LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Deep within the Salt-Rock Forest.
Step, step.
After walking for a few minutes, Do-hyeon looked around to ensure no one was nearby before checking his pending message windows.
[You have defeated the field boss of Salt-Rock Forest, ‘Death Orc Warrior.’]
[Do you wish to harvest the enhanced essence orb of the Death Orc Warrior?]
[You have harvested the essence orb.]
[As a reward…]
[Recorded in the Adventure Book.]
[You have defeated a new type of boss on your first encounter.]
[The Predator effect increases all stats by +6.]
[Your level has increased.]
…
A flood of messages filled his vision after defeating the Death Orc Warrior.
Usually, Do-hyeon would check them immediately, but this time, he couldn’t.
“Phew, that was overwhelming.”
The reason was the sudden applause from the spectators who had been watching when he defeated the Death Orc Warrior.
The sight of rough-looking men clapping with sparkling eyes in pure admiration…
“…Wasn’t exactly pleasant.”
It somehow reminded him of Charlie.
If that had been all, he might have just brushed it off.
However, the real problem came afterward.
Perhaps applause wasn’t enough to express their awe; they swarmed him, asking for autographs.
– “You’ll be blessed for this.”
– “Yes! An autograph!”
– “You’re incredible. I love your videos. Are you uploading this one too? I’ll wait for it!”
While giving out autographs, their words, although somewhat burdensome, weren’t entirely unpleasant.
In the past, there were people like this too.
It brought back memories and felt different hearing that they watched him on NewTube.
Though he’d heard people mention interviews, it was the first time someone said they were a fan of the videos he personally uploaded.
“Especially that archer was the most striking.”
Among them, one archer stood out, gazing at him with unusually sparkling eyes yet speaking the least.
They simply stared endlessly.
It made him wonder if that’s how a tsundere would act when receiving an autograph.
– “…Must be nice.”
– “Lisa!”
Meanwhile, Jihad was secretly watching from the side, envious of the attention Do-hyeon was receiving.
Despite his spectacular undead performance, no one approached Jihad or spoke to him, which was truly remarkable.
– “What’s the problem? Why doesn’t anyone talk to me?”
Perhaps it was because his fighting style had been too crude.
Though the thought immediately crossed his mind, Do-hyeon wasn’t so tactless as to say it out loud.
“That’s not the issue right now.”
Ending his brief recollection, Do-hyeon focused on the system window.
Specifically, the rewards.
[Leather of the Death-Infused Orc Warrior]
[Grade: Rare]
[Description: Tough leather infused with the essence of death from the Orc Warrior. Useful for crafting armor.]
[Fang of the Death-Infused Orc Warrior]
[Grade: Rare]
[Description: A sharp fang infused with the essence of death from the Orc Warrior. Useful for crafting accessories.]
The rewards this time consisted only of these two material items and 600 gold.
Compared to what he usually obtained, the rewards seemed humble.
Although he felt a bit disappointed, Do-hyeon accepted it without complaint.
“…This is normal. I’ve been unusually lucky lately.”
Until now, he had swept up countless hidden pieces and secured guaranteed items through first-discovery bonuses. Normally, this was how it should be.
If defeating a field boss always meant obtaining equipment, gear wouldn’t be so rare and expensive.
The auction house would be overflowing with them with just a quick search.
“Well, at least it wasn’t a fruitless venture.”
Although he didn’t obtain any gear, the rewards were still significant.
Defeating the boss on the first encounter had activated the Predator effect of the First Slayer, increasing all his stats by six.
And that wasn’t all. His level had also increased, reaching level 30.
[Player: Kaiser]
[Level: 30]
[HP: 5,010 / 5,010]
[MP: 1,600 / 1,600]
[Stamina: 790 / 790]
[Class: Final Adventurer (Heir of Kashiar)]
[Title (7)]
– Max Favorability from the Start?
– First Slayer
…(View More)
[Stats]
Remaining Points: 46
“Wow…”
Looking at his updated status screen, Do-hyeon couldn’t help but smile proudly.
Who would think this was a level 30 character?
Despite being only level 30, he already had seven titles, all extraordinary.
And he still had 46 unused points left.
“There’s no need to invest them right now.”
Thanks to the Hidden Dragon trait, he gained seven points per level, so his stats would grow quickly. But now wasn’t the time.
After reaching level 30, he had earned a Random Skill Draw Ticket.
“It’s not too late to decide after seeing what I get.”
Although he wanted to use it immediately, Do-hyeon held back.
He had made a resolution at Raven.
“Always draw in a lucky spot!”
He had decided not to trust the Eye of Truth and carelessly use draws in random locations.
This resolution had rewarded him with the destiny-changing skill, Parry, and he intended to maintain that mindset.
While Do-hyeon remained firm in his decision, Jihad seemed to have other thoughts.
– “M-Master… I can’t hold on anymore.”
Without even looking at the desperate Jihad, Do-hyeon replied firmly.
“Just a bit longer.”
– “Something inside me… something is stirring.”
“We’re really almost there.”
– “Do you know that’s the fifth time you’ve said that, Master…?”
“This time, for real. We’re there.”
It felt like being at the gym, where the trainer kept saying, “Just one more rep!”
Or like a father telling his son climbing a mountain, “Just five more minutes!”
Every time Do-hyeon said they were almost there, Jihad’s expression twisted further.
There was a reason Jihad was complaining so much.
