Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Master Ring (3)
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First guerrilla hunt.
Pentagram wanted to gauge Kim Gunja's exact capabilities by accompanying him, while Kim Gunja aimed to test his growth and receive Pentagram's support through the hunt.
B-rank.
And as the title "Ruler" suggested, there was a high chance the boss would be exceptionally powerful.
For the original Kim Gunja, this would have required full preparation before entering.
But this time was an exception.
His companions were none other than Pentagram's Monjiro and the woman named Jane, who treated him without reservation.
Bwoooong—
Upon entering the gate, a massive lake greeted them.
Monjiro smiled affably and spoke up.
"Our main goal is to assess your abilities, Mr. Kim Gunja, so we'll provide minimal support from the sidelines."
"Understood."
"This might be a bit tricky for you, though."
Saying that, Monjiro gazed straight ahead.
A group of crocodiles with sharp spines on their backs floated in the lake, only their heads visible above the water.
"You mentioned your character-specific unique trait falls under the [Swordsman] or [Assassin] categories, right?"
"Yes."
Character-specific unique traits.
These were abilities inherited from specific figures provided by the system.
They came with the drawback of being influenced by the hero's personality during their lifetime, but the advantages of rapid growth and superior power more than compensated.
However, both swordsman and assassin types might struggle in underwater combat, so Monjiro asked,
"It could turn into a water battle. Are you okay with that?"
"There are limitations, but I'll manage."
Kim Gunja replied.
His condition wasn't bad either.
He'd cleared Hero Guild's B-rank mid-sized gate and come straight here, but after a good rest on the train, his stamina and mana were fine.
'And I had the Ring of Stillness on.'
The artifact's effect was indeed impressive.
Normally, he'd recover via the Customizing Room, but thanks to the Ring of Stillness, his mana had restored without needing it.
'It's once per day, so I should save it when I can.'
Monjiro nodded at Kim Gunja's response.
"Got it. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Yes. Well then..."
They were just about to start the hunt.
Chris strode forward first.
"...?"
"Wait, hold—!"
Before Monjiro could stop her, white chill radiated from Chris's toes toward the lake.
Crack, craaaack—!
The moment Chris's near-absolute-zero mana touched the lake...
Craaaaaack—!
Starting from the edges, the entire lake began to freeze solid.
The crocodiles swimming peacefully(?) underwater froze along with it.
The survivors were only the boss on the far side from Chris and a few others.
Chris brushed back her blonde hair, her lips slowly parting.
"There."
Now there'd be no underwater fight, so they could properly evaluate his skills.
But Monjiro could only clutch his head and grimace.
'What an idiot guild master! Anyone but a fool would...!'
And as Monjiro feared,
Kim Gunja learned the true identity of the woman introduced as Jane.
'No way the Pentagram guild master herself came...'
The Freezing Chris.
World rank 2, but like most Pentagram members, her face wasn't public.
Only a select few knew.
But her unique trait was famous enough to be registered in the rankings, so even Kim Gunja couldn't be unaware.
'Why hide it if that's the case?'
He glanced at Monjiro, but seeing him tear at his hair in agony, it didn't seem intentional.
Ignoring Monjiro, Chris turned to Kim Gunja and spoke.
"I'm busy."
No need for Monjiro's translation; he understood.
She'd set the stage.
So don't waste time on small fry—show your stuff against the boss.
Kim Gunja could only give a wry smile.
Coincidence or intent?
Indeed, outside the frozen lake, only the boss and a few crocodiles remained.
'This is the power of a single-number hunter...'
The second time.
For such overwhelming strength.
Kim Gunja's mind flashed to White Flame's display.
The sight of White Flame crippling Jin Garyul with a single gesture.
'Kang Inhyeok isn't quite single-number level...'
But not far off either.
His enemies were of that caliber.
To beat them, he was still sorely lacking.
He needed to grow faster, stronger.
And for that, he had to extract maximum support from Pentagram.
Kim Gunja answered Chris's words with action.
Thud—
Crossing the frozen lake, Kim Gunja charged the boss, the Giant Crocodile.
As the distance closed, he pulled out a glowstone, tossed it overhead, and leaped toward the boss.
Whoosh—!
The Giant Crocodile's massive tail swung to smash him,
Flash!
But the flare exploding behind the leaping Kim Gunja cast a shadow over the Giant Crocodile.
Targets: eyes and legs.
Calculating the optimal path, Kim Gunja's left foot stepped on empty air.
His form left afterimages as it slid across the frozen lake, reflecting the light.
His form, wreathed in red and black haze, flashed past the crocodile's front, rear, left, and right almost simultaneously.
Kim Gunja's sword pierced the weak joints and unprotected eyes.
Pfshhh—!
In that instant.
The Giant Crocodile, blinded and crippled, let out a roar of agony.
"Hoo..."
Kim Gunja, having expended half his mana and black mana in one go, steadied his breath.
The surviving crocodiles belatedly rushed to protect the boss.
Monjiro watched Kim Gunja dodge massive jaws and tails while seeking the finishing blow, his mouth agape.
The bizarre technique and skill far exceeding expectations.
'...B-rank? Even for a character trait... Wow, impressive. This guy might be a real monster.'
Unlike Monjiro, amazed by Kim Gunja's prowess, Chris was impressed by something else.
"Cool."
The sight of him gliding across the light-reflecting frozen lake, shrouded in red and black haze—it captivated her.
Chris eyed Kim Gunja covetously.
Then,
"I can do that too."
