Laborer Mr. Kim Reaps Sweet Rewards with Auto-Hunting - Chapter 29

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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 029

A week of hammering.
And the result was—

“The bow got ordinary?”
“Looks like it.”

What is this.
Where did that subtle energy go.
It looked like a weapon straight out of legend…
Now it’s just a smooth white bow, isn’t it?

“No! It’s beautiful! Lani worked incredibly hard on it!”
“Well…”

It really is beautiful, to be honest.
You can tell at a glance it’s high-class—almost like a luxury item.
But…
The impact I felt while making it was so overwhelming.
There’s something anticlimactic about it now.
Such mercenary thoughts, at least for a moment.
Ah…
Lani made this, so of course it’ll be good.
Let me check the options first.
Wait, before that—I should name it.

“Lani, have you thought about a name?”
“Hmm…”

Lani’s being unusually thoughtful about this.
Well, I suppose.
It took a whole week.
And we used Robin Hood’s bow fragment too…
Shouldn’t something pretty fitting come up?

……

Robin’s looking expectant as well, so what will it be…

“Huuuuh… Kkalkkeum-i!”

Huh?

“Kkalkkeum?”
“No no! Kkalkkeum-i!”

Um…
Sudden?

“Yeah! I like Kkalkkeum-i!”

This is strange.
After Whish, then Whoosh.
I was expecting something similar this time…
Like Swoosh or Swish.
But suddenly, Kkalkkeum-i?

“…?”

Look at that.
Even Robin’s tilting his head.
But curiosity wins out—he edges closer.

“…Options.”

Right.
The name doesn’t really matter.
I mean, Slick or Kkalkkeum-i or whatever—
So let’s settle on Kkalkkeum-i as the name.
Now let’s check out the options.

[Kkalkkeum-i]
– Masterwork of a supremely skilled craftsman.
– Imbued with the power of a legendary figure.
– Can inflict chosen elemental damage.
(Available elements – Poison, Wind, Water, Ice)
– Special Skill ‘Lethal Poison’ can be used.
– Special Skill ‘Flying Sequential Shots’ can be used.
– Immune to Poison, Wind, Water, and Ice elemental attacks below a certain threshold.

“Wow….”

What is this….
No.

“Elemental damage infusion?”
“Yep! Now every time Robin goes slick, we can pick which element to shoot!”

Holy hell.
It was worth throwing in every material we had.

“There’s elemental immunity too? Wasn’t it just poison before?”
“Yeah! But it’s weaker than it used to be….”
“Really?”
“Mm…. Since there’s four of them, it’s weaker….”

Looks like it took a slight hit.
Still, though.
Going from immunity to just poison to immunity to four elements….
That’s not a small difference, is it?
I’m satisfied.
What about the one it matters for?

“…You’re a blessing!”
“Huh? Lani?”

Nod.
This isn’t just satisfaction—
Is that really Robin?
He just called her a blessing….

“Ha! Yeah! Lani’s a blessing!”

That’s right.
To craft a weapon like this in just a week.
How else would you describe her but a blessing?

“No… what is… if an Upper Grade creates a weapon like this…. when I rank up to the highest grade…….”

Todd was already on the verge of passing out.
Now that I think about it, I’m curious.
I’m not planning to sell it, but if I did… how much would it go for?

“…….”

Never mind.
I’m not selling.
Just wondering, you know.
I casually asked Todd about it.

“If you put it in the hands of someone who knows how to shoot a bow, it’s a weapon that would make them a hero instantly…. Even selling an entire nation wouldn’t be enough for its worth.”

Wow.
So Lani made that.

“Yeah, that’s right!”

Good.
Then before Robin’s head snaps clean off, let me give him the bow.

“Robin, ready?”

I asked, and his head was bobbing immediately.
Geez.
He’s really going to snap his neck.

“Here you go.”

I slid it over, and—
Whoosh!
The moment he took it, light blazed.
And—

[The Worker has obtained a weapon touched by Lani.]
[The Worker’s Latent Ability partially awakens.]

Huh?

* * *

Latent Ability, awakening.
The subject was naturally Robin.
What changed?
The light faded, and I looked right away….

“Wait, is that still Robin?”
“Did he wash up?”
“No, I’m pretty sure he looked the same even when he was clean….”

Our first meeting with Robin—
His hair hung down to his waist, matted and disheveled.
Clothes with holes poked clean through them.
And to top it off, a dented hard hat.
I genuinely had to wonder if he was really the highest grade….
His appearance was so grimy that such thoughts came naturally.

