Chapter 20

Chapter 20

[Episode 04] Solo Play (5)

Asked toward Shim Kang hanging on the window frame.

“What is the matter at this night?” “I came because there is something I want to propose.” “Please speak.”

Shim Kang hesitated for a moment and opened her mouth.

“The clear information for the 11th Floor and above has strong security so I could not give it personally. Instead, I will directly form a party and guide the dungeon.” “Shim Kang-ssi?” “If you have cleared up to the 10th Floor, you would know, but clearing a [Unique] grade dungeon alone is a very dangerous thought. Especially challenging without any information is even more so.”

Briefly considered.

Certainly if Shim Kang guides the way, it would be convenient.

Even just the [Normal] grade dungeon, from the 11th Floor the scale of the dungeon itself changes.

Unlike the lower floors, one giant labyrinth.

Therefore, knowing the way also has a great influence on the clear time.

But.

‘Instead, party play is essential.’

Shim Kang had a high probability of knowing all of Thunder Mage Jeong Hana’s skill set.

Because she was a colleague.

So the skills I can use are limited to the two of Lightning Strike (Falling Thunder) and Chain Lightning (Chain Electric Shock).

All other skills including Energy Bolt are sealed.

If it becomes like that, it is the same as about half of the combat power being sealed.

‘Rather, the clear time might increase more.’

Moreover, if forming a party, after the dungeon clear, Salvation Points are divided by the number of people.

If partying with Shim Kang the two of us, I would acquire the same amount of Salvation Points every time, so it would become possible to infer the Salvation Points I possess.

Then.

‘Later at the year-end settlement it would become a problem.’

Because my Salvation Points would be ‘overwhelmingly’ more than the figure she is expecting.

Naturally she would come to know about my secret.

In the end, the choices are two.

Reveal everything and do it together, or refuse.

The answer was simple.

“If you wish, bus up to the 20th Floor is also possible—.” “I am grateful for the heart, but I will clear alone.” “...Why?” “Because even alone it is doable.” “······.”

Shim Kang seemed to consider for a moment and then nodded and said.

“Understood. Then at least please receive this.”

Her body that was hanging on the window frame rose up with a whoosh.

Standing with both feet on the window frame, she took out one sheet of paper from her bosom.

“!”

[Emergency Escape Right] -Tear to escape the dungeon

That item inside the drawer of the desk in my room.

Is today some day?

Receiving the [Emergency Escape Right] twice in a row.

Thanks to that, it seems I will be able to proceed with the clear with peace of mind.

“You must be prepared to use it anytime. Because there are many Explorers who died in the dungeon even while holding this.” “I will receive it gratefully. As expected, high-level Explorers are different.” “I also cannot obtain it unlimitedly. The Salvation Points I possess are under the control of the Management Bureau. For now, I am giving what was allocated to me.” “Then what about Shim Kang-ssi?”

“I am fine. Because I am in the middle of repeatedly clearing only places that are safe compared to my level.”

Although speaking as if nothing, in reality Shim Kang had handed over her spare life to me or no different.

Even if it is a repeated clear, it was not that it was not dangerous. “Why is Shim Kang-ssi helping me?” “Well... because if even you die, there is no future for the Republic of Korea.” “In short, it is for the Salvation Points I will earn, right?” “······If one digs into it, yes.”

Having cleared the [Unique] grade dungeon, I understand.

Why most of the Salvation Points our country needs can be earned by [Unique] grade Explorers.

‘The scale is different.’

Separate from their strength, the scale of the dungeon is different.

In the case of the [Normal] dungeon, the 1st Floor~10th Floor, even if wandering the path, it was possible to look around everything in a few hours.

But the [Unique] grade dungeon was different.

To the extent that if one made a mistake, one would have to wander all day.

Naturally the number of monsters was also more, and the amount of Salvation Points earnable per one monster was also more.

If making a simple comparison, one could earn 5 times that of the same floor [Normal] grade dungeon.

‘The higher one goes, the more severe that gap will become.’

The reason Shim Kang clings to me.

Because I was [Unique] grade.

“I have one thing I’m curious about. By any chance, is the [Unique] grade Explorer who does solo play a woman?”

Shim Kang frowned and nodded.

“Yes.”

As expected.

It seems the woman who gave me the [Emergency Escape Right] is that famous [Unique] grade solo player.

Well.

Because she is that level, she can hand over a precious item like the [Emergency Escape Right] like proselytizing a pseudo-religion.

“What kind of person is she?” “A person like a psychopath.”

It didn’t look like that.

Anyway.

“I heard that even the Management Bureau can’t do anything about that person. Even if using points as she pleases, they don’t particularly sanction, is it true?”

Thinking of the [Emergency Escape Right] she gifted me, it is probably true.

Because that woman had an attitude as if handing over something of little value.

“Yes. Because she is special.” “In what point?” “Because she is unrivaled... Even looking on a world scale, cases of clearing [Unique] grade dungeons alone are almost none. And even after using everything she will use like that, she earns millions of points alone every year.”

I see.

Does the value change depending on how many Salvation Points one can earn.

If proving one’s own value, it seems one can obtain freedom.

‘Then...’

I calculated inwardly.

When would be appropriate.

