Chapter 86: Blooming in the Swamp (3)
Yusra Kingdom.
The ancient kingdom, where capital and labor were invested, had already become a proper city. It was as bustling as Arcanas big cities in the past.
Wow. Every day is different.
The corner in front of the Golden Palace Square.
Players were gathered at the Golden Calf Tavern.
Back when Arcana was just a game.
They used to kill time at the tavern like now.
It really reminds me of the old days. Dont you think so?
It was the first time since Arcana became a reality and they became players.
Looking at the scenery of the nostalgic tavern, they felt like they had returned to those days for a moment.
Wow, those mobs are no joke.
A large screen was hanging on the outside wall of the tavern.
The playing screen reminded them that this was not a memory but the reality.
For the players, as well as Arcanains who were no longer NPCs.
It was still broad daylight.
The drunken head of the Shadow Mercenary Corps was drunk.
Tsk. Hey. Tell him to get rid of that lump of hair.
Kitchs hand holding the glass trembled.
What triggered Kitch was the mass of muscles blocking the screen.
Just whack! Hit it, bam! Flee.
It was Lakid.
There werent just one or two people who were uncomfortable with his size.
What are you doing so frustratingly, you bastards!!
Sigh, my ears are going to fall off.
What? Speak up. Because I cant hear you!
With only stinging gazes.
Lakid, who was fascinated by modern culture, couldnt be stopped.
Lakid picked up the whole beer.
Gulp
The predator zone where the battles never ended.
His throat burns with excitement just thinking about it.
Lakid emptied his glass one after another and said.
Leader! Do we have any plans to go somewhere like that?
Hiccup. Even if I go, I wont take you with me. You suck.
W-What?! What nonsense is that!
Youre covering the whole screen. Even I am offended, too Hiccup!
Plop
At the end of that drunkenness, Kitch spread out on the table.
Wait, leader!
Lakid rose from his seat to shake Kitch up.
I can see something now.
I cant even say anything
Lets put up with it. You know that muscular guys personality.
The players were tongue-tied at Lakids rudeness.
There were people who couldnt lift their heads at that disgrace.
They were Arcanains Just like the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
The League of Explorers.
The nuisance is being a nuisance. My face is turning red for no reason.
No. This is how people live. Well.
But its a predator zone. It is understandable to feel excited.
The League of Explorers.
Literally a group of explorers.
The conditions for joining the league were simple.
One, you had to be an explorer.
Naturally, if you were an explorer class player, joining the League of Explorers was the default.
In order for the explorer class to level up, they had to explore dangerous areas.
However, compared to the combat class, the explorers combat power was poor.
It was thanks to their intelligence that explorers could survive until now.
Well, there are many rare things in the predator zone.
It was their duty to exchange information, help each other, and make a living among explorers.
Park Hwigangs eyes sparkled at the words of the explorer of the league.
You mean the loot that monsters fight each other for, right?
Well, thats the commonly known information. There are other loots, too.
T-There are other loots? In that swamp?
Of course, but because we keep talking about this, I feel a little thirsty~
Naturally, exchanging information bare-mouthed was not the way to go.
When Park Hwigang tactfully ordered a beer, a smile spread across the explorers face.
Aigoo, its fine. Then Ill accept with gratitude.
Gulp
And then he spoke secretly.
Nice. Youve heard of bi-herbs, right?
Bi-herbs?
Of course, Park Hwigang knew.
Those were grasses that were used as ingredients for potions.
Thats right. Theyre herbs that are commonly thought of as potion ingredients. But thats the effect of bi-herbs that are really commonly known. There are other bi-herbs that are really rare. But, seriously. Even among explorers, very few people know about it
Then he paused his words.
It meant that he didnt have snacks that went well with the beer.
As expected, Park Hwigang, who was quick-witted, ordered it.
Can we have chicken here?
How about this? it was the modern culture of chicken and beer.
He couldnt go on without giving information now.
Sure enough, after tearing off a chicken leg, the explorer spat out.
I heard that precious bi-herbs can permanently increase physical abilities.
What? I-Is that possible?
Its possible, thats why theyre treated as precious. The best among them are bi-herbs that permanently increase mana. Rumors circulated only among explorers who once knew Its crazy. If you find one, you can just play and eat for several months.
!
I heard that there is a high probability that such rare bi-herbs grow in special areas such as the predator zone. Explorers like us would have to risk our lives to get it. The reward is a great deal.
