[ Sometimes, You Get Stronger (1) ]
Rumble, rumble.
The sound of rolling wheels was heavy. On a cart sat a large duffle bag, big enough to fit a person inside. Two people were each pulling one of these large bags.
The wheels that had been rattling across the floor came to a stop in front of a security guard from the Haeyeon Guild.
“You’re carrying a lot more than usual today.”
At the security guard’s remark, the deputy guild leader of Bricks, one of Haeyeon’s subsidiary guilds, let out an awkward chuckle.
“We’ve got some bulky stuff this time. The ranks are low, but there’s quite a bit of it.”
As he spoke, he opened the bag. It was filled with various weapons, armor, shoes, and other miscellaneous items.
“Low-level items like these don’t really leave much profit after you deduct the transaction fees and appraisal costs. It’s bothersome, but we have no choice but to verify them ourselves.”
For low-tier items, they often just filmed the process of testing them out and used that as a substitute for an appraisal certificate. These types of items were frequently sold through direct transactions rather than through the marketplace.
So, they often carried heaps of stuff like this and headed to the training rooms to test the items.
“You’ve got a lot of work. It’d be nice if there were more hunters with item appraisal skills, but we only have two in the country right now.”
“Even if there were more appraisers, it’s still cheaper to do it ourselves rather than wasting mana potions.”
The security guard checked their baggage and hunter IDs, then handed out inventory-sealing bracelets, one for each person.
“One C-rank, two D-ranks, one E-rank. Since you’re all below C-rank, there are no particular restrictions. You remember the safety protocols, right?”
“Of course.”
“You may go in.”
“Thank you.”
The Bricks deputy guild leader gave a slight nod of thanks.
Rumble, rumble.
The sound of the wheels scraping the floor started up again.
“If he’s a security guard, he’s probably an unawakened or, at best, an E-rank. But man, he’s stiff-necked,” one of the group muttered in a low voice as they headed toward the elevator leading to the basement floor.
“We’re not coming back here anyway, so stop worrying about nonsense and focus,” the deputy guild leader said, frowning as he pressed the elevator button. Soon, with a short ding, the elevator arrived, and the Bricks guild members, a hint of tension on their faces, stepped inside.
“I’ll wait outside.”
The MKC hunter said as he stood back. I felt a little bad making him wait, but with C-rank stats, he wouldn’t have to worry about sore legs. He might get bored, though.
“Okay, Peace. What should we do today?”
-Kyann!
Peace spun around excitedly. It broke my heart seeing how happy he got just from coming to a training room. I wanted to let him play in a bigger space, somewhere outdoors, not indoors all the time.
“I hope the laws change soon.”
Let us take tamed monsters outside already. He’s only C-rank and completely tame. As long as he has a B-rank handler with him, it’s not like there’s any danger.
-Grrr!
Peace came over, holding a tug-of-war rope in his mouth. Tugging on the other end while wagging it around was his favorite game. It was exhausting for me, though.
Still, once we get more monsters, this ordeal should lessen a bit. I could let them play together except when I’m using my training skills.
“Hold on a sec. Let me put on some gear.”
Tough tug-of-war games require strength stats. I took out the A-rank Black Pearl Spiderweb Half-Gloves from my inventory, which increased strength by a solid 60 points. Yesterday, I’d been issued various kinds of training gear.
Since the gloves provided enough strength to handle Peace, I only needed to add a stamina-boosting bracelet. I grabbed one end of the rope.
-Grr! Grrrr!
As soon as I held the rope, Peace grabbed the other end with his teeth and started pulling enthusiastically. His fluffy tail wagged furiously. Without the specially-made rope, his strength would have torn it apart in a second.
Seeing him like this, it was clear—he’s definitely a monster.
‘Maybe I should take him into a dungeon sometime.’
It shouldn’t be dangerous if it’s an F to E-rank dungeon. Does Haeyeon have any low-level dungeons with plains or lake environments?
The problem was that if I brought him in myself, the person who made the system might get concerned. What if they messed up again?
Maybe I could get Yuhyun to take him in, saying it’d be a good excuse to test him alongside the Monster Mounts. Wonder if he has the time? Plus, I could have him check out some skills too.
-Grr!
When I thought he had burned enough energy, I let go of the rope. Peace, proud of himself, trotted around the training room before dropping the rope at my feet.
