Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 31
>Chapter Title: Skill Draw at Level 20
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Whether Do-hyun was flustered or not, the two kept chatting away.
"Well, there's no way it's really Kaiser. He's probably just a fan."
"I guess... Still, fan or not, it felt good to give those guys a proper thrashing thanks to him."
"Wait a sec. So that guy took out all three of them by himself?"
"Now that you mention it, yeah? Those were graduation-level players, right? Does that even make sense? Raven Plains caps at level 16 at best."
It was a reasonable doubt.
Common sense dictated that no lone user hunting on Raven Plains could take down three players who'd reached graduation level.
And these weren't some random noobs—they were the ones causing all the trouble lately.
They were proper powerhouses in this bracket, so suspicion was natural.
"The swordsman used backstab or something, they said."
"Apparently one normal attack shaved off half their HP."
"Couldn't even see the fist coming."
The more the doubts piled up, the more Do-hyun's gut twisted inwardly.
'What the hell? They were the bullies, and they wrote all that down?'
He hadn't expected them to be this shameless.
Objectively, he hadn't done anything wrong.
No hacks involved—he'd just given them a fair schooling.
'If word spreads already, that'll be a problem.'
The issue was Do-hyun's current position.
Even he had to admit his class pushed the boundaries hard.
On top of that, he had a whopping six traits.
The Shield Supreme group was chill, and he'd used other class skills back then anyway, so no issue.
But this time was different.
'If it gets out now, leveling will be tough.'
A swordsman using assassin skills, multiple traits, and damage that's off somehow?
Spotlight in an instant.
Guilds would swarm him—some recruiting, others trying to nip him in the bud.
They wouldn't let some seed steal their rice bowl.
'If they can't have it, they'll smash it. That's their mentality.'
He didn't know about this continent's Top 10 Guilds, but if there were many from Delok among the rankers, it wouldn't be much different.
Hell, didn't even need Top 10 Guilds.
Wherever you went, salty losers would dig up dirt and mess with you.
If he were strong enough, fine—but Do-hyun was still low-level.
Even with level caps on the continent, if they formed an extermination squad, it'd hinder his growth for sure.
'Too early for this.'
That's why he'd planned to solo as much as possible for a while.
But if things went south, he'd have to revise...
"Pfft. What a load of crap. As if that makes sense."
"Hacks my ass, kek. If you're gonna lie, at least make it believable. Who'd buy that?"
"He's just exaggerating 'cause he got wrecked and it's embarrassing."
"Who'd be dumb enough to believe that crap?"
...Seemed like needless worry.
Seeing their firm denial, Do-hyun nodded after a moment's thought.
'Yeah, I wouldn't believe it either.'
Who'd think some hidden god was out there on common sense alone?
No matter how much the bullies squawked, no one would buy it.
"Still, soloing them all is impressive. Even with good gear... must be one hell of a player."
"Could be a graduation-level merc they hired. Those guys have made plenty of enemies."
"Maybe. Hey, our turn. Grab the pendant quick."
With the duo's stormy chat wrapping up, Do-hyun's turn approached.
Left alone, he scratched his head quietly.
"Gotta be more careful from now on."
This had blown over fine, but you never knew with people.
Better safe than sorry.
At least he'd learned about Hero Guild's existence and the bullies' situation—productive time.
[Acquired Lost Pendant.]
[Take the pendant to Camilla.]
"Time to hit level 20."
Grinning with the pendant in hand, Do-hyun moved.
* * *
"Wow! That's my pendant! Thank you so much! If it weren't for you, big bro, I'd never have found it! This is my most precious thing. You're so kind, so take this!"
[Cleared quest 'Lost Pendant.']
[Reward: 1 gold, set amount of EXP, Camilla's Small Gift.]
[Camilla's Small Gift]
[Grade: Common+]
[Description: Camilla has a hobby of collecting odd items. This is her favorite from her collection—a random box. No one knows what's inside.]
She'd bounced around overjoyed handing over the pendant, then teared up and hugged him tight.
Pure innocent girl to a T.
Even knowing she was an NPC warmed the heart.
"Don't lose it again."
"Yes! Thank you so much! It's my treasure, so treasure it yourself, big bro!"
"Got it. Thanks."
"Hehe. Bye, big bro!"
Patting her head with an uncle's fond smile, she beamed like a puppy.
[Title 'Max Affinity from the Start?' effect activates. Affinity rises greatly.]
[Camilla's affinity rises sharply.]
'Is it 'cause she's young? Bigger boost.'
Her purity amplified the title's effect.
Feeling the variance in NPC responses again, Do-hyun headed out.
After parting with Camilla, he checked in with the other NPCs.
Second stop: Linda's potion shop. Hearing about the western woods, she flipped.
"Oh my god, the western woods are still so dangerous. No wonder he gets hurt so often... This won't do. I have to tell him to quit being a scout right now. Quit scouting or quit with me...! Ahem. Thanks for telling me, Apostle."
