Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Lightness Technique
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Forward Leap had a hidden mechanic.
Jump into a structure or monster mid-leap, and it cuts off immediately.
But there was exactly one body part that could dodge this 'collision' judgment.
"That's right here, the ball of this foot."
Daehyeop Kim pointed at his own foot as he continued.
"If only the ball of your foot touches the structure, you avoid the collision judgment."
As if to demonstrate, Daehyeop Kim assumed his stance again.
He activated Forward Leap right then, his body shooting forward like an arrow.
This time too, he clearly collided with the tree trunk, but Forward Leap didn't cut off.
"You can even turn at right angles like this."
Now Daehyeop Kim was pulling off the miracle of mid-air direction changes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 💬 Chat — Viewer Isn't this Lightning Breathing? — Viewer Everyone knows Wall Thunder One-Island 6-chain — Viewer What is that, you weeb? — Viewer So why did One Strike Annihilation's power increase then? ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I'm really not a weeb, but yeah, I copied it from that scene. I was just curious if it would actually work..."
As the chat slowly filled with 'real talk', Daehyeop Kim hurriedly changed the subject.
"This technique is surprisingly tricky to pull off, but when it works, you get acceleration? So you can travel farther than a plain Forward Leap."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer Oh no way — Viewer One Strike Annihilation got stronger because of that? — Viewer I totally get it (what the hell is this) — Viewer I know exactly what it is (what the fuck is it) ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The chat's reactions split right down the middle to Daehyeop Kim's explanation.
"The key point here is that linking Forward Leap with One Strike Annihilation adds damage to One Strike Annihilation based on the distance traveled by Forward Leap."
But his follow-up explanation convinced even the half of the viewers who hadn't gotten it before.
Why the One Strike Annihilation Daehyeop Kim showed packed such a punch.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — ㅇㅇ (100,000 Won Donation) Teacher, if you spin around with Forward Leap, does it get stronger by that much? ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Oh man, our anonymous bro just donated 100,000 won...! Thank you so much. Hmm, spinning. I actually tried that too, but no dice. Not sure if it's affected by agility or corrections, but even using Spirit of the Martial Artist, max was 3 times."
Was it systemically blocked, or just Daehyeop Kim's level and stats being too low? Hard to say.
From Daehyeop Kim's perspective, though, 3 times was the limit for chaining this tech.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer So Martial Artist is broken OP? — Viewer Needs both mobility and main skill, so meh — Viewer Fact: Mages change terrain with one click? — Viewer Win vs click lololol — Viewer Still looks trash even like this ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The chat evoked memories of the in-game gallery's dual factions, but Daehyeop Kim didn't mind much.
His head was filled with visions of himself stylishly hunting monsters with this technique.
"From now on, I'll call this technique Lightness Skill."
In a world where martial arts had faded away.
Daehyeop Kim proudly declared the revival of martial techniques.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 💬 [Indie Minor Game Gallery] Martial Artist is trash.
Martial Artist is a Secret Class.
Therefore, Secret Classes are trash.
That summed up the recent sentiment in the indie game minor gallery.
Simple enough for a three-line summary.
But that opinion flipped thanks to one person.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Post [511] Daehyeop Kim's Forward Leap broken down frame by frame — Post [479] Tried that in real life [gif of jumping at tree] — Post [225] Not gonna lie, it looks fucking fun — Post [356] 20XX XX XX Indie Game Minor Gallery declares — Post [498] Still weaker than fireball click lol ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Post: 20XX XX XX Indie Game Minor Gallery declares (Taegukgi waving gif) We hereby declare liberation from the long Mage dominance era Long live Korean independence Recommends: 555 Dis: 99 — Reply [356] I'm a Cleric but won't heal Martial Artists ↳ Try it you mage bastard ↳ Where'd this guy go ↳ Mask troll is mage trash 📰 Post: Tried that in real life (Jumping at tree gif) (Ankle cast gif) Fuck Recommends: 640 Dis: 4 — Reply [479] What job you gonna main when you get out of jail, OP? ↳ Full Warrior ↳ Warrior trash ↳ Warrior noobs are insane lol ↳ Warriors are legit braindead As opinions on Martial Artist improved through Daehyeop Kim's stream.
