A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 83

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 83: Elf Dungeon (4)

 

“Isn’t that you?”

 

I poked Choi Yu-il with a bewildered expression. He also looked quite flustered.

Well, anyone would be dumbfounded seeing their own portrait inside a dungeon.

 

“It looks exactly the same. How amazing.”

“Uh, yeah…”

 

The painting the Lord showed us depicted a man holding a bow.

The problem was that this man had platinum hair, green eyes, and was holding a bow that was completely identical to Choi Yu-il’s.

It was a painting so convincing you’d believe it if someone said it was drawn for an event at Choi Yu-il’s fan cafe.

 

“He… looks very much like me?”

 

Choi Yu-il blinked his eyes. The Lord spoke with spittle flying.

 

【That’s right! The resemblance is so striking, you could say he’s a spitting image! This is why we have no choice but to believe even more in the Hero’s descent!】

“….”

【This painting is a work created by our ancestors thirteen hundred years ago at that very moment. It’s famous for perfectly recreating the legendary Hero’s appearance!】

 

‘Could all of this really be true?’

 

I poked at the Lycan steak with my fork.

Honestly, I was surprised. I was so focused on finding the Boss Monster that I hadn’t paid much attention to all this Hero business. Except for Baek Kyul, that is.

But seeing that painting, I couldn’t help but feel curious.

 

“What exactly does a Hero do?”

【Yes, about that! I shall explain it to you now. Ahem, ahem.】

 

Soon after, the Lord erased his previously cheerful expression and began telling his story in a deliberately serious tone.

 

【This castle and territory have had a problem that has persisted for a very long time. You’ve heard a rough explanation from our First Knight Commander, so you know. Yes. It’s the Lycans.】

 

The Lord pressed his brow firmly. He looked troubled.

 

【Not only do they attack the castle, but they also raid the village at night, driving our territory residents into suffering. Faced with endless repeated plundering… We eventually had no choice but to nest in this narrow castle.】

 

The Lord continued his sentences a bit more.

 

【For us, the legend passed down from thirteen hundred years ago was… hope itself. ‘One who possesses the Bow of Green Sound shall appear, and they will become your salvation!’ So from my ancestors’ time, we have always waited for them. But right now! The protagonists of that legend have appeared before me. How could this not be joyful?】

 

The Lord wiped his wrinkled eyes. He looked completely moved.

Thirteen hundred years of waiting. It certainly would be moving enough to react like that.

 

【Now the Heroes need only fulfill the legend and save us! Then the Elf Clan will promise you the maximum of whatever rewards we can sincerely offer.】

“…What exactly needs to be fulfilled? Is it simply killing all of them?”

 

‘Hmm. I’m not asking because they mentioned rewards. Absolutely not.’

 

I asked the Lord in a tone that seemed as interested in salvation as possible.

The Lord opened his mouth candidly.

 

【It’s not a very difficult mission! For a Hero with legendary power, it will never be too burdensome. It’s simply…】

“….”

【You need to explore this forest and kill the leader of the Lycans. Then immediately, all Lycans will lose their power!】

“…What?”

 

The leader of the Lycans?

Choi Yu-il and I quickly exchanged glances. Baek Kyul, who had only been interested in the wine, did the same.

 

【That’s right. It’s really, incredibly strong. Even our Elf Clan warriors couldn’t handle that one thing.】

 

‘Could he be talking about the dungeon boss?’

 

After that, even more unexpected stories were heard.

 

【However, as a result of our brave attempts, we were barely able to discover its hideout. So the path to find it will be easy, so don’t worry!】

“…!”

 

The Lord spoke solemnly while cutting the Lycan meat. His face looked serious.

 

I interpreted and conveyed the Lord’s words to Baek Kyul and Choi Yu-il.

 

“Is this leader thing the dungeon boss?”

“It seems like it. Given the circumstances, that’s the only possibility.”

“The dungeon boss is the strongest existence in that dungeon. If that Lycan is so strong that the Elves can’t handle it, then naturally…”

“Yeah.”

 

I nodded in agreement.

 

‘I never thought I’d actually get a hint about the boss. If they even know the location of its hideout, it’s as good as done.’

 

…Honestly, this is amazing.

Baek Kyul and Choi Yu-il seemed to be thinking similarly to me.

 

“What about the rewards? I mean, when we accomplish this.”

