Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: A-Rank Debuff Trait
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A-Rank debuff trait.
Just hearing the description of the Cursed Armor made it sound terrifyingly powerful, but something immediately flashed through Jeong-hyeon's mind.
'Isn't this similar to the trait suppressant?'
He still hadn't heard the full details from the Association on how the trait suppressant worked, but one thing was certain: it suppressed hunters on a system level, not through ordinary chemical reactions.
Otherwise, his own system wouldn't have reacted to it.
He wasn't even sure if a chemical reaction could truly make traits disappear in the first place.
In any case, considering that the S-Rank trait suppressant had ended up sacrificing just one sub-trait, he figured he could easily withstand an A-Rank debuff trait.
From his experience, the gap between A-Rank and S-Rank traits wasn't something that could be dismissed as a single step.
"For now, let's start with a quick try-on."
That was why Jeong-hyeon could say it so confidently.
'If it doesn't work, I can just ask for the Raider Run armor instead.'
Besides, there was no rule saying you couldn't take it off after trying it on once.
Vice Guild wasn't some cheap clothing store; they wouldn't be that stingy.
From what Geun-hwa had said, quite a few hunters had already tried it on before.
Geun-hwa, who had been staring blankly for a moment, suddenly snapped to attention and called over a staff member.
"Bring out that armor."
"Pardon? But, Vice Guild Master, this is..."
The staff member, who had been keeping a respectful distance and hadn't overheard their conversation, looked flustered.
And understandably so—it was the Cursed Armor.
Top-tier performance, but unusable due to the Dullahan's Curse.
Even renowned hunters who had heard rumors and come specifically to try it on would freak out and flee after one go.
And those high-and-mighty high-rankers didn't just run away quietly, either.
They'd throw tantrums, accusing the staff of trying to make them wear it, leaving the employees to deal with the mess.
'They begged to try it on first, then made a huge fuss!'
He worried the same thing might happen again this time.
"Just bring it out."
But even knowing the staff's concerns, Geun-hwa repeated the order.
He wanted to see for himself why the party members who had cleared the mission gate had praised it so highly.
'I don't think it'll work, but...'
No matter how miraculously they'd taken down the Grand Mantis, how could they endure a system-level curse?
Jeong-hyeon might be a re-awakener with unbelievable skills, but he was still a hunter bound by the system.
He knew that logically, yet for some reason, he felt a flicker of expectation.
"...Understood. I'll prepare it right away."
Realizing Geun-hwa wouldn't back down, the staff member began disabling the display case's security measures.
Finally, the black armor with its eerie sheen fully revealed itself.
The finest materials combined with exquisite design made it beautiful enough to call so, even as combat gear.
Yet, true to its name of Cursed Armor, it was a beauty that made one hesitant to approach.
Jeong-hyeon could almost sense the darkly rippling curse aura himself.
'Never thought I'd buy into superstitions in my life. Oh, wait, it's not really a superstition, is it?'
Jeong-hyeon never flinched at horror movies or mystery videos—not even a twitch.
No matter how others screamed in fear, reality scared him far more.
But this armor's curse was undeniably real on a system level.
It was a bit hard to dismiss as mere superstition.
The staff hurriedly handed the Cursed Armor to Jeong-hyeon, clearly reluctant to even touch it for long.
As Jeong-hyeon began examining it from all angles to try it on, Geun-hwa quickly stopped him.
"Just in case, have a healer with you when you put it on."
"That serious...? Alright."
He thought it was a bit over the top, but better safe than sorry, so Jeong-hyeon nodded.
'Better than causing trouble if something goes wrong.'
If he confidently put it on only to find the curse couldn't even be blocked by his EX-Rank traits, that would be embarrassing.
The staff immediately contacted someone, and soon a healer arrived.
"You called for me, Vice Guild Master?"
"Yes, perfect timing. Go ahead and try it on now."
Geun-hwa nodded as if it was finally safe.
The cursed parts were likely concentrated in the breastplate, where the Dullahan's armor had been most heavily incorporated.
With the staff's help, he finished equipping it quickly.
Geun-hwa and the others focused their gazes on Jeong-hyeon.
Most didn't look expectant, though.
They acknowledged him as an impressive hunter, but even objectively stronger hunters had failed.
Geun-hwa, in particular, had strong reason to believe even Jeong-hyeon couldn't handle the Cursed Armor.
'I can't say it, but an S-Rank hunter gave up on it too.'
S-Rank—the pinnacle among hunters.
Even one of them couldn't endure the curse.
To be precise, unlike other hunters whose traits vanished completely, theirs were merely weakened—but that was still unavoidable.
Gear that impaired combat was worthless, no matter its performance.
'Whew, it'd be humiliating if the curse actually hits...'
He had confidence, but with everyone hyping up the danger, even Jeong-hyeon felt a twinge of tension.
Finally, a notification window appeared before his eyes.
[Debuff trait, 「Dullahan's Curse」(A), detected.]
This was expected.
'The key is what comes next.'
