Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Proactive Youth
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Before Kim Do-yoon landed the final blow on the Brutal Task.
In the midst of this urgent situation, the hunters were actually holding back their power to an appropriate degree.
"A-hyeon, is Do-yoon's healing okay?"
"Yeah, Unnie. I'm keeping it up on time."
There weren't any particularly serious injuries.
'Wow...'
Truth be told, Jeong A-hyeon was secretly observing Do-yoon.
'He's so cool...'
Ever since clearing up that misunderstanding(?) at the cafe last time, A-hyeon had found herself watching Do-yoon more and more.
Curiosity. Yeah, it had to be curiosity.
Do-yoon stood out even among the rookie hunters.
There weren't many rookie hunters in Korea to begin with, but even compared to herself, the difference was stark.
Do-yoon's growth speed was incredibly fast.
His adaptability in battle, and even his mental fortitude.
And those eyes.
Like the fierce gaze of a wild beast, constantly scanning his target without rest.
Jeong A-hyeon unconsciously swallowed hard.
An inexplicable heat spread from the center of her chest, warming her back.
Thump. Thump.
It was probably just tension.
The insect monsters were gross, and the situation was intense.
'Yeah. That's it.'
A-hyeon convinced herself.
As his direct senior hunter, she needed to watch out for her junior more than anyone else to make sure he didn't get hurt.
-Kwachik!
"Kieeeek!"
"...Ah."
She had been staring blankly once again at the way he faced the boss monster with a murderous glare, and startled herself, quickly checking on Cha Yun-ha beside her.
She too was staring dazedly at the battlefield.
"D-Do-yoon oppa! He's fighting really well for his level, right?!"
"Ack, you scared me. Why are you yelling like that again?"
"S-Sorry..."
Jeong A-hyeon, her face flushed with embarrassment, saw Cha Yun-ha turn back to the scene with a puzzled look.
"He's fighting well."
"Right..."
"Every time, I get curious about the skills Do-yoon has. Just how far does it extend?"
Assistant.
She'd heard it was a skill that provided information on battles or the tower.
But its versatility was ridiculously broad.
From the 1st floor, 2nd floor, and now up to the 3rd.
He was handling monsters they'd never seen before like they were familiar foes.
"I don't know either. It's my first time seeing someone like Do-yoon. No idea how far it goes."
"R-Really...?"
"I hope it really works out well. He grows fast, and now in a real crisis."
One fact Do-yoon didn't know yet.
If you called it the red pill of Korea's hunter world—
Korea's position in the international hunt business was in far more peril than Do-yoon imagined.
While he was here risking his life against the boss monster.
The real darkness he had to face lurked outside the tower.
"It'll work out."
She decided not to doubt his future.
It was more hopeful that way, and he was doing great anyway.
-Kwachik!
"Kisss..."
Watching Do-yoon finally finish off the 3rd floor's boss monster, the hunters began wrapping up.
"Solo clear again this time."
-Pat.
Jo Ha-rin, who had returned to the rear before they knew it, shook off the insect fluids from her dagger.
"You okay?"
"Yeah...!"
"Our side was super safe anyway."
"Still gotta be careful."
After checking on each other, their gazes naturally turned forward.
"...Isn't Uncle Ji-hyeok getting too fired up?"
"He does that sometimes. Total macho style."
"And there's someone fighting as hard as Do-yoon right next to him, so he's even more into it."
In short, Han Ji-hyeok was lost in method acting, fooling even himself.
Stat-wise, it didn't make sense for him to exert that much power here.
There was an insurmountable level gap between this floor's monsters and hunters like Ji-hyeok.
'Can't lose out in spirit to a rookie hunter...!'
That thought had turned him into a reversal hunter, going all out against the low-level mobs.
"Uncle Ji-hyeok's over-immersion is seriously impressive."
Cha Yun-ha left that as her final impression, sounding exasperated.
Then their eyes turned to Do-yoon, who was in the 'real fight'.
"Do-yoon's doing great as expected."
"Do-yoon oppa's really good at fighting, right?"
"Even if we don't care since it's low-level floors for us, Do-yoon's the impressive one."
Everyone already knew Do-yoon was special.
If he were truly in danger, they were ready to jump in anytime.
But Do-yoon had already handled the boss monster 'Brutal Task' solo with ease.
"...Resonating and talking again this time?"
"Probably."
Resonance.
