Preparedness == Key !

"Hey, do you have any idea about these things?"

"Those are relics of old. Some of them can be quite valuable."

"Where did you come across them?"

"I hadn't shared this earlier, but right after the exploration of the ruins, I stumbled upon a hidden chamber."

"A chamber?"

"It's more like a forgotten vault. Reminds me of those ancient chambers from history."

"Wow, Hyung-nim, they seem quite extraordinary, don't they?"

Although the authenticity of such a statement couldn't be verified, the enigmatic ruins increased the likelihood of discovering valuable artifacts.

I wondered whether these could be remnants of a lost civilization, but I couldn't find a logical reason for their presence here.

The current collection of artifacts held by Kim Hyunsung and what we could learn from them were what truly intrigued us at this moment.

"This is impressive. If there are more of these artifacts hidden, uncovering them would be fascinating... The ruins may contain only a limited number of these relics, making the ones Hyunsung found truly rare. But, who knows? There might be similar treasures concealed elsewhere..."

"Indeed. You're right Kee Miyoung. I had explored the area, but this was the first time I encountered such artifacts. I couldn't delve any deeper, though... Anyway, let's study these."

"Sure, let's."

I was undoubtedly eager to understand more about these artifacts.

No need to activate any special power. As I held them, information about each artifact flowed into my mind.

While it would have been nice to access detailed information for these items, a pang of regret washed over me as I reviewed them.

[Iron Dwarf's Steel Bracelet – Common Grade]

[A relic crafted by the ancient iron dwarf civilization. Despite its rough exterior, it's intricately designed. Wearing it enhances stamina, endurance, and strength by 1 point each.]

The rightful owner of the bracelet was evident; Park Deokgu was its intended bearer.

This artifact enhanced a total of 3 attributes, akin to the attribute gains upon mastering a skill.

A typical artifact of common grade.

A thought then crossed my mind. What kind of abilities would legendary artifacts, superior to this, possess?

"Oh, wow..."

I wore the expression one might have upon discovering a hidden treasure.

The mystery, however, remained.

[Magic Shield Ring – Rare Grade]

[Its origin is a mystery. An ancient artifact capable of conjuring a protective shield by channeling energy into the ring twice daily. You must recharge its power yourself. (2/2)]

[Sacred Healing – Rare Grade]

[Origin uncertain. A ring infused with divine energy, offering limited healing abilities. Usable once per day. (1/1)]

The remaining two were rare-grade artifacts.

As I examined them, my eyes widened unexpectedly.

'This is incredible.'

By embarking on this journey with Kim Hyunsung, I thought I'd acquire a few insights, but I couldn't have imagined unearthing such treasures.

These were rare-grade artifacts!

Their remarkable abilities took me aback.

Unlike Park Deokgu's artifact, which directly enhanced attributes, these were far more potent.

Consider, for instance, that assuming the energy required to invoke the magical shield spell and form the shield was around 4, this artifact offered an effective +8 to attributes. A notable step up from typical common-grade artifacts with a +3 enhancement.

'I'm fortunate.'

The same was held for divine healing.

Given the artifact's rare grade, it would confer a +6 attribute enhancement at the very least. These artifacts served as safeguards, enabling you to shield yourself twice daily and even mend injuries, a form of protection.

When Kim Hyunsung decided to explore the ruins, he ensured he was equipped for unforeseen challenges.

'Preparedness is key.'

As I nodded in agreement, Park Deokgu cautiously touched the bracelet.

"It feels too precious... Can I have it?"

"No need to worry."

"Alright... Then, the bracelet is mine. Thank you, Hyung-ssi. I haven't been very helpful around here, and I apologize for that..."

"Oh, no need to apologize."

"It's just that I feel I should repay you."

"Very well, then thank you in advance."

The bracelet's owner had been determined, but the decision remained for the other two artifacts.

In fact, either one of these artifacts would be beneficial. If I had to choose, safeguarding oneself naturally took priority.

If Hayan wore the artifact linked to divine healing, she'd likely harness the divine energy within it effectively.

'I'm certainly not as skilled.'

While she adeptly handled various forms of energy, I often grew weary of using the same energy source twice.

Just as I pondered these thoughts, Hayan announced her choice.

"I'll take this one."

Her choice was the artifact of divine healing.

Whether she perceived my reaction was uncertain, but she agreed with my expectations.

"In that case, I'll claim the remaining artifact." A subtle smile curved my lips. After receiving such a boon, there was no room for negativity.

I now possessed a life-saving advantage, usable twice daily. Without exerting excessive effort or assuming undue risks, I acquired a rare-grade artifact.

'This is extraordinary!'

"But can we genuinely accept such gifts?"

"Don't worry. I also have one... With artifacts possessing unique abilities, it seems you can only use a limited number. While I would have been glad to use more, that's impossible."

Insightful information.

"Meaning, I can only activate the ability of one artifact at a time, even if I were to wear two?"

"Correct. Exactly like that."

I felt the need to experiment with this later.

A smile graced my lips as I extended gratitude once again.

"Thank you so much, Hyunsung-ssi. As Deokgu mentioned, we haven't contributed significantly..."

"Oh, thank you too, Hyunsung-ssi."

