Chapter 39 · 10 min

Chapter 39

New Skills (Paid Start)

Listening to the explanation, the conclusion came soon.

In the end, must pierce the portal up to zone 3.

No particular relation.

Anyway labyrinth portals must almost necessarily be pierced.

Otherwise, when others all move by portal, only I have to walk, an unfortunate thing would occur.

‘First let's eat.’

The hotel employee who finished the explanation left the seat.

Only then could comfortably bring food.

Didn't overdo, and brought mainly foods comfortable for the stomach.

“...Hmm.”

Steamed egg was plain, and madly nutty.

Placed a steamed fish of unknown name on white rice and pushed into the mouth.

A flavor as if almost fainting filled the mouth.

“...Wow. This is really crazy.”

Didn't know fish was this delicious.

Really mindlessly, madly chewed the food.

Chewed thoroughly.

Not for digestion, but because too delicious kept chewing.

"Huu...this is life."

Befitting the highest class hotel, sincerity was contained in each and every food.

Wanted to eat meat too in heart, but endured tightly.

Since digestive power hadn't returned to that extent yet.

Slowly, and fully enjoyed the meal.

People full in the hall decreased one by one, but didn't care.

Grilled mushrooms.

Grilled tomato.

Seaweed.

Kimchi lightly washed in water.

Even grapes and apples as dessert.

“...!!”

Fruits were another dimension of taste.

A feeling as if putting a living life form whole in the mouth and chewing.

Vitality and sweetness mixed and filled the mouth.

“Huu.”

The meal was up to here.

Wiping the mouth and looking, the customer was only me.

Whether or not.

Satisfactorily exhaled and left the seat.

After simply brushing teeth, lay on the bed.

Immediately headed to the tower lobby floor.

Approaching the skill merchant, the fellow smiles fishily.

“Came, hero of the labyrinth?”

A feeling of speaking something meaningful.

Slightly checked the surroundings.

Fortunately hunters are concentrating on their own work.

Whether because a fellow who talks a lot of nonsense, doesn't seem particularly caring.

Well.

Maybe going around talking such nonsense to other hunters too.

[Held points: 30,400]

[Obtainable series: [Earth][Wind][Water][Ice][Lightning][Holy][Dark]]

Held points about 30,000.

Was it because catching unique monster and five variants.

Thinking of obtaining 9000 points from catching dozens of trolls last time, quite decent points.

But insufficient to learn all skills.

Checked the stage 4 skills one by one.

Whether because the stage rose, the points were stronger than thought.

[Ground Wall (5200)]

Ground Wall.

A wall of earth soars.

A skill as simple as the name, but said the versatility is that high.

[AirBurst (7800)]

AirBurst

Bursts air.

If earth series ‘Earth Spear’ and ‘Collapse’ are instant skills.

In wind series, AirBurst skill is in charge of immediacy.

That much destructive power is known not strong but.

Well.

No one would know what appearance it will show if reaching the maximum level.

[Penetrate (5800)]

Penetrate.

Water path digs into small gaps.

Not a combat skill, but the uses are quite diverse.

Each and every sensation of digging into gaps is shared intact to the caster.

Not only no place to pick faults as an exploration skill.

In the case of a mage capable of water attribute shape transformation, said possible to dig into the opponent's protective film or equipment.

Well.

Still too distant talk for me.

[Ice Burst (4000)]

Ice Burst.

Gives impact to the frozen target and bursts.

Good synergy with Freezing skill.

Freeze with Freezing, and burst with Ice Burst.

Explosive power is naturally stronger than instant AirBurst.

But receives a lot of constraint on the target.

If bursting ice, broken ice particles would cover the opponent like bombs.

But metal types like iron can't be burst even if frozen.

First known is so.

If maximum level Ice Burst, maybe possible?

[Chain Lightning (12500)]

Chain Lightning.

A skill like the symbol of lightning series.

A lightning streak extending from the palm strikes the opponent, and spreads to adjacent areas according to the caster's will.

A skill suitable for giving damage to multiple enemies.

But that much also greatly constrained by the caster's ability.

A crude lightning mage at most causes momentary paralysis.

On the other hand, a powerful mage even applies direct damage.

Even so, it's common sense that efficiency drops against awakeners.

Power drops a lot to protective equipment or skills.

