Chapter 15: Absolute Trust

Gwang-taek stared at the Awakening Stone in Seong-jun’s hand with a bewildered expression, then asked as if to confirm.

“Th-this is a B-rank Tanker Awakening Stone? For real?”

Ranks from F to D were classified as low rank, while C to A were classified as high rank.

S-rank was, quite literally, a transcendent rank.

In other words, Seong-jun was holding a tremendous item that could instantly elevate someone from F-rank—the lowest of the low—to B-rank, a high-tier rank.

Furthermore, it was an item that could turn someone into a Tanker, a class often referred to as royalty.

“The shield and the sword alone both have special skills as options. If we put them up for auction, I’d say we could get at least 7 billion, and up to 10 billion won at most.”

For B-rank artifacts, the typical winning bid at an auction was usually between 3 and 5 billion.

However, if a special skill option was attached, the price would skyrocket. Depending on the option, it could fetch anywhere from 7 billion to as much as 10 billion.

And considering that the skills tankers valued most were stuns and life-steal, it was safe to say the shield and sword had the absolute best special skill options attached.

“Th-this is insane! Wow! A B-rank ruin appeared in an F-rank dungeon? Ha! Gold coins weren’t even the important part! Ha-ha, ha-ha-ha! Is our life finally blooming?”

“My god, an Awakening Stone. Most hunters won’t even see one in their entire lives! And it’s B-rank? Ha! I know even a B-rank Dealer Awakening Stone averages 50 billion, so for a Tanker stone, couldn’t we get at least 70 billion? Wow! This is a total jackpot. A jackpot! Hahaha!”

Yu-seon and Gwang-taek were practically jumping for joy at the unexpected, massive windfall.

How could they not?

With this one score, they were about to touch a staggering amount of money they never would have seen in their lifetimes.

However, Seong-jun’s thoughts were different.

‘So it works out like this. If there’s a B-rank Tanker in the party, E-rank dungeons will be a free pass, and depending on the situation, we could even enter D-rank dungeons. If that happens, it means I don’t necessarily have to take the re-awakening test right away.’

If he reached Level 3 this time, there was a high probability he would rise to B-rank, and at Level 4, he would likely become A-rank.

Seong-jun intended to wait until he hit at least A-rank before taking the public re-awakening test, so having someone who could act as the face of the party in his stead was a welcome development.

The problem was that because the price of a B-rank Tanker Awakening Stone was so astronomical, it was difficult to handle the matter unilaterally.

“Umm, listen to me, and don’t misunderstand. Especially you, Yu-seon. A B-rank Tanker Awakening Stone will fetch at least 70 billion won or more. It’s a truly massive sum. But here’s the thing. Do we really need to sell this? I’ve already re-awakened, so it doesn’t matter for me, but you and Gwang-taek are still F-rank. How long are you going to struggle at the bottom? It’s time for us to start moving up.”

At Seong-jun’s words, Gwang-taek and Yu-seon’s eyes widened.

“Huh! S-Seong-jun, you don’t mean…”

“That’s right. Let’s use this ourselves. Yu-seon, I’m sorry to you, but I want Gwang-taek to use this. If you look at the bigger picture, it’s beneficial for us too. If Gwang-taek becomes a B-rank Tanker, we can enter E-rank dungeons and even D-rank dungeons depending on the situation. Our income will increase by that much.”

Seong-jun intended to give the B-rank Awakening Stone to Gwang-taek.

Yu-seon had lived her entire life as a ranged dealer, but Gwang-taek was a melee dealer who fought monsters up close; recently, he had been acting as both a warrior and a tanker.

In other words, he wouldn’t need much of an adjustment period even if he re-awakened as a Tanker.

Gwang-taek spoke, looking startled by Seong-jun’s words.

“S-Seong-jun. I appreciate the thought, but I don’t have the money to pay out your shares. Even if I give up all my shares of the gold and the artifacts we sell, it won’t even come close to the value of that stone. How do you expect me to handle that?”

