Chapter 46

< Sometimes You Get Stronger (1) >

Rattle

The sound of the wheels is heavy. A large suitcase, big enough to fit a person, is placed on the cart, and two people are pulling it.

The sound of the wheels tapping the floor stopped in front of the Hyeyon Guild security guard.

"You have a lot of luggage today."

At the security guard's words, the deputy guild leader of Hyeyon's subordinate guild, Bricks, gave an awkward smile.

"This time, there are a lot of bulky items. But they're all low-grade."

He then opened the bag to show its contents. It was filled with various weapons, armor, shoes, and other small items.

"Even with these low-grade items, there's nothing left after deducting the fees and appraisal costs, so I have to check them myself, no matter how troublesome."

Low-grade items often required the user to wear and test them, filming the process as a substitute for an appraisal. Direct transactions without going through the market were also common.

That's why they brought the items packed tightly and came to the training room to use them.

"You're doing a lot of work. It would be nice if more hunters with item appraisal skills appeared, but there are only two in the country so far."

"Even if there were more appraisers, it's better to put in the effort, considering the mana potions are expensive."

The security guard checked the luggage and the hunter's ID, then distributed the inventory sealing bracelets according to the number of people.

"One C-grade, two D-grades, and one E-grade. Since they're all C-grade or lower, there are no special restrictions. Do you remember the precautions?"

"Yes, of course."

"You can go in now."

"Thank you."

The deputy guild leader of Bricks bowed slightly.

Rattle

The sound of the wheels scraping the floor resumed.

"Security guards are either unawakened or at best E-grade, yet they act so high and mighty."

One of the group heading towards the elevator to the basement muttered under his breath.

"Anyway, we won't be coming back here. Don't worry about it and focus."

The deputy guild leader frowned and pressed the elevator button. The elevator stopped with a short chime, and the Bricks guild members moved with a slight tension.

"Then I'll wait outside."

The MKC security guard said. It's a bit awkward to have him wait outside, but with a C-grade stat, his legs won't hurt. He might get bored, though.

"Alright, Peace. What shall we do today?"

- Squeak!

Peace excitedly spun around. Seeing how happy he is just to be in the training room makes my heart ache. I want to let him run and play in a wider environment, outdoors instead of indoors.

"I wish the law would change soon."

Let us take monsters outside. Since Peace is only C-grade and can be tamed, it shouldn't be dangerous with a B-grade guardian.

- ? Grumble!

Peace grabbed the tug toy and approached me. Pulling and shaking the rope I was holding is Peace's favorite game, though it's really tiring for me.

Still, when other monsters come, this hard work will decrease. I can let them play together when not training with skills.

"Wait a moment. Let me put on some equipment."

To play a tough tug game, strength stats are essential. I took out an A-grade black pearl spider web gauntlet from my inventory, which boosts strength by 60, and put it on. I received several types of training equipment to increase essence yesterday.

The gauntlet was enough to handle Peace's strength, so I only added a strength-increasing bracelet and grabbed one end of the tug toy.

- Grumble! Grumble!

As soon as I grabbed the ring, Peace grabbed the other end and started to play excitedly. His fluffy tail wagged back and forth. If it weren't a specially made rope, it would have broken instantly.

At such times, it's clear that Peace is indeed a monster.

'Should I take him into a dungeon once?'

F to E-grade should be safe. Is there a low-level dungeon in Hyeyon with a grassland or lake environment?

The problem is that the system creator might be worried if I take him. I might make a mistake.

Maybe I can trick Yuhwan into coming under the pretext of practicing with him. If he has time, he can also check my skills.

- Grumble!

When I felt the heat was just right, I let go of the ring. Peace proudly ran around the training room and dropped the rope at my feet.

"Was it fun? Was it fun?"

- Squeak!

I caught him as he jumped into my arms and roughly stroked his neck. Sure, if you like it, I'll put in the effort.

"Still, let's play with a ball this time."

We should take breaks in between. I approached a basket filled with balls of various colors, materials, and shapes. At that moment,

Click

The closed door opened, and an MKC hunter entered. What's going on?

"Is something wrong?"

Instead of answering, he closed the door.

"···Seo Min-seong?"

I had a bad feeling.

Puff!

Red powder was sprinkled. A sweet scent and a faint sparkle spread through the air. This instant sleep powder costs 500 grams.

"Peace- Uh!"

