Where Should I Invest?

The shop bestowed upon me by my gracious nanny was worth 35 points. That's a whopping 5 stat points per point, for a total of 175 points to invest wherever I wanted.

It's insane. 175 points. Unless I decked myself out head to toe in top-tier items, this kind of boost was impossible.

How should I distribute them...?

'Start with the basics like strength? No, intelligence is my lowest right now, so maybe that first? Higher intelligence improves mana efficiency too...'

Ah, screw it. It was a happy dilemma, but too many options were giving me decision paralysis.

What would Mom have chosen?

...Ah, got it. No plans to spoil me rotten, huh? I totally get your desire to foster your son's independence, Mom.

Dodging but still giving hints. Moms are impossible to figure out sometimes.

'A stat that fits my position...'

Dungeon roles vary wildly. Like the classic RPG trio of dps, tank, healer—it's about 90% the same.

A dealer would pump strength, agility, stamina. A supporter reliant on buffs would prioritize intelligence.

So what's my role?

'...I've only ever been a porter or miner, so who knows.'

A perennial F-rank barely stronger than a civilian doesn't have a "role." Porter and miner? Those are jobs anyone with working limbs can do.

Sigh. Shaking off the bitterness with a deep breath, I swept back my bangs.

Decision made. What to raise.

'You know, just spreading it evenly might be best.'

In my first timeline, I had no role. Porter? Miner? Those weren't roles—they were slavery.

But now? Different story.

'I can do anything.'

I've got Blood Can't Lie, Mom's talent distilled into a skill that maxes proficiency with every weapon and skill type. In other words?

All-rounder!

No need to fuss over a specific role from the start. Dealer, tank, supporter—I'll excel in any.

'Wasted all that worrying.'

With a clear head, I hit distribute without hesitation.

The result?

I started with 5 shop points (25 stat points) in each. That left 15 points, so I added 5 more each to strength, agility, and intelligence.

Skipped vitality for intelligence? Simple reason.

'Everyone knows intelligence is a pain to raise.'

For some reason, intelligence has fewer growth methods than other stats. Vitality's the easiest to boost with skills and items, though.

So intelligence took priority over vitality.

'...This is no joke.'

Average total stats over 65. My final average in the first timeline? No stat even hit 200, I think.

'...My God. Better results than three years in just two days post-regression...'

What the hell is this speed? Past excitement, now it's borderline terrifying.

Don't hit me with facts like domestic abuse!

If someone asked what the Black Lion meant to me, I'd say: love-hate.

...If I had to quantify, more hate than love?

Looking back, the suffering outweighs the good memories, but they're not entirely absent.

'Thanks to Heo Jin-hwan.'

In my miserable first timeline, he was one of the few who supported and backed the worthless me to the end.

'Top priority connection to make post-regression.'

Without him, I wouldn't have lasted in Black Lion.

...That's the "love" part. Who's handling the "hate"?

"Oh! Nice to meet you, nice to meet you! You're the guy who got B-rank start, right? I'm the rep here, Park Cheon-su!"

Hahaha. Seeing this bastard's face in my flower-path second timeline was already giving me a headache.

Black Lion office. I shook the hand of the man offering one with a smile dripping false charm, forcing my own grin.

"First time meeting. I'm Hwang Jae-min, the new Black Lion recruit."

"Whoa, just like the rumors! The aura's already something else. Word's spreading fast about our promising rookie after so long."

"You're too kind. I'm just grateful."

Smiling in front of this guy required every facial muscle I had.

Park Cheon-su. As he said, Black Lion's founder—and in my book, a monumental piece of trash.

'Honestly, worse than monsters.'

Why? No long explanation needed. Just a few quotes from his abuse in timeline one:

- ...Son of the S-rank couple? You? With that skill?

- Wow, the legendary duo birthed trash.

- Hey, just invest your dead parents' inheritance in our guild. That's your only use.

See? The king of corpse-punching insults. That inheritance line was so memorable it burned into my brain verbatim.

