[ Found It! (2) ]
‘Still, he’s managed to sharpen seventeen blades.’
I guess he had sharpened things like scissors, jackknives, and kitchen knives. He should work on sharpening more diligently.
‘If he had leveraged his talent to become a blacksmith or some similar craftsman, he would have only needed to meet the basic conditions.’
Considering it was an initial optimized skill, he might have acquired the skill right upon awakening. Even if the conditions were eased thanks to my “My Kid Is The Best” skill, if he had nurtured his talent early, would he have only sharpened ten thousand blades?
If he had been born before industrialization, it would have been easier for him to go down that path. He was just born in the wrong era and environment. At least with my skill, there’s still hope he can discover his talent; otherwise, it might have gone unnoticed.
‘… I decided not to use keywords on people, but seeing this, I’m wavering again.’
Should I help out those who are destined to be buried, not just combatants or healers? If someone like Myungwoo has low stat grades, there’d be fewer problems later on. Those with stats above C-grade will do well enough even if I ignore them.
Anyway, it’s a rare case, so there won’t be many of them. If I spot any, I should bring them in.
“Mister, how about this?”
Yerim asked, lifting a huge saw that was as tall as she was. First, the axe, and now a saw? Why are they showing things like this to a kid?
“Do you think it’ll slice through ice well?”
“Just use minimal freezing and focus on using ‘Shadowless Day.’ In high-level dungeons, even if you use ‘Cold Sigh’ to the fullest, you won’t be able to hold them for long.”
“Then, would an axe be better? This one seems to enhance strength stats quite a bit.”
“Strength should be supplemented with equipment, and your weapon should match your skills and physique. You heard that during the theory class.”
Yerim had a look as if she was trying to remember. Did she sleep through the class?
“Anyway, once you get offensive skills, the weapon is secondary. Just pick something that feels comfortable in your hands.”
For a battle mage, focusing on a main weapon that enhances magic stats is preferable. As a backup, you should be prepared for close combat, though. After chiding Yerim, I approached Myungwoo, who was still hesitating.
“Take the spear over there and focus on defense. Just avoid vital spots as you learned yesterday.”
“O-Okay.”
“With low-level monsters, there’s no risk of high-grade equipment getting damaged, so pick something good without worrying. You just have to avoid losing it.”
My words reassured Myungwoo.
But why am I the one picking out equipment for these kids? Where’s the instructor? Why haven’t they arrived? This is dereliction of duty.
‘It’s not like we’re talking about someone else; this is the S-rank rookie training instructor who’s running late. Irresponsible.’
Is he a kid with no social experience? Must be someone who’s never served in the military. That’s why everyone should serve. If even E-rank gets exempted, this is what happens. Even S-rankers should serve equally. National defense is a good thing, right?
Grumbling, I finished gathering equipment and items. As expected from a large guild, they had plenty of good stuff.
“Do we have to pay for consumables?”
“If you’re not a guild-affiliated hunter, you do have to pay.”
“Yerim, get this and that, over there, that red bottle, and bring them over here.”
“Yes, Mister!”
The supply room attendant’s expression soured slightly. What’s the problem? An S-rank is sharing some leftovers.
At that moment, the supply room door opened. Finally, the tardy instructor has arrived. Who is it…?
“… Yuhyun?”
Why are you here? I heard you were going to attack a new A-rank dungeon, but that wasn’t today, was it? Did you come to the wrong place?
“Sorry, I’m a bit late, aren’t I?”
Yuhyun said with a bright smile.
… Don’t tell me the inexperienced, young, irresponsible instructor who’s late because he never served in the military is you. My guess was spot-on, just like a prophet.
Or not. Why is he here, though?
“As much as I think this makes no sense, if you’re here as the dungeon training supervisor, I’d recommend finding a more diligent and appropriate way to spend your time.”
He’s not crazy enough to take F-rank kids into mid-to-high level dungeons, and an S-rank with three years of experience tackling a low-level dungeon is a joke. It’s like using a flamethrower to get rid of ants or something.
Yuhyun made a disappointed face at my words.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. Aren’t you happy to see me?”
What’s with the sentiment? It hasn’t even been a week.
“You’ve been busy, not me.”
“Since you took the Flame Horned Lion, you haven’t even come home once. You said you’d come often.”
My younger brother is acting like a wife nagging her husband about staying out late. It’s all because of the skill, so I have to endure it.
“Alright, I’ll come home more often.”
“And call sometimes. Does it make sense that I have to hear about my own brother’s affairs from others? Just let me know beforehand.”
