Sucking Honey? Free Gains?
Vulcan just stood there, raking in experience points like it was nothing—no words could do it justice.
There was a way to hunt by commanding the Life Guardians like minions, but rolling them over monsters to crush them flat was far faster for grinding EXP.
Some of the guardians that tumbled away inevitably shattered from uncontrollable speeds, requiring Vulcan's regeneration orders and mana supply, but mana was free anyway. It recovered on its own just by standing still, and even faster with the Meditation skill—no potions needed. In a flash, Vulcan swept up EXP and leveled up.
You have leveled up.
"Is this Item Power too...?"
- Hmph, not wrong, but...
The moment he realized it worked, Vulcan planted "Falling Rocks Ahead" signs along the guardians' rolling paths and let the self-sufficient ones climb back up on their own to repeat the process.
That got him all the way to level 114 in no time. Considering most users topped out around 115-120 in Kuzar Mountains before moving on, he'd basically graduated early.
'All that suffering for something this easy...'
Even Vulcan, who'd leveled effortlessly, felt a pang of reality hit. How much hell had he gone through for a single level back then? No monster info, no gear drops—he'd scraped by with a barely uncommon weapon at level 100. The futility nearly brought tears.
He hadn't made Kuzar his third city back then, but splitting meager EXP with party members, dying and hunting day and night... The bitter memory surfaced, turning from nostalgia to grudge.
'Where are those bastards now?'
He'd ignored their news before, but now with power? Time to gather intel again. They'd grown too, and solo revenge needed "know thyself."
'Epic class, so probably top ranks.'
At least one had an epic class—rightfully his, but now Vulcan held a Legendary one. One rank might seem small, but it let you solo several lower-rank users. Not easy, but once he grew enough, he'd make them pay regardless of levels.
His eyes gleamed coldly as he refocused. While guardians crushed monsters for EXP, he headed to the Gray Mountain Troll habitat and started hunting.
"Power of Fire."
Sizzle—!
Freed from the ash curse, the Gray Mountain Trolls had regained some racial regeneration. No debuff resistance, but instant-healing wounds made them tricky—users hunting as usual were suffering.
"Magic swordsman type?"
"Damn, jealous. Should've brought a mage."
But Vulcan nullified their regen with the Fire Ring's power, cauterizing wounds instantly. They couldn't match his strength either, so fights were one-sided.
"Hey! Fire enchant, please!!"
Melee users, usually ditching mages here, were shut down. They begged Vulcan too, but no chance. The ring only worked on the wearer—and why help anyway?
Gray Mountain Trolls weren't "true" trolls, lacking full traits, but their tendons and blood fetched good prices. Vulcan ignored everyone and soloed them all.
"Shit. High-level asshole hogging them."
"EXP's shit anyway—why cockblock? Share some!"
After wiping them out before respawn, he bounced. Grumbles followed, but curses were old hat—he tuned them out.
'Help 'em and they'd bitch later. Why bother?'
Gamers were like that. Some grateful, sure, but most would demand inventory peeks. No guilt, he slipped away.
"Ragged messes, huh."
Before town, he checked the guardians' drop zone. Unlike the lab, no auto-repair—some awaited fixes, others stubbornly rolled solo. Monster-free zones in their wake, like a plague.
"Life Orb, recover."
First, the shattered ones. While others returned, he approached the downed and issued the recall command.
Recovering the Life Orb will destroy the Life Guardian.
The destroyed Life Guardian's body will scrap.
Recover the Life Orb anyway?
"What?"
The warnings halted him. Recovering orbs scrapped the metal bodies—solid metal turned to worthless slag, recyclable but low-value.
"Goddamn it! Warn me first!!"
- Free ride over, huh? Serves you right.
Vulcan snapped, but no reply. His fault for not checking—self-inflicted.
"What now...?"
Tough call. Life Orbs were rare, but craftable with excess Senos ore plus enchantments. Low skill meant junk ore only, and substitutes cost, but replaceable.
"Recover hurts, keep hurts."
His mind raced: costs, scrutiny, no mountains ahead so no rolling, but escort utility... pros/cons flew.
'Do I even need 'em?'
Eureka—third option.
***
"Deal! We're thrilled!"
After regenerating all, Vulcan led them to the canyon mines. Ten massive guardians marching drew stares and thuds—his face known anyway, but perfect spotlight.
"Excellent choice. Production skyrockets, guaranteed!"
- Whoa... selling them off.
Next: "labor aid." Hauling ore thrilled miners—pros at digging, hell at transport.
"These pricey boys? Priceless, but for our bond, special loan."
"Always grateful. Visit anytime—next one's on us!"
Simple reason: rent the guardians. Combat issues? Rent to miners for monthly fees instead of scrapping/recovering.
No combat, no repairs. Minimal mana, perfect porters. Occasional check-ups fine.
'Higher level, I'd keep 'em.'
Too weak for his Item Power—tank role useless against him. Big bodies just drew eyes, limited spots.
Chicken ribs, but endless strength? Porter gold.
Proven utility sealed the deal—ore contracts, goodwill. Fair rent, miners happier.
- ...Demon World holy water salesman.
"Mutual aid. They needed 'em too, right?"
Tud tsked the hustle, but win-win.
Satisfied, Vulcan returned to town for final task: bow finishing.
Processed troll tendons as string—Rare Metal Longbow complete.
◈ A metal longbow blended with quality iron and Veritte for bounce.
◈ Enhanced traits via Senos.
◈ Veritte tint gives special glow.
"Ah...?"
Vulcan's face twisted oddly.
Durability: 1,000 / 1,000
Agility +70
Strength +50
[Sniper Mode] Available
Wearer cannot Stealth
Restrictions: Strength 200+, Agility 200+, Lv 200+
"...Sniper bow?"
Level-locked halving attack? Whatever—not for direct hits, but precision drops. Sniper Mode perfect for aim correction, but the color...
"Screaming 'shoot me'."
Fluorescent green from Veritte—like a glowing frog. Sniper? They'd spot you first. Even surprise shots, instant source trace. Plus anti-stealth penalty. Good but meh.
"...Fine, I guess?"
No long-term sniping anyway. Drop in potion range—no pierce needed. He pocketed it, smacking lips.
Next: potions for the new toy.
Or tried.
"Right spot? Sure?"
"Another bust, you're dead. Know how much time wasted?"
"Almost there. Miss guild master's deadline, we're fucked—whole guild! Why drop that shit..."
Suspicious talk caught Vulcan's ear. Familiar voice/face—he hid in the crowd, watching.
"Dead sure. Weird craftsman rumors confirmed. With bros' help, we nail him."
'That guy? Chasing me here?'
The Blizzard Staff gifter. Not the PKer he'd stripped, but a level 200 searcher. Now with three guildmates in Kuzar.
"All guild scattered 2nd-4th cities—no escape. He's toast."
'Heh?'
Blind to him nearby—gear change, helmet. Expected. Amusing chatter, but he listened.
Guild-wide hunt—not solo. Spot him, swarm. Teleport in big cities evadable, but encirclement risk.
He edged closer for details—prep for hide-and-seek.