Who'd imagine a few minutes late on a clear got you that?

Mom heard the gist on the way and couldn't contain her fury.

...Did I upset her by telling her?

As I swallowed my bitterness, Park Cheon-su slapped Heo Jin-hwan's back, bursting into laughter.

"Man, our Jin-hwan really pulled through! Bringing in a big shot like this! Thought he was all talk, but not totally useless, huh?"

"...Y-You're too kind, sir."

Heo Jin-hwan glanced nervously at Park Cheon-su, giving an awkward smile. Faint frown, sigh in his voice—forced as hell.

'If he hadn't brought me, it'd be a curse-fest. Obvious.'

I'd rather believe I'm overthinking, but I've seen it.

- What the hell are you good at, Heo Jin-hwan? Anything? Ashamed at your age?

- Can't even recruit one newbie? What, got no skills at all?

- Can you at least breathe? Looks like you don't deserve to.

Every failed recruit Park targeted meant humiliation for Heo Jin-hwan.

Why poor results? Incompetence? Then I'd get Park's side a hair.

'At least give decent budget to compete, then curse.'

Skill varies, but no industry-standard funds? Just "bring players"? Bullshit.

Obviously, tiny budget again, ordered to snag me. Fail? Crushed in front of everyone.

Crystal clear. That miserly bastard.

'He eventually paid breach fees and bolted, but...'

After, Heo Jin-hwan despaired and...

The more I chew, the more my fists shake. Can't just punch like a maniac, though. Patience.

Heo Jin-hwan and I sat across from Park Cheon-su at a desk with the contract.

"Let's stamp the contract first? Tea? Coffee? Green?"

"I'm good. Stomach's queasy."

"Aw. Need antacids? Welcome party's later."

Yeah, thanks to you. Kept that inside, smiled mildly. Pretended to scrutinize the contract—trap-filled despite fine print.

What caught my eye?

"This 'entry test'..."

"Hm? Oh, newbies team with vets to clear a dungeon? Ignore it! You're scouted direct, exception—"

"No. I'll do the test."

"...What?"

I said firmly.

"Contract says so. Exceptions for me? Feels unfair."

"Scouts get exceptions, why bother...?"

"Want to show you my skills properly. Too much to ask?"

"...Not too much."

Just baffling. Volunteering for hassle.

Fine for him either way. He nodded without suspicion.

"No reason not to. Okay! I'll watch our rookie's skills up close too!"

"You're joining the dungeon?"

"Of course! Always in entry tests! Can't deny a diligent rep."

Diligent my ass. Spouting nonsense. Dumps on others usually—I know.

But perfect. Glad for the hypocrisy now. Didn't expect him to butt in first.

First time liking Park Cheon-su.

There's a saying: Fix machines, not people.

Whoever said it...

"Goddamn idiots. Worse than new drivers? No shame? Fuck, can't even watch."

Eternal truth.

Thirty minutes in the dungeon, Park Cheon-su cursing the team. Our ad-hoc party—me, him, three others—in a cave dungeon. Pitch black inside. Lantern-dependent or lose bearings fast.

Plus,

"Ventratas!"

"Where?! Where!"

"Upper left! No, right... Gah!"

Dark corners hid grotesque plants firing venom from puffball stems. Otherworldly flora mimicking chameleons—camouflage, then ambush spray.

'More monster than plant.'

Camouflage makes them tricky for low-sense players.

But...

'They're handling okay?'

Flustered, but holding roles, hunting steadily. Not great, but decent.

Of course,

"Tch. Flailing at weeds like morons. Brain-dead."

Not in Park Cheon-su's eyes.

"......"

First timeline, I joined Black Lion way later. Maybe this era's Park was kinder?

"Hey, that guy's hurt? Oi, potion him. No, don't. Not fatal. Let him handle. Don't waste items."

"B-But sir, if no first aid, it'll delay the clear...!"

