Sudden Return and Booster Backfire
Before he could even react, the surrounding scenery began to spin wildly. It happened in the blink of an eye, and suddenly, a familiar cityscape stretched out before Yoo Taejeong's eyes.
A landscape that felt strangely, deeply familiar.
What the hell? This is my neighborhood?
Taejeong realized he was on Gwanak Mountain, where he'd trained his stamina in the past. He'd clearly been summoned near Apgujeong, so why had he emerged here instead?
As he puzzled over it, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Taejeong-ssi."
It was Jo Yong-seok. The rest—Seo Ju-ah and the others—soon appeared as well.
"Everyone, good work out there."
Taejeong's words drew a shake of the head from Jo Yong-seok.
"Good work? We just hitched a ride out. If it weren't for you, Taejeong-ssi, we wouldn't even be alive right now."
"Don't say that. But why'd we end up here? We were at the bus stop for sure."
"Ah, I'm not entirely sure, but whenever you're ejected, it always drops you near the gate. My guess? Safety reasons. Popping out in the middle of the road could cause accidents."
Only then did Taejeong notice the shimmering blue gate a short distance away.
"Yeah, that makes sense—could be dangerous."
"By the way, lots of eyes around here. You should hide that thing quick."
"Ah."
Taejeong understood immediately and deactivated all his active skills.
"Thanks. Nearly went around advertising it."
"Haha, no big deal."
As they chatted, Seo Ju-ah approached and whispered softly.
"Someone's watching from over there."
"People? Where? I don't see anything."
"9 o'clock, up on the hill in the trees."
At her words, Taejeong and Jo Yong-seok subtly turned their gazes. Sure enough, a figure sat perched in the branches.
"What the? Why's he up there? Wait, that shoulder patch looks familiar..."
"Ranger Guild."
"Ah, Ranger..."
"Not just him. Three more down the path at 5 o'clock, behind the rocks."
"Huh, yeah. Feels creepy, like they're spying. Who are those guys?"
"Can't make 'em out. Too far."
"Eh, what do they have to do with us?"
"They might've seen you just now."
Seo Ju-ah turned to Taejeong.
"You don't know them, right?"
"Nah, I barely know anyone..."
"Be careful heading back. Probably nothing, but better safe. Especially Ranger Guild—shady bunch. Lots of incidents. And with your rare class, if they spotted you... who knows. This world isn't always normal, you know."
"Ah, yeah... thanks for looking out."
Taejeong felt grateful for their concern. They'd nailed exactly what worried him.
Jenix, was it? Candidate list for sure.
If the terms worked out, no reason not to join. They already had a connection—might even be ideal. Though he'd need to research more first.
"Done chatting? How about we grab some cold beers? Brushing past is fate, but we survived together—perfect for a wake! What do ya say? Sounds good!"
It was Lee Seong-ho, who'd been listening in. Taejeong gave an awkward smile.
"Sorry, I'd love to, but gotta head out early tonight."
"Already? Kinda bummed. Was gonna treat big."
Jo Yong-seok waved it off.
"If you're busy, go ahead. Oh, and here's my contact. No pressure—just in case. If you're thinking guilds, hit me up. Can't promise as a regular member, but someone like you? They'd roll out the red carpet."
Taejeong took the business card with a nod.
"Hope we meet again. Was fun, everyone."
Parting from Jo Yong-seok's team, Taejeong hurried down the mountain. He'd been here enough times that descent was easy.
On the way home, heeding Seo Ju-ah's advice, he glanced back repeatedly, taking detours and looping around.
Better safe.
Finally home, utterly drained, he flopped onto the bed.
"What a day."
Unplanned hunt, new connections. He still felt dazed.
Thrown into a dungeon with zero prep. Without potions, today might've been his last.
"Still, growth for the time invested? Insane."
45 levels in one day. Unbelievable, even to him. No items, but the gains were worth more—a solid haul.
"Let's check stats."
"Not much change for 45 levels."
Mana had jumped noticeably, but otherwise? Meh. Hard not to wonder.
"Gerard."
Yes, Master.
"What's penetration and accuracy exactly?"
Penetration ignores a portion of enemy fixed defense. At 12%, all physical monsters take 12% defense reduction.
"What? That's that good?"
Taejeong marveled, then followed up.
"Accuracy then?"
Accuracy corrects for fixed evasion. Targets with it are nearly unhittable without it.
"Even direct hits?"
Yes. Though relative to DPS and skills—not invincible.
"So gear up penetration and accuracy?"
Via equipment, skills, or slight level-up gains.
"Gear... sounds pricey as hell."
Both were essential. Had to prioritize.
"Anyway... huh? What's this?"
Closing the window, a new line caught his eye at the bottom.
*EXP acquisition debuff applied.
"When did this happen?"
Tilting his head, he recalled the dungeon exit alert.
"Right, endgame debuff mention. That must be it."
Memory fuzzy from the instant return, but yeah.
"Gerard, what's this mean?"
EXP debuff from uncompleted quest. Complete for normal gains.
"Quest? Quest open."
[Path of the Beginning 1-2]
You cannot survive alone.
Join a faction or guild. Stronger groups offer better protection.
However, power struggles abound—choose wisely.
📍 Objective: Join a guild.
🎁 Reward: EXP debuff removal.
*Currently acquiring only 20% of normal EXP.
"Ah, new one popped."
First cleared, second opened. Reading it, he nodded thoughtfully.
"20% normal EXP. Guess it's time for a guild. But vetting them all?"
His class was special. Everyone would want him. But that wasn't all good.
Hunter scouting wasn't like the normal world.
Freedom? Sure, in theory. But guilds decided everything—no room for personal will.
Rare classes especially: once spotted, dragged in by force. If not theirs, no one's.
That was hunter world's brutality. Couldn't flaunt class.
Reveal it? Instant target.
"Tough call. Stick to big guilds with good reps. Check out their Jenix too."
He stood, booted the computer. About to research—
Something clicked.
"Right, booster."
Skill from proficiency quest reward. Had to check.
"Skill data."
Exoskeleton Type 2 Booster
Serial boosters attached to exoskeleton robots.
Mobility: [1~100]
Duration: [3 min]
Mana Cost: [2,000]
"Hm, pairs with exoskeleton legs? Gerard, what's mobility? Same as move speed?"
Move speed is physical ability; mobility is equipment performance. No practical speed difference.
"So basically move speed 100?"
High number—double-checked, but confirmed. Legs at 30, total over 3x speed.
Had to test.
"Stack 'em?"
Summon exoskeleton legs first, then activate booster.
"Alright, then..."
Taejeong summoned the exoskeleton legs. Activated booster—six steel muffler tips appeared on his calves.
Booster Always-On - Command: Startup.
"Startup."
Booster set to always-on.
Always-On Deactivate - Command: Startup Off.
"Whoa, how do I..."
Admiring the look, mid-question—his body lurched toward the desk.
"Whoa!"
Crash! Tremendous speed—desk shattered, straight into the wall.
"Gah!?"
Boom! Plaster wall half-collapsed; his body poked through, bounced back.
Arm up just in time to shield his face—close call. Armor suit saved him.
Spread-eagled, staring at the ceiling, Taejeong was flustered. No input, yet it launched.
From his lips, baffled words.
"What the hell's wrong with this thing?"