The Only Enhancer - Chapter 38

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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 38
Episode 38 – Level Measurement (2)
This time, the loot Min-jun obtained from the raid consisted of 6 Origin-grade 1 items and 4 Origin-grade 2 items.
He set aside the Origin-grade 2 items for now and only reinforced the Origin-grade 1 ones.
The reason was simple.
‘Seeing that exclusive options don’t appear as often as I thought, it seems the probability of exclusive options appearing doesn’t increase.’
The success rate for reinforcing from grade 2 to grade 3 was 50%.
That wasn’t low.
Combined with the items he already had and the newly acquired Origin-grade 2 items, he now had a total of 24 Origin-grade 2 items.
By probability, roughly half of them should succeed in reinforcement.
But when he previously reinforced 10 Origin-grade 2 items, only 1 had gained an exclusive option.
Demos’s Wand was the only one.
Considering the 50% success rate from grade 2 to grade 3, his luck had been terribly poor.
Min-jun decided to reinforce Origin-grade 1 items first.
‘Reinforcing from grade 1 to grade 2 has a 100% success rate.’
And the probability of gaining an exclusive option was a full 100%!
So he wanted to check first.
Whether even low-tier Origin reinforcement items would have mediocre options.
The exclusive options that emerged from his experimentation were these.
Skill: Cleanliness.
Skill: Purify Surrounding Air.
Skill: Comfortable Temperature.
Skill: Sound Control.
Skill: Meditation.
Skill: Fatigue Recovery.
They were all genuinely useful skills.
Skills you couldn’t find anywhere else, at that.
But.
‘They’re useless in combat.’
There was nothing that could be applied to actual fighting.
Each option would certainly help in daily life.
Skills that improved quality of life, you might say.
But they were completely useless in combat or raids.
Still, this taught me something.
‘Reinforcement Artisan exclusive options create skills that didn’t exist before.’
After all, the Equip Increase attached to Demos’s Wand was a skill that didn’t exist before, and so was the Inventory on the Ring of Reincarnation.
Of course, Inventory was somewhat similar to subspace, but its utility was on a different level.
‘And it seems to have no restrictions.’
The absence of spatial constraints was the most significant aspect.
In any case, through these items I could roughly understand the nature of exclusive options.
To obtain even remotely useful options, I’d need to enhance my innate 2-star items.
The fortunate part was.
‘I have quite a few innate 2-star items.’
From innate 3-star onwards, the probability drops significantly anyway.
If I wanted to aim for exclusive options, it would be better to do so after leveling up, so if I’m targeting items I can realistically use right now, innate 2-star items are the most suitable.
They’re also the easiest items to obtain right now.
Though the hit rate for exclusive options on innate 2-star items isn’t particularly high.
It should average out, shouldn’t it?
The remaining number of innate 2-star items was twenty-four.
‘It’s late, but….’
How long could it possibly take to enhance 2-star items?
The hit rate hadn’t been great so far, but it was worth trying.
I wouldn’t be able to enhance everything to 4-star today, but upgrading them all to 3-star was entirely feasible.
With that thought, I enhanced all my innate 2-star items.
From the results, I could discern something.
‘If innate 1-star items are skills that help with daily life, then innate 2-star items are each support-type skills.’
Whether innate 1-star or 2-star, they weren’t existing skills, but the categories differed somewhat.
From innate 2-star onwards, quite combat-viable skills emerged.
Out of twenty-four items, only six had exclusive options.
And coincidentally, four of those six were items obtained from raids.
In any case, the options were as follows.
Skill: Accuracy Enhancement.
Skill: Trajectory Alteration.
Skill: Range Expansion.
Skill: Mental Barrier.
Skill: Impact Negation.
Skill: Flight.
Each one felt more like utility or support-type skills in gaming terms rather than having direct combat impact.
There weren’t overwhelmingly powerful skills like Demos’s Wand or the Ring of Reincarnation, but most were quite usable.
I was especially pleased with Impact Negation and Mental Barrier.
‘Impact Negation is a skill that deflects fifty percent of sudden impacts, and Mental Barrier literally blocks most mental attack skills.’
These were precisely the options I needed right now.
Especially since being passive made them far more useful than the Forest’s Protection, which only blocked three times a day.
What about the other skills?
Accuracy Enhancement and Trajectory Alteration were overwhelmingly supportive skills for ranged-type abilities, and Range Expansion was no different.
And Flight? There was nothing more to say about it.
Each one was a skill I didn’t have before.
It was truly incredible.
‘I’m growing stronger and stronger!’
Now I truly felt confident that I could protect myself.
There were some overlapping items, but I could always swap them out later.
I’d need to enhance them to +4 eventually, but I’d call it a day for now.
‘It’s getting too late.’
I had a level measurement appointment first thing tomorrow—I couldn’t afford to be late.
I’d already made the commitment.
I should just sleep and be done with it.
It was a shame my level hadn’t increased, but somehow it felt like I’d filled about half the gauge.
Right now, though, all I wanted was to enhance my gear faster than I could level up.
