F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 18

The fire toads determined their prey based on temperature. Currently, Gangrim’s temperature was over 100 degrees, and so to the fire frogs, he looked like a part of the landscape.

- Ribbit.

- Ribbit ribbit.

The fire toads soon leaped into the lava, losing interest in him. Even with their reaction, he still consistently applied blended oil to his body to ensure that the fire didn't go out as I walked away. After walking for a while, he discovered the only cave that was emitting blue light in this red landscape. He hurriedly walked towards the cave and entered. Once inside, he was greeted with a refreshing breeze that cooled his body's heat.

'The ice cave location hasn't changed, thankfully.'

Inside the cave, there were many frozen stones and crystals with an ice-like color. Glistening Ice Crystals grew everywhere, reflecting a brilliant light on his face. He picked up one of them and cut it cleanly.

[Item] Ice Crystal

[Grade] Spirit Third Class

[Description] A crystal made of ice. When possessed, the user’s water attribute increases.

This Ice Crystal was an item that supplemented the energy of one of the Five Elements. So, it went without saying that even among the Spirit-grade items, it was quite valuable. This crystal could also grow on its own if left in sub-zero temperature.

Seo Gangrim could have cleared the stage by taking the crystal back to the lobby, but there was something more important to him.

"Open the shop window."

With the command, the shop system opened.

Originally, when the third stage opened, the Destiny Protection Bureau would guide the Awakened through the shop system. However, by acquiring Spirit Pearls, the shop window automatically opened. Therefore, Seo Gangrim was able to use the shop system from the first day.

Using all the Spirit Pearls he had saved, he purchased an item. A moment later, a small seal fell onto his palm.

[Item] Prayer Chest

[Grade] Spirit First-class

Thanks to exchanging accumulated experience points for Spirit Pearls, Seo Gangrim was able to purchase the Prayer Chest, albeit barely. Although it was quite expensive, when looking at its rank, the Prayer Chest was relatively inexpensive. It was because it had a gambling-like element.

▼

[Description] If you put items in the chest and offer a prayer, the desired item will come out. However, if the offered item is insufficient, nothing will come out.

‘The name is quite amusing.’

Although it said to offer items and prayer, the Prayer Chest didn't mean just any item. Here, the items referred to how valuable and expensive the item offered was. For example, if the user were to put in an spirit-grade item and prayed for a divine-grade item, the user wouldn't receive the desired item. To have a higher chance of obtaining the desired item, the user needed to offer items of higher grade.

With this in mind, Seo Gangrim put the Ice Crystal into the chest and closed it.

‘I can't buy the item I need with the Spirit Pearls I have, but with the Prayer Chest, it would be a different story.'

[You have put a Spirit Third-class Ice Crystal into the Prayer Chest.]

‘The Ice Crystal is a Spirit Third-class item, but I'm looking for a Spirit First-class. There's a slight difference, but they're both Spirit-rank, so the possibility of obtaining what I want is high.’

After a while, a rustling sound started coming from inside the chest.

[Offering prayer.]

[......]

[Obtained a Insect Third-class 'Insect Honey'!]

"Insect honey, huh."

It wasn't something he needed as a healing item. Nevertheless, he wasn't particularly disappointed.

‘If quality won’t do, then I'll go for quantity.’

There were still plenty of Ice Crystals around him. Nevertheless, dozens, hundreds of attempts were still insufficient. The Ice Crystal made a clattering sound and fell into the Prayer Chest.

Seo Gangrim clapped his hands together and offered merits.

* * *

"Seo Gangrim, you son of a bitch...!"

Cheon Goonam cursed with spittle dripping from his mouth. The spittle was mixed with broken teeth and blood. Around him, the lifeless bodies of fire toads were scattered.

"Gulp, gulp..."

He managed to escape from the lava, but there wasn't a spot on his body that wasn't burned, and blood was flowing everywhere. His clothes were all burnt, leaving him almost naked. At the moment, Cheon Goonam's eyes burned with hatred.

"If I come face to face with him, I'll kill him."

He spat curses at Seo Gangrim, feeling an overwhelming desire to thrust a knife into his face.

"Where is he?"

It had been a long time, so he wondered if Seo Gangrim was still here or if he had escaped. He then started walking towards the exit like a madman until something caught his eye.

"Isn't that Seo Gangrim's bandage?"

A torn bandage was rolling on the ground. Upon closer inspection, he could see traces of blood around it. Cheon Goonam smirked.

"He's not unharmed either."

Seo Gangrim said he was an Insect Third-class. If that were really the case, it would be troublesome for to face the monsters in this place. Cheon Goonam desperately hoped that Seo Gangrim was still here.

"Let's kill him in the lava pit."

He tightly held his sword and followed the trail of blood. During this walk, he hardly encountered any monsters. The trail, unfortunately, suddenly disappeared.

"Damn, where did that bastard go?"

Cheon Goonam frantically searched for traces of Seo Gangrim. His traces were regretfuly no longer visible, but Cheon Goonam found something else instead.

"What is that?"

It was the body of a fire toad. Unlike the other corpses, something was shimmering inside it.

"An egg? No, that's...!"

Cheon Goonam quickly approached and took out the shining object from the fire toad's body. It had a completely different texture than the toad's egg he had just touched. As he held the ice extracted from the demon, a chill spread throughout his body.

