Chapter 3

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 3

Chapter Title: Newbie But Carry Machine

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The moment I stepped into the gate...

For some reason, my mind cleared up, and my vision opened wide.

A space blazing with foliage like a jungle and scorching sunlight pouring down.

Information about every single object flooded into my head without respite.

What kind of creatures live in a place like this?

If a monster appears right now, what should we do?

The trees are blocking our line of sight completely.

Our current formation is dangerous. Pull Lee Doyeon back and put the tank, Park Jaeseop, up front.

Countless thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant.

Yet, there was no feeling of overload.

For some reason, it all processed naturally, just like always.

Is this the effect of that message ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that just appeared?

Before I could even question it, Choi Gyumin, gripping his spear, bellowed loudly.

"Alright, let's get going! I'll take the lead..."

"No!"

"...Pardon?"

I stopped him just as he boldly stepped forward.

With a voice so loud it surprised even me.

All eyes turned to me at once.

Only then did I realize how loud I'd been, and I winced inwardly.

Even as I felt a bit intimidated by their stares, my mouth wouldn't stop.

"It'd be better if Jaeseop-ssi goes up front. Since he's the tank."

"Mm, that's true. Should we both go up front then?"

"If possible, Gyumin-ssi, match the front line with Doyeon-ssi. No need to stand side by side—slightly ahead, I think. Better to stay behind Jaeseop-ssi."

"Why is that? If you're worried about me..."

Did he take my words as doubting his ability?

A hint of displeasure flickered in Choi Gyumin's eyes.

But I shook my head firmly and pressed on with resolute explanation.

"Because Doyeon-ssi is a mage. If enemies ambush us, she'll be exposed first. Gyumin-ssi marks Doyeon-ssi, and Jaeseop-ssi acts as eyes for the whole party—that feels right."

"What about you, Hayang-ssi?"

"I'll take the rear. I have a club at least, so I can resist a bit if something comes."

"You're not scared?"

I guess it could look that way.

Yeah, since I set the formation, standing at the very back makes it seem like I'm chickening out.

I was about to add more explanation when Lee Doyeon cut in.

"It's fine. Let's go with that. Nothing wrong with it, and she's a buffer, right? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠In terms of combat power, she's probably the weakest—we should protect her."

"Buffer... Huh? Come to think of it..."

At Lee Doyeon's words, Choi Gyumin blinked and looked down at his body.

He swung his spear in the air a couple times, then hopped in place.

"...My body feels a bit lighter? Anyone else not noticing anything?"

"I was just thinking my shield feels lighter than usual."

"Me too. The ambient mana feels more vivid than normal."

"Did Hayang-ssi already use her buff?"

I nodded.

To be precise, it wasn't something I activated—it was a passive skill that triggered automatically.

No need to explain that far, though.

"Impressive. I didn't even notice her casting..."

"Same here. No mana flow at all, and suddenly a buff?"

"Uh, yeah. Battle could start anytime, so I used it quick. Anyway, let's move."

At my words, the three nodded in unison and stepped forward.

I took the very rear, with guardian Kim Taesung following far behind.

'Did my buff help?'

I tilted my head, watching the party weave through the dense trees.

The description said stats increase by 30%.

Is 30% a lot?

Purely numerically, it doesn't seem low, but since they weren't raving about a huge difference, it's probably just decent.

Shiiik...!

How long had we walked?

A strange sound echoed through the eerily quiet forest.

It was so faint that everyone else brushed it off.

But I heard it clearly and stopped the party alone.

"Everyone! I heard something weird! There might be enemies—hold up for a sec!"

"Sound? If it was that, just the bushes rustling in the wind, no?"

Park Jaeseop responded indifferently.

But I didn't stop and addressed Lee Doyeon directly.

"Doyeon-ssi! Sorry, but could you fire a spell at those bushes over there?"

"No issue, but my spells cost a lot of mana. If nothing's there, it's a big waste."

"Trust me just once!"

I clasped my hands into tight fists, pleading earnestly.

Lee Doyeon stared down at me for a long moment, then sighed and raised her staff.

"Lightning."

Pzzt-!

At the same time, a small lightning orb formed and shot into the bushes I'd pointed at.

-Kyaeng?!

"Wh-what was that?!"

Right after, a beastly cry rang out.

Choi Gyumin finally sensed something off and gripped his spear shaft.

Pababak-!

In that instant, something burst from the bushes.

Six of them.

Peeking my head beside Lee Doyeon's body, which was blocking my view, I confirmed their identity.

-Grrr...!

Monsters glared at us, tails raised high.

They resembled hyenas, but with subtle differences.

A sharply angled muzzle instead of sagging jowls.

Low, steady breathing like regulating breath, not drooling.

Broken leaf-like patterns instead of black spots on their bodies.

Plus, a strange black aura cloaked them, giving off an intimidating pressure.

...Huh?

Monster info pops up too?

One of the info collection effects from my unique skill?

'More importantly, what's this "anomalous energy"?'

Just part of the name?

Something feels off about it.

"Th-there really was something hiding...!"

"No time to be surprised! Far left, Jaeseop-ssi! Be careful—it's about to charge!"

As Park Jaeseop instinctively stepped back from the unfamiliar monsters, I shouted urgently.