Mages, who had been trolling in disguise (presumably), became the gallery's public enemy.
The funny part? Everyone in the indie game minor gallery was in-game.
The only one not in-game right now, Daehyeop Kim, was at the Mercenary Guild.
"Hmm... Which request should I take?"
He'd completed the job change quest and become a mercenary.
But starting at F-rank meant limited requests he could take right away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [F-rank Request - Find the Count's Pet Cat] [F-rank Request - Routine Sewer Inspection] [F-rank Request - Caravan Escort] ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "All feel like odd jobs..."
Still, to rank up, he had to complete requests.
Which one was most efficient?
As he pondered, a watching mercenary approached.
"Routine Sewer Inspection. That's the one."
"Is it?"
A bald mercenary with a scar over his eye said quietly.
"Sewers stink and are filthy, but the inspection area isn't big, so it wraps up quick."
"What about Caravan Escort?"
The bald mercenary shook his head at Daehyeop Kim's question.
"Escorts take forever. Especially if bandits or monsters show up en route—headache."
The bald mercenary spoke as if a newbie F-rank couldn't handle bandits or monsters.
"It's one of the missions where rookies die most. Better skip it."
Just how low was the average F-rank mercenary's level for this guy to scare him like that?
Even so, Daehyeop Kim took the bald mercenary's advice and pulled the Routine Sewer Inspection request from the board.
"But is the Mercenary Guild always this empty?"
Right now, inside: the receptionist, the bald mercenary, and Daehyeop Kim. That was it.
"Usually busier. But word is some bigwig summoned all guilds? Sounds like something major went down."
A national bigwig.
In the Empire, there was only one such figure.
It lined up with when Raven headed to the imperial palace.
"Why are you here then, senior?"
"Me? Just finished a request and came today."
After some pointless chit-chat with the bald mercenary, he handed the request to the receptionist.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [F-rank Request - Routine Sewer Inspection] - Investigate for anomalies in the sewers - Reward: 10 silver, 5 promotion points ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Confirming the request on his quest list, Daehyeop Kim headed out.
"Quest itself is straightforward."
He followed the guidance arrow in his view.
From bustling streets to deserted alleys.
A bit further into the shadows, and the arrow stopped.
"Looks like a place you really don't wanna enter."
The sewer entrance was filthy enough to question if it was maintained at all.
Dirty stains and caked black grime.
Just looking felt like it was polluting his eyes.
Daehyeop Kim stood at the entrance, squeezed his eyes shut, and stepped in.
Plip-
"Fuck."
A droplet fell from the ceiling onto his nape right as he entered, earning high praise from Daehyeop Kim.
Sizzle-?
Sizzle-!
⚔ ENEMY DETECTED ⚔ [Sewer Rat Lv. 4] [Sewer Rat Lv. 3] "Ah, low-level hunting ground."
Compared to the dirty, dingy vibe, the respawning monsters were cutely low-level.
If tough enemies popped here, he'd probably have met his first death.
Imagining that, Daehyeop Kim hunted Sewer Rats solely with One Strike Annihilation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer Martial Artist (ranged click) — Viewer Daehyeop, man up and punch barehanded — Viewer Hmm... that dirty? — Viewer Not bad enough to die from ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "How do you deal with it actually being filthy? Aka-chan says this is reality for me. What? This guy's nickname makes it sound like he lost his dick? 'WarriorNoobSpankingHornyGreatMage' why you coming at me?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer Mage trash lololol — Viewer Nickname is wild af — Viewer What did Warrior noobs ever do wrong ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Daehyeop Kim chatted with viewers as he slowly advanced.
Sizzle-!
⚔ ENEMY DETECTED ⚔ [Sewer Ratman Lv. 8] Then he encountered a bipedal Sewer Rat.
