Chapter 9: Use Magic Carefully

I waited for Yoo Seolha at the café on the first floor of the Hunter Association.

-Today, Kim Muhyeok, the great disciple once favored by the Swordmaster, has officially been recognized for his naturalization to China.

On the giant TV in the main hall, a story about Kim Muhyeok was being broadcast.

It was a specialized channel covering news in the Hunter industry.

HBS’s flagship announcer appeared on screen, delivering breaking news and showing footage of Kim Muhyeok.

-Kim Muhyeok has joined the Legend Guild, which includes ‘Cheonma,’ a top-ranked Hunter in China, and announced that his first move would be to attack the A-rank Dungeon at Hwasan.

-In response to a reporter’s question about why he left Korea, he replied, ‘If my help is needed, I will come running at any time.’

As the subtitles appeared, Kim Muhyeok showed up on screen, followed by the face of Korea’s Association President.

Then, Lee Changgeon, President of the Korean Hunter Association, expressed his regret over Kim Muhyeok’s decision.

-Kim Muhyeok was scheduled to participate in the upcoming Hall of Glory in a month……

The more the announcer delivered the news, the more agitated their tone became.

I could fully understand why.

A guy who once said he would be a Hunter for Korea, by Korea, and for Korea suddenly up and naturalized to China, becoming a Chinese citizen.

-Currently, Kim Muhyeok has not released an official statement about leaving Korea, and the Korean Hunter Association has filed a protest with the World Hunter Association.

Bzzz!

When my phone vibrated, I looked at the screen and saw a message from Yoo Seolha.

-Where are you?

-At Dilek Café. I’m the one in jeans and a black t-shirt.

Not long after, someone approached with a hood pulled up and a cap pressed down low. With sunglasses and a mask on, their face was completely hidden.

Judging by how thoroughly they were hiding their face, it had to be the Yoo Seolha I knew.

“Let’s make the deal quickly.”

Yoo Seolha sat across from me and set down an envelope stuffed with cash.

Thud!

“It’s two million won. Count it if you don’t trust me.”

She pushed the money envelope toward me.

But instead of the envelope, my eyes were drawn to Yoo Seolha’s hand.

Deeply calloused palms.

The back of her hand covered in scars.

You could tell at a glance she’d been through harsh training.

Maybe she realized I was staring.

Yoo Seolha hurriedly pulled her hand away and stuffed it into her pocket.

“Let’s just finish the deal.”

Shrugging, I checked the envelope.

Forty fifty-thousand-won bills.

Just as promised, two million won.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the wooden box.

I handed Yoo Seolha the box containing the Lowest-Grade Lightning Flower (F), and tucked the envelope with the money separately into my pocket.

“Check it over.”

“It’s correct.”

“I don’t know why you’re paying five times the market price, but I hope whatever you need it for goes well.”

“…Thanks.”

I watched Yoo Seolha’s back as she left.

‘She really didn’t recognize me.’

I wondered if she might, since we used to be neighbors when she was a kid.

But too much time had passed.

Well, if I explained everything in detail, she’d probably remember.

But we weren’t close enough to bother.

So I didn’t try to act like I knew her.

‘She also hates it when people act like they know her.’

Yoo Seolha’s father, Yoo Baekjun, is famous as the first S-rank Hunter.

But he’s also known as the most dedicated Hunter of all.

He used to be a firefighter, and even after becoming an S-rank Hunter, he did his best to save people.

Dungeon Breaks, Collapse Accidents, Fire Accidents.

No matter what the danger, whenever someone was in trouble, Yoo Baekjun would take the lead and resolve the situation. There are many who owe him their lives.

He’s what you’d call a hero of this era.

‘The title of Yoo Baekjun’s daughter.’

She even became a disciple of the Swordmaster, and received as much attention as Kim Muhyeok.

People expected another hero.

But Yoo Seolha’s awakening Skill was F-rank.

Through steady effort she made it up to D-rank, but for years, she hadn’t been able to go any higher.

The media relentlessly covered this, making life difficult for Yoo Seolha.

Compared to her heroic father, she was always under pressure.

You could only feel sorry for her, being driven so hard by circumstances.

That’s why she built a wall between herself and the world, and hated being recognized.

“Sigh. Who’s worrying about whom?”

I dusted off my seat and left the Association.

As I watched Yoo Seolha walking away in the distance, I suddenly remembered my own ability.

Should I check if D-rank is really her limit?

My eyes flashed as I drew up my mana.

[You use Golden Dragon’s Eye.]

[Yoo Seolha (D)]

-The only daughter of S-rank Hunter Yoo Baekjun.
-????
-Overall stats: D
-Potential: SSS
-Unable to view due to low rank.
-Unable to view due to low rank.

‘Her potential is SSS?’

That’s insane talent.

I wondered if I should run after her and let her know, but quickly gave up.

“…Well, if there’s another chance, we’ll meet again.”

Maybe it’s time to go clear the Main Quest.

[Entering Dragon Lair.]

As the message disappeared, a familiar landscape appeared.

There were no Orcs or Goblins in sight.

“Are they not back yet?”

Before meeting Yoo Seolha, I’d stopped by for a moment to awaken the Orc to D-rank and sent them to scout the path to the Mana Stone Mine.

It must be taking a while.

Well, they’ll come back eventually.

For now, I sat down to take care of my own business. I took out the Dragon Heart Fragment I obtained on the second floor of the labyrinth.

“Hoo.”

I hadn’t used it yet, just in case I passed out again like in the labyrinth.

If I fainted, I might have been late for my meeting with Yoo Seolha.