 

‘We were going to hunt the boss anyway, but now we’re clearing a Hero quest and getting additional rewards on top of that.’

 

Honestly, it was such good conditions that I wondered if things should be going this well.

The Lord made a moved expression again.

 

【Oh…! How could salvation be given a price? But, even so, if we were to put a price on it…】

 

Clap.

 

The Lord clapped his palms together again. The servant immediately moved.

A little later, he appeared dragging a transparent box.

 

【Could there be anything more fitting than this!】

 

The Lord placed the box in the center of the dining table. The box was transparent, so what was inside was clearly visible.

It was a type of accessory. From its shape, it appeared to be a bracelet. Several gorgeous and luxurious green gems were embedded around it in a circle.

 

“Is it an artifact?”

“Arti… what?”

 

Choi Yu-il looked at it with slightly surprised eyes.

 

“I’m talking about items that appear in the form of accessories. They usually have special effects… I’m not sure about that one though. We don’t have an appraiser right now.”

 

‘Oh, so there’s such terminology. Then is this decorative cord also an artifact?’

 

I made an interested expression. Then I activated Spiritual Sight toward the bracelet the Lord had shown.

 

‘Spiritual Sight.’

 

 

“Huh?”

 

I read the description and opened my eyes wide.

 

‘It’s an item that affects stats.’

 

I remembered the explanation I had heard from Kim Bok-soon. It was something about how items couldn’t directly raise stats.

Well, if items could randomly improve stats, the ranking system wouldn’t have much meaning either, so I had thought that made sense.

 

‘Then what is this?’

 

I casually mentioned to Choi Yu-il as if finding it fascinating.

 

“Hey, this… It says it converts stamina into strength.”

“What? Really?”

“Yeah. About half of it. Just temporarily though.”

“How do you know that…? Do you have an Appraisal Skill? No, that’s not what’s important. If it’s really that kind of artifact…”

 

I could see Choi Yu-il’s mind racing. Before long, he whispered with a serious face.

 

“You can name your price…”

 

Thump.

My heart beats.

 

‘You can name your price?’

 

A phrase I had never heard even when selling the old Buddhist painting echoed in my ears.

What heart-pounding words these were. It was something I had hoped to hear at least once in my lifetime.

 

“It raises stats, and if that’s strength that hunters go crazy for. It would sell for research purposes, and even if not, S-rank Hunters would definitely try to buy it.”

 

The economic power of S-rank Hunters… I can’t even imagine it.

I tried to maintain my composure and lowered the corners of my mouth that were trying to rise. If I just left them alone, they’d go up to heaven and meet the Divine Spirit.

 

“….”

 

Baek Kyul glanced at me, apparently having heard Choi Yu-il’s story.

The magic stone distribution was thirty percent, but how should we divide this? In the quiet cafeteria, negotiations went back and forth through eye contact.

 

“…Should we accept?”

“….”

“What do you want to do?”

 

I barely moved my lips as if using ventriloquism. Baek Kyul quietly nodded his head.

People are really like this, setting different priorities when faced with such benefits…

 

“Hmm… Then, it can’t be helped. Since you’re asking this much…”

“Huh?”

“Why?”

“Oh, no.”

 

I hesitantly began to set the tone for accepting the Lord’s proposal.

But Choi Yu-il asked back with a momentarily surprised face, and I expressed a question mark.

 

‘Wasn’t he agreeing?’

 

However, since the guy quickly withdrew his words indifferently, I just continued with what I was saying.

 

“We’ll help you. Just this once.”

 

 

【Really…! Thank you. I can finally sleep with my legs stretched out. This is embarrassing… Truly moving beyond measure…】

 

The Lord wiped away tears with his sleeve. He seemed to genuinely rejoice at our help.

 

* * *

 

After the banquet ended, we walked through the castle’s corridor. The Lord had asked a servant to guide us to our rooms, telling us to rest well today.

 

“I never thought I’d live to negotiate with a monster.”

 

I never thought I’d stay overnight in a dungeon either. I had a fresh feeling.

 

“That… Will it be okay?”

“What?”

 

Choi Yu-il hesitated, then opened his mouth.

 

“Anyway, you’re a monster. You are…”

 

Don’t you hate monsters, something like that I suppose.

I asked in a flat tone.

 

“Then why didn’t you say you disliked it?”

