EP5. The Arena
Level restrictions on the first job change? Something like that existed?
A job change quest with zero information.
Once again, he realized just how user-unfriendly the System was.
There were two new items he'd acquired this time.
One was the Disaster Vampire Sword, a reward from killing the orc, and the other was Michael's Sword, obtained from Lucifer.
◈ Strength +45
◈ Special: Vampirism
A sword crafted by black mages for torture.
Vampirism: Continuously drains blood from the enemy while the blade is embedded in their body.
It was B-grade, and the stat boost wasn't bad.
But maybe because Jae-jun had been using the Frost Blade for so long, it didn't quite satisfy him.
And there's Michael's Sword too.
Jae-jun casually checked Michael's Sword info window and widened his eyes in shock.
◈ Strength +78
◈ Special: Heavenly Firmament, Holy Flash, Blade Storm, Enraged Blade
The sword of the Archangel Michael. No one knows what it's made of. When Lucifer rebelled against God and ascended to the heavens with the fallen angels, this sword pierced his chest and cast him into the demon world. A holy sword that vanquishes demonic energy.
Heavenly Firmament: Even if the first attack is blocked, the sword's elasticity redirects it for a second strike that ignores the enemy's defense.
Archangel's Salvation: Emits a flash that heals allies' wounds and worsens enemies' injuries.
Blade Storm: Unleashes a storm of flame-forged blades to fell and burn multiple foes.
Enraged Blade: Releases powerful sword energy at surrounding enemies and draws their aggro.
Jackpot.
Jae-jun stared at Michael's Sword status window for a long time.
The +78 strength correction was one thing.
But it had a whopping four special abilities.
Heavenly Firmament was a single-target attack skill, Archangel's Salvation could heal wounds or curse enemies as a debuff.
Blade Storm was an AoE flame skill that Jae-jun loved.
And Enraged Blade was an AoE taunt.
This is broken.
Its cutting power and attack strength alone had seemed insane when it sliced through the Orc Champion like butter.
But seeing the special abilities made him truly appreciate the value of this S-grade legendary item.
So this is what an S-grade legendary item is.
Lucifer's regretful expression was still fresh in his mind.
With stats like these, no wonder he regretted it.
Jae-jun grinned in satisfaction and stowed Michael's Sword back in his inventory.
Lying on his bed, he checked his phone.
Hm?
Several missed calls and texts.
From Hwang Dong-su at the Hunter Association.
What the hell?
He hadn't picked up last time either.
Jae-jun started to call back but set the phone down.
He wasn't going out anyway, and right now, he just wanted to sleep.
Speaking of which, I wonder if Hye-seon's having fun at the amusement park.
He felt a pang of guilt toward his sister, whom he rarely even saw at home.
Guess I'll give her extra allowance later.
Feeling his eyes grow heavy, Jae-jun drifted off to sleep.
"Tae-seong!
Please help out!"
"Y-y-yes, E-Eun-mi!
A-a-attack incoming!"
Wind Spear!
Wind Spe—ar! has be—en cast!
Tae-seong cast Wind Spear at the goblins near the boss mob, picking them off one by one.
Not too fast. Nice and slow.
While slaying goblins, Tae-seong stole glances at the raid team's members nearby.
The persona he was playing was a stuttering mage.
Am I still not there yet?
Tae-seong was biding his time.
"Raaah!"
A man with a buzz cut charged the boss mob and swung his axe.
Thud!
Kroooaaar!
The boss, its ankle crushed, collapsed with a roar.
"Now!"
At Eun-mi's shout, the team focused fire on the boss.
Unable to withstand the barrage, the boss fell.
As the exit opened after the boss's death, everyone relaxed and slumped to the floor.
But one person had been waiting desperately for this moment more than anyone.
Sneer.
Shadow Stealth
Shad—ow Ste—alth has be—en cast!
Hidden in the darkness, Tae-seong slowly approached his prime prey.
"Whew. That was tough."
"Yeah. Huh?"
"What's up?"
"Behind you..."
Eun-mi blinked at the man's rippling shadow.