Another bizarre ability believed to link with the Assistant skill.
He could hear the boss monster's words, apparently—a creepy power.
"...I wonder what he's hearing."
Jo Ha-rin muttered with pure curiosity.
"Honestly, I doubt the thing trying to kill him is saying nice things. Probably curses or insults."
"Ugh... He's already struggling to focus on the fight."
"Yeah. Worried it'll wear down his mind instead."
"...?"
Do-yoon's gaze turned their way just then.
Purple fluids smeared on his cheek, unnoticed, as he panted heavily.
His feral appearance, embodying raw instinct, made Jeong A-hyeon's breath catch.
"Hoo, haa."
Unaware that two pairs of eyes were fixed on him, Do-yoon blankly met A-hyeon's gaze.
"Do-yoon!"
The silence shattered with Han Ji-hyeok's shout as he bashed the last insect with his shield.
"...Hyung-nim."
"Good job. You handled it like a pro!"
"Got lucky. The attack pattern came exactly as the Assistant said..."
"Nah, man. Moving like that on cue is hard enough."
Proud of the rookie's performance, Han Ji-hyeok grinned.
Do-yoon responded with a weary smile.
"Wanna soak in hot water right now, but first."
"Yeah."
Rewards.
Do-yoon still had one more thing to wrap up.
Post-floor-clear settlement was the flower and foundation of the hunt business.
Leaving the lifeless 'Brutal Task' behind, the team gathered.
The hunters' eyes sparkled with anticipation for Do-yoon's rewards.
"What level is Do-yoon now?"
"Just hit 5."
"...Then."
A possibility flashed in Jo Ha-rin's mind.
The most essential system and privilege for any hunter.
"Open it now?"
"Yeah."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Receiving rewards! ▶ 'Inventory' system unlocked ▶ 5th Floor Theme Stage Entry Ticket x1 "H-How is it?"
Under Jeong A-hyeon's expectant gaze, Do-yoon shared the reward details.
"Inventory seems good, but the ticket..."
"Ticket? 5th floor theme stage?"
"Yeah."
The hunters' faces brightened at his words.
A strange unease lifted, reactions turning relieved—
"Is this good?"
Do-yoon felt refreshed too and asked.
"You need a ticket for the 5th floor. After that, there are conditions."
5th floor.
The floor Do-yoon needed to reach, and the info from that other-race hunter outside the boss room earlier.
"What kind of place requires that...?"
"Floors 1 through 4 are for gauging basic combat ability."
No conditions until the 5th floor theme stage.
Just the bare minimum survival check.
Mental fortitude to face monsters, combat power, and a few simple qualifications.
Do-yoon hadn't scrutinized it that closely, but many hunters struggled at the pre-5th floor sections.
The first time is always the hardest, after all.
"You're the weird one, Do-yoon."
"Clearing 1 to 4 usually takes months. Sometimes years, leading to retirement."
'It's that tough.'
He felt the hunters' hardships anew.
"Well, that's the extreme minority."
"Yeah. Usually stubborn production types who should've switched jobs ages ago."
"Ah."
"Do-yoon, just keep pushing hard like you are. No worries."
'Won't let him go to production.'
Those without talent were inevitable, but confirmed talents weren't let go.
In talent-scarce Korea, four tough-natured surviving hunters eyed Kim Do-yoon.
'Their eyes... something.'
Sensing it instinctively, Do-yoon nodded at Jo Ha-rin's words.
"Gotta work as hard as I can."
"That's right. You do."
Han Ji-hyeok smiled satisfied, patting Do-yoon's shoulder.
"Anyway, rewards checked. Stats later in the training room."
"Ugh, wanna wash up so bad...! Didn't do much but feel so sticky..."
"A-hyeon, you healed."
"Ah... Ehehe."
At Do-yoon's casual remark, A-hyeon blushed and giggled.
If the lingering pain from minor wounds had bothered him, the fight would've suffered.
'She was really crucial.'
Etching the healer's importance deep in his mind, Do-yoon exited the tower.