“Did you have fun? Did you?”
-Kyann!
He leaped into my arms, and I ruffled the back of his neck roughly. Fine, if it makes you this happy, I don’t mind getting a bit tired.
“Let’s play ball next, okay?”
We have to take breaks, after all. I approached a basket full of balls of various shapes, colors, and textures. But just then…
Click.
The door, which had been closed, opened, and the MKC hunter walked in. What’s this about?
“Did something happen?”
Instead of responding, he shut the door.
I had a bad feeling the moment that happened.
Whoosh!
A red powder was thrown into the air. A sweet scent and a faint shimmer filled the room. Instant knockout powder, costing a cool five hundred per gram.
“Peace—mph!”
I was grabbed from behind, and my mouth was covered. I could see Peace, already knocked out and lying limply in the distance. I struggled to break free from the arms holding my waist and the hand over my mouth, but it was no use.
…There was no way I could overpower a B-rank. Even if I pulled all the equipment from my inventory and equipped it, the result would be the same. Maybe if they’d sent a newly awakened level 1, but anyone sent as a bodyguard would be higher-leveled.
‘Shit, is MKC really betraying me?’
That would be way too risky. Just then, the door opened again, and a group of men entered, pushing carts with large bags on top.
One C-rank, two D-ranks, one E-rank.
They didn’t even bat an eye at me, still struggling in the B-rank’s grip. That meant they weren’t from Haeyeon. They also had inventory-sealing bracelets on their wrists, so that much was clear. But their ranks were too low to be part of MKC.
“Why is he still conscious?”
The C-rank asked, puzzled.
“The antidote didn’t work. I guess Haeyeon gave him some detox items.”
Suh Minseong said from above me. His voice grated on my nerves.
“The Warden’s Fruit didn’t work? He must at least be B-rank. I guess his little brother gave him some good stuff.”
The guy sneered. I swallowed my rising irritation and tried to assess the situation.
First of all, Suh Minseong and these guys were working together. If they were mid-to-low-ranked hunters coming to a training room with sealed inventories, they were likely from a small guild under Haeyeon.
In other words, MKC itself wasn’t involved, but they seriously messed up.
A massive guild, and they sent a spy instead of a proper bodyguard. What a joke.
‘Suh Minseong’s probably into gambling or drugs.’
There were few reasons for a well-off B-rank hunter in a massive guild to pull something like this. MKC, you bunch of idiots, you can’t even manage your guild members properly. No wonder you’re the first to fall.
“Grab the monster and check his items.”
One of the D-ranks approached me at the C-rank’s command. The fact that he approached without a trace of caution made me want to sigh. Even if you’re a D-rank, you should know better… idiot.
“Where’s the antidote?”
Thud!
“Ugh!”
The idiot went flying, clutching his gut after I kicked him in the solar plexus. As I lowered my leg, I watched him roll on the floor. The other D-rank and E-rank, who had been inspecting Peace, looked at me in shock.
“Isn’t his stat F-rank?!”
Of course, they’re idiots too. Do you really think someone backed by five massive guilds wouldn’t have a ton of gear?
But the C-rank was more experienced and didn’t seem surprised.
“You morons, keep it down. It’s no secret Haeyeon’s guild leader dotes on his brother. Did you really think they’d only give him one detox item?”
Dote on me? No way. Still, rumors sure do get exaggerated. Embarrassing.
“That bastard!”
The guy I kicked spat out a curse, only to be scolded for making too much noise again. They could make more noise if they wanted. The training rooms were annoyingly soundproof. Damn it.
The idiot cautiously pulled off my gloves and snatched the bracelet from my wrist.
Meanwhile, another idiot opened the bag they had brought and spilled its contents all over the floor. They then stuffed the unconscious Peace into a box positioned in the center of the bag, covering him with the scattered items.
‘Damn it, they’re definitely going to get out of here without being caught.’
They’d already gone through security on their way in, and with just one C-rank and a few D and E-ranks, no one would bother to inspect them thoroughly on their way out. At most, they’d open the bag, take a glance, and that’d be it.
I need a way to make sure they get a thorough inspection…
“Is this the detox item?”
