Chapter 12

Weeds are better than greenhouse flowers.

“Ah-ha-ha! Necromancer, how have you been?”

“Oh, what’s this? It doesn’t seem like much time has passed, but your image has changed a bit?”

“That’s right, you seem to have gained some muscle, and your face looks better? You’re glowing.”

A group of five survivors consisting of D-class or C-class hunters.

They saw me and greeted me happily.

Even though I didn’t know their names, and we didn’t know each other well.

Sometimes hunters show such sudden friendliness.

It must mean they’ve shared life and death together.

Anyway.

‘I look better?’

I shrugged my shoulders for no reason and glanced at my body.

It definitely got thicker.

I gained muscle and lost fat.

My shoulders also widened, as if my skeleton itself had changed.

It was definitely the effect of the great art that the Old Man performed yesterday.

‘This is just the effect of a 30-minute massage?’

I was inwardly impressed.

But I understood.

It was like carving bones and building muscles through fists.

It felt like undergoing major surgery without anesthesia.

The fact that I had to receive it again later already made me shiver.

‘Anyway.’

What’s the reason they came here?

First of all, they saw me go into the boss room alone at that time.

They must be people who know that I am the target to clear.

Gi So-yul said.

She promised to keep all the details related to this Dungeon a secret.

‘It’s not good to be known unnecessarily.’

Did they say stirring up trouble?

As I said last time.

I didn’t want to be talked about until I was completely strong.

Like an Imoogi about to ascend to heaven, I just wanted to train quietly.

The reason I don’t bother to get a grade re-evaluation is also for that reason.

So I asked.

“What brings you here?”

“Ahem, am I late to greet you?”

It was then that one of the five stepped forward.

The impression of the man with the green C-class nameplate was fierce.

“Nice to meet you, let me formally introduce myself. I’m C-class hunter, Kang Jae-ho. At that time, I was impressed by your actions and attitude, so I kept an eye on you. If we survive next time, I said I would definitely form a party with you.”

“……Yes, hello.”

I shook his hand.

There’s no reason to refuse when someone greets me first.

“I’m just an E-class Necromancer mercenary as everyone knows. My name is Ju Dong-hoon.”

“Well, you’re definitely not an ordinary mercenary.”

Kang Jae-ho gave a bitter smile.

“It was amazing courage at that time. Well, I don’t think I can talk about the details here.”

He glanced at the request team leader, Kim Jun-seo.

It must be because of the confidentiality agreement.

“To get to the point, a Dungeon has appeared.”

“A Dungeon?”

“Yes, it’s a known type of C-class Dungeon, and I want to hire you. I heard that you are suffering from financial difficulties and take on any job. Is that right?”

“…….”

Sting.

I glared at Kim Jun-seo.

It seemed like he was trying to get a request by selling me and sweet-talking.

Kim Jun-seo smiled and stepped back even as I glared at him.

‘Hoo, that jerk.’

He’s my Hyung, but there are times when I want to punch him.

“Well, it’s true that I need money.”

I have to admit what I have to admit.

Even if the last payment came in.

Hospital bills, living expenses, monthly rent, insurance, etc.

Money disappears in an instant.

“I knew it.”

Kang Jae-ho smiled with satisfaction.

“This Dungeon. It’s a tricky type for a C-class.”

Most of the types of Dungeons that have been graded are standardized.

Just by looking at the background or monsters of the appearing field, you can roughly guess the difficulty or mission, so it’s easy for the follow-up team to participate.

“But it’s worth the challenge. If luck is on your side, the rewards are quite good. I think the last party got an Elixir? I think so?”

“An Elixir?”

My eyes widened.

What was an Elixir?

Regardless of the grade, it is a rare reward that only comes out of Dungeons.

Isn’t it a high-level potion that shows improvement in any curse or disease!

“Yes, that Elixir. It’s perfect for making a lot of money because there is a lot of demand from top Rankers and the rich.”

“Hmm.”

As I stroked my chin, Kang Jae-ho continued.

“How about it, not bad, right? This time, you’re participating as a member, not a porter.”

“What about the pay?”

“Hehe, what do you mean by pay? You’re not a porter. Of course, it’s a fair distribution of profits.”

“Really?”

I quickly turned my head.

If an Elixir really comes out.

The average price is about 50 million.

If you divide it by six, is it about 8.33 million?

It’s definitely not a bad condition.

Because.

I’m an E-class hunter.

An E-class hunter who wants to hide his identity.

And the pay for E-class hunters is fixed.

It means that it is a tough world to earn a lot of money while hiding yourself.

“I’m tempted…….”

In fact, I understood why they were doing this to some extent.

To safely clear a C-class Dungeon with a 99% probability, you need at least five C-class hunters.

But, there are D-class hunters mixed in those five members.

To be exact, two C-class and three D-class.

It’s an unstable squad.

To go safely, you need to find three more C-class or find a B-class.

Rather than dividing the ratio that way.

I guess they want to take me, who cleared the Dungeon that even Rankers have difficulty clearing, at once.

Because that’s cheaper.

And because I still look naive.

‘But.’

It can be dangerous.

And they must be aware of it too.

But they are a challenging team that goes into Dungeons of unknown grades without fear.

They are taking their own adventure.

‘And when it comes to adventure…… that’s me.’

The path to becoming a Ranker, which I have to endure countless times.

I have no intention of growing up like a greenhouse flower.

Isn’t a weed in the mountains and fields that blooms stubbornly even in the harsh storms much cooler!

