Chapter 4

Sometimes, a Gamble is Necessary

Could it really be the prestigious guild, ‘Parang’?

The scale of the Dungeon was larger than expected.

“Look here.”

Kim Jun-seo chattered, listing the data he had pulled.

“This Dungeon was newly discovered near Paju, and it’s quite tough. Five teams have already failed to clear it.”

“Wow, five teams?”

I clicked my tongue.

Failing to clear meant either everyone died or they were still wandering inside the Dungeon.

In other words, the difficulty was considerable.

“Yeah, the grade is undetermined.”

“Well, I guess so.”

It couldn’t be helped.

The grade couldn’t be determined in a place where no one had come out alive.

“But don’t worry too much. The teams that went in so far were all mediocre. But now we’re going with the famous ‘Parang,’ right? Besides, you’re just a porter, so you don’t have to participate in direct combat. Just work moderately and get paid! Got it?”

Kim Jun-seo, the team leader, shook a paper in front of me.

It was a contract to participate in the Dungeon provided by the Parang Guild.

“Hmm.”

I closed my eyes and tapped my fingers.

I was hesitant.

Was there any reason to overdo it when I hadn’t even properly checked the abilities of the new D-grade Skeletons?

The fact that the reward was 10 times higher must be hazard pay for a Dungeon whose grade hadn’t been determined yet.

Honestly, I was mentally exhausted after encountering the Orc yesterday.

‘But.’

Even so, it was attractive enough.

First, such an opportunity doesn’t come often.

Second, the experience of a high-difficulty Dungeon leads to tremendous growth for a Hunter.

‘Dark Lord did that too, right?’

That guy who received his authority at the same time as me also went to Dungeons like crazy in the beginning.

-How did you upgrade your grade so quickly?

-What are you asking? Of course, you have to go to Dungeons.

-Just any Dungeon? Absolutely not. You have to go to a Dungeon that’s higher than your ability, no matter what.

-You know? My nickname in the early days was Dungeon Maniac.

-Who will include you? So, you have to sell yourself. Sigh, do I have to tell you even that?

-Anyway, keep in mind. Dungeons of a higher grade than yourself are dangerous, but they are full of opportunities and rewards.

That’s what he said in an interview on TV.

He was a Necromancer, so he had it easy.

He got some flak for telling people to sell themselves and stuff.

But anyway, it’s what the Ranker who reached the top in the shortest amount of time said, so I should take it into consideration.

No matter how annoying he is, a Ranker is a Ranker.

“Hey, Hun. What are you thinking about for so long? This is a jackpot!”

Kim Jun-seo smiled slyly and urged me.

He seemed very excited.

The moment I signed the contract.

The performance would increase tenfold, as the reward was tenfold.

“Hmm, since ancient times, excessive greed has brought disaster…”

As I trailed off, the team leader came over, patted my shoulder, and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Wow, look at this guy. I thought you were greedy, but now I see you’re a coward?”

“Eh… Isn’t it Team Leader’s greed?”

“Oh, really? Hey, you. You’re making me feel bad! Weren’t you dreaming of becoming a Ranker? What Ranker in the world would refuse a Dungeon? Even if you’re just a porter, don’t you know that Dungeons are where you grow?”

“……?”

Ranker.

That word woke me up.

My eyes shook as if there was an earthquake.

That’s right.

Even in the moment when I met the Orc and felt like my life was about to end.

I dreamed of becoming a Ranker.

I wanted to become stronger.

‘What am I hesitating about?’

Can I become a Ranker while being afraid of Dungeons?

Wouldn’t the kids passing by laugh if they knew my true feelings?

Okay, let’s go.

Let’s go.

Life, sometimes a gamble is necessary, isn’t it?

I impulsively grabbed the pen that Kim Jun-seo was holding out.

“When do we leave?”Wow, this is such a clean and cool guy.” I knew it! I almost misunderstood.”

“Hurry before I change my mind.”

“Okay, okay, a week later, in front of Paju Station. The preparations and a brief explanation are all written in this document.”

