“It was much easier than I thought.”
Of course, that was merely my personal opinion.
“Whoa—!”
“Let’s take it easy for a bit. Wow, this is crazy. What the—”
“Just kill me already… sigh…”
“I feel like I’m going to die. Argh—”
Everyone collapsed straight to the ground, gasping for breath.
For the hunters, it had been an excruciating march. They had endured two full days of marching through a dark, enclosed tunnel, periodically attacked by monsters. Even basic needs like food or bodily functions could not be tended to properly during this ordeal.
Of course, it only took two days because I led them through the shortest path; without me, it would have been a much more treacherous journey.
“Let’s rest for just 30 minutes and then give it another shot.”
“Yes—!”
“Understood!”
Hong Yong-seok relayed Yeom Tae-seok’s commands, and the others immediately shut their eyes after brief responses. Among them, Joo Ye-seul, with about one-third of her ample chest revealed, was also present.
I was just glad that she hadn’t gone mad following me this far. It must have weighed on her mind that I had previously used her, and if she had shown even the slightest strange behavior during our travels, I had sent my minion “Gori” to attack her wrist as a warning.
She must have clearly sensed that some unseen force was obstructing her. Throughout our journey, she had been observing people’s faces, trying to deduce who it might be.
Little did she know it was me. I managed it so carefully that she would never suspect.
And “Gori” was acting according to my intentions as well. There were times when he showcased more cleverness than I anticipated. Such a cute little guy.
“It seems that my minion attacking doesn’t count under the pact. Maybe it only applies to the parties involved in the pact? If that’s the case, my attacks should be exempt too…”
But I couldn’t be sure.
I certainly didn’t want to test it and end up causing something to happen to Yeon-hee. It was safer to take the cautious path.
“What do you think?”
Hong Yong-seok and the leaders of each party naturally gathered in one spot. Their eyes were all focused on me.
I communicated the information through Ran, and I could see the frowns of concern on the hunters’ faces upon hearing the news.
“The Undead led by the Skeleton Knight numbers a thousand… it’s less than I thought.”
“The problem is that we have a Skeleton Knight. It’s a ghoul and skeleton army that’s double the strength… It might be easier to deal with three thousand of the ones without buffs instead.”
“I guess we should be grateful it’s not Nargul. At least they won’t revive.”
“Some even say that the Skeleton Knight is tougher than Nargul. The buff effects of the Skeleton Knight are vastly superior.”
It seemed nobody could think of any solid strategies or countermeasures; all that passed between them was just worry.
Just then, Ddung-i, who had been staring at us with blank eyes from behind Yeon-hee, pulled out a crude club from the sack on his back and showed it to us.
“Huh? What is this? Oof- it’s heavy! What is this?!”
Yeon-hee staggered a bit as she received the club from him.
She read a message that appeared in mid-air for a moment, and then her eyes widened as she exclaimed, “This…?! It’s an Undead-exclusive weapon!”
“… Huh? Does that mean it has a race-specific option?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Is it real? What’s the effect?”
Though it looked like just a thick iron club, it turned out to be an astounding weapon with a whopping +35% damage against Undead.
Normally, weapons that increase attack power by a percentage show up only at higher tiers…
And its durability was 1,200, an unused perfect condition. That was definitely a number that wouldn’t break while we were progressing through the survival.
Even more surprising, Ddung-i pulled out two more of the same weapon from the sack.
“W-what is going on? What is this ridiculous, overpowered ability?!”
“Every single monster… is amazing…”
“Are Lizardmen and Orcs going to have different abilities too?”
The leaders of each party widened their eyes and exchanged glances between Ddung-i and me.
There was an unmistakable jealousy, envy, and greed in their gazes.
It was clear that this kind of ability couldn’t be obtained just by greed. Humans really are foolish.
“Did Kobolds have this kind of ability? This is really surprising.”
Thanks to Ddung-i’s sudden performance, Yeon-hee’s face lit up, and she started asking how many more weapons there were.
Ddung-i then turned his gaze away from her, raised his hand towards the hunters, and gestured to ask for something.
“W-what does this mean?”
“Don’t tell me… are you suggesting a trade?”
Yeon-hee promptly asked Ddung-i what he wanted.
Then Ddung-i, wiping the usual blank expression off his face, leaned in and whispered something into her ear.
“… Huh? Mana Stones and Runes?”
Nod—
Ddung-i was negotiating to hand over that weapon in exchange for mana stones and runes.
What a ridiculous guy! He wouldn’t just hand it over to the Master? He must really want to.
With Yeon-hee as part of our summoned creatures, she was practically a deity to him.
He must know that distributing weapons to the hunters would increase her chance of safety.
The behavior he exhibited while being deeply infatuated with the Master could only mean one thing—
‘It must be an ability with conditions attached.’
Though Ddung-i didn’t actively contribute to battles, he had faithfully guarded Yeon-hee on the battlefield, occasionally providing equipment to fellow summoned creatures while also leveling up.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if his existing abilities had been boosted.
Still, to think this weapon was truly…
‘It might very well be better than the great sword I ordered for Undead exclusivity…?’
I wondered if the dwarf blacksmith knew that the value of the great sword he painstakingly crafted was dropping.
Even more astoundingly, it wasn’t just limited to summoned creatures; it could also be supplied to hunters…
‘From what I saw back in the mine, he really isn’t ordinary. What exactly is this guy’s identity?’
Bam—
‘… Damn it. I don’t get it! I can’t figure out what he’s thinking with that clueless expression!’
While it’s true that not much is known about the Kobold species, Ddung-i was indeed special. But right now, that wasn’t the important thing.