It was an Awakening Stone expected to be worth at least 70 billion.

Even after subtracting his own portion, he would have to give Seong-jun and Yu-seon tens of billions each.

Where on earth would he get that kind of money?

Even if he forfeited his share of everything else found here, it wouldn’t even make a dent.

“If Yu-seon agrees, I’d like to do what I did for her last time. Yu-seon and I will split today’s shares between us, and in exchange, we won’t take any other distribution for the Awakening Stone.”

Gwang-taek looked shocked at Seong-jun’s proposal.

“Y-you’re going to give up your share of the Awakening Stone? Are you being serious right now?”

“Of course. It’s an investment, anyway. At the very least, I think you and Yu-seon are worth investing in because I trust you. It means I trust the two of you that much.”

Both of them had trust levels exceeding 90.

He judged that they were unlikely to betray him under normal circumstances.

Of course, just in case, he intended to hit 100 trust if possible.

“And Yu-seon. If you allow this, I’ll give you the absolute first priority next time an Awakening Stone drops. Of course, there’s no guarantee we’ll find another one, and even if we do, there’s no guarantee it’ll be a high-rank stone like this. Even so, I hope you’ll go along with my plan. We’re already in the same boat, aren’t we? Let’s climb to the top together.”

At Seong-jun’s persuasion, Yu-seon finally let out a sigh and spoke.

“Sigh, fine. I’ll follow your lead. Honestly, it would be a lie to say I don’t regret the tens of billions I’d get from selling the stone, but we wouldn’t have found these ruins if it weren’t for you anyway. In exchange, you have to keep your promise to give me priority if another stone appears. And just because you two have become ‘royalty’ as a tanker and a healer, don’t start treating me like an outsider, okay? And… don’t abandon me.”

From Yu-seon’s perspective, there was a slight sense of unease.

Seong-jun had re-awakened as a D-rank healer, and if Gwang-taek used the stone, he would re-awaken as a B-rank tanker.

Though there was a difference in rank, they would both belong to the noble classes.

In contrast, Yu-seon was still an F-rank Ranger.

She was at a level where it wouldn’t be strange if she were abandoned—truly a bottom-tier life.

At Yu-seon’s words, Seong-jun smiled and ruffled her hair.

“What are you talking about? It’s obvious I wouldn’t do that. If I were going to abandon you, I would have done it when I re-awakened as a healer. And an outsider?Haha, what kind of earful would I get from you then? Don’t worry. At least the three of us will go together until the end. I promise.”

As soon as Seong-jun finished speaking, Gwang-taek nodded and added.

“Of course! Yu-seon, don’t worry about things like that, just like Seong-jun said. Aren’t we bound by a bond stronger than brothers? Hahaha! We’re going together until the moment we die!”

When Seong-jun and Gwang-taek told her not to worry, Yu-seon let out a small chuckle.

“Alright. I get it, so hurry up and re-awaken as a tanker.”

Perhaps because looking at the Awakening Stone in Seong-jun’s hand kept making her feel regretful, Yu-seon told him to just get it over with.

At that, Seong-jun handed the B-rank Tanker Awakening Stone to Gwang-taek.

“Brother. Use it right now.”

Gwang-taek took the stone from Seong-jun.

“Oh? Uh, right.”

Gwang-taek stared at the stone in his hand for a moment.

Gulp.

Gwang-taek swallowed hard and looked at Seong-jun and Yu-seon.

“I-I’m really using it?”

At that, Yu-seon snapped at him.

“Ugh! We already told you to, so why are you asking again? Just use it already!”

“O-okay, I got it.”

He immediately used the Awakening Stone.

Vrooooooooom!

As Gwang-taek activated the stone, the object, which had been emitting a soft blue light, began to shine brilliantly.

Whoosh!

Then, in an instant, the light rapidly subsided.

Shaaaaa!

“I-I really re-awakened! I re-awakened as a B-rank tanker, an Iron Wall Paladin! Ha, haha, I’m a B-rank tanker. I was just a lowly F-rank warrior, and now I’m a B-rank tanker! Hahahaha! Seong-jun! Yu-seon! Thank you so much! Thank you really!”

