Chapter 15 - Jeweler
Jeweler
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 15: Jeweler
Deceiving others about the rank of one's innate ability or skills is not exactly illegal. The Association's regulations merely state that "revealing the truth is recommended."
‘That’s why I can hide my innate ability too.’
In fact, there are many active Hunters who haven't disclosed their innate abilities. The Association often asks Hunters called "Rankers" to reveal their innate abilities...
‘But since some innate abilities have weaknesses, if they refuse citing that reason, the Association has no choice but to let it slide.’
However, the case of Yu Eun-ha, who is currently moving to the Gate with me, was different. Her innate ability was one that appeared over 300 years ago, in the early days of the Gate crisis.
[Divine Armament - SS] [Can use armaments made of divine power. Additional armaments and skills unlock according to level.] [Lv.1 - Divine Shield / Tough Body (D) - Growth-type Passive] [Lv.2 - Locked]
Yu Eun-ha reportedly lied, calling this A-Rank, and reported the passive skill as a normal type, not a growth type. It was a plausible lie because there had been people in the past who obtained Divine Armament as an A~S Rank innate ability.
‘It’s also an extremely effective lie.’
If she is a person with an SS-Rank innate ability, forming a party with her isn't bad. I can use the time I would have spent obtaining skills to boost physical abilities on acquiring attack and support skills instead.
“…Senior?” “Yes?” “I’m D-Rank, you know?” “Yes. I know.”
The reason for Yu Eun-ha’s flustered voice is that the Gate I applied for is a C-Rank Gate.
“No! How can I tank a C-Rank?!” “…Is it impossible?” “Of course! I’m not a pure tanker!” “Uh....”
Searching based on her words, it said that tanking-related skills unlock at Lv.5. Before that, it says Sword, Skill, and Armor unlock in order.
“…You can’t withstand even one hit?” “Of course!”
Her shield is created by her SS-Rank innate ability, but for the skill to grow, she must block attacks with the shield. But if she can't withstand even one hit, skill growth cannot be expected.
“Then, let’s say you came to observe my skills this time.” “…Then when do we hunt next?” “Naturally, I intend to go today.” “Ehh? Is your mana amount sufficient?”
It is known that I am no longer a "Glass Cannon," but exactly how much mana I possess is unknown. So, upon leaving the meeting with Jo Tae-hoon this time, I reported that I had undergone a third growth.
“Yes. It’s sufficient. Enough to clear a D-Rank solo even after clearing a C-Rank solo.” “Wow! You’re really not a Glass Cannon anymore, are you?” “Ahem....” “Ah! I-I’m sorry....” “It’s fine. I was just slightly bothered.”
Actually, I reported that my mana amount rose to 400 this time. There have been Hunters whose mana amount increased up to 8 times occasionally, but I had reported only an average increase because I didn't want to stand out.
‘Since I’ve already caught Jo Tae-hoon’s eye, it’s better to raise my combat power quickly.’
Usually, Hunters who enter S-Rank Gates have mana amounts exceeding 30,000, but I can be treated as S-Rank even with just 5,000 to 6,000.
‘If it triples again next time, it will exceed at least 3,000, and the time after that, it will exceed 10,000. That’s enough to receive S-Rank treatment.’
So, to shorten the time until then, I used the A-Rank Link skill on Yu Eun-ha.
“By the way, Senior’s Link skill is unique, isn't it?” “Ah. You mean the part about temporary registration being possible?” “Yes! Usually, once registered, that’s it.”
In truth, since I had no intention of revealing my innate ability to her, I simply said it was a Link skill capable of ‘temporary’ registration. I intended to rent the skill only when applying the Link to her, and then apply it permanently once permanent acquisition became possible.
“Still, if I do a complete registration, it’s the same in that I can’t use it on others.” “B-by the way. C-Rank monsters really die in one hit?” “I wasn't called Glass Cannon for nothing.”
We entered the C-Rank Gate while chatting, but honestly, there were no particular difficulties. The appearing monsters were ordinary beast-types, and it was a common cave-type Gate.
“Since there’s no fear of being ambushed, we can move while talking like this... Magic Missile 30%!” —Shuwoong! Kwajik! “…Like this, it’s enough to use the skill only when there’s a stench.” “What?! You can detect monster approaches by smell?!” “Any veteran Hunter should be able to do that much.”
Yu Eun-ha looked blank, but in reality, it’s nothing more than what any Hunter who hasn't joined a guild knows how to do. To enter a Gate with a Hunter possessing detection skills, one must join a guild.
“Eh? No, why?” “Detection types are rare, but their combat ability is lacking... Magic Missile 30%!” —Shuwoong! Kwang! “…So they need to be protected by someone, but in a normal party, there’s no one who can properly protect them.” “Ah....”
Guilds not only keep detection and healing Hunters in the back, but they also assign dedicated tanks to operate with them. That’s why they join guilds they can enter with their rank for safety.
