Eyes in the Swamp
The stats gained from leveling up went into replacing the Wisdom and Vitality runes—which affected bomb power—with the Rune of Giant, while pouring a good portion into the lowered health. For the first time, I also invested in resistance stats. This was to counter the mental-attribute monsters that began to appear in D-grade dungeons. Though the trait [Composure] granted 50% resistance to mental status ailments, anything short of 100% left me unsatisfied. Decades of hunter data from dungeon explorations had established the minimum resistance values required for each dungeon. Most D-grade dungeons were known to grant an 80% or higher chance of resisting status attacks if your resistance stat exceeded 15. With [Composure] in effect, I could push that resistance close to 100%.
The eight days of nonstop bomb throwing and dagger swinging had also brought rewards. Obez’s Blessing, which increased fire-attribute damage, and the power of Skeleton Bomb had each risen two levels, boosting damage by 20%. The number of bombs I could store had climbed to 62. The trait [Penetration], which I had been watching with the most interest lately, had also leveled up. I still wasn’t entirely sure it was working properly, but the rise to level 1 at least confirmed it was having an effect.
Of course, the number itself had only increased by 1%, so the exact effect remained unclear, but the fact that it was growing was what mattered.
“Hey, that party’s been hogging this place lately.”
“Lee Yeonhee… She’d probably be decent even without summons, right?”
“Shut it already.”
Having become local celebrities in the Lizardman Swamp, we were growing used to hearing our names from strangers. Yeonhee pulled her robe deeper over her head, trying to block out the stares. Today would likely be our last run through this dungeon. Neither she nor I had leveled up in the past two days. We would probably reach level 40 before the day was over.
A quick glance around showed hundreds of hunters gathered at the entrance still sneaking looks our way. Some gazes held curiosity or goodwill, but most carried the silent pressure of wanting us gone from the dungeon as soon as possible. It was understandable. Over the past ten days, we had claimed the majority of the mid-grade runes dropped by Lizardman Champions.
I never planned on staying this long either! But Yeonhee’s level just wouldn’t rise!
Perhaps the experience requirement was higher because she possessed a unique class. She had been overtaken by my own level.
“Alright, let’s run hard again today!”
While I grumbled inwardly, Jin-gyeong’s usual energetic shout signaled that departure was imminent. The three members of Helen’s party had shown noticeable growth during their time with us. Before meeting us, they had advanced cautiously, step by step, but matching our pace had clearly accelerated their progress. Having reliable allies to watch their backs was something they had never experienced before. They were probably around level 30 now, but unfortunately, our time together would end here. We had already discussed this thoroughly. Since everyone understood there was no helping it, there was little need for further negotiation. The only lingering feeling was the regret Yeonhee and they felt at parting.
Once we reached D-grade and the situation allowed, we were willing to carry them again. They were highly motivated yet never overreached. They knew when to step forward and when to retreat, and they clearly understood their own limits. They had always treated the much younger Yeonhee with respect befitting her skill and had never caused any trouble.
By comrade standards, they’re A-grade. If only they had a bit more talent…
The more I saw of Helen, the more I liked her. It was a shame.
“You’re not going to cry and say you’ll miss us, right? Got it? There, there.”
Helen was already hugging Yeonhee and rubbing her head. Ever since the last dinner gathering, Yeonhee and Helen’s group had grown considerably closer.
“N-no, really…”
With hundreds of hunters watching, Yeonhee’s face flushed at being treated like a child. Still, she didn’t seem to mind Helen’s affection. Kang Yeonsu, Helen… maybe Yeonhee was the type who drew older sisters to her.
How heartwarming.
Just as we were preparing to end things on a good note, a variable appeared.
“It’s been a while! My punishment’s been lifted, so I’m back!”
No Hayun approached us with the bright greeting of someone meeting old friends after years apart. I had sensed her walking toward us from earlier, so I wasn’t surprised, but Yeonhee and the others jolted and exchanged glances.
“Ah, hello. It looks like you’re still allowed to enter this dungeon?”
Jin-gyeong asked in surprise. Since No Hayun’s skills had likely improved along with ours over the past eight days, the question was whether she could still enter a dungeon far below her level.
“Ah, it was actually pretty close. When I tried to enter, some kind of lightning kept crackling and pushing me back. I forced my way in, but today might really be the last time! Hahaha!”