I wanted to enhance all the items I’d crafted today to +4 and try out their exclusive options and new skills.
‘I’ll get my level measured, then I need to rush into some serious enhancement work. There’s no harm in showing up early, right?’
It wasn’t like I’d be late—I’d just arrive early, get measured quickly, and leave.
There was nothing wrong with that.
With that thought, I grinned and collapsed onto my bed.
I needed to sleep quickly, wake up, get my level measured, and come back.
3.
Level Measurement.
When a Hunter’s level increased, they’d typically come to the Hunter Association Headquarters to have their level measured so they could renew their Hunter License.
It was so routine that it wasn’t even newsworthy, and the Association didn’t need to make any special preparations.
Just like when I first registered as an Awakened One, I’d place my hand on a crystal orb, and it would emit light in the same color as the enhancement corresponding to my level.
Hadn’t I used that same device when I registered as an Awakened One?
Back then, I was Level 1, so it had emitted a soft white light.
Following the same sequence as enhancement colors, Level 2 produced a pale blue light, Level 3 produced a brilliant blue light, and Level 4 produced a pale red light.
In other words, it was as simple as placing your hand on the device and you were done.
But right now, the Hunter Association Headquarters was in absolute chaos.
And for good reason…
“Get everything ready!”
“The Saint is arriving soon!”
“Director Kim Jung-seok said he’d greet her personally!”
“Everyone, stay calm!”
Any government office would naturally become hectic when a high-ranking official was coming.
And this was no ordinary official—it was the Saint herself.
An executive second only to the Association Chairman in importance.
With her arrival, the chaos was inevitable.
Normally, the Awakened executives of the Association rarely visited the Headquarters.
The Headquarters was where non-Awakened executives conducted their business, while the Awakened executives had their own separate dedicated facility.
But she was coming today.
Everything had to be prepared perfectly.
Especially since an important VIP of the Association would be undergoing level measurement—they had to be extra careful, which explained the frantic activity.
It was then that Lee Hee-bin arrived ahead of the commotion.
“Ah! Saint, you’ve arrived. Please allow me to escort you.”
Kim Jung-seok, one of the executives who wasn’t an Awakened, personally came to greet the Saint Lee Hee-bin.
Lee Hee-bin took a seat in the Reception Room under his guidance.
He’d known beforehand that she would arrive early, but knowing didn’t make it any easier to deal with.
The Saint Lee Hee-bin exuded an air of nobility unlike anyone else.
No matter that Kim Jung-seok was a fellow executive at the Hunter Association and a member of parliament, he couldn’t treat her casually.
After all, the very title of “Saint” revealed that she commanded the support of the entire nation.
One misstep or scandal would make it nearly impossible for her name to appear on the next ballot.
Because of this, he had to be cautious, but the reason for her visit today couldn’t simply be ignored.
“Still, I was quite surprised to hear that he’s already undergone a level measurement.”
“…He does have quick instincts, but since Kim Min-jun the Healer requested it first, it must be legitimate.”
“Ah, of course. I wasn’t doubting you. It’s just remarkably fast.”
The Saint nodded in agreement at his words.
It certainly was remarkably fast for his level to have already increased.
Even with the aptitude of a Level 6, to have his level rise just a month after awakening was extraordinary.
However, there had been the Long-term Raid, and judging from the reports of yesterday’s Emperor Raid Training, it was certainly possible.
Above all.
“If his mana reserves are greater than other Level 6 aptitudes, it’s not impossible.”
“Hehehehe.”
Kim Jung-seok could only laugh at her words.
Korea had finally produced talent of this caliber.
Honestly, he felt rather dazed.
“The birth of another hero, it seems.”
“He’s not affiliated with the Hunter Association yet, but… he won’t be affiliated with anywhere else either.”
“Hmm, how about we give him all four of today’s Top 4 items?”
“That’s an excellent idea.”
Lee Hee-bin nodded at Kim Jung-seok’s suggestion.
Since they were already here, it was better to handle everything at once.
Initially, when Kim Jung-seok mentioned giving four Top 4 items, Lee Hee-bin had thought it was wasteful, but if his level had already risen, she now felt he was certainly worthy of such rewards.
As the Saint and Kim Jung-seok engaged in light conversation while waiting for Kim Min-jun to arrive, someone knocked urgently on the door.
And before the knock even finished and Kim Jung-seok could grant permission, his secretary rushed in urgently.
What could be so urgent to warrant such a hasty entrance?
Both Kim Jung-seok and the Saint Lee Hee-bin looked at the secretary with questioning expressions.
The secretary, now pale, spoke.
“R, reporters!”
“What, what?”
“…Reporters?”
Kim Jung-seok glanced at the Saint Lee Hee-bin with a questioning look, but she too seemed equally bewildered.
What on earth was happening?
The secretary spoke to the two confused figures.
“Mirae Guild’s Healer Kwon Woo-hyuk has brought reporters and is about to undergo a level measurement. H, he’s apparently saying he’ll break the fastest Level 3 record….”