“By the way... it’s strange.” “Yes? What is?” “The interval at which monsters appear is too erratic.” “Ah! In cave-type Gates, monsters are supposed to be at regular intervals, right?” “Yes. That is correct.”
Usually, this happens in Sudden Gates or Naturally Occurring Gates... right?
‘Wait. Come to think of it, didn't something similar happen a while ago?’
Immediately raising my tension, I signaled Yu Eun-ha to stop. She tensed up along with me and raised the shield she had summoned since entering the Gate.
“It seems... likely to be an Irregular monster, or a precursor to Gate evolution.” “Whaaaat?! No, how do you know?!” “It was only once, but I have experienced something similar.”
The Goblin Gate I ran at Lv.2, the one I regretted because I missed the Lv.3 express bus. Back then, a change occurred where the goblins' detection range widened.
“Detection range increase?!” “Yes. If we substitute the erratic appearance intervals of the monsters with an increase in detection range...?” “Ah! Because their detection range widened, they were already coming towards us?” “That... seems the most likely possibility.”
If there is a problem, it’s since when has this Gate been like this.
“Worst case scenario. An Irregular monster has already been born, or the Gate might evolve while we are inside.” “Th-then what do we do?!” “…We have no choice but to move with utmost caution.”
Saying that, I checked my remaining Origin Power and rented a B-Rank Vibration Detection skill. As soon as I rented and used the skill, sure enough, I detected monsters 150m to 300m away moving towards us.
‘I must move as inconspicuously as possible.’
I asked Yu Eun-ha to guard my rear just in case. Moving carefully, I cleared the monsters one by one. After killing the 43rd monster, I stopped detecting any more monsters.
‘15 minutes have passed since I caught the 43rd monster. Yet if there are no monsters... it must be an Irregular.’
Thinking that, I moved for another 10 minutes when I felt a massive resonance through the Vibration Detection skill.
‘What giant monster can appear in a cave-type Gate where beast-type monsters appear?’
I racked my brain desperately, feeling vibrations that only occur when something hard scrapes against a wall.
“Damn it! Ms. Yu Eun-ha! Whatever happens from now on is a secret!” “Pardon? No, I’m Junior...” “Magic Missile 200%!” “2, 200%?!” —Shuwoong! Kkwa-ang! =Kueeeeeeeek!
The maximum effective range of Magic Missile is 150m. When I fired a 200% output Magic Missile at that maximum distance, unlike before, the sound of striking something hard came back.
“Wh-what is this sound?!” “It’s a Jeweler monster! Run back!” “Eh? Jeweler?” “Just run!” “Ah! Yes!”
Jeweler Monster. A monster that usually appears starting from A-Rank Gates, specialized in defense. Its characteristic is that its entire body is made of gem-like material, and it is about 30% larger than ordinary monsters.
“Magic Missile 200%!” —Shuwoong! Kkwa-a-ang! =Keuweeeeek! Weoeong! “Damn it, it’s still fine?!” “Wh-what is a Jeweler monster?!” “A monster recommended to be subjugated by at least three A-Rank Hunters!” “Ehhhhh?!”
Even while running away and explaining, I fired a total of 20 Magic Missiles, but the Jeweler monster kept getting closer.
“Roll to the siiiiide!” “Uwaaaat!” —Kwaduduk! “Hiiiiek!” =Keuwong?!
Hearing a sound as if the monster was flustered, I turned my head and saw a bear made of blue gems. Because we dodged, the Gem Bear’s arm was stuck in the wall.
“Magic Missile 200%!” —Shu-ut! Kwaduk! =Keuwaaaaak! “Huh?” “Senior! There! Look at the left leg!”
Looking at the Gem Bear’s left leg at Yu Eun-ha’s words, not only was it deeply gouged, but it was cracking with a jjuk sound.
“Senior! Attack! Attaaack!” “Magic Missile 200%!” —Shu-ut! Kwaduk! =Kkeuweeeeong! … … “Magic Missile 200%!” —Shu-ut! Pung! =Kku-eong....
Only when less than 30 Origin Power remained did the Gem Bear, the Irregular and Jeweler monster, lose its life. There was an incident in the middle where the Gem Bear went berserk and broke its hand(?) stuck in the wall to free itself, but...
“We, we managed to kill it somehow.” “....” “Senior?” “Ah, yes. That... I apologize. Suddenly using informal language...” “Ay, that can happen when it’s urgent! Besides, in conclusion, thanks to Senior’s judgment, we survived!”
She was beaming, happy just to have survived, but honestly, I was distracted by the system message floating before my eyes.
[You have defeated a monster.] [Experience for Innate Ability: Universal (EX) Lv.5 increases by 0.2%.] [Experience increases by an additional 0.1% due to the effect of Link (A).] [Irregular Monster-A Class Kill Bonus: Innate Ability experience increases by an additional 50%.] [Innate Ability: Universal (EX) has reached Lv.6.]
Staring at the message saying Lv.6, I opened my mouth without caring that Yu Eun-ha was next to me.
“Status Window!” “Se, Senior?”