As my level increased, I invested the stats I gained into replacing the Rune of Vitality and Wisdom with the Rune of Giants, while significantly sacrificing my lowered health.
Also, for the first time, I invested in resistance stats to counter the mental-type monsters that start to creep out from D-rank dungeons.
I had a 50% resistance to mental-type status ailments due to the trait [Calm], but it’s never satisfying unless it’s 100%.
The data accumulated by decades of dungeon explorations from hunters has deduced the minimum resistance values for each dungeon.
It’s known that if the resistance value surpasses 15 in most D-rank dungeons, you’ll resist state-altering attacks from monsters 8 out of 10 times.
So, with the effect of [Calm], I should have nearly 100% resistance.
And I also had rewards from the continuous bomb-throwing and dagger-swinging over eight days of battle.
The blessing of Obez that increases fire attribute damage and the power of Skeleton Bomb both leveled up, increasing damage by 20% to level 2, and the number of bombs I could store increased to 62.
Recently, the trait [Penetration], which I had been closely monitoring, also leveled up.
I still wasn’t sure if it was properly applied, but I could tell it was functioning as my level rose by one.
Penetration Lv. 2
– Your swings gain 2% penetration.
Of course, the actual number only went up by 1%, so I still didn’t know the precise effect, but I suppose the important thing is that it’s growing.
“Look, that party is really dominating the area lately.”
“The summoner Lee Yeon-hee… she must have managed without her summoned creature!”
“Shut up, will ya?”
Now, having become a celebrity in the Lizard Swamp, we were getting used to hearing our names from other people.
Yeon-hee pulled her robe down deeper, trying hard to shield her gaze.
And today would likely be our last time in this dungeon.
Both Yeon-hee and I hadn’t leveled up for the past two days. We’d probably hit level 40 today.
Glancing around, I noticed hundreds of hunters gathering at the entrance, still glancing in our direction.
Their stares were mixed with curiosity and goodwill, but mostly, it was an unspoken pressure wishing we would disappear from this dungeon.
It was only natural. During the 10 days we were here, we snagged a significant number of intermediate runes, the reward for defeating the Lizardman Champion.
‘I’m not planning to stay long either! But Yeon-hee’s leveling up too slowly!’
As her only class, did she need too much experience? She had already been caught up to my level.
“Alright, shall we go on an exciting run today?”
As I lamented internally, Jin-kyeong’s shout signaled that the start was imminent.
The trio of Helen’s group had been showing significant growth during their time with us. Before meeting us, they must have cautiously progressed step by step, but they seemed to have accelerated their growth by aligning with our pace.
Having dependable allies who could cover their back must have been an experience they’d never had before.
They were likely around level 30 now, but sadly, I sensed this would be it for us together. We had already shared enough conversations about that.
Though regrettable, we all understood there was nothing we could do. It was just that Yeon-hee and they had formed a bond, and now were feeling uneasy about parting ways.
If they were to reach D-rank, and if the situation allowed, I would be willing to give them a ride like this again.
They were enthusiastic but not ambitious, knowing when to step back and recognizing their limits.
They always treated Yeon-hee, who was still quite young, with respect, without causing any disturbances.
‘At this point, she’s an A-rank as a companion. If only she had a bit more talent…’
Helen was turning out to be a really good person; it was a pity.
“Can’t you cry and say you miss us? Okay? Aww.”
Helen already pulled Yeon-hee into a hug and nuzzled her head. The duo had significantly closed their distance since their last gathering.
“Ah, that’s not true at all…”
With hundreds of hunters watching, Yeon-hee blushed at Helen treating her like a child. But it seemed like Yeon-hee didn’t mind receiving Helen’s affection. Both Yeon-su and Helen, could it be that Yeon-hee was the type to be adored by her older sisters?
‘How heartwarming.’
Yet, a variable emerged just as we were preparing to end on a beautiful note.
“Long time no see! I got my punishment lifted, so I’m back!”
Noh Ha-yoon approached us, greeting us as if she were an old friend reuniting after a decade.
I had noticed Ha-yoon approaching our side for a while, so I wasn’t shocked, but Yeon-hee and the party members were startled, exchanging glances.
“Oh, hello. I see you can still enter this dungeon?”
Jin-kyeong asked in surprise. Given that we had leveled up over the past eight days, Ha-yoon’s skills should have also increased, leading to a query about why she could enter a dungeon of a lower tier than her level.
“Ah, it was a close call. When I tried to enter the dungeon, there were sparks like lightning trying to push me back. I had to force my way in, but I think today might be the last day! Hahaha!”
‘Yikes… with that kind of resistance, wouldn’t she be torn apart?’
The party members stared at Ha-yoon in disbelief, and she proudly puffed out her chest to showcase her bravery.
