Chapter 35: Hanwoo Feast After Victory

“Alright, I’m heading out! Robin’s coming too! Together! Following along!”

Our Arthur…

At least his guts have definitely gotten stronger.

Look at him dragging Robin along.

I even gave him a Ring of Healing to take, but he refused.

Alright, he’s tough!

And so…

[Workers have entered the dungeon.]

[Auto-hunting has started.]

Anyway, that’s how the S-rank dungeon raid began.

Dungeon name?

[Eternal Mist Pyramid – S-rank]

“Let’s see how strong Arthur has gotten.”

“Yeah!”

“Understood.”

[Monitoring]

As soon as I tapped, the interior of the pyramid spread out on the screen.

The problem was—

“Hmm… It’s foggy again!”

Even when Rani stretched out her arm to wipe it off, it stayed the same.

Of course.

It’s not a screen problem, it’s the fog…

“It was like this during the exploration too.”

“Yeah, but it’s so annoying for Rani’s eyes…!”

“Heh. Still, better than the workers Arthur and Robin who are out there, right?”

“Hmm~! Gomdori’s right! I’ll endure it!”

The S-rank dungeon, Eternal Mist Pyramid.

The thick fog made it hard to see ahead…

The maze was complicated…

But so what?

“Arthur and Robin went with the answer key in hand.”

“Exactly.”

“Zooming through shortcuts!”

‘Why waste time struggling through fog and wandering?’

They already knew the shortest route to the boss.

‘More than that?’

They even knew the trap locations.

Because they saw it all during the Worksite Exploration.

“It’s a shame there are no hidden rewards in this dungeon. Rani’s worker was looking forward to it.”
“Yeah! No good materials…!”

‘Right?’

Unfortunately, there’s no hidden reward here.

‘Why’s the pyramid so stingy?’

It’s a king’s tomb, so there should at least be some gold, treasures, or elixirs hidden.

That’s how it usually goes in the movies…

“Since it’s Arthur’s Top-Grade debut, let’s cut him some slack.”

“Wow! Arthur’s gotten really strong! Solid!”

“Definitely, listening to Rani’s worker, the position itself feels different.”

Right?

Feels like it’s the first time in a while we’ve seen Arthur stepping forward.

So far, in two S-rank dungeons…

Arthur’s role in the China dungeon?

A lighter…

The same in the India dungeon.

Robin took the lead and did everything there too.

So now, as a Top-Grade…

To sum it up in one word—

Majestic.

“Feels like he just won the lottery jackpot.”

“Haha.”

“Lottery? What’s that?!”

“Uh… It’s like what Rani has.”

“Heh—Rani’s the lottery! Arthur, Robin, and Gomdori too!”

Right?

“You guys are all lottery winners.”

“But today’s jackpot winner is definitely Arthur.”

Look at that.

Weird auras keep crawling toward him—

Arthur’s shield doesn’t break no matter what.

He hasn’t even used a skill yet.

“Huh? What’s that? It’s moving strangely. Creepy…”

“That’s a mummy. Pharaoh’s minions.”

“Mummies… Rani hates mummies…”

‘Ughhh!’

Oh, Arthur’s using a skill as soon as the mummies show up.

That’s…

“Light Shield?”

“Yeah! Light’s Veil! Block their attacks!”

Wow…

That’s really good.

Swoosh.

The foul smoke the mummies spit out—blocked completely.

And he still has another skill left.

‘Light’s Veil’ and ‘Holy Protection.’

‘I wonder what the next skill will be?’

Watching with anticipation.

“It’s been a while since intruders showed up. Nice to meet you. I am the Sphinx. If you answer my quiz, I will spare your life.”

Another talking enemy appeared.

Seems like from S-rank onward, talking monsters show up sometimes.

But…

We probably shouldn’t answer their quizzes.

Especially with Robin there, who’s a bit wild.

Kwahang!

Huh?

Arthur?

No matter how much you hate quizzes, you can’t just hit them on the head with a shield…

“Anyway, since it’s resolved, isn’t that okay?”

“That… is true…”

Yeah…

Sounded good.

Weird.

‘Maybe it’s just me?’

The enemies are getting more aggressive.

Please, just not our Rani…

“Kwaang! Got him!”

Hmm.

Might be a bit late…

“Labor Management Office Head, the workers are faster than usual today.”

“I know…”

Kwaang!

Look at Arthur now.

He’s charging forward swinging his shield.

Whoosh.

Good grief.

‘Why’s Robin like that?’

‘Is he not gonna lose?’

Look at him shooting arrows even more fiercely.

Savage…

‘Is this an S-rank dungeon or an A-rank dungeon?’

“But Arthur has definitely changed.”

