Chapter 34: Dungeon Black Hole (4)
〚Time Remaining Until the Second Wave〛
〚Remaining Time: 00:58:42〛
With about an hour left, I safely returned to the cavern.
Although this so-called ant nest was mysteriously not dark at all, the place where the queen’s egg shone brilliantly was the only spot that felt truly calming.
“I didn’t find any additional information. The only trivial detail is that the one we faced earlier was the weakest of them.”
“Then, how many do you think will come this time?”
“At least twice as many as before. Min Chorong, just focus on helping Gundan hold them off; I can take care of the rest quickly.”
Whether by luck or fate, I encountered few enemies after my fight with the four elite soldiers and had to settle for gaining two levels before returning.
As it stands, my unboosted Mugeuk Stat is at F- (74/100). To surpass this grade, I either need to level up at least 26 more times or consume additional elixirs.
The decision was swift. This was exactly why I’d been holding off on taking elixirs until the right moment.
“After this wave, I’ll take them immediately.”
There is a limit to how much elixirs can enhance.
Recklessly consuming them without consideration for compatibility leads to inefficiency; in fact, elixirs with opposing attributes, like fire and water, could even cause internal damage.
Thus, I refrained from consuming the vast selection of elixirs stored in my Inventory.
Technically, I’ve only ingested four specific elixirs: the First Spring Water and Nectar—substances that transcend the concept of elixirs altogether.
More than 95% of the elixirs unlocked in my Inventory only boost specific stats to a limited extent, meaning my mythical-level stat could benefit little from them.
Elixirs that boost designated stats are less effective unless you possess those stats initially.
As of now, I’m just one point away from reaching F- (75/100), a benchmark I had previously set.
Reaching this stat threshold will allow me to consume elixirs at their peak efficiency and possibly break through the rank barrier.
“Just a quick rest.”
With these pleasant thoughts, I closed my eyes for a quick 30-minute nap. Not long after, the second wave began.
***
The second wave brought in eight scout soldiers. Two of them emerged from each of the four passages, with only one difference from the previous wave.
All the buffs from our saintess candidate were focused entirely on Gundan.
Specifically, all offensive buffs were removed, and only buffs to enhance his Unique Ability and his overall stats were applied.
As a result, the size and solidity of Gundan’s golden, holy fortress grew even greater, allowing this seemingly weak F- rank to single-handedly withstand the onslaught of four soldier ants.
“Impressive.”
With his Unique Ability developed to its fullest, SS-rank status doesn’t seem far off. The real question is how to trigger the awakening of that Unique Ability.
In both past and present timelines, I’ve only witnessed one instance of a Unique Ability awakening: Seo Mina, in a Hidden Stage, blossoming magnificently in the face of death.
Having seen the brilliant power she displayed by standing on the precipice of death, I was immensely curious about what might trigger his awakening.
“I hope he awakens before this dungeon ends.”
“…How long… do you think I can hold on?”
“Oh! Coming right up!”
I erased my stray thoughts and reached out toward the scout soldier who had drawn close to me, thrusting its jaw forward.
“What are you doing?!”
To the others, it might have looked like I was a lunatic trying to harm myself, but they were mistaken.
Infused with Soft Overcomes Hard, my hand seized the creature’s jaw and slammed it down onto the ground.
The creature, its own strength turned against it, collapsed without comprehending what had happened.
My fiery blade then drove into its neck.
“Quickly die and become experience points.”
I surged forward without delay. With its comrade so easily felled, the rest, entranced by the queen’s egg, charged blindly toward me, making them easy targets.
Regardless of the brute strength these creatures possessed, beasts without reason are lesser than even wild animals.
It took me less than 30 minutes to slay all eight scout soldiers, though I spent a bit of that time toying with their attacks, marveling at the elegant power of Soft Overcomes Hard.
Had I gone for a swift, decisive approach, it would have taken less than half that time.
Naturally, slaying eight of them granted me enough experience to reach Level 14 and complete the 75 Stat threshold.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
“…Thank you for your hard work.”
“You guys did well too. Gundan, especially… it’d be best for you to awaken your Unique Ability as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll… try.”
We took a brief rest to catch our breath, and just then, my sister’s capsule sent a request for magic stones to be replenished.
“How is it already out of power? It should have lasted at least four days!”
“It’s okay. Gundan, please handle it.”
I handed Gundan the best [D-] rank magic stone I’d obtained from slaying the elite soldiers, the largest and purest one, and he began processing it right away.
“As for me, I have things to prepare. You all take a break; it looks like we have some time without any more disturbances.”
Leaving Gundan to his task, I moved to a corner of the cavern, opened my Inventory, and withdrew five elixirs I’d earmarked from among the endless supply of consumables and equipment, unlocked up to [Advanced E+] rank.
