Chapter 51: Succession

Against a massive, swarming army, there stood only a single man holding a spear.

Despite the overwhelming numerical disadvantage, he showed no signs of being intimidated.

Though only his back was visible, it was enough to tell.

Ssssss.

The man soon took a stance, and black mana infused his spear. The mana expanded in size in an instant, and then—

Pwaak!

In the blink of an eye, the crowd of monsters was slaughtered. Their tough hides burst like balloons, and flesh scattered in every direction.

As the man flicked the remnants of the monsters off his spear, the hologram vanished, and the interior of the original training ground came back into view.

'I barely saw the second one. I missed the third.'

Kim Hyeon-jun was in a state of shock after witnessing the attack the man had just performed.

To the naked eye, it looked like a single thrust, but a closer look revealed otherwise.

In the time it took to thrust once, he had stabbed three times.

The movement had been so fast that his hands were a blur.

"Was what I just saw the [Annihilation Spear]?"

The phenomenon that had just occurred felt as if it were meant to be shown to him.

The unfamiliar scenery and the appearance of that figure were likely a result of using the Succession system.

'Just how strong is that man?'

Was the man he just saw the one they called the Magic Spear? Just as that thought crossed his mind—

Ssssh.

Suddenly, an energy flowed into his body. It felt as if a large, thick glob of jelly had entered him.

He had braced himself for how much it would hurt this time, but fortunately, there was no pain.

There were no visible changes to his physical body. However, looking at the Status Window, the [Annihilation Spear] was now situated in his skill column.

'This is a powerful skill.'

He knew it instinctively. Rather than a typical skill, it was one possessing immense destructive power.

'I have to train this no matter what. Skill adjustment isn't a fix-all.'

The stronger the power, the more perfectly one had to be able to control it. Power that harmed allies was worse than having no power at all.

When he checked the training menu, he was relieved to find that he could practice the [Annihilation Spear].

Even if adjustments were made to the skill he had just seen, it looked too difficult for him to handle with his current level of proficiency.

[From now until the end of training, the power of the [Annihilation Spear] will be drastically reduced.]

"This is exactly why it's a hidden trait."

He had been worried about potentially damaging the equipment in the training room, but it had adjusted itself automatically.

Ssssh.

The translucent hologram appeared once again. Since he saw it so often, he felt a strange sense of familiarity with it.

Paat! Pat!

The hologram kindly broke down the movements one by one for him.

'Is that mana wrapped around his hands?'

The man from before hadn't had mana wrapped around him. However, this time, it felt as if the system were telling him to enhance his physical abilities with mana.

'Well, I’m on a different level than that man.'

In terms of Hunter ranks, that man possessed a combat power that easily exceeded Level 10.

Kim Hyeon-jun slowly followed the guidance of the hidden trait.

[Repeat again.]

[Repeat again.]

[Repeat again.]

"This is hard..."

The skill he had succeeded was the most difficult out of all the training he had done so far.

Even though the hologram was practically spoon-feeding him the movements, he was still receiving constant corrections.

'To think it’s this hard even though I have the Intermediate Spearmanship trait...'

He had thought he’d gained a decent amount of skill in spearmanship, but even mastering a single skill was proving to be difficult.

It was a reminder that one should never become complacent.

'Still, I have plenty of persistence.'

All he had to do was repeat it until it worked. The hidden trait would kindly point out any incorrect postures.

His passion ignited for the first time in a while, and from that day on, Kim Hyeon-jun stayed holed up in the training room throughout the early hours of the morning.

It was all for the sake of mastering this one skill.

A few days later.

After finishing his daily routine, Kim Hyeon-jun headed to the training room as he always did.

"I was so focused on training the skill that I forgot. Look at me go."

He carefully took out an item he had been saving.

It was the unique item he had obtained from using the Quest Request Ticket: the [Ruyi Jingu Fragment].

He was finally able to use it after reaching Level 5.

Because it was so small, he had quite a bit of trouble keeping track of it. It would be a massive headache if he happened to lose it.

[Would you like to use the Ruyi Jingu Fragment?]

