Episode 45
“The president of the association talks a lot today, right?”
As we were leaving Association President Ji Jin-hee’s room and going out of the building, Ko Tae-wook asked vaguely.
Taehyun agreed to that without hesitation.
This is because it was an image that was clearly the complete opposite of what was known in my previous life.
“I heard you are like a tiger. Even fellow S-rank players find it difficult.”
Ko Tae-wook burst into laughter at Tae-hyeon’s evaluation.
Because there was nothing wrong with what he said.
“It’s true that it’s like a tiger and that S-rank players find it difficult. And that I especially cherish you like a grandson.”
Taehyun tilted his head at Go Tae-wook’s words.
I knew he cared for me especially, but this was the first time I had ever cared for him like a grandson.
“You know that the president of the association is not married, right?”
“yes. He said he spent most of his youth in the Abyss…”
Ji Jin-hee, the first S-rank player in New Korea.
Even when he was active, the world was at war with monsters.
This was due to the gate opening every day.
It was a time when the level of players was lower than it is now and the equipment was not as good.
News and newspapers were filled with news of numerous casualties every day.
Because it was that kind of time.
Ji Jin-hee was the first and only S-rank player to hunt monsters with a sense of responsibility.
Every day, I traveled all over New Korea to block gate breaks and attack places that had already been dungeonized.
Is it because they united around him?
New Korea achieved the feat of advancing into the Abyss by driving out most of the monsters.
Even now, it is an event that is often mentioned in my parents’ generation and in modern and contemporary history classes.
A living legend that no one in New Korea can possibly know without knowing.
That person thinks of himself as his grandson.
“I guess you see a reflection of yourself when you were younger in your actions.”
“yes?”
“Well, attacking dungeons and dealing with demons without any hesitation seems similar to me.”
slap.
Go Tae-wook grinned and slapped Tae-hyeon on the back.
“So, don’t feel burdened even if the president of the association is too lazy. “That’s why you recommended this friendly match for Asian players.”
“Well, if I had known there were such circumstances, I would have accepted it quickly.”
“Are you really confident that you can get to 5th place in the remaining time? “If you’re overdoing it for no reason…”
Taehyun grinned at Go Tae-wook’s concern.
“Deputy Director Ko doesn’t think of me as like his ‘younger brother’, does he?”
“Huh, this guy….”
“Haha. I’ll go first. “I also have an appointment with Alchemist.”
Taehyun slightly bowed his head and left the association building.
Deputy Director Ko, who was watching, scratched his head.
Considering the age difference, it was natural that Taehyun felt like a younger brother.
This is because every time we exchanged words, it felt like we were dealing with someone of a similar age to us.
“I’m sure you can take care of it.”
Go Tae-wook tried to deny that feeling and turned away.
* * *
After parting ways with Go Tae-wook, Tae-hyun immediately got into another waiting car.
This is because Seo Sang-ik, the leader of the Alchemist guild, expressed his desire to meet in person for the auction.
“I heard you got promoted. What are you doing here?”
Taehyun asked, looking at Manager Choi Changsik sitting in the passenger seat.
Manager Choi Chang-sik.
He was recognized for his contribution in scouting New Korea’s twelfth S-rank player and was currently promoted to manager.
Taehyun knew that the title of manager of the 4th guild did not leave him free enough to wait for someone in the passenger seat.
“This is my first time since I got promoted. “I’m glad you look healthy.”
Manager Choi Chang-sik greeted Tae-hyeon with a friendly smile.
“It means that the guild leader is also paying a lot of attention. “Seeing as you asked me to come pick you up in person.”
“This is true. “I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Haha no. We’ll arrive at the guild building in 20 minutes. Until then, rest in peace.”
Taehyun nodded at Choi Changsik’s consideration.
As I settled into the soft cushions of the limousine, a sense of comfort came over me.
And out of habit, I opened the status window.
Name: Kim Tae-
hyun Age: 19
Grade: B
Strength: 101 Stamina: 120 Speed: 100 Magic power: 180 Charm: 30
Fatigue: 15%
Remaining magic power: 180/180
[Skill]
Predation (B) – Can prey on the desired target. Magic Power: 40
Stone Skin (B) – Can strengthen the body. Magic Power: 30
Stealth (B) – You can hide your body. Magic Power: 25
Paralysis (B) – Binds the target’s body. Magic Power: 20
Lord’s Heart (B) – Increases party member’s abilities. Magic Power: 30
Knight King’s Mettle (B) – Designate an opponent and overwhelm them with your mettle. Magic Power: 35
Chain of Binding (B) – Designates an opponent and binds them. Skill tracking and cancellation are possible. Magic Power: 27
Contract with the Devil (B) – Can open the gate to the Abyss. Magic Power: 200 (1/1)
This is the status window that was checked dozens of times at the hospital.
The strength and stamina speed stats were quite low.
‘Is the decline caused by regenerating the right arm?’
A considerable amount fell, but it was not enough to exchange for one right arm.
On the contrary, I feel fortunate that this is enough.
Another difference was the ‘contract with the devil’, which is believed to be Narendra Nehru’s skill.
‘I don’t remember preying on him.’
The unique skill ‘Predation’ was on full display and the right arm was perfectly regenerated. The skill ‘Contract with the Devil’ signifies the predation of Narendra Nehru.
Obviously, all of this wasn’t unrelated.
Taehyun tried activating the skill again.
[There is not enough magic power. This skill cannot be activated.]
A message I had seen dozens of times at the hospital appeared before my eyes.
‘200 horsepower is no joke.’