She muttered, stepping onto the frozen lake.
Rumble rumble craaack—
An ice pillar rose carrying Chris, circling the lake rapidly.
Chris's form skimmed the lake like skating.
Spraying ice dust wildly.
Undeniably similar to Kim Gunja's display.
Monjiro could only clutch his head again at the sight.
Midnight.
Park Chunduk Academy.
Click. Creeeak—
As Kim Gunja entered after finishing the guerrilla hunt,
"Back?"
Park Chunduk greeted him with hollow eyes.
"Yeah. You haven't gone to bed yet?"
"Business is booming."
Kim Gunja chuckled.
"Looks like you're happy about it, judging by your face."
"Who hates money? Gotta rake it in while it's hot."
During their casual exchange,
"Monster Uncle!"
Sweat beading on her forehead from stamina training, Sin Yeji approached.
"Why's it so hard to see your face lately?"
She poked his side playfully, closing in familiarly.
True, between guilds and hunts, he'd been swamped lately.
"It just happened that way. But why are you still here? Didn't you join Hero Guild?"
Implying why stick around a dump like this.
Yeji flinched and shot back desperately.
"Wh-what about you, Uncle?"
"This place is comfy for me."
"Same here!"
"Huh. Fair enough..."
Kim Gunja grinned and continued.
"For small fries like us, these cozy spots beat those fancy places. Right?"
Park Chunduk, overhearing, had veins bulging on his forehead.
"What? This place? What's wrong with it? Huh? Should I kick you both out?!"
Kim Gunja and Sin Yeji burst into laughter at his outburst.
Yeah. Having someone to banter with made it fun.
'Oh, right.'
It had been a while.
Recalling the Stein-style dagger arts he'd acquired, Kim Gunja asked Yeji,
"Yeji. Got time?"
"Huh? Why, what's up? I'm not busy, but maybe I am, kinda..."
"...?"
Not getting it, he just asked outright.
"Got something I wanna test. How about a quick spar, just us two?"
At "just us two," Yeji beamed before feigning nonchalance.
"Hmm. Picked up another new ability, huh?"
"Yeah. You'll be shocked."
"Can you show me? Don't want another sneak attack like last time."
"Of course."
Kim Gunja grabbed a few daggers from the rack.
"Daggers? Why so many?"
He grinned and replied simply.
"Watch closely."
And at what Kim Gunja showed,
"My God! The d-daggers...!"
"Sh-shadows...!"
Park Chunduk and Sin Yeji exclaimed in awe.
Kim Gunja scratched his head ruefully.
"Ah, still not perfect. Anyway, that's the idea. Too raw for real combat, so practicing. You free?"
With Demon Eye active, Yeji nodded blankly at his question.
Director's office.
"Phew, good work."
"You too, Monster Uncle."
After the spar, sharing drinks, Kim Gunja flopped onto the sofa.
Yeji eyed him and asked,
"Uncle, something bothering you?"
"Huh? No?"
"L-lie."
"...That obvious?"
"Not hugely, just moderately."
He chuckled at her teasing.
"Just got some things on my mind."
"Can't share?"
Kim Gunja just nodded.
From Pentagram's attitude, digging into the Master Ring seemed unwise.
"Hmm, no idea what, but did you talk to that sister about it?"
"Sister?"
Kim Gunja tilted his head.
Anyone Yeji called "sister"?
No one came to mind.
Yeji continued exasperatedly.
"You know, the one in the Customizing Room. No better counselor, and it's private."
"Austin? She only knows about the Customizing Room..."
Kim Gunja trailed off.
"Ah..."
Right.
Austin knew everything about the Customizing Room, but he'd never heard her claim ignorance on anything else.
Stupidly, he'd assumed questions were limited to the room.
Unconsciously.
"Yeah. Why didn't I think of that? Thanks, Yeji."
"No biggie."
Leaving Yeji smug, Kim Gunja stood.
"Heading out?"
To the Customizing Room.
"Yeah. Might as well now."
Yeji giggled.
"Uncle, you know that?"
"What?"
"You act just like a cartoon hero."
"Cartoon hero?"
"Yeah, those protagonists who duck into bathrooms or phone booths to transform when villains show up."
"Ah."
Finally getting it, Kim Gunja chuckled.
"Kinda like that. But I'm no hero."
"Who knows? Maybe you'll save the world someday."
"I can barely handle myself."
Yeji laughed softly and stood.
"Well, I'm off then."
"Good work."
After seeing Yeji off, Kim Gunja entered a bathroom stall.
The safest spot, virtually no risk of being caught.
Recalling her words, he chuckled and activated his unique trait.
Thus, Kim Gunja vanished from the bathroom.
Unchanging notification.
"Welcome, Master."
The unchanging her greeted him.
"Yeah. Austin, mind if I ask something?"
"Of course, please do."
"Know anything about an artifact called the Master Ring?"
"Of course I do."
An unexpected answer.
On a hunch, Kim Gunja raised his left hand, pointing to the silver ring.
"This isn't the Master Ring, right?"
Austin looked troubled at his words.
"Master, comparing that to a mere Master Ring would be a grave insult to the creators of the Customizing Room."
"Huh...?"
Mere myth-grade Master Ring?
And an insult?
"Who do you mean by..."
Before his question finished, alarms rang out.
"Majesty Ring...?"
Austin smiled faintly at the dumbfounded Kim Gunja.
And answered his question.
"All Master Rings are mere derivatives of the Majesty Ring."
Her voice brimming with pride.
