Skill Book My Way – Chapter 39
Chapter 39
"I'll be back shortly."
The Vice Guild Leader said so and walked to where Hajiho was standing.
People who appeared to be leaders from other guilds were also coming out.
After a short while, perhaps because the discussion had ended, the Vice Guild Leader returned.
"For now, we've decided that the guilds excluding the Overlord Guild will handle the monsters that appear up to where the field boss is. The two people from the Overlord Guild will handle the field boss. They told the other hunters to wait at that time."
"Is that the entirety of the plan?"
I was dumbfounded.
"That's what the Overlord Guild said for now. Mr. Jeong Cheonyeol's skills consume quite a bit of mana, so they seem to want to conserve them until facing the field boss."
"Isn't that just dumping all the annoying work on us?"
To the middle-aged man's question, the Vice Guild Leader simply replied with a bitter smile.
"They said they'll go all out during the fight against the field boss since there would be complaints. However, they told no guild to step forward in the fight against the field boss. They said it would end in an instant if they stepped in anyway."
"That's quite some confidence."
The middle-aged man clicked his tongue.
I got a sense of what Jeong Cheonyeol was aiming for.
'It's a bound item.'
Thinking about it logically, it made no sense to order other hunters to simply wait while facing a powerful field boss.
What Jeong Cheonyeol is aiming for is probably the raid contribution rate.
Because bound items are given when the contribution rate exceeds 50%.
'That means he really intends to catch the field boss with just two people.'
The Flame Dragon from the 6-Star Dungeon was much stronger than the Mad Armadillo or the Giant Golem.
Does that mean Jeong Cheonyeol is as strong as O Seyeon?
"Anyway, Mr. Jeong Cheonyeol's power is absolutely necessary to face the field boss. For now, everyone agreed to move according to his instructions."
The moment the Vice Guild Leader finished speaking, Jeong Cheonyeol clapped again and ordered the hunters to depart.
The hunters gathered here were all S-Rank, so it would be natural for them to have high pride, yet no one openly expressed dissatisfaction.
That must mean Jeong Cheonyeol and the Overlord Guild he belonged to were that powerful.
***
"Hmm, as expected, the forest puts one in a calm mood. It bothers me that the grass and trees grew in a dungeon, but well, isn't good just good, Hajiho?"
Jeong Cheonyeol turned his head to the side and asked.
However, Hajiho looked as if he hadn't heard Jeong Cheonyeol's words at all.
'Hajiho seems strange today. Hmm?'
Jeong Cheonyeol noticed that Hajiho was looking at one place with an anxious face and turned his gaze that way.
"That is...."
The hunters of Atlas Guild entered Jeong Cheonyeol's field of vision.
The Atlas team, composed of a tank, two dealers, and a supporter, was smoothly hunting monsters.
"Hoo?"
One person's movements caught Jeong Cheonyeol's eye. It was a man holding a golden spear.
Most hunters attacked monsters relying on skills.
Thanks to their stats, hunters moved much better than ordinary people, but that was all.
Having good stats and being proficient with a weapon were different matters.
'That spearman... He moves as if he's trained in martial arts for a long time.'
Even though he didn't seem to be using skills, the man with the golden spear cut down monsters as if they were straw scarecrows.
Just then, perhaps sensing the gaze, the man turned his head toward Jeong Cheonyeol and Hajiho.
"Urk."
Jeong Cheonyeol could see Hajiho letting out a groan and averting his gaze.
"Oh? Hajiho. Do you happen to know that hunter?"
"N-no, I don't!"
Hajiho showed great agitation at Jeong Cheonyeol's question.
"So you do know him. What happened with that hunter?"
Hajiho didn't answer.
"Hmm. If you don't want to tell me, it can't be helped."
It was the moment Hajiho felt slightly relieved.
"I'll just have to go ask that hunter directly."
"Wait! Damn it! Fine! I'll tell you!"
Hajiho muttered curses a few times and then talked about what happened during the hunter exam.
"No wonder I thought it strange that I hadn't managed to reel anyone in despite sending them to the S-Rank hunter exam. So something like that had happened."
"If you tell anyone else, I won't let it slide."
Hajiho said with an angry face.
"Of course. Why would I go around announcing a friend's shameful, embarrassing, and humiliating experience?"
'This bastard, really...'
Hajiho trembled.
"But it's not right. It's very improper."
'Ha, this otaku bastard. His way of speaking, really...'
Hajiho held back the urge to punch Jeong Cheonyeol in the face and asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"The Overlord Guild is the number one guild in Korea. Whatever hunter it may be, it is proper etiquette to bow their head and shut their mouth when they hear the name of the Overlord. Living up to that name, a hunter of the Overlord Guild must reign supreme wherever they go. You know this, right?"
Hajiho made a face like he'd eaten shit.
Jeong Cheonyeol was speaking in circles, implying that Hajiho had tarnished the Overlord Guild's name.
"But I'm not so cold-blooded as to pretend not to know about a friend's mistake."
Jeong Cheonyeol said so and raised one corner of his mouth.
"As an example, I'll make it painfully clear to that hunter that one mustn't defy the Overlord Guild."
***
With a heavy thud, a large werewolf collapsed onto the ground. I shook off the blood on my spear blade.
