Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The Second Wave
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have devoured the ‘Wolf Guarding the Grave’. Absorbing nutrients: Strength +3, Agility +5, Stamina +2. Before heading back to camp, he didn’t forget to use the Authority of Gluttony to fill Beelzebub’s belly.
“So you can absorb even more stats from boss monsters.”
The total stat increase this time was 10.
Compared to the 3 stats gained from devouring the first Brown Wolf, this was more than triple.
Now all his stats exceeded 10, and Agility had even reached 20.
Compared to his initial pathetic stats, this was quite respectable for a player.
⚙ CONSTELLATION MESSAGE ⚙ Constellation ‘Hungry Prince’ says this much meat is just right for a satisfying chew and expresses satisfaction. With Beelzebub seemingly satisfied as well, it had been a thoroughly rewarding first outing.
‘Let’s check the items before we get back.’
The sword pulled from the grave and the hide from hunting the Gray Wolf.
He’d thought the hide was just crafting material, but surprisingly, it was equipment he could equip right away.
⚔ ITEM ⚔ Forgotten Hero's Sword Type: Longsword | Grade: D- A sword made in honor of a hero long forgotten and vanished into the mists of time. It’s worn and rusted from the ravages of age.
Abilities: 1. Rust Poison – Slows the healing of wounds inflicted by the sword. 2. Hero's Trace – Attack power against monsters increases by 10%. ⚔ ITEM ⚔ Gray Wolf's Hide Type: Cloak | Grade: D- The hide of the Gray Wolf that ruled over the Brown Wolves in the wolf forest. It still carries the dignity it held in life.
Abilities: 1. Intimidation – Grants charisma to allies and fear to enemies as a leader's prerogative. 2. Wind's Blessing – Movement speed increases by 5%. No wonder.
He’d thought the blade was surprisingly sharp despite the rust, but that must have been thanks to the attack power boost.
Normally, worn and rusted weapons would have weakened abilities, but this sword even had a positive effect like ‘Rust Poison’.
The Gray Wolf’s hide was the same.
The tough hide he’d felt while fighting it translated to decent defense, and the attached abilities were quite appealing.
Above all...
“Even in this state without proper maintenance, they’re this good.”
The rust on the sword could be cleaned off, and the dulled edge sharpened with a whetstone. The Gray Wolf’s hide would become even more usable after tanning.
Once done, both would rise to at least D+ grade.
Considering most items available in the early Tutorial were F-grade junk, this was an enormous haul from the start.
⚙ CONSTELLATION MESSAGE ⚙ Constellation ‘Raven with Bowed Head’ looks down at your sword and sends an indifferent glance, saying it’s not complete trash. Raven with Bowed Head.
Aside from when he first used the vault, it had barely reacted, but true to the Greed Demon God, it showed interest the moment Se-woon checked his items.
Holding the sword in hand and loosely draping the cloak over his shoulders, just as he was about to exit the forest, a new message appeared.
📜 TUTORIAL EVENT 📜 Tutorial First Act – Adaptation
- The second wave begins.
- Repel the monster wave and prove your existence.
As expected, the wave started before Se-woon arrived.
He recalled his promise with Yoo Seo-ah to return before the wave, but he didn’t pay it much mind.
On the contrary, it was a good chance to gauge people’s reactions.
What Se-woon wanted was to bring along those with resolve. He had no intention of dragging dead weight that did nothing but cause trouble.
Rustle.
As Se-woon crouched and parted the final bush...
“Kyaaak!”
“Damn it, wolves and now boars?!”
“Boars are this strong? Khek!”
“Hah, we can do it! Block them quick!”
⚙ CONSTELLATION MESSAGE ⚙ Constellation ‘Hungry Prince’ drools profusely while watching the scene before him, even as it chews on meat. Dozens of people were locked in a desperate struggle against boars.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Block them! I said block!”
“Squeeeal!”
It was just like the first wave.
The moment the system countdown hit zero, monsters appeared as if they’d been waiting.
The differences were that the enemies were boars instead of wolves and came from the hill side instead of the forest.
And their tactics were completely different from the first wave’s wolves.
While the wolves had spread out to encircle and slowly tighten the noose, the boars charged straight at the people with their blunt tusks right from the start.
Thud!
“Khek!”
“Damn, what power!”
How often did modern people ever face a boar head-on?
The power of this ‘beast’ far exceeded their expectations.
Blocking a charge was impossible from the outset, and even dodging left them vulnerable as the boars twisted their direction with surprising speed unworthy of pigs.
‘If I didn’t have this, I’d be helpless too!’
Cold sweat dripped from Yoo Seo-ah’s forehead as she gripped the thick stick from the forest.
Discussions with the group? They’d seemed promising at first, but a few people turned it into chaos—those hiding in the back while shoving the weak forward.
“Block them! Don’t dodge, block!”
“Do something! Didn’t you say you work for my company? Fight properly if you don’t want to get fired!”
Especially the middle-aged man in a disheveled suit with half-bald head.
“I’ll reward you handsomely when we get back! Know who I am? I’m the president of Taun Enterprises! Ruining one person’s life is nothing to me...”
He skillfully wielded carrot and stick to manipulate those with weak resolve.
The frail bowed their heads, and those worried about life back on Earth did the same.
She wanted to rush over and stop his tyranny, but Yoo Seo-ah had no spare moment.
“Kuh!”
A boar’s tusk grazed her thigh.
