Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Sometimes Gambling is Necessary – Is It Really the Prestigious Guild 'Blue'?
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The dungeon's scale was bigger than I'd imagined.
"Check this out."
Kim Jun-seo spread out the documents he'd pulled and chattered on.
"It's a newly discovered dungeon near Paju. It's pretty tough—five teams have already failed to clear it."
"No way, five teams?"
I clicked my tongue.
A failed raid meant either total annihilation or still wandering lost inside.
In other words, it was seriously high difficulty.
"Yeah, grade undetermined."
"Well, yeah."
It had to be.
No one had come out alive to assign a grade.
"But don't worry too much. All the teams that went in so far were nobodies. This time, we're going with the famous 'Blue' Guild, right? Plus, you're just a porter—no need to fight. Do your job, grab your pay, and done! Got it?"
With a flourish, Team Leader Kim Jun-seo waved the contract in front of me.
It was the agreement to join the Blue Guild's dungeon run.
"Hmm."
I closed my eyes and tapped my fingers.
I was torn.
I hadn't even properly tested my new D-grade skeletons yet. Was there any reason to push it?
The pay was ten times normal—danger bonus for an ungraded dungeon, no doubt.
Honestly, after that orc yesterday, my mental fatigue was maxed out.
'But.'
It was still tempting.
First, opportunities like this didn't come often.
Second, high-difficulty dungeons were huge growth boosters for hunters.
'The Dark Lord did the same, right?'
That guy who got his powers at the same time as me ran every dungeon he could in the early days.
-How'd you upgrade your grade so fast?
-What kind of question is that? Dungeons, obviously.
-Just any dungeon? No way. Always go for ones above your level.
-You know my early nickname was Dungeon Maniac?
-Who'd let you tag along? That's why you hustle. Sigh, do I have to spell it out?
-Anyway, remember: higher-grade dungeons are risky, but packed with opportunities and rewards.
It was from his broadcast interview.
Necromancer perks, and he still got some flak for preaching hustle.
But shortest-time ranker advice was worth heeding.
Even a lucky one was still a ranker.
"Hey, Dong-hoon. What's with the long hesitation? This is a goldmine!"
Kim Jun-seo grinned and prodded me.
He looked thrilled.
The moment I signed, his performance bonus would skyrocket tenfold too.
"Hmm, they say from ancient times, overreaching greed brings disaster..."
As I trailed off, the team leader slapped my shoulder and waggled his eyebrows.
"Whoa, look at this guy. Thought you were ambitious, but turns out you're a chicken?"
"Uh... isn't this your greed talking, Team Leader?"
"Hah? Hey, you punk—talk about hurtful! Weren't you dreaming of ranker status? What ranker skips a dungeon? Even porters grow in there—don't you know?"
"......?"
Ranker.
That word snapped me awake.
My eyes shook like an earthquake.
Right.
Even when that orc had me on the brink of death.
I'd dreamed of being a ranker.
I wanted to get stronger.
'What am I even agonizing over?'
Could someone scared of dungeons become a ranker?
If kids passing by knew my inner thoughts, they'd laugh.
Yeah, let's do it.
Gotta go for it.
Life needs a gamble now and then, right?
I impulsively grabbed the pen Kim Jun-seo offered.
"When do we leave?"
"Whoa, clean and bold—just like I thought. Almost misunderstood you."
"Before I change my mind."
"Right, right. One week from now, Paju Station front. Gear and briefing are all in these docs."
"Whew, one week..."
Tight, but better than nothing.
At least I'd have time to prep.
I grinned at Kim Jun-seo.
"I'll take the week off then. Cool?"
Even as a freelancer.
He wasn't thrilled with one-sided vacations.
But this time, he made an exception.
"Go ahead. Thanks, you rascal. I'll buy you a meal soon."
"You're the one who's gonna feel bad?"
"Huh, suddenly?"
"Twice."
"Th-that so? Haha, yeah. Of course!"
The team leader laughed heartily.
Score—meals secured.
* * *[Major Guild 'Blue' 2nd Division Tries Newly Opened Paju Dungeon! D-6 Days!]
[Paju Residents' Anxiety Eases?]
[Ranker Sharpshooter Ki Pa-rang: '2nd Division's Plenty! No Need to Worry.']
[Dungeon Exploration Minister: 'Praying for the Safe Return of the Previous Team.' Silent Tribute.]
"Whew."
Time was short.
Porter or not, basics had to be covered.
Back at the clearing, I unpacked my camping gear.
I'd train here nonstop till then!
First things first.
Time to gauge the skeletons' full power.
Whoosh!
I swung the cheap staff I'd bought from a local hunter shop long ago.
[Using skill: 'Awakened Skeleton Summon' (D-grade).]