At the secretary’s words, Kim Jung-seok closed his eyes tightly.
“…Of all times.”
“Sigh.”
Lee Hee-bin exhaled sharply as well, rising swiftly from his seat.
At least there was still considerable time before Min-jun was scheduled to arrive.
It would be ideal if all those reporters left before then, but there was no guarantee, so securing a separate location was the best option.
Kim Jung-seok reached the same conclusion and spoke to the secretary.
“I’ll arrange a different location immediately.”
“Yes, that would be best——”
Just as Lee Hee-bin was finishing his sentence.
Her phone vibrated softly with an incoming message.
[Kim Min-jun Healer]
-I just arrived and am heading straight to the Measurement Chamber for my level assessment.
Both Lee Hee-bin and Kim Jung-seok exclaimed simultaneously upon reading the message.
“No, this can’t happen!”
And Lee Hee-bin moved quickly into action.
He had to prevent any public exposure in front of the reporters at all costs.
4.
Mirae Guild was one of the Top 5 Guilds, established with capital from the Future Group.
And its healer, Kwon Woo-hyuk.
A member of the Future Group owner’s family, he was among the most renowned talents within Mirae Guild.
There was even talk that if Changgong Guild had Han Tae-jun, then Mirae Guild had Kwon Woo-hyuk.
But Kwon Woo-hyuk despised such comparisons more than anyone.
‘That irritating four-eyed bastard.’
Though he considered him a rival, he had admittedly fallen behind Han Tae-jun, who had achieved Level 3 in the shortest time in the nation.
But that was about to change.
‘Now I’ll show him who’s superior.’
Mirae Guild had poured its resources into cultivating Kwon Woo-hyuk, and as a result, he had managed to shorten the record by a full month compared to Han Tae-jun.
There would be no more comparisons between himself and Han Tae-jun.
And for that, hadn’t he already lined up reporters?
Cooperation from the Association?
Why would he need such a thing?
He simply needed the reporters to witness his level assessment and write their articles.
That’s why he had informed the reporters in advance.
He had achieved the fastest Level 3 record and asked them to come write about it.
And this many had gathered.
The Hunter Association staff were quite troubled, but it was none of Kwon Woo-hyuk’s concern.
‘It’s still too early to make my appearance.’
Kwon Woo-hyuk, hidden near the Measurement Chamber where reporters crowded, listened to their chatter.
“Wow, so Kwon Woo-hyuk really surpassed Han Tae-jun?”
“Keep it down, Kwon Woo-hyuk. You know how much he hates this kind of attention?”
“Isn’t it fine now? We’ve already broken the record, haven’t we?”
“I’m saying stay quiet until it’s officially announced.”
“But breaking the fastest record is genuinely impressive. Han Tae-jun caused such a stir last year—I wonder what the reaction will be this time?”
Kwon Woo-hyuk, listening to the reporters chatter, nodded with a rather satisfied expression.
It’s about time I made my entrance and surprised them all.
Just as Kwon Woo-hyuk stepped forward to head toward the Measurement Chamber—
someone else arrived at the chamber’s entrance.
I thought it might be another reporter, but it didn’t seem that way.
The person was dressed simply, carrying no camera, laptop, or even a phone.
Kwon Woo-hyuk immediately recognized that this was a Hunter who had come for a level measurement.
‘How unfortunate.’
To think they’d be measuring their level right before his turn to break the fastest record.
But what could be done about it?
It was fate, after all.
Then Kwon Woo-hyuk heard something strange.
“Kim Min-jun? You haven’t even been awakened for a month yet, but you’re getting your level measured, correct?”
Absurd.
Less than a month since awakening, and they wanted a level measurement?
‘This person isn’t in their right mind.’
I’d heard it happened occasionally.
Hunters who didn’t trust the System coming to get their level measured.
Kwon Woo-hyuk thought this person was out of their mind.
It wasn’t just Kwon Woo-hyuk’s opinion.
The reporters felt the same way.
“A level measurement with less than a month elapsed?”
“Sometimes people demand measurements because they can’t believe their own potential.”
“Shh, he’ll hear you.”
“So what if he does? He needs to get his head straight.”
Even as the reporters spoke so openly, the young man, Min-jun, nodded to the Hunter Association Staff without seeming to care.
“Yes.”
“Ah, yes. We’ll measure it for you right away.”
The Hunter Association Staff member, like the reporters, nodded reluctantly, as if resigned.
Kim Jung-seok hadn’t informed the staff yet.
The problem was that he’d intended to prepare after speaking with the Saint.
The young man entered the Measurement Chamber, and beyond the transparent glass, the reporters watched from the other side, their lips curling in derision.
Kwon Woo-hyuk was no different.
Of all times, why did he have to show up now?
While everyone was scoffing—
the measurement device activated, and a brilliant light burst forth from within.
Whoooooosh!
A distinct azure light.
A radiant, crystalline blue brilliance erupted with overwhelming force.
What in the world was happening?
Everyone’s minds reeled in confusion, yet one thing remained certain.
“Th-this is a scoop!”

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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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