“You can call me, too.”
Do you not have hands or feet? Yuhyun let out a short sigh at my words.
“You got mad when I called and even blocked me.”
Huh? Did I? I don’t remember. It was five years ago. When I checked my phone, there was some mark next to Yuhyun’s contact. Is this a block icon? It’s different from the phone I used before going back in time. No wonder he didn’t contact me despite trying to confine me.
“I’ve unblocked you.”
“Thank you.”
Only then did my little brother stop whining. He’s not a child. Well, he’s young since he’s twenty, but still.
“So, you’re really the training supervisor?”
“Why? Can’t I?”
Not that he can’t, but…
“You seem to have a lot of free time.”
“Not really. But having the S-rank guild leader assist a new S-rank’s first dungeon raid makes for a great story. Especially now, when everyone’s interested in Park Yerim. Plus, not all domestic S-ranks get along well, so it’s a chance to show a different side.”
Yuhyun glanced toward Park Yerim. She stared right back at him. You couldn’t call the looks they exchanged friendly.
A different side, my foot. Are they going to present this as if we all get along?
“Who else is coming besides you?”
“No one.”
“What? Aren’t you supposed to look after the kids and teach them?”
“Team Leader Seok said having just you would be enough.”
… That guy is working me to the bone without even paying a salary. I’m still a rookie hunter, so what makes him think that’s enough? Did Seok Hayan tell him I was good at it? Maybe I should have pretended to know less.
“Well, I’m not exactly… worried.”
Even with a proper team, a low-level dungeon raid usually ends within two days. The record for the fastest F-rank raid was a mere 23 minutes. It depends on the area, but with Yuhyun tagging along, it’d probably only take half a day at most. This will be more like a picnic.
“The dungeon we’ll be raiding is a D-rank lower level, with rocky terrain. Only close-range attack monsters, so there shouldn’t be much danger. Just be careful of falling rocks.”
“Guess there won’t be any fires, then.”
In a D-rank, F-grade stat holders would die as soon as they step in. If there were long-range attack monsters, it’d be worrying even with protection, but since there aren’t, it should be fine.
Before the regression, my first dungeon was an F-rank, and I almost died. This time, I’m starting with a safe D-rank. Having connections really is the best.
Before heading to the dungeon, reporters, who had been called in advance, conducted interviews. Naturally, Myungwoo and I were sidelined, while Yuhyun and Yerim put on a show of “We’re really close.”
To the uninformed, they would genuinely look like a good senior-junior pair. What a bunch of frauds. …Not that I’m in a position to criticize.
The dungeon we were going to raid was near Yeouido.
The entrance to an uncongested dungeon is usually big enough for one or two people to enter. Because of their small size, even now, when management is good, undiscovered dungeons sometimes end up bursting open.
When a dungeon entrance is found, they build a defense facility of at least 300 meters on each side, centered around the entrance. Then, managers from the association monitor the situation 24 hours a day.
If a dungeon entrance appears inside a building, they sometimes have to demolish the existing structure, but compensation is usually satisfactory. Since compensation is paid from dungeon revenue, the amount usually exceeds the average market value of the building or land. Of course, there are tearful cases where F-rank dungeons, with minimal profitability, occupy prime real estate.
‘I feel like I’m returning to work after a long vacation.’
I mumbled as I looked at the stabilized blue gate, which glowed softly. No, it hasn’t been that long. Besides, I’ve been busy with other things. I didn’t get much rest.
I need more vacation. No, I want to hand in my resignation. Why did I go back in time only to be raiding dungeons again?
I’ve sung this flower song once or twice, but why go through all that trouble again until I’m sick of it? It’s not like being a high-rank hunter brings in money and fame, and it’s not like dungeons will start bursting just because I’m not there. (TL Note: As you may have guessed, the MC is a big fan of the military. Basically, it’s like singing the cadence and going through the motions of training)
Obviously, I should just relax. My dream from childhood was to be a rich unemployed person.
“The dungeon gate stays active for an hour after activation.”
Yuhyun explained to the fledglings like a seasoned hunter.
“If an hour passes without finishing the raid or the hunters inside being wiped out, the gate will remain inactive. That means you can’t go in or out. There is an emergency escape method, but escape items are extremely rare.”
Saying this, he took out a gate stone. Even five years later, these were rare. It was impressive that he had one.
“There are only twenty-two in the entire country, and they’re disposable. So never attempt to raid a dungeon beyond your capabilities. Even if you find a dungeon on the verge of saturation, don’t think about sacrificing your life to buy time.”
