Chapter 12
Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Relic of the Reclusive Sage
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Immersed in the感動 of having eaten proper food for the first time in reality, Yuseong didn't snap out of it until quite some time had passed.
‘Anyway, I'll buy the map later.’
It didn't seem necessary right now, and above all, he couldn't afford it with his current funds.
"Are these all the things I can buy?"
【Among the items in the Purchase Window, Ark items will be added from what the player purchases or crafts going forward. However, items above a certain level require raising attention to increase the Purchase Window's level before they can be added.】
‘I guess I'll have to keep hanging out with the NPCs.’
His plan to boost hunting speed and earn money had hit a snag, regardless of attention or whatever.
【Real-world items will be added from what the player has obtained. These also require raising the Purchase Window's level for items above a certain level. However, beast meat is not included.】
"I wouldn't take that junk even if you gave it to me."
【The Purchase Window's next level comes when attention exceeds 10,000.】
Ten times what he had now. But considering how quickly it had been rising so far, it didn't seem like an unattainably high number.
‘I don't know if it'll keep rising like this forever, though.’
"How do I open the Purchase Window? Do I just say 'Purchase Window' like in a game?"
【Yes.】
Yuseong hesitated as he moved his hand toward the X in the corner of the Purchase Window. Unlike what the strategy guide described, what if it didn't open again...?
He didn't doubt the strategy guide. It was just that the Purchase Window was so crucially important that grim thoughts crept in unbidden.
He squeezed his eyes shut and thrust his hand forward. When he opened them again, the Purchase Window was gone.
"Ah!"
A lament escaped him involuntarily. He shouted as quickly as he could.
"Purchase Window!"
At the translucent window reappearing before his eyes, Yuseong let out a huge sigh of relief.
* * *
Yuseong logged into Ark. He'd always been eager to log in before, but now he had a practical reason on top of that.
‘Attention! And money!’
So he needed to stock up on bread and bullets.
‘Bread goes without saying, and even if I don't need to go hunting anymore, I'll still have occasions to venture outside, so bullets are necessary too.’
Yuseong recalled the black beast. It was the first powerful creature like that he'd seen around here. He had to keep in mind the possibility that dangers around the base had spiked dramatically.
Bullets were expensive, but at least a box held 12 rounds.
‘If it were 300 gold per shot, that'd really be a headache.’
Of course, even if they were pricier, he'd be grateful just to have a steady supply. But the easier they were to obtain, the better.
"Strategy guide. Isn't there something that can skyrocket my attention and earn me money?"
【In that case, I recommend tackling a bonus boss.】
"Bonus boss?"
The strategy guide explained what a bonus boss was.
"I see."
It was said to be difficult, but it was just a game, after all—no life on the line. It was definitely worth a shot.
"Where's this bonus boss?"
【Among the bonus bosses the player can currently challenge, the closest one is ‘Relic of the Reclusive Sage.’ Challenge limit level is 10, challenge attempts: one.】
"Only one attempt?"
【Yes.】
A stingy number of tries. But Yuseong wasn't too disappointed.
A single attempt felt familiar. Every battle he'd faced in reality up to now had been a one-shot gamble with his life on the line.
Yuseong's current level was 10—exactly the limit for challenging the bonus boss.
‘Let's go right now.’
No reason to hesitate. What was there to waver over when it came to gaining attention and money?
‘It's a strong one, so I need to prepare thoroughly first.’
But when it came time to gear up, there was an obstacle.
Money.
He'd been gearing up to ditch the initial gun for something better, but...
‘Guns already have poor cost-performance, and now I've spent money in reality too.’
He considered switching weapons but decided it was better to stick with the familiar one, level up quickly, and boost his income.
‘Can't hunt because I might level up, though. No choice—I'll just restock on bullets and potions.’
After stopping by the shop to buy items, Yuseong said to the strategy guide,
"Guide me there."
It was time to challenge the so-called bonus boss.
* * *
Following the strategy guide's directions, Yuseong headed upstream along the stream near the Blue Grass Village.
Before long, he reached a forest thick with trees. The stream flowed out from within it.
Yuseong cautiously stepped into the forest. With limited visibility and plenty of obstacles, it wasn't an ideal place for combat. Staying alert on all sides, he headed in the direction the strategy guide indicated.
Fortunately, the forest monsters weren't high-level. The tricky part was fleeing without killing them to avoid gaining experience and leveling up.
‘This is it.’
Yuseong stopped in front of a certain tree. It didn't look much different from the others in the forest. But the strategy guide had definitely pointed to this one.
As instructed, Yuseong examined the tree. A knothole sat a bit higher than his height.
Hidden by the dense branches and leaves, it would be hard to spot without close inspection.
Big enough for a person to fit through. Though he'd never climbed a tree before, his strong musculature made reaching the knothole not too difficult.
Yuseong stuck his head into the knothole. The inside of the tree was hollow. Then he noticed a swirl of blue light around the height of the tree's base.
【Leap into the light, and you'll be instantly teleported to the boss room—midway surrender is impossible, so please keep that in mind.】
No sooner had the strategy guide finished speaking than the system's voice rang out.
[You are the first to discover the entrance to ‘Reclusive Sage's Laboratory,’ home of the bonus boss ‘Relic of the Reclusive Sage.’ 1 bonus point awarded. If you defeat the boss within a week, experience, money, and drop rates increase by 200%. Bonus boss level: 8. Challenge limit level: 10. Challenge attempts: one. Player's current level: 10. Challenges attempted: 0. Eligible to challenge.]