“Right! Stronger!”

“Yeah. For real.”

In the previous S-rank dungeon, In India, it felt like Robin did almost everything alone.

‘Now?’

Not exactly fifty-fifty.

Feels like Arthur’s doing about 30-40% of the damage?

Including defense, their contributions are probably about even.

You can definitely feel it.

Arthur has gotten stronger.

After all, he’s Top-Grade.

Alright, let’s ride this momentum and finish strong.

[S-rank Dungeon Raid Successful!]

“Wow, so solid it was easy!”

Agreed.

He even withstood the boss monster, the Pharaoh.

And on top of that—

***

‘Was that ‘Holy Veil’ or something?’

When he used that skill, a gentle aura shielded even Robin.

Definitely Rani’s item…

It’s overpowered.

“How’s it feel, warmed up now?”

“Good! But, darn, I’m bummed!”

No use being bummed now.

There’s no more S-rank dungeons we’ve scouted…

“It’s okay!”

“Huh?”

“I’m curious about Top-Grade! Robin, you’re going against Arthur!”

Ah?

That kind of idea…

‘But will he actually do it?’

“…Too much trouble.”

See?

He said it’s a hassle.

“No! I’m fighting!”

But since Arthur won’t give up,

Click.

Robin fiddled with his bow.

‘Before becoming Top-Grade?’

Arthur would’ve quietly backed out around here.

But today, it’s different.

“If I fight Arthur, I’ll give up all the chicken legs.”

“Huh?”

“Why are you the one giving that up?”

“Huh? Rani loves chicken legs too…”

“Wait… both of them?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why are you agreeing to that?”

“These guys…”

“No, it’s okay.”

Chicken legs are something you can give up.

“The winner gets to order a whole chicken just with legs later.”

“Really?”

“…Today?”

“Eh? No? I was planning to eat something better today.”

“Gasp! What’s better? Rani wants it too! Rani wants it!”

“Uh…”

“Of course, you have to give it.”

“Today we’re having the best Hanwoo beef, but if someone likes chicken more, I’ll order chicken for them. How about that?”

“Arthur loves Hanwoo! Korean beef is the best!”

“…Me too.”

Right?

Okay.

Then let’s save the chicken for later and have you two fight first.

The battle location is the Training Ground.

It’s supposed to block pretty much any impact.

Arthur and Robin went inside.

The rest?

Watching from outside.

“Not easy to see, huh…”

***

“Right, it’s uncomfortable!”

“But… Robin warned that if you go in, you might get hurt…”

True.

They said it’s better to stay out if an attack accidentally bounces off.

Yeah.

Getting hurt would be a big problem.

‘Safe place?’

The best.

“Heh, it’s starting!”

Too bad the training ground is perfectly soundproof, so you can’t hear anything.

“Robin shoots first.”

“Of course. He’s ranged.”

Robin starts.

Firing arrow after arrow.

‘Arthur, how are you going to respond?’

That’s brutal.

Like breaking through a monthly boss’s shell.

‘Huh?’

‘Blocked lightly?’

“Light’s Veil is really broken.”

Robin’s arrows just get blocked.

‘Even when firing five arrows at once?’

Blocked.

Though it did crack after that.

“Arthur, charge!”

As Robin nocks another arrow, Arthur quickly closes the distance and swings his sword—

“Hoo.”

“Stopped!”

“Who won?”

They stopped at the same time.

Let’s see…

Arthur’s sword near Robin’s neck, and Robin’s arrow tip?

At Arthur’s temple.

If neither stopped, they’d both be badly hurt.

Okay.

“This is a draw.”

Insane.

Arthur, who used to flinch whenever Robin picked up his bow, is catching up like this?

Amazing.

“Thanks to that brute’s help! And the power of training!”

“Heh!”

True, he trained hard.

And…

It’s nice that it’s bright again.

Yeah.

That’s Arthur.

Good.

“Meat! I love meat!”

“Me too, Arthur!”

Chewing sounds

Even the orcs gathered for a group feast.

Because it’s been a while,

They prepared everything properly and thoroughly.

“Alright, everyone to the training ground.”

“Gather up!”

Chewing sounds

***

The feast spot was the training ground.

The space is wide and the soundproofing is amazing.

They prepared three grills for meat.

Menu?

“Tada! Hanwoo beef!”

Hanwoo.

And a whopping 1++.

The butcher was saying something about it…

‘Two-plus number nine?’

Or something like that…

Anyway, they said it’s really expensive and delicious meat.

“Wow! Labor Management Office Head, you’re the best!”

“Hanwoo…! Looks delicious! The meat’s shining! Rani, hurry and eat!”

“I want some too.”

Chewing sounds

Yeah.