I was grabbed from behind, and my mouth was covered. I could see Peace lying unconscious not far away. I tried to free myself from the hand covering my mouth and the arm around my waist, but it didn't budge.

···With a B-grade opponent, there's no way. Even if I took out all the equipment from my inventory and put it on, the result would be the same. A newly awakened level 1 might have a chance, but a security guard must be at a high level.

'Shit, is MKC planning to betray us?'

That would be too risky. Then the door, which was closed, opened again, and men with a large bag on a cart entered.

One C-grade, two D-grades, and one E-grade.

Seeing me being held, they remained calm, so they're not from the Hyeyon guild. They also have inventory sealing bracelets, so that's certain. However, they're too low-grade to be from MKC.

"Why are you still fine?"

The C-grade asked, puzzled.

"It didn't work. They must have given you a decryption item in Hyeyon."

The MKC B-grade said. The voice coming from above my head was unpleasant.

"The Keeper's Fruit not working? You must be at least B-grade. Your brother must have taken good care of you."

The guy smirked. Suppressing the rising annoyance, I tried to assess the situation.

First, this guy and the MKC B-grade are working together. If a mid-to-low-grade hunter from a small guild under Hyeyon came to the training room with luggage and inventory sealing bracelets, they're likely from a small guild under Hyeyon.

So, MKC is not involved in this, but they did a stupid thing.

What a bunch of idiots. I asked for a security guard, and they sent a spy.

'Seo Min-seong is probably involved in gambling or drugs.'

There are few reasons for a B-grade hunter from a successful large guild to do this. The MKC idiots can't even manage their guild members properly. No wonder they're the first to fail.

"Check the monster and the items."

At the C-grade's command, one of the D-grades approached me. Seeing his lack of caution, I sighed. Still, being a D-grade, he's really an idiot...

"Where's the decryption item-."

Kick!

"Ugh!"

The idiot who was kicked in the chest rolled on the floor. The other D-grade and E-grade, who were checking Peace, looked surprised.

"Your stat is F, right?!"

Sure enough, they're idiots too. With five large guilds backing them, they can't lack in gear.

Still, the C-grade, with more experience, wasn't surprised.

"You idiots, be quiet. It's well-known that the guild leader of Hyeyon dotes on his brother. Do you think he only gave you one decryption item?"

Not doting to that extent. Rumors are always exaggerated. How embarrassing.

"Shit, that guy!"

The idiot who was kicked by me started to curse but was scolded for being noisy. He could have kept talking. The training room has good soundproofing, damn it.

The idiot carefully removed my gauntlet. Then he took off my bracelet.

Meanwhile, another idiot opened the bag he brought and spilled its contents. He then placed the sleeping Peace in a box in the center of the bag, closed the lid, and covered it with the items.

'Damn, he'll definitely escape without being caught.'

They would have already checked when bringing it in, and with just one C-grade and three D and E-grades, the chances of a thorough search on the way out are slim. They'll probably just glance at the bag and be done with it.

Is there a way to make them do a thorough search...

"This is the decryption item?"

At that moment, the idiot reached for my earlobe. Wait, hold on. How many times have I used the leaf skill? Once for each of the five guys here, and one more habitually when coming to the training room...

Six times.

My mana stat hasn't increased, so it's still 2. Not enough time has passed for mana to recover, and using the leaf skill three times consumes half of it. Removing the earring leaves me with less than 10%...

'I'm screwed.'

The guy removed the Black Elf's Earring, and I was hit with a severe headache, and my vision blurred.

Swoosh!

"Phew, what is this!"

What water...? As I tried to wipe my face, I found my wrists tied together with a cable tie. It's thick, but it's not a zip tie, and I can break it. Still, they're underestimating me too much with an F-grade stat.

But they diligently put on the inventory sealing bracelet.

"You're finally awake."

A stranger looked down at me. I have a slight headache, but it's better to understand the situation even if I pass out again.

I sat up and used the leaf skill on the guy sitting in a chair. Fortunately, I didn't pass out, and the status window appeared.

B-grade stat, initial attack skill, Kim Woo-jae. A name I don't recognize. If he's from the guild that kidnapped me, he's likely a deputy guild leader or guild leader.

I leaned against the wall and looked around. It's a regular office, not very spacious, with no windows. It's probably underground.

"Use a stimulant, not a water shower. This isn't 1987 South Korea."

There are so many good drugs made from dungeon byproducts. Of course, a stimulant wouldn't have worked.

