Episode 31.
[Player Skill Acquisition – Heavy Weapon Battle (Passive)]
[Heavy Weapon Battle Lv.1]
[Cost: 5 Mana]
[It supports all battles with heavy weapons.]
To Jung Si-woo’s surprise, the explanation of Heavy Weapon Battle was too vague for a skill developed by permanently consuming mana.
‘How does it support heavy weapons? What kind of enhancement does it add? How could I maximize its power?’
These questions wandered in Jung Si-woo’s mind, but he knew he had to take the description as it was. Otherwise, a day wouldn’t be enough to explain all aspects of the skill. Heavy Weapon Battle was a skill that engraved Jung Si-woo’s rhythm in all battles using heavy weapons. The technique bloomed on the battlefield as it matched his breathing techniques and honed combat and martial arts skills. As it was the first skill Jung Si-woo created independently, he couldn’t immediately tell if it was the best one to gain. Curiously, he gave his hammer a few test swings to explore the skill parameters, but it lacked some of the aspects he was anticipating.
Unlike Jung Si-woo, who seemed dissatisfied with the result, Soo Ah-rin, his player-turned-fairy companion, was visibly stunned and surprised.
“You have created a skill that supports all battles! How did you that? Not only does it correct the swinging motion of heavy weapons, but it also increases the critical damage to the enemy!”
Soo Ah-rin knew that such a skill required a deep understanding of one’s own body, weapons, and battle styles. It was the first time she encountered a passive skill that applied so broadly to different situations yet still gifted a player a remarkable benefit. No number of achievements would acquire this skill, nor could it be created without the player’s talent and effort. It amazed her that Si-woo had created such a high-level skill by spending a measly amount of five mana points. She had noticed the improvement in Jung Si-woo as he swung his hammer; the reserves of power flowing from his presence was now overwhelming.
“Have I gotten better at using heavy weapons, Ah-rin?”
“More than any player I’ve ever met.”
“Okay, then that’s more than enough for me.”
Soo Ah-rin’s honest comment had significantly boosted Jung Si-woo’s mood. He turned around, clasped the sledgehammer with both hands, and spoke with firm conviction.
“Then, let’s finish this.”
[Hah!]
Chief Chun wailed, waiting for death to meet him any moment as Jung Si-woo had already crushed to dust all the weapons and armors attached to his gigantic body. He laid helplessly on the ground with his broken limbs, unable to move even an inch. In the jaws of death, he couldn’t help but wonder why this human still hadn’t finished him off.
“Since I have fully activated my passive skills, if I kill him now, there will be a bonus to skill growth, right?”
“Oh no! You’re a devil, a devil!”
Even though it sounded horrible, Jung Si-woo wasn’t wrong; Soo Ah-rin could sense it. Still, there should be a degree of consistency to act as a foothold for skill growth.
“I guess that’s it. Thank you for the fight, Chun! Bye, bye!”
[Kwoahohohohoh!]
Jung Si-woo didn’t waste a second once the skill was acquired. He pounded his hammer straight into Chief Chun’s face like Thor’s Mjölnir, successfully flattening the Orc Boss’ face like pizza dough. By single-handedly defeating an elite Level 150 monster that most players feared, Jung Si-woo proved his worth once again.
[Dungeon Clear]
[Time required: 2d-8h-35m-36s]
[Defeated 455 armored orcs, 32 armored orc centurions, 1 armored orc centurion commander]
[Clear Rank – B]
[Additional Reward: Obtained 1 Order of Flame Ballista]
[Experience calculation completed]
[Player level increased by 15]
Jung Si-woo’s gamble had been a success. By challenging a dungeon with such a high level, he didn’t earn any special achievements and only managed to get a B-rank. However, battling alone had its perks, as evident by the experience gained. As a result, his level immediately leaped to 50, and he felt a tremendous change occurring within him.
“Argggghhhhh!”
He roared as magical energies rigorously coursed through his veins all at once. It felt like his bones were endlessly being shattered and his organs being twisted and squished by some invisible hand. He felt his body changing at a molecular level as the mana continued to expand within it. He twisted and turned with his body, trying to find a position that would hurt less. He endured the painful experience, keeping in mind that it was only momentary torture and not an eternal state of suffering. At long last, the process was finished! The turbulence of the magical inflow ceased, and his body came to a rest. He opened his eyes and summoned his character sheet.
[Jung Si-woo]
[Underground Player]
[Lv 50]
[Strength-182, Agility-186, Stamina-200, Magic-45]
[Passive Skills-Chaos Tail Lv.1, Courage of the Ignorant Lv.5, Poison Resistance Lv.6, Fire Resistance Lv.2, Soul Collect Lv.1, Living Lv.2, Heavy Weapon Battle Lv.2]
[Active Skills-Grant Lv.20, Slam Lv.14, Battle Sprint Lv.14, Magic Shot Lv.6, War Cry Lv.5, Stone Skin Lv.3, Cruel Charge Lv.1]
“Yahoo!”
Jung Si-woo jumped in glee, raising his fist into the air. His face gave way to a wide smile, for his Heavy Weapon Battle Skill was raised to Level 2. It was a clever choice to create the skill and kill the Orc Commander simultaneously, although it did hurt to lose some mana points.