#
📰 Boss Mob Gallery Post Title: Cleared 3rd Floor - Massive bug lol;; Thought I'd die from the grossness Resonated with the 3rd floor boss too, voice was crazy good Could've said something nasty, but just nice words till the end when it died Feels like I'm turning into the bad guy more and more; — Anonymous You were really bad ㅠㅠ — Anonymous Did it again... — Anonymous From boss's POV, hunters are the bad guys lol — Anonymous Locked up, pissed off, then free invaders show up killing nonstop. No idea why, just keep dying ㅇㅇ ⭐ Top Comment — Alppano lol who asked to be boss mob? All their fault. Newbie don't feel guilty, kill harder ㅋㅋㅋㅋ — Anonymous What the hell is this guy — Anonymous Psycho talk like a crazy psychopath ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ — Anonymous Newbie feeling guilty for real? — Anonymous Fr lol just kill. Infinite respawn unless graduation Leaving the chaotic gallery behind, Do-yoon brought up the rewards.
📰 Boss Mob Gallery Post Nickname: Paper Enthusiast* Title: Well, nothing you can do about it - Newbie can't do shit feeling pity in a place like that Best to clear fast and move on What'd you get anyway? — Anonymous Band guy got no blood no tears; — Paper Enthusiast* Can't wish death on newbie either; — Anonymous Boss should die if dying ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Hoeoeo...! Bosses die 100 times instead of newbie...! — Anonymous ???? — Anonymous Teacher wtf is that — Anonymous We're people too! — Anonymous Respect boss rights, tears ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ 📰 Boss Mob Gallery Post Title: Anyway, so 5th floor came up - What the hell happens from 5th floor? That other-race hunter I met entering 3rd floor too Senior hunters' faces stiffened at 5th floor talk, scary af — Anonymous Met another hunter?? — Anonymous Not jumped?? — Anonymous Assuming jump first lol — Anonymous Newbie... defiled...? Kieeeek! ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Injured? Assaulted? Kidnapped? In danger now? — Anonymous Wine dropping character to worry — Anonymous Wine normalizing for big newbie ㄷㄷ; "What's with this."
Do-yoon panicked momentarily at the gallery veering off-topic.
Was meeting another-race hunter such a big deal?
Sure, the atmosphere always stressed vigilance against hunters.
Didn't expect it to turn this serious just from meeting one.
📰 Boss Mob Gallery Post Title: No kidnapping, safe, calm down;; - Couldn't post if dangerous Why ask knowing Anyway what is 5th floor? ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... ...Really safe? — My Post Will verify if needed, calm down; ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Ho, hoeoe...! Lost my memories for a moment...! — Anonymous Teacher not against? — Anonymous How lose memories to reverse IQ lololol ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Shut up all of you...! — Anonymous lolololololol — Anonymous Juicy bait gone for a while "..."
Scrolling the absurd conversation, the info he'd been waiting for finally dropped.
📰 Boss Mob Gallery Post Nickname: Paper Enthusiast* Title: 5th floor is theme stage - You probably heard by now Basic section of tower internals you'll face, newbie Think of the tower as one giant memory, easier that way "...Memory?"
So it wasn't just mindlessly killing monsters, getting stronger, clearing floors.
Do-yoon's common sense shattered.
- Theme stages are massive floors manifested from 'someone's' psyche
Goal is obviously clearing missions assigned in the tower
About that 'someone'... Ask the tower lord there later
⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Hawawa...! Embarrassing to say >< — Anonymous Bullshit — Anonymous Tower lord shy? Newbie figure it out;; — My Post ....?? What the hell does that mean.
No intention to spill right now, huh.
He prodded Wine more, but she kept dodging.
Left alone, Do-yoon had to speculate.
"Hm."
Some kind of mission room?
Tied directly to this tower's owner.
Past clears were boss subjugations; from 5th floor, trickier conditions.
But one more floor before 5th.
"4th floor first."
Get immediate floor info first.
5th could wait.
📰 Boss Mob Gallery Post Title: No Wine, hey; - Hate 5th floor talk? Spill 4th floor info at least Dump newbie? I die? Our happy graduation gets hard... ⭐ Top Comment — Aged Wine is... Hoeoe...! No graduation...! — My Post Yeah yeah spill the beans — Anonymous Who else in gallery dares push Wine like this — Anonymous No one lololol "Alppano."
Do-yoon shamelessly kept prodding Wine for floor info.
..
....
"Hng... So bold..."
The tower's lord, hidden behind the gallery, smiled at his attitude.
"Ignorance-born boldness, or instinctive confidence."
Her blood-red eyes flashed as her finger traced over the newbie's name.
"Curious for the future."
With deep curiosity, she decided to answer the newbie's questions 'directly' this time.