And came to a conclusion.

“In about a week, I will go to the Management Bureau to report Salvation Points.”

Shim Kang was briefly surprised and then nodded and said.

“You thought well. If joining the Management Bureau, they will do their best to support that side...”

It seems she is misunderstanding that I will contract with the Management Bureau.

Regrettably I was doing tyranny toward the Management Bureau, but there is no obligation to correct the misunderstanding.

“See you then.”

“...But I still don’t know that side’s name. What should I call you?” “Kim Jaehyun.” “Kim Jaehyun...”

Shim Kang repeated my name a few times and said.

“Then, Jaehyun-ssi. See you in a week.”

Shim Kang jumping down from the window frame without lingering.

Two footprints remained clearly on the window frame.

“No.”

Pulled out wet wipes and erased the footprints.

And firmly locked the window and even properly drew the blackout curtains and lay on the bed.

In that state, thought about Shim Kang’s movements.

‘It was enormously fast.’

Shim Kang’s movements fighting against the monster bird group were certainly outside the category of humans.

To the extent that if I hadn’t raised the Agility stat, I wouldn’t have been able to follow those movements with my eyes.

So she can freely go up and down the 30th floor building as she pleases.

Physical ability that far surpasses ordinary humans.

I wanted it.

‘Shall I invest intensively in Agility?’

***

Shim Kang looked up at the 30th Floor for a moment.

The appearance of the blackout curtains being drawn firmly.

Although she said she would join the Management Bureau in a week, the thought of attempting solo play seemed unchanged.

Probably she has confidence in her own skill.

I understand.

Because Shim Kang was also like that in the past.

‘If challenging once, the thoughts will change.’

[Unique] grade solo clear.

Even though challenging after memorizing the clear information, after clearing the dungeon, one comes to have the illusion that it was done wholly with one’s own power.

Because actually struggling alone inside the dungeon and proceeding with the clear, feeling that way is also natural.

This would be similar for all Explorers regardless of grade.

Right after clearing the 10th Floor, one couldn’t help but become arrogant.

The so-called shoulder pads period of not knowing the sky is high and soaring.

‘One has to be careful of that time.’

Just in case, since I even prepared the [Emergency Escape Right], it should be fine.

Like that, when trying to leave the apartment.

“······.”

Suddenly the appearance of the Chain Lightning that handled the Kelican group in one strike comes to mind.

The power of a skill that cannot be understood by common sense.

Probably obtained some special item during the dungeon clear or something.

Like a ring with lightning magic damage +1000% attached.

Then that power is also explained.

As much as it is a [Unique] grade dungeon, there is nothing strange even if such an item comes out.

‘Even so...’

Dungeon clear is not something resolved with force alone.

It is something possible only by breaking through the giant labyrinth and seeing through the numerous traps inside it.

‘No matter how good the skill’s firepower is, clearing the dungeon alone is close to impossible.’

She will definitely come to request help.

Originally the 10th Floor and below dungeons made to clear alone and the 11th Floor where party play is possible are different from the scale.

So if experiencing directly, she will give up on her own.

Shim Kang thought so.

***

[You have cleared the Unique Dungeon (11th Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.]

[Unique] grade dungeon solo play.

As expected, it was not that easy.

But it was doable.

‘Thanks to investing in Agility.’

The day after Shim Kang came.

Invested all bonus points obtained from all dungeons into ‘Agility’ and then challenged the [Unique] grade 11th Floor.

As a result, if running with all strength, it became possible to ignore traps and pass.

Precisely speaking, it was that my speed was too fast so the trap activated only after I passed.

Anyway.

I was able to clear the dungeon quite leisurely compared to what I worried.

The newly obtained points were likewise all invested into Agility.

‘Anyway Mana is sufficient.’

Even the skeletons that appear in [Unique] grade could be caught with one ‘Energy Bolt’.

In a situation where one-shot cuts happen, there was no reason to invest in Mana.

[Agility value has become 273.]

Now the Agility stat was higher than Mana Sensitivity.

Probably I am the only Mage with Agility stats this high.

[12:04]

‘Has time already become like this.’

The date had changed.

Since starting the clear right after eating dinner, it ate close to over 5 hours.

Certainly the [Unique] grade dungeon is incomparably tougher than [Normal] grade or [Rare] grade.

Choosing wrong at the first two-way path was a bit fatal.

Because in the end I had to return to the starting point and proceed with the clear from the beginning again.

‘From now on as well, I will have to challenge after eating dinner. [Unique] grade.’

Even after that day, the clear proceeded smoothly.

Starting from noon, quickly clear the dungeons and appropriately distribute the obtained bonus stats to Agility and Mana.

And eat dinner with the family and clear the last schedule, the [Unique] grade dungeon.

[You have cleared the Unique Dungeon (12th Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.]

[You have cleared the Unique Dungeon (13th Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.]

[You have cleared the Unique Dungeon (14th Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.]

[You have cleared the Unique Dungeon (15th Floor).] [Salvation Points are being settled.]

The day of finishing the clear of the Unique-grade dungeon 15th Floor.

[Salvation Points]: 100,102

‘With this much, it should be sufficient.’

The next morning at 9 o’clock.

I visited the Explorer Management Center after a long time.

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