“Hnnnggggg! Si-woo! Hnnnnggg!”
Jung Si-woo immediately looked at his sleeves once he realized what was happening. Right! He wasn’t the only one who cleared the dungeon and grew. Soo Ah-rin, his trusted fairy companion, was transforming too.
“Whoooaaaa!”
Soo Ah-rin exclaimed once the process was finished. After summoning her sheet, her changes had become clearer. She had grown not only in magic and strength as her supporter level had increased significantly, but also in size. New passive and active skills were also available to her.
“I am stronger! Goodbye to the days when I only used healing magic. Now, you can visit more dangerous dungeons!”
She told him through tears of pain and excitement. Jung Si-woo, finding her antics cute, gently stroked her hair as the last of remnants of pain fled her body.
“For the time being, I think we should enter easier dungeons. I like fighting strong monsters, but I hate the possibility of dying even more. I was almost overwhelmed this time around, no lies.”
He still felt unsure, wondering whether he had been too rash in facing great challenges, charging at those mighty walls. He reflected on his actions and realized that, though bravery was good, recklessness wasn’t. As he and Ah-rin planned their next steps, Jung Si-woo heard a light flutter of wings closing in upon them. He had already guessed its source as he turned around.
“Oh, thank you! Thank you!”
Yong Se-ha shouted from afar.
“Come here, Se-ha! Come, join us.”
Si-woo yelled back, knowing how far the young man must’ve flown with his new wings. His size was now the same as Ah-rin.
“I thought you would die down here, but you defeated the Orc Commander on your own!”
“Hey, I was here too! I helped.”
Soo Ah-rin shouted, then began to pout.
“Apologies, Ah-rin, of course, you helped.”
Se-ha happily responded as he finally reached the two. His eyes were filled with renewed joy and passion. He was no longer the helpless and sad being he had been when they had first entered the dungeon. He was now also a fairy and had no qualms about being able to fit in someone’s palm. He grabbed Si-woo’s little finger and shook it like a happy merchant after a good deal.
“Anyway, thank you so much! Thank you, Mr. Jung Si-woo!”
“You don’t have to call me that, Se-ha. We’re not in the old days, you know.”
“It is the only title that can express the gratitude and respect that my heart feels right now!”
Jung Si-woo didn’t press the matter further. The young man was waltzing through the air with his butterfly wings, his entire body an expression of glee. He had rediscovered the joy of life, and Si-woo decided to leave him to it.
“I pledge my loyalty to you for all time to come! I will be your herald and always clear the path before you!”
“Thank you for being so motivated, Se-ha, but make sure you never make any mistakes!”
“Si-woo, don’t say things like that. You are so sinister.”
Ah-rin replied, shaking her head. However, she was still smiling lightly. This was the very moment when Jung Si-woo gained his second supporter. Their level followed him as an underground player, so both were now at fifty. They had now become his hidden cards, his secret weapons to be employed whenever he found it fitting to do so.
“Yong Se-ha, do you have equipment?”
“I kept what I had when I retired. I can use it, but the level is way down, of course.”
His gear had shrunk down with his body, so Si-woo didn’t need to get him anything. Jung Si-woo clutched his hammer, composed himself, and struck Chief Chun’s corpse. Money flowed into his inventory, and the commander’s bead appeared instantly.
“Are you going to spend all your beads at once?”
Soo Ah-rin now knew him too well, Si-woo smirked as he scattered all the Orcish beads onto the altar. Only two hundred of them rolled into the center and rose into the air, however…
[Reward Limit Reached]
“Not again.”
Si-woo complained, shaking his head.
“Even if this dungeon had been filled with so many powerful orcs, there is a limit to the reward type you can gain. There is no way something like dragon-scale boots can be found in a dungeon of orcs. It was only a matter of time until the altars capped the number of beads you can spend.”
Ah-rin informed him with a kind smile. Jung Si-woo didn’t quite like or understand this development but knew he couldn’t alter reality. He recovered the rejected beads and confirmed his reward. A jet-black helmet that looked very sturdy floated in the air. It would fully cover his neck and head and had a visor, much like the helms of ancient European knights. He was unsure what it had been forged out of but saw that it would be able to resist many blows from his hammer.
[Indomitable Will]
[Rank: C++]
[Defense: 1000-1200]
[Proficiency: 0/500]
[Option: ???]
[A helmet with the will of a mighty warrior forged into it]
“It has a good defense for a piece of armor.”
Se-ha interjected.
“C++…wow, I feel relieved because you’ll be more protected from now on.”
Jung Si-woo was also satisfied with this item-drop. He didn’t have to wear his motorcycle helmet outside anymore. He donned the helm and was impressed by its snug fit. He raised the visor and nodded towards his companions.
“Okay, let’s go!”
“Wait! Do you know the beads have returned to the resting spot?”
“Huh? No, I didn’t know that.”
“Well, they have. You will soon be able to upgrade your resting place, and you can live there permanently now.”
Together, the three of them entered the portal. Thus, the dungeon that had gifted him his second supporter disappeared behind them.
