39

Meteor Call and Iceberg weren't level 20 yet.

These were skills that would only level up quickly when hitting multiple opponents.

The level 18 dungeon only provided 10 to 15 monsters.

Other skills would be very weak at lower levels, so I headed for the manticore dungeon to level them up.

But even at level 1, these skills dealt insane amounts of damage.

So I didn't mind it that much.

Typhoon Hole and Gigantic Whirlwind.

A ranking attack skills.

If I leveled them up, they should display incredible amounts of damage with my strength stat that is over 1,000.

The fight between me and the guild will probably occur within the week.

I regretted not leveling my skills faster until I was faced with a crisis like this.

Like a bad author who writes right before the deadline.

I was planning to use the entire day to level up skills.

One day wouldn't be enough for A+ ranking skills that required a cast time and have cool downs.

Time to raise Eye of the Storm to max level as well. I've been procrastinating on that.

To see the synergy firsthand.

I entered the succubus dungeon that can only be hit with physical attacks.

It was to gain even a little bit of growth while leveling my skills.

Around evening when the leveling session was about done.

Meteor and Iceberg were level 40.

In 14 hours, I had raised them from 19.

An incredible feat only made possible by casting on hundreds of mobs.

Despite being hit by these powerful spells, they did not budge an inch due to their immunity to magic.

Even if considering high ranking magicans like Yoon Jong-sun, less than 1% of all magicians have leveled these mana-hungry spells to 40 .

A message came from the midget that a seller has appeared.

The trade will be occurring in his office.

[Please come to the office by 10.]

[Sure.]

The need for a good shield, which was my biggest worry, would finally be taken care of.

However, I did not have even a fraction of the money required to purchase the Mana Shield.

Money comes and goes.

Is that why I'm trading in person?

That I was planning to beat up and steal it from the seller?

No way. I won't do that to people whom caused me no harm.

I only become cruel to those whom cause me physical or mental harm.

I arrived near the midget's office.

In the parking lot, there were multiple cars I've not seen before.

Probably here to do the trade.

Since a hefty amount of currency was involved, not surprising.

Looking at them briefly, I moved on.

There was a man who seemed to be the seller inside the office.

Age probably around Jong Ho's?

Acknowledging each other briefly with our eyes, I asked the midget in a quiet voice.

"Looks young for someone selling such a high ranking shield?"

"Most people send young ones with some skill to trade. Nothing good comes out of learning each other's faces."

"You knew that, but decided to have the trade take place at the office?"

"Well, I'm not doing the trade. Just providing the location..."

"Not my concern. What's in that vault?"

My hand pointed at the huge vault behind the midget.

"Eh? What… really?"

"What do you mean. Isn't your job lending money and taking interest from it?"

"Well… That's true but….."

"I'm just borrowing it for a bit. Should I take it myself? Or do you wanna open it without any property damages?"

"….."

With a face that looked like he ate s.h.i.t, he looked only at his feet. Pa.s.sing him, I moved my body towards the vault.

Only then did he abruptly grabbed my arm.

"I'll! I'll open it."

"Thank you. I'll be talking with him to find out how much he wants."

"..."

I went to the young seller on the sofa.

On the table was a small box made of oak.

It was obvious the skill book would be inside of it.

I spoke first.

"h.e.l.lo."

"Yes."

From the moment we met, he did not let down his guard.

Well, he wasn't here to sell just any item.

And it was a direct trade in person, not through a middleman.

"Can I check the item first?"

"Sure."

In the oak box was a skill book.

I pointed at the smartphone to him.

It was a gesture that I will be scanning it with my phone, and it seemed he understood.

He nodded his head and sipped on the coffee.

-Mana Shield-

Usable Cla.s.s: Magician, Shaman (Other cla.s.ses will gain no effect when used.)

Mana Cost: Equal to the amount of damage received, both physical and magical.

Skill Introduction: Absorbs damage both physical and magical.

*When taking damage, drains mana instead of health.

*With one cast, continues until all mana is lost. (Can be canceled by user.)

*(??)ranking skills cannot be absorbed.

*(??)ranking monster's attack cannot be absorbed.

CD: None. (Channeled)

Skill Ranking: A

Additional Explanation: Casts continuously with one hand.

ex) Using the Mana Shield leaves only the other hand to cast spells.

Skill Book Cost: ???

It's the real thing.

The Mana Shield, a skill that lets you have cheat-like defense.

Of course if all my mana was consumed, the shield would collapse and I would cease casting it.

But how can I use up all my mana when I have infinite amounts of it?

And I didn't need to level up the skill.

Only the mana cost would be reduced as it leveled up.

It didn't affect the amount of damage absorbed.

However there was a bit of a problem.