"In a yellow dungeon, you're the one needing urgent care."

Nope. Trash eternal. Even harsher curses? Imagination?

Mom's too kind. At least calls him a beast.

"Pardon."

I drew the dagger from the sub-beast's belt.

And—

Shwick!

Threw at a Ventrata poised to spray from ceiling shadows. Crunch—silence.

Others handled by Black Lions. No more for me.

Might help later, so casually:

"Ventratas react to mana. Better suppress aura against them."

"Exactly!"

Praise from Park Cheon-su. Why him.

"Rumors true! Vet-level moves and knowledge! Beyond expectations!"

"......"

"But..."

His beaming eyes chilled.

Predictable. Cold gaze on injured guy and his checker.

"Can't even look up in shame before Jae-min. Leading these fools as rep—my fate's rough."

「.......」

"No effort? Jae-min might quit in disappointment. Your fault?"

Acting stern leader, but ultimate boomer to me.

Logically, abusing subs makes me wanna quit—no thought?

Mom, legendary player—sharp eyes from experience. Nailed his essence quick. 200/100, Mom!

We treated the wound, pressed on. Even during antidote from bags and first aid, Park's boomer-ing didn't stop.

Shoulder necrosis yellowing? Finally, reluctant tongue-click, permission.

Simple pour—delayed extra from him. Wound worsened.

"This once, for Jae-min's face. Next time, no. Poison, limbs gone—left behind."

No self-awareness, obviously. Lunatics? No common sense.

Funeral vibe as we proceeded.

"Hm?"

Sudden massive wall. Not dead end—left straight path.

But no one ignored the wall.

"Unnaturally flat. Mana vibe too... Smells fishy?"

Park smirked, nodded at member: touch it.

"......"

Reluctant steps, cautious stroke.

Slide...

Wall vanished like never there.

Revealed?

"Whoa!"

Huge cavern packed with emerald ores! No one knew exact name, but...

"J-Jackpot..."

All knew the value. Not all dungeon minerals priceless, but mana-flowing ones?

'Different league.'

Yellow dungeon haul like lottery win.

Park's eyes gleamed greed.

"Move, idiots! Prep to mine!"

Lost reason, now openly slaving members. Rushed gear out, entered cavern.

"Least miner ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dies by my hand."

Shing—his dagger gleamed murderous.

Sensing it, pale members swung picks madly.

Full true colors now. Total psycho.

'Just crack his skull now...'

As violence twitched in my hand, debating release—

Splurt!

Something burst from cavern floor.

Stiff brown fur, red glaring eyes, blade claws. 8m shoulder height mole.

Roar unlike mole, glared stunned members.

Encyclopedia memory: Giant Mole. Tunnels ore-rich spots, ambushes prey.

'No wonder it felt too good...'

Way beyond yellow difficulty.

"A-Argh!"

"S-Save...!"

Miners ditched gear, bolted entrance. Wise—their power? Scratches at best.

But,

"Same here."

Gauged Giant Mole's momentum, calculated mentally.

Pandora's Box. Encyclopedia strats. Nanny-boosted stats. Mom's guarantee.

'Good. Math checks out.'

Winnable. Tough, but.

Turned to fleeing members, stepped into cavern.

"Whoa."

BOOM!

Park hurled fireball at ceiling, blocking entrance.

...?

Rumble!

Rocks poured.

"Gasp?!"

"R-Rep! What...!"

Screams cut by rock wall.

I stood speechless before collapsed entrance.

Wait, what just happened...?

"What is this?"

Couldn't not ask.

Park casually:

"Giant Moles sleep long when full."

"So?"

"So fed it."

"......"

"We wait, it sleeps, mine quick. Whew... You and me mining all? Sweat fest. Haha!"

Wow...

"Trash I was gonna breach-fee out anyway. Honorable dungeon death's mercy."

Proudly patted wall, turned to me.

"Anyway! While waiting, let's eat—"

Next instant, my palm cracked his skull.

Thwack-!