[You have obtained the item 'Ice Crystal'!]

[You have achieved the condition to clear 'Hell Fire'!]

"So this is the Ice Crystal! There was someone among the fire toads that dropped Ice Crystal...!"

In the joy of finding the Ice Crystal that he had been unable to find for a long time, Cheon Goonam momentarily forgot about Seo Gangrim. He hurriedly put the ice in his pocket.

"If I manage to return safely with this, won't I be the first to clear it?"

The thought of being recognized as the first to clear this stage made his heart beat faster. It wasn't the time to be looking for Seo Gangrim. Cheon Goonam turned back towards the entrance in a hurry.

"Thank goodness. No more monsters are appearing."

He might have felt something strange, as someone as experienced as him, and ask where did all those monsters that were so abundant go. But Cheon Goonam, covered in sweat, considered the situation a stroke of luck and just hurried his steps.

"I'm almost there!"

After a long walk, he finally reached the vicinity of the entrance. He saw a small door in the distance, and his heart started pounding.

"Please, please... Let me be the first...!"

Cheon Goonam prayed to the gods before pulling the door knob. Then, a notification popped up.

[Second Stage, 'Fire Hell' cleared!]

[Target: Cheon Goonam (1 person)]

[Special reward for the first conquest has arrived!]

When Cheon Goonam saw the message announcing the first conquest, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Am I really the first to clear this stage?"

An achievement that even he couldn't believe. Along his bewilderment, he also felt an indescribable thrill. The people around him also seemed to have noticed the message and started buzzing.

"The Fire Hell has been cleared?"

"Who is it? Seo Gangrim?"

"Oh, no. It is I, Cheon Goonam..."

The people in the lobby looked at him in surprise. Their eyes were filled with awe and admiration. Despite being half-naked, Cheon Goonam felt more exhilarated than embarrassed. People approached him and pretended to recognize him.

"Goonam-ssi, how did you clear it?"

"Amazing. Clearing it alone in just one day...!"

"I searched everywhere but couldn't find the Ice Crystal. Where did you find it?"

Just a while ago, his face was filled with anger and hatred, but now he had returned to his usual composure.

He smiled brightly and said, "It was easier than I thought. I'd like to tell you, but I'm a bit tired..."

"Then, please come with us next time!"

"Yes, yes, I understand."

As Cheon Goonam was about to confidently return to his room, the door to the Second Stage suddenly opened, and someone came out.

"Cheon... Goonam-ssi...?"

The person who came out was Seo Gangrim. Seo Gangrim stared at Cheon Goonam as if he couldn't believe his eyes, and when Cheon Goonam saw his gloomy face, he couldn't help but laugh.

‘I cleared it before Seo Gangrim!’

He wanted to beat Seo Gangrim senseless right then and there, but the joy of being the first to clear the stage was too overwhelming. Cheon Goonam muttered softly, "You don't look too bad for running away alone."

But Seo Gangrim remained silent, ignoring Cheon Goonam's mockery. Seeing his composure, Cheon Goonam felt a thrill. He extended his hand with a magnanimous expression.

"Well, I'll forgive you this instance."

Seo Gangrim hesitated for a moment but eventually took his hand. The bandage had come off, and Seo Gangrim's right hand was exposed. Hence, Cheon Goonam saw Gangrim’s Destiny clearly.

[The ability 'Palmistry' has been activated!]

[Reading the Destiny of the target 'Seo Gangrim'.]

[Name] Seo Gangrim

[Rank] Insect Third Class

[Element] Fire

[Abilities] Radiant Flame, Sword Unsheathe

Cheon Goonam was astonished by what he saw.

‘What? Insect Third Class?’

Seo Gangrim's destiny was so ordinary that he was very surprised. Although he noticed that the rank of his Sword Unsheathe ability was slightly higher, there was nothing else noteworthy.

‘Did he easily clear the room because of his high ability rank?’

He felt slightly uneasy for some reason, but there was nothing unusual in what he saw.

Seo Gangrim gently withdrew his hand.

"Well then, if you'll excuse me."

Seo Gangrim quickly left the scene.

Perhaps it would have been better to give him a good beating, Cheon Goonam regretted slightly. While lost in his thoughts, he suddenly felt someone behind him.

"You're amazing."

When he turned around, he saw Dok Gojun standing there.

After looking at Dok Gojun’s palm, Cheon Goonam saw that Dok Gojun had a strange ability called 'Dreamer'.

Dok Gojun smiled slyly and said, "I've been challenging that stage for a few days, but I kept failing. The same goes for Seo Gangrim. And here you are, clearing it in just one day."

When Seo Gangrim was mentioned, Cheon Goonam's expression showed slight displeasure.

"Did me clearing it in just one day bother you?"

"No, I find it interesting."

Dok Gojun smiled.

"I wonder if you were actually the main character?"

"......Yes?"

The more they talked, the more Cheon Goonam sensed that something was going wrong. Dok Gojun continued talking without regard to Cheon Goonam's reaction.

"To be honest, I thought Seo Gangrim would be my ally or the protagonist, but he's weaker than I expected."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

Dok Gojun's eyes shone with an inexplicable madness.

"I thought you might be my ally."