The Pride of the Master Artisan Race
Ji Yu-chan had spoken with a hint of playful teasing, yet it was all too true.
Had his words been anything but serious, the Analysis message would have been bright orange from the sheer overwhelming martial prowess he possessed.
To the point that Do-hyun could feel a chill crawl down his spine merely by witnessing the full force unleashed by the last of the Thalgreen’s abilities.
If that power had been aimed directly at him, the sheer weight of it still sent a shiver racing through his veins.
Had he not utilized the full spectrum of his diverse powers, honestly speaking, it would have been a rather difficult opponent to defeat with his current stats.
And at the same time, he could feel the exact reason the other races had warned him to avoid picking fights.
‘They truly are different.’
He wondered if it should be called an axe technique.
The way Thalgreen had wielded that axe was unmistakably distinct from the methods Earth hunters had mastered.
Hwang Ha-na’s swordsmanship was indeed outstanding, yet it carried a completely different feel.
It almost felt like witnessing the martial arts styles of a wuxia novel.
There was a separate movement method, paired with its own unique mana manipulation.
And Analysis was confirming exactly that.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Analyzing 『Anvilhand Axe Combat Technique』
‘Hmm.’
If Do-hyun had learned that technique, he would have been able to wield the axe in a manner resembling Thalgreen’s.
Consequently, his axe combat skill would rise in rank alongside it.
But Do-hyun shook his head.
There was a reason.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Analyzing 『Anvilhand Axe Combat Technique』
The message warned him that learning a martial art passed down through a specific lineage could interfere with the use of other martial arts.
Analysis was cautioning him, of course.
But Analysis had no will of its own.
Not even now.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Would you like to learn 『Anvilhand Axe Combat Technique』?
Do-hyun shook his head once more.
He knew it was a powerful axe combat technique, yet there was no need to learn it right now.
The message vanished the instant he rejected it.
It didn’t matter. There were plenty of other things to gain.
He wasn’t even slightly disappointed.
Then where should he look next?
‘Should I check for loot?’
Do-hyun smiled faintly and reached into Thalgreen’s bag with familiar hands.
He tilted his head at the small pouch that emerged. Why would someone carry such a tiny bag? Analysis quickly provided the answer.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Analyzing 「Low-grade Magic Pouch」
The moment he saw it, Do-hyun’s eyes sparkled with delight.
‘A low-grade magic pouch?’
He hurriedly skimmed the detailed explanation Analysis provided, half-suspecting he knew exactly what it was.
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⚔ STATUS ⚔
LT__span style="color:#ff6b6b">⚡ Strength: 35LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 39LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 39LT__/div>
‘It matches exactly.’
He was overjoyed. He had never expected to find such a treasure here!
Quickly stuffing the inventory inside, he felt a wide array of items through his fingertips. Analysis promptly began compiling a complete list.
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⚔ STATUS ⚔
LT__span style="color:#ff6b6b">⚡ Strength: 35LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 39LT__/div>
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🎁 ITEM ACQUIRED 🎁
Low-grade Magic Pouch
◈ Holds up to a 10m×10m×10m space
‘Ooooh!’
Analysis really did possess such a useful feature!
The pouch wasn’t even half full yet, so Do-hyun hastily collected every bit of Thalgreen’s equipment.
He had struck gold!
Unlike the elves from before, who had left no corpses, most of their items were worthless anyway. He regretted not having taken more equipment that he couldn’t carry.
No more worries about that.
Do-hyun grinned triumphantly as he loaded everything into the magic pouch.
‘Haha, shall we head out then?’
Thinking of the two waiting for him, he headed their way.
He had not once doubted that both would emerge victorious.
With his ability to view others’ stats, he already knew they could handle the fight.
The moment he reached them, another familiar message popped up.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Successfully analyzing the growth of another individual’s stats. All stats have permanently increased by +1.
The battle had clearly boosted their growth again.
Another message soon followed.
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Two or more stats have exceeded the area’s level threshold. Transition to the next area is now possible. Subordinate load will begin in 23 hours 58 minutes 12 seconds.
‘Already?’
He had expected it, but still opened his status window. Agility had surpassed 40.
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⚔ STATUS ⚔
LT__span style="color:#ff6b6b">⚡ Strength: 36LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 40LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 40LT__/div>
‘It’s real.’
Glancing at the subordinate load timer, he casually glanced at Ji Yu-chan and Hana Rin to see how they were faring.