And it remained that way afterward.
No matter how many times I wash him….
No matter how many new clothes I give him….
The moment I call him back, he’s filthy again.
So I gave up….

“How’d he get so clean?”
…….

His hair gleaming, his clothes spotless.
And the helmet—brand new, too?
He looks bewildered himself, glancing this way and that, tilting his head.
Right?
Isn’t it strange?
If it’s strange to him, what are we supposed to think.
Could it be….

“Is that why he’s so clean?”
“Huh?”

Everyone stares at Lani in surprise….

“Whoa—what?”

What.
Why are your eyes all wide like that.

“You didn’t name the bow Kkalkkeum-i knowing this would happen, did you?”
“No! Lani didn’t know!”
“But then why Kkalkkeum-i….”
“Because he’s clean!”

I mean, what….
We can’t exactly read Lani’s mind, can we.
If it’s clean, then it’s clean, right.

“Robin, he doesn’t even smell anymore!”

Uh, hey.
Lani.
That’s kind of rude, you know.

“But still…. He really did smell!”
“Come on! Even Arthur noticed!”

Yeah….
Let’s just move past it….
Why did Robin suddenly change like this?
The message explains it.

[You have obtained a weapon touched by Yoon Ha-jun.]
[The Worker’s Latent Ability awakens in part.]

A weapon touched by Yoon Ha-jun….
It’s probably not the dagger.
Unbelievable.
Could Robin actually be *that* Robin?
Now I understand why he handles the bow so perfectly….

“Robin’s gotten stronger?”
“Huh? My Latent Ability awakened in part, apparently….”

But it’s a Latent Ability, right?
His is already top-tier.
There was something stronger hiding in there?

“Well, it certainly has grown stronger.”

Todd nods along.
It’s not just the weapon doing the work?
Robin lowers his weapon, curious too—

“Oh, it held its shape.”

The sleek form stayed clean.
So the power, too?

“It’s still strong!”

So Robin himself got stronger?
That’s incredible….

“It’s because it’s the right weapon for Robin! Plus, Lani crafted it so well that it’s even better! Once we collect more Fragments later, Robin will get even stronger!”

Wait, what?
There’s more room for upgrades after this?
Now that I think about it, that makes sense.
What we put in just now was a Fragment.
Of course there are other Fragments out there.
If we gather them…?

“Man, I’m jealous….”

Arthur’s unusually downcast today.
Fair enough….
Robin’s already strong as it is!
In that S-grade Dungeon, Arthur was basically the support.
Still.

“It’s fine. We’re going to need to clear a lot of S-grade Dungeons anyway.”
“…S-grade.”

Look at him now.
His determination’s burning bright.
We can hit S-grade Dungeons in other countries now too.
The moment we hear one’s opened up, we head straight there.
Of course, for now—

“Want to test the bow?”
“…Yeah. Right now.”

That’s what I thought.
I knew his hands would be itching.
That’s why I kept somewhere special in reserve—somewhere he can’t just waltz into anytime.
I was saving it to go together once Lani finished the bow.

Chaos Key
– E-grade Chaos Key. Can open something.

The Chaos Maze. Let’s go.

* * *

[Chaos Key Fragment]
– A fragment that returns to its original form when assembled.

Fragments that appear when you set a world record.
What happens if you gather ten of them?
The key is forged.
Like this.

[Chaos Key]
– E-grade Chaos Key. Unlocks something.

How to use it: enter a dungeon matching its grade.
There’s no other way.

“I really swore I’d never go back out there, and now look at me….”

Yoon Ha-jun, Director of the Personnel Management Office.
He had no taste for fieldwork.
He’d tried every trick in the book to avoid it….
None of it worked.

He’d handed the key to orcs and sent them off.
He’d sent other workers summoned through the roll call.
He’d even given it to Arthur and dispatched him….
Nothing. Not a single response.
So there was only one option left, wasn’t there.

“I have to go myself….”
“Sweet! Boss, we’re going with Todd!”
“Why are you so excited about this….”
“It’s more fun together!”

Right.
Maybe you find it fun.
I’m absolutely dreading it….

“Can I come too! Safety is good! So good! So good-! Can I!”
“Absolutely not.”
“Awwww….”

This isn’t a pleasure trip….
But what can you do.
No point wasting the key he’d gone to such trouble to create.
If there’s no other way, you go.
Still, if Robin comes along too….

“There shouldn’t be any real danger.”
“Todd thinks the same way!”
“…Yeah.”

Okay.
Then I’ll just trust those two….
No.

[Summon Fixed Team]
– Orc Squad (Intermediate)

“Squeak!”

