Chapter 70: The Forest Covered by Snakes (4) (1)
Outside the barrier of Inwangsan Field.
A hunting ground frequently visited by mid-grade and above Holders due to the high level of monsters inhabiting it.
In the middle of the field.
A group of people wearing masks had gathered.
Each of them wore a mask and carried their own specialized equipment, making them look different from ordinary hunters in the field.
Among them, the front-runner in the masks.
He briefly lowered his mask and put a cigarette in his mouth.
It was already his fifth cigarette.
Also, it seemed they were all his subordinates.
The remaining members stood with bowed heads, waiting.
The masked person scattered cigarette smoke in all directions and asked another masked person behind him.
“Are we sure about this vicinity?”
“Yes, sir. Just before the crow entered the dungeon, they spread magical powder to signal. According to the signal, it’s within about 100 meters.”
“Hmm…”
The masked person looked around.
Traces of a hunt that seemed to have been swept by a party.
Apart from the magical stones, they hadn’t even started butchering, indicating that this was clearly a purpose-driven hunting party.
The words of his subordinates and the situation in the field…
They were indicating that this was the place they were looking for.
“Anyway, we can’t control these little fire judges. Suddenly changing the dispatch date. We came here in a hurry, not even having time for a smoke.”
“It’s something that happens occasionally. Doesn’t the master of that clan have some peculiar aspects?”
“Why do the S-grade folks all look like that?”
The masked person, who had stepped on the last cigarette butt and discarded it, cleared his throat and began to speak.
Then he took out a sword and looked at the assembled masked individuals.
“Because of the recent antics of the Academy brats, we absolutely have to succeed this time. I’ve said it multiple times, everyone remembers, right?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, sir.”
The masked person, who had put on his mask again due to the cigarette, looked forward.
“Then let’s go. Let’s kill the fire starters.”
Though his mouth was covered, his eyes were smiling.
***
ippotranslations
***
The levels of [Wave Sword Technique] and [Water Sword Technique] had both reached level 9.
[Effort of the Seeker], and [Swirling Tidal Wave].
The combined result of the increased growth speed of the two runes.
Now, it was only one level away from unlocking the ultimate skill.
My wave sword technique was around level 8.
If I’m lucky, the restriction might be lifted after this dungeon raid.
‘And… I need to get the battle rewards.’
The golden information window adorned before my eyes.
The reward from [Rune Hunter], who had defeated Electrophorus.
[Victory in a battle! Due to your high contribution in the battle, you are recognized as the winner. With the mysterious power of the Rune Hunter, you can replicate one of the opponent’s runes. Please select the rune to replicate.]
[1. Stealth, 2. Infiltrating Mind, 3. Underwater Breathing (not selectable), 4. Underwater Sprint, 5. Magic Control (not selectable).]
The runes possessed by Electrophorus were somewhat predictable.
Given it’s ability to control lightning, [Infiltrating Mind] was a given, and [Magic Control] was also necessary to assist him.
For a creature that operated underwater, [Underwater Breathing] and a rune that allowed rapid movement within it, [Underwater Sprint], seemed plausible.
But there was one peculiar rune.
The first choice in the selection, [Stealth].
‘Why does it even have Stealth?’
[Stealth] was one of the common runes mainly possessed by the assassin-type.
Unlike what appears in other novels or games, it doesn’t grant the ability to become ‘completely invisible’.
It assists in not revealing one’s presence when hiding at a specific point or object, changing the atmosphere so that one’s presence isn’t felt even when right next to the person.
In short, you only disappear from the opponent’s line of sight, it assists in completely erasing one’s presence.
‘As the level rises, it becomes more effective.’
When it gets to a high level, it would not even reveal itself to detection runes like magic sensing or archer-type runes.
It lives up to its name, Stealth.
It was a capability I, a semi-assassin, didn’t possess yet.
Electric eels, however, had it.
‘Oh! So, that was why Min Chae-hwan didn’t detect them.’
After entering the dungeon for the first time.
Min Chae-hwan had used reconnaissance runes to prepare the party for battle.
Nothing had been detected by his B-grade rune.
He had even confirmed that there would be no monsters for about 10 minutes.
The reason they weren’t detected.
They possessed [Stealth] related to eels, and its level was unexpectedly high.
When the advance team came before, they hadn’t revealed their appearance at all.
‘Then what should I choose… Infiltrating Mind and Stealth.’
The choices were predetermined.
Both runes were what I needed right now.
The former was needed for resistance to lightning magic in order to handle lightning-related magic, and the latter would enhance my assassin abilities a bit more.
Luckily, both of the Electrophoruses I was in charge of had their contributions recognized, allowing me to hunt the runes from both entities.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m