[Upon use, this item will be permanently bound.]

The phrase "permanently bound" meant it could not be traded.

He hadn't planned on selling it anyway. It was the first unique item of his monumental new life.

When he tapped the hologram with his finger, the item was infused with light. Then, its hidden functions were revealed.

[Ruyi Jingu Fragment]

A fragment that fell off from the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

While its combat capabilities have been lost, its transformation ability to increase or decrease in size remains intact.

Can be attached to spears and poles for use.
Can be freely attached or detached.
Extremely high durability.

Additional Ability: Return
According to the owner's will, the Ruyi Jingu Fragment will return to the owner's hand regardless of where it is.

Grade: Unique
Usage Requirement: Level 5 or higher. Permanently bound status.

'This is good.'

As a test, he threw the Ruyi Jingu Fragment toward the back of the training room. When he raised his hand with the intent to call it back—

Snap!

It flew back in an instant. It stuck to his hand as if it were winding around it.

"It looks like it's meant to be used by attaching it."

When he held the fragment up to a training spear, it stuck firmly as if drawn by a magnet.

What happened next was amazing.

Ssssh.

As if the Ruyi Jingu Fragment were devouring the training spear, the weapon began to be dyed a deep red.

After throwing the spear as a test, he raised his hand with his will focused, just as he had done before.

"Oh."

This time as well, it flew back in an instant and stuck to his hand. He could freely increase its size or adjust its length as he pleased.

When he detached the fragment, the weapon returned to being an ordinary training spear.

Though it lacked direct combat stats, he had essentially gained a piece of equipment with versatile utility.

'This is different from my expectations.'

It was different in a good way. He had reached Level 5 faster than expected.

He had gained an opportunity to become stronger through the Succession system. And now, he could even use a functional item.

He couldn't help but grin.

While the unique aura of the item leaked out when the fragment was attached to the modified training spear, it became faint again once detached.

He wouldn't get caught during his military service.

Once he reached the rank of sergeant, possessing items would become more flexible than it was now, so he decided to keep it well-hidden until then.

"This means I'll have to move up my plans."

Kim Hyeon-jun took out his "Honey Pot List" and began flipping through it.

Since the restrictions on entering dungeons would soon be lifted, the timing was perfect. He hadn't used any of his regular leave yet, so he had plenty of days saved up.

'Where should I go to make sure I get the best rewards?'

He flipped through the Honey Pot List with a joyful heart.

His expression wasn't that of someone heading to a dungeon, but rather like a child going to an amusement park.

'I need to take everything I can.'

From junior officer to field officer, and from field officer to even higher—that was what he had to do if he wanted to aim for the top. He had to do this to keep up with the real geniuses.

'Since I can use the Ruyi Jingu Fragment now, it’s definitely best to handle this place first.'

The place Kim Hyeon-jun found was a dungeon located in Hoengseong.

He didn't remember the exact timing, but it was a dungeon that would be cleared within six months at the latest.

'I'm sure of it. This dungeon has a D-rank shell, but the contents were C-rank or higher.'

It was a shifting-type dungeon with rugged surrounding terrain. There was still time before it would be discovered.

If someone asked why he specifically chose this place—

"You can get a monster essence here that’s quite useful for spearmen."

Moreover, having the Ruyi Jingu Fragment would make clearing the dungeon much easier.

"There weren't many monster essences that spearmen could use."

Recalling his memories from before his regression, that was indeed the case. Most essences were for mages, swordsmen, or archers.

"Everything else seems fine, but..."

The only problem was that "that dungeon" had an entry requirement.

He wanted to go in alone and take everything for himself, but that was impossible. He needed to fill a party of two to enter.

"I can probably figure something out for one person."

Mercenaries were always available if one looked for them.

Kim Hyeon-jun soon finished his calculations. He then scheduled his leave for the time when the dungeon entry benefits would be passed.

"Shall I go get some of those regression benefits?"

Three weeks later.

Kim Hyeon-jun used his regular leave to step outside the unit.

All the leave he had used until now had been reward leave. The leave he was using this time was his first regular leave as a private first class.

