Chapter 17

“Who are you? You are so small that I almost didn’t recognize you.” The octopus laughed.

[You’re still sneaky.]

“That’s my trademark.”

“Mr. Octopus, Master!” Jin-woo, who came through the dirt, caught the sword. “You said you would fight later?”

[Who fought?]

“Who fought?”

“Yes?” Jin-woo was confused.

[This is a greeting.]

“It’s just a greeting.”

This is just a greeting. The common sense of these people is…

What is going on here?

“Huh? Kang Jin-Woo, I thought you might be a little stronger. Are you, though?” Mr. Octopus asked him.

“Yes? The level has risen a lot…”

“Ah, the swordsman raised disciples so slowly.”

[I haven’t taught him much yet.]

Jin-woo felt smaller as he stood in front of the two.

“So, what are you going to buy today?”

“Ah! Can I see some legendary skills?”

“Sure. It’s over there, so look at it comfortably.”

It’s really easy, Jin-woo thought. It’s just scattered around here. 

“How can someone deal with legendary skills like this?” he asked.

‘They are not that important,’ Mr. Octopus answered.

Jin-woo stared at the cards. There are 8 attack skills and 2 auxiliary skills and 4 defense skills.

[62 sec]

The remaining time is just over 60 seconds.

There was no time to worry.

‘Go to defense skills.’

Jin-woo is having a lot of trouble deciding.

What new skills will you learn?

Each legendary skill is unique.

There is no regret, no matter what skill you choose.

His mind went to attack skills.

The Dokgogu sword was effective but less glamorous.

When it comes to splendor, it didn’t even reach some of the hero skills he has seen.

The Red Moon method was splendid but short-lived.

Use it once, and you’re done.

He wanted to find a new legendary skill that will increase his attack power, as well as look splendid, to appeal more to the public.

However, he’s also thinking about his current situation.

Two of the three skills he has are for attacking. The other one, Linguist, is just an auxiliary skill and does not help in combat.

Above all, it was highly probable that the attack skill will increase significantly in the future.

Like the Red Moon method.

Your heroic armor can only keep you safe in a low-level dungeon. In high-level dungeons, there are limits to your defense. 

Above all, Jin-woo thought about the future.

Currently, he’s able to hunt dungeons safely thanks to his hero-grade armor.

However, as the level goes up, the story changes.

Safe hunting is now impossible.

His life is at risk.

This is not a game.

Once killed, re-spawning was impossible.

That was why he decided to invest in defense skills.

He is looking at four legendary defense skills.

[Skill: God’s Shield]

[Rating: Legendary]

[Description: Summons a shield containing God’s protection.]

[Effect: Summons an invincible shield. Duration is proportional to divine power.]

‘Pass!’

Divine power is a stat that he does not have.

He would not be able to use God’s Shield.

[Skill: Absolute Shield]

[Rating: Legendary]

[Description: Absolute defense magic! Consumes all mana to unfold a one-time invincible shield.]

[Effect: Unfolds one-time powerful shield magic. Any attack can be prevented.]

‘Well… … I’m concerned about it being a one-off.’

He liked that it would prevent any attacks.

However, there was a disadvantage of one-time.

It was still a good skill, so he held off his decision.

[42 seconds]

Time was running out.

Jin-woo’s heart beat urgently.

‘The remaining two…’

The moment he tried to check the other two, the swordsman already picked up one of the cards.

[Maybe you can buy the Geumgang Fireball.]

“Yeah?”

The sword has picked one of the two cards.

Jinwoo checked the card when he received the card.

[Skill: Geumgang Fireball]

[Rating: Legendary]

[Description: The legendary Geumgang Fireball is here, and a body that is not destroyed by anything has been created.]

[Effect: It becomes a body through which physical attack does not work. Immunity to all poisons. While using it, it constantly consumes inner air.]

It was perfect as a defensive skill.

But the last phrase took Jin-woo’s attention.

“I don’t have inner air?”

[If you didn’t have it, you wouldn’t have been able to use the Moon Moon method. This card is the most useful among the other skills.]

In Jin-woo’s eyes, all seemed good.

They are legendary grade cards. If they were not good, they wouldn’t have been at this level.

[Listen to me; this is my recommendation.]

The swordsman was insisting.

For six months, Jin-woo received countless help from the swordsman.

Jin-woo threw his worries away and picked up the card.

“I’ll do this.”

[24 seconds]

“Is it the same as I did the last time?” Mr. Octopus asked him.

“Yes, and give me a ticket and a return ball.”

“Here.”

Jin-woo placed the admission ticket in his inventory and held the return ball in his hand.

[17 seconds]

Time continued to shrink while he was paying.

“Okay, payment is complete.”

[13 seconds]

“Thank you. Get!” Jin-woo activated the command.

He had to do this before he leaves the area because the skill card will disappear when he goes back.

[Skill: Do you want to learn the Geumgang Fireball?]

[Caution–Skill card disappears when mastered.]

[Y/N]

He just pressed Y.

