Chapter 13

Chapter 13

[Episode 03] Bus (3)

Smooth.

Noon.

Now, the time it takes to finish the Tutorial is less than 1 minute.

After that, clear the 2nd Floor and 3rd Floor.

Now optimized, up to here can be cut within 10 minutes.

After that, go to work at Hyeseong University Hospital by 1 o’clock.

Receive the rented items from person in charge Jang Young-cheol waiting there and start the full-scale clear.

“First, briefly briefing and we will start the clear. The dungeon to clear today is the 14th Floor.”

After riding the bus, return home and finish the day by clearing the remaining dungeons solo.

Every day is rewarding.

However, one worry that arose from yesterday.

‘What about the [Rare] grade dungeon 11th Floor?’

Yesterday I cleared the [Rare] grade 10th Floor.

But in the case of [Rare] grade, there was no bus system itself.

Finding a party ordinarily also looked difficult, and digging through the community, it was said there were many unsavory incidents.

‘Because if a [Rare] grade climber, it means they are holding a [Rare] grade weapon.’

Basic is hundreds of millions.

Items with good options sell even for tens of billions, that was [Rare] grade items.

Because of that, it was said there were many crimes targeting those who definitely held [Rare] grade items.

So now, if a [Rare] grade climber, they only form parties with those whose identities are guaranteed by the Management Bureau.

In short, only Management Bureau exclusives form parties among themselves.

‘Exclusive is no good.’

Because looking at the Salvation Points rising abnormally, they would think something was strange.

In the end, the [Rare] grade dungeon had to be climbed by one’s own power.

‘...Isn’t it gradually doable?’

There was one thing I felt bone-deep while riding the bus.

Precisely that ‘Mages are glass cannons’.

The words I heard the most during dungeon clears were ‘especially dangerous for Mages’.

It was a natural thing.

Originally, those who choose Mage are those with low initial physical stats like me.

Because that way Mana would come out high in the Tutorial, it is inevitable.

The reason there were particularly many women in the Mage class group was also because of that.

Even after that, Mages tend to invest only the minimum in stats that raise physical abilities like Strength, Agility, and Stamina.

A little stronger than ordinary people.

About 10~15 is recommended.

As much as investing a lot in physical ability, the power of magic weakens, so it is unavoidable.

Therefore.

‘All traps are fatal to Mages.’

But conversely speaking,

‘Not that fatal to Warriors or Archers.’

Seo Tae-woong or Baek Ji-hoon with high Stamina dealt with traps in a tough way itself.

They just activated the trap and lightly dodged arrows or poison needles flying toward themselves.

Traps like the Memory Maze where the floor collapses the moment of stepping wrong, they skip by jumping over lightly.

Because physical specs are different, the risk regarding traps becomes extremely low.

So the method chosen is this.

[Strength]: 100 [Agility]: 100 [Stamina]: 103 (+3)

Investing many stats into Strength, Agility, and Stamina.

A method ordinary Mages cannot even imagine.

A method only I, with overflowing bonus stats, could do.

‘Although Mana growth slowed that much...’

Now I have also become able to somewhat follow the things they did.

Dodging flying arrows, or omitting trap parts by jumping.

Thanks to that, the time itself for clearing the dungeon was decreasing.

Sucking up the know-how they had accumulated over several years.

‘Since [Rare] grade has an overall framework almost similar to [Normal].’

Unlike [Unique] grade dungeons, [Normal] and [Rare] had almost similar structures.

The difference points were the specs of traps or monsters.

Like skinny goblins not appearing but muscular goblins appearing, arrows flying faster or the number being many, that kind.

‘The 11th Floor or so is sufficiently alone...’

It was then.

“Jaehyun-ssi. Are you okay?”

Jeong Ha-eun who was in the seat next to me whispered.

“It seemed you couldn’t concentrate differently from usual...”

Coming to my senses, not only Jeong Ha-eun but all other party members were looking toward me.

Because in reality, this briefing was proceeding purely for ‘me’.

