The Penguin's Priceless Potions
The three of them, gathered in one spot, first shared their experiences from the bonus stage.
"At first, a ton of weak ones came swarming out..."
"Really? That was different from mine."
"What'd you get?"
"Just a few for me. But they were pretty tough."
From what they described, it seemed the bonus stage challenges varied depending on one's class. At least they were all certain they'd cleared it.
"So, scores?"
"1,400 for me."
"1,250 for me, oppa."
Higher than expected.
"Yours?"
"Uh, 2,900."
Sung Min-woo and Yerin both widened their eyes at Mu-hyuk's words.
"Whoa, 2,900?"
"Wow, as expected of oppa!"
"Heh, sheer numbers are the best."
"Can't deny that. Anyway, we can convert points to stats right now, so let's do it while resting."
"Okay."
He clicked on the points to open the hologram.
Convert 2,900 points to stats?
He selected Yes.
Acquired Bonus Stat Points (14).
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened.
Bonus points: 14?
Was he seeing things?
He rubbed his eyes, but the number stayed the same.
He quickly opened his status window.
Detailed info and special stats were turned off, so they weren't visible. He wasn't particularly curious anyway.
Right now, only that number 14 filled his vision.
"Whoa."
Truly 14 points.
This went beyond jackpot territory.
"W-Woahhh!"
Sung Min-woo and Yerin's cheers followed.
"Bonus points: 7 for me!"
"6 for me, oppa!"
The two, thrilled, soon turned to Mu-hyuk. Wondering how many he'd gotten if they had 4 or 5.
"What about you, oppa?"
Mu-hyuk gave an awkward smile at Yerin's question.
The gap was pretty big.
But no reason to hide it.
"Uh, 14 for me."
"Gasp...!"
Sung Min-woo's mutter reached his ears.
"Crazy, total rich get richer, poor get poorer."
"Jealous?"
"Yeah, jealous."
"Then get as strong as me."
"Pass. I'm plenty satisfied now. So, what to raise?"
All three laughed happily, staring into space—checking their status windows.
"Strength, agility, vitality for me."
"Same."
The question was how many each.
Hmm.
Mu-hyuk pondered briefly: 5 to strength, 5 to vitality, 4 to agility.
He nodded at the updated stats.
Good.
As expected of an ancient dungeon—tough difficulty, but solid rewards.
"All done."
"Me too!"
"Shall we go again?"
Mu-hyuk looked troubled at Sung Min-woo's suggestion.
"Uh, can't summon skeletons right now."
"Huh? Why?"
"Sent 'em all to the Demon Realm."
"Oh, right? Gotta wait then?"
"Yeah, about 30 minutes?"
"Then let's chill."
"Thanks."
"No biggie."
As they sat back down...
(x3)
They're holding strong, I guess.
Soon after, more messages popped up.
(x10)
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened slightly.
Revive is having a big impact?
The accumulated summon exp was already substantial.
Current accumulated summon exp: 16,750
Convert to stats?
Exp was rising in real time.
"Whoa."
A gasp escaped him.
Yerin, beside him, tilted her head.
"Oppa, what?"
"Sent summons to the Demon Realm, and exp's piling up nicely."
Messages kept coming even now.
They continued nonstop for about 25 minutes, then stopped abruptly.
Guess it's over.
He checked the exp.
Current accumulated summon exp: 56,750
Convert to stats?
Insane exp.
50k meant... 5 stats.
Feeling Revive's true value anew, he chose Yes.
Select exp to use.
Select summon.
Selection complete.
Select desired stat.
He chose Armor Archer 3.
As an archer, no question—strength.
Using 10,000 exp.
Armor Archer 3's Strength +1.
Then he raised Strength by 1 each for Armor Archers 4, 5, 6, and 7.
"Can summon now."
"Yeah?"
"Let's go again."
"Okay."
Rest was sufficient.
To clear the ancient dungeon, the three rose.
