Chapter 70
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Double EXP Event
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“Okay. Let’s keep going.”
I moved along the right wall of the labyrinth. In maze-type dungeons like this, sticking to one wall was the traditional strategy.
Every now and then, Minos would appear, and I took them down as I went. After a while, the paths merged, and the corridor widened to twice its size.
“Moo!”
“Mu!”
On top of that, they came in pairs now. It seemed the monster numbers ramped up to match where hunting parties would merge.
‘If I’d come in with a raid party, this is where we’d link up with the others.’
But I was alone. I had to handle two Minos by myself. Naturally, that made the fights that much tougher.
‘That’s how it would be in a normal situation.’
But I had Illusion. As you know, Illusion grew stronger the more enemies there were.
If I used Illusion to make them fight each other, then struck during the openings, I could win easier than I’d think.
‘In other words, this is like a double EXP event. Perfect timing too—I was getting worried about my slow level-ups.’
I activated Illusion, pitting the two Minos against each other.
“Moo!”
“Moooo!!”
True to their macho nature, the Minos stood their ground and traded blows. They must’ve used Shockwave, because every hit exploded flesh and sprayed blood everywhere.
“Whoa! They might take each other out at this rate? Oh, wait—no, that won’t do. That’s my EXP!”
Worried the EXP might slip away, I jumped in fast.
Wooong—
A mini Shockwave, made with minimal mana, loaded onto my spear tip. Target: the Minos’ back, fully exposed while it fought its buddy.
Thud!
The spear plunged in from the back, piercing straight through the heart and ripping a massive hole in its chest.
“Moo?”
The other Minos tilted its head. It looked confused, seeing a sudden hole in the chest of the one it was fighting.
So I helped clear up the confusion.
‘Shockwave!’
I fired it off again before I could even pull my spear back. Same target: the hole in the Minos’ back.
Woooong—
The spear passed clean through the hole in its body. Then it skewered the chest of the dumbstruck one opposite.
Thud!!
“Moooo…….”
The pierced Minos wore an expression like it couldn’t comprehend what happened, then toppled backward. The other one, stabbed from behind, crumpled forward too.
Thump! Thump!
‘The EXP... yep, double as expected.’
Hunting them like this was even easier and safer than facing one at a time.
“Nice. Mana cost wasn’t bad either. I could pick up the pace a bit.”
I started moving down the wide corridor almost at a run. With my current mana, I could handle two more fights back-to-back, no problem.
“Moo!”
‘Illusion! Shockwave! Shockwave!’
I processed Minos along the way and trekked all day. At some point, my level ticked up again.
‘Double EXP event for the win! Feels like I just leveled up, and now another one already.’
[Cha In-hyeok. Lv 28. (2.4%)] [Mana 9/54]
[Strength 90, Agility 76, Vitality 90, Intelligence 75]
To tidy up my status window, I evened Strength and Vitality at 90, then dumped the leftover point into Agility.
“Phew. Getting a little tired. Hungry too. Time to rest soon.”
I pulled the Golden Key from my Inventory. I’d come prepared to camp just in case, but if possible, I wanted to head home.
‘Please open.’
Creeeak—
Luckily, the gate was still far off, so the portal opened. I let out a relieved sigh and stepped through.
“Phew. Made it home safe again today.”
I forced a weary smile as I stripped off my armor. It was caked in my blood, monster blood, and chunks of corpse.
If I left it like that, the armor would ruin, so despite my exhaustion, I wiped it down, tightened the straps, and oiled it up.
Once maintenance was done, it hit me: time for new armor.
Last time, I got gored by a horn, leaving two massive holes in the chest plate.
‘Orc leather’s reaching its limit now. After this hunt, I’ll get a new set made from Minos hide.’
I had plenty of materials. My Inventory was stuffed with Minos corpses—just hand them to the uncles and wait.
After a quick rinse, I flopped into bed and fiddled with my smartphone. No flood of messages... just three.
First was from Huh Min-ah.
[Oppa, I passed the entrance exam for Korea University’s Pharmacy! I wanna save people like you do. Hehe. Maybe one day you’ll use potions I make.]
“Whoa, Korea University Pharmacy? That’s huge! Min-ah must’ve studied her butt off.”
She said she’d be living in Seoul from March onward and we should meet up before then. We set a date.
“Won’t see her much once she’s in Seoul. Hmm. Once she’s in college, she’ll forget about a guy like me quick. Korea University’s full of the nation’s top elites.”
Even in this changed world, Korea University carried weight. Plus, they had Hunter University.