So a skill used a lot on monsters or contaminants.

‘...Damn expensive.’

Lightly grumbled then checked the next skill.

[Devine Sight (8800)]

Devine Sight.

Holy vision.

A skill that strips lies and reveals truth.

Releases the enemy's illusions or hallucinations, or space-time distortion ability etc.

If Purification is a single target skill, Devine Sight is a feeling of cleaning the entire space.

[Submerge Shadow (6000)]

Submerge Shadow.

A skill that submerges into the shadow.

A kind of stealth skill that plays the role of hiding presence.

But since can't perfectly hide scent or sound, even mana, easily detected by awakeners.

Like the Shadow Ear skill, used a lot against ordinary people.

The conclusion was one.

‘Too expensive.’

Points needed to learn all seven, 50,100.

Held points only 30,000, so almost 20,000 points lacking situation.

In the end a situation where must choose.

‘Must choose skills useful for going to labyrinth zone 3.’

After pondering for a long time, decided.

[Acquiring Earth series skill]

[Ground Wall (LV1)]

[Acquiring Lightning series skill]

[Chain Lightning (LV1)]

[Acquiring Wind series skill]

[Air Burst (LV1)]

[Acquiring Ice series skill]

[Ice Burst (LV1)]

Chain Lightning and Air Burst are representative attack skills.

No reason not to learn.

Ice Burst purchased because cheap.

Ground Wall purchased believing the words that versatility is good.

“This is really a thug. Is this right?”

Ignored the skill merchant's words and turned around.

Immediately headed to the labyrinth.

From far away, the gaze of staff member Lee Heeyeon looking at my side is felt.

“Hello, Transcendence-nim.”

The greeting was polite as usual.

But somehow, a feeling that the dealing feeling changed.

“By any chance, can I ask just one thing?”

Lee Heeyeon who thought I'd just pass, startled.

Soon nodded as if natural and smiled.

“As much as you want.”

Asked what was curious.

“Not only the community, but almost no information about high-level awakeners in the archive either. Want to hear a bit about related information, is it possible?”

“Ah···you want to know information about the highest hunters.”

Lee Heeyeon slightly looked around.

Confirmed no one and opened her mouth.

“First, variables are so many according to traits or skills, so accurate reference point doesn't exist. But if simply comparing by level only, from about level 250, many say they have the qualification of the highest awakener.”

From level 250, have the qualification···.

Sounded like the real highest hunters are much higher.

Lee Heeyeon continued speaking.

“In the case of team leader Hwang Chan-seung who subdued Hwang Seol-hwa last time, known to have exceeded level 300. Even that over 1 year, so don't know how much developed now.”

“Seems levels rise well than thought.”

“...Not necessarily so.”

Lee Heeyeon who raised the corners of her mouth turned toward the labyrinth.

Not the first labyrinth I'm entering.

Pointed at the second and third labyrinths with her finger.

“Numerous highest awakeners enter the labyrinth risking their lives. People have a lot of interest in some stars who gain popularity or troublemaker villains, but in reality there are much more people who silently serve the country.”

“...”

“To prevent the state's destruction, points beyond ordinary people's imagination are needed. A considerable part of them is supplied through the activities of the highest hunters. Rather than levels rising easily, understand to the degree that the highest hunters challenge without sparing their lives that much."

···It was words that the level obtained wasn't easy.

Abilities obtained by jumping into the labyrinth risking lives for the country.

Lee Heeyeon smiled.

“I also expect that Transcendence-nim will someday become one of such people. For reference, please remember that mages are always welcomed because the number is overwhelmingly insufficient.”

“...”

This kind of appeal is the first.

Not coming to mind what reaction to show, lightly nodded and entered the labyrinth.

Was it too cold?

···Honestly, I don't know well.

The portal zone was full of people today too.

Pushing through the crowd and stepping on the portal, the portal map floated before the eyes.

Anyway the place to go is only zone 1 portal.

Looking at zone 1 for a while.

Light dizziness occurred then arrived at the destination.

Zone 1 portal.

Huge labyrinth city, Naktramass.

Already decided the destination through the community and archive.

“Hmm. An outsider. By any chance a mage?”

In front of the castle gate.

Guards confirmed the awakener registration certificate and asked.

