Chapter 15
Chapter 15 - Level Up Hero
"... I, I'm done. Finally."
It was two days later that I finally completed the ideal ether collection. I constantly gagged from the sticky corpse smell clinging to my entire body, and stared intently at the ether bottle to confirm the stored ether.
[Current Stored Ether]
[Water Ether (4): Condensed essence of the Water God Ekrash. Recovers wounds and health.]
[Earth Ether (3): Condensed essence of the Earth God Torkaltei. Temporarily dramatically increases defense.]
[Wind Ether (3): Condensed essence of the Wind God Skyth. Temporarily dramatically increases agility.]
"Who would have thought water ether would come out like this...."
I shuddered and put the ether bottle in my bag. Memories of days spent hiding among corpse piles surge up vividly.
Why won't the water ether come out, but fire ether keeps popping up? Does this world even have a thirst sensor? Now I feel like I'll have a seizure just by seeing red light.
"At least I ate a meal... Otherwise, I would have starved to death."
Even though I had been hiding for three full days, my hunger was still bearable.
This was thanks to the lunch I ate before coming here, in the Veil Test. It was something I habitually ate because of Skalo's emphasis on that 'daily self-improvement' thing. Who would have thought it would help like this.
It's also surprising that this was just three days ago. By my standards, having repeated death, it feels like dozens of days have passed.
'Skalo. Cessna. Elder Aldcon and Craneid... I wonder if they're doing well.'
Thinking this made me suddenly remember the connections I made in the veil. Perhaps because of my miserable condition, I seemed particularly sentimental. Soon, I shook my head firmly to snap out of it.
"If I'm curious, I can just leave here and check directly."
I said this to myself as if making a promise, and quietly gazed into the darkness extending beyond the sewer. Then suddenly, I tilted my head slightly.
For these past three days, the mysterious figure hadn't even shown a hint of their presence near the corpse pile.
Looking at the state of decomposition of the stacked corpses, it seemed they were moving and stacking bodies right up until just before I arrived. But after I came, their footsteps mysteriously stopped.
"Do they already know I'm hiding?"
A chilling hypothesis flashed through my mind, but I immediately shook my head.
If they knew, they would have no reason to leave me be. Having been killed countless times without knowing the reason, I know this. It doesn't seem like the mysterious figure spared me out of pity.
I clearly remember those straight eyes that radiated light in the darkness.
―It's all because of you guys. Vermin trash. I won't let that person suffer anymore. It's all because of you guys.
I won't let that person suffer anymore.
When was it? Anyway, it was one of the words the mysterious figure muttered just before my previous life's death.
The mysterious figure killing me and piling up these corpses has a reason. Some clear reason that I don't know.
'Well, whatever. If they don't come, thank goodness.'
Why would I care about the circumstances of someone trying to kill me? I loosened my stiff body and checked my status.
[Name: Park Jeong-yong]
[Title: 163417413th Hero. Guardian of the Demon King's Egg. One Bound to Immortality]
[LV. 2]
[HP: 105/105 MP: 100/100 Physical Condition: Hungry]
[Strength: 10 Agility: 13 Intelligence: 10 Hero Sense: 3]
[Remaining Ability Points: 0]
There were no significant changes except my physical condition shifting from normal to hungry. If I had to point something out, it would be how excessively weak I am?
Well, it doesn't matter. I plan to raise this pathetic level from now on.
'I hope I don't see your face for the time being, you damn criminal.'
I rubbed my hands together and drew Bestak from my waist. With a sharp swish! The pitch-black blade trembles.
I quietly watched it, then threw my gaze into the darkness beyond the passage.
The deep, damp darkness was beckoning to me.
"... Let's go. Time to level up."
I carefully took steps, once again chewing over the deaths of my previous lives.
Sticky footsteps lingered like an echo with each step.
* * *
Based on my experience, the only monster inhabiting this sewer is the Hunting Rat.
Of course, I don't know about the left and right waterways since I haven't been there, but at least the front and back are like this. So the monster I plan to hunt is the Hunting Rat.
