Strengthening Growth and the Dungeon Shop's Message
“……!”
Han Ji-woo had acquired a Skill Enhancement Ticket for the first time.
‘It strengthens one of my skills?’
He glanced at the dying Seibier and opened his status window.
Skills:Growth Acceleration, Observation Eye, Creation, Astronomy, Dagger Throw, Intermediate Swordsmanship
Constellation: Ogre (Companion)
Equipment: Black Hatchling Shell Armor, Single-Horned Steel Sword
He currently had a total of six skills. Among them, which one would be most helpful in this situation if strengthened?
Observation Eye, Astronomy, Dagger Throw, and Intermediate Swordsmanship were immediately ruled out. The remaining candidates were Growth Acceleration and Creation.
In the case of Creation, strengthening it might allow him to make something like a potion to heal internal injuries.
‘But the chances of that are too slim.’
So he gauged the possibilities if he strengthened Growth Acceleration.
Amplifying growth speed or range came to mind first. Various other possibilities swirled in his head afterward, but only one seemed truly helpful.
‘What if Growth Acceleration could be used twice a day on the same target?’
Os Gillro had said Seibier’s self-healing ability wasn’t fully active yet because it was a newborn hatchling. So if he used Growth Acceleration one more time to help Seibier grow a bit more, its healing ability might activate and recover the internal injuries.
‘Let’s do it.’
There was no time to waste on more deliberation. It was practically a gamble, but no other options existed.
“I’ll strengthen Growth Acceleration.”
Growth Acceleration has been strengthened with the Skill Enhancement Ticket.
Growth Acceleration has been strengthened, expanding the scope of its effects.
You can now use Growth Acceleration to strengthen pet skills. Skills targeted by Growth Acceleration will unconditionally strengthen, and stacking is possible until final enhancement. Applies only to pets; not to self or non-pets. This ability vanishes after 10 uses.
‘Strengthen pet skills with Growth Acceleration?’
And the targeted skill strengthens unconditionally. Though it was disappointing that it only worked on pets and vanished after 10 uses, now wasn’t the time to quibble.
‘It went in a completely different direction from what I wanted. But……!’
There was still a chance to save Seibier. Right now, there was exactly one skill worth strengthening with Growth Acceleration.
As Han Ji-woo’s gaze turned to Lucy, its status window unfolded.
Species: Cat Tribe
Unique Skills:Purr Song, Fish Catch, Hiss, Paw Kneading
Without hesitation, Han Ji-woo used Growth Acceleration on Lucy’s Paw Kneading.
Lucy’s skill Paw Kneading strengthens under the influence of Growth Acceleration!
‘Please. Please.’
Hoping Paw Kneading’s utility would greatly improve, a skill window appeared before Han Ji-woo.
Cute front paws press the target to heal light external and internal injuries. Mana cost: 15.
‘Yes!’
Now Lucy’s Paw Kneading could heal internal injuries too. But the word “light” preceded it. Seibier was on the brink of death—not light by any means.
Having seen hope from one strengthening, Han Ji-woo cast Growth Acceleration again.
Lucy’s skill Paw Kneading strengthens under the influence of Growth Acceleration!
Cute front paws press the target to heal heavy external and internal injuries. Mana cost: 25.
‘Not yet! Once more!’
Lucy’s mana was only 50. If it used Paw Kneading and Seibier didn’t improve, they’d be in trouble.
The mana cost rose with each strengthening of Paw Kneading, but it didn’t matter. Better to use it once reliably to heal Seibier.
The Paw Kneading skill strengthened again under Growth Acceleration’s influence.
Cute front paws press the target to heal all wounds. Mana cost: 50.
“Perfect! Lucy, Paw Kneading!”
Nyaang!
Lucy responded energetically and cast Paw Kneading on Seibier again. It had only been used 5 hours ago, so its mana was full at 50!
As all its mana depleted, a brilliant glow burst from its front paws. An effect incomparable to the initial cast!
Beautiful rainbow light rays absorbed into Seibier’s body, instantly healing the ravaged internal injuries.
“Seibier?”
Han Ji-woo softly called the still-unconscious hatchling’s name and slowly brought his ear to its nose.
…….
Cheep-cheep-
Cheep-cheep-
“It’s alive.”
Seibier’s breathing, which had stopped briefly, resumed. The faint breaths gradually gained strength, and its heartbeat grew louder accordingly.
Having overcome the massive crisis, Seibier had returned from the brink of death.
“Haaah.”
Having been through such an ordeal, Han Ji-woo let out a deep sigh and plopped down on the ground. His whole body was soaked in sweat from the tension.
Os Gillro also plopped down across from him, glaring at Seibier as if he wanted to kill it.
“Damn lizard brat causes so much trouble! No redeeming qualities at all! You little enemy!”