[Guardian ‘Jihad Black’ has reached level 10.]
[Guide him at the crossroads of his choice.]
“How is the timing always so perfect?”
Just like users choosing a subclass after a divine skill draw, guardians also undergo a process called advancement upon reaching level 10.
However, it was slightly different from how users did it.
Though called advancement, it was more akin to selecting an attribute.
For example, “Crimson Flame Salamander” or “Blue Flame Salamander.”
Or “Steel Golem” versus “Regenerating Golem.”
Rather than one being better than the other, guardian advancement was about choosing what the user needed more.
“But divine beasts are different.”
If guardian advancement was like picking an attribute, then divine beast advancement was closer to true evolution.
Like a serpent gaining a pearl and transforming into a dragon, each advancement brought about a significant change.
It wasn’t without reason that people said divine beasts before and after advancement were like entirely different species.
“Just like Little Dragon and Ho-sik.”
Even the legendary confrontation of Purple’s tiger and serpent had started as a mere large tiger and a small serpent.
Through repeated advancements, they eventually exuded an aura reminiscent of the Azure Dragon and White Tiger of the Four Sacred Beasts.
In that sense, Jihad was slightly unusual.
[Path of the Commander Necromancer]
[Path of the Explosive Necromancer]
“I expected it, but seeing the options for real feels strange.”
With traits related to necromancy and curses and a combat style that screamed explosive necromancer, Jihad fit the mold perfectly.
His skills also blatantly revolved around summoning undead.
If he were to suddenly evolve into something like a Goblin Hoplite now, it would have been even stranger.
Naturally, Do-hyeon had already decided to develop Jihad into a Zeke rather than a Fok.
But seeing a class pop up for a guardian, similar to users, still felt surreal.
“Well, when was this guy ever normal?”
Whether in a good or bad way, Jihad had always been peculiar.
At this point, nothing should have been surprising.
So how much further did they walk?
It was when Jihad seemed to truly reach his limit.
“Ugh!”
“Oh, come on! Another common?”
“Amazing! I got a hero grade! Thank you, gods!”
Chaotic voices echoed from beyond a rock.
– “We’re here!”
Having experienced it before, Jihad confidently darted inside, certain this was the right place.
Do-hyeon and Elisa followed close behind, and soon, they saw it.
Amid the dense mist, players sat on rocks with bloodshot eyes, engrossed in various draws.
While there weren’t as many as in Raven, likely due to the Salt-Rock Forest thinning their numbers, there were still about ten of them.
“This is definitely the place.”
They had arrived at one of the most famous draw spots in Brion, the Rock Forest Ridge.
Though orcs appeared randomly in the mist, strangely, they didn’t show up here.
It wasn’t just orcs.
Not even tiny insects were seen in this area, which led people to use it as a kind of resting spot or safe zone.
“Though now it’s become a draw site.”
As always, rumors were the issue.
Since it was a safe zone, hunters who obtained draw tickets during their hunts began stopping by to use them.
Naturally, as more people drew good items here, the place became famous.
What was once a resting spot transformed into a renowned draw location.
And one of those people, of course, was Do-hyeon.
– “Master, hurry!”
“All right.”
Spurred by Jihad, Do-hyeon quickly moved his hand.
[Do you wish to choose the Path of the Commander Necromancer?]
“Yes.”
Flash!
A brilliant light burst from Jihad, blinding Do-hyeon’s vision.
It was a pitch-black light, as dark as Jihad’s mana.
The fleeting darkness felt like passing through a tunnel.
[Guardian ‘Jihad Black’ has taken the Path of the Commander Necromancer.]
[Please draw a skill.]
A system message appeared, along with seven cards floating in midair.
This was the reason.
When a guardian advanced for the first time, instead of receiving a skill draw ticket, they were immediately prompted to draw a skill.
“Thank goodness Purple told me about this. I almost wasted it somewhere else.”
Do-hyeon muttered in relief, while Jihad, now freed from his agony, looked exasperated.
– “Does it really matter where you draw? You could’ve done it anywhere.”
“No. With a half-hearted attitude, you won’t accomplish anything. Do you think life is that easy? No, Jihad…”
– “…”
Jihad fell silent at Do-hyeon’s unusually serious expression.
It was true, but why was he applying such resolve to a draw?
Especially when he fought bosses so nonchalantly.
Jihad couldn’t understand it at all.
“Look at the determination in those people’s eyes. How desperate they are.”
– “…”
What baffled him even more was that the people around them genuinely radiated the kind of determination Do-hyeon described.
They were truly risking everything.
– “Humans are strange…”
His master had never been normal, but something about the words “draw” or “gacha” made humans lose their minds.
Whether it was his master, who acted like an addict with flushed eyes, or the others, who seemed equally desperate…
– “Elisa?”
– “Don’t look at that, Elisa. It’s trash.”
When Elisa, curious, tried to peek out of Jihad’s robe pocket, Jihad quickly shoved her back in.
– “So, what did you get?”
At Jihad’s question, Do-hyeon’s face darkened.
“…Silver.”
– “What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. Don’t talk to me. It’s depressing.”
– “…?”
Do-hyeon genuinely looked heartbroken.
– “I don’t get it. Do as you please.”
Unable to understand, Jihad gave up trying and stepped back.
While it was his own skill draw, he couldn’t bear to deal with this bizarre world that seemed insane to everyone but himself.