“Hoo, a week…”

It’s a bit tight, but it’s better than nothing.

Fortunately, I was given some time to prepare.

I looked at Kim Jun-seo and smiled.

“Then I’ll take a week off. Is that okay?”

Even though I was a freelancer.

Kim Jun-seo didn’t like unilateral vacations.

But this time, he was an exception.

“Sure. Thanks, you little rascal. I’ll buy you a meal soon.”

“Team Leader, I’m the one who’s disappointed.”

“Huh, suddenly?”

“You have to buy me two meals.”

“O-oh, really? Haha, yeah. Of course, I have to buy you a meal!”

The team leader laughed heartily and replied.

Okay, I saved on food expenses.

[Large Guild ‘Parang’s’ Second Team, TRYING the Newly Opened Paju Dungeon! D-6 days!]

[Are the Citizens of Paju, Who Were Trembling with Anxiety, Relieved?]

[Ranker Archery Master Gi Parang, ‘The Second Team is Enough! No Need to Worry Too Much.’]

[Minister of Dungeon Exploration, ‘We Pray for the Safe Return of the Previous Exploration Team.’ Silent Prayer.]

“Hoo.”

There’s not much time.

Even though I’m participating as a porter, I have to have basic preparations.

I returned to the empty lot and unfolded the camping equipment I had brought.

I plan to do special training here all day for the remaining time!

Before that.

First, I had to figure out the power of the Skeletons.

Whoong!

I swung the cheap staff I had bought from a local Hunter shop in the past.

[Using skill, ‘Awakened Skeleton Summon’ (D-grade).]

[Consuming 10 Stamina.]

[‘Bone One’ appears.]

[Using skill, ‘Awakened Skeleton Summon’ (D-grade).]

[Consuming 10 Stamina.]

[‘Bone Two’ appears.]

…….

[Using skill, ‘Awakened Skeleton Summon’ (D-grade).]

[Consuming 10 Stamina.]

[‘Bone Five’ appears.]

Thud, thud!

From Bone One to Bone Five.

I used 50 Stamina to create a total of five Skeletons.

Creak, creak!

The guys naturally formed a formation as I imagined in my head.

Especially Bone One, Bone Two, and Bone Three’s appearances were extraordinary.

The grade is D, but their aura was beyond D-grade.

This was the result of training.

‘I didn’t know it in the past.’

Now I knew it well enough.

The Skeletons had reaped the rewards of their efforts, and it became even more evident through grade upgrades.

They evolve more and more.

Even for the guys made of bones.

They had stamina, skills, and combat sense.

I wanted to make them even stronger.

“Okay, Bone One to Bone Three. Move!”

Creak!

At my words, the guys moved in unison.

Training against the usual scarecrows.

However, what was different from before was…….

Whoong! Swish!

The firmly woven wooden scarecrow was cut in one stroke by Bone One’s greatsword.

Shoo-oong! Poof, poof, poof!

The same was true for Bone Two.

At the same time as the spear gracefully swayed.

Holes were drilled in the dedicated scarecrow area like a sponge.

‘Crazy.’

They were at least 10 times stronger than before.

‘Strength is strength, but.’

The speed is no joke.

It was only for a moment, but it was hard to follow with my eyes.

Ah.

My heart swells.

Is this really the same wimpy Skeleton?

But, it’s too early to be impressed.

Swaeeeeek!

One of the arrows fired by Bone Three pierced through the tree, pierced through it, and pierced through it again.

A mere bone arrow pierced through three large tree trunks.

“Wow.”

I opened my mouth and exclaimed.

To be honest, I could have believed it if it was a bullet.

“Is this D-grade? I’d believe it if you said it was almost C-grade……?”

I recalled yesterday’s battle.

The connection of the guys who easily sent the upper D-grade Orc as soon as it awakened.

It was a moment when I realized that they had definitely become stronger.

‘But.’

There were also concerns as they became stronger.

‘First, training equipment.’

