Why Is This Not Working? (Part 2)
Lee Do-hyun walked home from the Association with a short stretch of his arms, smiling to himself.
*Another day well spent. Thanks to Han Rin and Ji Yu-chan treating me to dinner, I feel full and satisfied. Han Rin even said she’d stay behind at the Association to study harder, while Yu-chan headed home. So we parted ways right here.*
As he left the Association, Do-hyun’s gaze met that of one of the awakened hunters still emerging from the training gym, just like him.
“Hm?”
The hunter looked freshly showered, yet white steam rose from his body as if he were still covered in sweat.
Intrigued, Do-hyun watched the sight. The man was also a hunter who had been training, so he simply gave a quick nod.
Of course. Lee Hee-jae didn’t know that Do-hyun had been the one who impressed him with the transformation magic earlier. Do-hyun, in turn, had no idea who this hunter was. They simply exchanged a polite nod and kept walking.
Then, out of habit, Do-hyun opened his status window.
**[Hee-jae]**
**[Trait: Dragon Slayer [A]]**
**[Skills]** ▶ **【Insight】 [B]** ▶ **【Dragon Slayer’s Will】 [B]** ▶ **【Mana Manipulation】 [D]** ▶ **【Intimidation】 [E]** ▶ **【Leap】 [E]**
**[Stats]** ▶ **Strength: 35** ▶ **Agility: 26** ▶ **Stamina: 36** ▶ **Mana: 21**
**[500 AP acquired.]**
‘Whoa.’
Impressed by the impressive status window, Do-hyun let out a quiet whistle.
He had already raised the proficiency of Insight and Mana Manipulation through constant analysis, and he had just acquired Dragon Slayer’s Will.
The skill had cost a staggering 1,000 AP.
Hwang Ha-na’s Severing Dark King had only required 800 AP. Seeing that a skill of the same grade consumed more AP than hers made Do-hyun wonder.
*Is this skill especially rare?*
When he analyzed Dragon Slayer’s Will, it felt similar to Intimidation, but sharper, more cutting.
Intimidation simply projected an aura to restrict the opponent’s movements and options. Dragon Slayer’s Will, however, scattered killing intent directly, suppressing the enemy through sheer pressure or driving them into pure terror.
It wasn’t that different, so he decided it was worth learning anyway. Mixing it with Intimidation might even yield a stronger effect.
Still, spending 1,000 AP on a skill that was only a bit above Severing Dark King felt off.
As he had mentioned earlier, Severing Dark King cost 800 AP. That meant Dragon Slayer’s Will was considered a higher-tier skill, yet its trait rank was lower than Hwang Ha-na’s. Do-hyun couldn’t quite understand it.
*Plus, I don’t even know what the effect is.*
While he was still confused, Analysis kindly explained.
**[“Dragon Slayer’s Will [B]” is effective against ordinary opponents, but it becomes especially powerful when facing dragons. That is why it requires more AP to acquire.]**
‘Dragons?’
The trait name was Dragon Slayer, so it made sense that this skill specialized against them. Do-hyun could already sense just how formidable dragons must be.
Learning a skill that worked better against dragons by spending even more AP was proof that those creatures were insanely strong.
*Maybe this hunter will grow even stronger.*
Do-hyun decided he needed to remember the name Lee Hee-jae and continued home.
* * *
After finishing sparring and helping with the analysis, Do-hyun collapsed into bed and slept deeply.
The next morning, as he yawned and stretched, he wondered if becoming a hunter was really the best thing that had ever happened to him.
Falling asleep to rest meant I could sleep instantly, and waking up felt like I had gotten a full night’s rest. My body felt refreshed and invigorated.
*Even a little sleep makes me feel completely refreshed.*
It was like a Pokémon Center treatment that left you completely fresh and energetic. Do-hyun smiled contentedly and got out of bed.
Today I have no schedule. Should I just rest?
Since there was nothing I needed to do, Do-hyun thought it over, then lay back down on the bed.
*If I’m going to rest, I should do it properly.*
He lay there for a while, then opened YouTube for the first time in ages.
*It’s been a while since I’ve just lain down and watched videos.*
Do-hyun tried to settle in and watch the algorithm-recommended videos, but after becoming a hunter, the feed was flooded with hunter-related content.
*How much time have I spent watching this stuff…?*
Surprised by the rapid growth of his skills, he scrolled through thumbnail after thumbnail. Suddenly, his gaze landed on one that caught his attention.
*This…*
The title read **[D-Rank Legendary Villain]**.
The thumbnail showed an unknown silhouette of the channel owner holding up something, as if explaining it.
It was the kind of title and thumbnail Do-hyun would never have clicked before becoming a hunter. But since he had just advanced to D-rank, he decided to take a look.
The video began playing, and the channel owner started speaking.
- Hello. I’m Green Straw, a representative of the Villain Alliance, which introduces various villains. Today I’d like to introduce you to a villain who has recently appeared in the D-rank.
‘Hmm.’
The owner looked like an ordinary person, so how did he know about villains?
Small curiosity sparked in Do-hyun, and Green Straw explained that he had reason to know.