*
For over a week, they hunted various monsters, passing volcanic and ice zones, now traversing the rock zone.
Kagak!
Mu-hyuk's swung sword scraped the monster's body, sparking but dealing little damage. It was a level 155 Stonehead—its rock face insanely tough.
Physical defense off the charts.
Good thing they had mage skeletons, spirits, and Sung Min-woo. Otherwise, hunting would've taken forever.
Again, magic attack!
Magic slammed into the Stonehead.
Kwaaang!
Unlike physical, it hit hard.
"I'll finish it!"
Sung Min-woo charged with his spirit.
Pababat.
The spirit's innate magic damage synergized with linked attacks, dealing massive harm.
No exaggeration to say it shone brightest in Stonehead hunts.
"One down!"
Soon, the flanking one too.
"Two!"
Daramjwi and the rest skeletons weren't idle.
While Sung Min-woo handled one or two, the rest were surrounded.
"All clear!"
"Got it."
Mu-hyuk commanded skeletons to open a gap in the encirclement.
Two Stoneheads escaped through it. Then the gap closed, and Sung Min-woo rushed the escapees with his spirit.
"Next!"
They repeated the tactic.
(x2)
(x2)
It took quite a while to wipe all Stoneheads.
"Hoo."
"These bastards are a pain."
But exp was plentiful.
Small consolation.
"Short break, then back at it."
"Okay."
Clearing the ancient dungeon felt close.
Want to rest, but time to push.
A few minutes in, more Stoneheads appeared.
After a fierce fight, they pressed on—and encountered the wandering merchant penguin after ages.
"Kyaa!"
Yerin dashed out again.
And hugged the penguin like before.
"Aah, so healing."
"Human, you did this last time too."
"Sorry, sorry. Hehe."
Setting it down, the penguin waddled forward.
"Such a hassle."
Yerin chased the penguin.
Finally, before Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo, it looked up.
"Need something?"
"Yeah."
The penguin unpacked its bundle.
"Different from last time."
"Oh?"
"Very special. Expect it, human."
The penguin's words didn't inspire much hope.
But likely useful for this or next zone, so he'd check thoroughly.
As he lifted the first item...
"Uh...?"
Mu-hyuk's reaction was off.
Sung Min-woo approached.
"What?"
"......"
"What, cat got your tongue?"
Squatting, Sung Min-woo checked another item.
"Huuuh?"
His reaction was even bigger.
"Oppa-deul, what's up?"
Yerin, seeing the item info, gaped—mouth staying open awhile.
"Well, humans?"
"......"
"Impressed, eh."
The penguin, chattering, realized it was talking to itself. It frowned, flapping wings.
"Humans, snap out of it!"
Finally, their focus returned.
"What do ya think!"
"Uh, am, amazing."
"Right? So, chosen?"
"Wait, one sec."
Mu-hyuk hurriedly checked items.
◈ Required Points: 200
◈ Current Points: 1,420
◈ Required Points: 200
◈ Current Points: 1,420
◈ Required Points: 200
◈ Current Points: 1,420
Basic potions boosting strength, agility, vitality.
◈ Required Points: 50
◈ Current Points: 1,300
And summon stat boosters too.
"Insane."
Up there with achievement shops. No wonder ancient dungeon clearers skyrocketed.
What's best?
Could buy 26 summon bonus points or 7 character stats.
Since summons inherit 30% of character stats, no-brainer: 7 character stats way better.
7 character stats = 2.1 per summon x 100+ summons = over 200 total stat boost.
Others? Attack power, speed boosters.
Pass.
Stat ups superior.
Decided.
After checking all, Mu-hyuk selected three.
"Two each of Destructive Power, Swiftness, Resilience Potions."
"Here, human."
"One more Destructive Power."
Total seven purchased.
Remaining Points: 20
He downed the potions immediately.
Including bonus stage, ancient dungeon netted a whopping 21 stats.
"Haha..."
Laughter bubbled up unbidden.