I used all my stats on strengthening after my Vitality.
In terms of results, only Vitality and Defense in the status window increased by one level.
[Basic Information]
Vitality: B-
Attack Power: B+
Defense: C+
Magic Power: A+
Holy Power: D
Vitality, which was C+ Rank, rose to B- Rank, and Defense, which was C Rank, rose to C+ Rank.
The remaining Attack Power and Magic Power did not change despite the strengthening, possibly because their ranks were already high.
“Even with 17 Holy Power, it doesn’t budge.”
Holy Power, which was D Rank, was the same. Despite pouring 17 into strengthening, no change occurred.
“Well, it’s not bad, though.”
As Vitality increased, changes that would normally not be felt were clearly transmitted to my body.
It was as if I had recovered from a long illness, all fatigue disappearing, and with every breath, my lungs felt like they were expanding more than before.
Every single cell in my body seemed to awaken and move actively.
The increase in Defense felt even more intuitive.
My body itself felt like it had become harder.
‘Even a small increase in stats feels so significant.’
It was a different feeling from when Magic Power increased in the past.
In combat situations, it would undoubtedly make a significant difference. Such changes are important factors for increasing survival probability.
“I’m satisfied enough with this.”
I finished the stat strengthening here and it was time to look at skills.
Most of the skills and traits that came in as sacrifices this time were Fireball and Precision Shot.
‘Two Fireballs and thirteen Precision Shots…’
My gaze turned to Fireball.
‘Shall I strengthen Fireball first?’
It so happened that I had Fireball among my skills, and I was curious about what would happen if I strengthened the same skill consecutively.
As I opened my palm and concentrated, a small flame appeared.
It was the appearance of E-Rank Fireball. I was looking forward to seeing how it would change.
– Would you like to strengthen Skill Fireball (E) for the Dungeon Master ‘Kanghyeon Lee’?
– Abilities strengthened once cannot be reversed.
I prepared myself before strengthening.
‘The pain was immense when I strengthened it last time.’
When I strengthened my mana circuits, I felt a pain as if someone was stabbing my entire body.
Just thinking about it made me break into a cold sweat.
‘Still, I can’t stop.’
I immediately pressed strengthen, and the skill changed.
– Skill Fireball (E) evolves into Fireball (E+).
“……?”
Contrary to expectations, there was no pain.
It was just the level of the flame burning on my palm changing.
The flame was not just a lump of fire, but a small, swirling vortex of flame.
“……!”
Along with the rank, the very essence of the skill changed. It looked like it had evolved into a completely different skill, not just gotten stronger.
The curiosity to see what would happen if I strengthened the remaining Fireball piqued.
– Would you like to strengthen Skill Fireball (E) for the Dungeon Master ‘Kanghyeon Lee’?
– Abilities strengthened once cannot be reversed.
Upon choosing to strengthen once more, the vortex of flame in my palm turned a deep red and began to compress.
This time, the heat significantly intensified.
I felt it burning ferociously, sucking in the oxygen in the air.
– Skill Fireball (E+) evolves into Fireball (D-).
– Fireball (D-): Causes a strong flame explosion in a concentrated area.
In my palm, there was now a red, dark fireball. At the same time, the surrounding air wavered and distorted.
‘Unlike stats, can skills evolve with just one?’
I thought as the flame dissipated. It was a favorable situation for me.
Thanks to this, the E-Rank skill rose to D-Rank in one go.
This alone would have greatly increased my combat power.
‘Now I need to try strengthening Precision Shot.’
Precision Shot is not a skill, but a trait. And since I acquired 13 of them, I had great expectations.
Precision Shot.
This trait is not limited to firearms.
To be precise, it is an ability that applies to all actions of accurately aiming and attacking a target.
That is why it has a high rank of B.
– Would you like to strengthen Trait Precision Shot (B) for the Dungeon Master ‘Kanghyeon Lee’?
– Abilities strengthened once cannot be reversed.
The Precision Shot trait appeared with the first strengthening, and upon strengthening once more consecutively, the trait changed again.
– Trait Precision Shot (B) evolves into Trait Precision Shot (B+).
– Trait Precision Shot (B+) evolves into Trait Precision Shot (A-).
– Trait Precision Shot (A-) evolves into Trait Precision Shot (A).
– Trait Precision Shot (A) evolves into Trait Precision Shot (A+).
– Trait Precision Shot (A+) evolves into Hyper Precision Shot (S).
– Hyper Precision Shot (S): Attacks the target’s weak points with extremely accurate aiming. Critical hit probability greatly increases.
“Wow…”
This was great.
It evolved directly from B Rank to S Rank. Compared to Fireball rising from E Rank to D- Rank, it was much more efficient strengthening.
As soon as I focused my mind, a sensation I had never experienced before permeated my body.
My breathing naturally slowed down, and it felt as if time was flowing more slowly.
‘With this, even moving targets should be no problem?’
It was that much of a game-changing trait.
Now, the remaining number of Precision Shots was 8.
I wondered what would happen if I continued to strengthen them.
Perhaps Hyper Precision Shot, which is S Rank, could be raised further?
I immediately attempted the next strengthening.
– Would you like to strengthen Trait Precision Shot (B) for the Dungeon Master ‘Kanghyeon Lee’?
– Abilities strengthened once cannot be reversed.
When I pressed confirm, contrary to my expectations, a message saying it was impossible appeared.
– This trait has already reached its maximum strengthening stage. Additional strengthening is not possible.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue at the message that appeared.
‘It seems there’s a maximum strengthening rank.’
Among the traits I possess, ‘True Dungeon Master’ is EX Rank.