Taehyun’s magic power, which rose after eating the Phoenix Potion, was 180.
Even though it was a magic level equivalent to the upper level among S-class magic players, it was a skill that could not be activated.
Suddenly, a paper appeared in Taehyun’s mind.
In a previous life, a paper that studied the physical abilities of S-class players made an uproar in the world.
The four basic abilities that awakened people have.
Strength Stamina Speed Horsepower.
The author of the paper informally measured these four abilities on a number of S-rank players.
I found that they all had something in common: their stat points in one of the four major abilities exceeded 100.
If you become strong enough to obtain an S-class player license, at least one of the four major stats will be over 100, regardless of class.
There was nothing special about Taehyun, who was ranked B and had all four major abilities over 100.
‘With a magic stat of 200, you should be an SS grade player… There is no way that Narendra Nehru has already reached that area…’ He
was also an SS grade that he could not reach even at the national power level, which is said to be the best among players.
It was natural for Taehyun to tilt his head.
‘As expected, the nature of the skill changed during the process of feasting…’
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t recall the memory of when I collapsed.
It was a concern for which there was no answer.
‘You’ll find out when you use it.’
There is no problem with using buffs or amplification stones to activate the skill.
However, what Taehyun wanted was not simply the use of skills.
If it requires 200 horsepower, it would be difficult to handle even with my current skills.
‘You have to match your magical power with pure skill.’
It also meant that it would soon surpass the national power level.
‘Predation may run rampant again.’
It was not a meaningless runaway as it was confirmed that Predation, which is currently B grade, can grow to SS grade.
Grade A, Grade S, Grade SS.
The burden that Predation had to endure as it grew was still vivid.
It was an experience I never want to go through again.
Therefore, it was necessary to check as soon as possible whether ‘Contract with the Devil’ was a useful skill, even if it had to advance the plan.
‘I can’t ask Narendra Nehru, though.’
Unlike the auction house event I accidentally participated in.
If the plan made at the hospital went according to plan, it seemed like I could easily surpass 200 horsepower soon.
* * *
As Ji Jin-hee of the Players Association said.
When Taehyun entered the Alchemist Guild building, Seo Sangik welcomed him warmly.
“I can’t tell you how surprised I was when I found out that Taehyun went to the auction house.”
“I’m sorry for causing you worry.”
Taehyun politely bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.
If it weren’t for him, Ji Jin-hee wouldn’t have moved actively and Park Seong-jin wouldn’t have arrived at the auction house on time.
“Are you feeling okay? “Our Alchemist medical team is always on standby, so please visit us at any time.”
“yes. thank you.”
Taehyun’s grade in Alchemist is SVIP.
However, the treatment was more than VVIP.
I know that the reason is that it is an exclusive deal for the magic gem that Taehyun gets when he advances into the Abyss.
Taehyun did not bow his head too much.
Anyway, this is also part of the business that goes back and forth in the relationship between A and B.
About an hour has passed.
After a friendly conversation, Taehyun stood up.
“Then, please continue to take good care of me. “Player Kim Tae-hyun.”
“Please take care of me.”
Taehyun, holding Seo Sangik’s hand, left the guild building with a friendly smile.
Who would have thought that the act of trying to prevent a terrorist attack in order to build public value would end up like this?
There was not much time left until representative selection.
There was a mountain of work to do, so now I really wanted to go home and rest.
* * *
Tiring.
[Unique skill Predation has been activated. User ‘Kim Tae-hyun’ is designated as the target.]
As soon as the message window opened, dark red magical power enveloped Tae-hyun.
Crack. Quad deuk.
Like many monsters and demons, Taehyun screamed in pain as his bones were broken.
“Ugh… stop!!”
The idea of ‘Stone Skin’ wrapping the body tightly over an S-class body seems ridiculous.
The magical power of predation infiltrated without stopping.
“stop!!!”
The skill no longer worked according to Taehyun’s will.
[Use skill Paralysis (B). Designate user ‘Kim Tae-hyun’ as the target.]
[Use the skill Knight King’s Haki (B). Target user ‘Kim Tae-hyeon’.]
[Use the skill Chain of Binding (B). Designate user ‘Kim Tae-hyun’ as the target.]
Three skills activated in succession tightened Tae-hyun.
I feel like my body will break at any moment.
Pain took over my mind and a moan escaped through my clenched teeth.
at that time.
Someone spoke.
[This is the power you wanted, right?]
[If you eat it, you have to spit it out.]
“What bullshit…”
It was before I could finish my sentence.
The magic power of predation.
Before I knew it, dark red magical power began to engulf my face.
Wow. Clutter. Crash.
Kwasik!!
Without even a moment to scream.
My vision darkened.
* * *
“Ha… ha… well… “What a fucking dream…”
Taehyun gasped and checked his watch.
It was not even 10 p.m. yet.
Nightmare.
That too was an obvious cliché that every player experiences at least once, with the skills going out of control and engulfing the body.
“It’s pathetic.”
Taehyun got out of bed and opened the refrigerator.
I took out a bottle of water and took a gulp.
I’ve heard about skill overload a few times.
‘I’ve never heard of a skill swallowing up a user with an ego.’
Taehyun sighed.
at that time.
Jiing- Jiing-
[A guest has arrived. A guest has arrived.]
The neat voice of the installed AI echoed throughout the house.
‘this time?’
When I manipulated the screen, the visitor’s face appeared.
“….”
Taehyun’s expression changed strangely as he saw the midnight visitor.
Outside the door.
Lim A-young was standing there.