Lightly nodding, the guards' expressions brightened.

“Mages are always welcome.”

Whether in reality or labyrinth, mages are always insufficient.

The number of holy, dark series awakeners is also small, but they are not essential personnel of combat.

Holy side can somehow be covered with equipment and scrolls, potions.

Dark series is originally the side that doesn't receive much treatment.

On the other hand, attribute series mages are strict direct combat power.

Both single strike and range strike possible, and necessarily needed for dealing with variants or unique monsters with physical resistance.

“Please enter.”

The reaction of the guards who softened at the words mage was quite funny.

Moving steps inside, a main road with floor stones carefully embedded unfolded.

The scenery was exactly the medieval era appearance seen in movies.

Stalls unfolded left and right.

Kids doing solicitation.

Going in a bit more, proper shops appear.

The items of such places aren't bought with points.

Must use the currency that actual labyrinth cities use.

Step, step.

Continuing to walk straight in, a place where people gathered a lot appeared.

Looking at the attire, not labyrinth city people.

Most were awakeners.

Signs swayed above the people's heads.

[Adventurer Guild]

There would be several requests, but my interest was one.

Zone 3 portal.

Must pierce up to there for lava waterfall field trip to be possible.

Then able to master the Crucible skill.

Able to know the reason that sly skill merchant said to master the flame series.

Carefully dug into the crowd.

Many people were waiting, but I didn't need to do so.

Recalled the post seen in the community.

──────────────────

[Ugh, why are there so many people for portal run?]

Too many people so dizzy

Did awakeners inflate while not looking?

Damn catching a party is like picking stars in the sky?

└Nowadays variant occurrence probability increased so being careful

└Not one or two days of variants

└The state also announced, the pattern is a bit different from before. Match the party balance surely and go

└Ah lol that one the association announced and got cursed a lot by the assembly?

└Yes anyway because of that announcement everyone is desperate to match balance. If encountering a variant that physical deal doesn't work, it's over so everyone waiting for mages or healers

└Lol how much that even dark attribute mage would go together lol don't want to die from accident, want to obtain points with portal run, such

──────────────────

Absence of mages.

From my position, good news.

Thinking about it, the guards welcoming me was also a natural thing.

The quest awakeners call portal run actually meant escorting a huge caravan.

An important trade method that the labyrinth city can't give up from their position.

If awakeners become careful, the entire city can't help but starve.

Awakeners are also frustrated the same.

Gold coins received as caravan escort reward were an important point supply source.

Appearance of variants different from before.

A situation where both the caravan and awakeners became tired.

“Damn, at this rate will starve to death.”

Inside the adventurer guild.

One middle-aged man sitting on a chair puffing a long pipe.

Clearly not an awakener but a city resident.

A quite famous figure among awakeners.

Guild master operating the adventurer guild.

The name is Bill.

Said frustrated because of the awakeners' attitude that became particularly careful.

It was reasonable.

From his position, awakeners would be a kind of mercenary.

Suddenly mercenaries becoming careful and not departing, to the point the city itself is paralyzed.

“Hey, mercenary uncle! This way, this way!”

As I approached Bill, a small boy waves his hand at me.

···Too many people so hard to even go.

Conversely when I gestured, the boy approached me with nimble movements.

“Hmm.”

Scanned me up and down and eyes sparkled.

“Don't tell me, mage?”

Lightly nodded.

A smile formed on the mouth corners of the boy whose eyes became as big as king beads.

At the boy's whisper who ran in a hurry, Bill's eyes widened.

“Ooh! Finally the mage arrived!”

Bill who jumped up from the seat ran over in a hurry and tightly grabbed my hand.

“Nice to meet you, mage. I'm Bill operating the guild here.”

Clasped hands.

Scanned me here and there with a subtle gaze, then Bill carefully asked.

“By any chance···can I know the mage's series a bit?”

I nodded.

“Flame series.”

“Ooh.”

“Hee···?”

Bill and the boy's mouths opened wide.

Bill who barely came to senses.

Quickly turned around and loudly shouted inside the building.

"Hey, the idlers inside! Everyone come out quickly, the mage came so do some money's worth!"

Author's note

Thank you so much for reading.

If leaving comments on the 3 episodes, plan to gift 3000 gold to 10 people through lottery...!!