Just then, one of the idiots reached for my earlobe. Crap, wait. How many times have I used the Promising Talent skill? On these five guys and once while coming to the training room, just as a habit…
That’s six times.
My magic stat hasn’t increased—it’s still at 2. Not enough time has passed for my mana to recover, and with Promising Talent consuming half my mana every three uses, damn it. If they take off the earrings, my mana will drop below 10%.
‘I’m screwed.’
As the idiot pulled off the Black Fairy Earring, a sharp headache hit me, and my vision blurred.
Splash!
“Pfft, what the hell!”
Water? I tried to wipe my face, but my wrists were tied together. Cable ties. They were thick, but not zip cuffs, so they weren’t impossible to break. They really underestimated my F-rank stats.
Still, they had dutifully sealed my inventory with a bracelet.
“Finally awake?”
A stranger looked down at me as I blinked through the throbbing headache. I should probably get a read on the situation before passing out again.
I glanced up at the guy leaning back in his chair and activated Promising Talent. Thankfully, I didn’t black out, and the status window appeared.
B-rank stats, offense-type initial skills, Kim Woojae. Not a name I recognized. If he was part of the guild that kidnapped me, he’d probably be at least a deputy guild leader or guild leader.
I leaned back against the wall and looked around. It was an ordinary office, not particularly large. There were no windows, so it was probably underground.
“Why waste water when you could have just used a stimulant? This isn’t some cheesy old movie.”
There are plenty of good dungeon by-products that work as stimulants. Not that they would’ve worked on me anyway. Where’s Peace? Did they lock him up separately?
“You seem relaxed, like you’re expecting someone to come rescue you. You should give up on that idea.”
He sneered.
“Aren’t you the one who’s overconfident? There’s no way you can handle the five guilds and the Hunter Association that will inevitably get involved.”
Come on, spill your whole plan. Every good villain explains their scheme from start to finish to their incapacitated victim.
“It’s only a matter of time.”
Fortunately, he was a proper villain.
“Suh Minseong, your bodyguard, is still standing guard outside the training room. No one knows you’ve been kidnapped, so who’s coming to save you? By the time they realize you’re missing, we’ll be sailing to Japan.”
“Japan? So that’s your backer?”
“Not a backer, just where the auction’s being held. Once we hand you over safely, we’ll get half of the winning bid, along with full protection and support from the guild or country that buys you.”
Ah, I see. How lovely for you.
Japan, huh? Of course, they wouldn’t dare sell me within the country. The only nearby countries they could sail to are Japan, China, and Russia. But considering the instability in China and Russia, Japan is the only viable option for an auction.
Will I be rescued before I end up as a neatly wrapped auction item?
It wouldn’t be hard for them to guess I was headed to Japan, and given my value, they’d probably deploy the coast guard. So, as long as the ship doesn’t cross the territorial waters, there’s a chance I’ll be rescued.
Which means my job now is to stall for as much time as possible.
“Why’d you wake me up? Wouldn’t it be easier if I stayed knocked out?”
“Whether you’re knocked out or awake, you’re still just an F-rank.”
His words pissed me off, but he wasn’t wrong. In my current state, I had no chance of beating a B-rank. Even if I equipped all the gear in my inventory, I couldn’t even take down a C-rank.
“Still, why waste water all of a sudden?”
He didn’t answer, just stared at me intently. What’s with that look?
“Are you resigned to your fate, or are you just that cocky?”
It seemed my nonchalant attitude was bothering him. I guess with Fear Resistance (L), I do have legendary-level guts. But seriously, what does he expect from a poor F-rank who’s been kidnapped?
“Your brain is as ugly as your face.”
“…What?”
“I can’t stand looking at either one.”
Bang!
He kicked the desk. The metal leg bent, and the stuff on top slid off, clattering to the floor.
“Seriously, these dumbasses are always so good at showing off their strength.”
“So you are cocky.”
He got up from his chair, looking pissed off. Is he mad? Is he really mad? He doesn’t seem angry enough yet.
I laughed like I’d just heard a bad joke.
“If the round thing between your shoulders isn’t just for decoration, you should know there’s no reason for me to be scared. If it is just decoration, then my bad. But it’s a bit too dirty to be ornamental, and it doesn’t seem functional either—”
Thud!
…He kicked me in the gut. Ah, fuck. That hurts. I couldn’t even make a sound.
