Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: I Raise Skeletons
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Thump, thump.
Meanwhile.
In the heart of Seoul, atop the top floor of a luxurious skyscraper, a lavish party was underway.
The event, hosted by someone or other, was extravagantly splendid.
Opulent marble interiors, crimson carpets, and dazzling golden ornaments.
But the extravagance wasn't limited to the decor.
The guests were equally impressive.
Heirs to the nation's top ten conglomerates.
And young rankers.
Among them.
"Hoo."
Gi So-yul let out a deep sigh from her seat in the corner.
*Boring.*
She'd come at her brother Ki Pa-rang's request.
But parties had never been her thing.
*Even more boring than before.*
In the past, she could at least tolerate it.
Back when she believed that chatting with the rankers here would help improve her skills.
But now?
It all seemed pointless.
Childish, even.
Because any ranker enjoying themselves here.
Would stand no chance against that "old man" she'd faced.
She was certain of it.
Compared to him, everyone here was just a bunch of infants.
*Ugh, I was hoping to wrap this up quick and head out.*
Her body itched with restlessness.
She wanted to see Joo Dong-hoon as soon as possible, watch him train.
In the heat of that intense training, she wanted to steal some of the old man's teachings for herself.
Realistically, that was the most helpful path.
Still, she couldn't skip this party.
She was already lounging around the guild doing nothing.
She had to make an appearance at events like this, right?
For a major guild like Parang to run smoothly without conflicts, networking like this was essential.
Not that she planned to dive in wholeheartedly.
Just show her face, that was it.
*The real networking is up to big bro.*
Honestly, even this much was a huge concession and act of consideration on her part.
"The ranker I got close with during that trip to the States last time? He was dying to see you, So-yul. Hahaha, So-yul, are you even listening to me?"
"Yes, I am."
A yawn nearly escaped her.
The guy chattering nonstop beside her was some Shin Jong-oh.
A C-rank hunter.
Not someone she could outright dismiss.
He was the grandson of the Oseong Group's chairman, one of the top ten conglomerates.
In a world where rankers called the shots, money's power in a capitalist society was still formidable.
With truckloads of rankers swayed by cash, it was unavoidable.
"How about it? Should I set something up? Haha, I've got some limited-edition whiskey I had shipped in..."
"..."
His incessant muttering was getting annoying.
*[Should I just assassinate him with my ability?]*
The temptation flashed briefly, but she nodded vaguely and tuned him out.
Her eyes flicking only to the wall clock.
And soon enough.
[07:00 PM]
The moment seven o'clock hit, she shot to her feet.
"Gi So-yul?"
Shin Jong-oh's eyes went wide.
She shot back curtly at his call.
"I'll be heading out now. I have prior plans."
Exactly six hours had passed.
Time to return to Joo Dong-hoon.
She'd already cleared it with her brother, so no issues.
"Ah, already? The party's just getting started..."
"Thanks for today."
A light bow.
She turned crisply and left the venue.
"..."
Crunch.
Shin Jong-oh ground his teeth, staring after her.
*That bitch. Thinks she's all that just 'cause she's a ranker?*
He clenched his fist tight.
His hand trembled with rising fury.
*How'd it come to this?*
Originally.
Their relationship hadn't been like this.
"..."
Shin Jong-oh recalled his first meeting with Gi So-yul.
About a year ago?
At a party like this.
When he'd fallen for her clear, ethereal beauty.
He'd made up his mind then.
To make Gi So-yul his woman.
While others shook their heads at her icy demeanor, to him she was beautiful like clear ice.
Their statuses matched well, too.
He was a third-generation chaebol heir, she a ranker.
A fitting pair, he'd thought.
*Even just a month ago.*
But suddenly, she'd done a complete 180.
She used to respond politely, but now she just spaced out, lost in thought.
Why the change?
*Is that rumor going around true?*
Word was she was glued to someone else's side every day.
Did she have a secret man?
*Guess I need to check it out.*
Shin Jong-oh's gaze turned icy cold.
* * *
"Hoo, hoo."
My vision flipped.
The familiar clearing.
Thud!
I tossed the staff I'd been gripping onto the ground and sprawled out flat.
"Huaaah, thought I was gonna die for real."
My whole body ached.
Exhausted, if I closed my eyes now, I'd be out like a light in sweet sleep.
Physically and mentally drained.
"The sun hasn't set yet."
Lying there, gazing at the sky.
It was dyed yellow in the evening glow.
*Gi So-yul said she'd be gone about six hours...*
She wasn't around, so probably less than that.
Felt like two days had passed, though.
*Evening already, so she'll be back soon.*
A short time like that was fine.
No way I'd think the Shadow Squad goons would barge in right at this moment by sheer coincidence.
"Hoo."
I stared blankly ahead.
Status windows filling my view against the blue sky.
Unopened rewards.