"Where's Peace? Is he locked up somewhere?"

"You seem to believe someone will come to save you. You should give up."

The guy sneered.

"Are you too confident? The guilds and the association will definitely get involved. Can you handle it?"

Come on, start explaining. A good villain should always reveal their plan in detail to a helpless opponent.

"It's just a matter of time."

Fortunately, the guy was a diligent villain.

"Seo Min-seong, your security guard is still guarding the training room entrance. No one knows you've been kidnapped, so no one will come to save you. By the time the news of the beast tamer's disappearance spreads, you'll already be on a ship to Japan."

"Japan? Are they behind this?"

"They're not the masterminds but the auction site. If we hand you over safely, we'll get half the auction price, and the guild or country that wins the bid will provide security and support until you're settled."

I see. That sounds great.

Japan, huh? Of course, they wouldn't dare sell me in the country. The nearest countries reachable by ship are Japan, China, and Russia. The latter two are too unstable for an auction, so Japan is the only option.

Can I be rescued before being auctioned off?

It's easy to guess that I'll be taken to Japan. Considering my value, the coast guard will likely be involved. If I can prevent the ship from crossing international waters, there's a chance of rescue.

So, what I can do now is buy as much time as possible.

"Why did you wake me up? It would be more convenient if I were unconscious."

"For an F-grade, it doesn't matter whether you're awake or unconscious."

He's not wrong, but it makes me even more annoyed. In my current state, there's no chance of beating a B-grade, even if I put on all the equipment in my inventory.

"So, did you suddenly feel like wasting water?"

The guy just stared at me. What's the matter?

"Are you giving up, or are you just full of yourself?"

He's annoyed by my calmness. With the Fear Resistance (L) skill, I have legendary guts. But why are you intimidating a poor F-grade who's been kidnapped?

"You look as stupid as you act."

"···What?"

"Can't even stand to look at you."

Bang!

The guy kicked the table. The metal legs bent, and the items on the tilted table slid to the floor.

"Anyway, these ignorant guys are good at showing off their strength."

"You're just full of yourself."

The guy kicked the chair and stood up. Is he angry? Annoyed? He doesn't seem fully enraged yet.

I laughed as if I had heard a boring joke.

"Would you be scared if I knew that the round thing on your shoulder isn't just for show? If it's just for show, I'm sorry. Honestly, it's too dirty to be a decoration. And it doesn't seem to have any good function-."

Smack!

···He kicked my stomach hard. Shit. It hurts. I can't even make a sound.

"You don't know your place, do you?"

"You know my situation well. Not just in the country, but any guild in the world would want a special skill user like me. A common B-grade combat hunter, fuck, you could line them up in a truck, and I'd still be better, aah!"

The guy stomped on my ankle as if to break it. Damn, just cut it off. Breaking it won't buy me time.

A small guild won't have a proper healer, and high-grade potions are hard to come by. If I act like I'm bleeding to death, they'll have to take me to the hospital.

Of course, they could leave me to die, but then this guy is as good as dead. They won't have the means to arrange a ship to Japan or handle the auction. There must be sponsors, like the auction site that will take the remaining half of the bid or the large overseas guilds eagerly waiting for the item.

If something happens to me, this guy and everyone involved will have nowhere to go, both domestically and internationally. How many S-grades would lose their chance to get a high-level mount and go crazy?

It would be much better to offer up a lackey and turn themselves in.

'Should I pretend my internal organs are ruptured from the blow?'

Biting my tongue to spit blood would be noticed quickly. Is there an effective way to fake illness to fool a B-grade, or should I make them even angrier?

A rough hand grabbed my hair.

"Ugh..."

"Right, Han Yu-jin. You're not just a common B-grade combat hunter; you're a treasure. Who would dare harm such a precious body? You have every right to be confident."

···His voice was angry, but his tone was calm. I'm not sure if I can keep pushing him.

"So, let me introduce you to a good friend. You'll have a great time."

Thud!

"···Ugh."

He just throws people around.

The place he dragged me to was a dark, enclosed space like a warehouse. A dim light bulb hung from the ceiling, and on the opposite wall, there was a metal cage.

Hmm... It feels like something is inside that cage.

"Krekke stores food when its stomach is full."

Krekke? A monster? I've never heard of it. The guy continued with a smug look.

"The method of storage is a curse that stiffens the entire body and causes pain. In just 30 minutes, even the toughest will beg to be released."

The guy