Chapter 16 - Lv.6
Lv.6
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 16: Lv.6
The first thing I checked upon opening the status window was, naturally, the level of my innate ability.
‘It really became Lv.6?’
“Senior! Why the status window suddenl—Ah! You said that monster earlier was an Irregular?” “…Yes. That’s why we were able to obtain a massive amount of experience.”
It’s already a known fact that dealing with Irregular monsters or Sudden Gates awards additional experience. Although it is strange that the Association didn't know an Irregular had appeared in the Gate we entered this time.
“It probably spawned after we entered.” “Ah... That’s a shame. If only I could have defended once....” “It would have been impossible. That Gem Bear just now was A-Class.” “A-Class?!” “Yes. Didn't I already tell you?” “Ah~ Right. You said at least three people need to team up to subjugate it, right?”
Gates where Jeweler monsters appear are extremely rare. They are difficult to deal with, but everyone competes to enter Gates where Jeweler monsters appear.
“I think I know the reason without you telling me.” “Yes. It’s clearly visible right in front of our eyes.”
Unlike other monsters, Jeweler monsters drop an enormous amount of gems upon death. And not just simple gems, but material items.
“Then, we hit the jackpot?” “…Well, basically, yes.”
If we sell all of those, we can receive at least several billion won.
“B-by the way, you leveled up, right?” “Yes. That is correct. So about that, may I check something for a moment?” “Yes! I’ll wait!”
== Name: Han Seo-jun Overall: S-Rank Physical: 30 Origin Power: 3,645/3,645 Innate Ability
Universal (EX) - Lv.6 [0.0%] Owned Skills [4/10]
Magic Missile (D) - Lv.MAX
Regeneration (A) - [Passive]
(R)Link (A) - [7.75%]
(R)Vibration Detection (B) - [3.3%] ==
I immediately clicked on Universal to check what unlocked at Lv.6 and almost cheered out loud. The long-awaited S-Rank skill rental had unlocked.
... Lv.6 - S-Rank skill rental possible / Simultaneously rentable skills +1 ...
‘Plus 1 again? That means I can rent one more skill additionally...’
Staring blankly at that part, I felt like I had inadvertently overlooked something, so I checked the status window again.
... Owned Skills [4/10] ...
‘There was a limit to the number of owned skills?’
Historically, the Hunter with the most skills was a Hunter from the Middle East active about 150 years ago, who possessed a maximum of 7. So maybe the maximum number just wasn't known...
‘It might simply be a limit applied only to me because of my innate ability.’
“Senior? Is something wrong?” “Ah... It’s just that, I grew... a bit much.” “Much? How much did you grow?”
Yu Eun-ha looked genuinely curious, so I answered while acting as blankly as possible.
“First... physical ability doubled, and energy increased by three times.” “Then that’s double?!” “…Yes. It is double.” “Wooooow! Congratulations! Totally! Huge! Congratulations!”
She jumped up and down with great joy, but then suddenly looked gloomily at the material items left by the Gem Bear.
“If I had gone to F-Rank Gates even alone, would I have leveled up this time too?” “That might be true, but safety is the most important thing.” “…Senior goes alone, right?” “Yes. As you can see, my attack power is outstanding.”
Answering thus, I discreetly extended the rental time of the Link skill by 2 hours. After all, I have to enter a D-Rank Gate next to raise Yu Eun-ha.
“Uh, then how much mana do you have now, Senior?” “…For now, it’s over 1,200.” “Wow... Then Senior can now enter C-Rank Gates three times a day?!” “Hmm... That is true, but...”
Actually, I can enter more, but my worry now is that the experience gained from C-Rank Gates might have decreased.
‘When I became Lv.5 before, the experience gained from D-Rank decreased too.’
“Is there something bothering you?” “Ah. It’s not important right now. Rather... let’s go close the Gate now.” “Eh? Close it?”
If an Irregular monster appears or a Gate evolves, the Gate Fixing Anchor disappears. So originally, the Association should notice first and move to re-anchor it, but since we entered...
“Uh... Is that okay though?” “Even if it’s not okay, the Association can do nothing.” “Ah! That’s right. To re-anchor it, we would have to die in the Gate, right?” “Yes. Because only then can the next person enter.”
Naturally, the Association will hate it, but they can't do anything beyond hating it. Criticizing a Hunter who closed a Gate would amount to asking why they didn't die.
“Th-then I can receive a reward too?!” “…Ah. Come to think of it, the clear reward remained.”
Originally, when a Gate is closed, experience is given as a Gate closure reward to the Hunters inside the Gate.
“I’m totally curious! How much experience can I receive?” “Well... Since it was originally a C-Rank Gate... normally it would be 20%.” “Saying ‘normally’ means...?” “Since a Jeweler monster appeared, it wouldn't be strange to be judged as B-Rank or higher.” “…!”
Leaving the silently rejoicing Yu Eun-ha, I stored the gems dropped by the Gem Bear into my subspace wallet. While browsing the list of rentable skills, I saw a skill and reacted as if something had just occurred to me.
“Yu... no, Junior?” “Ah. Yes! Senior!” “There is something I want to test...”