Gwang-taek found it hard to believe he had re-awakened as a B-rank tanker, appearing both incredibly amazed and overjoyed.

But at that moment, a notification sound rang in Seong-jun’s ear.

[Park Gwang-taek’s trust level has reached 100. [Absolute Trust] has been generated for Park Gwang-taek.]

[Limited to targets with a trust level of 100, you can take and use one of the target’s skills once a day.]

Gwang-taek’s trust had already been over 90, but due to the matter with the Awakening Stone, it had surged significantly, reaching 100.

Simultaneously, something called ‘Absolute Trust’ was created, and furthermore, he became able to take and use one of Gwang-taek’s skills once a day.

‘Oh! I finally hit 100 trust. I thought Yu-seon would hit it first, but brother Gwang-taek got there first because of this. Anyway, being able to take a desired skill once a day… this is an unexpected harvest. But what is Absolute Trust?’

Seong-jun immediately checked Gwang-taek’s status through Deep Analysis.

[Analysis Results]

Park Gwang-taek: [B-rank Iron Wall Paladin]

Average Stats: [B++]

Combat Style: [Absorbs all enemy attacks based on high health and powerful defensive skills.]

Core Skills: [Stun Charge / Aura of the Iron Wall]

[Trust]: Absolute Trust

Trust Level: 100

[Absolute Trust]: Once reached, the target possesses absolute faith in you and will not betray you under any circumstances. They will follow your opinion regardless of their own thoughts in most situations.

Psychological State: [Extremely elated by the fact that he has become a B-rank tanker. Deeply grateful to Seong-jun for making him a B-rank tanker despite the massive financial loss, and also very thankful to Yu-seon for readily agreeing to it.]

After checking the results of the Deep Analysis, Seong-jun wore a satisfied expression.

‘Oh! So he’ll never betray me? And he’ll mostly follow my opinion? An ally who will never betray. There’s nothing better than that. I should hurry up and get Yu-seon to 100 trust too. I wonder what hers is at? Did it go down because I only took care of Gwang-taek this time?’

Absolute Trust had the effect of creating absolute faith in the target, ensuring they would never betray him.

Furthermore, it had the effect of making them follow his opinion even if it conflicted with their own.

In essence, in the relationship between Gwang-taek and Seong-jun, Seong-jun had risen to a position of absolute authority.

Perhaps that was why Seong-jun checked Yu-seon’s trust level as well.

‘Oh? It’s 98? I was worried it might have gone down, but it actually went up? Is the reason because I gave up my financial gain to take care of a fellow party member like Gwang-taek? If I treat her a bit better in the future, I’ll hit 100 trust in no time.’

The last time he checked, it was 94, and even if it had risen a bit since then, it would have been around 96 at most.

But because of this incident, it had risen to 98, so it seemed he would reach 100 soon if he paid a little more attention.

“Alright, let’s pack the gold coins first. Everyone has room in their backpacks, right? We can split them up. And Gwang-taek, take that sword and shield instead of the ones you’re holding now.”

When Seong-jun told him to take the B-rank sword and shield, Gwang-taek looked puzzled.

“Huh? You want me to take these? Aren’t we going to sell them?”

“We have to sell them. We’re going to be running E-rank or D-rank dungeons for a while anyway, so B-rank equipment is a bit overkill. Plus, Yu-seon and I need to have something left over too. But we can talk about that after we finish today’s hunt. We’re still in the middle of a hunt. Now that you’re a B-rank tanker, let’s ride this momentum, take out the elites, and go straight to the boss. Wouldn’t it be better to hold the B-rank equipment for that?”

Seong-jun planned to use Gwang-taek, who had awakened as a B-rank tanker, to conquer not only the elites but the boss as well.

Since the tanker sword and shield had dropped together, things couldn’t be better.

Even though it was an F-rank dungeon, a boss was still a boss, and the rewards for clearing one were known to be quite lucrative.

