Chapter 249
Chapter 249
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 249
Chapter Title: A Night Under the Aurora
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"Da-hye, congrats!"
The first to offer congratulations was Lee Ji-ah.
She shouted with a bright smile, her whole body splattered in blood.
"Thanks."
Kim Da-hye bowed her head with a smile of her own.
"You look so pretty when you smile. Keep smiling like that!"
Kim Da-hye's expression was always the same.
A blank face that made it impossible to guess what she was looking at.
She occasionally showed other expressions, but they were so subtle that they were hard to notice.
But when she smiled brightly like this, she looked like a completely different person.
"How many levels are you now?"
Seo Woo-jin approached her and asked.
"Hmm..."
Kim Da-hye checked her 'status window' for a moment before speaking.
"Level 76."
"Not bad."
The highest level among their companions was Kae Su-ji at level 79.
She was only three levels short of an A-rank like Kae Su-ji.
Considering Kim Da-hye was C-rank, it was an astonishingly fast growth rate.
'The average level for other C-rank heroes is in the 60s, right?'
Kim Da-hye's abilities were clearly optimized for leveling up.
Of course, it was only possible because she had a sturdy shield to protect her.
And the one currently fulfilling that role perfectly in the group was Goo Dong-hwan.
"Haaah!"
A spirited shout burst out.
"...You're not even using skills anymore."
For someone of that strength, pure physical ability was more than enough against ice trolls.
Goo Dong-hwan seemed to have realized that too, as he was smashing the ice trolls' heads solely with his magic wand, conserving mana as much as possible.
Fwaaah!
At that moment, a bright light erupted from his body as well.
"Oh, Dong-hwan leveled up too."
"Uahaha! I'm level 79 now too!"
Goo Dong-hwan shouted with a huge grin.
"I'm about to hit level 80 soon, though?"
Kae Su-ji smirked at the sight.
The two were locked in a rivalry.
It started with who killed more monsters, and now it extended to levels.
Right now, Kae Su-ji was barely holding the lead.
Thanks to that, Goo Dong-hwan was putting in quite the effort to catch up to her.
It was still a distant goal, though.
"People are starting to level up one by one."
Ever since the ancient orcs last time, everyone's growth rate had been steeply rising.
"The best way to level up is grinding hunts anyway."
Seo Woo-jin nodded with a smile at Goo Dong-hwan's words.
"And no one's complaining about the spot, so even better."
"With so many monsters, we can level even faster."
Everyone looked satisfied.
"For now, let's finish off the rest and set up a base camp around here?"
There were fewer than ten ice trolls left.
"Sounds good. The sun's already setting."
Goo Dong-hwan glanced up at the sky as he replied.
It was gradually getting darker, just as he said.
"We're planning to hunt monsters in this area for a while anyway, so let's find a decent spot."
According to his 'Divine Dragon Eye', the surroundings were overflowing with monsters.
There was even a Drakeas, so they could focus on hunting here for a few days without moving.
"Alright, let's wrap it up then."
The remaining ice trolls were torn apart in an instant.
* * *
"Wow, it's so pretty..."
Lee Ji-ah gazed up at the sky and let out a gasp of admiration.
"An aurora... I never thought I'd see one here, not even on Earth."
Kae Su-ji couldn't tear her eyes away from the sky either.
The massive blue curtain illuminating the dark night sky was truly a spectacular sight.
"It contrasts so beautifully with the white snowfields."
"Too bad we don't have a camera."
It seemed a shame to only preserve the scene in memory.
"Oh, Da-hye! Could you maybe draw it?"
Kae Su-ji suddenly asked.
Kim Da-hye pondered for a moment before nodding.
"I can."
She then pulled out her sketchbook.
Scribble scribble.
Kim Da-hye's drawing skills were incredible.
She had always been talented, but with her skill activated, it was nearly photorealistic.
Thanks to that, the group watched her hands intently, full of anticipation.
"Wow, whoa! It's exactly the same! This isn't a drawing—it's a photo!"
As the sketchbook filled up, Lee Ji-ah's mouth gaped wider.
It wasn't like a hand-drawn picture; it was like printing.
"Done."
The drawing was completed in no time.
Lee Ji-ah took it and kept marveling at it.
"Mister, check this out!"
Seo Woo-jin nodded as Lee Ji-ah showed him.
"Nicely done."
"...That's it? Put a little more heart into your reaction!"
Lee Ji-ah got annoyed at Seo Woo-jin's lukewarm response.
"Hey, you'll rip the drawing. Hand it over."
Goo Dong-hwan stopped her and took the drawing to show the group.
'Peaceful.'
The atmosphere was incomparable to before.
'Things were really tough back then.'
It had been one tense situation after another, never knowing when death might come.
But now, they weren't sensing even the slightest threat. The difference was stark.
'And this house too.'
Seo Woo-jin turned to look at the large mansion set up to one side.
It was the base camp Kim Da-hye had 'summoned'.
The skill that had proven quite useful even in Demon Realm Heldein was being put to good use here as well.
