Chapter 52

Two people are walking on a road about 1 km from the city of Kama. One of them is Nina, who is carrying Rena on her back.

After the fight with Joseph and the enchanter, Joseph told them to return first. Although Nina wanted to wait for Yu at the scene, she decided to return first because of Rena.

"…Nina, where are we?"

"Oh, Rena, you're awake?"

Nina explained to Rena what happened after that and told her they were on their way home.

"…I don't want to go home. I want to go to the guild right away."

"Ah, you'll get scolded by Yu. Besides, I'm worried about your condition."

"…There's no other choice."

Rena said this and slowly gripped Nina's chest.

"Ah! What are you doing!? Let go!"

"…My grip strength is 10 kilograms. If you don't want your chest to be torn off, head to the guild."

"10 kilograms!? That's so strong!"

In the end, Nina gave in to Rena's constant whispering in her ear, urging her to go to the guild.

---

The Benanthus swarm had finished eating and was lying on the ground. Only red stains remained on the ground, and there was no trace of Bol.

While looking at the Benanthus, Yu checked his status.

'Arm Strength Enhancement' had been upgraded to 'Powerful Arms,' 'Poison Resistance' to 'Status Abnormality Resistance,' and 'Half-Demon Eye' to 'Dragon Demon Eye.' The 'Status Abnormality Resistance' was at level 2, but upon closer inspection, the poison resistance was still at its original level 3.

Returning to the 24th floor of the dungeon and using the transfer stone to go to the surface, Joseph was waiting.

"What are you doing here, old man? Where are Nina and Rena?"

"I sent the girls back first. What about the dwarf?"

"He's dead."

"You mean you killed him. I told you I had something to do."

"That's none of my business."

"You almost lost to the rookie hunter, yet you're acting so cocky."

Joseph decided to apply some pressure to Yu, who seemed to need a bit of a wake-up call.

"If I were alone, and not in the dungeon, it would have been a different story… But whatever, it's just an excuse. It's a good opportunity, old man, so let's have a go."

"Don't get cocky just because you leveled up a bit after defeating the rookie hunter. Besides, your weapon is broken—what are you planning?"

"I have weapons."

In Yu's right hand was a flying dragon spear, and in his left hand was an earth battle axe.

"Are you serious? Do you think you can handle a spear and an axe all of a sudden? Especially when both are meant to be used with two hands, what are you going to do with one in each hand?"

"Want to find out?"

Yu released the spear technique 'Spiral.' While dodging the spiral-rotating spear, Joseph was not only surprised that Yu used a spear technique but also that his spear handling was expert-level.

"What's going on…"

"Damn…"

Easily dodging, the opponent was incredibly strong. Yu decided to go all out.

Yu wrapped his right hand's flying dragon spear in fire and his left hand's earth battle axe in water magic. He also wrapped his right and left arms in magic using magic fists.

"What the hell is this!?"

Ignoring Joseph's question, Yu charged in. He activated the axe technique 'Crush,' and a destructive mass descended from above Joseph's head.

"Ughhh!!"

Joseph blocked it with his right hand's holy sword, Holy Flame, but unlike before, Joseph had no room to spare. He was using his full strength to stop it.

"You gorilla!"

Yu had infused the earth battle axe with magic, making the already heavy weapon impossibly heavy.

Steam burst out between the earth battle axe, which was wrapped in water, and the Holy Flame that blocked it.

"Hot!"

The heat from the steam didn't damage Yu, who had fire resistance, but Joseph had to take a step back due to the heat.

"This isn't a joke…"

Cold sweat trickled down Joseph's forehead.

He had fought many front-line fighters who used magic swords, but none of them had wrapped their weapons in different attributes with both hands.

He also realized that Yu wasn't using 'Combat Techniques' externally but was circulating them internally.

Even with the constant MP consumption from wrapping his fists in magic, Yu looked completely calm.

And… the pressure emanating from the boy…

"You're not just rank 6… You're at least rank 7."

"Today, I'll make you use your full strength, old man."

"Damn brat… I'll show you that there's always someone stronger."

"That sounds exciting."

---

"Are you sure about this?"

Colette asked Rena for the umpteenth time.

"…No problem."

Rena, who had been carried to the guild by Nina, was led to the job change room by Colette.

"But it's only been a day… Did something happen? And does Yu know about this?"

"…Necessary…for everyone…"

"Huh? What did you say—"

When Colette met Rena's eyes, she felt a chill from Rena's cloudy gaze.

"…Like moths to a flame, like insects to a night fire."

"Rena, what do you mean? N, Nina—"

Incidentally, Nina had been sweating profusely and avoiding eye contact with Rena since they arrived.

"…To crush the insects, we need power."

"Yu, please help—"

From the guild's job change room, Colette's pitiful voice echoed.

---

Loot from the rookie hunter:

Currency

Stone Coins: 27

Iron Coins: 37

Imperial Gold Coins: 10

Platinum Coins: 2

Gold Coins: 323

Silver Coins: 163

Half-Silver Coins: 16

Copper Coins: 34

Stone Coins, Iron Coins, and Imperial Gold Coins are used in Hamelin and the Delim Empire.

Imperial Gold Coins contain more gold than regular gold coins and are worth two gold coins.

Equipment

Flying Dragon Spear (Level 4): Increased damage against dragons and dragons, enhanced attack power

Damascus Helmet (Level 4): Enhanced paralysis resistance, enhanced poison resistance

Damascus Armor (Level 4): Enhanced confusion resistance, enhanced sleep resistance

Damascus Gauntlets (Level 4): Enhanced instant death resistance, enhanced temptation resistance

Damascus Boots (Level 4): Enhanced magic resistance, enhanced status abnormality resistance

Gordva's Necklace (Level 4): Reduced MP consumption

Oni's Bracelet (Level 3): Enhanced arm strength

Fairy Earring (Level 4): Enhanced illusion resistance

Mirage Ring (Level 3): Displays false information when analyzed

Earth Battle Axe (Level 4): Earth attribute, weight manipulation

Mithril Full Plate Armor (Level 4): Enhanced magic resistance, enhanced physical attack resistance

Magic Shield (Level 4): Enhanced magic resistance, enhanced status abnormality resistance

Dragon Bracelet (Level 4): Enhanced all abilities

Rock Dragon Ring (Level 4): Enhanced defense

Mild's Staff (Level 4): Reduced MP consumption, enhanced magic power

Iron Sword (Level 6): None

Iron Armor (Level 6): None

Iron Axe (Level 6): None

Iron Spear (Level 6): None

Iron Shield (Level 6): None

Steel Gauntlets (Level 6): None

Steel Helmet (Level 6): None

Steel Armor (Level 6): None

Steel Leggings (Level 6): None

Items

Potion (Level 6): 16

Potion (Level 5): 13

High Potion (Level 5): 8

Mana Potion (Level 6): 6

Transfer Stone: 6

Item Pouch (Level 5): 2

Antidote (Level 5): 9

Paralysis Cure (Level 5): 8