It permanently boosted your physical ability?
That meant it could raise the [stat] permanently.
Park Hwigangs head was spinning fast.
I dont know how much it raises the stats.
However, even if it only raised 1, the effect was enormous.
Because the value was equal to 1 level.
Of course, except for the level-up.
There was a way to raise the stat.
But there was no need to consider that method.
Because not everyone can carry out class quests.
Only one person in the class.
Only those who met the conditions could start the class quest.
Since it wasnt connected to the majority of the players.
It was no exaggeration to say that this bi-herb would be traded at a huge price.
The higher the level, the harder it gets to raise one level.
Soon, Park Hwigang prayed with a fanboy heart.
Please!
He hoped Hoyeol-nim earned at least one of those bi-herbs!
Park Hwigang had a lot of subscribers and views on Nettube thanks to Hoyeol. He wanted to convey this valuable information to Hoyeol, but
It was impossible for him, so all he could do was pray.
However.
Crazy. Whats with that skill?!
Park Hwigangs thought didnt last long.
The angle switched.
Hoyeols figure appeared on the screen.
Not only there was magic there.
Hoyeol even had a sword in his hand.
What is that?
The first to react was Lakid.
You had to know to truly be able to see.
Lakid recognized Hoyeols posture in holding the sword.
So, without realizing it, he raised the corner of his mouth.
After the do-over, the old man didnt say anything wrong!
As he said, it was clear that Hoyeol was a strong man.
Lakids fierce fighting instincts.
Even though he knew that Hoyeol was an opponent he couldnt challenge, his blood boiled.
However, Hoyeols performance had only just begun.
Hoyeols ensuing magic, Frost.
That manifestation shocked the tavern again.
T-The swamp is freezing.
I dont think that freezing magic is a normal freezing magic either?!
Hey, you specialize in ice barriers. Whats the name of that skill?
I dont know. I still have a long way to go before I learn that kind of skill.
Lakid, who was silently watching the screen, nodded. freeweb(n)ovel
Yes, it was enough to snow Frost.
Hoyeol even made the rude Lakid control his anger.
At the sight, Park Hwigang couldnt help but change his mind.
Would Hoyeol need a bi-herb?
Yes, what he needed was faith, not prayer.
Park Hwigang, who had gained enlightenment, recited it reverently.
Homen.
*
The vast swath of predators.
The news was delivered to the players who were each focusing on hunting.
Hoyeol-ssi is here, too? Really?
I didnt know. I heard that he went into the rupture right away.
No, hyung! Ill pack some of the tea he likes!
Starting with Nam Taemin and Nam Cheolmin brothers.
Unnie, did you hear?
Lee Hoyeol has entered the rupture~
They said it so clearly.
Couldnt she make an excuse that she didnt know because she fighting?
Leonie, a berserker who was completely immersed in battle.
He has no business ethics, seriously!
And the Shining Guild.
Although Dmitry was always exaggerating.
For once, they could sympathize with that exaggeration.
Swish!
Camilla let go of her bowstring and brushed her loose hair.
Hes greedy. Our Hoyeol-ssi.
The greedy man, Lee Hoyeol.
Having Jessie wasnt good enough so he came to clear this rupture.
Our Hoyeol-ssi? You two dont even know each other, do you?
Should you be asking that?
What? What does that mean?
No~ I understand why you are not popular with women~
No, why are you flipping out again all of a sudden?!
The two people bickered.
Shinings Guild Master, Rox, was not involved in the quarrel.
The ongoing battle.
He thought differently.
Now that he realized he was an underdog.
He couldnt afford to waste time on himself.
Lee Hoyeol has entered the rupture.
Did he look for this rupture because he lacked experience point?
Rox could be certain that it absolutely wasnt the case.
It was obvious that the experience points obtained from hunting at the level 500 rupture wouldnt mean anything to Hoyeol. Yeah, there must be another reason why Hoyeol looked for this rupture.
Roxs guess seemed to be right.
Wait a minute.
The pinnacle of the archer class, the Bow Master.
Befitting of that title, Camilla had a vast field of vision.
Her field of vision caught Hoyeol.
To be exact.
What is our Hoyeol-ssi doing now?
Stairs embroidered in the air.
Stepping on the stairs confidently.
Hoyeol was heading somewhere!
As expected, I knew it.
So, toward Hoyeol.