While casting mana shield, I wasn't able to dual cast spells from each of my hands.

One hand had to be casting Mana Shield.

Another issue was that it cannot block ?? ranking skills.

But skills categorized not by ranking had only rumors floating about them.

It was true that I had no solid information.

From what I've gathered, there are Awakened that have learned them.

I had no information on what skill and the abilities of the said skills however.

Well this shouldn't be a huge problem.

Casting another shield and quickly spamming spells with both hands, I'll give up one hand to cast Mana Shield if the other Shields lose durability, just to be on the safe side.

And skills beyond being ranked, highly doubt the members of n.o.blesse has them.

Maybe those in the upper ranks.

While I was thinking about the skills, the man sipping the coffee spoke.

"Are you done confirming?'"

"Yes. How much did they tell you it was?"

"It's something that you cannot get easily. With money….."

"Yes I know. You're not here to get an apple box filled with money, right?"

"….."

Quietly, he put the business card from his breast pocket onto the table.

On the back side of the card had instructions he received.

Seeing that, I stood up and headed towards the midget.

"Did you open it?"

"Yes….."

"Do you have two Awakened Essences?"

"Yes… Yes?? Not money, but Awakened Essences?"

"Why are you acting like this. I'm not taking them, just borrowing. And you know that it can't be bought with money?"

He looked at the vault as if his soul was lost.

It didn't take long to search the vault.

Within the vault, I could see there was a small s.p.a.ce separately built in from the rest of the vault.

"Bingo."

Without a doubt.

As if putting a golden cow in good care, he had stockpiled them well.

These stones the size of a thumb, I wonder why they're so expensive.

Exactly two.

To be honest, I knew that the Mana Shield would cost about two Awakened Essences.

And I currently owned two.

So if the midget didn't own any essences, I would have used mine to purchase them.

But here he is. A businessman who lives from earning interests off of what he has lent, a law abiding righteous citizen.

I was planning to borrow these essences for a bit.

For just a little while.

"I'll be borrowing these."

He nodded with an expression of not regretting a thing in his life.

"And we don't need anything like paperwork or something, right? It's not like today is the first day we saw each other."

"….."

I went back to the table the seller was at.

Quietly, I set down two essences next to the wooden box.

With a solemn look, he confirmed the essences and put them in his breast pocket.

"Farewell then."

He was trying to leave with the business card.

However I took the business card from his hand.

"I think we will be meeting each other often from now on, so I'll be taking this. Is that okay?"

"Go ahead."

"Then. We'll be in touch."

Not even looking back, I left the seat while learning Mana Shield on the spot.

The skill book started to glow and was absorbed completely into my body.

'Mana Shield'

As I casted the spell, a blue barrier that outlined my body formed.

All shields I've received so far had a shape similar to a sh.e.l.l.

But the Mana Shield fit me like a glove.

I had one of the goons cast enchant on his weapon.

"Hit me as hard as you can."

"Yes."

Momentarily, I saw a smile creeping across his face, but turned a blind eye to it.

His enchanted knuckle directly dug through my chest.

But unlike what I expected, there was no ma.s.sive ringing.

It was like all the shock was completely absorbed, and I've only felt a small vibration afterwards.

I couldn't tell if my mana went down from the hit though.

Because I didn't have a mana gauge to begin with.

Previously when his knuckle hit my Frozen Shield, ma.s.sive amounts of steam released and parts of the shield became eroded.

Mana Shields must be effective on another level compared to other shields.

Different from the shields that sacrifice itself to block attacks.

It completely absorbs damage and instead of depleting health, takes mana instead.

Looking at this, I didn't know if there was a skill fitting me any better.

I kept my amazement brief though.

Turning around, I saw the midget's face that was at the embodiment of someone who lost everything.

"Okay. By when do I need to pay back the two I borrowed? If you're coming to my house, please call ahead."

"No. Why would there be a time limit. But please… Please return them."

"Eh… These aren't cheap. How could I just take them from you? Anyways, thank you for today. I'll see you again."

"Yes..."

"Yes! Please head back."

Seems they haven't fixed the door that was broken yesterday.

I quietly snuck in and prepared casually, heading for the office.

"Teleport, Mana Shield for when I need to rest. Reflect Shield for when I'm hunting… I am the one who can block all attacks. I can't wait to see the look on Park Hyun's face."

Current schedule: Once a week.

Current Queue: 12 Chapters

41. Smash, Charge (4)

Time continued to past quickly without a care.

After the first hit, I allowed two more hits on me.

All of them were allies whom traveled with me.

But I didn't react at all.

But to even give a bigger hint towards me, some were wearing 'Empire' guild wear and attacking.

Each guild had uniforms bearing the mark of their guild.

