Skillbook My Way - Episode 75
Episode 75
An unsightly brown spread across the dragon's silver-gray body.
The dragon, immune to all sorts of attributes, was not immune to [Metal].
But it couldn't be caught simply by turning it into metal. Moreover, once it became metal, no damage would get through.
Then, that metal itself had to be damaged.
The dragon's body, hardened solid, began to fall.
"Vice Guild Leader, now! Increase this dragon's gravity!"
"Understood."
When the Vice Guild Leader used his skill, the dragon's falling speed increased.
We distanced ourselves from the dragon and watched it plummet at a terrifying speed.
Kuuung.
With a heavy sound, sand erupted from where the dragon crashed.
The Vice Guild Leader and I descended to the ground and surveyed the crater.
The completely rusted dragon lay scattered about, shattered into pieces.
The sandstorm died down.
[You have defeated the Guardian of the Desert!]
[The title 'Ruler of the Desert Layer' is bestowed upon all party members!]
[Vitality, Strength, and Magic Power permanently increase by 5 each!]
[You are awarded 20,000,000 RP as a reward!]
Just as I was rejoicing that we had done it, a voice followed.
[Your Magic Power has reached its growth limit.]
[Excess values will be applied after the limit break.]
'Ah, come to think of it, my Magic Power stat was already 49.'
I took out the book and checked it.
--------------------
-Status-
Yi Hwajin
HP: 620/620 MP: 490/490(540)
Vitality: 31 Strength: 35 Magic Power: 49(54) Mental Strength: 20 Sense: 20
……
--------------------
Parentheses had appeared after MP and the Magic Power stat.
"Hwajin!"
I turned to the side and saw the old man, Ms. Hyeri, and O Seyeon running toward me.
I remembered telling everyone to stay far away before going up.
"Ah."
A yellow orb floated before my eyes.
It was the 'Desert Essence'.
***
[You have entered the Oasis of the Desert.]
[HP and MP are recovered.]
[All abnormal statuses are healed.]
[You can use the RP Shop.]
Taking the 'Desert Essence' and moving to the circle, we could move to a special place just like in the forest.
We rested in the shade of a tree by the spring while each of us browsed the RP Shop.
'They sell it here too.'
Since the RP Shop here also had a [Special] tab, I pressed it and saw they were selling 'Guide Crystals'.
It seemed that if you caught a guardian even once and entered the special field, you could obtain a Guide Crystal.
'What else...'
I checked the item below the crystal.
--------------------
[Bone Imbued with the Desert's Energy]
(5,500,000 RP)
A piece of bone constituting the Guardian of the Desert. An outstanding material boasting not only sturdy durability but also resistance to five attributes: Fire, Lightning, Ice, Poison, and Wind.
--------------------
'Just what I needed.'
I immediately purchased the bone and told the others to buy it as well.
[Yi Hwajin's party has broken the score!]
[All party members are awarded 5,000,000 RP as a reward!]
[The record is updated.]
As soon as we returned to the first Safety Field, the hunters' eyes turned toward us this time as well.
"Th-they're back!"
"It's Yi Hwajin's party again!"
"Where did they come from this time?"
People swarmed around us.
I ignored their gazes and checked the scoreboard.
--------------------
-Scoreboard-
Yi Hwajin (Party)
Highest Reached Layer: Safety Field 4
Total Survival Time: 4 hours 23 minutes
Returned from Safety Field
--------------------
"They overtook them!"
"They overtook the Exploration Union with just that many people!"
People shouted and screamed.
I could almost picture Peter's expression when he checked the scoreboard later.
Having exited the World, we left the guild building and headed to the workshop next door.
"Hoo. To think the stars of our guild would barge in all at once. What's the occasion?"
The workshop master asked with a slightly surprised expression.
We collectively took out bones as large as our bodies from our inventories.
"These are materials we obtained from the World. We were hoping you could make us armor with them."
At those words, Seono, who had been standing behind the workshop master, approached, touched the bone, and jumped in surprise.
"Wow! Workshop Master! This is an incredible material! It has resistance to five whole attributes!"
"R-really, Seono?!"
"Yes! It says it blocks Fire, Lightning, Ice, Poison, and Wind attributes."
The workshop master stroked the bone with trembling hands and soon wore a face brimming with motivation.
"They're big, and since it's my first time handling this material, it'll take quite a while. Is that okay?"
"We're counting on you."
"Got it. I'll contact you when they're done."
The workshop master had Seono carry the materials before heading to his laboratory.
"Well then, let's all take a good rest until our armor is made."
I suggested to everyone.
No one objected.
***
"What happened to resting."
The old man grumbled. Watching him, the Vice Guild Leader smiled bitterly.
Neither I, Ms. Hyeri, nor O Seyeon said anything, but we felt the same as the old man.
"Vice Guild Leader! The hunting in this zone is complete! What should we do now?"
One of the guild members ran up and reported.
"Ms. Hwajin, could I ask you?"
I nodded and took that guild member's team to another area within the Grassland Field.
"Make sure to follow the precautions I told you about. If you let your guard down, you die."
"Yes! Understood!"
"We'll keep that in mind!"
The guild members answered energetically before heading off to hunt monsters.
I watched them carefully to make sure nothing happened to them.
This had been the routine for the past four days. It was the Guild Leader's order.
'I think it would be good to give guild members a chance to earn RP too. At first, form parties to share RP, and once they've grown enough, let them hunt on their own. Could you do that?'
The Guild Leader had said with a smile. I had been about to rest after breaking through the Desert Field, but as a member of the guild, I couldn't refuse.
'To be honest, since I've mostly just been observing since yesterday, it's practically the same as resting now.'
