Chapter 75

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Translator: MJK

Chapter: 75

Chapter Title: [Survival Skill] No Cooldown

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In the hunter world, I could say I was the only one using Internal Energy.

But according to the long-standing wisdom of wuxia novels, the root of all martial arts lay in China, the Central Plains.

There might still be qigong techniques or heart methods, unknown to the world, slumbering there.

And Xiao Lin's family was one of China's most renowned historic martial clans.

Rumors abounded that she could wield a greatsword as tall as herself like a feather because of secret techniques handed down as family heirlooms.

'If it's their library...'

There had to be mountains of obscure ancient tomes stacked up, secrets no one else could recognize.

Even deciphering a single one would be an enormous windfall.

"Please, take this first."

Xiao Lin held out a box filled with feed, her eyes pleading. I accepted the hefty offering.

It was an item infused with her desperation and heartfelt desire to save her friend.

I couldn't take it lightly.

"For now, I need to see Hunter Liu's condition myself."

Xiao Lin's face lit up at my words.

"Really?"

"Yes. It'd be best to check her status first and then discuss. Giving a firm answer beforehand wouldn't be right order."

My crops did have extraordinary effects, but they didn't come with clear-cut guarantees like curing specific illnesses.

Of course, since they'd healed Hunter Yu Jin-hyuk's curse, the potential was there.

"I'm tied up right now, but once things settle, I'll be in touch."

"Thank you... Thank you so much!"

Xiao Lin bowed her head repeatedly.

Then, after a moment's hesitation, she cautiously spoke up.

"If it's not too much trouble... could you come to our house? Liu's staying with us right now. She was in an S-rank hunter recovery center, but she basically got kicked out when her contract expired."

It seemed all the treatment costs there were coming out of Xiao Lin's pocket.

Her efforts to somehow cure her were translating into staggering expenses.

"One thing I'm curious about, though."

"Yes."

"You brought out a family heirloom like this... did your family approve?"

My question was a bit of a probe.

I wanted to know how deeply her family was involved and what their stance was.

Xiao Lin caught on, giving a wry smile as she answered.

"My father... he used to be one of the elders in the Chinese Hunter Association."

The Xiao family had been a military lineage safeguarding China's security for generations.

After the Tower appeared, they'd been one of the most venerable hunter families to dedicate themselves to the nation first.

"But three years ago, after the Liu incident, he stepped down from all positions and retired. He was disillusioned by China's ruthlessness. My mother felt the same."

According to Xiao Lin, China hadn't just punished Liu—they'd held her accountable too for defying orders.

"Being thrown to the front lines of a dangerous mission like the Okinawa Great Rift was their way of punishing us."

'Well, if she were truly indispensable, they'd have sent one of their many other S-rank hunters instead.'

The Xiao family had fallen into deep doubt over that fact.

"We sacrificed countless benefits for China out of loyalty, only to be betrayed. My parents were deeply disappointed."

"Can't blame them."

"To our family now, you're our only hope, Gorani-man. The entire Xiao clan supports you."

Xiao Lin continued in a resolute tone.

"To be honest, the Xiao family has no more lingering attachment to China."

"So... are you thinking of leaving?"

"Depending on the circumstances."

The power and influence of the Xiao family could rival a mid-sized nation.

If they wanted, any country in the world would welcome them with open arms.

"Everything we've offered the nation under the banner of patriotism... we're ready to reclaim it all at any time."

"And if Hunter Liu recovers?"

"Of course she'd come with us."

Two S-rank hunters.

China's top-tier powerhouse and the healer with the greatest potential, both changing nationalities at once...

It would be an event with the impact of an entire nation's military force relocating.

"So please, if it's not an inconvenience, come to our home and examine Liu. Whatever you need, my family and I will procure it, no matter what."

I looked into Xiao Lin's eyes.

They held unwavering trust and determination, without a trace of deceit.

The energy emanating from her was pure and solid, unfeigned.

"Got it. Let's do that."

"Really... Thank you so much! I'll arrange transportation. Use it whenever you need."

With that, we wrapped up and I stood.

From a pure transaction standpoint, it wasn't a bad deal based on our talk today.

'But more than that...'

I couldn't help but empathize with Xiao Lin's feelings.

The desperation of staking everything to save a loved one.

And even Yu Jin-hyuk, suffering the same curse but too proud to ask directly—I wanted to extend a hand to that sentiment too.

The afternoon scenery at my peaceful countryside home was as serene as ever.

Muryong and Hasuo were frolicking in the yard.

Seeing the sparkling magic stones around their necks reminded me of the ones I'd gotten from Gorani recently.

'The black market guy said those items eat a ton of magic stones, right?'

I opened a sack of magic stones piled in a neglected corner of the yard, gathering dust since no one paid it any mind.

Swoosh—

Fist-sized magic stones spilled out like a mountain.

'This should be plenty.'

If I ran low, I could always raid the Tower.

