Boss Monster Hunt (2)
"Isn't it too early, no matter how you look at it?"
Yuna frowned as she responded to Bae Han-seong's words. Even if this newly appeared boss monster was just a low-level one, it would still be tough for Yeong-sik's party—who were only level 7—to take it down.
"It's the best spot for leveling up right now anyway, since it's the lizardmen habitat. We can hunt while aiming for the boss monster—it might be worth a shot."
"Hmm. How strong is a boss monster, exactly?"
Yeong-sik, who had never seen one before, tilted his head curiously.
Bae Han-seong stroked his chin and replied.
"It depends on the case. High-level boss monsters sometimes require raids of a hundred people or more. But for a low-level one... usually a five-man party can handle it."
"Hm. We still seem short on both numbers and levels to take it on."
"Yes. But that's just a matter of experience. A low-level boss in the lizardmen habitat? I could solo it myself. So no need to worry about the party wiping out midway."
Bae Han-seong spoke in a calm, steady voice.
Yeong-sik nodded, finding logic in his words, and continued.
"But in that case, contribution points would be an issue—we wouldn't get much out of it, right?"
"No. That's true for regular monsters, but boss monsters give a ton of experience, so that's worthwhile on its own. And more importantly, they have a high chance of dropping rare items."
Yeong-sik's eyes lit up at the mention of items. His party was currently equipped with cheap gear bought from the shop. The allure of rare items was irresistible.
"They drop a good amount of gold too, which would help our guild's dire finances."
"..."
The Salvatore Guild members' faces darkened at his blunt statement. It was a clear sign of how strapped for cash they were.
"Oh, right. The guild master probably hasn't explained this, but generally, you have to pay 20% of your total hunting profits toward guild management."
"Ah, Han-seong, we said we'd leave that to the members' discretion..."
"Guild master. Are you saying that knowing our guild's current balance? We're barely scraping together potion costs, let alone funding rare items."
"W-well, that's true, but..."
Bae Han-seong adjusted his round glasses and spoke in a low voice.
Tiriya bowed her head, her expression crestfallen at his words.
"So I must ask for your understanding on this point."
Bae Han-seong turned to Yeong-sik as he said it. Yeong-sik's party could only muster awkward smiles under the subtle pressure radiating from him.
"Does the guild cover potions?"
"Yes. Not just potions—we handle travel expenses, mid-hunt meals, and all minor consumables at the guild level."
"If that's the case, I have no complaints about paying 20%."
Anything else aside, covering potion costs was huge. Even the lowest-grade potions cost 50 silver each. Plus, staying at the guild meant no lodging or food expenses, so they'd save even more than before.
"I don't quite get it, though. Can't high-level hunters make a fortune from hunting?"
Seo A-ra, who had been quietly listening to Yeong-sik and Bae Han-seong's conversation, asked with a puzzled look.
Bae Han-seong shook his head in response.
"Of course, but high-level monster hunts come with proportionally high consumable costs. There's guild buff maintenance, and sometimes we have to buy rare items for the guild. Saving money isn't easy."
"Then why not hunt low-level monsters to farm gold?"
Lizardmen alone dropped 10 silver. It wasn't a fortune, but a high-level summoner doing mass hunts could rake in astronomical sums.
Bae Han-seong gave a wry smile at her question.
"Once the level gap between monsters and summoners grows, they give no experience—or gold. Boss monsters are the exception."
"Ah..."
Yeong-sik and A-ra nodded in understanding. Now they knew why no high-level summoners were farming low-level zones.
"If it's not too rude, could you tell me your class and level, Han-seong?"
Yeong-sik eyed Han-seong, who seemed quite confident about taking down the boss.
Han-seong pushed up his glasses and answered.
"Priest class, level 86. Even as a non-combat job, it's more than enough for a lizardmen habitat boss."
"That's reassuring."
Yeong-sik smiled in satisfaction and clinked glasses with him. He didn't know exactly how powerful level 86 was in this world, but given the average summoner level was around 30, it was no small feat.
"When do we head out for the hunt? Boss monsters draw a crowd."
"True. Lately, boss monsters haven't been spawning much for some reason."
Han-seong nodded in agreement. Bosses used to lead packs of regular monsters down from the north to raid humans frequently, but in the last month or two, their appearances had plummeted.
"What do you think, Yeong-sik? When's good?"
"I'm fine leaving tomorrow."
Yeong-sik replied without hesitation. Every day counted toward his goals.
"Perfect. Let's depart tomorrow, then."
Han-seong nodded with a gentle smile.
