Chapter 28: A Player with Maxed-Out Talent

Right now, I’m doing well—better than I had expected. Even Swordmaster, who was once called the strongest in one-on-one PvP, feels weaker than me at this point. It’s true that I’m progressing nicely, but it’s also true that I am still stuck at the ‘beginner level.’

“You have to be at least level 30 to be at the proper starting line.”

I see level 40 as the true beginning of ‘play.’ In the future, players are only considered ‘real’ starting from level 40.

“Leveling up from 30 to 40… won’t be easy.”

There aren’t many good monsters to level up on in the 30s, and quick leveling is difficult. It’s a continuous grind.

“The Lycanthropes give decent experience, but… the cost-benefit ratio is just off.”

Unless there’s something like a stream nearby, Lycanthropes are tough to catch. Some rich hunters drag around something like a fire truck to hunt them, but that’s not particularly efficient, either. The level of a Lycanthrope is about 25. At level 30, they’re not worth that much trouble to chase down.

“But… that changes if those guys are around.”

Monsters appeared before my eyes. Three were huddled together—a group of giant rabbit-shaped ones.

──────────

♂ Monster Rabbit LV. 18

──────────

──────────

♀ Monster Rabbit LV. 20

──────────

Two of the ‘Male Monster Rabbits’ were level 18, and the ‘Female Monster Rabbit’ was level 20.

Shin Yeon-seo asked me a question.

“One of them shows up in red. Is it like a boss mob?”

Shin Yeon-seo is level 19. She seems unable to identify the level 20 Female Monster Rabbit. She murmured to herself,

“They don’t look very strong…”

Yes, they’re not that strong. Usually, a monster’s ‘strength’ correlates somewhat with its ‘appearance.’ Rabbit-shaped monsters are typically weak. No matter how big they get, they can’t break out of the ‘rabbit’ category.

“Unless it’s something like a demonic rabbit from another dimension.”

Unless it’s a rabbit from a field set in a completely different dimension. Even with the title ‘monster,’ it’s still just a rabbit.

“The problem is they’re very difficult to catch.”

They tend to run away at the first sign of danger. They’re incredibly fast, which makes it hard to catch them. They flee into tunnels, making it near-impossible to catch without a magic-user who can turn the ground inside out.

I observed Shin Yeon-seo.

“Shin Yeon-seo cleared this gate by herself.”

That means she must have had a way to catch those monsters.

“But, she must’ve just barely cleared it.”

Just clearing it doesn’t mean much. We need to catch as many of these ‘Monster Rabbits’ as possible. They’re essential for the subsequent play, for powering through the level 30-40 segment.

“I didn’t expect to encounter them here.”

I felt a little bit better. But it seemed I wasn’t the only one who was pleased.

“How about it? Shall we try to catch one? It might be fun.”

She looked excited, her cheeks flushed, though I found her demeanor not entirely cute.

“Since the beginning, Swordmaster was truly Swordmaster.”

If this is considered a realm of talent, then it is one. Feeling ‘curiosity’ rather than ‘fear’ when facing a new monster. She looks cute outwardly, but inside, a ferocious battle instinct must be wriggling. Just holding a sword transforms a person. Some people likened Swordmaster to a ‘fiend’ or in other words, a ‘demon.’

“Alright.”

I explained.

“The rabbits tend to run away when in danger. If possible, it would be best to kill them in one hit. Can you do it?”

Like with her unique ability, ‘One-Hit Kill.’

Shin Yeon-seo readily revealed her hand.

“Of course! I have a skill that can kill in one hit.”

The two of us hunted the ‘Monster Rabbits.’ The hunt wasn’t difficult. The most threatening attack they had was a kick with their hind legs or a bite with their front teeth, but they weren’t very menacing.

“Now.”

In an instant, a blue light leaked from Shin Yeon-seo’s sword. For just a split second. As Shin Yeon-seo’s body seemed to move backward,

Swoosh!

A sonic boom tore through the air.

A straight line of blue light was etched in midair.

‘So fast.’

Shin Yeon-seo’s movement was swift. In just a moment, her retreating form shot out rapidly, like a bullet, wielding her sword as if it was a spear.

‘That’s Swordmaster’s unique ability, One-Hit Kill.’

It was surprising enough that she had awakened her ‘unique ability’ at only level 19, but the fact that she could handle it to this extent was also astonishing.

[You have hunted a Monster Rabbit.]

[Experience points have been acquired.]

[26 coins have been acquired.]

One of the Monster Rabbits died. The other two ran away. I clicked on the dead Monster Rabbit’s body.

[No items dropped.]

It was a little disappointing. Monster Rabbits often drop ‘life-draining items’ at a high rate. To speed through the ‘Demon’s First Stage’ the level 30-40 segment, these life-draining items are essential.

“Ah, they all ran away.”

Shin Yeon-seo seemed genuinely disappointed. There, I felt it again. She’s truly cut out for real play. She’s seriously enjoying this. That’s the feeling I got. That’s probably why later on she would be known by the grand name ‘Swordmaster.’

“They will respawn soon.”

“But, hey, Hyuk-jin? Mister Hyuk-jin? Ugh, I don’t know. Let’s just drop the honorifics. I don’t care. Let’s speak informally. We’re peers after all. Honestly, using honorifics between us feels awkward.”