**
—Clang! “Wow! Wooow! I did it! I blocked a C-Rank monster's attack!” “I see. Very excellent.”
Saying that, I watched her take a few more hits before firing a Magic Missile to dispose of the monster.
[You have defeated a monster.]
‘...The message saying experience went up didn't appear.’
“Senior! I’m already at 27%!” “That’s fast. Faster than I thought.” “That’s because fighting a higher-ranked monster gives additional experience! And I get an additional 50% from the Link skill effect!”
Curious about how much experience she gained, I asked, and she said she gains 1.6% per defense, including the Link bonus.
‘Is it because she’s SS-Rank? Her experience goes up better than mine.’
“But, Senior... is this really okay?” “What do you mean?” “This right now!” “Ah... that.”
Without telling her, I rented the A-Rank support skill ‘Energy Coating.’ It was a tanker-exclusive skill that simply increased the defense of the area where the skill was applied.
“Yes! I knew Senior’s mana efficiency was outstanding, but I didn't know something like this was possible too?!” “…I didn't know either. I heard Junior’s shield is made of mana, so I just tested it out.” “Wow... Then Senior knows how to manipulate mana even though you’re B-Rank?” “…Please keep it a secret.”
Yu Eun-ha widened her eyes, then covered her mouth saying ‘Hap!’ and nodded. Seeing her like that almost made me laugh, so I turned my head as naturally as possible and spoke.
“The next monster is coming.” “Ah! Uh, by the way, do we not need to do Energy Coating again?” “Hmm... It would be easy to judge if it were a skill, but since it’s pure mana, I don't know well.” “That’s right! If it were a skill, we could calculate by hit count....”
Saying that, I naturally mentioned the word ‘Energy Coating’ while touching her shield.
“For now... I applied a larger amount than before.” “Then since we faced 3 monsters so far, shall we face a few more this time?” “No. Let’s stick to once every 3 monsters. Let’s play it safe.” “Yep! Understood! Senior!”
After dispatching a few more monsters, the boss room appeared. It seems the Jeweler monster earlier wasn't judged as the boss monster.
“…Senior. What shall we do?” “What percentage is your experience now?” “Ah. Just a moment! Status Window!”
I knew how many attacks she had blocked, but I pretended not to know and asked. Yu Eun-ha calmly answered that she had just passed 74%.
‘At least she doesn’t lie.’
“Then... will Senior defeat the boss?” “No. Since we have to be sure, I will wait until Ms. Yu Eun-ha’s experience reaches 80%.” “…! Thank you. Senior!”
Naturally, I used the skill on her shield before catching the boss, and after disposing of the boss...
“Senior! It went up! I’m Lv.2 now!” “Haha. Congratulations.” “Kyaa! Now I can create a sword too! I can attack now!”
Actually, since she doesn't have attack skills right now, she can only do simple checking attacks, but it must be better than just getting hit.
‘Besides, her Tough Body skill must have become C-Rank, so now she can tank in C-Rank even without Energy Coating.’
Information on Yu Eun-ha’s innate ability, Divine Armament, is publicly known up to Lv.MAX (10). Divine Armament is an innate ability whose true value is revealed starting from Lv.5, and at Lv.6, Tough Body even grows to SS-Rank.
‘The moment attack skills unlock at Lv.5 is when the true value of Divine Armament is displayed.’
“Junior plans to hide your innate ability until it becomes Lv.6, right?” “…Yes. That’s right.”
First off. The growth limit for A-Rank innate abilities is Lv.4. That’s probably why attention wasn't focused on her when she claimed to have A-Rank Divine Armament. But if she had reported it as S-Rank from the start, she wouldn't have unnecessarily caught Jo Tae-hoon’s eye...
“Can you tell me the reason you reported it as A-Rank?” “Simply put, I don't trust the country or the Hunter Association, let alone giant guilds.” “…Pardon?” “I mean it literally.”
Not trusting the country is understandable. But unless someone like Jo Tae-hoon is involved, the Hunter Association is an organization worth trusting. Furthermore, there are many guilds that would cherish and raise someone possessing an innate ability of S-Rank or higher like gold or jade.
“Then why did you tell me the truth?” “Senior told me that there is someone targeting me.” “…Just that... No, haven't you thought that it might actually be a ploy?” “Do you think you could execute that ploy even after hearing the rank of my innate ability?”
Certainly. If I were truly Jo Tae-hoon’s henchman, I would have reported to him and suggested we indebt Yu Eun-ha to us. He wouldn't want to antagonize a future SS-Rank Hunter either.
“You have deep thoughts.” “I try not to hear that my thinking is shallow if possible.” “Ah, what is the reason you don't trust the Hunter Association and large guilds, not just the country?” “…I’ll ask you in reverse. Senior. How did you suddenly become able to use the ‘Energy Coating’ skill?” “Hmm....”
I thought I used it as inconspicuously as possible, but hiding it seems to have been impossible. But the reason she mentions it suddenly after pretending not to know until now is...
“I didn't ask because I was really curious. I... just wanted to tell you that I also have reasons to hide it.” “…Understood.”