‘Let’s concentrate.’

I lowered my head and said.

“I’m sorry. Would it be possible from the beginning again?” “Ahem. Of course. Today, because the dungeon structure is simple, there is nothing to worry about traps. However...”

Listening to the briefing while concentrating as much as possible, then heading to the dungeon all together.

***

“You must hold tightly.”

Currently, I was carried on Seo Tae-woong’s back.

Jeong Ha-eun next to me was the same.

Waiting in a state carried on Baek Ji-hoon’s back.

And in front.

Rattle— Rattle—

An area where hundreds of skeletons were densely packed.

A place that had to be passed for the dungeon clear.

“Start.”

Choi Do-yoon who was not carrying anyone.

He drew the bowstring.

Crush!

An arrow wrapped in blue light precisely shattered the head of one skeleton.

Skeleton Archer holding a bow.

Crush! Crush!

Precision of picking only the guys holding bows among the skeleton group and shattering their heads.

“Bone guys! Here, here!”

Soon the skeletons’ aggro gathers toward him.

Hundreds of skeletons that fell for the provocation began to flock toward Choi Do-yoon.

Right after that.

“Run!”

Seo Tae-woong and Baek Ji-hoon who had carried me and Jeong Ha-eun on their backs began to run with all their strength.

Skeletons who belatedly noticed our existence began to follow, but with a considerable number having left due to Choi Do-yoon’s provocation, there were many gaps to dig into now.

Crack!

Seo Tae-woong swings an axe and opens the way.

Power that shatters skeletons in one shot as befitting a [Rare] grade item.

Soon after, we were able to arrive near the innermost of the skeleton group.

“Ha-eun-ah, magic!” “Yes! Energy Blade!”

The mana blade that stretched long aimed at one skeleton.

Skeleton holding a staff.

Flar—

Red light flames leaked faintly from the tip of the guy’s staff, but the mana blade Jeong Ha-eun shot touched the guy’s skull first.

Crack!

[You have defeated the Skeleton Mage.]

At the same time.

Rumble—

The altar began to rise from under the feet.

The period of the dungeon clear.

Now just leave through the exit.

But.

“Team leader! A skill book appeared!!” “What?!”

The situation changed rapidly.

Seo Tae-woong, who had always shown only a calm appearance until now, reacted roughly.

Arriving in front of the exit on the altar at tremendous speed and putting me down, then

“Please go out first! I will bring the skill book.”

Jumped in again among the flocking skeletons.

Thud— Thud!

That appearance was like one bull.

Watching that appearance, I fixed the [Wizard Wand].

Because of the thought that a situation where magic had to be used might come.

However, the worry was brief.

“Found it!”

Seo Tae-woong’s voice was heard.

The next appearance of roughly breaking through the path.

At almost similar timing, Baek Ji-hoon who had taken on the bait role also arrived at the altar together.

“Let’s go!”

[You have cleared the Normal Dungeon (14th Floor).] [Level has increased.] [Salvation Points are being settled.]

A short silence followed for a moment.

What became serious along with it were the waiting medical staff and team leader Jang Young-cheol.

“What happened? Did someone get hurt?”

However, no one answered that question.

No, it would be right to say there was no room to answer.

Jeong Ha-eun opened her mouth first.

“Team leader. What appeared?”

And Seo Tae-woong answered.

“‘Fireball’ skill book.”

Right after that.

“Waaaaah!” “Crazy.” “Kya. This appeared?”

The entire VIP hospital room heated up hotly.

Mage-exclusive skill, Fireball.

A skill with very high demand.

Because it was basically a stronger skill than Energy Bolt, a skill all Mages aimed for.

Because as long as cooldowns exist, holding even one more magic brings a tremendous advantage.

Even this skill book was famous even among rice-eaters on the lower floors.

Because with just this, even a Mage with a bit low Mana could break through the 4th and 5th Floors.

Naturally expensive.

“How much would it be? 1 billion?”

“Isn’t 1 billion too cheap. It seems like 10 billion.”