Similar to when he'd found the rats' hideout.
‘No experience this time.’
That was a relief. If he'd gotten it now, he might have leveled up. Probably why they didn't give experience even for the first discovery.
To prepare fully, Yuseong shifted his designated stat points from Luck to Stamina.
Then, without hesitation, he slipped into the knothole and dove into the light.
【Good luck.】
A cascade of brilliant blue light enveloped him.
Moments later, solid ground met his feet. The light vanished.
Yuseong surveyed his surroundings.
It was a fairly large space, filled with books lining the walls and what looked like various lab equipment.
Designed faithfully as a laboratory, but it didn't capture Yuseong's interest. What seized his attention was the entity in the center of the room.
A massive suit of armor.
About twice Yuseong's height, holding a large halberd horizontally at its side.
At a glance, it could pass for mere decoration.
‘But decorations don't move.’
Yuseong saw it—the helmet of the armor, silently facing forward, subtly twisting toward him.
Swoosh!
The armor gripped its halberd anew. The gleaming blade turned toward Yuseong.
It matched the bonus boss info from the strategy guide. No need to think further.
That was undoubtedly the bonus boss, Relic of the Reclusive Sage.
Yuseong raised his gun as well.
Bang!
His long-range rifle announced the battle's start. The bullet flew straight for the armor. But it dodged with ridiculous ease.
‘It dodged.’
He clicked his tongue. But he wasn't too disappointed. The strategy guide had warned it'd be strong from the start. Plus, he'd recently faced something that could dodge bullets too.
Something that evaded the far more powerful NK4 rounds from reality, no less.
‘Weak compared to that thing.’
Yuseong kicked off backward lightly while swiftly reloading by hand.
Thud! Thud!
The heavy footfalls of the armor closed in. Despite its bulky appearance, it was fast. Though Yuseong retreated, the distance halved in moments.
Bang!
Another shot. This time, the armor couldn't dodge.
But it wasn't damaged.
Clang!
Sparks flew from the halberd's broad blade.
‘It blocked.’
He'd aimed for the head, but the armor had swiftly covered it with the flat of the axe blade. Less a reaction to the incoming bullet and more like it always protected its head thoroughly.
The halberd wobbled briefly, but his current gun didn't seem capable of piercing that defense.
In the end, he'd need to close in somewhat—sacrificing the gun's greatest advantage, range.
But that was familiar territory.
Click!
Reloading complete. By then, the armor was very close.
Whoosh!
The armor swung its halberd. A terrifying whoosh echoed before it even arrived—an attack speed incomparable to any monster he'd faced.
Yuseong twisted his body. The halberd grazed past perilously and smashed the ground.
Boom!
"Urk!"
The instant the halberd struck the ground, his body shuddered, movement impaired.
‘Paralysis?’
Slamming the ground was apparently a skill. The stun was extremely brief. But the halberd was already rising toward him.
Dodging would be tough.
Yuseong twisted his wrist to aim the gun barrel at the halberd.
Bang!
With a harsh ‘Clang!’, sparks erupted from the blade, its trajectory warping wildly.
Whoosh!
The halberd whistled past his face, sending chills down his spine. Yet Yuseong's eyes coldly fixed on the armor.
Bang!
The helmet shook from the bullet hit. The armor staggered back a few steps.
‘It works.’
He'd used the spare single-shot gun he'd bought to mitigate that weakness. Unnecessary for regular hunts so far, but good that he'd prepared it.
Only one spare, though, due to lack of funds.
‘If only I had a couple more...’
Watching the still-stunned armor, Yuseong clicked his tongue in regret.
As he finished loading the one gun, the armor's movements normalized, amplifying his frustration.
Ta-tat!
The armor charged again. Yuseong finished loading the last gun and gripped one in each hand.
Whoosh!
The armor thrust its halberd straight. The sharp spearhead lunged at Yuseong in an instant. He fired in response.
Bang!
The bullet burrowed into the armor's lower chest. But it didn't even flinch.
Yuseong twisted his upper body to dodge the halberd. Yet the armor's assault continued.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
It swung the halberd mercilessly with brute strength—thrusting with the spear, slashing with the axe blade, sweeping at his legs with the hook.
Occasionally slamming the ground to stun. Before it, Yuseong looked like a leaf caught in a storm.
Bang!
The armor staggered again. Its helmet shook once more. Gun smoke wafted from the barrel that still had ammo left.
‘Hitting the helmet stuns it.’
Most monsters he'd fought treated the head as a weak point, so he'd targeted it—and it paid off.
‘If I could just fire two in rapid succession...’
He couldn't help but regret it.
But discovering the weakness was definite progress.
Halberd and bullets clashed relentlessly.
The halberd's momentum was immense. Yuseong couldn't even attempt to block, merely dodging desperately. Yet he kept landing hits on the helmet.
Bang!
Another bullet struck, halting the armor's movement. Meanwhile, Yuseong reloaded.
‘Its durability is insane.’
How many bullets had he fired already? Yet the armor charged vigorously still.
At this point, he even doubted if damage was going through.
Just as he grew worried about running out of ammo before finishing it—
The armor's movements changed.
【Bonus boss Relic of the Reclusive Sage shifts to phase 2.】