Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Other People's Skills Look Bigger
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"It's possible, but what do you plan to use it for?"
"Just give me one solid hit."
"Hmm, you've got something in mind, huh? But putting a newbie in danger isn't exactly senior hunter material."
It seemed like classic Jeong Se-hee flirting mixed with dissuasion. She probably wasn't seriously expecting anything in return.
No matter how half-crippled it was, charging a golem bare-handed was reckless. Unless it was like that skeleton earlier, already half-smashed for a finisher.
Of course, whether this woman was genuinely concerned about me or just teasing the newbie like a seasoned vet would be clear in time.
Right now, none of that mattered.
"I'll do one favor for you if you want."
"Deal. A promise is a promise?"
Jeong Se-hee traced a magic circle in the air with her finger and lightly tapped the center. The circle floated toward my spear, absorbing into it with a pure white glow.
"Attack power and durability boost. Only works twice."
"Thanks!"
"Whoa, Seong-han?!"
Cheon Sang-su, who'd been watching Cheon Sang-ho's side, yelped in surprise, but I had my own plan. I boldly used one of my spare Copy slots on one of Sin Ju-yeon's skills.
Assault Charge
[Temporary copy: 30% power]
In that instant, my body shot forward like I'd floored the accelerator, the spear shaft spinning wildly in my grip.
I aimed for between the golem's legs. That unfortunate spot.
Even in the heat of battle, with adrenaline pumping, I couldn't pass up the joke.
"Become a eunuch, you bastard!"
Not that a stone dick was even there.
The thrusting spear tip zeroed in on the golem's crotch. The spinning shaft made my palms burn like fire, but surging adrenaline dulled the pain to a flash.
Sin Ju-yeon had just smashed the golem's knee and stuck right beside me.
She blinked in surprise at the situation but quickly steadied herself for a follow-up.
Kwajik!
'Handfeel is insane!'
A rush incomparable to finishing that skeleton surged through me. An unbelievable roar accompanied it, and light leaked from between the shattered fragments in the golem's legs.
"Ju-yeon!"
"I see it!"
"Whoa!"
Sin Ju-yeon leaped off my back, spinning a full rotation in midair.
I ended up tumbling awkwardly on the ground, but seeing the fist-sized rock hurtling over my head, I realized she'd deliberately launched me out of the way.
"Hup!"
With a sharp inhale, Sin Ju-yeon's spear whipped up the wind.
I'd only managed to crack the rock guarding the core, but her spear slipped through the gap and twisted the entire pelvic area from the inside out.
Kwagwang!
'Holy shit, check that power.'
Even at just 30% power with my mismatched stats, it was on another level. This was B-Rank hunter prowess.
Sin Ju-yeon's Assault Charge, powered by over 200 Strength, hit like a grenade blast.
The moment the core shattered, the flailing golem froze and collapsed into a pile of rubble.
Kuung!
"Between the legs!"
Cheon Sang-su had pinpointed the core's location too. Cheon Sang-ho deflected a golem fist and slammed his shield vertically like splitting a watermelon.
Bang!
"Got it pinned!"
Jeong Se-hee swiftly summoned vines to bind the golem's legs. Seizing the opening, Sin Ju-yeon dashed in and plunged her spear into the exposed core.
Kwarung!
"Anyone hurt? Raise your hands! Looks like no casualties!"
Cheon Sang-ho cracked a lame joke, scanned the party, and burst into laughter. Spotting me getting up, he raised his hand excitedly.
"Aaaah! If you hit me now, I'm done for!"
"Why pick on our Seong-han!"
Luckily, Jeong Se-hee blocked him and yelled first, saving my back from a pounding. Cheon Sang-ho looked sheepish for a moment before "helping" me up—more like half-strangling me.
"You cute little maniac! Lunatic! Where'd you come from, huh?"
"Guhhh..."
Cheon Sang-ho's arm, thick as my thigh, choked my windpipe. Was this how I'd go after taking down a golem?
Sin Ju-yeon came to my rescue. Astonishingly strong, she pried his arm off and gently sat my limp body down.
"Seong-han's choking."
"A guy's gotta tough it out! You ripped that golem's crotch just fine earlier!"
"Is that the same? Anyway, we wrapped it up smoothly. These must be mid-boss level."
"Yeah. Thought it'd take at least 30 minutes, but we finished in under 10."
Finally catching my breath, I sat dazed, listening to their chatter. Bracing my hand on the ground absentmindedly, a stinging sensation hit.
"Ugh."
