CHAPTER 52 Class Quest Begins

You've found an "Instant Return Stone"

Would you like to acquire it?

I could not hide his happiness.

'Acquire all.'

The leather pouch was the first to be obtained.

You've opened the leather pouch.

There was 1,500,000 gold inside.

You've acquired 1,500,000 gold.

I was somewhat of taken aback.

'The reward is in a different class.'

As expected, the difficulty in taking down the boss resulted in a great reward. Even the leather pouch, which he did not have much expectations of, gave me an insane amount of gold. This would be quite useful for the shop. However, I was more interested in the other items. If just the leather pouch gave me this much, just what about the helmet and the Runestone even though it could I was still excited I opened the information screen on the helmet with an excited heart.

Ding~

Red Knight's Helmet

Rarity: S

Type: Armor

Physical Damage Reduction +15%

Strength +20, Constitution +20

"S-rank!"

I let out a scream of joy.

This was the first S-rank equipment I got. Yes I did get higher rank equipment like Both Book of Totality, and One of six pieces of Rubix cube Totality are much higher rank than this but I can't use them.

So it doesn't make any difference. On top of the incredible benefit of reducing physical damage taken by 15%, it also had a powerful effect of giving strength and constitution a 20-point boost. My chest pounded in excitement at the item.

'It's incomparable to the A-rank equipment.'

I have obtained many A-rank items so far. The first was Casaka's Venom Gland from taking down Casaka. The second was the Gatekeeper's Necklace from Cerberus. And then Ardwolf's Golden Claw I got after killing Golden Werewolf Ardwol. And reaming came from the treasure of the labyrinth and killing the Minotaur.

Even those were plenty powerful. While the Venom Gland did technically have a penalty on strength, it still was a powerful item that gave him a permanent 20% physical damage reduction. And Minotaur's heart was also great.

And the Gatekeeper's Necklace? It was an amazing item that gave 20 points to both agility and sense. The benefit of those two stats only became more apparent as time passed.

And the "Red Knight's Helmet" that I obtained had effects that nearly combined those two A-rank items. And without any penalties.

'It's really the best.'

I could not help but smile despite the blunt fight. There was one more minor thing; I actually liked the design of the helmet.

'Shame that I won't be able to show it off.'

The helmet shone with the color of blood. Along with the long plumage, it was almost like a work of art. For a brief moment, I would've liked to obtain and wear the full set of crimson armor. After all, it looked pretty cool. Unfortunately,

'Regrettable…'

The other pieces of Ygritte's armor did not appear as drops. Only the helmet had been obtained. I put aside the small regret and carefully put on the helmet.

shooo-

As always, the item disappeared the moment I equipped it. Although I could not show off its form, without removing it, the helmet greatly increased my attributes.

Stats

HP: 10884/10884 R: 19.3%(1040.57) per Minute

MP: 32031/32188 R: 27.87%(4887.93) per Minute

Fatigue:

Strength: 125 (+20)

Constitution: 113 (+20)

Agility: 135

Intelligence: 202

Sense: 132

(Available stat points: 3)

Physical Damage Reduction: 50% (+15%)

The boost of the helmet was temporarily shown in parenthesis. Strength, constitution, and even physical damage reduction had been greatly increased. I was immensely satisfied. Confirming the effects with my eyes made his heart race.

There was one more item he had to check. Still excited, I looked over the two remaining items.

Runestone: Ruler's Hands

Instant Return Stone

Two stones. I first looked at the "Instant Return Stone". It was a piece of rock slightly bigger than a walnut.

So this is the runestone that will give a unique form of telekinesis.

Ruler's Authority is a form of telekinesis unique to the Rulers and the humans that they choose to bestow their powers to. Given how strong the Rulers are, at full power this skill is almost like a black hole in potency.

So this skill was pretty good especially if combined with gravity spells.

Next, I looked at the other stone.

The stone's information came up in front of me.

Ding~

Instant Return Stone

Rarity: ???

Type: Consumable

Class Advancement Quest Item

Break to immediately return to the outside of the Dungeon.

This item will disappear once the quest is complete.

You may not keep this item in your inventory.

The way to use it was the same as a Runestone. Instead of skill, breaking it would take me to the outside.

Ding~!

[The player has obtained the Instant Return Stone.

The Class Advancement Quest will now begin.]

Stat

HP: 12484/12484 R: 19.3%(1040.57) per Minute

MP: 32031/32188 R: 27.87%(4887.93) per Minute

'The fatigue was 0 and mana was completely regenerated.

Thanks to the increase in constitution from the helmet, my maximum health went up proportionately.

The Instant Return Ston that I was holding in my hand. The stone represented giving up on the quest. If not, it would not have been given to him as the starting signal.

The Instant Return Stone that I could not store was placed in my back pocket.

The System's next message appeared.

Ding.

In 10 seconds, dimensional gates will start opening at random.

'Dimensional gates?'

'Why is it named Dimensional Gates? It is possible to travel to other worlds with it. Not one in this universe but outside of it. '

As I was just thinking that. The System produced a huge screen with numbers high in the air.

00:00:10

Well, that was easy enough to understand. It was probably the countdown it spoke of earlier. The messages continued.

The player has a choice:

Use the Instant Return Stone to escape the Dungeon,

...8, 7, 6…

The countdown continued. As I looked at the other screen which was also showing a countdown. 1:30, 29, 28..

Or endure as long as possible and obtain the advancement points required for class advancement.

"Endure? Endure what? I came here to chill"

The Runestone was placed in the inventory.

The Class Advancement Quest will begin soon.

...4, 3, 2.

I stared at both numbers counting down, then surveyed my surroundings. My gaze quickly fell here and there. The air in the room started to twist and become distorted.

00:00:01

I wish you luck.

