Choosing My Trait

Solo play in the F-rank gates had brought sweeter spoils than I'd imagined. From Monday to Tuesday, I cleared gates without fail, every single day. After just two days of hunting, a welcome system message finally appeared before my eyes.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Finally, Level 10. For an ordinary awakener, this was an achievement in a timeframe they couldn't even dream of. Including my year as a porter, it wasn't exactly short, but seeing the number I'd earned by my own hands—toppling monsters myself—hit different.

Just as I was sinking into miscellaneous sentiments, another system alert rang in my mind.

"...I can even do this my way?"

I tried to calm my surging chest. Traits were like a sort of 'job change bonus' granted every 10 levels. Normally, the system forcibly assigns fitting ones based on the hunter's combat style or behavior patterns. Melee dealers get strength boosts or sword aura proficiency; tanks get HP amplification or damage reduction. Since I'd been fighting with magic so far, I figured it'd be something related.

But having the system pick one magic trait out of countless options versus choosing it myself? Worlds apart. It meant I could decide my own growth direction.

With trembling hands, I opened the general traits section of my Status Window. Among the lists linked to my Intelligence stat, one immediately caught my eye.

I debated between traits that directly boosted magic attack power or mana recovery, but the answer was clear. With my Mana Shield, absolute mana amount was essentially my 'stamina.' Plus, with my all-in Intelligence build, percentage-based mana increases would yield overwhelming efficiency compared to others as time went on. Recovery was important too, but since base recovery scaled with max mana, 'amplification' was the way.

The moment I decided, a cool wave of mana swept through my body. Seeing my MP—unbelievable for Level 10—I couldn't contain my excitement.

With trait selection done, I shifted to the skills tab. The precious 5 skill points from hitting this milestone Level 10. How I allocated them would affect not just hunting efficiency, but my survival odds.

I made my first choice without hesitation.

It had cost 2 points to first acquire, so reinforcement took more—3 points. But no regrets. Sticking to solo play meant risks would keep piling up. To handle them flexibly, I needed stronger defense.

Once upgraded, I felt the transparent blue shield around me deepen in color. At my current Intelligence, mana cost was down 15%. As it rose further, it'd hit 80% efficiency.

Next, expand attack options. Mana Bullet was strong but single-target. The deadliest for a solo player? Being swarmed. Mana Snare helped, but against multiples later, it might not cut it. Solution: lightning's conductivity.

My Intelligence was low compared to Mana Bullet's 1.5x coefficient, but the AoE damage and stun chaining? Tempting. In F-rank gates, transfer alone could near-kill; crit on transfer? Instant death. 1.5s AoE stun handed battlefield control to a ranged gunner like me.

"They weren't kidding about real grind starting at 10..."

EXP: 0/1,000

I stuck out my tongue at the EXP bar, nearly triple Level 9's. The geometric jumps every 10 levels felt like the system's silent push to higher gates. F-rank clears netted ~400 EXP max... With mob density, two clears for level up. E-rank might sustain growth pace.

Short deliberation, then decision.

"Two clears a day should do."

Tough march for most—and me, with my stamina. But E-rank felt risky still. My specs could handle, but porter days' E-gate pressure lingered as a psych barrier.

I grabbed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clothes and headed to the Hunter Association.

"F-rank gate solo clear application."

"Hunter Kim Jihoon... Isn't it about time to renew your Hunter ID?"

The usual request every visit. Pressure from above, apparently. I replied indifferently.

"Renewal's every 6 months, right? Not thinking about it yet."

"But renewing would make party hunting way easier?"

"I'm good. Planning solo clears for now."

Judging further persuasion pointless, the staff sighed and handed the form. Quick signature, then straight to the gate.

"Too easy..."

Luck stat paid off—critical hit. Three charging goblins fried simultaneously from one Lightning Arrow. I'd guessed, but didn't expect crits on transfers too.

Hunting turned mechanical after. Mana Snare, Mana Bullet finish. Multiples? Lightning Arrow. Boss Goblin Warrior down, clock check: just 2 hours.

'Exit now, too much attention.'

Leaned on a tree for an hour rest, then out. Shocked staff checked mana stones/byproducts, nodded in acceptance. Taxi back to Association.

"F-rank gate solo clear, additional application."

"Hunter Kim Jihoon? Already cleared?"

"Should be in records."

My flat reply left them speechless. Even pros struggle solo in 3 hours. Regs clear, though—shaky stamp approved.

From then, my week: mechanical routine repeat. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Two F-rank clears daily. Rising Intelligence boosted recovery and shield efficiency for the grind. New Lightning Arrow dominated multiples, easing hunts.

Crackle!Sizzle!

One arrow into a clump of 3-4 goblins/slimes, chaining current roasted them stiff like meat puppets. Crit? One-shot. No crit? In 1.5s, my fingertips spat Intelligence 30-condensed Mana Bullet.

Friday night, out of final gate, long exhale. Hellish week's end result: ~30 million won settled in account.

Saturday morning. Reunion day dawned. Mirror check: no trace of the porter Park Jincheol scorned. Frequent levels and Intelligence rises cleared my complexion; eyes held ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠undeniable poise.

Crisp navy knit, slacks. Finally, Keruk's Mana Engraved ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Bracelet on wrist. Sleeve hid it, but faint mana bolstered confidence.

Intelligence 36, MP 552. All post-10 trait and level-up stats dumped into Intelligence.

"Prep done?"

Hongdae chicken joint Park Jincheol booked. Today, not just reunion spot. My battlefield to shed a year's scorn.

Light steps out. Phone buzzed in pocket—checked.

A faint smile tugged my lips. I murmured,

Yeah, look forward to it. See what I bring.