Up close, my palm was red and raw. Slight blood beading up—looked like the spinning spear had scraped off all the skin.
"What? You're hurt?"
"You punk, didn't raise your hand earlier."
"Ahahaha..."
Were they just overflowing with composure, or out of their minds? I couldn't keep up with these high-rank hunters' energy.
This was a C-Rank dungeon, so the golems were C-Rank monsters, right? Felt bad comparing to skeletons, though.
"Golems have high defense, so you usually have to pound them everywhere to expose the core. That's why they take so long."
"Doesn't Detection pick it up?"
"Even targeting weak points, the core shifts after a set time. Normal C-Rank hunters struggle hard."
Sin Ju-yeon's calm explanation made Cheon Sang-ho's glee understandable.
Dungeon clears were all about time—every minute counted. Cutting that in half was worth celebrating.
"Seong-han, looks like your Detection isn't ordinary. Makes me feel inadequate, and I thought I pulled my weight."
"Just got lucky. Scanning the whole body, that one spot had different rock."
"You noticed that? Not your average guy. Heavenly Supporter indeed."
Cheon Sang-su, genuinely impressed, patted my shoulder in praise. I chuckled awkwardly, but the sting in my palm flared.
"Bear with it—it stings."
"Uh... thanks."
She'd pulled out some potion-like vial, smeared it on my palm, and cast a simple disinfection spell. Not full healing.
"I could've done it."
"What, don't like bandages from an old lady like me?"
"Old lady? You're a noona anywhere you look."
Her face was still twenties. Barely four years older than Yu-ra noona. Couldn't call her casually yet.
"Who swings a spear bare-handed, idiot? Should've had gloves at least."
"Normal swings were fine. Just happened this way."
"'Just happened'?"
Crap, not the thing to say in front of Sin Ju-yeon.
She might've noticed my clumsy Assault Charge.
But Sin Ju-yeon just narrowed her eyes slightly, no interrogation. Instead, she pulled a pair of leather gloves from her waist pouch and handed them over.
"Wear these at least. Well-worn leather, comfy."
"Thanks. I'll return them when we exit."
Sin Ju-yeon nodded once and headed to the golem rubble. Prodding rocks with her spear tip, searching. Cheon Sang-ho and Cheon Sang-su rummaged another golem.
Jeong Se-hee, slipping the gloves on me, caught my curiosity and explained.
"Farming time. Minerals or mana stones inside—lucky hits can be jackpots."
"Jackpots?"
"Rare minerals beat gold. Sang-ho oppa's shield, Ju-yeon's spear—all made from that stuff."
"No wonder hunters are loaded."
"Rare ores vary wildly in price. Oriharcon raw stones? Easily billions."
"Insane."
Price shocked me, but the ores themselves intrigued. Under 100g, I could Copy them.
'...Nah, pointless anyway.'
Even leveled up, without permanent upkeep, Copies fade when semen runs dry. Scam item, basically.
Fool someone once or twice, maybe, but repeat and get caught. No villain ending for me.
'Copying physical items needs caution. Skip unless consumable.'
I considered someone out there might recognize Copy skills. Hunter skills were wildly varied—using recklessly could backfire anywhere.
Sin Ju-yeon suspecting me now wouldn't be weird. Lucky she only saw me pre-attack, no full certainty.
'Never use near the skill owner. Got too hyped.'
Suddenly charging with a spear from spectator spot? Baffling.
Buffed or not, a supporter smashing rocks like a melee DPS was odd. Dungeon practice's importance hit home.
"Catch our breath and move? Golems won't slow us now. Thought clear by 5 PM—might eat lunch out."
"Don't jinx it, focus. Gotta carry Seong-han too."
"Look at her clinging. Anything cute if young?"
"No?"
Jeong Se-hee hooked her arm in mine, casually rubbing those violent breasts against me.
"He's handsome."
"Damn thirsty. No wonder still single."
"What brag from a married dad of two? Hmph."
Cheon Sang-su and Sin Ju-yeon unfazed—this was party normal.
Fine, but unhook your arm. Fun at first, but over clothes? No thrill.
'No matter how I think... suspicious. No, weird.'
Suspecting people casually was wrong. But Sin Ju-yeon couldn't shake her curiosity, puzzlement, and faint unease watching Lee Seong-han.
His profile from the Association: Strength and Agility around 30 each. No way that stat line produced that strike.
'Weapon buff only enhances the weapon. That thrust was pure skill.'
So what was that pitiful attack? Recalling Lee Seong-han's stab, Sin Ju-yeon sighed unwittingly.