 

It’s a clear fact that I lost my grandfather to monsters. However, this isn’t something only I experienced.

Choi Yu-il has lost countless comrades so far, Baek Kyul lost his grandmother’s health due to dungeons.

We were all people who had many things taken away by dungeons.

 

“…I am…”

 

Choi Yu-il hesitated again. I quoted his words and answered.

 

“You said it doesn’t seem much different from how people live, earlier.”

“….”

“I’m of the same opinion.”

 

To be honest, I’m not sure. Why I did that.

However, this much was certain. If I killed these elves right now and cleared the dungeon as usual and left, I would just…

 

‘I think I wouldn’t be able to sleep well.’

 

The purpose of dungeon clearing is solely for survival.

Though there are financial benefits like magic stones and dungeon byproducts, basically the first priority was protecting our living grounds from dungeon breaks.

Therefore, in a situation where survival is possible without necessarily killing.

Moreover, slaughter directed at beings that resemble humans…

 

‘That’s nothing at all.’

 

It’s unnecessary. Quest completion rate? I could raise it. However, that too is ultimately just a path to see grandfather again.

What would he say seeing me arrive after walking such a path. I’d just get an earful of nagging…

I disliked anything I couldn’t be proud of.

 

“And.”

“Yeah?”

“This.”

 

I made a round shape with my finger.

 

“Money.”

 

There are two people here who need money. We should get expensive artifacts.

Choi Yu-il finally smiled.

 

“Ahaha. Right.”

 

Then he didn’t add any other words. He just nodded as if he understood.

 

* * *

 

Before long, we arrived at our destination. The golden-decorated door looked luxurious at first glance.

The servant pointed to each of the two doors facing each other and said.

 

【Here it is. This side is for the hero, the opposite side is where your companions will stay.】

“There are two rooms?”

【Yes. We were told to specially prepare a private room for the hero.】

 

‘Oh, nice service.’

 

However, I didn’t feel particularly envious.

 

‘Who would like being told to sleep alone in a dungeon?’

 

No matter how different the situation is from usual.

Baek Kyul and I patted Choi Yu-il’s shoulder. It was meant as comfort.

 

“….”

 

Choi Yu-il looked up at his sparkling door with a bewildered expression.

 

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ve seen everything here. No ghosts.”

“St, still…”

“Should I write you a talisman?”

 

The guy swallowed once then shook his head.

 

“…No. It might actually be better this way.”

 

His latter words were mumbled and hard to hear. I raised one eyebrow then dismissed my curiosity.

 

“Well, alright. Sleep well—.”

“You. Good night.”

 

Baek Kyul and I greeted Choi Yu-il and headed to the opposite room.

Click. It was a cold sound.

 

* * *

 

The next day.

A strange purple sky was visible outside the window. Morning and night look the same.

 

“Baek Kyul, get up now.”

 

I shook Baek Kyul on the bed next to me to wake him up. Baek Kyul was still drunk with sleep.

 

“Mmm… Aunt… Just 5 more minutes…”

“What 5 more minutes, you brat. Get up.”

“What… Where is this… Huh?”

 

Baek Kyul rubbed his eyes and finally woke up.

Then he looked around for a long while, turning his head this way and that.

 

“Ah… I thought it was a dream.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not a dream. Come on, get up. Get up.”

 

I quickly pulled away Baek Kyul’s blanket. At the sudden rush of cold air, Baek Kyul stamped his feet. But there was no mercy.

Baek Kyul eventually had to sit up as he was. He pulled his hood down over his face with a sullen expression.

 

Knock knock.

 

Just then, I heard a light knocking on the room door. I said “Who is it?” and approached the door.

 

【Did you sleep well! It’s time to depart for the subjugation!】

 

I let out a small yawn. Standing in front of the door was Josephine.

And beside her was Choi Yu-il, who somehow had a tired look on his face.

 

“Couldn’t sleep?”

“Uh… No. I slept well.”

“Your appearance says otherwise though. I told you there are no ghosts.”

“…”

 

Choi Yu-il made a dejected expression. It seemed he couldn’t believe the shaman’s words. Well, whatever.

 

“I’ll get ready and come out.”

【Yes! Take your time! We’ll be waiting.】

 

Josephine answered energetically. I returned to the room and prepared for battle.

 

‘Boss Monster subjugation…’

 

I hope it ends without incident.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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