Including Rox, who was guessing.
All players attention was naturally focused on Hoyeol.
*
Gradually, I could understand why the rankers made a big fuss about it.
The amount of experience required increased each time you leveled up.
[Beast Predator Anaconda : Lv.530]
[Cruel Cleaner: Lv.550]
As you could see, I hunted higher-level monsters.
I rose up 10 levels.
[Level: 324]
Although I couldnt fully understand Arcanas complex experience system.
It must mean that there was a significant difference between catching a 500-level monster in the 200-level range and catching a 500-level monster in the 300-level range.
There was actually a difference.
I have more room to relax.
Simultaneous operation of swordsmanship and magic.
Unlike the first time, I was able to defeat the enemy without being too nervous.
Of course, this dreadful adaptability as well.
It made up for my lack of magical talent.
It must have been thanks to Grandfel, who possessed the potential that was second to none.
[Plague-Stricken Crossbow] [Grade: Magic]
[Plague-Stricken Crossbow Bolt] [Grade: Magic]
[Modest Storage Belt] [Grade: Rare]
I got three loots after defeating the [Cruel Scavanger].
There was a reason why it could carry things around.
Of the three trophies, the only thing that stood out was [Modest Storage Belt]. It had the practical effect of slightly expanding the inventory.
Of course.
Its out.
Although it was lousy from Grandfels aesthetic point of view.
Theres no point in selling it.
Leaving aside this pure integrity.
I had a rupture clear reward.
If it was Lee Hoyeol in the past, he would have accumulated so much money in his bank account that he wouldnt be able to sleep comfortably all day. There was much more compensation to be settled than that.
So I have to make good use of it.
I felt it clearly from todays experience.
The more holes you dig, the better.
I recalled something.
Among the 20 schools that existed in the Mage Tower, there was the study of enhancement.
While preparing for the regular conference, I also had read dozens of books on magic enhancement. To summarize the core of the school, it could be summarized in two lines.
Effects can be extracted from items.
The extracted effect can be applied to other items.
It seemed easy just by listening to it.
The problem was in the process.
Items and magic tools were one of the areas that even the Mage Tower couldnt conquer.
I heard that there werent just one or two items that got blown away in the process of extracting and applying the effect.
They were always discouraged. I suppose.
Kiko Armin, Senior Mage of Enchancement.
She had a pretty small physique.
Not only that, she walked around with her waist bent.
If Mage Tower was a performance-based company.
Kikos department of enchantment was a department that recorded losses.
In other words, Kikos self-consciousness had its own story.
But that didnt matter to me.
I had the audacity to declare.
Every success requires failure.
Yes, because I promised to root out the pillars of the tower.
I would advance magic enchantment by sacrificing Mage Towers capital and items.
The material was [Modest Storage Belt].
The more free inventory I can have, the better.
I figured there would be a lot to take from the ruptures in the future.
Well, just like now.
Sss
As soon as the battle was over, I stepped up the stairs.
The reason for climbing the stairs was simple.
It was to collect the four-colored mistletoe.
The bi-herb that glowed on the top of the Chikura tree.
To think it was mistletoe from the beginning.
[Pentagram of Pure Knowledge].
The vast knowledge I gained through it was telling me.
Id found an awesome thing.
The four-colored mistletoe had the effect of permanently increasing physical abilities, in other words, permanently increasing stats.
Four-colored.
Matching that name.
Four points.
It was worth four levels.
How many terrible training class quests is this worth?
In addition.
The method of growing bi-herbs in the preliminary verification of the regular conference.
Hadnt I witnessed the possibility of that study?
If that study produced a successful outcome
It can produce bi-herbs like this mistletoe.
I wasnt making a fuss for no reason.
I realized it again.
As expected, I had to dig a lot of holes in order to survive!
Befitting its enormous effect.
The four-colored mistletoe grew in an inconspicuous place.
Be it a human or a monster.
It boasted an appearance and effect that would inevitably fascinate the viewer.
I never thought itd be at the top of a tree like this.
I almost missed it too.
If it werent for the [Cruel Scavenger] that gnawed at the tree.
I appreciate your sacrifice.
Thank you very much.
I praised myself for investing points in [Luck].
I climbed the stairs for a while, envisioning a thrilling future.
I reached the top of the giant tree.
I found the four-colored mistletoe.
But what?
Rather than the four-colored mistletoe.
!
A rare existence caught my eye.