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⚔ STATUS ⚔
LT__span style="color:#ff6b6b">⚡ Strength: 36LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 30LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 30LT__/div>
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⚔ STATUS ⚔
LT__span style="color:#ff6b6b">⚡ Strength: 20LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 26LT__/div>
LT__span style="color:#4d9fff">💨 Agility: 26LT__/div>
Both Ji Yu-chan and Hana Rin had surpassed 40 in their primary stats.
Do-hyun could now confirm with certainty.
A single stat above 40 was acceptable for promotion. Two or more would trigger a subordinate load.
Thalgreen and even Gerpael from before had exceeded 40 in at least one, yet had not advanced. The rule seemed to hold.
Normally, once a subordinate load began, promotion followed shortly after.
Though advancing right away before the load could be an option too.
Hana Rin and Ji Yu-chan approached Do-hyun, both smiling with satisfaction.
“We gathered everything.”
“There were quite a few items, but they look like equipment only dwarves would use. We won’t be able to make immediate use of them. Still, the short swords seem usable.”
The two continued showing off their finds, and Do-hyun grinned happily before pulling out the low-grade magic pouch.
“Here it is.”
Both stared in confusion at the pouch. Do-hyun opened its mouth like a magician and began placing every single item inside.
At first they were puzzled, but as more and more items disappeared into the ever-expanding space, their eyes widened in disbelief.
“N-no way!”
“That’s a magic pouch?!”
“Haha.”
The two both gasped and asked the question, while Do-hyun simply laughed.
The moment they saw the pouch, their jaws dropped.
Everyone knew the dwarves were wealthy. Hunters entering Black Gates desperately sought sturdy equipment, and the finest quality came from dwarven craftsmanship.
Dungeon drops and monster items were too expensive, so they opted for dwarven goods when quality mattered most. The dwarves were absolutely swimming in points.
Right now, the points from Thalgreen’s death alone.
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📜 NEW QUEST 📜
Defeat the Villain and Claim the Points
📍 Location: Ruins of the Black Gate
🎁 Reward: 54510P
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📜 NEW QUEST 📜
Party Members Claim Points in Order
Total points obtained: 54510P
A full fifty thousand points. Adding his existing reserves brought the total to ninety thousand.
Do-hyun was grinning so broadly he looked ready to do a victory dance. Hana Rin and Ji Yu-chan had no choice but to admit it.
“You’re insane.”
“Unbelievable.”
Both wore blissful smiles, completely at a loss for words.
Today’s hunt would end here.
Still, Do-hyun turned to them with a smirk.
“So how about we all promote right now?”
“Promotion?”
“Hmm, I suppose the timing is right.”
Hana Rin and Ji Yu-chan both reacted positively, far from their earlier concerns.
After all, they were sharp enough to sense their own growth rate and the level required for promotion.
They weren’t particularly surprised anymore, and while they worried about how quickly promotion might come, they didn’t dwell on it.
They simply trusted Do-hyun to handle everything and prepared to follow his lead.
Once the conversation ended, Hana Rin asked,
“Shall we promote and leave immediately?”
“Probably best to.”
Do-hyun had been thinking the same thing. If they left early, Han Mu-yeol wouldn’t come.
He also wanted the skill Han Mu-yeol had promised.
Before long, Hana Rin spoke with a hint of worry.
“Then we’ll enter right away again?”
She had repeated the pattern of forming a party, entering, promoting, taking one day off, and repeating it. Was she asking if they would do the same this time? Do-hyun shook his head.
In reality there was nothing special to do, but this time was different.
Meeting Han Mu-yeol would require time to learn the skill, but that wasn’t the only reason.
The grades from D-class onward began to diverge more and more. It would be wiser to take a proper rest before entering.
“Huh.”
“!!!”
Hana Rin and Ji Yu-chan stared at Do-hyun in shock after hearing his perfectly reasonable suggestion.
Do-hyun glanced at them with narrowed eyes as if to say, what’s wrong with that?
After all, his actions had already been full of surprises.
He calculated the appropriate time and announced,
“We’ll enter once the situation is clear. Let’s take about a week off.”
Around that time, he should be able to adapt to Han Mu-yeol’s skill.
Honestly, he still hadn’t fully mastered the Severing Dark King’s speed, which was why he had reserved time.
Hana Rin and Ji Yu-chan both nodded in agreement.
With that much time, they should be able to train diligently.
Thus, the party finished organizing and returned to the dormitory for their final rest.
Before promotion, of course.
“Shall we buy dwarven weapons?”
“What?!”
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