〚Item: Tear Momentarily Bathed in Starlight [General-SSS-]〛
〚Item: 132-Year-Old Ginseng [General-SS+]〛
〚Item: Mushroom on the Verge of Holding Spiritual Energy [General-SSS+]〛
〚Item: Droplet of Blood Shed by a Quarter White Dragon [General-EX]〛
〚Item: White Blood Spirit Pill [Advanced-E+]〛
Despite my limit in assessing general-grade items, I purchased fifty appraisal scrolls from the Black Market at a hefty price of 5 million won each.
After meticulously assessing each promising elixir in my Inventory, I carefully selected five. Each of these elixirs had the unique ability to grant extra stat points.
Among elixirs, those that generate extra points are incredibly rare.
However, rarity wasn’t an issue for me; I had a virtually endless supply of elixirs resting within my Inventory.
Still, I chose only the five finest elixirs, wishing to absorb nothing but the best.
“Alright… time to consume them.”
Without hesitation, I took out the elixirs from my Inventory, putting each one into my mouth. The absorption of elixirs is purely dependent on talent and luck.
Generally, elixir descriptions indicate a minimum and maximum range for stat increases.
There are two main ways to maximize the absorption rate, as hunters call it.
First, through innate talent, allowing the body to retain as much of the elixir’s energy as possible, thereby boosting the absorption rate.
Second, pure luck. With good fortune, the absorption rate may increase.
The final absorption rate is usually determined by a blend of these two factors.
Given that I had hit the 75 stat mark and drained the power of Curse of Misfortune, I deemed this the perfect moment.
One by one, I placed the elixirs into my mouth. A mix of flavors spread as warmth surged within me.
〚Deciding the elixir’s efficiency! Minimum 5~Maximum 9〛
〚Deciding the elixir’s efficiency! Minimum 4~Maximum 8〛
〚Deciding the elixir’s efficiency! Minimum 5~Maximum 10〛
〚Deciding the elixir’s efficiency! Minimum 7~Maximum 13〛
〚Deciding the elixir’s efficiency! Minimum 6~Maximum 11〛
Even if Curse of Misfortune affected these minimum calculations, I would still receive 27 extra stat points, precisely enough to promote my Mugeuk Stat to F rank.
If luck favored me, I could gain up to 51 points, instantly raising my Mugeuk Stat to F(12/100).
In mythical stats, the cost of points required to rank up increases by one with each level.
In this sense, Giant’s Heart is an ideal ability for me, as it allows me to save points required for mythical stats.
The power of mythical stats truly shines from here onward, requiring substantial point investment as a rank advances.
This power made me realize why I felt an intense rush whenever I temporarily surpassed my rank with Wings and Equivalent Exchange, followed by a profound fatigue as those buffs vanished.
Feeling the vast, radiant energy within, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
I possessed no skills to absorb this energy, such as breathing techniques or meditation skills commonly found among high-level hunters.
Thus, I had to rely entirely on my natural talent and luck to absorb these energies.
“Absorb!”
Inhaling deeply, I focused on consuming the glowing forces within me. Each energy, seemingly scouting my entire body to determine its place, was finally seized one by one.
As the Mugeuk Stat responded to my will, my body adjusted, allowing me to capture all 51 energy particles.
First, I directed those that favored frequently used areas—absorbing a particle that settled in my left thumb directly into the bone as it happily jumped.
Then, I absorbed five particles running across my thigh into the muscles.
Next, three energies rolling across my calves were sunk into my skin.
My body transformed ceaselessly. The energies absorbed within converted into extra stat points and invested directly into Mugeuk, triggering rapid growth.
In a half-conscious state, how long did I consume those energies?
〚Heavenly Fortune feels intrigued by your actions and blesses your body with radiant energy!〛
With the synergy of Heavenly Fortune and the ever-increasing potential of my talents, the speed of absorption soared.
In a moment reminiscent of the miracle from drinking Brilliant Nectar, my body experienced another transformation.
〚As the Mugeuk Stat rises sharply, your muscles and bones undergo subtle rebirth, and your body transforms!〛
〚Bones grow stronger and more balanced!〛
〚Skin becomes firmer and clearer!〛
〚Veins expand and solidify, circulating more magic power with greater efficiency!〛
〚Muscles grow more resilient and elastic!〛
〚Some negative waste within your body is expelled, slightly enhancing the efficiency of all stats.〛
How long was I lost in concentration?
The message notifying me of the approaching third wave arrived just as I completed the absorption and was meditating inward.
When I opened my eyes, I saw an entirely different world before me.
〚Absorption Rate: 100%〛
〚You achieved a remarkable absorption rate!〛
〚All extra points were automatically invested into the Mugeuk Stat!〛
〚Mugeuk Stat surpasses its rank, rising to F(12/100).〛
〚Solar Stat surpasses its rank, rising to F(12/100).〛
〚Your Unique Ability: Heavenly Mugeuk Pulse has increased by one level!〛
〚Authority: Noonday Sun has increased by one level!〛
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