Now that there are no more appointments, fainting isn’t a problem. I shut my eyes tight and popped the Dragon Heart Fragment into my mouth.

Gulp.

I felt it slide down my throat.

This time, unlike before, I could feel the mana.

A gentle mana flowed down my throat and into the Dragon Heart in my chest.

Wooooong!

With a faint vibration, a message appeared.

[You have consumed the Dragon Heart Fragment.]

[The mana within the fragment merges with your Dragon Heart.]

[You learn the magic contained in the Dragon Heart Fragment.]

[Gravity Hand (S)]
-Use mana to control gravity and crush your target. The effect intensifies based on mana consumption.

“This time, it doesn’t hurt.”

I was so tense, but I’m really relieved.

Pressing a hand to my chest, I checked the message again.

“Should I try it out?”

I used Gravity Hand toward an empty spot.

Thud!

A hand-shaped imprint was left in the ground where I aimed, the floor caving in deeply.

“So it’s an offensive spell.”

The power seems decent.

But it felt like it used a lot of mana.

Just one use, and almost all the mana in my Dragon Heart was gone.

I’m not sure how powerful it is, but…

No matter how strong, if I can only use it once per fight, it’s a disadvantage.

I should at least have enough mana to use it two or three times.

“I should look for a Dungeon that drops elixirs.”

It’s not urgent, so I’ll push it down the priority list.

I turned my attention to the approaching footsteps, and saw the Orc and Goblin walking into the cave.

[Master, you’re here?]

[You have arrived?]

“Did you check out the Mana Stone Mine?”

The Goblin quickly spoke up.

[Yes. I found the fastest route. There’s no one around the mine right now. Only the ruler is there.]

“Really?”

Then let’s go clear it out.

“Here, take one of these each.”

I handed the Orc two heavy axes, and gave the Goblin some poison needles and poison.

[Oooooh!]

The Orc, who had learned axe skills, gripped the axes and swung them excitedly.

[…This…this is revolutionary.]

The Goblin’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the poison needles.

They were just cheap gear I bought from a shop near the Association. Next time, I’ll have to get them something better.

“If you do well at the Mana Stone Mine this time, I’ll buy you something nicer.”

[Oooooooh! Thank you!]

[Really? I’ll do my best!]

“Alright. Let’s head out right away.”

With the Orc and Goblin, I stepped outside.

The cool breeze carried the scent of grass.

The refreshing scenery was a balm to my eyes.

Just standing here felt healing.

[Just follow me.]

I followed the Goblin, who was bouncing along holding the poison needles. There was no rush, so we moved at a leisurely pace.

Picked up any Magic Stones I saw along the way.

Harvested attribute material items when I found them.

As we moved, the Goblin grabbed my arm and pulled me somewhere.

[This is what I was talking about last time. This one.]

Where the Goblin pointed, there was a flower that reached up to my knees.

[Sun Sunflower (Low Grade) (D)]
-A flower imbued with flame. The larger the blossom, the greater the heat it contains.
-Used for crafting fire attribute items.
-Used for promoting Fire-attribute Guardians.
-When consumed, slightly increases fire attribute understanding and fire resistance.

“Holy…”

I didn’t know the exact price, but a D-rank attribute material item would fetch at least ten million won.

To sell it right away, I reached for the stem.

“It’s warm.”

Like holding a hot pack in my hand.

I snapped the stem and stuffed it in my pocket.

‘I should get some tools for gathering materials.’

That way, the Goblin and Orc can collect things like this too.

“Let’s keep moving.”

Until we reached the Mana Stone Mine, I didn’t see any more eye-catching items.

[We’re here.]

There it was, a Mana Stone Mine that would steadily earn me money.

“It’s smaller than I thought.”

[It’s huge inside, once you go in.]

I put the Orc in front, the Goblin behind him, and myself at the rear as we moved in.

With no torch, I pulled out the Sun Sunflower I’d just picked.

The area lit up.

“Let’s go.”

Not long after entering the cave, I saw Magic Stones embedded in the walls.

They were all F-grade Mana Stones.

But there were a lot of them.

The deeper we went, the more Magic Stones I saw in the walls.

[From here on, be careful. The ruler might wake up.]

“It’s fine. We’re strong enough to hunt it now.”

Going deeper, we reached a clearing.

At the center was a massive Magic Stone, with a Minotaur curled up on top of it, eyes closed.

And the moment we entered—

The Minotaur’s eyes flashed open.

[An uninvited guest.]

With a chilling voice, the Minotaur stood up.

A muscular horse’s lower body.

An equally sturdy upper body.

A boss monster infamous even in D-rank Dungeons. Not very intelligent, but physically formidable.

With the face of a bull, it snorted and swung its massive spear.

To think a human with the aura of a dragon would come here. Kukuku, interesting. To walk here of your own accord, you’re lucky.

[Should I kill it?]

“Hold on.”

I wanted to see for myself how strong this new magic was before letting the Orc fight.

On the way here, my mana had recovered from the earlier use. Drawing on the mana in my Dragon Heart, I spoke the activation word.

“Gravity Hand.”

In that instant—

Mana vibrated as gravity intensified.

Thud!

The invisible palm slammed the Minotaur’s neck into the ground, crushing it flat.

[You have slain the ruler of the Mana Stone Mine.]

[You have secured ownership of the Mana Stone Mine.]

“Stronger than I thought.”

I shouldn’t use it carelessly.

[You have completed Main Quest 8.]

[The grade of Dragon Lair rises.]

[The maximum number of Guardians you can appoint increases.]

[Portal is unlocked.]

Portal?