Sending me a message by bringing Empire that has animosity towards n.o.blesse.

They were waiting with the thought of 'Treat him like a kid' or something.

Leading a cow out of the stables, then releasing predators around it.

They gave me the role of the 'cow'.

Attacking an herbivore like me.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

The outside is dangerous, so head back in immediately?

My answer to that would be to 'annihilate both predators and the stable'.

The next day.

I will be ending things with n.o.blesse cleanly.

Jong Ho was worried and visited every day, asking if there is something he could do to help.

So I asked him to do a few things.

I needed evidence, logs and history about this current situation.

Let's say I completely destroyed the guild without any proof.

Due to the strict laws for the Awakened, I would be receiving quite the punishment.

Punishment? No. Probably an execution.

To prepare for that, I asked him to find about 5 people who knew how to operate heli-cameras.

And gla.s.ses that has a built in feature to record footage as well.

Of course, the best method is to annihilate them without it being noticed by anyone.

But for a ma.s.sive battle to go unnoticed was nearly impossible.

That's why I made preparations in advance.

My ability would be exposed to the rest of the world, but I needed to show that the fight was justified.

If I'm lucky and have a chance to do so, I'll take care of business without drawing attention.

Think about it.

I just wanted to use my abilities to obtain ma.s.sive amounts of money and live a peaceful, happy life.

But these goons won't leave me alone.

Something I learned while being bullied by Jae-Hyuk.

If someone tries to fight you, you shouldn't run away and fight back instead.

And I won't let any cheap excuses sway me otherwise.

I will show that my resolve is firm tomorrow.

I wasn't able to get Louver's Necklace in today's hunt.

However, I was able to get something I needed more: Banwol Jincheon.

Louver's necklace has a very low chance to ignore an attack, both magical and physical.

Low chance.

It was like fighting a boss online and hoping for a 0.1% chance crit to work.

Depending on such as low percentage.

And the set effect worked only inside the dungeon, absorbing the monsters' magical energy and turning it into a shield.

It didn't matter since I have the Mana Shield.

Banwol Jincheon in both hands.

[610+20+400+400+286] = 1,716

I gained 600 more strength than holding onto just one.

And if I added strength enhancing jewels?

Of course I couldn't recover the jewels, but I didn't think of it as a waste in the slightest.

I went to a blacksmith in a weapon shop nearby by the market.

The interior was luxurious, categorized clearly from section to section.

Weapons made by the blacksmith.

Under the bright lighting, a red light similar to that of Blood Stone colored one of the walls.

From small daggers to giant swords, mace, and even the Ranger's shortbows and longbows.

Looking at how well the equipments were made, I felt like I could trust the place somewhat.

"Anyone here?"

"Yes. Let's talk outside."

From one of the rooms in the shop, a man with a huge belly appearing to be 50 years old walked out.

A man wearing a running shirt that revealed his neck to his chest.

Despite being pale, he was covered in black soot like his shirt that showed signs of hard labor.

"I'm trying to embed a jewel on my weapon."

To my words, he put on a pair of thick gla.s.ses that hung by his neck.

"Is the weapon you're hold Banwol Jincheon?"

"Yes. That's correct. I'm hoping it can be taken care of here?"

"Oho….. Haven't been able to see a decent weapon in a while."

"Is it possible?"

"Of course. It's doable. If you're going to do both, it takes about 1 hour. Will you come back for them later?"

"No. I'll wait."

Soon as my words ended, he immediately got to work.

After securing the weapon tightly, he began to process the jewel.

To blacksmiths who could only level up by hammering, they put all their points into strength.

Because you'll need to be able to wield all the weapons in the world in order to make them.

Hearing the hammering, I thought about the grandpa I met while I was at n.o.blesse.

Another member of n.o.blesse.

Honestly I hoped that Sangmin and his friends, as well as the grandpa would not be my enemies.

Like Jong Ho, I got to know them after being Awakened.

To point my sword at them, I couldn't help but be sad about it.

While I was thinking, the owner spoke.

"Did you get them from the level 18 dungeon?"

"Yes. That's right."

"For someone so young, that's amazing."

Hearing his words, I couldn't help but smile coolly.

"The work is done. Would you like to check?"

The sword I received from the blacksmith had red light flowing from the handle.

The yellow moonlight that covered the sword, and the red light that appeared as though trying to decorate that light.

I grabbed both Banwol Jincheon.

The strengths I gained from the jewels should be minor, but the power felt different than before.

"Thank you."

"No need to. Please come often. It brings great joy to blacksmiths who can work on amazing weapons like that."

Preparing everything I could, I went back home.

I saw mother who was studying Korean in the living room.

The danger I faced now. I could not let it also affect my mother.

