Chapter 31: Seomyeon Station (5)

Chapter 31: Seomyeon Station (5)

[Episode 07] Seomyeon Station (5)

Giant snakes have a habit of swallowing their prey alive, and this was no easy task.

It could be quite dangerous if a living organism inside their stomach made a last-ditch effort, which is why they typically used poison to subdue or strangled their prey to death before swallowing it.

However, this didn’t apply to a tiny mouse that wouldn’t fill it at all.

Without a second thought, the snake gulped down the mouse, not knowing what the consequences of its actions would be.

‘Okay, swallowed.’

As Ha Dong-geon’s party arrived at Seomyeon Station, I instructed Seo Ye-jin to make a mouse run into the mouth of the giant snake.

The snake devoured it without any hesitation, allowing me to get a clear view of its internal organs.

‘Open the warehouse.’

There were two skills that could be used while using the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes.

The warehouse and the shop.

Dignity Maintenance was not usable because the nature of the area created by the ‘Vassal’ title was different from the homebound territory.

In that created area, only the ‘Absolute Dweller’s Eyes’ could be used.

Therefore, creating things like electricity or gas in this area was impossible.

However.

‘Summon gas.’

It was possible to store the gas created in the homebound area inside the warehouse and then summon it using the warehouse skill.

It was a bit of a trick.

Whoosh―

By the time Ha Dong-geon’s party approached Line 1, where the giant snake was, its stomach was already filled with gas.

And then.

‘Summon burning tissue.’

Gas had filled the giant snake’s stomach, and I summoned a pre-prepared burning tissue.

Once it was set on fire and stored inside the warehouse, it would come out in the same state.

Since sparks were created in a place filled with gas, the next result was obvious.

BOOOMMMM!

A spectacular explosion started from inside the giant snake, completely tearing its body apart.

“Ugh!”

Next to me, Seo Ye-jin woke up, holding her head.

She must have felt the aftermath of losing the mouse in the explosion.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh, yes! I’m fine! Just a bit surprised.”

Although she spoke confidently, her face showed signs of exhaustion.

“Why don’t you lie down on the sofa for a bit?”

“Oh, that’s okay...”

“Do as I say.”

“Then excuse me for a moment...”

As she lay down on the sofa with a weary expression, I said to her.

“You did well.”

“Yes...”

While checking on Seo Ye-jin’s condition, I used the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes to check on Ha Dong-geon’s party.

They were unable to recover from the sudden explosion.

‘I can’t let it be me.’

The giant snake had to die in the hands of vassals who had been granted the title of Knight.

That way, I would be able to gain six times the experience points and settlement money.

If it died in my hands, it would result in a sixfold loss.

‘I’ll assign a party quest to Ha Dong-geon and Oh Eon-ju: Finish off the Giant Snake.’

Of the two, Ha Dong-geon was the first to react, and the head of the giant snake was smashed apart by his spear.

[You have hunted a King Snake (Level 40).]

[You have gained a massive amount of experience points.]

[1,812,043,879 won has been deposited into the Absolute Dweller’s wallet.]

[Citizen Ha Dong-geon has defeated the leader of ‘Seomyeon Station.’]

[Construction of an outpost at ‘Seomyeon Station’ is now possible.]

A staggering 1.8 billion won.

[Skill level has increased.]

[Skill level has increased.]

[Skill level has increased.]

[The Absolute Dweller’s Declaration has reached level 15.]

[You have gained 3 skill points.]

Three levels were gained at once, and the pain followed accordingly.

‘Ugh.’

Somehow, as the space expanded, the intensity of the pain seemed to increase proportionally.

The haphazardly expanding area stopped expanding after completely engulfing 10 residential buildings.

Perhaps the advantage was that the speed had increased.

‘I guess about half remains now.’

Out of the 25 apartment buildings in Block/Complex 1, 13 had been incorporated into the homebound area.

Guided by Seo Ye-jin’s mouse that traveled along the optimal route, there was almost no fighting.