Yeah.
You two need to come along.
All right, we’re ready.
Shall we open the Dungeon?

[Worker Dispatch]
– Dungeon

Since it’s an E-grade Chaos Key, I’ll go with E-grade….

“E-grade, E-grade….”

Found it.

[Angry Spider’s Den – E-grade. Do you wish to enter?]

Yeah.
This time I’m going in.

E-grade.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t even hesitate.
The Orcs alone are more than enough for E-grade.
But now with Robin stronger than before, and Arthur too?
At this point….
We’d have enough power left over to tackle an S-grade Dungeon.
Yeah, I know.

“I know, but….”

When it actually comes down to it, I can’t help but feel scared.

“Safety! Good! Good! Good!”
“Squeaky-squeak! Squeaky-squeak!”
“Yay! I like-it!”

Exhale.
By the time I blink, everything’s ready.
Guess I’d better go.

“Come on, everyone, let’s head out….”
“Arthur’s coming too!”
“Squeaky-squeak!”

They’re always so quick.
This won’t do.
They’ll mess things up if I’m not careful.
I need to follow right behind them….
I shut my eyes tight and plunged in immediately.

Just as expected.
The message appeared.

Ding!
[Chaos Key confirmed.]
[Transferring to the Chaos Maze.]

* * *

The second Chaos Maze.

The environment itself was much the same.
The maze was dark.

Screeeee!
Monster cries echoed from all directions.
The air itself was grim and chilling—still no easy task, but….

“Still, this time it’s manageable.”

Why?
The Orcs, Arthur, Robin.
They’d all grown far stronger than before.
Especially Robin.

“…Arthur. Fire.”
“Hold on, I’m not a lighter!”
“…Fire.”
“Fine, here it comes, blazing!”

After trying it once, he’d gotten a taste for it.
Now he was using me openly like some kindling, and….
The performance was undeniable.

Thwick! Hiss!
First.
Five burning arrows shot in a single volley, illuminating the surroundings.
Then every approaching monster took an arrow square between the eyes.

“Pristine….”

If Lani had been watching, she’d have said it—yes, Kkalkkeum-i! Right on.
Anyway.
There was no reason to feel under threat like last time.
Monsters couldn’t even close in, after all….

“Chirp?”

The Orcs tilted their heads in confusion.
Arthur?

“Robin’s shooting everything, so there’s nothing left for us! Boss? Hold on, we’re heading out!”

He watched Robin fire his bow for a moment.
Then off he went.
Meanwhile, Robin just kept shooting in silence.
Seeing him often, I could tell.
I could read his mood well enough.
He was thoroughly enjoying himself right now.

“How’s the bow?”
“…….”

When asked, he just gave a silent thumbs-up.
He must really like it.
For that stoic bastard to throw in a thumbs-up—that was something.
But….
Just watching was chaos.

Whatever poison spread from those arrows killed instantly.
Other arrows freeze solid.
Some even shred under rough winds.
It’s already insane as it is.
The fact that it could get stronger than this…?

An S-grade Dungeon.
I have to go there.
And I need to make something for Arthur too.
At this rate I’m going to end up a literal lighter….
Anyway.

[Chaos Maze cleared.]
[Moving outside the Dungeon.]

That’s how Robin’s new bow, Kkalkkeum-i, finished its test.
The result was a clean clear, naturally.

[E-grade Chaos Maze cleared successfully!]
[Clear time – 00:05:27]
[Clear reward – E-grade Chaos Box]

At this rate, we can go back next time too?
Though Robin would have to come, obviously….

“How’s Kkalkkeum-i? I made it well, didn’t I? Lani worked incredibly hard on it!”

Lani came bounding over at once, thrilled.
Good grief.
Robin hoisted her right up into the air.

“Whee-! This is so fun!”

I let the two of them play for now.
Time to open the box.
Inventory open, quick as that.

[E-grade Chaos Box]

Last time an Ability Awakening Elixir came out.
That’s where the commission function unlocked.
So this time, what will it be…?
I pop it open, and—

“Huh?”

It’s empty.
Instead, a different message chimes in.

[The E-grade Chaos Box reward grants a special privilege.]
[Your daily Chaos Tower entry limit increases by 1.]
[1 → 2]

Oh….
More Chaos Tower entries?
Perfect timing—now I can summon Robin every day.
If that’s the case.
I’ll be able to climb the tower steadily from here on out?
Good.
I’ll take it easy today.
Tomorrow, let’s give it a shot.
How far?
Hmm….
As high as possible?

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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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