A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 43
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 43
“You gain experience points from this?”
“Yes. That’s why everyone is rushing to perfect the Magic Resistance Potion. The prospects are simply too promising.”
I’d discovered the current trend among the veterans.
Being able to level up with money rather than hunting was undeniably a significant advantage.
Existing high-level players could reach even greater heights, while users with sufficient funds could easily climb levels.
I couldn’t gauge the supply level, but the demand alone seemed astronomical.
Scritch. Scritch.
I extracted the magic stone from the remaining goblin’s heart.
The prospect of an unexpectedly substantial income filled me with renewed vigor.
“How do you plan to handle the magic stones, Kael?”
“Hmm. I’m still uncertain. For now, I’m planning to accumulate as many as possible.”
I’d already decided to sell the magic stones, but I kept my true intentions hidden.
There was also the possibility I might need to consume them urgently, so I left room for flexibility.
“I see. Regarding the disposal of magic stones, we can assist you both personally and through the Guild. Please feel free to entrust them to us.”
“Thank you.”
It turned out to be a sales pitch.
For me, it was an offer with no downsides.
This game truly had endless opportunities to generate income.
‘A fixed vendor. It’s such an excellent proposal. But…’
None of this would have been possible without the infinite buff.
Even considering full-time gamers, this wasn’t abnormal.
However, I hadn’t conquered the dungeon yet.
So I decided to think about everything else after clearing it.
“We’ll continue forward.”
Thanks to the Magic Resistance Potion, the magical energy that had felt oppressive now seemed merely alien.
And so I realized it.
The dungeon’s structure was far simpler than I’d expected.
“The Trap Room and Monster Chamber alternate. I believe we’ve discovered a dungeon far more valuable than anticipated.”
“Wouldn’t a dungeon this straightforward have minimal rewards?”
“Magic has the characteristic of endlessly corroding the area. In other words, even after we clear the dungeon, it regenerates after a certain time. Dungeons like this are typically monopolized and subjugated by Guild-level organizations.”
Words I couldn’t simply overlook.
But having taken the vanguard position, I had no choice but to deal with the goblins rushing forward.
“Kiiiii!”
Crack!
With the ability to resist magic, I could suppress the goblins before me without difficulty.
Occasionally their attacks would land, but I overwhelmed them in speed.
My status had grown far beyond the beginner level.
Crack! Boom!
“Phew.”
I wiped the blood away and harvested a magic stone from the goblin’s heart.
My thoughts began to settle into clarity.
I realized this hidden dungeon discovery was no trivial matter to overlook.
“What if I transferred ownership of this dungeon to Seo-gwang?”
“I can only give you an accurate answer after we reach the end. For now, we’ve only found small-grade magic stones, so the risk is greater.”
“I see.”
At this rate, Seo-gwang would likely resell the dungeon’s ownership to Six Heavens.
That would be the rational choice.
“So we need medium-grade magic stones to negotiate?”
“Exactly. There are already users who know about this cave. If people continue to witness repeated entries into this cave afterward, they’ll naturally begin to suspect a hidden dungeon.”
In the end, it all came down to power.
More precisely, overwhelming force.
Though Six Heavens’ influence had weakened in this region, they would likely reclaim their former dominance before long.
They only lacked immediate strength, but ultimately they were modern humans.
Medieval NPCs couldn’t compete with them strategically.
“Medium-grade stones. Let’s push through to the end.”
I felt no hesitation.
This dungeon resembled the cave’s environment.
The deeper I ventured inward, the higher the difficulty climbed.
“This time there are seven of them.”
“If you judge it dangerous, I’ll provide immediate support. Face them at ease.”
“Thank you.”
By standard protocol, this was a dungeon meant to be conquered with divided positions and party formations.
“Kiiieeeek!”
Boom! Thud!
A tank blocking the goblins’ charge, a support managing the damage, a dealer launching a full counterattack—that was the formation needed to overcome such a scenario.
Crash! Boom!
I blocked every single attack alone.
It was nearly a feat of magic—defense that required overwhelming speed, composure, and the strength to maintain my stance all at once.
“Kihihik!”
But the relentless barrage continued.
Defense alone wouldn’t suffice, so I had to weave multiple skills into my response.
Boom!
For instance, Gale Rush.
It was a reliable skill that instantly reversed positions and granted me the initiative.
“Hnngh!”
And a full-power swing infused with mana.
I needed to sweep through as many goblins as possible—only then would the subsequent battles become manageable.
Crash!
“Screech!”
I cleaved through half the goblins and sent them flying.
I didn’t need to kill them outright.
Reducing their numbers by striking down the heads in front of me was sufficient.
One way or another, the battle flowed in my favor.
“Huff!”
Boom! Bang!
I’d barely managed to land within the damage threshold, so to speak.
Each time I swung the wooden sword, I felt anew just how significant the Seven Impact skill truly was.
Without it, goblins would never fall in a single strike.
