Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Skill Book and Emergency Summons
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“You must’ve been surprised by me suddenly giving you this, but I don’t have any weird ulterior motives or shady intentions, so just take it and hear me out first.”
“That makes it even more suspicious, doesn’t it? There’s gotta be something wrong with the options or some defect, right? If it were good, you wouldn’t give it away.”
“Hmm, that’s a sharp observation and reasonable suspicion. But you didn’t point out that this is a skill from a monster that nearly killed you?”
“Huh? Hunters make a living by taking down monsters and using their loot—what’s the big deal? When have we not done that?”
Feeling the slight difference in perspective between someone born aiming to be a hunter and someone who suddenly awakened as one, Yoo Seongwon set the skill book down and continued his explanation.
“At first, it stuck to me babbling about the constellation’s guidance or whatever, but after that, up until now, it hasn’t shown a single emotion a normal human would. Even calling it patience, it’s impressive.”
“Hmm? I noticed a little, but I wouldn’t say it endured that much.”
“That’s what makes it impressive. I thought at first, since it got Heaven Class potential, it had to hold back that much~ but seeing how the guys at that level in Seoul Guild or Blue Dragon Guild act, I realized an awakener’s strength and character are separate things.”
Having experienced the depths of humanity in the protection facilities, it was natural for Yoo Seongwon to be suspicious of people.
He hadn’t expected anything from the start, as that was the way to avoid betrayal, so he’d kept his distance from Shin Ayoung and hidden his abilities to the end.
“Anyway, putting that aside, compared to the skills I have, I’ve been selfish, pathetic, and cowardly, hiding everything, but it all came out in the end. And your reactions were all outside my expectations.”
“What’s so weird about that?”
“Most people couldn’t handle it like you. You know the saying, ‘When your cousin buys land, your stomach hurts’? Envy, jealousy, inferiority complex. No matter how strong you are, seeing someone stronger brings those feelings—it’s normal.”
Of course, there were plenty of counterarguments, but this was just Yoo Seongwon’s view.
Having seen such harsh realities as a child, he’d developed distrust in humanity and preconceptions, but from his perspective, Shin Ayoung’s reactions were ideal.
“Normally, they’d whine, get consumed by inferiority, get greedy, think of ways to use it, or scheme to turn it to their benefit somehow.”
“Oh please~ I had those thoughts too. What the hell did he eat to grow that strong? How does a mere staff get something like that? Heaven Class kids at least seem within reach of effort, but you’re up there on a level that’s impossibly distant. Maybe I should ask him to clear a C-rank dungeon for me? All sorts of thoughts crossed my mind.”
“Well, even so, you’re definitely different from others. And my knights gave you good reviews too. That’s why I figured it’d be fine to give it to you. Normally, once you give something, they keep demanding more or get other ideas. I hate it when they start thinking favors are their right.”
“So now I get how twisted you are. That means my reputation with you has hit ‘very friendly’ or ‘solid ally’ or something, right?”
“…I’m being serious here—don’t throw game terms at me.”
His head was starting to ache, but this nonchalant attitude was one of her strengths too.
Anyway, to calm her down as she beamed with praise, Yoo Seongwon splashed some cold water on it.
“There’s also the fact that it doesn’t synergize with my current skill tree, so I’m not learning it. I’d have to spend skill points otherwise.”
“You’ve got solid base physical stats, so learning a martial skill wouldn’t hurt, right? Plus, it boosts your stat growth.”
“I have to prioritize synergies with my other skills first!”
Shin Ayoung had a point, but regrettably, Yoo Seongwon was blessed with SSS-grade traits that let him cherry-pick unique and legendary skills.
[(Legendary) Essence of the Fallen Phoenix]
Though fallen, this being is a symbol of kings. Enhances possessed king, emperor, and leadership-related skills.
‘With this, I need to stack king and emperor synergies! Obviously!’
Of course, he couldn’t say that outright, so he’d phrased it vaguely with a meat metaphor, but right now, he had no need to learn this Phoenix Dance himself.
“Let’s eat it! More meat is always better!”
“No! When there’s a limit to how much you can eat! You’d still eat the steak!”
“Tastes differ.”
“That’s the metaphor.”
“Wait, so you’re saying the skills you can learn already are even more broken than this one?”
“No comment.”
Yoo Seongwon couldn’t help thinking the saying about not even being able to drink water in front of kids fit perfectly.
Anyway, since he was serious, he composed himself and added another reason to keep her from getting too excited.
“Anyway, you need to grow to A-rank or so before we can sneak into C-rank dungeons without drawing attention to your name. Like, you and your mom as the main clearers and me as support.”
“Oh! That’s a clever angle.”
“I’ve even calculated that if I officially gear up to D-rank level, it won’t look weird for a group that can handle C-ranks. Well, if you don’t want to, I can’t force it…….”
“Phoenix Dance…….”
“We can say I looted it from scavengers or picked it up at some old bookshop or black market. Oh, before that, maybe your constellation’s alignment or class doesn’t fit? Or if they find out it’s Archdemon Beast-Regen’s skill…….”
“Yep.”
With that, she grabbed the book and began gesturing in the air with her other hand.
She was probably pulling up her status window to learn the skill.