The Helen trio stepped back a bit, gathering their heads together while observing her.
– She’s not just any weirdo…
– Seriously… haven’t there been cases of people blowing up after trying to force their way in? She looks delicate, but mentally…
– Quiet. I’m listening.
The Helen trio, sneaking glances, muttered, but Ha-yoon seemed unaffected by anyone’s gaze as she spoke again.
“Can I follow you today?”
‘She’s not even trying to hide it anymore. In a way, that’s impressive.’
Indeed, when someone is that bold, it’s hard for those on the receiving end to find the right words.
“Uh? Uh… well, do as you please.”
Even someone like Helen, who had considerable social experience, reacted similarly.
“But what do you mean by punishment? What for?”
Curiosity got the better of Jin-kyeong, and she asked about the punishment; Ha-yoon scratched her head, nonchalantly explaining.
“Oh, it was from when I came here last time, and I brought those guys in without permission. I got scolded by the Guild Leader! Hehe.”
…
The Guild Leader of the Vision Guild, we’re talking about Im Dong-soo, known as the ‘Frost Witch’, one of the most aggressive among the early Awakened Ones.
– Wait… does that mean she had a private meeting with that ‘witch’? I heard she never looks down on anyone but herself… why?
– It must mean she’s held in high regard.
– Even so, she’s only D-rank; having the Guild Leader in person? I don’t get it.
– Regardless, getting entangled wrongly could ruin your life. We should just go our way and leave.
The Helen trio, hiding behind me, quickly offered awkward smiles to Ha-yoon before hastily moving along.
‘What’s the point in asking about that… tsk tsk…’
My reluctance towards Noh Ha-yoon wasn’t just because she attacked me; she was the youngest daughter of Im Dong-soo, the head of the largest Vision Guild among the three major guilds in our country.
She was probably raised like a treasure, especially since she was the only girl after two sons.
‘Has she ever been scolded by her mom in her life? I bet she was just told to behave well.’
The reason Noh Ha-yoon acted so recklessly stemmed from having a solid backing.
In any case, we stealthily distanced ourselves from Noh Ha-yoon and hurried towards our usual C-course.
“Let’s move a bit faster. If we can, let’s take care of that too.”
Of course, there was no way that would be possible. Maybe if I was alone.
Rather, Noh Ha-yoon was closing in on us more than last time.
Is she just trailing around hoping some crumbs will fall from me? Truly a puzzling human.
As we rushed towards the Lizard Swamp, we encountered two minor battles. However, the monsters in this dungeon posed no threat to us anymore.
Unless a half-dozen Lizardman Champions appeared all at once.
While we were busy moving for about 40 minutes, an unfamiliar group began to invade my senses from 100 meters away.
‘Hmm… this feels familiar…’
While Noh Ha-yoon’s party was following us diagonally to our right, this new group was monitoring us diligently from the left diagonal. Although Noh Ha-yoon was only 20 meters away from our party.
‘What are those guys? They seem to have quite a bit of power. What should we do?’
Nine hunters. They could be considered competent in this area.
They began to close the distance slowly.
‘Keeping about a 90-meter distance. Judging by how they immediately react when we change direction, there must be a visual-type hunter among them. What could their intention be?’
The Lizard Swamp might be the most popular among the low-level dungeons, but it wouldn’t be easy to cross paths with another team in this C-course. Even in a C-course, the branching paths were countless, so if they didn’t wish to stir up trouble with other teams, it was a rule to maintain clear distances.
Even though they were trying hard to hide their presence, I could still sense the scent unique to hunters, one that comes from those prepared for life-and-death situations.
‘Crazy folks, are they prepared to fight?’
I made a heart sign with my fingers to quietly point towards the back to Yeon-hee.
(What about taking out Noh Ha-yoon…?)
Yeon-hee whispered to me just loudly enough for me to hear, wondering whether we should eliminate Noh Ha-yoon. Eliminate? That made me chuckle.
‘Noh Ha-yoon seems to be colliding with them too frequently; has Yeon-hee’s thinking gone extreme?’
As I struggled to wrap my head around the absurd idea, I shook my head and soon pointed to my left eye.
Yeon-hee saw my signal and nodded, although a momentary tension gripped her face. A signal for blue eyes.
Yeon-hee called Ran over and placed her on my shoulder.
…
Ran tends to keep her mouth shut in situations like this.
– Agility +7
With the increase from Ran’s buff, I began to step forward little by little.
‘What are the blue eyes plotting this time?’
The uneasy sensations I felt from the gathering of mysterious figures, having overturned their altar.
[Stealth]
I focused on the spread-out wave of perception, waiting for the moment the gaze of those people shifted away before I hid my presence.
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