- Today’s materials are based on testimonies from D-rank hunters working for the Hunter Association. It’s reliable information, I believe. The Hunter Association has been very cooperative with these interviews and wants to spread the word so everyone can prepare.
A few extra comments aside, it really did sound credible.
Do-hyun was also affiliated with the Association, so he trusted their attitude toward such interviews.
As he continued watching, Green Straw narrated the story as if from the perspective of a hunter.
While the commentary was a bit extra, the man’s smooth delivery made the mystery even more captivating. Do-hyun found himself listening intently.
The hunter who gave the testimony had encountered an unknown race that he had never seen before. He was lost in the D-rank region.
- He looked like a dried-up scarecrow. Every time he moved, dry straw fell from him, so I wondered if he was actually a scarecrow. That scarecrow was carrying a massive scythe and immediately attacked the moment it was spotted.
The rest of the story was predictable.
Thanks to passing by other hunter parties, he managed to escape, but barely survived.
Do-hyun found himself curious. What kind of race was this?
If he entered the D-rank area next time, he might run into it. He made a mental note to remember, then scrolled for other videos. Nothing else looked interesting, so he decided to just watch a movie instead.
Just as he was about to open an OTT app, his phone suddenly rang.
“Hm?”
He thought it might be Yu-chan or Han Rin, but the name on the screen was unexpected.
No, it wasn’t unexpected at all.
- Are you some kid who hasn’t contacted me in days?
The familiar nagging voice made Do-hyun chuckle.
“Uh. Mom, why?”
- I haven’t heard from you in a while, so I called.
“Oh, really? Everything okay?”
- Absence is absence, Mom’s fine.
While saying that, she sounded worried that something might have happened to him. Do-hyun couldn’t help but smile.
*It’s been a while since I last visited home.*
He was living alone in Seoul now, but home was in Incheon, not that far.
He had planned to just stay home and rest, but there was nothing to do, and he hadn’t been back for a while.
Do-hyun smiled faintly and replied.
“Hmm, should I go today?”
- Why, no work? You’re still job hunting. Come on, it’s fine.
Wanting him to come, his mom still said it that way. Do-hyun nodded.
“It’s my day off anyway. No problem.”
- …Alright. Then come.
Even though she spoke curtly, her tone sounded happy. Do-hyun understood and nodded back.
*She could have just said “come over.” Why phrase it like that?*
As I get older, it gets harder to express things directly. Does Mom feel the same? Do-hyun chuckled, then remembered his bank balance and asked.
“Anything I need to buy? I’ll pick it up on the way.”
- Stop making excuses. You don’t have money to buy anything. Just come over and eat.
“I’ve been earning money. I’m fine.”
- How much more allowance are you planning to give? I’m not planning to exploit my son. Just come.
“Hmm, I’ll buy something. I’ll head over now.”
- You still can’t handle money…
Do-hyun knew she’d keep nagging, so he ended the call.
*Anyway, I have plenty of money.*
He had exchanged 100,000 points for a 10-billion-won account not too long ago. What was there to be afraid of?
Thinking about it, he felt like spoiling his parents a little. He stood up, ready to go out.
After washing up and changing clothes, he realized this was technically his first salary. Should he buy his parents new underwear too?
There was no classic red kind, but functional underwear had improved a lot these days, so he picked out some good ones.
Even with 10 billion won, suddenly giving such a big gift felt weird. He had to explain things gradually so his parents wouldn’t be too surprised.
*I don’t even need to say anything.*
Maybe it was best not to mention the worries at all.
Eventually he’d have to appear in the media as a hunter, so it might be better to tell them himself before the media did. An odd thought crossed his mind, but he decided there was no need to rush.
He selected a few appropriate gifts, then withdrew some pocket money for his sister as well. Even though it annoyed him, she always looked happy when he gave her allowance.
Everything seemed ready. Should I go now?
Do-hyun picked up his bags and headed for the subway, but it was too crowded, so he called a taxi instead.
*I should have brought the magic pouch after all.*
Then something else popped into his mind.
*Should I buy a car?*
* * *
“Stop wasting money! Wait, look at that! He hung up.”
Do-hyun’s mom, Han Seung-hee, pouted when she saw the call end.
But the news that her son would arrive soon made her scramble to prepare.
It had been a while since they’d seen their son. They couldn’t just welcome him without doing anything.
She wanted to make some favorite side dishes and buy some meat, so she opened the fridge. There were a few missing ingredients, so she realized she needed to go shopping.
With a bag in hand, Han Seung-hee woke her son, who was sprawled on the bed during vacation.
“Wake up! Ah!”
“Kid, how long has the sun been up and you’re still sleeping like this?!”
“Aigoo, uh, vacation, right? Spare me…”
“Spare you? Look at your room!”
“Huu, seriously, I’m tired…”
“Enough. Your brother is coming. Get up now.”
Han Seung-hee scolded her son as if he were the only one speaking, then left the room.
Watching his mom storm out, Do-hyun’s younger sister Lee Do-hee scratched her head.
“What? Why does my brother coming matter to me…?”