It’s now too difficult to use wooden scarecrows anymore.

At the level of slicing wood like soft tofu, what development would there be if I trained with wood?

In other words, it means that a lot of money can be spent from now on.

‘Second…….’

The level of D-grade and C-grade is higher than I thought.

To the extent that ordinary human bodies cannot handle it.

What’s the problem with that?

Skeletons are not a problem.

The problem is me.

What if a powerful opponent targets ‘me’ instead of the bones?

If my heart is pierced and my neck is cut off by the opponent’s attack?

Wouldn’t my summons be strong and just end, The End!

Creak!

It was when I was worrying alone.

Clack!

Bone Five, who had been still, came up, clattering his teeth.

“Huh? Why?”

Clack!

Then he raised his staff and pointed it at me.

“Wh-what? Suddenly.”

[‘Bone Five’ uses skill, Air Shield (Lv.1).]

A soft energy wrapped around my body.

I felt the air expanding tightly in all directions.

What, this guy.

Did he read my mind?

Clack!

He touched his teeth as if affirming.

“Heo.”

This was an even greater achievement than the Skeleton becoming stronger.

They used to only listen to my orders, but now they express their intentions.

‘Besides, what’s Air Shield?’

Did you have other skills besides Fireball?

Can’t I see the skill types?

It would be nice if I could see that too.

Clack! Thud!

At that time, Bone Four, who had been still, also looked at me, dropping his heavy shield on the floor.

“……What about you?”

Clack!

Then he pointed to the tattered scarecrow with his hand.

In other words.

“Are you saying…… that you’ll replace the scarecrow?”

Clack!

He nodded as if affirming.

Bone One, Bone Two, and Bone Three also came up with a glint in their eyes.

“Okay, good. Do whatever you guys want to do.”

Honestly, I was happy.

The existence of Bone Four and Bone Five blew away my worries.

If I use Bone Four’s shield instead of buying equipment, it’s a win-win situation because Bone Four’s training is also done.

Bone Five can also be trained repeatedly by protecting my life.

Clang!

Bone One’s greatsword hit Bone Four’s shield, but it bounced off as expected.

But Bone Four also felt the impact and took a step back.

Shoo-oong!

The arrow barrage from Bone Three poured down on it.

Thud, thud, thud!

Even the bone arrows that had pierced through the tree trunks were not enough to pierce Bone Four’s shield.

“It’s solid?”

This time, Bone Two’s Spear Art.

“Bone Two, don’t do it there, attack me this time.”

I instructed Bone Two.

The shield is a shield, but I also have to test how safe Bone Five’s ‘Air Shield’ (D-grade) is.

Although I was a little afraid of experimenting with my own body, it was something I had to do someday.

In order to try a higher Dungeon.

“It’s okay, don’t hesitate. Do your best.”

Bone Two, who was cutely flinching, quickly stabbed his spear when I ordered again.

Toong! Thwack!

With a dull sound, my body bounced off.

I sat down with a tingling pain digging into my ribs.

But, it wasn’t bad.

An impact that I can withstand?

At this level, I’ll be able to block most D-grade attacks.

Clack!

Bone Two tilted his head as if he was worried. He’s cute.

“It’s okay, keep going.”

I can’t be satisfied with just one time.

Enemies’ attacks can come from anywhere, anytime.

I also need to develop my defensive sense and combat nerves.

The blood and sweat I shed now can save my life in an emergency.

Had about an hour passed like that?

[‘Bone One’s’ Strength increases by 1!]

[‘Bone Two’s’ Strength increases by 1!]

[‘Bone Three’s’ Strength increases by 1!]

[‘Bone Four’s’ Health increases by 1!]

[‘Bone Five’s’ Magical power increases by 1!]

“Huh?”

[Bbabam!]

[Congratulations!]

[The status window will be opened due to the first growth after awakening!]

[Tip/If you want to check the status of the Skeleton, look at the summon and shout ‘Status Window’.]

“What is this?”

I couldn’t see it in the past.

A new message popped up.