Shin Yeon-seo muttered quickly and then just switched to informal speech.

“Did you already know this place? Were you here before?”

Kim Hyuk-jin naturally responded informally. To him, it wasn’t really an important issue.

“This is my first time.”

It was true in a sense. He knew most of the future strategies.

“Really? It’s really your first time?”

“…”

Shin Yeon-seo’s eyes went round, wondering whether the girl who had wielded One-Hit Kill against the Monster Rabbit and this girl were indeed the same person.

“But how can you remain so calm? It looked like you already knew everything about this place.”

“Well…”

Just then, space began to fluctuate. Good timing. Better to stop talking. Once again, Monster Rabbits emerged.

“We’re going to keep hunting them.”

“Got it.”

Shin Yeon-seo seemed to rely on me quite a bit. She followed my words without hesitation. The two of us continued to hunt Monster Rabbits.

[You have hunted a Monster Rabbit.]

[Experience points have been acquired.]

[25 coins have been acquired.]

After hunting about eight or so, an item dropped from a corpse.

──────────

[Quality Iron Sword]

The craftsmanship suggests it was made by a skilled artisan. It has excellent durability and attack power.

Grade: Normal

Attack Power: 7~18

Durability: 300/300

──────────

Oh, great. Such an item is meaningless. Even though it was a decent item for beginner level standards, since it even displayed ‘durability,’ I didn’t need it.

“Hmm.”

But I pretended to think about it. There was one item; there were two of us. I offered it as if bestowing a favor.

“You take it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. For now, you seem better with a sword than I am.”

“…”

Shin Yeon-seo seemed unsure whether to accept or not but then nodded her agreement.

“Okay. I’ll gratefully accept it! In return, I’ll definitely give you the next item that comes out.”

Believing she owed me, Shin Yeon-seo smiled broadly. That smile. It was undoubtedly pretty. Well, yeah. You take that junk item. I will take the life-draining item.

──────────

[Legolas’s Ring]

A ring forged from the mysterious ‘Topaz’ gemstone.

Defense: 1

Option: Absorbs 2% of attack damage as H/P.

──────────

Finally, it appeared. Shin Yeon-seo didn’t realize the value of the item.

“Ugh. Only 2%?”

Yes, only 2%. But the thing is, you can wear up to ten rings at once, and they can be enhanced. Provided the conditions are met.

Unaware of this fact, Shin Yeon-seo spoke as if feeling sorry.

“It feels like I’m the only one getting the good items.”

“We’re going to keep hunting monsters.”

Time passed, not a short amount. Although I didn’t clock it, we must’ve spent at least five hours or more. The same actions repeated. Even the Guardians seemed unamused.

[The ‘Valiant Lion King’ is bored.]

[The ‘Nameless Observer’ has stopped observing.]

[The ‘Lady of the Scales’ is puzzled by the player’s behavior.]

Normally, I would satisfy the Guardians’ interest, but not now. Instead, this current frustration will later rush in as exhilaration.

During this time, I acquired no less than eight of Legolas’s Rings. My heart fluttered. However, Shin Yeon-seo became a bit uneasy.

“But… aren’t we taking too long? We’re just repeating the same thing over and over. We can get out of here, right?”

Not giving her any information would only make Shin Yeon-seo’s anxiety peak. She and I are a team; there’s no need to undermine team morale.

“I’ve already found a way out.”

“Huh? How?”

Shin Yeon-seo’s eyes went round again, her lips pursed as she looked up at me. The difference between when she’s holding a sword and when she’s not is astonishing. I’m not sure if it’s love at first sight, but the two faces are quite a contrast.

“Over there.”

I pointed to a distance. It was dark.

“I can’t see anything.”

“The ‘Clear Crystal’ appeared over there.”

My prediction was accurate. It wasn’t a challenging area. After capturing a certain number of Monster Rabbits, a ‘Clear Crystal’ would appear. Breaking the Clear Crystal completes the gate clearance. Quite an easy place.

“The Clear Crystal?”

“Breaking it lets us get out.”

“Aha. So you purposely took your time?”

Shin Yeon-seo seemed to have an epiphany. Yes, the life-drain item only comes from these creatures in the beginner stages. She looked at me intently. I could feel affinity through my sensory gland.

An unexpected question burst forth.

“Are you interested in me, is that why?”

She spoke audaciously, but why were her ears red? If you’re going to be bold, just be bold. If you’re going to be shy, then be shy. Why try to be both, I wondered. What answer do you want from me?

Then a notification came in.

[No more monsters will respawn.]

It was a bit of a shame, but still, I had acquired nine of Legolas’s Rings.

[Monsters will not respawn.]

[The Clear Crystal is forcibly destroyed.]

[The ‘Sudden Gate-Tunnel’ has been cleared.]

Once a ‘gate’ closes, it doesn’t reopen. It’s a trait that sets it apart from ‘dungeons,’ which have continuity. It had gotten quite dark outside. It seemed like dawn.

‘It must be quite late.’

Suddenly, I sensed something in my sensory gland.

‘Huh?’

One presence was my sister’s. In a hurry, I turned my head to see her with puffy eyes from crying. And I felt another presence.

‘Oh, great. What now?’

In an instant, the world changed.