[Cleared quest 'Western Woods Exploration.']
[Reward: 1 gold, set amount of EXP, 10 Low HP Potions, 10 Low MP Potions.]
[Title 'Max Affinity from the Start?' effect activates. Affinity rises greatly.]
'Hmm... Kinda sorry for that scout.'
Dude was suddenly at a crossroads: lose job or lose lover.
Paying silent respects to Scout Jack, Do-hyun hit the last stop: Zrinna.
True to making him want to skip, her welcome was over the top.
"Oho! You slew all those vicious bugs! Even skilled hunters struggle with them—impressive, truly impressive. I sensed it the moment I saw you: that extraordinary aura!"
"Uh, yeah..."
"You felt it too, right? The evil emanating from those beasts! Far more vicious than Raven Plains mobs—veteran hunters tremble, but you?"
"Yeah... manageable."
"As expected! Incredible! You remind me of my younger self..."
Dodging baseball-player-level chatter from Zrinna, Do-hyun gave rote replies.
Then a strategy guide tip popped up.
-P.S. If you ever want to deck Zrinna, hold back no matter what. Remember my words. Absolutely.
Arde's Kalde had similar warnings, so similar personality? ...No, this sparked player aggression in a whole other way.
Seemed even worse than rumored—not just bias from enduring it.
[Title 'Max Affinity from the Start?' effect activates. Affinity rises greatly.]
...
[Title 'Max Affinity from the Start?' effect activates. Affinity rises greatly.]
'...Wish it wouldn't trigger now.'
The title made her pour on the friendliness full throttle.
In a state of zen, brushing off chit-chat for five minutes or so.
"Hmm! I can trust you with this."
Her words finally focused Do-hyun's eyes.
'At last!'
He'd waited for this.
Zrinna eyed him seriously, lips moving—Do-hyun's gaze turned pleading.
After eons, she spoke!
"It's dangerous, I know... but could you clear a dungeon?"
Ding-.
[Cleared quest 'Giant Insect Extermination.']
[Reward: 1 gold, set amount of EXP.]
[Linked quest 'Dungeon Conquest' generated.]
[Accept?]
A refreshing chime and linked quest appeared, easing his gut.
[Dungeon Conquest]
-Grade: Rare
-Description: Zrinna, ever vigilant of the western woods, worries the monsters will grow too strong if the dungeon's left alone too long.
She expects you—slayer of the giant insects even hunters avoid—might clear it. Conquer the dungeon successfully.
-Dungeon outside west gate (0/1)
-Clear Rewards: 10 gold, set amount of EXP, 1 Low Skill Draw Ticket.
-Fail Risk: Zrinna may be slightly disappointed.
-Time Limit: 48 hours
A linked quest with a skill draw ticket, no less!
Rare-grade with fat gold rewards, any western woods dungeon counts—strategy guides all called it a must-do.
'No matter what, gotta clear this.'
Do-hyun agreed.
Even a low-grade skill draw was rare; freebies like this were few and far between.
A godsend for low-levels short on skills.
"Surely you can..."
"Of course. I'll go clear a dungeon right—"
"Hm? I brewed tea, at least have some..."
Pretending not to hear as he bolted, Do-hyun put distance from Zrinna's house.
After about 200m, he sorted his thoughts.
'Let's see... For dungeons, those two main ones, right?'
Goblin Chieftain's Lair and Ant Nest.
Others existed, but these were the go-tos.
Balanced difficulty, solid rewards.
'Warrior set in mind, Goblin Chieftain's Lair edges out.'
Like Arde's Goblin Warrior habitat.
Enter, mobbed by tribal goblins; clear half, chieftain spawns.
Normal boss—not too hard, but required a mage due to its traits.
'Ant Nest needs a tank, though.'
Literal giant ants swarming tunnels.
Straight path, ant waves incoming; block five waves, done.
Quantity over quality—no boss fight.
Tank's role crucial for soaking and holding aggro.
Both solid picks, but...
'Neither grabs me.'
One hitch: both party dungeons.
'Don't wanna show unique ability yet if possible.'
Assassin Boy rumors were bad enough; didn't want to reveal adventurer's unique effects to folks.
Solution? Simple.
'Hide it.'
Stick to one skill line, done.
Plenty class options.
Greatsword, axe, dagger—three weapons; Charge Slash, Backstab—two skills.
Looked swordsman/assassin, but too early to lock in.
[Level up.]
[Reached level 20. Acquired Random Skill Draw Ticket.]
Second random skill draw in hand.
Eyes gleaming at the long-awaited skill pack, Do-hyun gripped the card pack with a grin.
'Let's see what class skill pops.'
Like tarot, he drew to divine his class fate.
Ten cards fanned out in midair.
Message popped.
[Eye of Truth activates.]
'Please, gold...!'
Scanning left to right, colors showed.
Brown, brown, silver, brown...
Brown fest had him sweating till the end—then Do-hyun's eyes widened.