Chapter 8

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008 - Level Difference

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Jun, continuing his hunt, unleashed the wind magic Tornado on the next swarm of Big Mosquitoes.

The forest was devastated. The Big Mosquitoes were shredded into pieces, unrecognizable. Not only that, but even the magic stones were cut and destroyed, leaving none behind.

"Which means, I can't recover any magic stones this time either."

He had expected this, so he didn't let his shoulders drop.

He brought up his status board to check the CHSC (Chain Score) he had gained.

From the increased points in CHSC, he deduced that he had killed 33 Big Mosquitoes with the lightning magic Thunder and 36 with the wind magic Tornado.

He searched for the next swarm of Big Mosquitoes.

This time, he caught them all in a net, ensuring he recovered the magic stones.

He had killed 34 Big Mosquitoes this time, and things were going smoothly.

He destroyed two more swarms of Big Mosquitoes.

He then decided to have lunch, sitting on a nearby rock.

It was a simple meal: a sandwich with slices of dried meat and leafy vegetables. Since there wasn't much food in Grandma Shal's house, this was his daily menu.

After finishing his simple meal, he decided to check his morning's progress.

He brought up his status board and stared at it, feeling a sense of unease.

"Hmm... Something's off...! Oh! The CHSC is low!?"

After the first and second hunts (where he used magic), his CHSC had increased by 129 points.

After the subsequent three hunts, his CHSC should have increased by 198 points. However, it had only increased by 130 points.

He tilted his head, wondering what was going on.

Thinking it might be a mistake, he destroyed another swarm of Big Mosquitoes and checked his CHSC.

—The number was exactly the same as before.

"What's wrong with the efficiency and chain score? ...Oh!?"

Jun was taken aback by his level. His level was 6. Yes, 6.

"The level of Big Mosquitoes is 0. So, the level difference is 6."

If the level difference is 5 or less, experience points are gained. However, if the level difference is 6 or more, no experience points are gained at all.

In other words, he wouldn't grow.

It was also possible that CHSC, like experience points, couldn't be obtained due to the level difference.

"This is bad."

Normally, he should search for other monsters with a smaller level difference.

He wouldn't be able to get a large chain like with the Big Mosquitoes, but with intermediate magic, he should be able to defeat them in succession.

The efficiency would be lower, but he would still gain chain points.

However, the lightning magic Thunder and wind magic Tornado were too powerful. The more he used them, the more the forest was destroyed.

The problem didn't end there. Using lightning magic Thunder or wind magic Tornado made loud noises and destroyed the trees in the forest.

This not only caused deforestation but also attracted other monsters.

Dealing with a swarm of Big Mosquitoes was fine, but fighting other monsters was still scary. No matter how powerful the magic was, fear was a different matter.

"I hadn't considered the level difference at all. What should I do...?"

Jun was disheartened.

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"It's a KakuKakuShikaJika situation, Grandma Shal!"

"I was wondering why you were late. So, that's what happened."

Jun explained to Grandma Shal that he wasn't gaining experience points or CHSC due to the level difference.

Seeing how anxious Jun was, Grandma Shal felt bad but found it hard to hold back her laughter.

"First of all, I hope you won't destroy the forest too much."

"But if I don't defeat monsters in succession, I won't grow any further!"

"Don't worry, there's a place perfect for you."

"Really!?"

Jun pressed close to Grandma Shal.

"Hey, you're too close. Back off."

"Ah, sorry."

Even though she was old, Grandma Shal's cheeks turned red.

"So, where is it?"

"Ah, right. It's the Dungeon City."

"Dungeon... City?"

"Yes, the Dungeon City. If you go there, you can hunt monsters to your heart's content. Plus, the walls of the dungeon are very sturdy and won't break easily."

Jun, who had lived for 15 years, had never heard of a Dungeon City. He asked what kind of place it was.

"The Dungeon City is a place with multiple special spaces called dungeons. Inside the dungeons, there are caves, forests, mountains, and lakes. Various monsters live there."

"Can I use Thunder freely inside the dungeons?"

"Yes, and if my memory serves me right, there are also swarms of monsters that can be caught all at once, which you like."

"Oh, there are swarms of monsters!"

Hearing about the dungeons, Jun's heart raced.

However, his expression suddenly darkened.

"What's wrong?"

"I haven't done anything to repay Grandma Shal. Plus, if I go to the Dungeon City, Grandma Shal will be alone."

"Don't say such silly things. I've lived alone here for many years. I can survive without relying on you. And if you feel grateful, become a proper man. That's the best way to repay me."

"Grandma Shal..."

Jun hugged Grandma Shal.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you..."

"Hey, you're a man, so don't cry."

Tears flowed uncontrollably.

No matter how many times Jun thanked Grandma Shal, he couldn't express his gratitude. Just being saved was a debt he couldn't repay. Moreover, she had let him live in her house and taught him many things.

Jun felt it was a debt he couldn't repay in his lifetime.

"In about 5 days, a merchant will come. When the merchant leaves, you can go with him. The Dungeon City is about 3 days by carriage from Melt Town."

"Yes... Thank you... Sniff."

"Come on, stop crying. You're a man, right?"

"Yes, I'm a man."

It was a touching moment, but Grandma Shal's clothes were stained with tears and snot, and she gave him a light punch.

Then, she brought out many books from the room.

"What are these?"

"Read these books until the merchant comes. They contain information about dungeons, monsters, jobs, and skills. It won't hurt to have this knowledge in your head."

"Yes..."

There were two books each on jobs, skills, and monsters, and one book on dungeons.

He started reading the book on dungeons.

In summary, there were dungeons from G Rank to S Rank, with G Rank dungeons featuring low-level monsters.

The Dungeon City that Grandma Shal mentioned had all dungeons from A Rank to G Rank, excluding S Rank.

While there were a few towns with two dungeons, the Dungeon City was the only place where dungeons from A Rank to G Rank were gathered.

The number of low-level dungeons like G Rank was high, while the number of high-level dungeons like S Rank was low.

The level ranges for dungeons were: G Rank (Level 5 or below), F Rank (Levels 6-10), E Rank (Levels 11-20), D Rank (Levels 21-30), C Rank (Levels 31-40), B Rank (Levels 41-50), A Rank (Levels 51-70), and S Rank (Level 71 and above).

There might be some variation depending on the dungeon, but this was a general guideline.

● Status

【Job】Efficiency Enthusiast

【Level】6

【Experience】0/210

【Health】40/40

【Mana】125/125

【Strength】9

【Stamina】18

【Intelligence】65

【Resistance】60

【Dexterity】47

【Agility】22

【Skill】Chain Score

【Sensory Skill】Enhanced Hearing Lv1

【Basic Magic】Air Cutter

【Intermediate Magic】Tornado, Thunder

【CHSC】260

【Status】Wanderer

【Rewards/Penalties】