"No, you should wish me a good sleep. "

It was the first time the System displayed a semblance of emotion, but there was no time to be surprised. The moment the timer hit 0, gates started appearing in various places around the room.

woong-

woong-

It wasn't just one or two. There were 6 close to me, and behind them were many more appearing. At the same time, the timer started to count forward.

00:00:02

The countdown had started again. This time, it will be my trial here. The advancement points would depend on my record. The System wasn't fully clear, but I knew everything.

'I'll become stronger the more I endure.'

More accurately, I would obtain a more powerful class.

00:00:03

The exact moment the timer reached 3 seconds, the nearest gates started spawning a multitude of knights without weapons.

clack-clack-clack-clack

The ground shook as the armored knights got into formation. They looked like a silver tidal wave frozen in time, waiting to crash down upon me. Even in the face of the oppressive force, a smile appeared on my face.

'Stealth!'

I used what mana I had with my mana regen speed. I can go on forever even while I blast multiple spells. Even that could be boosted with my two passive skills turned into the active state.

shooo-

My form disappeared from sight. As expected, the knights that were running toward me all slowed down and stopped.

A mage has used the 'Eye of Detection'.

The System beeped with a warning. I turned my head towards the sound.

A mage that had appeared from one of the gates was casting a spell. Jinwoo saw an eye-shaped mark above its head. The mark sparkled, and my 'Stealth' was released.

The knights that stood motionless after he disappeared turned their heads in unison toward me. It was a scene straight out of a horror movie. The silver tidal wave fell upon the man.

As I cast multiple elemental arrows.

Swiss Swiss Swiss… Bang! Bang! Bang!. The arrows flew past the silver tidal and hit anyone who even slightly resembled a mage.

And multiple elemental arrows hit every vital point in their bodies, heart head and throat killing them in an instant.

[You've defeated 10 mages.]

And before the silver tidal could even reach me I was again in the 'Stealth' mode.

As I looked at the countdown that was still going on. 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22

I waited patiently as I knew that unless I killed all the knights or even unless I cut their numbers in half, more enemies wouldn't be coming.

You could say it's a rule that I am taking advantage of.

While I just waited, knights stopped and looked around trying to find me.

...

...1, 0

You've failed to complete the Daily Quest.

You will now be moved to the Penalty Zone.

shaaaaaake-

The area started shaking vigorously.

pshhhh

pshaaaaah

As my 'Stealth got canceled as all the knights snapped and looked at me.

"Bye See you in four hours, Oo my mistake you can't see me"

As they ran towards me. The world changed around him.

"Hahaha hahaha, being Op is fun."

I silently laughed. The System's words before the quest started kept appearing in my head.

I wish you luck.

Shaaaake-!

The tremors became stronger. Instead of fighting to keep my balance like in the past, I gave up on the earthquake and closed my eyes.

Crash!

I found myself embedded in something. His fingertips felt the softness of sand around him. The earthshaking had stopped.

I found myself in the middle of a vast desert. Patting the sand off my body, I stood up and looked around. In every direction, I saw an endless field of sand, stretching to the horizon.

"the desert"

I grabbed a handful of sand and let it fall. The sand fell in a straight line to the ground.

'Be calm…'

And just like that, he felt a sense of weightlessness, and all sounds disappeared. When he opened his eyes, it was in the middle of a familiar yet unfamiliar desert.

'There's no wind.'

Not just wind, looking up, there was no sun, moon, or even stars.

An empty sky like black ink spilled across a canvas.

Even stranger, despite the lack of a visible light source, I had no trouble seeing my surroundings.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

'It's about time…'

And indeed it was. I felt a lifeform rising beneath the sand. I raised my legs and shot up from the ground. My body felt as light as a feather. I landed a few steps away and turned around.

shaaaaah

As expected, the spot I was lying on was sinking to the ground.

Now, I could stare at the sinkhole with a carefree attitude. The bottom of the depression boiled like in the past, and-

pshaaaah!

a pillar of sand shot up from the hole.

Shaaaah!

Sounding like a waterfall, the sand fell all around him, revealing what had appeared from the hole.

A column of sand exploded from the ground, revealing the form of the giant centipede.

screeeeech!

A giant centipede had risen out of the sand.

Screeeech!

The fully revealed form of the monster stood taller than a 5-story building.

It was the biggest creature I saw with my own eyes. The Minotaur I fought didn't compare to the size of this thing. Of course, size doesn't mean more power.

But these were something who should definitely be part of my shadow army.

They appeared to be moving in slow motion in my eyes. I raised my gaze and confirmed the red letters above the centipede's head.

'Poison-fanged Giant Sand Centipede'

A red name. Just like the Cerberus from the Demon Castle. But still far from the Minotaur, The quest message appeared.

Ding~!

Penalty Quest: Survive

Goal: Survive for the required time.

Required time: 4 Hours

Remaining time: 4 Hours 0 Min 0 Sec

The 4 hours I spent here were added to the endurance timer.

'Still…'

'Mm while I am at it why not try to create some spells.'

'Yes...Let's do this. But before that first I should get rid of these pesky bugs.'

Remaining time: 3 Hours 59 Min 59 Sec

"Call Lighting"

"Zzzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz"

"Bam! Boom! Bam! Boom! Bam! Boom! Bam! Boom! Bam! Boom!"

"screeech, screeeeee! screeeech! screee!"

I cast the spell and in the next second five thunderbolts ascend from the sky. Striking the bug who cried in pain, As the centipede thrashed in pain. But after the fifth lightning bolt it died.

.......

===

"Spoiler alert: The unfortunate Souls who got the luck of him using Drain Life on are not going back to the Reincarnation Cycle =)" -Remark

Come on guys, where are the stones and comments at?