Deception Was the Easiest
"Damn... that's awesome."
The moment I got home and laid out the spoils on the table, glittering gems adorned it like jewels. On top of that, a staff that seemed to belong to the goblin elite guard specialized in magic, and even the hidden piece called the White Dragon Grimoire.
No wonder I feel like I've become a treasure-hoarding dragon.
Unfortunately, these magistones were either for me to eat or hand over to the Association. No real use in keeping them around for myself.
Conclusion: I had to offload everything except the grimoire somehow.
I think I've seen that staff on the strategy boards before.
A decent C-rank staff with solid performance. Even though it's from goblins, it has bonus damage against goblins, making it pretty handy.
...For mages, not me. Mage awakenings are pretty rare, but since there's no other job like it, they sell like hotcakes. Governments around the world can't get enough for their mage training programs. More mages mean more national power—need I say more?
I started seriously searching for the goblin mage's staff.
The Hunter Auction site run by the World Hunter Association. It handles and manages anything hunter-related on a global scale.
I typed "C-rank Goblin Elite Guard Staff" into the search bar.
"...?"
Among the not-so-many listings, the lowest price was a whopping 25 million won.
Hmm... Goblin elite guard staffs don't drop easily, so snagging one early is a real gut punch.
Exactly—the Hunter Gallery folks. The deception went off deliciously, so now time to handle this.
Decided to hand it off to Seol-ah when she comes over later, then moved on to the next item.
When I picked up the White Dragon Grimoire, the status window displayed its info.
EX
A provision left by the White Dragon for future generations.
Records magic passed down from ancient times.
EX-rank..! Even seeing it again after the hidden piece reward notification sent shivers down my spine.
Is there anyone in this world who's seen EX-rank twice? Hell, I bet no one's even seen it once.
Anyway, what the hell is it for? A weapon maybe? Can't imagine dragons walking around with books, but if they did, it'd be kinda hilarious.
Just in case, I blew some mana into it like with the jar, but no reaction.
"Come to think of it, books are for reading, right?"
Have I played too many games..? Anyway, I flipped open the cover, and my eyes were filled with all sorts of mysterious runes and diagrams.
Just like a grimoire, full of ways to cast magic...!
"...But I have no idea what it says?"
I stared it down hard, wondering what the deal was, but nothing changed.
No clue. Then, as if telling me to quit screwing around, the status window popped up a message.
Insufficient growth to interpret.
Is the EX in EX-rank not for Extraordinary, but Endless eXpansion..? Thinking about how S-rank skill users become superhumans right off the bat, this was seriously disappointing.
I wanted to start as a cheat character like an S-rank hunter too..!
At least Dragon Heart grows by eating magistones...
Regretfully flipping through the grimoire pages, every one just showed "unable to interpret."
...Except for one.
The very first page of the grimoire, introducing basic magic.
A bit underwhelming for EX-rank, but hey, at least I can use magic now.
I don't know who the newborn dragon reading this will be, but I leave this book hoping it aids you in this long fight, even a little.
This book contains all the magic known to me, the White Dragon Ocyriscarulleus.
What the hell kind of name is that long? Along with the author intro, the basic magics listed were for various elements.
Finger snap for fire magic. Shoot water blobs from fingertips for water magic. And detailed spells for wind, lightning, earth, light, dark—you name it.
Dragon Tongue, compression power something...
The first magic I wanted to learn was the water-element Water Bomb. With this, I could shower in one second—perfect.
The Water Bomb section was intriguing.
Control mana flow to draw a magic circle and summon a water blob.
"Wait, I have to memorize this?"
To draw the magic circle, it said to memorize the shape.
Makes sense? Easier said than done—the diagram next to it was insanely complex.
Does Kim Ha-yeon memorize all this..?
DWater Bomb Lv.1
(Active Skill)
Creates a water blob. Can move it where desired and detonate at will.
Thankfully, no. The moment I vaguely grasped the principles of the other magics, they slotted into my skill window as new skills.
Once I learn all the magics here as skills, I probably won't need to open the grimoire again.
...So, can I sell it then? Oh right, without Dragon Tongue, it'd just be a paperweight.
So, only the staff to sell this time? Magistones are mine to eat.
...What do you want? It's fine if she takes a cut of the proceeds. I'm asking her to make my life easier, so paying her is only fair.
But I could already guess what she'd want. To avoid spoiling her bad habits, I couldn't just give in to every demand.
Okay. Now just handle the magistones.
I eyed the C-rank magistones on the table and licked my lips.
Price? Doesn't matter. Others buy gear or elixirs with money, but efficiency varies by aptitude and limits—eating them like this is straight-up OP.
Crunch—
I opened wide and stuffed every magistone in greedily.
Each one slapped fancy restaurant dishes in the face.
"Whoa... it's always a trip eating these."
Absorbed magistone mana.
Hatchling II → Hatchling III
Dragon Heart has grown.
All stats +
Select one skill to enhance.
Time to shore up the basics instead of new skills? The new window showed my skills.
Enhancement, huh. Gotta be that one.
EX Dragon Heart
The insane skill that enables infinite growth just by existing. What happens if enhanced?
EX-rank cannot be enhanced.
Bzzzt. Next best: Dragon Tongue Comprehension. For the grimoire, obviously.
Hovering my finger near the skill previewed the upgrade.
C- Dragon Tongue Comprehension Lv.1
(Passive Skill)
Instinctively understand and speak Dragon Tongue. Magic power +20% when used for casting.
Oddly, the description didn't change much. Seems like this skill doesn't evolve much on upgrade.
There goes my easy grimoire dream..!
Had to pick Dragon Breath instead—usable in dragon form, and it gets the biggest attack boost on level up.
Final spec check:
EX Dragon Heart Lv.1, D Body Enhancement Lv.1, D Dragon Tongue Comprehension Lv.1, D Basic Elemental Magic Lv.1
Breath doesn't show outside dragon form, and magics consolidated into Basic Elemental Magic.
Makes sense—7 spells would've cluttered it up.
As I wrapped up the 3rd floor rewards, my phone lit up with a notification.
Oh right. Her message reminded me of those gross zombie goblins on White Tower 3rd floor.
...Thinking about it, it wasn't just lit—it saved my ass.
Without her strat, I might not have found the immortality cause even now.
High-floor climbers camp for days, but solo camping there? Hard pass.
Ugh... gives me chills just thinking.
But straight-up crediting her would make her ego skyrocket, so I played it cool.
Perfect timing—she's bored. Ha-yeon, sit down. You might faint hearing how badass I was.
She clearly didn't buy it, so I sent a selfie with the unsold goblin elite staff.
Seeing her freak out felt so damn satisfying. Heh heh. Payback for underestimating me.
Ah, wasn't planning to go off like that. Too used to true friend banter—everything turns into roasts.
...She had a point. Sword fitting this height? Wanted something cool like a nodachi, but length issue.
She replied dejectedly. Sorry, but nothing's free in this world.