Hunter University offered more specialized, systematic training than the Academy—like the difference between boot camp and West Point.
And Korea University’s Hunter University was for the elite of elites: mostly kids of first-gen hunters or prestigious guild heirs.
“Tch. Leaves a bitter taste.”
Next message was from O Deok-hun.
[Hey there, In-hyeok-kun. As of today, Watashi has decided to become an outstanding employee at the figure shop. The boss lady recognized my vast knowledge and burning passion for figures.]
He wrote a novel about getting a part-time gig at the figure shop.
[I know, I know. When a hobby becomes work, the love fades. But a man lays down his life for the one who sees his worth. I’ll stake my life to protect the boss lady’s kawaii smile.]
What’s with staking your life on a part-time job?
[Watch me! I’ll be employee of the month soon, confess to her, and win! Kuoo! My heart’s pounding!!]
“This lunatic!”
I fired back quick.
[You psycho, what did that boss lady ever do to you? You’ll get arrested. Anyone else, it’s a confession. For us? Stalking.]
Us otakus lack self-awareness bad, so tough love was needed to snap him out of it.
[ㅗㅗ. I’ll become the visual novel protag yet! Don’t interfere!]
“Wrong. This guy’s not listening at all…….”
I pictured the figure shop boss. Mid-30s, radiant beauty with a bright vibe.
Super outgoing too—always chatting with me and Deok-hun. Total social butterfly.
“Nope. No way a woman like that falls for a gloomy otaku way younger.”
I sent silent apologies to the boss lady and read the last message.
[In-hyeok, call me as soon as you see this. Black Bears sent a cooperation request. They want high-level hunters from other guilds for the labyrinth raid.]
Song Hye-rin unnie.
“Black Bears requesting help? Sounds like the labyrinth’s tougher than they thought…….”
I got up from my seat. No time to lounge.
* * *
“Hmm. Should I tell him to go... or talk him out of it…….”
Song Hye-rin scratched her head furiously, staring at the cooperation request from Black Bears.
The terms were solid: split all loot from floors 1 and 2 by ratio, and optional boss hunt participation.
Minos loot alone was worth it, but the real prize was the EXP from pushing to the boss room.
She couldn’t even imagine how much EXP a boss drop would give—a mere 2-star hunter like her.
“But it’s too risky. If he goes and something happens to In-hyeok... I’d......”
Song Hye-rin bit her lip anxiously when the door burst open. Cha In-hyeok walked in.
“Huh? You called for me?”
“Eek! W-what? When did you get here?”
“Huh? Oh, through this.”
Cha In-hyeok flashed the Golden Key and stepped inside. Song Hye-rin yelped out of sheer embarrassment.
“K-knock first! This is the guild master’s office—can’t just barge in.”
“Ah, sorry. I was in a rush... Next time, I’ll use the front door.”
“No, I mean...... whatever. But if someone sees? Come straight here. Just text first. You scared me.”
Song Hye-rin shoved the letter at him while chewing her hair tie. Then she quickly tied her hair back as he read.
“Terms look good. What do you think, unnie?”
“What do you wanna do? It’s your request—your call.”
“From the guild’s side, going’s a win, right?”
“If you get hurt, it’s a loss.”
“But them asking for help means Black Bears can’t clear it alone, yeah?”
“Probably. Sharing the pie like this screams desperation.”
“Then......”
Cha In-hyeok set the letter down with a grin.
“I’ll go. Tell them yes.”
“You sure? It’s a 4-star gate. And the start’s basically solo.”
“You’d be shocked if you knew where I just came from.”
“Huh?”
Cha In-hyeok beamed and pulled a Minos corpse from his Inventory. Pristine except for a single hole in the skull.
“T-this!”
“Yeah. Minos corpse. I was in the labyrinth till just now. The otherworld one, specifically. So relax. I might not know everything, but surviving? That I’m confident in.”
“Okay, got it. But why pull it out here? Words would’ve sufficed.”
Song Hye-rin pointed at the blood-soaked office floor in dismay.
“Ah......”
Sweat beaded on Cha In-hyeok’s cocky face.
* * *
Tadadah!
After running so long even my Awakener feet ached, stairs down to floor 2 appeared.
“Phew. Took two whole days to reach floor 2? Even minimizing fights, finding the way dragged on.”
Silver lining: still nearly ten days till Black Bears’ muster date.
I’d level here till then. If time allowed, maybe bag the boss monster too.
‘Though probably won’t have time for that. Anyway...... New guy?’