"Alright, enough heavy talk. This is a celebration today."
Tiriya clapped her hands with her signature warm smile. Han-seong quietly resumed eating at her words.
Yeong-sik continued his meal while gauging the guild's overall vibe. Was it the guild master's gentle nature? There was no tension or awkwardness among the members—just a warm, familial atmosphere, exactly as she'd described.
He tilted his glass. The dry wine's bitterness spread across his tongue.
Kim Gil-su, sitting beside him, turned and asked.
"Something wrong?"
Yeong-sik shook his head.
"Nothing at all."
He gave a faint smile. He didn't mind the guild's soft atmosphere at all.
* * *
The next day, Yeong-sik's party gathered in front of the guild building, ready to head straight to the lizardmen habitat. Bae Han-seong stepped out in his loose-fitting robe.
"Consumables are in my inventory for now. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Got it."
As levels rose, inventory space naturally expanded. Yeong-sik's was still backpack-sized, so it made sense to store extras in Han-seong's.
"Well... given my class, you probably won't need them much anyway."
"Fair enough."
Yeong-sik chuckled and nodded. As a priest, Han-seong had buffs and heals. Unless it was a mortal wound requiring simultaneous skills and potions, most injuries could be handled through him.
"Oh, and I won't heal mid-combat. It tanks contribution."
"Understood. Appreciate it."
Yeong-sik nodded and set off toward the lizardmen habitat. A-ra sidled up and whispered.
"You okay with this?"
"Huh? With what?"
Yeong-sik tilted his head at her. A-ra glanced at his right arm.
"Your body. You haven't told the guild members."
"Oh... yeah."
He nodded, finally catching her meaning. True enough, the guild didn't know his body was mechanical, not flesh and blood.
"I'll hold off on using the right arm for now."
"Planning to tell them eventually?"
"Probably. Can't hide it forever."
Without skills, Yeong-sik could fight on par with A-ra and Gil-su thanks to weapons from unlocking security levels. As a Machine Engineer production class, combat opportunities would be scarce without them.
"...Okay."
A-ra replied with a hint of disappointment. Yeong-sik tilted his head again.
"What? Something up?"
"No, nothing."
She dodged and stepped back. Yeong-sik didn't press the pensive A-ra further.
"Hmm. A shield, huh. Feels a bit awkward handling it for the first time."
Before heading out, Gil-su eyed his new shield with uncertainty at Yeong-sik's advice. He'd never used one before, so it felt unfamiliar.
"You'll get used to it soon enough."
Yeong-sik said as he stepped forward. Bae Han-seong, watching them, spoke up.
"Choose your early weapons carefully. Skills are granted based on them."
"Got it. I'll test it today and decide."
Gil-su gripped the shield firmly.
Yeong-sik's party arrived at the lizardmen habitat. The swamp's thick humidity pressed down like a suffocating weight. A-ra already frowned, struggling to bear it.
Moving in such muggy air beaded sweat instantly—it was no place for humans.
"Ugh..."
A-ra swallowed a groan and glanced at Yeong-sik. If he could use a mini fan, she could mix it with her magic for cool breezes—but not in front of Han-seong.
"Everyone, use these."
Then Bae Han-seong pulled sky-blue potions from his inventory and handed them out. Yeong-sik took one and asked.
"What're these?"
"They keep your body temperature comfortable. Cuts the discomfort way down. Essential for hunting in stamina-draining environments like this."
"Oh?"
Gil-su and A-ra's eyes sparkled as they snatched and downed theirs. The oppressive humidity vanished cleanly.
"Ahh..."
Yeong-sik wasn't bothered much by the moisture, but to avoid raising Han-seong's suspicions about his body, he drank it too. A refreshing coolness spread through him.
"How much per bottle?"
"Not too bad. Around 30 silver?"
"Whoa..."
Not insanely expensive, but no bargain either. Bae Han-seong smiled at Yeong-sik.
"You're all fast growers who'll become the guild's sturdy... ahem, pillars. This investment's worth it."
Yeong-sik shut his mouth tight, sensing the treasurer's ulterior motives.
'Win-win is the best, anyway.'
Such mutually beneficial ties were ideal. With that thought, Yeong-sik pressed into the swamp.
"Kieeeek!"
They hadn't gone far when a monster's roar echoed, and a pack of lizardmen appeared. Shield raised, Gil-su stepped forward.
'Four of them.'
Yeong-sik breathed deep, eyeing the lizardmen. They glared with feral eyes, curved swords at the ready.
"Blade."
Clank!
A sharp blade sprang from the back of Yeong-sik's left hand.