Hey… at that point, most people would stay out for fear of being torn apart.
The party members stared at her in disbelief while No Hayun puffed out her chest, proudly displaying her boldness. Helen’s group turned away, huddled together, and whispered.
“She’s not just a regular weirdo…”
“Right? Has she never heard of people exploding trying to force their way in? She looks gentle, but her mind…”
“Quiet. She’ll hear us.”
Despite their cautious murmuring, No Hayun paid no attention to anyone else’s stares and continued.
“Um, would it be okay if I tagged along again today?”
She’s not even trying to hide it anymore. In a way, that’s impressive.
Being that shameless actually left the other side speechless.
“Huh? Uh… well, do whatever you want.”
Even Helen, who had plenty of social experience, was no exception.
“By the way, punishment? What for?”
Jin-gyeong couldn’t resist asking about the punishment, and No Hayun scratched the back of her head as if it were nothing.
“Ah—last time I came here, I brought those guys in without permission. The guild leader called me in and gave me an earful! Hehe.”
……
The leader of the Bijeon Guild was none other than Im Dong-su, the most warlike of the first-generation awakeners, known as the Witch of Frost.
“Wait… she’s on personal terms with that ‘Witch’? I heard she only meets people of equal standing and looks down on everyone else… Why?”
“It probably means she’s that highly regarded.”
“Still, she’s only D-grade. The guild leader herself?”
“I don’t get it either.”
“Anyway, getting tangled up with that would ruin your life. Let’s just go our own way.”
After their whispered discussion, Helen’s group offered No Hayun awkward smiles, then quickly set off.
Why even ask something like that…
My wariness of No Hayun wasn’t solely because she had attacked me. She was the youngest daughter of Im Dong-su, leader of the Bijeon Guild—the largest of the three major Korean guilds. After bearing two sons, her parents had finally gotten the daughter they wanted. How much must they have doted on her?
She probably never even got scolded by her mother. At most, she received a light warning to behave.
No Hayun’s willful behavior stemmed from having that kind of backing. In any case, we gradually increased our distance from her and headed toward the C-route we usually took.
“Let’s move faster. If possible, let’s shake her off too.”
Of course, that was impossible. Not with me around. Instead, No Hayun closed the distance even more than before. Was she hoping for scraps to fall from me just by hovering nearby? She really was an incomprehensible person.
As we took the shortest path toward the Lizardman Swamp, we encountered two minor battles. But the monsters in this dungeon no longer posed any threat to us—unless five or six Lizardman Champions appeared at once. After about forty minutes of brisk movement, a group of unfamiliar presences 100 meters away began to prick at my senses.
Hmm… I’ve felt this sensation somewhere before…
While No Hayun’s party followed us from the right diagonal, this group was diligently tailing us from the left diagonal. Of course, No Hayun was only 20 meters away.
What are those guys? Their strength is considerable. What should I do?
Nine hunters. Each one strong enough to be called an expert in this section. They gradually drew closer.
Maintaining roughly 90 meters. The way they react instantly when we change direction suggests they have a visual-type hunter. What’s their goal?
Though the Lizardman Swamp was the most popular low-grade dungeon, overlapping paths on the C-route weren’t common. Even on the C-route there were countless branching paths, and the unspoken rule was to create clear distance if you didn’t want trouble with other teams. Moreover, though they were trying hard to conceal their presence, I could smell the distinctive scent of hunters prepared for life-or-death combat.
These lunatics… they’re ready to fight if it comes to it?
I made a finger heart toward Yeonhee and pointed behind us.
(Should we… deal with No Hayun?)
Yeonhee whispered so only I could hear, asking if we should eliminate No Hayun. Eliminate her? I almost laughed out loud.
She’s been running into people like No Hayun so often that even Yeonhee’s thoughts are turning extreme.
Suppressing my bewilderment, I shook my head and pointed to my left eye. Yeonhee nodded at the signal, though tension instantly filled her face. The signal indicating Blue Eye. She summoned Ran and placed her on my shoulder.
…Ran also knew when to keep quiet.
Agility +7
With Ran’s buff, I began to roll my feet little by little.
What are these Blue Eye bastards planning now?
The sinister aura I had felt from that mysterious group whose altar we had overturned.
[Stealth]
I focused on the spreading waves of my perception and concealed myself the moment people’s gazes left me.