Then team leader Jang Young-cheol who grasped the situation said.

“In the most recent auction, it was sold for 14 billion.” “Heek-.” “Crazy.”

Money exceeding 3 billion even divided among four people.

This was quite large money even from the position of Explorers.

“It’s a jackpot?” “On a day like this, we have to have a company dinner.”

“Of course! But team leader! If I learn Fireball, wouldn’t our team’s safety rise sharply?” “What? Ha-eun-ah, do you have a lot of money?” “No... I don’t...” “Then give up.”

Overall excited atmosphere.

“Congratulations, team leader Seo Tae-woong. If you entrust the auction to our side, we will strive to produce the best results.”

Sales right away.

Truly an amazing person.

“Congratulations. I’ll be going now.”

Like that, when trying to leave the seat, Jeong Ha-eun caught me and said.

“Jaehyun-ssi! Jaehyun-ssi will also come to the company dinner today, right?” “...Company dinner?”

Me?

“This also has thanks to Jaehyun-ssi! Even though it’s a bus, it came out from a clear Jaehyun-ssi participated in together, so Jaehyun-ssi also has contribution!” “I didn’t do anything...?”

What I did was only tightly holding onto party leader Seo Tae-woong’s neck.

If it was a hindrance it was a hindrance, it didn’t seem like it would have been a help.

“These kinds of things, how important the people together are! It must be because Jaehyun-ssi’s energy is good that this happened. Team leader! You’re not going to just wipe your mouth without any reward, right?” “Ahem. I was going to take care of it appropriately anyway. After the skill book is sold, I will thank you.” “You don’t have to.” “No. Thanks to carrying Jaehyun-nim’s bus, we got the drop, so what Ha-eun said is not completely baseless. Detailed distribution talk later... for today, let’s meet at the company dinner first. I’ll set the time and inform by KakaoTalk.” “Yes.”

Somehow it became participating in the company dinner.

From behind Seo Tae-woong, Jeong Ha-eun sent a wink.

‘Since they’re giving money, I have to go.’

For that, I should quickly return and proceed with the remaining dungeon clears first.

***

Arriving home, putting on the equipment under the desk and immediately challenging from the 14th Floor.

To review when memory was freshest.

‘Today there were no traps worth paying much attention to.’

Ran quickly.

Not long after, I was able to arrive at the destination.

A place where hundreds of skeletons were waiting.

These were not made to be caught.

The goal was to somehow break through and catch the Skeleton Mage hidden in the center.

But.

‘I don’t need to do that.’

Raised the [Lightning Staff] toward the guys.

[Unique] grade staff.

This staff shines the most when using ‘lightning’ magic.

And the level of the skill Chain Lightning acquired on the [Unique] grade dungeon 5th Floor currently is.

Chain Lightning (Chain Electric Shock) (Lv. 16)

A level that already surpassed Thunder Mage Jeong Hana’s prime days.

As much as it is [Unique] grade, even if stats are a bit lacking, the skill level alone has already surpassed.

‘Because it is a level that can be hit only after clearing the 75th Floor.’

Naturally, that power is indescribable.

‘Come to think of it...’

Suddenly Jeong Ha-eun’s face came to mind.

A face that somehow resembled Thunder Mage Jeong Hana.

Even the name is similar.

Rattle! Rattle!

Before the thought continued, seeing the skeleton guys starting to charge toward me, I cast the skill.

“Chain Lightning.”

Crack!

The inside of the dungeon lit up brightly in an instant.

Right after that.

[You have defeated the Skeleton.]

[You have defeated the Skeleton.] [You have defeated the Skeleton Archer.] ······ ······

Dozens of skeletons evaporated in lightning fire.

And.

······ ······ [You have defeated the Skeleton Mage.] ······ ······

Whether there was a boss mob among them, the altar began to rise from the center.

‘It is amazing.’

Like that, while walking toward the altar.

“Eh?”

In front of the altar.

Something of a familiar appearance had fallen in a position about the center of the skeleton group.

“Skill book?”

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