I Became an Almighty All-Master with EX-Rank Spirits - Chapter 8

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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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Episode 8
Chapter 8
Home at last.
It felt incredible.
From the third floor onward lies the Devil’s Section, where beginners most often fall away.
A labyrinthine maze with traps lurking at every turn, their locations unknown.
And he’d cleared the whole thing with a single skill.
“We have Fire to thank for that. Come here—let me give you a hug.”
—Squeak!
Thwack. Thwack.
[Fire (EX) demands Mana Stones and bites at your leg.]
“Ugh, fine, fine. Stop it. Here.”
Not a shred of sentimentality in that creature.
The moment Lee Chan-young tossed a Mana Stone, Fire leaped and caught it in his mouth.
Then bounded through the apartment, devouring Mana Stone after Mana Stone.
Was this a spirit, or a puppy?
He seemed to be becoming more mischievous by the day.
He’d thought a spirit king would carry some gravity about him.
‘Gravity, my foot.’
The creature only cared about eating—a glutton through and through.
Surely not all spirit kings were like this?
Really, even so, this was a bit much.
He could only hope the next spirit would be more composed.
But mischievous or not, the rewards were solid.
The maze-trap generated no byproducts, but Mana Stones dropped in abundance.
And on top of that—
[Hunger has reached 16,000!]
[Fire (EX) has gained one level!]
❰Fire (EX) Lv. 6❱
❰Acquired Skills: Hellfire (EX), Meteor (EX)❱
❰Hunger: (0/32,000)❱
……Upon reaching Lv. 10, new skill unlocked
……Upon reaching Hunger 32,000, new skill unlocked for Lee Chan-young
……Upon defeating Hidden Monster, Spirit Shelter unlocked
The Spirit Stone’s effect was phenomenal.
He hadn’t expected to stretch his Mana Stones this far.
Though doubling the hunger requirement again was unfortunate.
He’d thought he’d gathered a decent stockpile of Mana Stones, but he’d been fooling himself.
All he’d accumulated so far would barely fill 32,000.
He’d need to grind hard today as well.
He was about to check the newly acquired skill when he paused.
Something new had been added below the Hunger requirement.
“A Spirit Shelter opens upon defeating a Hidden Monster? What’s that?”
—Hidden Monsters are creatures that occasionally spawn after all monsters in a Gate are defeated. They rank one Grade higher than the Gate itself, so cooperative attempts are recommended. Defeating them has a high probability of dropping rare items.
“I know about Hidden Monsters. I’m asking about the Spirit Shelter.”
Right after Awakening, he’d looked up what little he could about spirits.
But he’d never heard of anything called a Spirit Shelter anywhere.
—No need to overthink it, human. It is exactly what the name suggests. It is a haven where you may rest when weary, and with proper enhancement it provides various buffs, raises the Grade of acquired skills, and enables the supply of both Mana Stones and Spirit Stones.
“Oh! Seriously? That’s insane!”
—I am not insane, human.
“I meant the Spirit Shelter’s functions are insane.”
This was absolutely something he had to do.
The only problem was—
“How do I find a Hidden Monster? I thought they only show up once in every ten thousand Gates.”
—Do not worry, human. This time only, I shall reveal the location of the Hidden Monster to you.
“Well, that’s a relief.”
He just had to go there.
But first, let him check the skill he’d just obtained.
[You have successfully achieved Hunger 16,000.]
[You have acquired the skill ‘Iron Heart (C-)’!]

Description: You gain the mindset of an earth Spirit. You can maintain composure in any situation.
“Another passive skill! Nice!”
It was an ability that ranked among the highest of passive skills.
Whether inside the Trial Tower or within a Gate, composure mattered more than raw power or ability.
It was no joke.
You had to know how, in what manner, and where to use something to use it well.
What good was strength and ability if you just threw it around recklessly?
It was the same when you panicked.
Things wouldn’t go your way.
Iron Heart was probably something I’d put to good use again and again.
-Chirp!
[Fire (EX) has finished all the Mana Stones and demands more!]
“Hold on. I need to eat too. Do you think you’re the only one with a mouth?”
Wasn’t everything about making a living?
Delivery food from this early in the morning felt off.
I pulled out the Spam I’d bought and stored in the drawer.