Having been thoroughly beaten before, I naturally completed a thorough investigation and plan.
'These guys have a predetermined hunting method.'
First, sending a signal that prey has been discovered.
Second, surrounding the prey in multiple directions.
Third, simultaneous attack.
Fourth, once they bite, they never let go even if beaten to death.
Fifth, game set. Finish.
'Essentially, it's over once they reach stage 2.'
Once surrounded, it's too late. I have no confidence in defending against the third stage of simultaneous attack. Even when I was level 5, my reaction speed was insufficient, and now at level 2, it goes without saying.
Based on my 17th reincarnation where I raised my level to 11, appropriately responding to a Hunting Rat's attack requires stats from at least level 8. I could only raise my level to 11 simply because I was lucky.
At my current level, I cannot use the direct method. I must use underhanded tactics. Dirty, sneaky tactics that even rat pups would tremble at.
"I must kill them before they can send a signal."
I muttered. That was the core of my operation.
However, if this were easy, there would be no reason to observe corpse piles all day and conduct thorough investigations.
For me to succeed in this operation, two conditions must be met.
'First. Identify the leader.'
Like all group creatures, Hunting Rats have a leader. And during hunting, the signal of prey discovery occurs from that leader.
In other words, if the leader is killed first, they lose the starting point of the signal. Moreover, that group without a leader becomes a disorganized mob. All that remains is to mercilessly slaughter the fleeing individuals.
Incidentally, I've already learned the identification method.
It was difficult because there are hardly any noticeable characteristics, but the forehead shape is slightly different. The leader has small protrusions growing like horns. A definite information discovered through several experiments.
'Second. Hunt only at night.'
This is because of a special privilege item I received from Minerva. I rummaged through my backpack and pulled out that item.
An emblem the size of a palm, illuminating the surroundings softly like moonlight.
[Item Information]
[Name: Saint's Crest]
[Correction: All stats 1.5 times applied on nights with a moon. 2 times applied during full moon.]
[Details: An emblem blessed by the ancient saint Luna Lueba. Stored with the moon's power, night combat abilities increase. Contains a heartbreaking sentiment for the first corrupted hero.]
[Possible Reinforcement: 1]
Stats increase by 1.5 times. During a full moon, it increases by 2 times. Based on current standards, it's equivalent to raising 3-4 levels.
As my level increases and stats continuously strengthen, the synergy of this item will also rise ridiculously. Among the items I possess, this is an item that would be called "overpowered' without a word of argument.
Therefore, I must hunt only at night. To slightly increase the success rate of surprising the leader.
'And now it's night.'
The emblem was glowing softly in my hand, indicating this. For me in the sewer where time perception is ambiguous, this item was also serving as a clock.
"Okay. Let's go."
I gripped the emblem once tightly and put it in the pouch at my waist. Drawing my sword, I slowly approached the Hunting Rats lounging before my eyes.
Holding my breath, I carefully observe. About 8 of them. I stared intently at their foreheads. And at a certain moment, my eyes flickered.
I found the leader.
'Carefully... all the way, drive the sword in. Twist it once. Can't even breathe!'
I didn't commit the stupid act of charging recklessly like one of my previous lives, head empty. The leader is much more sensitive than other individuals. Therefore, being over-prepared is not excessive.
At a certain moment. Finally, I captured the perfect timing. The leader hadn't noticed me approaching and turned its back to me.
'Now!!'
I took a deep breath and drove the sword in.
Stab! A sound of flesh and bone twisting reaches my ears. A sensation I've felt in previous lives transfers to my palm. Though I've experienced it, it's not pleasant, but at least I didn't scream.
Chijik, Chiiik!
The leader struggled and let out its final breath. However, it's not a signal cry. It's purely a scream of pain. The other rats were flustered by the sudden situation and fidgeted in place.
I twisted my lips cruelly. And put all my strength in the hand holding the sword.
"Die!"
Dudduk! I rotated while keeping the sword stabbed in. The rat stretched out as if convulsing all over its body, and soon the trembling stopped. It's dead.