I thought that Hyper Precision Shot might be able to be raised further, but that was not the case.
Still, I wasn’t disappointed.
I gained an S-Rank trait, which is difficult to see.
‘Either way, it’s a gain for me.’
Now, besides Precision Shot, I had additional traits or skills to strengthen.
***
After completing all possible strengthenings, several parts of my status window changed.
[Traits]
– True Dungeon Master (EX)
– Demonic Sword Master (S)
– Hyper Precision Shot (S)
– Mana Sensitivity (A)
– Mana Circuit (B+)
– Spirit Affinity (B)
– Bull’s Might (B)
[Basic Information]
Vitality: B-
Attack Power: A- ( +1 Rank bonus due to Trait ‘Bull’s Might’)
Defense: C+
Magic Power: A+
Holy Power: D
[Skills]
– Knighted (S): Maru (Active)
– Sacred Shield (C)
– Fireball (D-)
– Goddess’s Heal (E)
– Poison Blast (A)
Besides Fireball and Hyper Precision Shot, Mana Circuit evolved from B Rank to B+ Rank, and with the addition of the ‘Bull’s Might’ trait, Attack Power Rank increased by one level.
“With this much, I should at least be able to get B Rank without any problems.”
At the request of Yerin Jeong of the Fire Bird Guild, and to work as an advisor in the guild in the future, I needed to get my Hunter Rank measured again.
With my current abilities, I could easily receive a B-Rank. However, I couldn’t be satisfied with this.
‘I should at least be A Rank.’
With my current abilities, could I really be satisfied with just being a B-Rank Hunter? No, absolutely not.
But now, my stats available for additional strengthening were depleted.
Even looking at skills or traits, I couldn’t find anything I could use. Abilities like Tough Hide or Taunt would be more suited for monsters than for me.
‘It seems I need more sacrifices.’
Time will solve this. Monsters will continue to offer me sacrifices.
‘Speaking of which, should I strengthen the monsters too?’
I planned to conquer more dungeons and receive more sacrifices to become stronger.
For that, the dungeon monsters that support me and offer sacrifices needed to become stronger.
I immediately opened the Dungeon Monster Strengthening System.
[Dungeon Monster Strengthening System]
– Dungeon Master ‘Kanghyeon Lee’ (Unlocked)
– Maru (★★★★★) (Unlocked)
– Skoll (★★★★) (Unlocked)
– Necros (★★★★★) (Unlocked)
– Azmo (★★★★) (Unlocked)
– Banshee (★★★) (Unlocked)
– Skeleton Knight (★★★) (Unlocked)
…
…
“There’s no need to strengthen Maru right now.”
Maru is already powerful. With the effect of the demonic sword, it’s practically beyond 5-Star.
Moreover, since Maru is a melee attacker, Hyper Precision Shot is not necessary.
“In that case, shall I strengthen Necros first?”
Necros is an Arch Lich, an undead monster that uses magic.
Therefore, the Hyper Precision Shot trait would be extremely helpful.
– Would you like to strengthen Trait Precision Shot (B) for Dungeon Monster ‘Necros’?
– Abilities strengthened once cannot be reversed.
I pressed strengthen consecutively.
– Dungeon Monster ‘Necros’ has obtained Trait Hyper Precision Shot (S).
***
Necros, who was counting gold coins in the carriage, raised his head.
He felt a change in his body.
Not for the worse, but for the better. Necros put down the gold coins and raised a finger.
A small bird was flying in the field visible through the carriage window.
As he fixed his gaze, his vision expanded dramatically.
He could perfectly see each feather of the bird, the angle of its wingbeats.
“Click!”
He immediately focused his mind. His surroundings suddenly began to change. The shaking of the running carriage, the scenery flowing past the window, even the movement of the bird flapping its wings in the air, all seemed to slow down.
No, it wasn’t just a feeling, it truly felt like time was flowing slowly.
“Click…!”
(This is…!)
Necros thought about this ability.
It must be an ability granted by the Master.
Then, what can be done with this ability?
“Click, click.”
Necros could now count gold coins more comfortably and accurately in the running carriage.
The carriage even lurched when it hit a rock, but it didn’t matter.
He had the Hyper Precision Shot trait.
No one could stop Necros from counting gold coins.
***
Necros now also had the S-Rank trait, Hyper Precision Shot.
“This should be enough for now, right?”
Necros is a 5-Star monster.
Frankly, he is powerful even without Hyper Precision Shot, but there’s no harm in adding it.
“I hope it’s helpful for casting magic.”
I felt proud thinking that I, who had only received sacrifices, did something for the monsters.
I was particularly looking forward to how Necros would use this Hyper Precision Shot.
“Now, who shall I strengthen next?”
Azmo?
Come to think of it, among the monsters I can strengthen, Azmo is the only one on Earth besides Maru.
“Indeed, Azmo also needs to get stronger.”
However, Azmo is an Incubus.
There weren’t any traits or skills that seemed suitable for an Incubus.
“Hmm.”
Since I can strengthen them without any conditions, wouldn’t it be okay to give them an offensive skill?
Like Succubi, Incubi use Charm, a mental attack. But does it have to be limited to mental attacks?
“Um…”
As I was contemplating what physical attack skill would be good, a skill caught my eye.
“Rapid Stab?”
A G-Rank skill, Rapid Stab.
What if mental attacks don’t work?
In that case, I have to go with physical attacks. If I can utilize weapons through Rapid Stab, the efficiency will be much higher.
“Alright, it’s better than nothing, right?”
– Dungeon Monster ‘Azmo’ has obtained Skill Rapid Stab (E).