[Skill: I learned the Geumgang Fireball.]

After confirming that the information window was opened, the swordsman was looking at the octopus.

[Octopus! Is there an elixir of the ten-thousand years oil?]

“Yes.”

[Give me one.]

[9 seconds]

“Payment?”

The octopus’ gaze turned to Jin-woo.

[This guy will do it.]

“Are you going to do it?” Mr. Octopus turned to him.

“Yes? Yes!”

He did not understand, but he believed the swordsman.

There must be a reason for getting the elixir.

[6 seconds]

“Hmm, I can’t find it. Is it inside?”

Uncle Octopus stretched his leg. They watched his elongated leg disappear into the store.

[5 seconds]

Jin-woo grabbed the return ball.

When time runs out, it will crack automatically.

They had to get the elixir before that happens.

[4 seconds]

“Here it is.”

[3 seconds]

“Receive it.”

Tuk!

[Put it in the inventory!]

The swordsman exclaimed.

“Inventory!” Jin-woo said in a panic.

[Hurry!]

[1 second]

As soon as the swordsman shouted, the return ball broke.

They were instantly covered by a light and disappeared in a flash.

The octopus was left checking his calculator.

“Today was good, good!”

The octopus laughed as he looked at the numbers on the calculator.

* * *

When Jin-woo opened his eyes, he saw a familiar scenery.

He was back in his room.

“Hua…”

He was trembling.

It’s such a sense of urgency every time he goes.

“I still got everything I could ask for.”

He was proud. He didn’t panic like the last time.

Through thorough preparation, he got the things he wanted.

“Skill window.”

A window appeared in front of him, and several skills were seen.

Among them, he checked the newest skill.

[Skill: Geumgang Fireball]

Another legendary skill.

Geumgang Fireball.

But it was strange.

“Why is it grayed out?”

This was the first time.

When he clicked on the skill, detailed information broke out.

[Skill: Geumgang Fireball]

[Rating: Legendary]

[Description: The legendary Geumgang Fireball is here, and a body that is not destroyed by anything has been created.]

[Effect: It becomes a body through which physical attack does not work. Immunity to all poisons. While using it, endurance is continuously consumed.]

[Status: No endurance – can not use.]

The last line is a new phrase.

“You can’t use it?!”

Nothing really happened.

It was the worst.

The swordsman went to his shoulder and explained.

[Hmm, I guess you can’t use the card without learning the skills.]

“Uh… How will we do it?”

[Check what the octopus gave you.]

“Ah!”

The last thing they purchased in a hurry.

He was so rushed that he could not even check it before going back.

“Inventory.”

The inventory had admission tickets and a black bottle.

Jin-woo took out the bottle.

There were Chinese characters inscribed outside it.

Because of his Linguist skill, he was able to read it without a problem.

“The ten thousand years old oil?”

[You had a pretty good item.]

“Is this an elixir?”

[Yes, by taking it, it will drive the impure energy in your body and break the path through which the inner air can roam. If you do so, you will be able to learn to respect me.]

The swordsman is down on the floor, sitting cross-legged, with a pious expression.

Suddenly, Jin-woo thought about it.

He calls the swordsman ‘Master’, but he has not paid respects.

He started to bow down.

[What are you doing?]

“Yes? To pay respects-”

Papapat-!

The sword’s hands moved like lightning.

Jin-woo’s body was stiff after he was attacked.

His body floated in the air. When the swordsman moved his hand, Jin-woo’s body followed the movement.

[The master has only had one disciple so far. I didn’t make another disciple again because I saw him die earlier than me.]

I heard the past history of the swordsman.

[One reason I don’t call you a disciple is because you’re weak. You will die soon. But if…]

The swordsman’s hand moved, and made Jin-woo sat across him.

[…if you take this and survive, maybe I’ll accept you as a disciple.]

‘Is it possible to die?!’

[A drop of the elixir can increase your power significantly. However, you will drink the whole thing, not a drop.]

The swordsman smiled.

[What do you think will happen if you take all of this?]

‘Do I have to do it?’

[You will be strong. If you can control this force.]

‘Please help me… Okay?’

[Of course, I will do my best to help. However, I can only do so much. What matters is your mental power.]

Jin-woo looked worried.

[It is okay to give up. If you are as strong as you are now, you can live in this world.]

That’s right. His legendary skills are not just one, but two.

Jin-woo thought he is reasonably strong enough.

But he knows he has only tasted what it means to be strong.

He didn’t feel it using the Dokgogu sword.

It was from the time of the Red Moon.

He couldn’t forget the joy at the time.

The swordsman smiled.

[Other people cannot learn the joy in being strong.]

‘I will.’

[I thought so.]

Pod!

The swordsman’s hand pressed Jin-woo’s mouth open.

Then, he brought the bottle closer.

[Be mindful.]

‘Yes.’

Clit-!

The Ten Thousand Years Old Oil entered Jinwoo’s mouth.

It has a fragrant smell. He felt himself getting drunk with the smell.

Kuung-!

Huge energy began to fill his body.