Already Promoted? (1)
Chapter 33: Already a Promotion? (1)
[Two or more stats have exceeded the level of this zone.]
[You can proceed to the next zone.]
'A promotion already?'
As soon as Do-hyeon saw that message, he opened his status window.
Lee Do-hyeon
[Specialty: Analysis [Ex]]
[Skills]
▶「Ether Heart [S]」
▶「Sword King's Intuition [A]」
▶「Lord's Dignity [A]」
▶「Ultrasound [D]」NEW
▶「Stealth [D]」↑
▶「Dagger Technique [D]」↑
▶「Sonic Roar [E]」
...(More)
[Stats]
▶「Strength: 21▶25」
▶「Agility: 25▶31」
▶「Endurance: 20▶23」
▶「Magic Power: 29▶32」
[Points]
▶「P: 9350↑」
▶「AP: 1230↑」
'Wow.'
Certainly, unless he got promoted, this status window was at a level where he could just farm in this zone.
It was definitely over-balanced to stay in the F-rank zone.
Then what about the status windows of the other two?
As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Do-hyeon also opened Ji Yu-chan and Ha Na-rin's status windows.
Ji Yu-chan
[Specialty: White Gold Sword King [S]]
[Skills]
▶「Swordsmanship [A]」
▶「Sword King's Intuition [A]」
▶「Mana Manipulation [E]」
▶「Surprise Attack [F]」
▶「Intimidation [F]」
[Stats]
▶「Strength: 18▶25」
▶「Agility: 17▶20」
▶「Endurance: 19▶21」
▶「Magic Power: 20▶25」
▶You are in a state suitable for promotion.
Ha Na-rin
[Specialty: Sorceress Supreme [S]]
[Skills]
▶「Ether Heart [S]」
▶「Empress's Dignity [A]」
▶「Intermediate Elemental Magic [D]」
▶「Intermediate General Magic [D]」
▶「Intermediate Conceptual Magic [D]」
...(More)
[Stats]
▶「Strength: 13▶15」
▶「Agility: 16▶18」
▶「Endurance: 15▶16」
▶「Magic Power: 32」
▶You are in a state suitable for promotion.
Knowing well what Do-hyeon wanted, the message even included a note saying they were suitable for promotion, so it seemed all three had met the criteria.
Considering their stats and abilities, the three of them were certainly not to be underestimated, so it wasn't particularly strange.
However, to be eligible for promotion on the very first day of entry—
That was unexpected, but it was a welcome variable.
After all, it would be hard for Do-hyeon, Ji Yu-chan, or Ha Na-rin to expect growth while operating in the F-rank zone. In fact, although Ha Na-rin's physical stats had increased, her Magic Power hadn't risen at all.
Ji Yu-chan's other stats had increased, but they would soon start rising more slowly. In that case, it might be far more beneficial to get promoted around this point.
As Do-hyeon was lost in such thoughts, Ha Na-rin and Ji Yu-chan approached and tilted their heads.
'What is he thinking so deeply about?'
'He's not the type to feel guilt over killing those guys, though.'
They were thinking of Do-hyeon as if he were some kind of psychopath, but it wasn't far off. He wasn't the type to be overcome with guilt over killing villains.
Besides, thanks to Analysis, even if only slightly, Do-hyeon felt like he was in a game. Anyway, while the two were tilting their heads, Do-hyeon looked at them and suddenly spoke.
"I think we should head to the next zone."
"......?"
"Already?"
"Yeah. I think it's about time for a promotion."
It hadn't even been a day, not even half a day since they entered.
A promotion in less than two hours—that was an unheard-of speed.
Even Ji Yu-chan and Ha Na-rin, who were always confident in their abilities, couldn't help but show somewhat concerned expressions.
Unlike Do-hyeon, the two didn't have Analysis, so they couldn't gauge their exact stats, which was understandable in a way.
Apart from the fact that both trusted Do-hyeon to some extent, Do-hyeon was also new to the Black Gate.
That was why both raised objections.
"Isn't that a bit too soon?"
"Even if we have good skills, shouldn't we explore the F-rank zone a bit?"
Even Ha Na-rin, who was usually so confident, said this, so it was a suggestion to be more cautious. However, Do-hyeon spoke confidently instead.
"Well, it doesn't seem like there's any burden right now, but soon there will be. At most..."
Do-hyeon stopped mid-sentence and looked at a message floating in the air.
[Time until burden generation: 9:58:12]
A message saying about 10 hours remained. As expected, Analysis was godlike.
When Do-hyeon said that while looking at it, the two looked at him with somewhat puzzled expressions, as if they didn't understand.
They wondered if a burden really would be generated as Do-hyeon said, but at this point, Ha Na-rin had no choice but to suggest something.
"Then we can check with the stone tablet, right? We'll know for sure, Do-hyeon oh—well, anyway, we'll find out for certain."
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
"......"
When Ha Na-rin hesitated while trying to say something, Ji Yu-chan and Do-hyeon looked at her. Ha Na-rin's ears had slightly reddened, but neither of them paid much attention.
Anyway, Ha Na-rin's words made sense.
The stone tablet Ha Na-rin mentioned was an item that could check whether one was qualified to move to the next zone, and since it could also show how many points the person had, it was one of the frequently used items.
One could say it was an essential item within the Black Gate.
Anyway, since the stone tablet was located in the center of each safe zone, they could go there and check. So Ha Na-rin suggested it to also check their current level and accumulated points.