“So.”

Kang Jae-ho glanced at my face.

“Are you going to join us? The choice is yours.”

Hmm.

Do I have to worry when they come out like that?

“Okay. I was getting tired of being a porter anyway.”

I accepted the offer coolly.

I wanted to experience the power of the grown-up Bone Ones, so this is good.

Dungeon exploration is tomorrow afternoon.

After getting the meal I promised Kim Jun-seo, I came back to the vacant lot.

[Using skill, ‘Teachings of Supreme Art’ (S-class).]

[Consumes 20 Stamina.]

[‘Master of Supreme Art’ appears.]

“Has it already been a day?”

The Old Man appeared like a ghost.

“Yes, Old Man. I have finished the homework you gave me. But…….”

“But?”

I told the Old Man about what happened today.

The fact that I might be participating in a new Dungeon.

I thought I might miss a few days of training if I explored.

I had to make him realize that it wasn’t because I was afraid of the ‘massage’.

“Dungeon? Is it a space like the one I existed in the past?”

“That’s right. I don’t know the cause, but the hunters here get stronger through that Dungeon.”

“Hmph.”

The Old Man snorted at my answer.

“That’s funny. A guy who doesn’t even have the basics is already running around. Is a guy who can’t even take a step trying to race?”

“Please understand, Old Man. I have to make a living.”

“Well, it’s not bad.”

The Old Man scratched his cheek with his dry fingers.

“I prefer to face reality rather than discussing theories at my desk.”

“Really?”

“But.”

The Old Man’s expression became firm.

“I will never allow you to skip training.”

“Ack.”

“Are you trying to be cunning? You can summon me even inside the Dungeon, can’t you!”

“W-well, I guess so?”

Because it’s a skill.

“Besides, it’s only an hour. No matter how urgent it is, it doesn’t make sense that you can’t take that much time! Summon me no matter what. If you break it, I will develop it ten times more harshly than the light touch I gave you last time. Do you understand?”

“Hiek?”

Hiccup.

I hiccupped without realizing it at the Old Man’s scolding.

If it hurts ten times more than what I received last time, I couldn’t even imagine what kind of pain it would be.

But I can’t not summon him.

It’s a lucky chance that I worked so hard to get, so I can’t give up because it hurts.

“Now, let’s get a massage quickly because we don’t have time.”

“Yes? N-no……. Already?”

“What do you mean already, you bastard! Have you forgotten? We only have 60 minutes!”

Pow!

The Old Man’s compress started without any preparation time.

Bang, bang, bang!

As if a bomb exploded inside, the world began to shake.

“Aaaaaaack!”

Yeah, it hurts.

Is this how it feels to keep pushing your body into a train running at full speed?

Is this the pain I would feel if Tyson with iron gauntlets beat my body like a sandbag?

‘Huh?’

Still.

One thing that is comforting.

It’s more bearable than last time.

‘Ah!’

Then I suddenly remembered a skill.

[Skill: Pain Tolerance]

[Grade: C]

[Effect 1: Resists pain.]

[Effect 2: The more pain you feel, the more numb you become.]

A new skill I got for free last time.

‘Actually, it’s amazing.’

Because one skill, ‘Teachings of Supreme Art’, spawned another skill.

There was no goose that laid golden eggs separately.

Other people need heavenly luck to get one skill.

I just copy skills.

And is it just a skill?

[This skill has room for further growth.]

It was definitely a skill with plenty of room for development.

“Heo, you’re holding back a bit now.”

As the time of beating disguised as a massage passed, the Old Man shook his hands as if satisfied.

The moment hell ended.

I was sincerely relieved.

“Heueut, it’s all thanks to you, Old Man. Hoo, hueuk.”

I took a deep breath in pain and spoke.

“You’re amazing. From tomorrow, I can raise the intensity a little more.”

“Yes? Did I hear you wrong?”

I was sweating at the following answer…….

Anyway.

Next is physical training time.

I summoned the cute Bone Ones at the Old Man’s signal.

Squeak!

They naturally loosen their bodies as if it’s time now.

By the way, why are those guys who don’t even have muscles to stretch loosening their bodies?

Is it a memory from when they were alive?

“Now, everyone, take the Horse stance like last time.”

The Old Man shouted.

“However, from now on, I will teach one of you a skill every day while you are training. Which one should I start with?”

“Skills?”

Ah, is the full-fledged tutoring finally starting?

Well, even if the Old Man is a Transcender.

He is a single personality, so he cannot teach all the different jobs at the same time.

Of course, he will teach one by one.

Not bad.

Let’s learn slowly.

“Yes, who should I start with. Is it that guy with the sword?”

The Old Man pointed at Bone One.

The rest are taking the posture the Old Man taught them.

“Yes.”

I nodded right away.

Of course, the first is my eldest summon, Bone One.

“The class is Swordsman, and all he knows is how to cut.”

“It’s okay. We can make it from now on. Swing it once.”

Squeak?

I smiled as I looked at the guy who was slightly wary.

[Name: Bone One]

[Stamina: 100/100]

[Unique Ability: Awakened Skeleton]

[Class: Swordsman]

[Grade: D]

[Strength: 23] [Agility: 19] [Stamina: 20] [Magical power: 10] [Skill: 21]

[Skills possessed]

‘Low Slash’ (Lv.2)

“It’s okay, Bone One. He’s the one who will make you a great Bone Warrior.”

Bone One’s full-fledged training began.