Chapter 32

< Found! (2) >

‘Still, I managed to do seventeen of them.’

He must have sharpened things like scissors, pocket knives, and kitchen knives before. I’ll have to try a bit harder.

‘If he had used his talent as a blacksmith or something similar, he would have only needed to meet the basic requirements.’

Since it was an optimized initial skill, he might have possessed the skill from the moment of his awakening. Even if my puppy skill had relaxed the conditions, if he had cultivated his talent early on, he might have sharpened a thousand knives.

If he had been born before industrialization, it would have been easier for him to take that path. He was born in the wrong era and environment. At least, because of my skill, there’s still hope for him to find his talent, but without it, he would have been buried.

‘...I decided not to use keywords for people, but seeing this, I’m wavering again.’

When I see a special skill that’s bound to be buried, other than combat or healer types, I just want to help. If his stats are low like Mingwu’s, he’ll have fewer problems later. If his stats are C-level or higher, he’ll do well even if I leave him alone, so I can ignore him.

Since it’s an extremely rare case, there won’t be many, so I’ll just scoop them up when I see them.

“Auntie, how about this?”

Yerim held up a giant saw as tall as herself and asked. Axes and saws, what’s with all these things? Why are you showing such things to a kid?

“Won’t it cut ice well?”

“I’ll use it a bit for freezing and mainly for shadows. Anyway, when we go to higher dungeons, even using Sigh to the max won’t hold much.”

“Then, would an axe be better? This one seems to have a good strength stat.”

“Compensate for strength with equipment, and use a weapon that matches your skills and physique. Didn’t you learn that in theory class?”

Yerim had a look of “Did I?” on her face. Did she fall asleep during the training?

“Anyway, once you get an attack skill, the weapon will just be a supplement, so choose one that fits your hand well.”

For a combat mage, a weapon that focuses on mana stats is better. But you should also prepare for close combat. After scolding Yerim, I approached Mingwu, who was still hesitating.

“Pick up a spear and focus on defense. Just avoid the vital points as you learned yesterday.”

“Eh, eh.”

“There’s no need to worry about high-grade equipment being damaged against low-level monsters, so choose a good one. Just don’t lose it.”

Mingwu was relieved by my words.

But why do I have to choose equipment for kids? Where’s the training officer? Why isn’t he here? This is negligence of duty.

‘Of all people, an S-rank new training officer is late. He’s really absent.’

Is he a young guy with no social experience? He’s probably a virgin. That’s why people need to go to the military. Even if you just get an E-rank, you’re exempt, so this wouldn’t happen. S-ranks should also go to the military. National defense is great, isn’t it?

While grumbling, I picked up the equipment and items. As expected of a large guild, they have a lot of good stuff.

“Do we have to pay for consumables?”

“If you’re not a guild-affiliated hunter, you have to pay.”

“Yerim~ Pick up this, that, and those red bottles over there and bring them to us.”

“Sure, Uncle!”

The maintenance officer’s expression slightly wrinkled. What’s the problem? Mr. S-rank is offering to share some leftovers.

At that moment, the maintenance room door opened. Finally, the tardy training officer. Who is it, and what does he look like...

“...Yoo Hyun?”

Why are you here? I heard you were going to a new A-rank dungeon, but not today, right? Did you come in by mistake?

“Sorry, I was a bit late, right?”

Yoo Hyun said with a bright face.

...You can’t be the young, inexperienced, and absent training officer who doesn’t go to the military. My guess was spot on. I feel like a prophet.

No, that’s not it. Why is he here?

“If you’re here as the training officer for the Hoohsi dungeon practice, I suggest you find a more diligent and proper method. It’s a waste of time.”

It’s not sane to take F-ranks into mid or high-level dungeons, and for a third-year S-rank to tackle a low-level dungeon is a joke. Is it like using a flamethrower to exterminate ants?

Yoo Hyun looked disappointed at my words.

“It’s been a while since we saw each other, aren’t you happy?”

What’s with this suddenness? It hasn’t even been a week.

“You were busy, I wasn’t.”

“You haven’t been home once since you took the horned lion. You said you’d come often when you left.”