'Feels less like hunting and more like camping.'
Beautiful snowfields, aurora, and a bonfire.
It was perfect.
Aside from the occasional monster roars echoing in the distance.
"But Woo-jin."
Kae Su-ji, who was nearby, spoke up.
"Yeah?"
When Seo Woo-jin looked her way, she hesitated before asking.
"What's your level, Woo-jin?"
"Ah..."
Seo Woo-jin scratched his head.
Come to think of it, he'd never told his companions his level.
"I'm level 108 right now."
The surroundings fell silent in an instant at Seo Woo-jin's words.
"...How much?"
"108? Did I hear that right?"
They already knew Seo Woo-jin was leagues stronger than them.
It would have been weirder if they didn't.
They'd even guessed he might have reached level 100.
But 108?
Even they in the level 70s needed ages to gain one level, so how much for him?
And yet he'd surpassed 100 and was nearing 110.
"Are you using cheats or something?"
Goo Dong-hwan let out a disbelieving chuckle.
"I can only say it's luck."
That was all Seo Woo-jin could say.
And it wasn't wrong.
His job being the 'immeasurable' grade 'Demon King'.
Being summoned straight to the Massive Guardian.
Receiving guidance from Ban Slaine there.
And getting help from the Sword Sage and Grand Duke on top of that.
All of it was luck.
'Though whether that's really good luck, who knows.'
Seo Woo-jin smiled bitterly.
If he'd gotten a normal job and grade, maybe he wouldn't have suffered like this.
He might have grown easily riding the bus like others.
'...No.'
He wouldn't have gotten this strong.
The Descent War.
To survive that damn war and return home, he had to get stronger.
'Even stronger than now.'
As Seo Woo-jin said nothing, Lee Ji-ah sneaked a glance and changed the subject.
"But I heard there's a super strong monster around here!"
"Huh? Really?"
Fortunately, everyone's attention turned to Lee Ji-ah.
"I heard it from the knights of Leninstang. They said it's a retainer of some Demon King. Apparently it's so strong they can't even dream of fighting it."
"It's just knight level at best... Ugh!"
Goo Dong-hwan laughed as he spoke but stopped.
Kae Su-ji's elbow had jabbed his side.
"Ah, uh, s-sorry."
Goo Dong-hwan, frowning from the sudden attack, could only look apologetic.
Bow.
The apology was directed at Ailin, who was sitting next to Seo Woo-jin.
It was a clear mistake to make a remark that sounded dismissive of knights in front of one.
"I'm fine."
But Ailin shook her head.
"It's true that the knights' level is lacking compared to all of you."
"...That wasn't what I meant. I apologize again."
Ailin gave a slight smile to the flustered Goo Dong-hwan before turning to Lee Ji-ah.
"That rumor is true."
"Right? There's a ridiculously strong one here?"
"It's a demonic beast called Cratos. We also call it the strongest beast on land."
Lee Ji-ah's eyes widened at the grandiose nickname for a mere demonic beast.
"How strong is it? Have you seen it, sis?"
Lee Ji-ah asked with a face full of curiosity.
"No. Not just me—no one's ever seen Cratos in person."
Because everyone who'd encountered it had died.
"That strong? Stronger than you, mister?"
Lee Ji-ah's gaze turned to Seo Woo-jin.
It was like a daughter asking if Daddy was the strongest.
"Hmm, hard to say."
Seo Woo-jin shrugged.
Honestly, he had no idea.
No matter how strong he'd gotten, he still couldn't surpass Ban Slaine.
And even he had no intention of subjugating Cratos, so it clearly wasn't an easy opponent.
Of course, using 'Demon King Transformation' would change things, but with his base abilities alone, it might be tough.
As Seo Woo-jin dodged the question, Lee Ji-ah pouted.
"I thought you'd beat anything..."
"No, that's impossible."
There were already two beings stronger than him that came to mind right away.
Ban Slaine and Martes were definitely stronger than Seo Woo-jin.
And considering those hiding without revealing themselves, the number would only grow.
But he didn't want to see Lee Ji-ah disappointed, so he added a bit.
"Still, I probably wouldn't lose."
"Right? You'd win, mister?"
Her face brightened again.
'She's no kid.'
He couldn't help chuckling.
Lee Ji-ah grabbed the dazed Kim Da-hye and kept chattering, while the others wrapped up the day chatting among themselves.
How much time passed like that?
It was time to call it a night for tomorrow.
"Shall we head in? Tomorrow will be tougher than today."
Everyone nodded at Seo Woo-jin's words.
"Come on, let's sleep! Gotta level up tomorrow too!"
Goo Dong-hwan stood first and started tidying up.
Seo Woo-jin rose to clean as well but suddenly looked back.
'...What is it?'
He felt an ominous presence.
It seemed a bit closer than before.
'I should check it out.'
He didn't want to brush it off as nothing and regret it later.
"You guys go ahead inside."
"Where are you going?"
When Kae Su-ji asked, Seo Woo-jin smiled faintly.
"I'll just scout the surroundings and come back."