“You sure are mouthy for someone in your position.”
“My position? Cough—I’m well aware of it. I’m a rare and valuable special skill user, wanted by every guild in the world. Meanwhile, you’re a dime-a-dozen B-rank combat hunter—ahh!”
He stomped on my ankle, as if trying to break it. Damn, if you’re going to break it, just cut it off. A broken bone won’t buy me enough time.
There’s no way a small guild like this has a proper healer or access to high-grade potions. If I pretend to be dying from blood loss, they’ll have no choice but to take me to a hospital.
Sure, they could let me die, but that would also be a death sentence for him. There’s no way a small guild organized the auction and secured passage to Japan by themselves. They must have backers. The auction house that’s taking the other half of the winning bid, or the massive overseas guilds eagerly awaiting their prized item.
If something happens to me, not only this guy, but everyone involved will be dead men walking. How many S-ranks would lose their minds over missing out on a high-level Monster Mounts?
Maybe I should pretend to have internal bleeding from the kick.
Biting my tongue to spit blood would be too obvious. Is there a better way to fake it? Or maybe I should just drive him completely insane. While I was considering my options, a rough hand grabbed my hair.
“Ugh…”
“That’s right, Han Yujin. You’re right, you’re nothing like a common B-rank combat hunter. No one would dare harm such a precious treasure. You’ve got every right to be confident.”
…His voice was furious, but his tone was calm. I couldn’t tell if I should push him further or not.
“So, let me introduce you to a little friend. I think you’ll have a good time.”
Bang!
“…Ugh.”
He dragged me into a dimly lit, closed-off space that looked like a storage room. A single weak light bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a faint glow. On the opposite wall, I could see iron bars.
Hmm… This definitely feels like the kind of place where something nasty is waiting inside.
“The creke has a habit of storing its food when it’s full.”
Creke? Is that a monster? I’d never heard of it before. The guy grinned arrogantly as he continued explaining.
“The way it stores its food is by cursing it, turning its entire body stiff with pain. In just 30 minutes, even the toughest person will be begging to be let out.”
He smiled wickedly. A curse? That’s actually a relief.
“Thirty minutes? You think that’s enough? Why don’t you use it for longer?”
The longer I stall, the better. But the bastard just sneered and left, locking the door behind him.
The iron bars lifted, and something dark slithered out.
It was a giant reptile, larger than a person, with slimy, muddy skin. It looked like a salamander, but with six legs. Its back was covered in anemone-like tentacles that swayed like smoke.
‘Curses won’t be a problem since I have resistance, but…’
God, it’s disgusting. Ew, get away from me. As it slowly crawled toward me, it suddenly stopped a few steps away. The chain around its neck went taut.
And then—
[When facing a Creke, all skill effects are doubled!]
A message window popped up. Huh?
‘…Is this a natural enemy skill from Lautitars?’
That gross, black salamander is a part of the Venom and Curse Dragonkin. But even with skill effects doubled, I don’t have any combat skills
… My agility and willpower-up skills doubled wouldn’t make much of a difference. Other than those…
Oh.
‘What if keyword application counts as a skill too?’
Technically, it is classified as a skill. If it applies twice as fast or easily, I might be able to take advantage of this ugly thing. It wouldn’t hurt to try.
‘Ow!’
As I tried to stand up, a sharp pain shot through my ankle. It wasn’t broken, but maybe cracked. I could still move, though, so I grabbed the wall for support and staggered to my feet.
And then.
Shhhrk!
The black salamander scrambled backward in a panic. Huh? What’s with it?
Its eyes were wide, and it panted heavily, the thick skin of its neck bulging. No matter how you looked at it, it was terrified. But why? I’m only an F-rank.
‘…Is this because of the Dragon Slayer title?’
It was a title I earned after slaying Lautitars, the Venom and Curse Dragon King, all on my own. It didn’t have any effect in the last dungeon, but it seems to work on other members of the Venom and Curse Dragonkin.
Well, if it’s scared, that just makes things easier. There’s even that “shaking bridge effect” too.
I pulled a vial of mana stone powder from my inventory and smiled kindly at the crouching salamander.
“Here, buddy. You’re a good boy, right? Want something tasty?”
This finely ground C-rank mana stone powder will go down smooth. Come here.
–TL Notes–
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