He’s acting like a wife scolding her husband for an overnight stay. It’s all because of the skill, so I have to endure it.

“Alright, I’ll come more often.”

“Call more often too. Is it normal for me to hear about my brother’s work from others? Talk to me first.”

“You can call me.”

Do you have no hands or feet? Yoo Hyun sighed briefly at my words.

“You got mad when I called and even blocked me.”

Huh? Did I? I don’t remember, it was five years ago. Checking my phone, there was a mark next to Yoo Hyun’s contact. Is this the block mark? It’s different from the phone I used before the regression. No wonder he didn’t contact me even though he wanted to.

“I unblocked you.”

“Thanks.”

Only then did my brother’s whining stop. What a kid. He’s twenty, so he’s still young.

“So, are you really the training officer?”

“Why not?”

It’s not impossible.

“You seem to have some free time.”

“It’s not that, but it’s a good story for the S-rank guild leader to assist the first dungeon run of a new S-rank. It’s also a time when there’s a lot of interest in Hunter Park Yerim. Since most domestic S-ranks don’t get along, I thought I’d show a new side.”

He looked at Park Yerim. Yerim also looked at him straight. The exchange of glances was far from friendly.

A new side, my ass. Are you trying to package this as a “we get along” thing?

“Who else is coming besides you?”

“I’m not going.”

“Why not? You don’t have to take care of the kids or teach them.”

“Team Leader Seok said he’d be fine with just me?”

...That guy is just using people without paying. First, I’m a new hunter too, so what makes him think he’ll be fine? Did Seok Hyeon Yang tell him I’m capable? He should be less pretentious.

“Still, it’s a bit... not that it’s unsafe...”

A low-level dungeon usually takes about two days to clear with a proper team. The shortest F-rank record was 23 minutes. Depending on the size, it might take half a day with Yoo Hyun. It’s like a picnic.

“The dungeon we’re going to is a D-rank lower, a rocky area. It’s only close-range attack monsters, so it won’t be dangerous. Just be careful of falling rocks.”

“There won’t be any fires.”

A D-rank is a level where a 1-level F-stat can die instantly. If there were ranged attack monsters, it would be worrying even with protection, but since there aren’t, it should be fine.

Before the regression, I almost died in my first F-rank dungeon, but this time I’m starting with a safe D-rank. Connections are the best, after all.

Reporters who were called in advance for the interview were there. Of course, Mingwu and I were just props, while Yoo Hyun and Yerim acted like we were very close.

To an outsider, they looked like a good senior-junior pair. Annoying.

The dungeon we were going to was near Yeouido.

The entrance of an unoccupied dungeon is usually only big enough for one or two people. Because of this, even now, when management is good, undiscovered dungeons sometimes pop up.

When a dungeon entrance is found, a defense facility of at least 300 meters in all directions is built around it. Managers from the association observe the status 24/7.

If a dungeon entrance appears inside a building, the building has to be demolished, but the compensation is satisfactory. The compensation is paid from the dungeon’s revenue, so it’s usually more than the average market price of the building or land. Of course, there are tearful cases where F-rank dungeons squat on prime land and buildings with low profitability.

‘It feels like I’m returning to work after a long vacation.’

I muttered, looking at the stable blue gate of the regularly cleared dungeon. No, it wasn’t that long. Besides, I was busy with other things. I didn’t really rest.

I need more vacation. No, I want to quit. Do I really have to go through dungeon runs again after the regression?

I’ve done it a few times, and I’m tired of it. It’s not like I get money and fame as a high-level hunter, and it’s not like dungeons will burst one after another if I’m gone.

Of course, I should play. My dream has always been to be a rich NEET.

“The dungeon gate will remain active for one hour after activation.”

Yoo Hyun explained to the rookies like a seasoned hunter.

“After an hour, the dungeon will remain inactive unless the run is completed or all hunters inside are eliminated. This means you can’t enter or exit. Of course, there is an emergency escape method, but the items for escape are extremely rare.”

He then showed the gate stone. It was rare even five years later, and now it’s hard to even see one.

“There are only twenty-two in the country, and they are one-time use. So, never attempt to clear a dungeon beyond your ability. Even if you find a dungeon in a saturated state, don’t try to buy time with your life.”

