The Giant Slater's Demise
The massive body of the Giant Slater turned gray, crumbling into ash and vanishing moments later.
"Phew."
"Splendid work, my liege."
"Thanks. You did great too, Tina."
He'd invested stats into it, but since Elemental Arrow was only a 3-star skill, there had been some lingering unease.
He'd worried the damage might fall short, but thankfully, it had hit just right.
-Mastering Elemental Mastery must've helped a ton too. Whew. Glad it ended quick.
Yeah, tell me about it. If that thing had survived with its shell and triggered phase two... Ugh. It would've crawled all over the ceiling and walls like mad. Taking it down would've taken forever.
-Is time the issue? Just imagining it makes my head spin, so enough with the gross details, please. That's my one wish.
No, in soul mode, it couldn't even scratch you if it charged.
-It's not physical, man. It's a deep-seated revulsion from my DNA. Anyway, drop that. Let's grab the loot first.
Nah. Loot can wait a bit. First, over there.
-Huh?
Surprisingly, Carpe headed straight for Hanjo.
"Feels wrong picking up items when a party member's not okay."
-......What.
Cheonma's face screamed, Did I hear that right?
-The loot-obsessed Carpe is prioritizing a party member over spoils?
"Loot isn't gonna run off if we check it later. What do you take me for?"
-Whoa, 'My kid's changed' is actually a thing. I'm not one to tear up easy, but... damn, I'm misty-eyed.
"Must be from freaking out over the bug. Oh, right—no need to pick it up ourselves."
Mukhyang's skill, Collection Instinct.
The ultimate freebie skill that auto-collects items around the player, stores them, and even comes with inventory space!
Carpe glanced at Baeksul, then called to Mukhyang creeping closer.
"Hyangie."
"Kyuu?"
"Inventory empty? Mind grabbing those items over there? Bring 'em all, and I'll give you an acorn."
"Kyuu!"
Mukhyang snapped a salute with its tiny front paw, then scampered to the boss's corpse site.
Carpe chuckled at the sight.
"Where'd it pick that up?"
Tina, now back in doll mode, answered Carpe's mutter.
"I taught it, my liege. As your knight, it must know proper etiquette."
"......Really?"
"Yes. It learns quickly—worth teaching. It'll make a fine knight someday."
He didn't care if it became a knight or not, but nodding seemed best to avoid disappointing Tina.
"Urk."
Hanjo, regaining her senses as Carpe approached, suddenly bowed deeply.
"Forgive my shameful display. I'll make this up to you."
"Nah, it's fine......"
If Hanjo had forced the boss raid leading to this mess, it'd be frustrating, but since he had pushed for it, no big deal.
But maybe his trailing off made it seem half-hearted.
Misreading his ambiguous reaction as anger, Hanjo started rambling excuses.
"W-Well... I was bitten by a black widow as a child."
"Huh? Black widow? Do we even have those in Korea?"
"Pardon? I am American."
"......For real?"
"Indeed. Though I've resided in Korea these past two years, I am most certainly American."
"......"
An American in Korea, playing with a ninja concept?
What kind of bizarre hybrid was this...
"Back to the tale: the spider's venom wasn't potent. The issue was my unknown allergy."
"Ah."
He'd heard of it.
Allergic reactions to venomous bites or stings.
Something like ana- whatever...
-Anaphylactic shock. Remember those news stories about bee stings sending folks to the ER during flower season? That's it.
Cheonma added it could be fatal in severe cases.
"I teetered on death's door but survived. Ever since, bugs freeze me solid."
"Like trauma, huh."
Carpe nodded.
He'd overcome his own trauma before, so he got it completely.
"If that's it, I could've handled it solo."
"Nonsense. A true wanderer never sends comrades alone!"
"Impressive, really."
Her concept ruled her brain so hard even trauma couldn't stop it.
Carpe was genuinely awed.
"Lately, I'd thought myself improved. Arrogance, it seems. My shame."
"Don't sweat it."
If anything, braving trauma to help deserved applause.
