Chapter 7
I exchanged SNS contact information with Leah, and it turned out she was a well-known figure in France with hundreds of thousands of followers.
Of course, I had some suspicion, given her glamorous appearance and wealth.
Despite exchanging contact information, in reality, I was just another one of her many followers.
Those Russian guys who shot at me must have deluded themselves into thinking someone like her would be interested in them.
They only ended up picking a fight with me and getting beaten for it.
Although it was a ridiculous experience, I managed to return safely to Korea without any problems.
‘Just one more thing left.’
I acquired the Mana Breathing skill, which allows me to continuously maintain the Evil Dragon Magic Arts.
Adding one more element would complete my foundation.
───
<Unacquired Weapon Projection Power>
To unlock, complete the following task: Defeat Semi-human Monsters 0 / 5,000
───
That element was the Weapon Projection Power.
A fundamental ability possessed by all Guardian Spirits, regardless of their rank.
It’s essential to fully unleash the power of a Guardian Spirit.
Originally, this should have been the first power I unlocked, but I deliberately acquired Mana Breathing first.
‘To save time.’
If I had rushed in without Mana Breathing, who knows how long it would have taken to kill 5,000 monsters.
I would have had to stop whenever my mana was depleted, wait a long time for it to recharge, and then hunt again, over and over.
That would have wasted an immense amount of time.
As mentioned before, there are limits to using potions as well.
However, obtaining the Mana Breathing skill first made it possible to significantly streamline the process.
I reversed the order to maximize efficiency.
‘With this, I’ll obtain the Weapon Projection Power as fast as possible.’
Without delay, I moved.
To make it in time for ‘that date,’ I had to handle a tight schedule.
***
“Please follow me this way.”
A man in a sharp suit greeted me in the hotel lobby.
Other staff members took my luggage and moved it to my room while I followed the suited man to a private room.
This was the Gaon Hotel, owned by the Baeksan Group.
A five-star hotel built next to a dungeon managed by the company.
Naturally, Awakeners were the main clientele.
Dungeon users received free lodging.
This was because the dungeon usage fee itself was exorbitantly high.
“You’ve chosen to pay the dungeon usage fee through a profit-sharing model.”
“Yes.”
If one couldn’t pay the fee upfront, they could pay it later with the loot obtained from the dungeon.
The loot I acquired would be sold by them, and the profits split.
I had already spent almost all the money I borrowed, and besides, I wasn’t here to make money.
“If you proceed that way… you’ll get about 5% of the loot’s revenue. The detailed terms are written here, so please take a look.”
He handed me a document.
It contained complex calculations: fixed lodging fees, fixed dungeon fees, variable percentages for transportation, storage, and sale of loot, etc.
After all deductions, I was left with an estimated 5% of the profit.
‘I’m the one doing all the work, and I only get 5%…’
The margin was practically extortionate.
It was essentially a business model where they profited off Awakeners’ labour while providing free entry as bait.
They attracted as many people as possible and pocketed the bigger profit from the loot.
‘It’s like a freemium model in the dungeon industry…’
Anyway, since I was out of money, I had no choice but to grind.
As I mentioned before, I wasn’t here for money.
I was laying the foundation for bigger future gains.
This was an investment phase, an early part of my plan.
“I’ve confirmed it.”
“Great. Now, moving on…”
After hearing a few more explanations from the man, I signed the contract.
And then, I immediately entered the dungeon.
Swoosh.
The portal transported me to the lair of the werewolves.
Werewolves were among the weakest of the semi-human monsters.
They were, therefore, the most suitable target for the ‘hunt 5,000 monsters’ task.
However, semi-human monsters were inherently strong, so I couldn’t let my guard down.
‘Focus solely on completing the task.’
I scouted the lair, searching for a gathering of werewolves.
They lived in groups with rudimentary tools and household items.
To me, they were merely numbers to be added up to reach 5,000.
‘Evil Dragon Magic Arts.’
I immediately drew upon my power.
I surveyed the surrounding terrain.
‘A narrow path. That’s the spot.’
It was impossible to lure them out one by one.
Once one engaged in combat, the entire group would charge in.
Therefore, using the terrain was essential.
Swoosh.
After evaluating the surroundings, I pulled a pair of knuckles from my pockets and put them on.
I locked onto the farthest werewolf from the group.
Thud, thud, thud!
I sprinted at full speed toward it.
Stealth was out of the question, as they could detect nearby enemies by scent.
The only option was to close the distance in one swift attack.
Tap, tap.
As soon as I was within range, I stepped right, then left again.
With two shifts in balance, I put all my weight into my movement.
All that force was channelled into my right-hand knuckle.
I aimed a powerful hook at the werewolf’s head, as if grabbing it.
Boom!
{Defeat Semi-human Monsters 1/5,000}
The werewolf, standing clueless and unguarded, turned into the number 1 as soon as our eyes met.
“Grr?”
In an instant, the death of their comrade unfolded before them. The werewolves seemed momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend the situation.
‘Now’s the time.’