Yoo Hyun looked at me directly as he said this. What, man. I’m not planning to do anything crazy.

If you enter a saturated dungeon, the brake can be delayed until the hunter inside dies. But I’m an F-rank, so I might last a minute. There’s no point in rushing in, so I’d report it to the association and run away.

After explaining various other precautions, Yoo Hyun entered the gate first. Since you can’t see the inside of the gate from the outside, the strongest or the one with the highest defense usually goes in first.

Of course, solo entry is strictly prohibited, and entering in groups is the norm, but this is a practice. The training officer will secure safety, and the new hunters will follow.

“Let’s go in now.”

It’s been about five minutes, so he should be done.

At my words, Yerim fearlessly stepped into the gate. I pushed in the hesitant Mingwu and followed.

As soon as we crossed the gate, the first thing we felt was a pungent, smoky smell.

Then, the open sky and rocky cliffs, and the remains of monsters that had been burned came into view.

I thought it was a tedious place, but my heart was racing.

Just by taking one step, you reach a different world. The unfamiliar air, the unfamiliar scenery, the sense of isolation when the door closes.

It could be an escape or a liberation.

Whichever it is, the moment of crossing the threshold is a sweet moment for me, who was being chased by everything.

‘Of course, it was followed by bloodshed.’

Enough with the sentiment.

Now, I have no debt, no trash talk, and a good relationship with my brother. Regression is great. Thank you to the system creator who gave me the wish stone. It’s okay if there are a few typos, but please explain the skills in more detail. Please.

“This area is safe.”

Yoo Hyun, who didn’t even have a weapon in his hand, said. Well, D-rank lower dungeon monsters can be swept away with a simple skill. But not for me and Mingwu.

“Don’t overdo it, just up to level 10, please.”

Let’s ride the S-rank bus. I took out a spear from my inventory, and Mingwu, who had been watching, also picked up a weapon. We both chose long spears. The equipment options were focused on defense and strength, and we were ready to eat whatever was thrown at us.

“I can help too!”

Yerim said, swinging her rapier. No, you need to level up.

“Help? Even if you hunt your bones here, you won’t reach level 10. Didn’t I tell you that the experience point difference is huge depending on the stat grade?”

“Really?”

“You really fell asleep in class.”

“...I just did a little thinking without sleeping.”

It’s a time when you don’t want to study. Of course, I don’t like studying even at thirty.

“The experience point difference between F and S stat grades is about five times per level. In exchange, the stat growth per level is much higher for S-rank. In terms of efficiency, it’s so sad for F-ranks that it makes you cry.”

So, Yerim will probably only reach level 5 here. Depending on the dungeon, she might reach level 7 if she monopolizes, but to reach level 10, she’ll need to clear two more D-rank dungeons.

“Let’s move on.”

Yoo Hyun said, moving towards the path between the cliffs. Wait, isn’t that a mana stone among the ashes?

“Aren’t you going to pick up the mana stone?”

“Ah... I’ve never picked one up, so I forgot.”

Sure, for a talented brother, a D-rank mana stone is nothing, but not for me. I was already thinking about how to get ten thousand knives, so I need to sell these.

“Yerim, can you adjust Sigh to minimum cold and maximum wind to blow away the ashes?”

“I’ll try.”

Soon, a cold wind blew. Although it wasn’t a strong wind because of its name and fog-like spread, it was enough to blow away the ashes with the wind power. Three D-rank mana stones. I’ll use them well.

“Can I take them?”

“Of course.”

I love you, brother.

“You can use Sigh like this too.”

“It might not be very useful, but it’s good to develop versatility. You’ll keep running dungeons, so try to use your skills in various and strange ways. You might discover useful applications while doing something useless.”

“Sure!”

Come to think of it, does Yoo Hyun use his skills well? Before entering the dungeon, I checked, and he had all the optimized skills, so there was nothing for me to do.

I thought he would, given his three years of experience, but it was a bit disappointing. Maybe I should try random skills when the cooldown is over. Who knows, maybe something amazing will come out.

< Found! (2) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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