune has disappeared.

There is almost no difference from before.

No, it's even better.

Proficiency adjustment of the Advanced Rune.

Through this, the scope of growth has become much wider, and the limit on the number of runes that can be obtained has increased by 7.

And the second effect...

"Weapon switching. This is really a cheat."

Weapon switching.

A special effect named for convenience.

If specific storage compartments, such as a magic bag, contain 'weapons' in contact with my body...

This effect allows me to freely switch them.

This has been a necessary effect for me all along.

My main weapons are the sword and dagger.

I use the sword mainly for close combat and the dagger mostly as a throwing weapon, a kind of throwing knife.

Therefore, four daggers are fixed on my waist, and there is almost no inconvenience when using the two weapons.

"But the problem is when using a shield."

When using a two-handed sword, which focuses on offense, it can be cumbersome to take out a shield from the magic bag when needed.

Especially when soloing dungeons, I also use a bow, shield, and bare hands...

There has been considerable inconvenience in switching these.

In this regard, the special effect of [Martial Master] is attractive.

Whether I am playing the role of a damage dealer using a two-handed sword or a tank using a shield, or switching from a bow for ranged attacks to a spear for long-range attacks...

This 'weapon switching' is a necessary effect for me, who uses various weapons in combat.

Weapons include shields, and using knuckles also includes bare hands, making the utility very high.

"The Declaration of Melee Combat is also an amazing skill."

[Declaration of Melee Combat] is a skill that ignores all physical attacks from a distance for 10 minutes.

Although it has the drawback of not ignoring magical attacks, the ability to defend against ranged physical attacks for a certain period during combat is a significant advantage.

Especially with another Epic rune I possess, [Ruthless Charge], which ignores all physical attacks during a charge.

Ignoring ranged physical attacks during combat with [Declaration of Melee Combat] and ignoring all physical attacks during a charge with [Ruthless Charge]...

Using them in combination seems very useful.

"...I've finished reading."

After reading the information of the new [Combat Healing] obtained from the training with Shinyuna, the long list of information windows finally ended.

Although the time spent in the bathroom was quite long, it was a rewarding time.

Most importantly...

"I want to try it out quickly."

Now that I have confirmed all the new information...

My body is tingling.

I want to test the new runes and abilities quickly.

Should I go to a dungeon?

It's getting dark outside, and it's too late to hunt field monsters.

And at that moment.

Brrrr!

As if reading my mind, my phone rang.

A message came from a familiar name.

[Park Jinwoo]

What are you doing? I'm bored, let's play a round.

"Here. My punching bag."

The appearance of the quick frog, ready to be my test subject.