Yuhyun looked straight at me as he spoke. What’s with you? I don’t plan on doing anything crazy.
If you enter a saturated dungeon, you can delay a break until the hunters inside are killed. But as an F-rank, I’d last maybe a minute. There’s no point in rushing in; I’d just report it to the association and get the hell out. Why would I risk my life?
After listing various other precautions, Yuhyun entered the gate first. Since you can’t see what’s happening inside the gate from outside, the strongest or most defensively capable person usually goes in first.
Of course, solo entry is strictly forbidden. Normally, you’d form a group and enter in succession, but this is training. The rookies will follow once the training supervisor secures the area.
“Let’s head in now.”
Five minutes had passed, so he should have everything under control.
At my words, Yerim fearlessly stepped into the gate. Then, after some hesitation, I pushed Myungwoo in and followed them.
As soon as I crossed the gate, the first thing I noticed was the acrid smell stinging my nose.
Next, the open sky, rocky cliffs, and the remains of burned monsters came into view.
I thought I was sick of this place, but my heart was racing.
Another world that you can reach with just a single step. The unfamiliar air, the strange scenery, the sense of isolation knowing that once the door closes, no one can enter.
It could be an escape, or it could be liberation.
Either way, for someone like me, who had been chased by all sorts of things, the moment of stepping through that door was sweet.
‘Though it was drenched in blood afterward.’
Enough with the sentiment.
I’m not in debt anymore, no one calls me garbage, and I get along with my brother. Hooray for regression. I thank the one who made the system that brought down the Wish Stone. Who cares about a few typos? But please, more detailed skill descriptions. I beg you.
“This area is safe.”
Han Yuhyun said, without even holding a weapon. Well, with lower D-rank dungeon monsters, he could wipe them out with just a few skills. But that’s not the case for Myungwoo and me.
“Just get us to level 10, no more.”
Let me ride that S-rank bus. As I pulled a spear from my inventory, Myungwoo, who had been watching, also grabbed his weapon. We both chose long spears. Our equipment options focused on defense and strength, ready to take whatever was handed out.
“Me too, I can help too!”
Yerim said, waving her rapier. No, you need to level up yourself.
“What help? Even if you hunt until you drop here, you won’t reach level 10. They told you the experience needed per level varies greatly depending on your stat grades.”
“They did?”
“You really did sleep through class, didn’t you?”
“… I wasn’t sleeping; I was just daydreaming a little.”
Well, she’s at that age when you hate studying. Although, to be fair, studying still sucks even when you’re thirty.
“The experience required per level is about five times higher for F-grade stats compared to S-grade stats. In exchange, the stat growth per level is much higher for S-grade. If you look at it from an efficiency standpoint, F-grade is so pitiful it almost makes you cry.”
So, Yerim will probably only reach level 5 here at best. It varies by dungeon, but for a lower D-rank, you’d need to solo it to reach around level 7.
As your level increases, the experience requirement also rises, so to reach level 10, she’d need to clear at least two more D-rank dungeons.
“Let’s get moving.”
Yuhyun said, stepping onto the path between the cliffs. Wait a second, isn’t that a mana stone I see amidst the ash?
“Aren’t you going to collect the mana stones?”
“Ah… I forgot since I’ve never had to pick them up myself.”
Of course, you haven’t. For my talented younger brother, D-rank mana stones are probably like pocket change, but not for me. I was already wondering how to gather ten thousand blades; I’ll collect and sell these.
“Yerim, can you adjust ‘Cold Sigh’ to minimal cold and maximum wind to blow away just the ash?”
“I’ll try.”
Soon, a cold wind blew. Since it was named “Cold Sigh,” it wasn’t a strong wind, but focusing on wind volume was enough to scatter the ash. Three D-rank mana stones. Thank you very much.
“Is it alright if I take these?”
“Of course.”
Love you, little brother.
“I didn’t know you could use ‘Cold Sigh’ like that.”
“It probably won’t be very useful that way. Still, it’s good to develop your adaptability. We’ll be entering dungeons continuously, so use your skills as diversely and creatively as possible. Often, while messing around, you find useful applications.”
“Yes!”
Now that I think about it, I wonder if Yuhyun’s been using his skills properly. When I checked with “Promising Talent” before entering the dungeon, it showed that he had acquired all the optimized skills, so there wasn’t anything for me to do.
Since he has three years of experience, that’s probably the case, but it’s a bit disappointing. Maybe I should roll a random skill when the cooldown ends. Who knows, something amazing might come out.
–TL Notes–
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