Shocked by the visuals, Daehyeop Kim immediately took stance.
"No questions asked."
This was a monster that should never be alive, so he leaped with full power.
No structures for Lightness Skill in the sewers.
But Daehyeop Kim was Lv. 11, Ratman just Lv. 8.
That gap meant skill chaining alone sufficed without Lightness.
Kieeeeeek-!
Leaving a death cry, the Ratman crumbled.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📜 QUEST COMPLETE 📜 [F-rank Request - Routine Sewer Inspection (Complete)]
- Investigate for anomalies in the sewers
🎁 Reward: 10 silver, 5 promotion points
Quest complete popped after killing the Ratman.
Seemed the Ratman was the 'anomaly'.
Mission accomplished, but Daehyeop Kim didn't exit the sewer.
"Let's go deeper."
Like exploring various maps in old MapleStory.
Daehyeop Kim pushed into the sewer depths.
"Hmm... Came expecting something."
Deeper in, just worse stench, nothing else.
No more Sewer Rats or Ratmen.
But Daehyeop Kim's instincts screamed.
Something was here for sure.
Reaching the sewer's end, Daehyeop Kim looked around.
"Bros, if you spot anything weird, lemme know."
Daehyeop Kim played in first-person.
But viewers mostly watched in third-person.
So they saw things outside his view better.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — ㅇㅇ (10,000 Won Donation) Stop right there and check left wall. Duck head, look at fifth block from bottom—shape's slightly off. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ He followed the donation's instructions, and soon spotted it in his view too.
The differently shaped block.
"Whoa, how'd you even find this? Anonymous bro, you're a legend."
Excited, Daehyeop Kim tapped the block with his knuckles.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer Double dungeon incoming? — Viewer Double dungeon lololol — Viewer Clear for Necromancer job? — Viewer Nooo that'd be bad ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Bros, please stop with the hype..."
Daehyeop Kim's words caught in his throat as he tried to scold the risky chat.
Rumble-!
Iron bars dropped, sealing the only exit.
Then, in the isolated space, countless Ratmen and rat-form monsters spawned.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Entered dungeon 'Black Mage's Trap'. Chit? Chit!
The spawned rat monsters charged Daehyeop Kim on sight.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer Ew fuck — Viewer Guys switch to 1st person — Viewer So gross — Viewer Closed stream ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Even with Daehyeop Kim's higher level, the numbers were overwhelming.
One Strike Annihilation hit all enemies in a straight line.
But Ratmen didn't one-shot, so no wipeout.
Option left: chain skills to boost One Strike damage...
Conditions sucked.
Too cramped for Lightness Skill, unfamiliar terrain.
Worse, Forward Leap here = jumping into the enemy horde.
A do-or-die moment.
Daehyeop Kim about to record his first death.
All viewers thought so when...
A massive qi fist swung with his punch.
The now-familiar Martial Artist main: One Strike Annihilation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer No one-shots here — Viewer Daehyeop drop 2 mil on gear — Viewer Info) Dude still using Lv1 weapon — Viewer Wait, I get he's mad — Viewer Legendary fist X-Gauntlet~ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Low-level Sewer Rats died in one One Strike Annihilation.
High-HP Ratmen survived and attacked point-blank.
If he could wait out the cooldown, maybe survive.
"Ugh fuuuuuck!!!"
...No miracle.
⚠️ DEATH ⚠️ Killed by [Sewer Ratman Lv. 8]
Surrounded by Ratmen, darkness came quick.
When he came to, he was in the capital square.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ — Viewer Gear gone, back to square one! — Viewer Martial Artist can die huh — Viewer Daehyeop your mindset is Lich-tier — Viewer 10% EXP penalty — Viewer Free gear ride over, back to normal lol ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "..."
Daehyeop Kim swallowed his boiling rage while watching the chat.
Deep breaths, opened minimap to check smithy location.
[Daehyeop Kim's Stream Title: Black Mage's Trap Trash King] Updating the title, Daehyeop Kim bolted for the smithy.