The hunters slowly began to glance at each other.
After all, they were about to get the most efficient weapon for this dungeon, thanks to Yeon-hee’s summoning ability, and they felt the need to show their sincerity. But without any idea of how much resources to offer, they all cast wary glimpses at each other.
Our party was currently in the position of power, so all we could do was watch the remaining hunters silently.
We weren’t fools; we had already provided food and found the way for them—this was their bill to cover!
Noh Ha-yoon and Yeom Tae-seok looked amused, their lips twitching as they observed the funny scene.
Indeed, it’s not every day you see hunters of the same tier scrambling and looking hesitant.
“I’ll make an offer first.”
Hong Yong-seok stepped forward.
He offered three low-rank runes and ten intermediate mana stones obtained from this dungeon.
That should roughly be worth around 5 to 6 hundred thousand won.
Ddung-i laid the items Hong Yong-seok had handed over on the ground, examined them with his finger, then shook his head decisively.
“Uh… are you saying this won’t do?”
“I guess it doesn’t seem enough. Hehe!”
‘The man confidently stepped forward, but he’s too stingy. This guy…’
To think he tried to acquire a 1,200 durability weapon with 35% attack power increase for just 500. Even considering possible group discounts, that’s outrageous.
Watching this unfold, Yeom Tae-seok broke into laughter, while the rest of the hunters looked crushed.
Ultimately, Hong Yong-seok had to propose an additional two intermediate runes and 20 mana stones before he could finally receive the weapon.
At that, the Kobold swiftly gathered the runes and mana stones, throwing them into his sack before handing over the club to him.
“… Ooh?! What?! 37%?”
“What… why did it go up by 2%?”
“Well, I’m not sure either…”
Hong Yong-seok scratched his head but swung the club a few times, nodding in satisfaction as he exclaimed, “This feels way better than my spear…? It gives me a strange feeling. Regardless, I think I got a good deal. It seems to be worth it.”
The hesitating hunters shifted their views, swayed by Hong Yong-seok’s high appraisal.
“If the value of the proposed runes and mana stones crosses a certain threshold, does that mean it’s set up to suggest better-performing weapons…?”
Someone who had been lying down and looking this way muttered saying that, and it really did seem to work that way.
Ugh—
Ddung-i, suddenly fired up and raising his shoulders high, again held out his palm.
Is this guy? Surprisingly good at business?
He might have been a merchant in the world he originally came from.
Ultimately, all the hunters exchanged mana stones and runes with Ddung-i to receive their weapons.
For those who fell short, they even went as far as to write contracts claiming they’d pay back with interest.
When it comes to finances, ensuring solidness is definitely wise in any situation.
With Ddung-i’s standards quantified, the majority of hunters traded for the basic +35% versions.
In total, the 23 hunters managed to secure Ddung-i’s clubs, counting also the six weapons for our party members.
“Ddung…”
After finishing up the transactions, Ddung-i beamed as he handed Yeon-hee five clubs for free. Five weapons to supply to the summoned creatures… just five? Are you kidding me? We need more!
“… Don’t you have any more, Ddung?”
“Ugh…”
Ddung-i scratched his head, indicating that this was the limit he could part with for free.
What a stingy guy.
‘For now, five should be enough. After all, whenever we get runes and mana stones, trades can happen anytime.’
In the end, only the main summoned creatures, including myself, received clubs first.
======
Undead-Specific Club
– Attack Power +18
– Against Undead, Attack Power +38%
– Durability: 1,200/1,200
– Usage Condition: Strength 70 or above
======
‘Its base attack power is below average, but those options are absolutely insane.’
Seems like the pals generously presented a weapon with a 3% higher base for being comrades.
(Thank you, little guy.)
(Kuh-hum!)
Ddung-i made a casual salute with his fingers, causing me to laugh in disbelief. He truly is as ridiculous as his name suggests.
Then, the break time was over, and it was time to slowly rise up.
“Alright—with weapons in hand, let’s get started.”
As for the upcoming battle with the Skeleton Knight, I anticipated we would have to sacrifice some degree of damage before achieving victory. This degree of damage meant around 2 to 3 casualties, give or take.
However, with Ddung-i’s unexpected performance, our target had been raised significantly.
“Not a single person should die! Let’s all make it out safely!”
“Raaaah!”
“We can do this!”
“We must absolutely adhere to our pre-arranged plans! The summoned creatures will act as tanks, and even if we take some damage, we’ll unleash skills early on to claim victory!”
Everyone shared their strategies in line with their roles and resolved themselves.
[Swrooo—]
And the Skeleton Knight was already awake, waiting for us to enter his territory.
It was a long-awaited, ominous energy unique to the Skeleton Knight.
Perhaps because this was the boss of a hidden dungeon, the aura felt even stronger.
“To think it’s really the Skeleton Knight… Ugh…”
“Don’t be too frightened. What’s so impressive about a creature hiding away in a cave?”
That was someone trying to reassure a terrified hunter, but in fact, this was a hidden dungeon known as ‘The Lair of the Corrupted Knight.’ There was no way it was weak.
In terms of raw power, it would be no contest compared to Nargul.
‘That guy is my responsibility… Yeon-hee should be able to hold on, right?’
She nodded at my glance, signaling her confidence.
Noh Ha-yoon, who was beside me, flashed a smile. I was truly grateful she was with me to enter here.
Without Noh Ha-yoon, I would’ve honestly been quite worried about Yeon-hee facing off against the Skeleton Knight.
With everyone having solid preparations made, it was finally time to take a step forward.
– A late challenger has passed through the spawning grounds of the Hook Bat.
“Damn it, Nargul…”
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