"Anyway, it's over. Let's wrap up and head out. You need rest after that."
"My thanks for your consideration, Sword God."
Confirming Mukhyang had swept up the boss drops, they left the boss room.
Just a few trash mobs appeared on the way back to the pendant spot.
You have acquired Mana-Infused Hardy Carapace (15/15).
"Oh."
Clearing every monster in the dungeon had completed one room upgrade material.
Carpe checked his status window.
Just the bark left... Where do I even find that?
-Only one left means it's probably from a named mob.
Likely.
Cheonma said even he hadn't heard of the room upgrade materials.
So the sudden drop of the carapace in the sea cave had been a shock.
-Probably exclusive to players who've unlocked Room. Makes sense I wouldn't know.
Proof: the carapace was non-tradable despite being a material.
-Don't stress. Sea, ancient tree, named mob—easy hints. Two spots come to mind already.
"Always impressive, your insight. Must come from years of accumulated knowledge."
-......'Bout ten years?
"Remarkable. I'll strive to emulate you."
Chatting away, they reached the cave's end.
"This it?"
A small pendant lay on the cave floor.
Carpe picked it up, and notifications popped up.
Collect the Girl's Pendant
🎁 Reward: Receive from NPC
⊳ Dungeon Entrance
⊳ Ruana
"Done. You?"
"I just got the completion notice."
"Sweet. Really over."
Not bad for a skill pack detour: +3 levels, boss kill, room material.
Satisfied, Carpe activated the warp—
But Hanjo spoke up.
"A word, Sword God."
"Yeah?"
"You don't ask? About how I am, in truth......"
"A woman?"
"......Yes."
She'd been glancing nervously the whole way; that was it.
-Wait, what? She's a girl?
Didn't you hear her scream in the boss room? Girl voice.
-Too busy yelling myself... Huh, so the guy voice is a cash item. Activates on purpose.
Game's perfect for concepts. Every item imaginable.
Hanjo hesitated, then apologized.
"Forgive me. No ill intent in hiding it......"
"Hold up. Honestly, I don't get why you'd apologize. Is it?"
Carpe had played countless games, online ones especially, seen every drama in parties and guilds.
Female players hiding gender? Dime a dozen.
Reasons varied.
Hate creeps.
Want DPS, not support assumptions.
Some spewed abuse just for being female. Harassment optional.
His long history included parties/guilds wrecked by such jerks.
"Smart move, really. Rare, but psychos exist. No need to apologize for gender. Play well—that's what matters."
"......Your words ease my heart."
Just his honest take, but Hanjo seemed touched.
Hard to read behind the mask, but vibes said so.
"Good work today. Hit me up sometime. Rooting for the concept."
"W-Wait, Sword God! Hold on......"
She reached out, but Carpe warped away without looking back.
Hanjo stared blankly at the warp, muttering.
"Didn't add him as a friend yet......"
"Messenger of the gods! Truly grateful!"
"Nice!"
Warping to the dungeon entrance, Carpe claimed his reward from the girl.
"Heh. Two skill packs now."
Plus the level 20 bonus—two packs loaded in inventory.
Grinning like his belly was full just looking, Carpe headed somewhere secluded.
-Can't you open anywhere? No one else sees it.
"Tsk. Don't you know crowds carry foul vibes? Bad luck clings."
-You're denying probability itself...
A short walk into the woods cleared the area. Carpe sat on a rock and pulled out a pack.
"Hope for a solid attack skill."
Elemental Arrow was versatile, but spamming one skill got boring.
-Keep repeating, you'll snag one. Two packs besides.
"Fingers crossed."
"Kyuu kyuu!"
"Oh, right. Forgot to check."
He'd sent Mukhyang for boss drops but hadn't inspected them.
"Items first, before packs."
Carpe savored dessert last.
That instant—
"Huh?"
He spotted it: a rectangular object in Mukhyang's mouth.
"......Hyangie. Where'd you get that?"
"Kyuuu?"
Mukhyang held a skill card pack—identical to the one in Carpe's hand.
The 10-Star Player's Lucky Draw