Han Ji-woo chuckled at Os Gillro’s unrestrained gruff curses. He remembered the tears welling in Os Gillro’s eyes the moment Seibier’s breathing stopped.
‘Os Gillro was crying earlier, huh?’ The words rose to his throat but he swallowed them hard.
A textbook tsundere dwarf, as always.
“It lived! The hatchling lived!”
Pao cheered with arms raised in victory. Han Ji-woo had thought Pao would fear it as a baby of dragons, rulers of all monsters, but no.
Ever since becoming fellow pets, Pao no longer feared the hatchling. Same for Lucy.
Lucy had fallen asleep atop the slumbering Seibier in a loaf position, paws kneading.
Watching the scene, Os Gillro soon dozed off while sitting.
Mentally exhausted, it seemed. Pao, hungrier than sleepy, headed outside saying it wanted watermelon.
With the commotion over and silence returning to the Salt Mine, Han Ji-woo stared at Seibier, lost in thought.
‘If not for the hidden piece shared by the dungeon warriors, I couldn’t have saved Seibier.’
What perfect timing for the hidden piece to be shared. Was it really coincidence?
But calling it inevitability made even less sense.
‘Whatever. Coincidence or not, inevitable or not.’
Protecting Seibier was what mattered now.
‘Come to think of it, aside from Pao, all the pets tamed here were babies?’
Lucy had been a newborn kitten not long hatched, and Seibier had broken out of its egg today. Han Ji-woo suddenly wondered if this was coincidence or fate.
Then.
The dungeon warriors have cleared the 10th underground floor and arrived at the Dungeon Shop.
You can now share and sell items made in Hidden Space at the Dungeon Shop.
Sale prices can be set freely by Han Ji-woo.
Han Ji-woo cannot enter the Dungeon Shop directly but can check displayed item statuses.
To check the Dungeon Shop item display status, simply will it.
“Dungeon Shop?”
Han Ji-woo willed a connection to it, as the message instructed.
A new window unfolded before him. At the top was written “Dungeon Shop Item Display Status,” and inside were rows of various displayed items.
Curious, Han Ji-woo touched the first slot’s item. A new window popped up with its info and price.
◈ Adds 1 stat point. Can be invested in desired stat.
“……So I can display any items I make here?”
As he stared at the display window, an ingenious idea struck Han Ji-woo.
“Os Gillro! Os Gillro!”
“Ugh! Wh-what! What’s going on!”
Os Gillro jolted awake from his light nap at Han Ji-woo’s call.
“I have a favor to ask!”
* * *
Seol Ara’s group rushed back to the others the moment they found the Gold Hatchling’s toy box. They distributed the various items from it as needed.
Inside were a Skill Enhancement Ticket, Stat Point Addition Ticket, Equipment Enhancement Ticket, assorted mid-to-low-grade equipment and weapons, and more. They even secured 1,000 Dungeon Coins.
They hadn’t found catnip, so Ferrofero’s quest wasn’t cleared, but they effectively obtained the 1,000 Dungeon Coins reward as a hidden piece.
‘As expected…….’
Pierre nodded knowingly amid the cheers over the items.
“Let’s head down now.”
They’d rested enough on the 10th underground floor and gathered everything worth taking. With the Gold Hatchling toy box items fully distributed, there was no reason to stay.
Without Ferrofero objecting, someone might suggest lingering like on the 6th floor, but the dungeon warriors’ minds were etched with memories of comrades who sacrificed to save them.
Those sacrifices carried the wish to clear the dungeon, so as debtors of life, they couldn’t just stay put. Besides, the survivors now wanted to see the dungeon’s end.
Mitchell and the leaders took the lead down the stairs. The rest followed.
At the stairs’ end, greeting the dungeon warriors was a cavern displaying various items—disorderly on the walls, without fixings.
Above the cavern floated the words “Dungeon Shop.”
This is the Dungeon Shop. A place to buy needed items before descending from the 10th to the 11th underground floor.
“Dungeon Shop? That’s why they gave Dungeon Coins!”
Someone exclaimed excitedly, scanning the displayed items.
“Hold on! It might be a trap, so let’s observe more……!”
As Mitchell tried to stop the frontrunner, Jonathan patted his shoulder with a laugh.
“Everything good about you, Mitchell, but your overcaution is a flaw.”
“First sensible thing out of your mouth.”
Yui agreed, entering the shop. Seeing no threats to the first entrants, everyone else followed.
Irked by their recklessness, Mitchell furrowed his brow slightly and took the last step.
That’s when Seol Ara’s surprised exclamation burst out.
“Everyone! Look at this!”
The dungeon warriors rushed to her. In Seol Ara’s hand was one of the shop’s items—a wide stone slab that looked unremarkable at first glance.
But it was covered in writing. It began like this:
-Hello, dungeon warriors. I’m Han Ji-woo.