Like slow-motion footage from a high-speed camera.

The far-left monster's charge toward Park Jaeseop appeared as a red translucent outline, moving sluggishly.

Ting-!

"What?! The left one really...!"

Whether he heeded my advice or reacted purely on instinct, I don't know.

The monster flew into Park Jaeseop's reflexively raised shield, smashing its head and dropping limp.

"Gyumin-ssi! Second from the right—it's targeting Doyeon-ssi! Block it!"

"Got it!"

As my words fell, Choi Gyumin whipped his head right.

One monster veering wide to the flank.

Lee Doyeon hadn't noticed yet, and her side was wide open.

Pook-!

The spear tip thrust out just in time, barely piercing the monster's gut.

-Grk...!

The monster's body crumpled without twitching, going slack.

"Hah!"

Lee Doyeon gasped a beat late.

Her stiff expression clearly showed her belated realization of the danger.

"Doyeon-ssi! Use your strongest AoE spell—even if it drains all your mana!"

"O-okay! B-but it takes time!"

"It's fine! Gyeseop-ssi, Gyumin-ssi! Hold the front! Pull back on my signal!"

""Yes!""

Before I knew it, everyone followed my orders without hesitation.

Even the somewhat overbearing Lee Doyeon.

The moment I spoke, she raised her staff and began chanting.

I don't know much about magic.

But the power gathering at her staff tip felt extraordinary.

"Fall back!"

At Lee Doyeon's shout, the two up front spun and rushed toward us.

-Kraaa!

Ferocious beasts instinctively charge when prey turns its back, right?

The monsters weren't much different.

The instant the two turned, they lunged exactly as I'd foreseen.

However.

"Thunder Wall!"

Pzzzzzt─!

A massive bolt erupted from Lee Doyeon's staff tip.

It formed a curtain, blocking the monsters and spreading like a wave.

-Kyaaang!

Smoke rose from the monsters, instantly roasted by the lightning.

"Hah, hah...! D-did that do it?"

Apparently out of mana, Lee Doyeon collapsed, panting heavily.

Choi Gyumin supported her.

"Yeah, looks clear. Great job...!"

"Whatever. Just did my part. What if more enemies come?"

"No, we're good."

"...Pardon?"

Lee Doyeon's eyes wavered for the first time at my firm reply.

She hadn't panicked much even when the monsters appeared.

It was amusing to see this side of her.

"No more enemies now. Grab the loot and head back. Us."

"How can you be sure?"

"Ah, well..."

Because a message like this popped up right in front of me.

Others can't see it?

Another effect of my unique skill?

'Lots to figure out.'

There was definitely an info collection in my unique skill.

It must include these implicit details too.

"Uh, just a hunch. Omen Gate, so probably not that many enemies."

"Fair enough. Anyway, we cleared it safely thanks to you."

"I didn't do much. All you guys."

No exaggeration—it was true.

The buff activated without me doing anything.

All I did was brief them a bit.

Even without that, or if someone else was in my spot.

These three could've cleared it easily together.

"Nah, you did plenty. Too humble, Hayang-ssi."

"Exactly. Without you, we'd have been ambushed and wiped."

"R-really? Heh..."

First praise from anyone besides Grandma.

A dopey smile crept onto my face unbidden.

"How'd you read the enemies' moves so well? A skill?"

"Never heard of a skill like that. High agility lets you see slowed movements, sure."

"But high agility doesn't predict attacks you didn't even see coming."

Questions flew from all sides, but...

Once I mentioned it was my unique skill, they backed off quickly.

Asking for unique skill details is taboo among hunters, apparently.

Like asking a restaurant for their recipes.

It's their livelihood, basically.

"Including the one in the bushes, that's seven mana stones total."

"Distribution's tricky."

"Yeah. Eight would've been perfect—two each."

Dungeon cleared, time for loot split.

Choi Gyumin fetched the hidden one's too, totaling seven.

Wish one more had appeared, like Lee Doyeon said.

But that might've brought more risk.

Anyway, I already had a distribution plan.

"You guys take two each. I'll take one."

"Huh? No, just one for you?"

"That's no good. Without you, we'd be dead."

"Playing the sucker? Even if it's tough, real hunters grab their share."

Lee Doyeon's cool but caring tone was appreciated.

But I had my reasons.

"No, it's fine. Instead, can I take this?"

"Hm? What's that?"

"The one from the monster at the very back."

The item I showed looked worthless at a glance.

Was it even an item?

A palm-sized stone fragment on a worn leather cord.

Rough surface, jagged edges.

No sparkle like mana stones, barely any mana leakage.

"Not even a mana stone."

"Looks like discarded junk..."

No one seemed interested.

They probably thought trading it for an extra stone was a win.

Seeing that, I smirked inwardly.

A translucent text window had appeared before me.

Yep, others can't see item info.

They probably have appraisal skills or items for that.

But naked eye? No clue what it is or its value.

"Hehe..."

Feels like I tricked the party, but...

Thrilled at snagging such a gem alone, I chuckled to myself.

"......"

Then Kim Taesung, meeting my gaze, scowled deeply.

What?

Before I could tilt my head, we had to exit the dungeon.