Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Vampire Punch
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Sanaian kids often have ridiculously wild dreams during childhood.
Like transforming into a Power Ranger, wrecking the school, and ditching class altogether.
Or in a do-or-die bus hijacking by armed thugs, suddenly gaining superpowers and taking down the villain.
Not everyone imagines stuff like that, sure.
But me and my friends? Totally did.
Becoming a wizard was obviously one of those dreams.
Harry Potter, Frieren from Beyond Journey's End, or whatever—honestly, who hasn't at least once fantasized about chanting a spell and dropping a meteor?
If not, well, that's a shame.
Anyway.
The Magic Hero says he'll teach me magic.
Magic isn't really a skill that requires specific traits.
Of course, picking related traits speeds up growth and boosts power...
But that's more about efficiency...
Anyway, it's nice to have, but you can train without it.
Think of it like that...
As long as you have mana, anyone can use it sufficiently.
Sure enough, looking back at Dreamland's invaders so far.
Even non-mages used it.
Like detection spells or telepathy—those common magics.
From random lords to knights, plenty used them.
Magic-related traits are like study smarts.
Even people with zero talent can grind their asses off, get lucky, and hit third-class level, right?
Melee talent? Not for me.
So I gotta give magic a shot.
If I can pull off something like jamming.
It'd open up all sorts of options.
Let's give it a try!
Sure thing!!!
Long story short: it was impossible.
Fuck.
The start was full of hope.
I was brimming with baseless confidence that I'd become an awesome mage.
But man.
Forget magic bullets or fireballs like the protagonists in all those stories I'd devoured since childhood—even sensing mana was a total wall.
Newbie. So, close your eyes, hand on your chest, focus—and you hear your heartbeat, right?
Mana's the same. It's part of your body. Generated in the heart, flows through veins with your blood all over.
Focus, and most people can feel it.
Like when you inhale and feel that sting in your nose, chest filling up.
Mana circulation is part of your bodily functions...
Think of it that way.
Applying it is the hard part—this step should be super easy...
Really no clue...?
Magic Hero's explanation wasn't off-base.
He broke it down so even a kid could get it.
Ditched all flair, sent me a full lecture vid with text, pics, everything.
I got it in my head.
Got it... but my body just wouldn't pick it up.
Spent another 8 hours grinding my ass off after that.
Result? Same failure.
What others do in 10 minutes.
I pour in 10 hours and nada.
Time to quit for my sanity.
Aw, jeez...
Guess I got no talent...
S-s-sorry...
I should've explained better...
Nah, Magic Hero did his best...
Feeling down, I petted Mallang.
Self-esteem in the gutter.
This doesn't make sense.
Sorry for not making sense...
LOLOLOL
Not insulting you.
I'm saying structurally, it doesn't add up.
MP at 130?
Simple human body analogy: that's like two years of training.
But you can't even walk properly?
Doesn't make sense logically.
Fair point.
But what's the reason?
Something comes to mind.
Like having ripped muscles but an accident leaves your limbs unresponsive...
Or born with a congenital disability.
I'm no doctor,
but doubt it's that.
If so, your MP stat's crippled.
A Dungeon Master with that? Weird as hell.
Hmm.
True that.
Ah.
Got one hunch...
Huh?
Newbie, remember the black mages?
The manticore party after hobgoblins?
Of course I do.
The ones Doppelganger schooled.
Black magic's cost isn't mana—it's human souls...
They said at first they sacrifice lives for spells...?
King Evil Spirit said that.
Ah, I get what Magic Hero's driving at.
In a place where jamming happens?
Not even detection magic picks them up—that screams no mana.
Not just you.
Excluding Doppelganger's mirror clones.
Other anomalies are similar.
So your MP...
Probably points for other stuff.
Like black mages' 'stock'?
Just a guess...
Come to think of it.
DIP, King Evil Spirit.
Winter or death theme guys use black magic with MP drain.
Heard that.
Yeah, those guys have tons of mana anyway.
Your case is unique...
But something like that, yeah.
So TL;DR, my MP is...
Not mana points, but Mystery Points??
Comprehension GOAT...
Good
When checking anomaly traits.
Saw stuff like "consumes MP" here and there.
Guess that's when it kicks in.
Sucks I can't do regular magic.
But confirming MP isn't useless?
Good enough—think positive.
Bottom line for self-strengthening: burn points on stats like crazy.
Or snag a top-tier weapon like a muggle's magic wand.
First option at level 120? Efficiency disaster.
Better buy anomaly traps or minions with that cash.
Second: loot from invaders.
Or decent weapons from other Dungeon Masters.
Nothing like that right now.
Still.
Starting training today.
Better to throw a punch than give up on talentless hands.
Might help in future waves, right?
Plenty of time anyway.
Why not.
We've got vets in our Dungeon Gal to teach skills.
Newbie yamm!
Wanna coach ya??
Teach ya Vampire Punch too!
Ooh.
Vampire Punch sounds tempting.
My main weapon's a dagger.
No grand reason.
Cheapest option when first fighting goblins.
Switching now feels off.
Daggers are comfy, familiar, portable.
Buyable straight from point shop.
Apparently LoveDog's fave too.
Tight spaces make swinging swords tough.
People fly all fancy, but can't slice dungeon walls, right?
Daggers light, no space issues!
Force close quarters in narrow spots.
Long reach? Neutralized.
Dagger gets the edge often.
Super fave weapon yamm!
Aha.
Every time pro mode hits, it's fascinating.
LoveDog's got plans.
For an introvert like me.
Friendly teacher? Nice bonus.
This is...
Slaying things───.
Eeee our Newbie's too cool!!
Started dagger lessons from LoveDog.
Vampire Punch on the side.
Please send me to Lowjinrat Great Mountains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will you lololol
Again with World Tree Forest buildup
World Tree Forest!! Survive well there!!
Newbie can't help this time
Pucker up and endure
LOLOL
Wanna chill and farm income again
Waves too hard~~~
Hoping I get in this time.
New weapon's ready to spew fire ㅇㅇ
Please teleport near Newbie please teleport near Newbie please teleport near Newbie please teleport near Newbie please teleport near Newbie please teleport near Newbie
After that, same old routine.
Gal posting, training, playing with Mallang, whipping up a TRPG rulebook on the side.
And so the time came.
Location shift cycle.
Postponing dungeon expansion.
No invaders right now anyway.
Better judge then.
Wonder where it'll drop me this time.
"Anywhere's fine."
"Ack."
Hell or heaven.
Whatever spot, my moves stay the same.
Defend the dungeon. Survive long-term.
"Bring it, world."
This Newbie's coming!