Yoo Seongwon thought handling a status window invisible to others was more embarrassing than expected and vowed to be more discreet next time.
“Whew~ Ooh!”
Whoosh!
Suddenly, flames erupted around Ayoung’s body, fiery feathers swirling, followed by feather-shaped mana tattoos etching onto her skin and fading.
Opening her eyes, she gasped in shock at the surging power throughout her body and her changed stats.
“Ooh! I’m A+ rank now. Holy crap, this is insane! Dexterity growth increases further with proficiency! Am, amazing! As expected of a legendary skill book! Wooow~”
“Feels good once you have it, huh?”
“Yeah! Of course! I’m level 45 without even doing C-rank dungeons and hit A-rank—that’s huge! B-rank dungeons take you to 75, so if I level properly until then, S-rank is in sight. Incredible! Only ten people in Korea have it.”
Yoo Seongwon nodded, empathizing with her feelings.
Working as an Academia staff, he’d seen many cases where a single stat tier split classes.
Even among Heaven Class students, there were hierarchies by rank, so as a barely B-rank, she’d probably suffered inwardly without realizing it.
“Anyway, talk it over with your mom and snag a C-rank dungeon clearance soon. I’ll join at first for stability…….”
“Then I’ll go test the new skill!”
“Hey! Eat dinner first!”
Too excited by her new skill, Shin Ayoung bolted before Yoo Seongwon finished.
He tried to stop her urgently, but she was long gone.
[Hmm, she wants to confirm her newfound strength. Let her be, Contractor. Heh heh heh. These are moments you can’t savor later even if you want to.]
“Yeah, can’t be helped. Sigh~ Guess dinner’s getting delayed.”
Leaving Gaulp—who watched her admiringly—behind, Yoo Seongwon headed to prepare dinner.
He planned fish cakes from today’s catch and miso soup with clams.
He could leave it to Akaron, but with free time, he needed to handle meals and learn basics himself since there wasn’t much else to do.
“Thanks to the cooking tutorials left on XTube, no chance of failure. To me, that Baek guy’s more respectable than any grandmaster. Heh heh~”
Over the past month, the healing effect was so profound he was even humming while prepping ingredients.
Originally distant from awakeners and hunters, this break from it all seemed to restore his mental state a lot.
“Living peacefully really is best. Hmm? Oh, phone. Guild Master Somi? Hello?”
(It’s me. I got word Ayoung hit A-rank… Did you do this?)
“Oh, yes. That’s what happened. As long as there’s no side effects or issues, it’s not a loss, right?”
(True, but… it’s so out of left field. What’s your thinking here?)
It felt like being interrogated, but they’d always kept proper formalities with calculations in mind. Suddenly gifting her daughter a legendary skill book was definitely beyond norms.
Knowing that, Yoo Seongwon paused cooking and explained calmly.
“Hmm~ Well, I need to quietly hit C-rank dungeons now, thought I’d bolster Baekya Guild a bit, and my knights like Ayoung too, so call it repayment for the trust I’ve built up?”
(I see, repaying trust… huh? But for something that big, I’d think you’d consult me first?)
“Sorry. You’re absolutely right. I’ll consult you without fail next time. Anything else?”
(Good. Anyway, to the main point. It’s about time to leave there. The Association’s info leaked out, so no need to hide anymore.)
“Oh!”
Pure joy at the news he could leave.
Life here wasn’t bad, but it was just temporary lodging. To properly set up his home and nest, he had to get out.
“Perfect timing. Now I can proceed with my plans. Head straight down to the provinces…….”
(But there’s a problem. The apostles of ‘Constellation Mountain Ghost’ have risen en masse to conquer ‘New Gangnam.’ Haven’t you heard?)
“Been healing, avoided outside news like it’d give me cancer. Ah~ I get it. Makes sense they targeted it by breaking the southern wall. Gonna be tough.”
(But it’s worse than expected. ‘Constellation Mountain Ghost’ is minor, but the aftermath of your ‘New Gangnam’ incident means they can’t respond properly. We’ve been holding, but the southern wall construction site finally fell. They’ve built a fortress there, and an A-rank dungeon appeared.)
“Wow, that’s a bit of a mess.”
(Not a bit—a huge one.)
A breach in the New Gangnam wall line with a dungeon inside wasn’t minor.
It was basically Constellation Mountain Ghost planting their flag, declaring it their territory and gearing up to push forward.
(Government’s in emergency council, Association issued full mobilization. ‘New Gangnam’ is known as a corrupt dump, but it boosted Korea’s safety rep abroad, so the hit’s big.)
“Well, they’ll handle it. Not my problem, so I was gonna head to the provinces and…….”
Viiiing!
Then his phone vibrated with a text.
Yoo Seongwon thought guilds and Association would sort it as usual, unrelated to him—but this single message dragged him in.
[Text Message]
[Civil Defense Emergency Mobilization. Yoo Seongwon, please report to ‘Republic of Korea Hunter Academia’ by 6:50 AM tomorrow. This mobilization is due to the ‘Second New Gangnam Incident,’ a serious threat to Seoul’s safety. Details after self-verification via the link. Htt…….]
“…Damn it.”
No choice now—Yoo Seongwon had to head to Seoul, like it or not.