Since the Hunter Corps allowed regular leave to be split up, it was quite convenient for short trips.

'Now that the benefit bill has passed, it’s great that I don’t have to sneak into dungeons anymore. All the items I get from there will be mine, too.'

That wasn't all.

He was now allowed to take the spear he used in the military out with him.

Thanks to that, the soldiers didn't give him any trouble when he passed through the guard post.

It was a fresh experience he hadn't felt before his regression.

It had taken about two months for the benefits to be approved.

It was the first time that a period of time had felt so long.

"I told them to contact me once I was out."

Before going on leave, Kim Hyeon-jun had recruited a mercenary to fill the head count for the dungeon.

Since he only needed someone to meet the requirement, the recruitment cost was quite cheap.

The surprising part was that an application had come in first. It had happened even though he had posted a very basic recruitment ad.

Furthermore, they didn't ask for much money, so he had accepted immediately.

'I'd like it if they went deeper inside with me. I wonder if it’ll be okay if I give them more money?'

However, there was a high probability that an ordinary mercenary would refuse to enter "that dungeon" on the Honey Pot List. He decided to figure out how to handle that part later.

A mountain located in Hoengseong.

Kim Hyeon-jun arrived early at the meeting place, which was the entrance to a hiking trail.

The Hunter he had hired as a daily mercenary was a D-rank Hunter.

"Her name was Yun Hyejin, right?"

Based on the name and the photo registered on the recruitment site, it appeared to be a woman.

'But why is this person D-rank?'

One strange thing was that she was a D-rank Hunter despite possessing a good trait.

She supposedly had the "Spirit Summoning" trait, which allowed her to summon and command spirits. This trait was said to be a rare one that manifested based on bloodline.

In a fantasy setting, she would have felt like an elf.

Whether it was combat or support, summoned spirits could be used in various ways depending on the Hunter's ability.

This meant she was the kind of talent that large guilds would normally scramble to recruit.

It was only natural to have doubts when such a Hunter was carrying a D-rank tag.

"Well, everyone has their own circumstances."

He decided not to overthink it.

"Sorry I'm late!"

A short while later, a woman appeared at the meeting spot and spoke to him.

She was a Hunter with fiery red hair tied back in a ponytail that reached her back.

"Hi, Hyeon-jun. I'm Yun Hyejin. Mind if I speak comfortably?"

She gave a wide grin and immediately dropped the formalities.

"Hello. I'm Kim Hyeon-jun. Please, go ahead."

"Then you should speak comfortably too. You look older than me anyway."

Rather than feeling arrogant, her attitude felt refreshingly easygoing.

Was this just her natural personality? He didn't find it particularly unpleasant, so he told her to do so.

"Then I'll speak comfortably as well."

"Great. Speaking all stiff and formal isn't really my style. Hope you understand."

Kim Hyeon-jun exchanged brief introductions with her.

After giving a short explanation regarding the dungeon raid schedule, they headed toward the dungeon.

'It doesn't look like she brought any separate equipment.'

He had told her they were going to a D-rank dungeon on the surface, but Yun Hyejin was essentially empty-handed.

Usually, D-rank Hunters or rookies with no experience would go fully armed.

Since it was the first dungeon raid of their lives, it was only natural to be afraid.

Compared to that, she didn't seem to have any equipment worth mentioning. Despite that, she appeared quite relaxed.

According to the records, this should have been her first dungeon raid as well, but it felt more like she was out for a stroll.

Perhaps noticing his gaze, Yun Hyejin began to sell herself, saying she was stronger than she looked.

"Actually, I'm not really at the level of a D-rank Hunter. There are some personal reasons why I haven't been able to update my rank."

"Is that so?"

"What's with that look? You don't seem to believe me. Want me to show you?"

When he gave her a half-hearted response, she replied that he could just tell her whenever he wanted to see.

She even claimed she could clear a C-rank dungeon.

'Are all mercenaries like this these days? In a way, she does act like a mercenary...'

It seemed he had recruited a more peculiar mercenary than he had anticipated.