"Mr. Hwajin, did you start attending some martial arts dojo while we weren't traveling together for a moment?"
The Vice Guild Leader asked with a surprised face.
"Haha. It's a secret."
I brushed it off with a laugh.
Since entering the forest, I had taken down monsters without using skills even once, excluding [Thunderclap Spear].
Saying I didn't use skills might be somewhat inaccurate.
Because a skill was currently being 'applied' to me.
--------------------
Custom Skill: [Spearmanship] (Outstanding)
Tool Used: Spear
Mana Consumption: -
Required Stats: Strength 8, Sense 4
Description: You become proficient in using the spear. All attacks and defenses performed with a spear are strengthened.
--------------------
It was a 6-word skill that came about while I was trying to follow O Seyeon's swordsmanship.
I had originally intended to create a powerful attack skill besides [Single Flash], but things veered off in a good direction.
It was the result of putting in this and that word related to attack and defense into
Seeing that there was no mana consumption, I experimented and found that it was a very convenient skill that applied automatically without needing to activate it, like [Dexterity] that Seono had.
"There is quite a skilled hunter here."
At the suddenly heard voice, we all turned our heads.
Jeong Cheonyeol approached while clapping.
"Could you tell me your name?"
He stopped in front of me and asked.
"...I Hwajin."
Jeong Cheonyeol smiled, nodded, then looked at the Vice Guild Leader.
"I didn't know Atlas Guild had such a hunter."
The Vice Guild Leader smiled.
"He hasn't been with us long, but Mr. Hwajin is greatly distinguishing himself as a member of our guild."
"I see. Atlas Guild doesn't have many S-Rank hunters. Such talent must be quite valuable."
I was seized by bewilderment as I looked at Jeong Cheonyeol's smiling face.
I wondered why this person, who had only been watching from behind as we fought monsters, was suddenly approaching us.
He definitely hadn't come simply to give compliments.
"By the way, I'm slowly sensing the field boss's presence."
Jeong Cheonyeol said while lifting his head and looking beyond the forest.
"Is that so?"
"You probably can't feel it. But I can clearly feel the boss's presence. Once your Sense stat exceeds 20, you can sense monsters without seeing or hearing them."
'20......!'
Even I, who had absorbed refined magic stones, didn't have any stat that had reached 20 yet. My highest stat, Strength, was 13.
"It seems about time for me to step in, but before that, there's something I'd like to ask of Atlas."
"A request, you say?"
When the Vice Guild Leader asked, Jeong Cheonyeol looked at me.
"I'd like you to come with us."
In an instant, the Vice Guild Leader's atmosphere changed. Though he was clearly smiling, there was something ominously savage about him.
"You're saying you'll take our guild member?"
Jeong Cheonyeol put on a surprised expression.
"Oh, my. I definitely don't mean to take him to the Overlord Guild. I have some shame—I don't abduct people belonging to other guilds. I'm simply asking because I'd like this hunter to lend his strength in the battle against the field boss."
"My strength?"
Jeong Cheonyeol nodded.
"I watched the various guilds fighting monsters from behind, but you were on a different level even among the S-Rank hunters here. You might even be stronger than our Hajiho."
The moment I heard those words, I felt some kind of ominous premonition.
I had only used Thunderclap Spear so far. It was strange to judge that I might be stronger than Hajiho based on that alone.
'Could this person know what happened between Hajiho and me?'
Hajiho had strong pride, so it didn't seem like he would go around talking about losing in a match, but that was merely my prediction.
"If that's the case, I'll cooperate as well. Drawing the monsters' attention is a tank's main role, after all."
At the Vice Guild Leader's words, Jeong Cheonyeol smirked.
"Hmm. Is that really alright?"
He said so while glancing at me.
Seeing the unpleasant smile that rose on Jeong Cheonyeol's face, I was certain.
The question of whether it was alright was directed not at the Vice Guild Leader, but at me.
'Is it alright if another guild member gets involved?'
Roughly, that was what it meant.
"Vice Guild Leader. It's fine."
I stepped forward.
"I'll go alone."
I spoke while looking straight into Jeong Cheonyeol's eyes. Then Jeong Cheonyeol grinned broadly.
"But Mr. Hwajin......"
"Truthfully, I've really wanted to see an SS-Rank hunter's skill with my own eyes at least once. Please rest, all three of you. Haven't you been facing monsters all the way here?"
I said so while glaring at Jeong Cheonyeol.
"Then it's decided. Follow me."
Jeong Cheonyeol went to where Hajiho was.
"Mr. Hwajin, you don't need to go alone. I'll go too......"
I shook my head.
"Vice Guild Leader. I'll tell you the details later. Please send me alone."
I spoke while looking at the Vice Guild Leader and the other two people.
The middle-aged man and Ms. Hyeri seemed like they were about to follow, perhaps having caught on to why Jeong Cheonyeol was acting this way.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
Leaving the three behind, I walked toward Jeong Cheonyeol and Hajiho while summoning my book.
'Create Bookmark.'
Approaching behind Jeong Cheonyeol, I threw the bookmark I'd created by consuming 5000 EXP onto his back.
The bookmark was absorbed directly into Jeong Cheonyeol, and he walked on without noticing anything.
I opened the book.
Letters began to appear on the empty page.