[Stamina -10.]
['Bone1' appears.]
>
[Using skill: 'Awakened Skeleton Summon' (D-grade).]
[Stamina -10.]
['Bone2' appears.]
>
......
>
[Using skill: 'Awakened Skeleton Summon' (D-grade).]
[Stamina -10.]
['Bone5' appears.]
Crack-crunch!
From Bone1 to Bone5.
50 stamina spent for five skeletons total.
Creak, squeak!
They formed up naturally, just as I'd envisioned.
Bone1, Bone2, and Bone3 especially stood out.
D-grade, but with way more presence than that.
Training's fruits.
'I couldn't tell before.'
Now I knew.
The skeletons had reaped their efforts, amplified by grade-up.
They evolved over time.
Even these boneheads had stamina, skill, combat sense.
I wanted to raise them stronger.
"Alright, Bone1 through Bone3—move!"
Creak!
They moved in perfect sync at my command.
Same old scarecrow drills.
But different now...
Whoosh! Slash!
The sturdy wooden dummy cleaved in one stroke by Bone1's greatsword.
Swoosh! Pfft-pfft-pfft!
Bone2 too.
Spear flowed gracefully—dummy riddled like sponge.
'Crazy.'
At least ten times stronger than before.
'Not just power.'
Speed was insane.
For a split second, hard to track with eyes.
Ahh.
Chest swelling with pride.
Real talk—these the same loser skeletons?
But no time for awe yet.
Screeeeech!
Bone3's arrow pierced tree, tree, another tree.
A bone arrow punching through three thick trunks.
"Whoa."
Mouth agape, I gasped.
Looked like a bullet.
"D-grade? Could swear it's C-grade..."
I recalled yesterday's fight.
How they'd effortlessly chain-killed a top D-grade orc right after awakening.
Proof they'd gotten stronger.
'But.'
Strength brought worries.
'First, training gear.'
Wooden dummies too flimsy now.
Slicing tofu—what progress from wood?
Meaning: gear costs incoming.
'Second...'
D-grade—and C-grade—were beyond human limits.
So what?
Skeletons fine.
Problem: me.
If a strong foe targets 'me' over bones?
Heart pierced, head off—summoners strong or not, game over!
Creak!
Lost in thought.
Clack-clack!
Quiet Bone5 clacked teeth, approaching.
"Huh? What?"
Clack-clack!
Raised staff, aimed at me.
"W-what? Suddenly."
['Bone5' uses skill: Air Shield (Lv.1).]
Soft energy enveloped me.
Air pressurized all around.
What, this guy.
Reading my mind?
Clack-clack!
Teeth clacked affirmatively.
"Whoa."
Bigger than skeletons powering up.
They used to just obey—now expressing will.
'And Air Shield? What?'
Not just Fireball?
Can't see skill types?
That'd be handy.
Clack-clack! Thud!
Then Bone4 slammed shield down, staring.
"...And you?"
Clack-clack!
Pointed at tattered dummy.
Meaning...
"No way... you'll sub for the dummy?"
Clack-clack!
Nodded yes.
Bone1-3 eyes gleamed, closing in.
"Fine, great. Do whatever you want."
Music to my ears.
Bone4 and Bone5 solved two headaches.
Use Bone4's shield over buying gear—trains him too, win-win.
Bone5 guards me—repeatable defense drills.
Clang!
Bone1's greatsword bounced off Bone4's shield.
Bone4 recoiled a step from impact.
Swoooosh!
Bone3's arrow barrage followed.
Thud-thud-thud!
Arrows piercing trees? Bounced off shield.
"Tough."
Now Bone2's spearwork.
"Bone2, not that—attack me this time."
I ordered Bone2.
Shield aside, test Bone5's 'Air Shield' (D-grade) safety.
Scary using my body, but inevitable.
For higher dungeons.
"Don't hold back—full power."
Bone2 flinched cutely, then thrust spear on command.
Thump! Thud!
Dulled impact flung me back.
Sharp rib pain—I crumpled.
But not bad.
Tolerable shock?
Blocks average D-grade hits fine.
Clack-clack!
Bone2 tilted head worriedly. Cute.
"I'm good—keep going."
One try not enough.
Enemy attacks unpredictable.
I needed defense instincts, combat nerves.
This blood and sweat saves my life later.
An hour later?
['Bone1' Strength +1!]
['Bone2' Strength +1!]
['Bone3' Strength +1!]
['Bone4' Stamina +1!]
['Bone5' Magic Power +1!]
"Huh?"
[Pop!]
[Congratulations!]
[Status window unlocked—first growth post-awakening!]
[Tip: To check skeleton status, look at it and say 'Status Window.']
"What the...?"
A new message, unseen before.