I’d loaded up on it yesterday when I got home.
I didn’t need any other side dishes.
I just opened two cans of Spam and cooked them nicely in a frying pan.
Then I ran some instant rice through the microwave.
“The perfect college student’s breakfast is complete.”
The rich, greasy smell filled the one-room apartment.
Spam for breakfast, of all things.
It was positively luxurious.
Not that it was good for my health.
“But now that I’m an Awakener, this is nothing.”
Breakfast was meant to be hearty anyway.
Especially since I was heading out today to hunt a Hidden Monster.
I placed a mouthful of sliced Spam on the white rice and took a bite.
“Mmm! This hits the spot!”
Simple is best.
The oily ground meat and salty taste hit directly, making my tongue tingle.
The somewhat bold flavor was embraced like a warm mother’s hug by the rice.
It was nothing short of perfect harmony.
No wonder they call it a rice thief.
I was reaching for another bite when I felt an intense gaze from right beside me.
-Chirp!
[Fire (EX) is drooling and demanding Spam right now!]
“Didn’t you say processed food tastes bad?”
-Chirp! Chirp!
[Fire (EX) points out that this one wasn’t cooked before!]
Oh, right.
Two cans clearly weren’t going to be enough.
* * *
-Cough-hack. Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
[Fire (EX) says the cooked Spam doesn’t actually taste as good as expected!]
[Fire (EX) tilts its head, wondering if it’s too bland or something!]
[Fire (EX) pleads with you to make it homemade next time!]
I lightly ignored Fire’s endless complaints pouring from my arms.
It was ridiculous.
‘I mean, it just ate thirty cans of Spam. Of course it’s tired of it.’
Wouldn’t anyone get sick of even the most exquisite delicacies if they ate that much?
Even a pig wouldn’t eat this much.
I’d need to go shopping again when this was done.
The twenty million six hundred thousand won I’d earned yesterday would be spent on food in no time.
-Chirp!
[Fire (EX) asks when they’ll arrive!]
“Stay inside before anyone sees you. I’ll let you know when they get here.”
-Chirp! Chirp!
Fire says there has to be another way besides this!
Fire protests vehemently—he’s a spirit king, for heaven’s sake, so why must he stay nestled in a bag that reeks of dust?
As I hold Fire back from squirming out again, the bus finally pulls up to our destination.
This troublemaker has already drained me before we’ve even entered the Gate.
It’s like trying to keep a hyperactive puppy in check.
But what can I do?
He brings in good money.
‘I’ll just have to look into getting some kind of cage, or get used to it until he calms down.’
Stepping off the bus, a familiar landscape opened before me.
Everything was green.
The surrounding area was packed with hikers in full gear.
It was a mountain brimming with natural vitality.
“So there really is a Gate here where Hidden Monsters appear?”
According to my abilities, there’s no need to worry, human. We’re almost there. Just head up the mountain.
“It’s been a while since I’ve hiked.”
Following Clone’s directions, I started up the mountain.
In the old days, just a few minutes would have left me gasping for breath.
“My goodness! Look at that young man—is he flying? Why is he going so fast?”
“I’m dying here, but he doesn’t even look like he’s sweating?”
“He must be an Awakener. Yeah, Awakening really is something else. The way he’s tearing up that mountain.”
I practically flew.
Not even breathing hard, let alone breaking a sweat.
Every step cleared at least four stair-steps with ease.
The effects of Awakening were incredible.
I wasn’t even exerting myself.
Yesterday I was too busy running around to notice, but even moving lightly like this, my speed and stamina are absurdly beyond normal.
The Spirit-Blessed Body played its part beautifully as well.
We drifted further from the marked trail, guided only toward difficult terrain.
“How much farther?”
We’re almost there, human. Don’t rush me.
Clone was right.
A sudden surge of potent magical energy washed over me.
We’ve arrived. There it is.
A cave.
As I drew closer, a Gate glowed faintly within the shallow depths.
Since Hidden Monsters emerge from this Gate, it must be a fairly high Rank.
[Annihilate the Steel-Fang Wolf pack.]
[Steel-Fang Wolf pack: 0/10]
“D-Rank. Hidden Monsters are one step higher, so this would be C-Rank.”
That is correct.
Even though it doesn’t show in the system message, Clone’s confirmation settles it.