I didn’t waste this chance and rushed to the spot I had prepared in advance.
After taking down one with a surprise attack, my plan was to lure the rest into a narrow passage and defeat them one by one.
This was the only way to handle monsters that moved in packs using melee weapons.
“Awooo—!”
A howling cry began.
A fierce, murderous intent, determined to kill me, crawled across my body like insects.
“Come on.”
I stood at the path, facing the charging werewolves.
***
Exactly ten days passed.
Crack!
{Defeat Semi-human Monsters 4,999/5,000}
Thud!
{Defeat Semi-human Monsters 5,000/5,000}
I successfully hunted down 5,000 werewolves. I had managed to kill nearly 500 per day.
And then.
{Task completed! Weapon Projection Power <Claws of the Evil Dragon> has been unlocked.}
I finally acquired the Weapon Projection Power.
───
<Weapon Projection – Claws of the Evil Dragon>
Projects the claws of Azidahaka onto equipped weapons.
Damage type: Physical, Dark
Applicable weapon: Knuckles
Affected stat: Willpower
───
‘Weapon Projection.’
I immediately activated the power, feeling energy gather in both hands.
Soon, the knuckles on my hands began to glow with a blue light.
The violent energy of Azidahaka was infused within.
“Grrr!”
Before me, the remaining werewolves charged forward.
I swung my fist toward them with all my might.
“Hup!”
From right to left, a powerful right hook.
Boom!
A blue aura burst from the knuckles, forming the foreleg of a dragon.
It expanded the hook’s trajectory into a wider arc, sweeping everything in front of me.
Crash! Crack!
The sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing filled the air. Three werewolves fell simultaneously, lifeless.
“Grr… whimper?”
The other werewolves that witnessed this scene turned into frightened pups, their earlier ferocity gone as they tucked their tails in fear.
Yelp! Whine!
They began to flee, scrambling away as if their lives depended on it.
“Wow, this is… insane.”
I was too amazed by my newfound power to even notice the fleeing werewolves.
“So this is what a Legendary Guardian Spirit can do.”
Weapon Projection.
A power that overlays a Guardian Spirit’s weapon onto the user’s weapon in the form of energy.
This power consumed no mana and had no significant restrictions other than needing specific types of weapons.
In other words, it was like a basic attack.
The most fundamental ability to harness the power of one’s Guardian Spirit.
‘What would happen if I unlocked higher-tier powers?’
I couldn’t even begin to imagine.
How powerful would I become after unlocking and upgrading other abilities?
Of course, to do that, I would first need to increase my Synchronization with my Guardian Spirit.
{Synchronization with Azidahaka: 0.03%}
But increasing Synchronization still felt like a distant goal.
Despite killing so many werewolves over ten days, it had only risen by 0.03%.
It seemed even slower than when I had killed around 100 goblins and reached 0.02%.
‘How in the world am I supposed to increase this…?’
Everything else had improved significantly.
{<Basic Martial Arts> Proficiency: 21/100}
{<Mana Breathing> Proficiency: 13/100}
{Willpower: 20 (+1)}
{Mana: 126}
As my proficiency in Basic Martial Arts increased, my understanding of combat grew.
Mana Breathing, which initially had a recovery rate of 1% per second, now had doubled to 2.09% per second.
My Willpower also increased by 2, bringing my mana to 132.
In just ten days, I had increased all my stats by an impressive 12 points.
And yet, the Synchronization rate remained abysmal.
“Sigh, I don’t know.”
Aside from vague speculations, nothing else came to mind.
In any case, now that I had achieved my goal, the hunting was over.
I collected the cores from the hearts of the fallen werewolves in front of me.
Monster Core Stones.
These were the loot items that brought in revenue, as they were essential materials for making various weapons and talismans.
With my backpack filled to the brim, I left the dungeon.
Goodbye to this tiresome place.
***
After ten days of secluded training, I descended the mountain.
Calling it ‘secluded training’ might be a stretch, considering I was staying in a five-star hotel while hunting.
Maybe it was more like advanced secluded training for the 21st century.
In any case, I gained a lot from that experience.
I even made some money.
Though the 5% profit margin was measly, I still received something.
I managed to make about 7 million won.
I converted all of it into Vietnamese Dong and split it evenly between Gold and Diamonds.
{Gold balance: 74,141,891}
{Diamond balance: 741,418}
These resources had specific purposes.
Mana Breathing and Weapon Projection—both were obtained to be used there.
“Your final destination is Syria, correct? May I see your passport?”
“Here it is.”
I opened my passport to the page with the ‘Special Authorization for Passport Use’ and showed it to the customs officer.
A document that allowed entry into restricted areas.
The purpose stated was ‘Business.’
“Alright, you may proceed.”
The customs officer, maintaining a neutral expression, allowed me to pass.
After entering the duty-free area, I walked into a convenience store to buy a drink, where the TV displayed news related to my destination.
—Once again, military tensions are rapidly escalating worldwide due to the commencement of this year’s ‘Raid Quest.’
The regular raid season had begun.
—
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