Everyone’s going crazy for it.

“Alright, we bought so much you can eat until you burst, so calm down, everyone.”

“What’s all this?”

“What else but Hanwoo.”

“Boss… do you always eat like this?”

“So jealous!”

No way…

Hey, it’s my first time eating Hanwoo too…

Hanwoo.

And Two-plus?

Ugh.

Before awakening, I couldn’t even imagine eating this.

The workers I used to work with ate well, but my hands shook too much to eat it…

At best, I’d had foreign beef.

Or only the all-you-can-eat meat buffet kind…

“I went all out and bought a ridiculous amount this time…”

‘Almost a whole cow?’

The butcher asked why I was buying so much.

Asked if it’s a wrestling club gathering or something.

Well…

It kind of feels like that.

They eat a lot…

Slurp.

Look at that.

Drooling because it’s not served yet.

***

Even while drooling, they’re just waiting to eat…

When you put a piece of meat on the grill,

Sizzle!

“Wow…”

“Hoo…”

The sound is crazy.

I haven’t eaten Hanwoo before either, but I’ve seen many videos.

Sizzling, flip, flip lightly again.

‘Now cut it, dip a little salt, and put it in your mouth?’

Wow…

Melts in your mouth.

“See? Hold your tongs or chopsticks like this! Grill and eat, that’s it! Okay?”

“Okay! Rani can do it! Give me the meat!”

“Me too, Arthur!”

Chewing sounds

Meat?

Take all of it!

We piled it high in the center.

Everyone rushed over and grabbed it.

Sizzle!

Sounds and smells of grilling meat everywhere.

Ugh.

I have to eat too.

Since we worked hard hammering for a week, I’ll grill some for Rani first.

“Thank you! I’ll eat well, Rani!”

She looked at me with sparkling eyes and nodded.

Hot?

Hehe, after grilling it a few times, I threw it on.

Her reaction?

“Wooah~! Woo~! The meat disappeared!”

Right?

It’s so tender, isn’t it?

If I give her another piece—

“Delicious! So delicious!!!”

It must really be good.

Watching her happily chewing and tapping her feet.

Her voice and expression pure happiness.

Then she asked, “Is this expensive…?”

She asked with desperate eyes.

It must have been really good.

“Uh… this pack is about the price of two whole chickens?”

“Wow… that’s super expensive…”

“No, Rani.”

“Why suddenly save your appetite?”

“Huh. Who said to save it? Eat big! And if you want more, just say so, you can eat it every day.”
“Gah, it’s expensive…! Rani has no money…”

One…

Rani…

Considering how much you’ve earned, saying that makes me feel like trash…

You can eat three meals a day like this, so enjoy to your heart’s content.

“You all too. Anyone who holds back won’t be invited next feast, so eat till you burst.”

“Got it, boss. Arthur, don’t worry and just eat!”

“…Me too.”

Yeah…

I thought so too…

“Todd?”

Where did he go after grabbing a piece of meat?

“It’s a secret.”

Okay…

Anyway, don’t worry and eat as much as you want.

“Boss, you eat too! Ah~!”

Ah…

Only Rani is this enthusiastic.

“But Rani, this is kind of tough…?”

“Is this the tendon or something…?”

“Yeah!”

“Hey. Not just ‘yeah’…”

“Okay.”

“Thanks…”

“I’ll enjoy it…”

“Ugh, Rani’s so full she might burst!”

“Arthur… can’t eat anymore…”

Chewing sounds

“Tch!”

“Looks like everyone ate a lot.”

They all look like they’re in heaven.

The orcs are lying on the ground, and Rani’s belly is sticking out, tapping it plump.

***

“Ah, by the way! Boss, Arthur can even train you up to Advanced now!”

Arthur, now a training enthusiast, talked about training as soon as the feast ended.

But even to Advanced…?

Oh…

That’s right.

Since he’s Top-Grade now.

He can teach up to Advanced too.

“But… there’s no slot now…”

[Fixed Team Management]

[Arthur (Top-Grade)]

[Robin (Top-Grade)]

[Orc Horde (Mid-Grade)]

[Rani (High-Grade)]

[Todd (High-Grade)]

That’s the lineup.

‘Hmm, how to increase it?’

Tilting my head, I saw—

“Oh?”

‘What’s this?’

‘Has the Fixed Team Management tab always glowed like this?’

Usually, that means a hint…

Tapping it—

Ding!

[Expansion Conditions Not Met]

[At least 2 Top-Grade Workers (0)]

[All workers must be High-Grade or above (X)]

Oh…?

Expansion conditions not met.

So…

To expand the fixed team slots—

“Orcs, you gotta get to High-Grade.”

“Cheep?”