Tiring. A familiar signal sound rang out, and a panel appeared.
[Skill - Learned how to use 'Back Stab']
[Skill - Learned how to use 'Stealth']
[Skill - Learned how to use 'Internal Strike']
With just one surprise attack, I learned the usage of three skills. It seemed to be the influence of my passive skill 'Prometheus'.
I shifted the panel like swatting a fly and immediately pulled out the sword.
Squish! The boss' intestines that came out with the sword made a slimy sound. I frowned and shook it off.
Zzijig! Zzijizzig!
The minion Hunting Rats around had already scattered in all directions. But I knew well that they wouldn't be able to escape.
Their command structure is more thorough than I thought. Since they didn't receive a retreat order from the boss, these guys will absolutely not run away from here.
"... Just become experience points obediently... You damn nutria bastards!"
I muttered coldly and approached where the creatures were clustered.
By the way, in my previous life, these rat bastards killed me about 4 times. Including the time I almost died in the 18th iteration, it's exactly 5 times. Isn't this enough reason to kill them without mercy?
Puk, puk, puk! I pressed and killed them one by one like catching moles, stomping on the creatures scratching the floor. The creatures died while convulsing, unable to even let out a final cry.
This was already a scene far beyond 'monster hunting'.
It was a massacre.
"Whew. It's over."
After my commemorative first hunt ended, I sat down, relaxed from the tension. A nauseating smell vibrated around me because of the rat corpses the size of my torso scattered everywhere.
While frowning and trying to rest, fanfare kept playing. I thought it was a sound that didn't match the atmosphere no matter how many times I heard it.
[Level Up!]
[Gained 3 Ability Points]
[Gained 1 Skill Enhancement Point]
[Level Up!]
[Gained 3 Ability Points]
[Gained 1 Skill Enhancement Point]
After killing 8 hunting rats, my level jumped to 4. A sudden 2 level increase. Considering the time when I was at level 5 and killed 10 hunting rats but only went up 1 level, it seemed the experience point ceiling rises quite steeply with each level.
"Well. If it's become easier, it's become easier, so there's no way it'll get harder."
I decided to take it step by step and think positively.
As my level increases, hunting will become easier. If I invest 3 points each into strength and agility, the bonus points from the saint's crest would immediately become 6 and 8 points respectively. Comprehensively, it's practically similar to an 8-level status.
With this, I can respond to the creatures' ambushes or hunting methods without resorting to the kind of petty tactics I just used.
Of course, I'll keep hunting like this.
'I shouldn't just hypothesize. I'll raise them right now.'
I immediately invested 3 points each into strength and agility.
And while I was at it, I opened the skill window and invested points in the newly acquired 'Stealth' and 'Backstab' skills.
[Skill Acquisition Complete - Stealth LV.1]
[Details: Reduces detection rate when approaching. Increases critical rate upon successful attack.]
[Skill Acquisition Complete - Back stab LV.1]
[Details: Increases critical rate and attack power when ambushing from behind.]
This was a high-risk investment from my perspective. I considered raising the death god's favor, but I invested in this life looking at the long term.
Backstab aside, Stealth is the optimal skill for my current hunting method. It can't hurt to train it in advance.
'Yes. I need to look at the long term.'
I muttered this while biting the panel. And I quietly stared into the vast darkness extending beyond the waterway.
The sound of 'gaga-gak, kaga-gak' seems like it could be heard at any moment. I flinched and lowered my gaze.
Countless questions pour in front of me.
Why did the monster stop coming from the front and back waterways at some point?
Is there a pattern to the monster's movement cycle?
Why does the monster kill and stack people?
And. Why are they trying to kill me?
Numerous questions piled up, but ultimately, no one will answer them. I shook my head to shake off these thoughts. Pahgak! I planted the sword on the ground and used it as a walking stick to stand up.
The rest time ends here. Stray thoughts too.
"Next. Let's go."
I immediately started wandering the waterway to find my next prey.