But it wasn't an illusion.
A sword about an arm's length emerged from the shadow and pierced the man's throat.
"Guhk! W-what?!"
Blood bubbled from the man's mouth.
Whoosh!
The blade didn't stop—it sliced sideways, severing his head completely.
You have defeate—d Kim Hyun!
Leve—l up!
"Yes! Level up!"
A gleeful voice leaked from the shadow as its owner peeked out—none other than Tae-seong, grinning ear to ear.
"W-what?! That bastard killed him!"
"T-Tae-seong?"
Eun-mi couldn't comprehend the situation.
This wasn't the face of the pure, stuttering mage from moments ago.
Blood-splattered, it grinned with teeth bared.
"Why, Eun-mi?"
"You're not s-stuttering?"
Horrified, Eun-mi watched as the raid team members charged at Tae-seong.
"I'll kill you!"
"Don't let him escape!"
Tae-seong tilted his head and melted back into the shadows.
Shadow Step!
Shad—ow Step has be—en perfor—med!
Tae-seong popped out from the shadow of the man charging toward him.
"Why would I run?"
Vital Strike!
Vital Stri—ke perfor—med!
Stab!
Stab!
Tae-seong's sword stabbed the man's vitals repeatedly.
"Gahk!"
He didn't stop until the man's breath ceased.
Stab!
Stab!
You have defeate—d Kang Pro!
"You guys are the ones who should run, right? Haha."
"You psycho! Doing this for all the magical cores?"
"Magical cores?"
Tae-seong slipped back into the shadows once more.
Stab!
A blade erupted from beneath the man, piercing from groin to gut.
Splat!
"S-spare me."
Intestines spilling, the man looked to Eun-mi, begging instead of a last word.
"Don't need those. I need you guys."
"Psycho!"
"Hahaha. Yeah, I'm crazy for levels. That's power leveling for ya."
Eun-mi couldn't follow Tae-seong's words.
Was he mistaking this for a game?
Her mind raced.
His skill moves through shadows. So if...!
"Light!"
A light orb illuminated the dungeon.
Tae-seong glanced at it and smirked viciously.
"Hahaha. Using your head, huh? Still."
He slowly pushed his blade into the shadow at his feet.
"Everywhere has shadows big enough for a blade, right?"
Eun-mi shuddered and dodged swiftly.
The sudden blade grazed her ankle.
Ugh!
Pain begged her to collapse, but no time.
"Wind!"
The simple wind spell kicked up dust, blinding the area.
"Damn it! Where?!"
Tae-seong's shout echoed.
Eun-mi bolted desperately for the pre-spotted exit.
"Where are you?!"
Boom!
By the time the dust settled, Eun-mi was gone.
"Haa. Shit. What a pain."
Tae-seong cracked his knuckles and exited.
No sign of Eun-mi anywhere.
Damn.
Then a Hunter Association staffer approached.
"...Dungeon cleared?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Oh. Just you two came out."
Tae-seong scribbled his info on the form and handed it back.
Eun-mi's section was blank.
"The girl who left first must've bounced."
"Ah, yeah. Said it was urgent."
Didn't even ask the Association staff for help before bolting... She knows something.
Tae-seong had planned to kill everyone from the staffer to Eun-mi.
He had the power for it.
Tch. Ruined my mood. Wanna go hunt again?
Whether he meant monsters or humans, only Tae-seong knew.
His mood lifted quickly as he whistled down the street.
It was late lunch by the time Jae-jun rolled out of bed.
His phone wouldn't stop ringing.
Who is it?
"Yeah. Choi Jae-jun speaking."
"O-oppa?"
"Hye-seon?"
Jae-jun shot up at his sister's frantic voice.
"What's wrong? Something happen?"
"O-oppa! We're at the amusement park, but kyaaack!"
Hye-seon's scream came with a monstrous roar over the line.
Kraaaack!
Monster?
"Hye-seon! Hye-seon!"
Beep—beep—
The call cut off.
Jae-jun redialed, but it went straight to voicemail—phone off.
Thank you.