Chapter 200
Chapter 200
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World Part 2 Chapter 21
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A skill stone is a round, capsule-shaped item that lets you acquire a specific skill when shattered.
In terms of rarity, it's on the level of "ultra-rare."
Unlike magic stones that you dig up from the ground, these only drop as rewards from defeating boss monsters, and even then, at an extremely low rate.
And one of those skill stones had dropped for us.
"It's got such a weird shape."
I tapped the skill stone placed on the conference room table with my fingertip, and an item info window popped up.
We'd returned to the guild right after the dungeon clear reward, gotten some solid sleep, and just woken up.
The desert dungeon gate in Gapyeong wouldn't open until the day after tomorrow at midnight, so we still had plenty of time.
I stared at the ‘Rush’ skill stone, which had an overall dark red hue, then spoke to Kang Han sitting across the table.
"Looks like I've got some serious luck on my side. The lotto win, and now this skill stone."
"Nayeo-ju-ssi does seem to have good luck."
"Right? Ha, but no."
"Why? Isn't good luck just that—good?"
"Wasting it on these little things is no good. I need to save it up for one big jackpot. Like that Mega Lotto."
"Selling this skill stone would fetch a pretty penny too."
"True enough."
The value of an ultra-rare skill stone—especially one granting an A-rank skill—was immense.
"Someone emailed the guild earlier. Offering 20 billion for this skill stone."
For this tiny pebble.
"I didn't let it show on camera, just mentioned it once in the report to the Association."
"The Association seems to have more issues than expected."
"I'm worried someone might try to steal it."
"Wouldn't it be safe in my sub-space?"
"Sure, but it's simpler to just use it quick."
Kang Han nodded in agreement with my words.
A moment later, there was a light knock, and Jang Su-ho entered the conference room.
"Huh, just you two? Why'd you call me here?"
He'd apparently just finished showering, as he was shaking out his still-damp hair with his fingers.
"Just grab something real quick."
"What is it? Food?"
"Kinda."
I flicked the skill stone with my finger, rolling it across to Jang Su-ho.
"It's yours."
"...You're telling me to use this?"
Jang Su-ho's eyes widened as he asked.
"Why give it to me? Use it yourself, Nayeo-ju. You need a skill to protect yourself."
But I shook my head.
"It's probably just a straight-up rush skill. Against most monsters, my body would shatter before theirs. And after rushing in, then what? Me fight the monster?"
"That's true, but..."
Jang Su-ho seemed burdened by taking an A-rank skill stone for himself.
I coaxed him gently.
"Better you learn it and protect me when I'm in danger. Way more efficient."
"You could sell it for a ton."
"Tch. Just use it already."
Finally, Jang Su-ho reached for the skill stone.
In his massive palm, it looked like a little marble.
"...Thanks. Really, thanks, sis."
Kang Han nodded silently, and I urged Jang Su-ho once more.
"Hurry up before I die waiting. Finish quick so I can go sleep more."
"Got it."
With a helpless grin, Jang Su-ho gripped the skill stone and crushed it.
There was no visible change to my eyes.
Probably a system window only he could see.
A moment later, Jang Su-ho spoke cautiously.
"It says pick a skill to replace with Rush?"
As expected.
Jang Su-ho had no empty skill slots.
It was a bit disappointing, but unavoidable.
No items that create slots had appeared yet.
"Don't you have a B-rank skill? Swap that one."
I said it like I vaguely remembered his status window.
"Yeah. That's probably best."
Jang Su-ho closed his eyes softly.
A moment later, his status window changed.
Perfect.
The skill stone had been safely absorbed by Jang Su-ho.
He opened his eyes, clenched and unclenched his fists, then grinned at me.
"I'll protect you with this skill, Nayeo-ju."
I wanted to spend a few days glued to my bed, but unfortunately, the Gapyeong desert dungeon was about to open.
There was a mountain of preparations to make before heading in.
So I dragged my sluggish body out of bed, washed up, and was on my way to the cafeteria when—
"Hello?"
[ "Nayeo-ju-ssi." ]
"Boss? What's up this early? Something wrong?"
It was 9 a.m.
A bit early for Jeong Je-hwa, who slept late and woke late.
[ "Nothing like that. Did I wake you?" ]
"No, I just got up and was heading to eat... Boss?"
It felt like that odd sense of déjà vu when you spot a celebrity or teacher on the street.
That weird familiarity from running into a known face in an unexpected place.
At my call, Jeong Je-hwa, who had been surveying the wide open space at the Independence Gate branch, turned around.
Our eyes met, and a smile spread across his previously expressionless face. It was a nice sight.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi."
"What? Why are you here? When did you arrive? You should've said something—I'd have come to meet you!"
"I just got here. I was taking a quick look around the guild grounds. It's impressive."
"Right? Surrounded by mountains, so the air's great. Jongno's smack in a forest of buildings, which was a downside."
Facing Jeong Je-hwa like this, I realized it had been quite a while since we'd seen each other in person.
He must have felt the same, as his careful hand reached out to stroke my head.
"No cold? It was raining inside the dungeon the whole time."
"Oh, the Thunder dungeon? I'm fine. Thanks to someone, Justice Guild got amazing uniforms. Muggy from the rain, but not cold."
"Glad to hear that."
"But see, I'm not in uniform now, so it's chilly. Let's go inside instead of standing out here. Eaten breakfast? Or are you the type who skips it?"
"No, I eat all three meals."
"Perfect. Let's eat together."
I hooked my arm lightly—not too close—through his and led him to the cafeteria.
But Jeong Je-hwa seemed stiff, uncomfortable despite looking fine.
"If you don't wanna go to the cafeteria..."
"No, it's fine. Let's go eat."
"Hmm. My bad. Cafeteria's probably packed right now. You hate crowds and noise."
A guy who'd self-isolated in Jamsil Tower for years without seeing people.
A bustling, noisy cafeteria might be too much suddenly.
"How about the lounge? They've got fruit at least."
"No, we should have a proper meal. To the cafeteria."
"You're not forcing yourself?"
"No. Just... caught me off guard a bit."
"Fair. Not every day you visit another guild and hit their cafeteria. But our kitchen ladies are pros. Was gonna brag a little."
We'd just arrived at the cafeteria with Jeong Je-hwa when—
"Nayeo-ju-ssi, I was just about to come get you..."
Kang Han spotted us and trailed off.