Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: First Expedition
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Growth Speed Boost and Potential Limit Boost. In a system where growth is quantified and applied numerically, these two buffs held truly immense value.
"That's not all. Buffs like these are so rare that they're practically priceless."
To the point where their rarity could rival an S-rank skill.
Even then, most such buffs applied only to the user themselves, came with overly stringent conditions for applying to others, or had disappointingly low values.
But Do-yoon's trait was different.
For one, the conditions were incredibly lenient. Even if exploits didn't work, compared to other growth buffs, they were a walk in the park.
And the 10% figure was an extraordinarily high value.
"Lenient conditions and a high numerical boost. Buffs in this category skyrocket in value if even one of those is met, but Apostle Do-yoon fulfills both. It's overwhelmingly superior among similar traits!"
Milane, brimming with excitement, explained fervently to Do-yoon.
"Truth be told, even if Apostle Do-yoon had no combat prowess or other abilities and just this buff alone, it would more than justify the 200 gold monthly salary!"
Do-yoon simply smiled without a word. At this point, trying to gauge his worth to the guild was pointless anyway.
Besides, Milane still had no idea about the roughly 40,000 gold in resources.
The 40,000 gold hidden away in Do-yoon's Nebula, just waiting for a convincing pretext that would satisfy the treasury staff and Milane.
What kind of face would she make when she found out someday? The contract advance they'd given him paled in comparison to what he'd already contributed to the guild.
Do-yoon swallowed the mischievous urge bubbling inside him.
"Let's start with the experiment!"
They first tested the exact scope of "those under your command."
She began by formally assigning Sophie to Do-yoon's team on paper.
And soon enough, Sophie confirmed a system message appearing before her eyes.
"Oh...! It really applied? This easily?"
"Yes. But... um... it's not just the growth speed and potential boosts—there's one more..."
"What? What's that?"
Milane and Eloa widened their eyes, glancing back and forth between Do-yoon and Sophie.
"When fighting alongside your master on the battlefield, you perform at your peak capacity..."
It was a buff that let you maintain peak condition in battle, unaffected by poor form or other variables.
Milane and Eloa were stunned by this cheat-like ability, wondering what else was packed in there. And its effect was no lightweight—it was a top-tier buff.
"What on earth is this trait...?"
Milane muttered with a look of utter bewilderment, while Eloa gazed at Do-yoon with eyes full of curiosity.
Do-yoon sent a private telepathic message to Eloa alone, secretly sharing the trait name [First Guild Master] and a rough overview of its details.
Only then did Eloa nod inwardly in admiration. As expected, it was a supreme trait perfectly suited to a hero.
In any case, the experiments continued.
"No good..."
"Hmm..."
The result was a failure. Milane, added to Do-yoon's team, received no buff.
This confirmed that paper tricks wouldn't fly.
The exact trigger was still unclear. Did it require genuine intent to follow Do-yoon? Or had the system detected the exploitative intent and blocked it outright?
They'd have to observe reactions and outcomes in more varied cases to figure it out.
"That's a shame. We can't apply it to everyone after all."
"Pfft, disappointed over this? I didn't expect much anyway. Hoping exploits would work on buffs like these would make us the real crooks."
As Milane said, the situation was still overwhelmingly positive.
They'd confirmed Sophie could easily enter the buff's range. And she hadn't gone through any grand procedures like joining Do-yoon's guild or swearing a knight's oath.
This suggested the conditions were quite broad. They couldn't be certain yet, but it was incredibly encouraging.
"Got anything else to surprise me with, lucky charm?"
"...Who knows."
Milane grinned slyly and nudged Do-yoon with her elbow. But Do-yoon subtly averted her gaze.
With that, the discussion on Do-yoon's buffs came to a close. Sophie and Do-yoon needed time to prepare for the upcoming expedition.
Eloa gave Do-yoon and Sophie a brief rundown of the expedition.
"The destination was originally just an unremarkable, undeveloped backwater. But about 70 years ago, right after the current Demon King's ascension, an unprecedented surge of demonic energy was detected there."
Land where demonic energy suddenly appeared despite not being a demonic realm—it screamed trouble at first glance. So, the Alliance launched a full-scale investigation.
Yet repeated surveys turned up nothing in the area.
"Since then, the Alliance has sent periodic investigation teams to monitor the site steadily. But after 70 years, the vigilance has long faded, and it's become just a routine, perfunctory task."
Do-yoon and Sophie nodded. Perfect for trainees on their first outing—nice and simple.
"The location is... let's see..."
Eloa's finger scanned across the map spread on the table.
And with it, Do-yoon's expression grew subtly peculiar.
"Here. This mountain range."
As Eloa's finger stopped, Do-yoon narrowed his eyes.
'This place...?'
The spot Eloa pointed to was one Do-yoon knew very well.
It was none other than the prime mana training ground from his past life—and the site where Enoch Războinic's legacy, including the spirit herbs, was stored.