"Please, there's no need. Kee Miyoung and Hayan, we're comrades after all." His smile radiates warmth.

Believing he'd expressed his gratitude to us in his way, he exuded an air of reassurance upon observing the grateful expressions on the faces of me, Park Deokgu, and Jung Hayan.

It seemed he believed in us, placing complete trust in our abilities. Recognizing this instilled a sense of comfort. In reality, it bolstered my self-assurance.

'We're embarking on this journey together.

Deep within the heart of the sprawling place, our small group convened with a purpose. Kim Hyunsung had orchestrated our assembly - myself, Park Deokgu, and Jung Hayan. In this realm of mystic energies, Jung Hayan held a special allure for Kim Hyunsung. She possessed the gift of a seer, her magical prowess destined to transcend all bounds. Every endeavor to win her trust was a well-invested effort.

Park Deokgu was no less valuable. In this realm of gaming, the presence of an unyielding tank was nothing short of invaluable. Though his foresight and potential might not parallel those of Jung Hayan or Jung Jin-ho, his current statistics were astonishing.

I, however, was a different facet altogether. An enigma in this equation, I found myself amidst Kim Hyunsung's circle due to mere happenstance. Kim Hyunsung's rapport with Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan was deeply forged, birthing camaraderie and trust. He was more than a brother to Park Deokgu, and his connection with Jung Hayan resonated with almost romantic fervor. If anyone sought to separate Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan from our fellowship, I would inevitably be entwined, an inseparable unity.

But I stood apart in my relationship with Kim Hyunsung. While his connections with Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan were firmly rooted in loyalty and friendship, my role seemed more utilitarian. I was a strategic asset, brought in for my hunting acumen and tactical thinking.

Yet, despite this, I recognized my significance. My presence was a linchpin - an assurance of unwavering precision during hunts and the embodiment of masterful problem-solving. Many like me dotted the continent, scattered souls who understood the importance of securing a role in Kim Hyunsung's budding domain.

However, I aimed higher than the puppeteer's life led by Lee Jihye. My path was my own, a stance grounded in pragmatism that aimed to balance ideology with realism. It wasn't always about grand gestures; sometimes, it was about bowing your head to traverse treacherous terrain and safeguard one's essence.

"It might not be so arduous to follow in his wake," I reflected, recognizing the potential benefits of riding this tide. Emboldened by this insight, I voiced my thoughts.

"Indeed, comrades we are," I declared, acknowledging the unity that fortified our ranks.

A sense of novelty enveloped me as I voiced the sentiment aloud.

"That sounds promising, Hyung-nim. Yes, comrades! By the way, when are we considering our descent into the labyrinthine depths?" I queried, curiosity piqued by our impending adventure.

"It may be sooner than expected. I haven't revealed our plans to 'them' yet... Perhaps they'd find interest in joining our hunt," Kim Hyunsung explained.

"Yes, I've often contemplated embarking on shared hunts. However, the prudence of caution, as advised against 'them', had held me back," I admitted.

"Very well," Kim Hyunsung shifted his gaze toward me. His caution towards newcomers was evident, yet I sensed a certain contentment with my presence.

"That's a matter for another time. Let us, for now, focus on different matters."

"You're echoing Hyung-nim's sentiment. Indeed, our world is populated with a spectrum of intellects," I mused.

"Even as we venture into the abyss together, vigilance remains paramount. Unpredictability governs our surroundings, and a cautious stance is our shield. Recall the ordeal of Park Hyaeyoung - a grim reminder that the unforeseen can strike. It behooves us to tread warily," I proposed.

"I concur," both Hayan and Kim Hyunsung nodded in accord.

"Kee Miyoung speaks wisdom. In our cautious approach..."

"Yes?"

"We must account for the likelihood of confronting them as foes within those depths," Kim Hyunsung interjected.

Collective nods signified our understanding.

"Adversaries?"

"Indeed."

Kim Hyunsung nodded again, his resolution evident as he prepared to divulge more insights.

"For now, worry not about this overmuch. Yet, preparedness is our watchword. The challenges that await within the dungeon are veiled in uncertainty, particularly with the newcomers in our midst."

"Expecting greater difficulty than the initial floor seems reasonable," I contributed.

"Exactly. Such is the likelihood. Nonetheless, I must depart to inform Jinho. Our departure should be timely."

"Why the haste?"

"Our journey will provide opportunities for preparations en route."

Jung Jinho's agreement was anticipated. Survival and enigmatic agendas fueled their interest in our company. Jung Jinho was acutely aware of the chasm that separated his prowess from Kim Hyunsung's.

His compliance was cemented in his grasp of this reality. In a battle, manipulating variables was pivotal, especially when they worked against the adversary. The dungeon venture, a source of unpredictability, provided the very variable Jung Jinho sought. It held the potential to reshape the future, particularly if Kim Hyunsung's tenure was disrupted.

Should Jung Jinho harbor darker motives, this sanctuary would become his crucible of choice. The opportunity to strike, to unshackle himself from Kim Hyunsung's influence, was within his grasp.

The fate of Kim Hyunsung was fated to be decided,

utilized either by me or Jung Jinho. Wisdom dictated optimizing his value in every conceivable way.