“Your skill application is remarkable, but your swordsmanship itself is truly overwhelming. It’s awe-inspiring to witness again.”
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t have the chance to ask before, but may I inquire about your school of swordsmanship?”
“School?”
“Your technique appears to have deep roots.”
“Ah.”
It was true that my swordsmanship had roots.
But explaining it was another matter entirely.
I’d studied countless sword technique videos and optimized only the most practical applications to suit my own style.
“It’s self-taught swordsmanship.”
“…Self-taught, I see.”
He seemed surprised.
I’d expected him to question it, but instead he appeared to accept it readily.
“How very characteristic of you, Kael.”
“Hmm?”
“Catch your breath first. I’ll help gather the mana stones.”
“Ah, thank you.”
After clearing five monster chambers, I was beginning to feel the strain.
Even before entering this place, I’d sensed fatigue creeping in when the dungeon had revealed itself.
For now, I chose to think optimistically—the boss couldn’t be far away.
“Here are seven small mana stones.”
“But are you sure? You’re not gaining anything from this, Eden.”
My exhaustion included a pang of conscience.
Eden was surrendering all the dungeon’s profits to me.
As an ordinary office worker, I struggled to adapt to the sentiment of not offering compensation for labor.
“To be honest, I place no value on small mana stones. I’m receiving sufficient salary as it is. Please don’t concern yourself.”
“…Understood.”
After that, I cleared five more Trap Rooms and Monster Chambers in succession.
And the mana stones accumulated in my subspace had exceeded one hundred.
“Eden. Do you happen to know how much experience each small mana stone grants?”
“Based on a freshly created character, absorbing just one mana stone would raise your level by five. From level 15 to 30, you’d gain one level per stone.”
“R-really that much?”
“Yes. If Kael were to absorb all the mana stones acquired so far, I estimate you could reach level 45.”
I wondered what level Eden had assessed me to be.
[Level: 25]
[Unallocated Points: 2]
[Strength: 41 Agility: 59 Vitality: 42 Wisdom: 44 Luck: 41]
[Eternity: 5 Mana: 2]
The level 45 Eden mentioned was twenty levels higher than my current level.
That meant I would receive twenty unallocated points to freely distribute among my basic stats.
“Do you happen to know what my level is?”
“I can’t say for certain, but my profession allows me to gauge spiritual power to some degree. I’d estimate you’re in the mid-twenties level range.”
Eerily accurate assessment.
If I consumed all the mana stones I’d collected, it seemed increasingly likely that I would indeed reach level 45 as Eden had stated.
“It’s almost uncanny how precise you are.”
“Rather, I find it remarkable that Kael is in the mid-twenties level range.”
Next came the Trap Room.
But for some reason, Eden took the lead.
“Wait. The magical aura is dense here.”
“Hmm?”
I had developed sufficient trust in Eden.
I understood that if he truly intended to harm me, resistance would be difficult.
So I decided to let him take point.
Whirrrrrr!
“These are mechanical traps. The sophistication is unbelievable for a Goblin Cave.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It’s a weight-sensing trap designed so only goblins can pass through without issue.”
As Eden stepped forward onto the floor, sharp needles began firing from all directions.
Whistle!
As if he’d anticipated this, Eden gripped his sword with both hands and shouted.
“Burst Blade!”
Boom!
Ting! Ting-ting-ting!
It felt like infusing mana into the blade, compressing it, and then detonating it.
One thing was certain: not a single needle penetrated Eden’s space.
“Just maintain some distance and follow me.”
“Yes.”
Boom! Boom!
After several more explosions, I navigated through the Trap Room effortlessly by following the path Eden had taken.
“The next chamber will be thick with mana as well, won’t it?”
“That’s correct.”
As expected.
Since the difficulty of the Trap Room had increased, it was only natural that the Monster Chamber’s difficulty would rise accordingly.
“Screech! Screech!”
The goblins here were different from before.
Their eyes were stained pitch black, radiating mana in all directions, and their bodies had grown more than twice as large.
At this level, I could even hope for medium-grade mana stones.
“Hobgoblins. Monsters that shouldn’t even exist in a beginner zone.”
“I see. So those are medium-grade mana stones—no, hobgoblins.”
“Yes. Based on the mana I sense, there’s a high probability of obtaining medium-grade mana stones.”
Even with the monsters’ identities confirmed, advancing recklessly was difficult.
Because.
“They’re in complete combat formation?”
Intricate wooden palisades, procured from somewhere, were laid out in all directions to block our path.
Moreover, they maintained proper formation without charging forward in a frenzy of madness.
It was purely a defensive stance.
“They’re inviting us to come in, aren’t they?”
“That’s right. May I assist you?”
“Of course. I’d actually like to ask for your help.”
It became clear that this dungeon was not something I could clear alone.
“Then I’ll help with all my strength.”
But with my companion by my side, the outcome itself would be different.
I decided to trust Eden.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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