If it applied differently from the trait suppressant, even he might not escape.
Then, consecutive notifications popped up.
[Due to 「Dullahan's Curse」, user's traits are temporarily blocked or weakened.
「Trait Shop」(EX) resists. Debuff effect completely nullified.]
[Due to 「Dullahan's Curse」, user is afflicted with various diseases and mental attacks.
「Trait Shop」(EX) resists. Debuff effect completely nullified.]
'Yes!'
Jeong-hyeon, who had been watching tensely, let out a cheer.
The effects sounded horrifically dire in the description, but as expected, they didn't faze EX-Rank.
The S-Rank trait suppressant had at least neutralized one sub-trait, but since 「Dullahan's Curse」 was A-Rank, even that much didn't apply.
All other effects were completely nullified too.
'EX-Rank is the best!'
It was impossible not to think so.
With the curse confirmed ineffective, all that remained was enjoying this top-quality armor he'd never even glimpsed before.
'This is killer...'
Was it like switching from a domestic compact car to a luxury foreign sedan?
The Demi Drake armor had been flawless when he first wore it, but the Cursed Armor was on another level.
Even without being custom-made, the fit was unreal.
Despite the hefty metal content, the perceived weight was incredibly light—comparable to, or even less than, the Demi Drake armor.
Thud, thud.
Jeong-hyeon clenched his fist and lightly tapped the breastplate, producing a clear, solid ring.
'Now that's armor.'
A hunter's moment of pure ecstasy, cathartic even.
Geun-hwa, watching this, asked in shock.
"Are you... alright?"
By now, one would normally have collapsed from the powerlessness of lost traits and debuffs.
Yet Jeong-hyeon looked perfectly fine—not just that, but casually tapping the breastplate.
The summoned healer and even the skeptical staff gaped, eyes wide as saucers.
Only then realizing others were around, Jeong-hyeon gave an awkward smile.
"Ah... seems fine?"
"Good lord..."
"How...?"
They'd thought his confidence might be bravado.
But his expression was that of someone truly unaffected.
Snapping out of his daze, Geun-hwa asked.
"How on earth did you do it? ...It was a secret, but even an S-Rank hunter gave up on it..."
"Uh... ahaha. Really?"
He hadn't expected an S-Rank to have tried it.
Well, with his EX-Rank traits beyond such rankings, it didn't matter—but he couldn't exactly say that outright.
From experience, the best move was an embarrassed laugh and deflection.
At that moment, an unexpected new notification appeared.
'Hm?'
All debuffs nullified, yet something remained?
Puzzled, Jeong-hyeon checked it.
The content was truly unforeseen.
[Debuff trait, 「Dullahan's Curse」(A), submits to the user's traits.
「Dullahan's Curse」 converts to a buff trait.
Grants the user strong mental attack resistance.]
Mental attack resistance?
A strong one at that?
'What kind of armor is this?'
Was it really cursed, or blessed?
Traits submitting and converting—what was this?
Either way, it was pure gain for Jeong-hyeon.
And it didn't end there.
[Hidden achievement, 'Ghost Hunter', accomplished. Acquired 5 coins.]
No monsters slain, yet a hidden achievement and coins?
For Jeong-hyeon, it was practically a full gift set.
'Lately, they've been generous with coins too... what's going on?'
Having swiftly read the system window, Jeong-hyeon said seriously.
"I'll take this one. As my reward."
Geun-hwa nodded dazedly.
"Y-Yes, of course."
Handing over the cursed Cursed Armor felt iffy, but if the wearer said it was fine, what could he do?
From his expression, he seemed to love it.
'Well, without the curse, it's the best armor there is.'
For Vice Guild, passing it on now was far better a hundred—no, a thousand—times.
Equipment that wouldn't sell anyway if left sitting.
Better to offload it now that an owner appeared.
Relief mixed with new worries in Geun-hwa's mind.
'It ended quicker than expected.'
Skilled hunters usually took ages picking gear.
It tied directly to their lives, sharpening their standards, and Vice Guild's warehouse brimmed with top-tier items.
Geun-hwa had hoped to repay some of the debt to Jeong-hyeon this way, but instead, they'd dumped problematic inventory on him.
After a moment's thought, Geun-hwa proposed.
"Would you like to browse the warehouse more?"
"Pardon? But..."
Surprised by the offer, Jeong-hyeon trailed off.
Having already chosen the promised reward, this implied extras beyond the Cursed Armor.
Great for him, but an unplanned expense for Vice Guild—he felt bad.
Geun-hwa smiled reassuringly.
"Aren't you our guild's benefactor, Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon? I wanted to give you something great, but handing over the Cursed Armor feels apologetic. Technically, it's dead stock on our end."
'I like it just fine.'
Dead stock to them, but to Jeong-hyeon, it was a treasure trove of gear they'd given freely.
After a brief ponder.
But really, no need to hesitate.
'Turning down a gift is ruder.'
Refusing more generosity would be impolite.
"Then, I'll gratefully take a look around."