They occasionally encountered goblins, but that was a piece of cake for Ha Dong-geon’s party.

‘No need to worry.’

While keeping the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes active, I focused on the skill window.

[Available skill points: 3]

‘What should I invest in to get the best return?’

In the beginning, the answer was to raise the shop skill unconditionally.

At that time, registering items faster and more efficiently was crucial.

‘However, things have changed now.’

With the shop skill reaching level 5, the increased slots and the ‘itemization’ function made a significant difference.

‘Now, filling all 500 slots is another task.’

Despite registering items such as supplements and vitamins, the slots were not even half full.

‘There’s no need to rush leveling up the shop.’

There were plenty of other places to invest skill points.

A total of five skills had a [+] button active next to its current level: Dignity Maintenance, Warehouse, Absolute Dweller’s Eyes, Absolute Dweller’s Health, and the Invisible Hand.

‘First, Absolute Dweller’s Eyes should be upgraded.’

Now, it was undoubtedly the most utilized skill.

‘It works well with Seo Ye-jin.’

It would be a crucial skill when rescuing my family in the future.

I leveled it up without any worries.

‘Absolute Dweller’s Eyes, level up.’

Wooong—

As the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes skill reached level 3.

Shwaa—

“Urgh.”

With the sensation that the surface of my eyes was burning, a change occurred in the field of vision of the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes.

「Goblin (Lv. 8)」 「Goblin (Lv. 7)」 「Goblin (Lv. 7)」 「Goblin (Lv. 7)」

The levels of the goblins engaged in battle with Ha Dong-geon’s party began to be visible.

Upon closer inspection, it was possible to read the characteristics of the goblins.

「Goblin (Lv. 8)」

Height: 103 cm. Has enough intelligence to use tools while living in groups. It has good eyesight, able to see far distances, and possesses sensitive eyes that can distinguish objects without any problems even in dark caves.

‘Not bad.’

Until now, the level was information that could only be revealed after killing the monster.

However, now, it was possible just by looking with the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes.

‘I was just about to need this ability.’

The simplest way to increase the quest difficulty was to have them hunt higher-level monsters.

The problem was that monsters above a certain level were rare.

Goblins with single-digit levels were scattered all over, but finding monsters Level 20 and above was challenging.

‘Honestly, finding a high-level monster is more difficult than hunting them.’

This ability would be essential to fulfill Oh Eon-ju’s wish later.

To save on the cost of resurrection, it was necessary to find suitable-level monsters and assign quests to her.

‘It’s a bit disappointing that I can’t raise the level once more.’

The [+] button was gone next to the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes, now at level 3,

It meant that proficiency was still lacking.

‘Then, next...’

The first thing that caught my eye was the ‘Dignity Maintenance’ skill.

‘If the rapid increase in Seo Ye-jin’s trust and loyalty is indeed due to the rise in level of Dignity Maintenance, then that alone is enough reason to invest skill points.’

Not only would it be helpful when accepting new vassals, but it also had the advantage of maximizing the effects of ‘Power of Trust’ or the [Knight] title.

‘Dignity Maintenance, level up.’

When I was about to check the new featured as the Absolute Dweller’s Dignity Maintenance skill reached level 4...

Bang―

‘Huh?’

I was startled by the unexpected sound of gunfire.

Checking with the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes, surprisingly, the owner of the gunshot was a goblin.

‘Is that...?’

As the goblin aimed its gun at Ha Dong-geon’s party again.

Shiing! Swoosh!

Moon Byeong-ho teleported behind it, swiftly striking its neck.

“Kikigik!”

The remaining goblins were mercilessly cut down by Moon Byeong-ho’s spear.

‘Register as an item!’

While Moon Byeong-ho was dealing with the goblins, I registered the gun that had fallen on the ground as an item and directly restored it.

S&W M60 (KRW 476,320)

.38 Caliber Live Ammunition 100 Rounds (KRW 158,400)

I couldn’t help but smile looking at the handgun registered in the shop.

‘A gun.’