Ji Yu-chan and Do-hyeon also nodded in agreement.
"I think so too."
"That's the most certain way."
"Hmm, then shall we go?"
At Ha Na-rin's words, the two nodded and decided to head back.
Originally, Do-hyeon might have considered hunting more, but if he could get promoted, moving to the next zone would be much more beneficial.
Staying here longer would only mean seeing F-rank hunters and monsters, and there wasn't much to gain from Analysis either.
Even if there was, it would be things he could get just the same in the E-rank zone, so it was better to move as quickly as possible.
And so, Do-hyeon and his party headed back to the safe zone, Muel, and before long, they could arrive at the center.
The place they first arrived at was also the central plaza, and there were still quite a lot of people there.
The alleys leading off the central plaza were lined with stalls, crowded with people, and the central plaza itself was also packed with a considerable crowd.
Do-hyeon looked around, thinking it was a goldmine, but—
An unfortunate message appeared.
[Currently, AP cannot be acquired through Analysis in this zone.]
"Tch."
Well, everything up until now had been absurdly overpowered anyway.
When Do-hyeon clicked his tongue in disappointment, Ha Na-rin and Ji Yu-chan tilted their heads wondering why, but didn't pay it much mind.
After all, that wasn't what was important right now.
At the central plaza they arrived at, a massive stele was erected, and one could see a mysterious energy emanating from it.
Seeing that—
[Analyzing 'Fragment of the Black Gate'.]
Fragment of the Black Gate
▶「A fragment of the Black Gate created when the Black Gate was born.」
▶「Placing your hand on it allows you to check your current level and exact point values.」
'Oh-ho?'
They said no one knew the true identity of that black stele, but Analysis revealed it immediately.
This was truly astonishing, and as Do-hyeon was staring blankly, Ha Na-rin and Ji Yu-chan spoke to him.
"It's our turn."
"Let's go."
There were many people wanting to check the stele, but despite the variety of races gathered, they were orderly, so before long, their turn came.
Since they could check just by placing their hands on it, they didn't have to wait long.
And so, when their turn came—
First, Ha Na-rin placed her hand on it.
Then—
『E』
『6150P』
Ha Na-rin's current rank and points appeared, and as soon as she saw it, her eyes widened. As Do-hyeon had said, the display showed E rank instead of F, so she couldn't help but be surprised.
And it wasn't just Ha Na-rin who was surprised.
"Look at that human."
"What kind of point value is that..."
"Then that point count is..."
"Did they catch a villain or something? Hmph."
Various other races around them were marveling at Ha Na-rin.
There was a prejudice that humans were all weak, so it was rare to see a human with such points, drawing even more attention.
As the other races chattered like that, Ha Na-rin stepped back with a slightly proud expression.
Ji Yu-chan was also surprised seeing that, and similarly, with a look that said he couldn't lose, placed his hand on it, and the exact same rank and value as Ha Na-rin appeared.
『E』
『6150P』
"Oh! That human also has the same points!"
"Hmph, what a crazy pair."
"There are two such humans?"
"I heard humans' level has risen lately, and it's true."
"This is more than just a rise in level, though???"
"Even among elves, such figures are rare."
"Oh, we need to keep an eye on them."
The reaction was quite different from when Ha Na-rin checked alone.
The fact that two members of the party had accumulated such points meant it wasn't just a fluke.
Everyone couldn't help but be amazed.
But apart from the other races' surprise, Ji Yu-chan turned his head and looked at Ha Na-rin with a strangely wounded pride.
"......"
"......"
Somehow, the two looked at each other, burning with competitive spirit.
Although they had both accepted that losing to Do-hyeon was inevitable, coming in third was unacceptable, so as the two eyed each other warily, Do-hyeon didn't pay them much mind and placed his hand on the stele.
Then—
Unlike the previous two, a faint light began to swirl around the stele, and letters appeared.
『E』
『9350P』
"N-ni-nine thousand!?!"
"Wha-what!?!?"
"An incredible human has appeared..."
"Oh..."
"Is that a possible value in the F-rank zone?"
"Unless they're a villain..."
"Did they catch those famous bat villains recently?"
"Those guys were close to E-rank too, and you're saying those humans took them down!?!"
"Well, other than that, it doesn't make sense... Amazing."
The other races around were so surprised they looked like they might faint. With too much attention drawn, Do-hyeon, Ha Na-rin, and Ji Yu-chan quickly left the central plaza.
There was no benefit to attracting more attention here.
And so, after checking the stele, Do-hyeon and his party returned to their lodging and could only realize the reality of Do-hyeon's words.
They had confirmed that they were indeed at a level where they should be promoted.
Now it was time to organize things.
Getting promoted wasn't that difficult, but first, there were many things to discuss.
For example—
"I think we need to organize some things."
Ha Na-rin stepped forward first, and Ji Yu-chan had no choice but to agree.
The party had been formed abruptly, and its formation was more due to the association simply assigning them together rather than their own will.
And without even discussing anything, they had immediately entered the Black Gate, so now they needed to organize things.
It wasn't that a party that had coordinated their moves, hunted monsters, and even hunted villains to the point of promotion needed to do this now, but it was necessary.
When Ji Yu-chan also nodded at Ha Na-rin's words, Do-hyeon looked at the two, wondering what kind of organization, and Ha Na-rin spoke first.
"First, we haven't even sorted out our titles. And once we form a party, we need goals too. I think we need to organize those things."
What should have been done long ago was only now beginning.