“The… the boss too?”

Watching Gwang-taek startle, Seong-jun gave a confident smile.

“Are you scared of an F-rank boss despite being a B-rank tanker? Don’t worry. I’ll give you heals immediately if anything happens. Since we aren’t taking shares for your Awakening Stone, we have to milk this place for everything it’s worth. Right, Yu-seon?”

When Seong-jun asked, Yu-seon also gave a wicked smile.

“Of course. You can’t just take it and run. Since you’ve re-awakened as a B-rank tanker, make sure your tanking is solid. We’re going to strip the elites and the boss of everything they have.”

Ultimately, Gwang-taek armed himself with the B-rank sword and shield and helped Seong-jun and Yu-seon gather the gold coins.

***

After completely looting the ruins, Seong-jun’s group continued their hunt at a rapid pace.

Since Gwang-taek, re-awakened as a B-rank tanker, was drawing all the aggro, they didn’t need to be cautious no matter how many monsters swarmed them, and thanks to that, their hunting speed became much faster.

Moreover, they took down the elites without much trouble, leaving them just one step away from clearing the dungeon.

And finally.

[All monsters within the dungeon have been eliminated. The boss of this dungeon is appearing.]

As all the monsters in the dungeon were eliminated, they achieved a 99% clear rate.

Finally, the dungeon boss appeared.

“Finally, the boss!”

“Since there weren’t many parties hunting here, they won’t be able to form their own raid team to tackle the boss. In the end, they’ll have to organize a separate conquest team through the Association, which will take some time. But let’s hurry just in case.”

If there were many parties hunting in a dungeon, they would sometimes form their own raid team to attack the boss.

However, in the case of dungeons with a high clear rate, the number of hunting parties decreases significantly, so most report it to the Association.

Once reported, the Association assembles a boss conquest team, which then enters the dungeon to take down the boss.

In the case of this dungeon, the clear rate was already quite high, so there were few parties, making it highly likely they would report it to the Association to request a conquest team.

Therefore, Seong-jun judged that they still had some time and wanted to finish the boss hunt as quickly as possible before a team could be formed.

If they did it right, they could have it all to themselves; there was no need to share with others.

With that, Seong-jun’s group hurried to the boss room location they had identified beforehand.

A moment later.

“The boss. I’m getting nervous. Will I be able to do this?”

The group arrived in front of the boss room, and Gwang-taek asked in a trembling voice as if to check.

“Brother, you’re a B-rank tanker. No matter how strong the boss is, it’s still just F-rank. Besides, you have my buffs and healing magic, so there’s no need to worry. Now! Let’s go! Go go!”

At Seong-jun’s words, Yu-seon shouted along.

“Go go!”

At that, Gwang-taek let out a sigh and opened the door to the boss room.

“Sigh, fine. You only live once! Let’s go! Go go!”

Rumble!

Soon, the door to the boss room opened, revealing a massive stone chamber.

Gulp!

Swallowing hard, Gwang-taek entered the boss room.

Seong-jun and Yu-seon followed behind him.

[You have entered the boss room. In 5 minutes, the dungeon boss [Blood-thirsty Goblin Great Warlord] will be summoned.]

As soon as all three entered the stone chamber, the boss summoning notification rang out.

“By the looks of it, it’ll be summoned over there. Just in case, Yu-seon and I will stay behind that pillar.”

Bosses can use very powerful skills.

These skills could be single-target or area-of-effect skills.

Therefore, Seong-jun and Yu-seon planned to continue their attacks while hiding behind a pillar.

Unlike Gwang-taek, who was a tanker, these two had no defensive skills to speak of.

“Huh? O-okay.”

After some time had passed.

Vroooooooom!

A brilliant light erupted from atop the altar, and soon, the dungeon boss revealed itself.

“It’s out! Brother! Advance!”

At the same time Seong-jun’s shout rang out.

“Wraaaaah! Advance!”

With a loud roar, Gwang-taek charged fiercely toward the boss, leading with his shield.