A quick decision. It's a plan that's only a week old, but I needed to proceed without any hesitation.

At least for tomorrow during the fight, I wanted her to be in a safe place.

Despite being a safehouse, if they charge in relentlessly, it wouldn't be safe for long.

After a brief moment of thinking…

"Back, son?"

"Oh! Mrs. Professor hard at studying?"

"Don't tease me! There's nothing incorrect an adult would say. There's always a time for everything, so trying late isn't working out very well."

"Eh. If it's you, you're still young."

"Fine. Did you eat?"

"Yes. I ate with Jong Ho-hyung."

"Ah. I decided to meet with Jong Ho tomorrow. You already heard, right?"

"Yes, I'm aware."

I asked Jong Ho to take mother to a safe location.

A place with as many government members as possible.

Jong Ho probably thought of a place already.

Then. The news on TV that I wasn't paying attention sudden caught my eye.

-MBM news.

Recently, there has been news that attacks from the Awakened on regular personnel have been increased.

The government is trying to find a solution.

They're trying to find a solution by the unawakened people's representative and Awakened a.s.sociation's representative to meet.

Let's find out about the details. Kim Sang Hwan reporting.

-Yes. This is Kim Sang Hwan.

I'm at Seoul, Korean Awakened a.s.sociation headquarters.

Preparations are underway for tomorrow's meeting.

As you can see, security is incredibly tight.

Especially due the fact that the discussion will be from 17:00 to 21:00 and citizens will be able to partic.i.p.ate.

And the highest rankers from each cla.s.s in the nation will be partic.i.p.ating as well…..

'That's it.'

No matter how insane you are, that place would be impossible to attack.

I'll have to send this information to Jong Ho as soon as possible.

"Mom, I'll be going in first."

"You should wash your feet at least!"

"Nope! Your son's feet isn't smelly at all!"

"Ha… I bought some grapes so if feel hungry, just let me know."

"Alright."

Why would feet smell matter when there is such an important situation to take care of.

It's okay not to wash for one day. Because this will affect me for the rest of my life.

Returning to my room, I immediately called Jong Ho.

After a few rings, he received it.

-Oh. Min-Cheol.

"Yes. Hyung. Where were you planning to bring my mother to tomorrow?"

-As you asked, a place that's safe and with a lot of people.

"I saw the news just now. I found the safest place in the world, you know?"

-Are you talking about the headquarters that the meeting will take place?

"Yes! That's right."

-I'm going to bring her over there tomorrow. Since it is a public meeting, you'd have to reserve in advance. I already did though.

"What…. You did?"

-Yeah. No need to worry. Ah. And I got the heli-cameramen that you've requested.

"Really, thank you so much, hyung."

-Don't stick too much. Tomorrow is an important day. I'm sorry hyung can't be a bigger help to you.

"Don't say that."

-Yeah. Rest and I'll see you tomorrow.

"Yes hyung."

A man who sees much further than I do.

I was sincerely happy to have someone this reliable by my side.

Now I don't have to keep worrying about my mother's safety.

I can now focus on the battle tomorrow.

All attacks and defensive skills ready.

Other than Meteor Call and Iceberg, all skills are at level 100.

n.o.blesse members ranging from level 100 to 200.

Even if they came in droves, I was confident that I wouldn't be pushed back.

Early morning.

Despite not setting my alarm, I woke up to the same time I usually go out to hunt.

From the kitchen, I heard mother cooking.

Inside my room drifted a scent of delicious foods.

For this peace, I'm struggling to grow in a do or die situation.

Jong Ho planned to come around noon.

After eating, they planned to go to where the news covered last night.

After breakfast, I did maintenance on my equipment.

Although I call it maintenance, but really it was just equipping and checking my status.

In each hand I held Banwol Jincheon.

Louver's Ring and Bracelet on my left hand.

And the t.i.tan Boots by the entrance.

Things that'll bring my abilities to the next level.

They were irreplaceable items.

Jong Ho eventually arrived.

"Madam, how have you been?"

"Aha. Young Jong Ho came?"

"Would you like to go on a date after lunch? I heard you enjoy literature, and there is a place that would be quite a sight to visit."

"Oh? Is that so? Min-Cheol can come along too."

"No, I have something to take care of."

"Really? That's too bad. What concert?"

"Not a concert. Your son is an Awakened, right? There's a nice lecture being held that would be good to hear, so I'd like to take you there."

"Jong Ho, you're so caring. If I was 10 years younger, I'd fall for you."

"Your compliments are too much! Haha."

With that relaxing atmosphere, Jong Ho and mother left the house.

After confirming their vehicle leaving, I prepared to leave.

Here was the front of the n.o.blesse guild building.

I was here to smash both the stable and the predators.

"This is real war, Park Hyun."