She’d thought she dodged, but it snagged her pants, ripping them and carving a long gash inside.
She swung the wooden stick, but landing a solid hit was difficult.
Helping others required strength first.
Why was this?
In this dire moment, one man’s face came to mind.
The man who dismissed discussions as pointless and headed into the forest. The one who hadn’t returned despite the wave starting—bitten by wolves in there, perhaps.
His parting words echoed like a refrain.
‘Like this...’
As grim thoughts invaded her mind, she slapped both cheeks hard.
Shaking her head to refocus, she gripped the wooden stick and faced the boar again.
“Squeeeal!”
Then, another boar’s roar came from behind.
In her panic over where to aim...
Slash!
“...You?”
Se-woon appeared atop the boar’s corpse, its neck severed and head rolling across the ground.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ‘They’re fighting better than I thought.’
That was my impression watching the people battle the boars.
Not their combat prowess, of course.
Resolve.
A few still hadn’t shaken off their fear, but many were giving their all to hold back the boars.
Especially...
‘Kang Han-cheol and Yoo Seo-ah.’
The two stood out.
Kang Han-cheol used his massive build and brute strength to wrestle the boars, while Yoo Seo-ah leveraged her quick movements and weapon to fend them off.
The number of boars felled by their hands had already surpassed four.
To achieve that without proper gear—truly high potential.
‘Time for me to step in.’
Taat!
Se-woon sprang up.
He dashed behind Yoo Seo-ah, who was frozen between two boars, her strength or focus waning.
Slash!
Hamel Family Longsword Technique.
His power wasn’t yet enough to cleave a neck clean through, but slicing the unprotected nape was plenty.
The boar, struck in its vitals, couldn’t overcome its momentum and tumbled across the ground.
Still, the recoil left his wrist tingling unavoidably.
“...You?”
Yoo Seo-ah’s eyes widened as she spoke, but the boars, witnessing their comrade’s death, stomped furiously with heightened rage.
“Those guys first.”
⚙ TREASURE VAULT ⚙ You have opened the Treasure Vault of Greed. [High Orc's Tendon] - The tendon of the High Orc race, innately strong and fierce, brimming with their characteristic tenacious vitality.
Grip!
Strength properly filled his sword hand.
The leather-wrapped hilt twisted and clung perfectly to his palm.
Mammon’s vault couldn’t boost stats directly, but supplementing the body like this was no issue.
Of course, only if his body could handle it.
“Squeeeal!”
Using the unique footwork of Ten Paths Subduing Legs, he lightly evaded the boar’s attack and thrust his sword into its flank.
He vividly felt its thick muscles writhing desperately against his hand.
As if refusing to let go, the muscles clamped down on the blade.
But...
Crunch!
“Squeak!”
Thanks to the ‘High Orc’s Tendon’ just used? No—his power felt stronger than usual as he twisted the sword, rupturing the muscles gripping it.
‘Not stronger, exactly. Easier to control.’
Human muscles limit output to prevent self-destruction.
Adding the excellent High Orc tendon boosted that output.
Pulling the sword free, blood gushed from the hole in the boar’s side.
Stab—slash!
Crash!
The boars rampaging like they owned the place began falling one by one, rapidly cleared.
The people, cowed by the beasts’ momentum, gained spirit from Se-woon’s appearance.
In the midst of it, as Se-woon focused on the fight, a hand tapped his shoulder.
Smack!
“W-Wait a sec!”
He reflexively swung his sword, stopping just before it reached the man’s neck upon realizing it wasn’t a boar.
A middle-aged man with half-bald head, wiping sweat from his brow with a damp handkerchief.
Se-woon’s expression soured involuntarily.
“You fight damn well! On a whole other level from those useless ones!”
Sweat soaked through from the hand on his shoulder.
Se-woon scowled harder, but the man pressed on regardless.
“How about being my personal bodyguard? I’m the president of Taun Enterprises! You’ve heard of it, right?”
No way he’d remember.
His body had just entered the tower, but Se-woon’s mind was a veteran who’d rolled through it countless times.
Memories of Earth were mostly faded relics. Even otherwise, who memorized every company name?
“If we get back, I’ll reward you generously! What do you want?”
No answer came to the barrage of questions.
Meanwhile, new boars swarmed, drawn by the blood of their kin on Se-woon’s blade.
Sensing danger, the man spoke faster.
“Ah, if you want, I’ll make you a manager at my company! Better pay than most conglomerates!”
Did he know?
Conglomerates, managers—meaningless inside the tower.
It was one-way only. Having entered the Tutorial, returning to Earth was impossible.
Finally, Se-woon who’d been listening opened his mouth.
“Perfect.”
“Haha! Knew it! Wise choice! Just protect me right, and I’ll set you for life...”
“I was just needing a decent meat shield.”
“Yeah, meat shiel—what? What did you just...”
Thud.
Se-woon lightly kicked the man’s gut.
No need for a proper kick technique; a slight push sent the man toppling backward, unable to handle his own weight.
“You’ve got the bulk, so handle four.”
“Wh-What?!”
“Squeeeal!”
As if understanding Se-woon’s words, four boars gathered around the man.
He scrambled to flee in panic, but his thick belly kept him from rising quickly.
⚙ CONSTELLATION MESSAGE ⚙ Constellation ‘Raven with Bowed Head’ grasps your disposition and smirks. Constellation ‘Hungry Prince’ whines to discard the tasteless one and bring tasty meat quickly. The man screamed, but no one came to save him.