After confirming that everyone was hunting stably, I took out a ticket from my inventory.
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[Ticket](Bound to: Yi Hwajin)
Progress 21.1%
Final Destination: SF 4
Remaining Time: 10 days
------------------
Today was the ticket's expiration date. Since I had come up to the World, I paid 1,000,000 RP to extend the ticket's validity by 10 days.
'The progress has increased quite a bit.'
Having cleared the third field to reach 21 percent meant we needed to advance roughly four times as far as we had come so far.
Before long, the monsters disappeared from sight, so I led the guild members back to the base where the Vice Guild Leader was.
An unexpected person was at the base.
"Oh, if it isn't Korea's first SSS-rank Hunter."
The Evergreen Guild Leader smiled and extended his hand for a handshake. Behind him were Ms. Chohui, the Vice Guild Leader, and Evergreen's guild members.
"You came to the World personally, Guild Leader Evergreen?"
I asked, shaking his hand.
"Yes. Hearing about your exploits made me itch to sit still. I hear you overtook the Exploration Union? Remarkable indeed."
"Haha."
I laughed awkwardly.
Guild Leader Evergreen told our Vice Guild Leader, 'Please give my regards to the Guild Leader,' before leaving with his guild members.
"What does he mean, please give his regards?"
The old man muttered.
"It's probably about a joint exploration."
It was the Vice Guild Leader who answered the old man's question.
"I heard Evergreen isn't progressing beyond the Grassland. They say they want to earn RP here, buy some stats and skills, and then advance. They mentioned wanting to do a joint exploration to the Guild Leader before."
"I see. But it's a waste to just give away the information we worked hard for. What did the Guild Leader say?"
"He said if it becomes too burdensome to explore on our own, to let him know then."
To my ears, it sounded like the Guild Leader had no intention of giving unconditional favors.
Two hours later, we took the guild members and exited to the Safety Field.
I checked the scoreboard.
Even today, four days after breaking through the desert, the scoreboard remained at the record we had set.
'I thought Peter wouldn't tolerate falling behind and would immediately advance to the next field.'
Perhaps they were also taking a break to reorganize, just like us.
'Since John's incident happened too.'
"Ms. Hwajin. Aren't you going down?"
Ms. Hyeri asked, clutching her ticket.
"I have to."
I took out my ticket and descended from the World.
***
After returning to the guild, the Vice Guild Leader finished the headcount and dismissed everyone.
'There's nothing else to do, so should I head home too?'
Buzz buzz.
Just then, a call came in.
"Hwajin! It's me!"
It was the workshop master's voice.
"Can you come now? The equipment is finished! It may sound like boasting, but the quality is incredible."
My mood brightened instantly at the unexpected news.
"I'm actually at the guild. I'll bring the others."
"Oh, that's good."
After hanging up and delivering the news to everyone, their faces lit up.
We immediately rushed to the workshop. The burly workshop master and Seono, clad in a stained apron, welcomed us.
"I thought it would take longer."
I said, looking at the workshop master.
Since he had said it would take time, I had planned to wait leisurely; I hadn't expected it to be finished in less than a week.
"It's thanks to Seono."
The workshop master tapped Seono's back with his hand.
"His learning speed is monstrously fast. He's at a level where he's better than me now."
"It's not that much..."
Seono shyly lowered his head but couldn't hide the smile at the corners of his mouth.
"Here. Everyone try them on. From the left, Hwajin, Seyeon, Jinhan, Gang-il, and Hyeri."
We picked up our respective armor pieces from the display stand.
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[Desert Sovereign's Light Armor Set]
A light armor set made from the same material as the bones constituting the Guardian of the Desert. Reduces damage from Fire, Lightning, Ice, Poison, and Wind attributes by 75%.
Craftsmen: Jin O-yun, Yu Seono
(Usage Restriction)
Strength 25 / Magic Power 15 / Mental Strength 20
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O Seyeon and I received light armor sets covering the chest, stomach, and shins, while Vice Guild Leader and Kang-il received full-body armor and helmet sets.
Ms. Hyeri, who mainly fought from the rear, received armor that looked even lighter than ours.
"Jinhan, take this too."
The workshop master had Seono hand Vice Guild Leader a large oval shield.
"It has damage reduction plus a reflection function, so it'll be a great help."
"Thank you, Workshop Master."
The Vice Guild Leader's face was exceptionally bright.
Having obtained new armor, we left the workshop.
"Since our armor is complete, shall we head to the World right away?"
"We just came down, are you sure you're okay?"
When the old man spoke, the Vice Guild Leader asked with a smile.
"I want to test the equipment quickly."
Ms. Hyeri said in an excited voice. O Seyeon had already drawn his sword.
"Then shall we advance to the fourth field right away?"
At my words, everyone agreed immediately.
Perhaps because we had obtained sturdy new armor, everyone was full of energy.
***
[You have entered the Labyrinth.]
The moment we entered the field, I was reminded of dungeons from the old days.
Dry gray walls and corridor floors, and dim lights attached uniformly to the walls.
"Yi Hwajin. Didn't the voice just skip the floor number?"
At O Seyeon's words, I realized the voice had only said 'Labyrinth.'
[The Guardian of the Labyrinth has detected the intruders' presence.]
[The Guardian of the Labyrinth has begun tracking you.]
'Guardian?'
I was bewildered.
This time, we hadn't done anything yet, but we heard an alert that a guardian was here.
"What should we do, Ms. Hwajin."
The Vice Guild Leader said, raising his shield. The others also drew their weapons.
"Let's proceed as carefully as possible."
I activated my Monster Detection skill and took the lead.