*Shall we check 'em out slowly?*
First, stat increases.
['Bone5's status is adjusted.']
[Skill increases by 2!]
[Strength increases by 1!]
[Skill 'Fireball' (Lv.8) levels up by 1.]
[Skill 'Air Shield' (Lv.8) levels up by 1.]
['Bone4's status is adjusted.']
[Strength increases by 2!]
[Agility increases by 1!]
[Vitality increases by 1!]
[Skill 'Basic Block' (Lv.8) levels up by 1.]
[Skill 'Basic Taunt' (Lv.6) levels up by 2.]
....
....
....
From Bone5 to Bone1.
Status adjustment messages crammed my vision, hard to even read.
*Stats balanced out nicely, skills up to around 8-9.*
Simple summary, move on.
More intriguing rewards awaited.
*Especially Bone2.*
Unlike the others, Bone2 had become special.
[Hidden quest cleared!]
[The tyrant of the Ancient Desert Empire, 'Sun Spear', acknowledges you as its true master!]
['Bone2' inherits 'Sun Spear's' memories and will intact.]
['Bone2's name changes to 'Sun Spear.']
[All stats increase by 10.]
"Now it's Sun Spear, huh."
[Name: Sun Spear]
[Vitality: 100/100]
[Unique Ability: Awakened Skeleton]
[Class: Spearman]
[Grade: D]
[Strength: 35] [Agility: 35] [Vitality: 32] [Mana: 26] [Skill: 33]
[Possessed Skills]
-'Basic Thrust' (Lv.9)
-'Sun Chain Strike' (Lv.1)
-'Raging Desert' (Lv.1)
-'Soulflare' (Lv.1)
'Wow.'
I stuck out my tongue.
Three new skills added.
Definitely the attacks it used on me in my mind.
'The dazzling chain combos.'
Sun Chain Strike!
'The sandstorm engulfing the whole field.'
Raging Desert!
'The brief soul-burn boosting movement and attack speed.'
Soulflare!
All incredible skills, no doubt.
I'd taken them head-on during its trial, so I knew firsthand.
"Anyway."
Bone now, right?
Didn't know awakening changed the name...
*Bone2.*
I'd named it casually at first.
But now it had grown on me.
Sun Spear felt kinda impersonal.
The status window said Sun Spear, but calling it Bone forever felt off.
"Hmm..."
I pondered briefly.
Very briefly.
I'd never been one to agonize over names.
"Alright, Sun Spear's too stiff. Sun-yi it is."
From now on, you're Sun. Sun-yi.
Way more affectionate.
[Hunter: Joo Dong-hoon]
[Title: None]
[Vitality: 0/120]
No vitality now, can't check, but.
With Sun Spear's memories inherited, it'd shine big time from here on.
"Next."
Rewards didn't end there.
['Unmeasurable' stage cleared.]
[Great achievement accomplished.]
Next, achievement reward.
Honestly, first time knowing achievements existed.
Not public knowledge, probably only top rankers knew.
[Reward arrives!]
[Congratulations!]
[Item acquired: 'Golden Random Box' (S-rank).]
"Random box?"
My eyes bulged.
A random box, unfamiliar item, sure.
But 'S-rank?'
An S-rank item had dropped.
Rare quantity, abysmal drop rate—even rankers struggled to get them!
"No way, insane."
Performance aside, the grade alone would fetch a fortune.
Heavenly value.
"Aaah..."
I was overcome.
Three years scraping by as an E-rank hunter, mercenary gigs for pennies.
Never scored a proper item.
Drooling over C-rank gear at shops and auctions just yesterday, it felt.
"S-rank."
Tears welled up.
[Item: Golden Random Box]
[Grade: S]
[Type: Box]
[Description: A rare treasure is sealed within.]
[Effect 1: Opening yields an 'S-rank' item.]
Thump thump thump.
Heart pounding.
Even blocking that blackened Sun Spear's thrust hadn't raced it like this.
*Open it now?*
Hands shaking.
Thank god Gi So-yul wasn't here.
Not that I didn't trust her.
But an S-rank? She'd probably yell "fair game" even if she assassinated me for it.
Guilds went to war over single S-ranks.
Thump!
Tapped the floating box.
['Golden Random Box' (S-rank) will be opened?]
"...O-open."
Mumbled in a quivering voice.
Prayed to the heavens.
*Please.*
Please, something expensive.
Or usable for me.
*Honestly, anything's fine.*
Sell it for massive profit.
Use it for massive gain.
Former: no more money worries.
Latter: ranker-grade gear ahead.
Whirr!
The box's wrapping unraveled on its own.
Golden light leaked from the seams.
[Thump! Thump! Thump!]
['Golden Random Box' (S-rank) opened!]
[Wishing you hunter luck!]
And then.
With golden light surging skyward.
The box fully opened.