"Ppoeng?"

-Hmeow!

Muryong and Hasuo were playing tag in the yard.

Hasuo toddled away on his short root legs, and Muryong rolled after him—it was a healing sight just to watch.

"Come here. Let's swap 'em for new ones."

I removed the magic stones from both and compared them.

'As expected.'

My hunch from inspecting Gorani's magic stone held true.

Magic stones absorbed their owner's energy, altering their properties.

Hasuo's glowed with a clear, warm aura of life.

Muryong's, meanwhile, had deepened beyond its original dark red into something thicker, more viscous.

"I'll take these."

I pocketed the two stones and fitted new ones on them.

Then I opened a dimensional gate to the Seoul building.

Creeeak—

The space was still empty.

So-ye's enrollment was coming up soon, so I needed to tidy things beforehand.

I unpacked the black market items on the fourth floor.

"Statues are set."

The [Sleeping Lion Statues] had absorbed Gorani's power and evolved into [Loyal Watchman Gorani Statues].

I placed the pair flanking the elevator doors leading to the fourth floor.

"Next."

[Guardian's Last Tear]

A hero-grade one-time defense artifact, the core of a golem that died protecting its master.

I took out Hasuo's magic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stone and slotted it into the groove at the core's center.

Shiiiine—

"Not one-use anymore, huh?"

Thanks to Hasuo's energy, it was vastly improved.

I installed it at the entrance to the stairs leading to the fifth floor.

Finally, the weathered parchment scroll.

[Magic Circle: Ancient Elf's Forest of Bewitchment]

The priciest item I'd bought.

I unrolled it over the blueprints covering the space from the fourth floor to the fifth and rooftop.

Then placed Muryong's primordial-energy-infused magic stone at the magic circle's center.

Rumble—

The circle blazed to life.

Shiiiiine...

Forest-like light patterns rose from the parchment, like living vines crawling across floors, walls, and ceilings, blanketing the entire space in an instant.

Moments later, as the glow faded, the interior looked unchanged.

But I could feel it.

'The space's flow itself has shifted.'

Unauthorized intruders.

Or those with malice.

The moment they set foot here, they'd be trapped in horrifying nightmares forever.

"This should do it."

I smiled in satisfaction.

Just like that beast on the black market said, these artifacts devoured magic stones.

"Daily upkeep alone would run into the hundreds of millions."

Even a low-tier guild couldn't last a week before going bankrupt.

But with hundreds of magic stones I'd scraped from the Tower, it was no issue for me.

"Gotta keep 'em stocked."

I poured magic stones into the magic circle's power source and the statues' slots.

If safety's something money can buy, I'd pay any price.

Creating a secure space for So-ye was top priority.

Lately, the scenery on the mountain behind Kang-hyun's house had become quite the spectacle.

The new family members—a chicken and an old raccoon dog—were training diligently every day.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

The chicken could now use its once-broken wings perfectly.

No, better than perfect.

Who said chickens can't fly?

Not this one.

It glided short distances, twisted mid-air, and shattered branches with precise kicks.

Crack-crack-crack!

Leaves tore away with a resounding boom.

The movements mirrored the masters from wuxia tales.

The chicken's new skill: [Lightfoot Technique].

And beside it.

"Grrawr!"

The old raccoon dog swung its weathered claws.

Thanks to spirit herbs like [Blazing Sweet Potato] and others from Kang-hyun's house, it was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in its second prime.

Its scruffy fur now gleamed, and its sagging belly had hardened into muscle.

Who'd call this beast old?

Reignited passion had awakened its dormant ferocity.

Crunch!

Not just digging traps, but infusing claws with earth's energy to rip anything apart—an insane skill.

The raccoon dog's new technique: [Earth Rend]!

"Cluck!"

"Snuff!"

They encouraged each other, growing stronger day by day.

That's when it happened.

Slither...

The massive White Snake appeared over the fence.

It eyed the two sweat-drenched trainees with curiosity.

'Huh... first time seeing these two?'

Kang-hyun tensed for a moment.

Chicken and snake.

Raccoon dog and snake.

Either way, not natural buddies.

The chicken and White Snake had some rapport, but the raccoon dog?

'Heard raccoon dogs normally eat snakes...'

Though White Snake wasn't just any snake, so maybe different.

Kang-hyun watched awkwardly to see how it'd play out.

Then the raccoon dog stepped up.

"Groof!"

Without hesitation, the old raccoon dog approached White Snake and bowed politely.

It produced a soft moss clump from who-knows-where and began meticulously polishing the snake's massive scales.

Scrub, scrub—

A textbook example of social savvy.

Hiiiiss...

White Snake seemed quite pleased with the treatment.

It closed its eyes contentedly, tail tip flicking like a cat's.

"Well, damn."

I couldn't help but marvel at the absurd scene.

Survival skills from someone who's endured harsh years? On another level ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠entirely.