7 Chapter 222: first steps (1)
[Main Quest]
[Sub Quests]
... Sub quests again. Let's check the main quest first. Opening the main quest revealed a list of quests.
[Main Quest for Honey˙?˙]
Install discs in each region to obtain dungeon strategy information!
When all quests are completed, dungeon strategy information will be updated, and you can contact the assistant 'Newbie.'
Disc 1
Disc 2 ← The closest one!
Disc 3
Disc 4
Disc 5]
Following the arrow, I pressed Disc 2.
[Disc 2
The installation area for Disc 2 is
'Goldberg Park Fountain on Central Road 7, Sorghone.'
※ There is a high possibility of monsters appearing due to external interference during disc installation! Please be cautious!!]
If there's external interference, does it mean a dungeon error? Every time so far, monsters of grade C or higher appeared. Except for the chirping sound.
Installing the disc is likely better done with at least one member of the party. Even though you can risk your life to install it. If you die, the monsters will likely move elsewhere after waiting for an hour.
'But Goldberg Park, where is that? In typical games, for quests like these, don't they give you a map with directions? Like asking someone on the street, 'Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to Goldberg Park? Is there a subway?' Given the monsters roaming around, there might not be buses, though.'
Before that, there's no car fare. Maybe around the level of an intermediate beginner who just got good items. At least let there be a tutorial.
I opened the sub-quest window to see if it might be helpful.
[Sub Quests]
Clear the First Quest
First purchase at the store
Novice Monster Hunting (Complete)
Someone's Here]
It really felt like playing a game. The last time I played was... helping the boss in-game event and reaching level 50 with a new character. It was nearly ten years ago. Now, I'm around five years old? The Hunter system is similar to games, but this seems more sophisticated.
I selected the completed Novice Monster Hunting quest.
[Novice Monster Hunting (Complete)
For beginners aspiring to become guards protecting the city. I hope you safely complete your first hunt!
Hunt one monster 1/1
Reward: 500P, 500L
Would you like to receive the quest reward? YES/NO]
500P seems like points, but what's L? I accepted the reward, and a card fell from the air. It looked like a credit card, with a chip on one side and 'Exment Bank, Cash Card' written on the other.
Is 500L the currency here? If so, how much is it? Surely not 500 won. Even 5,000 won should be enough for the subway. If there's a subway.
Upon receiving the Monster Hunting quest reward, the First Quest Cleared quest was completed. The reward I received this time was an ID card.
[Han Yoojin
Med's Department Store Affiliation - Ordinary Citizen
Citizen Number 1559079-1130-02]
It had a chip and a photo. Being an ordinary citizen, the photo came out well. Do they also touch up ID photos in this area?
The two completed quests disappeared, and a new quest appeared.
[The First Step to Becoming a Guard
Visit the nearby City Defense Department and get certified as an Awakener.
Reward: 1,000P, Dagger]
Seems like the hunter in this area is a guard. The sub-quests are like tutorials. But getting certified as an Awakener was a bit burdensome. If, by any chance, I could check all my skills, it might be worth the trouble.
By the way, it was mentioned that skills might transform. I quickly opened my status window. The window itself had a 500P display at the bottom, but besides that, there was no significant change. Except.
[Perfect Guardian (L) - Keyword application is not possible for someone belonging to the current world.]
In this world, I couldn't apply new keywords. It's only natural since I'm not an actual living human. Additionally, the Thorough Eyes skill had transformed.
[Piercing Gaze (S) - Enhanced compound vision, allows checking the grade, health, and mana of opponents of S-grade or lower
Applied at all times]
It had changed like this. Now, this seemed more useful. The grade check was the same, but instead of Optimization Skill, it changed to health and mana. Additionally, it increased compound vision.
Thorough Eyes were like Optimization Skill, showing only the user's skills, making it challenging to guess the abilities just by looking at the skill names. Moreover, since I was in a different world, I didn't know any skills, making Thorough Eyes almost useless. As I wouldn't be finding any high-level Awakeners, the skill was more effective here, allowing an immediate assessment of the enemy's condition. It was regrettable that it only worked on S-grade or lower opponents, but it still proved advantageous.
The formidable Rooster Squad Teacher was also unavailable for use on people in this area. Even the Dragon Slayer title...
"My grade dropped...."
It had fallen two steps from the original L-grade to SS-grade. The skills under the title were not spared either.
[Poison Resistance (S)
Curse Resistance (S)
Fear Resistance (S)
Arch-Enemy of Lauchitas (SS)]
Except for being the Arch-Enemy of Lauchitas, all were S-grade. Although S-grade was more than enough, seeing my previously L-grade resistances drop to S-grade in an instant was overwhelming. Too much, really. If I leave this world, will it recover immediately?
Other aspects like Mental Strength, Agility Up, Hidden Picture Finding, and an additional one remained unchanged. The Veteran F-grade and Miracle Rookie titles were the same. Also, there was a skill that seemed to be an option for new equipment, which I hadn't seen before.
Closing the status window, I checked my weapons this time. A pistol with an elegant pattern engraved on it, completely white like new. It looked simple and plain, similar to a Glock, but the slide part was smooth and undivided, giving it a much sleeker appearance. It resembled a decorative fake gun.
[White Panther's Magic Gun - S-grade
Quietly penetrates and smashes opponents with magical power.
Mana consumption per shot: 50~500
※ Han yoojin's Rental]
There were no particular options... it seemed. I tested injecting mana, and the lowest 50 seemed to be at the level of the power I used before. It meant it could deliver up to ten times the destructive power. Seemed good, right?
Judging by killing a C-grade monster in one shot at the lowest setting, it appeared to be a weapon unrelated to the user's stats. As a low-grade individual, it was a warm welcome.
However, the issue was the mana consumption. The mana of a C-grade monster was 155. Even if my basic mana was similar and increased the mana stat with equipment, it would be around 500 at most. It meant that even at maximum, it was on the edge. The minimum was around ten shots.
"Fortunately, mana potions are abundant, but I should use them sparingly, just in case."
There was no significant change in the items within the inventory. The jar of dried fruits remained the same. Finally, I checked the jacket.
[Black Panther's Jacket ? S-grade
A lightweight jacket made of leather. Contains the power of animals that move silently and swiftly.
※ Han yoojin's s Rental]
A Panther set item? Do you get a set effect when you gather the entire set? Despite being labeled as armor, the agility option was the highest. Well, avoiding attacks is also a good defense. The newly added skill in the status window was apparently this jacket's option skill.
[Cat's Footsteps (A) - Can move quietly and swiftly, increases the effect of stealth skills
Applied at all times]
It seemed quite useful as a secondary A-grade skill. Especially for me, who already had an A-grade stealth skill. If it further increased the effect, I might be able to survive against S-grade opponents. With this, I might be able to install the disc alone.
Of course, I should look for companions first, if possible, as I might fall victim to a surprise attack. After finishing the item check and closing the window...
"Ta-da~!"
[◐▼◐∥Welcome! Points Shop!∥◑△◑]
With the sound of music, the message window suddenly appeared. Surprising. A points shop? Can I use quest points here?
Upon entering the shop, various items were categorized into weapons, armor, consumables, etc., and further sub categorized into bows, spears, swords, etc. It was well stocked with all sorts of items.
"Wow, there are even SS-grade weapons here."
Just as the newbie confidently mentioned, SS-grade equipment was also visible. However, the required points were staggering. Additionally, there were noticeable skills. Skills went up to a maximum of S-grade. And for Gate Stones... elixirs were also there. Unfortunately, there were no Wish Stones. With only 500 points, I could only afford a low-grade health potion. It was expensive.
Truly a case of having everything.
Still, if I accumulate points well, it might be handy in emergencies. Why are such good opportunities flying away because of those jerks from Petunia? Hey, Newbie, can you create another dungeon like this once more? Even if I work hard for a year, I won't be able to get an S-grade item, but those kids might use it as a playground. It's a shame, really.
"If there are no issues, maybe I should accumulate some points here."
I would at least say hello before saying anything else. Carefully, I moved my steps forward. As I roamed around, leaving the alley, a broad road appeared. It was a familiar asphalt pavement. The empty road had streetlights sparsely placed.
First, whether I meet and talk to them or not, I will at least approach cautiously. Moving my steps slowly, I left the alley, and a wide road appeared. It was a familiar asphalt pavement. Streetlights were sporadically scattered on the empty road.
"No signs of popularity here."
All the tall buildings were dark. All the shops were closed. Entrances and windows of buildings were blocked with thick blackout curtains. Only the lamppost lights flickered, creating a quiet atmosphere.
"I need someone to ask for directions."
Are there no police stations around here? Should I wait until sunrise?
- Kik!
A sharp cry echoed from above my head. A monkey-like monster swiftly approached, leaping along the lampposts.
[Mori Monkey (E-grade)]
Their health and mana were displayed. Well, if it's E-grade, it should be easy. I'm currently at C-grade. Instead of a gun, I pulled out a military dagger. Of course, it's just for looks, and it's a dungeon item.
- Kyak!
The monkey leaped towards me. Easily dodging to the side, I thrust the dagger into the back of the monster's neck. In an instant, the creature's breath was cut off, and 79 points appeared. The difference between E-grade and C-grade is quite significant.
- Kyaak!
- Kick!
"Oh no, you have a lot of friends."
About ten of them, I guess. I took out a hunter's wire rope from my inventory, wrapping it around one hand. I bought it thinking it might be useful after seeing Captain Song taewon use it, but my original body couldn't handle it, so I just left it there.
Now it's light enough to swing. I shook the wire and, with a scream, aimed it at the horde of monsters rushing towards me. Thud, the end of the wire pierced through one, sticking it to the building wall. The monkeys, rushing forward, couldn't overcome the momentum and fell with a thud.
Taking advantage of the situation, I fired my gun towards the remaining monsters. Bang, with a light sound, several monsters were annihilated at once. It's really convenient.
Without stopping, I ran forward and simultaneously retracted the wire, shooting it towards the remaining monsters. This time, I caught one, but there were no falling ones. I wish I had a long-range attack skill.
Putting away the gun, I took out a jungle sword. Then, swinging the sword towards the lampposts where the monkeys hung.
Tak.
I collected points between 70 and 80 and jumped back onto the road. It's fortunate that only mid-low-grade monsters are coming out, but higher-grade monsters might appear.
"Now might be a good time to use the stealth skill."
It's a waste of mana, but there should be mana potions for sale in this neighborhood. As for the points shop... it's too expensive. A low-grade mana potion costs 100 points; it's ridiculous.
Bwa-aang─
Let's explore a bit more before deciding. Walking along the road, I heard the familiar sound of an engine. If it's not a machine-made monster, it's probably a person. Then, on the other side of the road, with the lights shining and the loud noise, five motorcycles rushed towards me.
"People, that's good."
"Hello!"
Feeling relieved, I greeted them first. Excuse me, let's ask for directions; I'm new here. The person on the front bike, with a rough face, looked down at me intently.
---