No hesitation.
I step through immediately.
And just as I’m about to call on Fire, a killing intent washes over me at point-blank range.
My body moves on pure instinct, diving sideways.
Woof, woof!
An enormous Steel-Fang Wolf brushes past me by inches.
I’m shaken.
Without the Eyes of Nature and the Spirit-Blessed Body, I never would have reacted in time.
There’s no time to wonder why the monster was already there.
Iron Heart activates, sharpening my thinking to the most rational response for the situation.
As I dodge the next incoming strike—
[Fire’s possessed skill, ‘Hellfire’, activates.]
Whoosh-crack-crack-crack-crack-BOOM!!
A crimson inferno blooms across the world.
The Gate ends there.
[You have annihilated the Steel-Fang Wolf pack!]
[Steel-Fang Wolf pack: 10/10]
[You receive Steel-Fang Wolf Claw × 133!]
[You receive Steel-Fang Wolf Hide × 125!]
[You have received Steel-Fang Wolf Tooth × 98!]
[You have received Steel-Fang Wolf Alpha’s Fang × 5!]
[You have obtained Lowest-Grade Mana Stone (F) × 96!]
[You have obtained Low-Grade Mana Stone (E) × 31!]
[You have obtained Mid-Low-Grade Mana Stone (D) × 21!]
[You have obtained Mid-Grade Mana Stone (C) × 6!]
[All conditions have been met!]
[Hidden Monster, Mighty Troll, has appeared!]
[Mighty Troll: 0/1]
All that remained was the Hidden Monster.
“Gwuuuaaaagh!”
A massive form rose from the ash and dust.
A troll — utterly incongruous with the Steel-Fang Wolves.
“The next rank after Steel-Fang Wolves is a troll?”
-Hidden Monsters are random. You’ve had poor luck. A troublesome monster with overwhelming durability, brute strength, and regeneration has emerged as the Hidden encounter, human.
Confronting a single troll would demand meticulous strategy.
Overwhelming offensive power to breach its superhuman durability, sustained damage to cut off its regeneration — all of it.
Under normal circumstances, anyway.
[Fire’s possessed skill, ‘Hellfire’, activates!]
Crack-crack-crack-crack-crack-BOOM!!
Whoooosh!
Crimson inferno crashing down from above.
For good reason, it was no ordinary troll.
It endured.
Burning flesh regenerated as its eyes blazed with killing intent.
It didn’t matter.
Again.
[Fire’s possessed skill, ‘Hellfire’, activates!]
Crack-crack-crack-crack-crack-BOOM!!
Whoooosh!
“Th—gwuaaaaa?”
Won’t work?
Then once more.
[Fire’s possessed skill, ‘Hellfire’, activates!]
The ferocity of its initial emergence had vanished without a trace.
“Ugh…… huhhh.”
It staggered forward, barely breathing.
As the finishing stroke, darkness painted the world.
Then came the falling meteor.
[Fire’s possessed skill, ‘Meteor’, activates!]
Crack-crack-crack-crack-crack-BOOM!!
Crack-crack-crack-crack-crack-BOOM!!
Only an enormous crater remained in the forest.
Where everything had been erased, a single system message materialized.
[You have defeated Hidden Monster, Mighty Troll!]
[Mighty Troll: 1/1]
[You have obtained Item, Talisman of Fortune (C-)!]
…….
…….
More system messages appeared, but I’d check them later.
-Since the monster was at the entrance, there’s a high likelihood someone has entered.
Which meant whoever had found this place could return at any moment.
So the moment I exited the Gate, I descended rapidly.
* * *
A hillside thick with brush.
A group of Awakeners was climbing it, their faces brimming with anticipation.
“Is it really true there’s a Gate with a Hidden Monster here, sir?”
“I’m telling you, it’s true! I confirmed it myself. Are you prepared?”
“Of course. I even took out a loan when I heard it was a Hidden Monster.”
They arrived at the location in no time.
A remote cave in the mountains.
A group of ten Awakeners had arrived.
“There’s nothing here?”
“……What, what?!”
……
No matter how many times they searched, nothing had changed.
In the empty cave, everyone stared at the man who had spoken of a Hidden Monster with expressions of disbelief.
The man, transformed in an instant into a shepherd boy, could only blink.

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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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