episode_0015

Right after Moonbora left.

I slowly approached the dumbfounded Meonyangi.

Hmm.

Although I wanted to say something, unfortunately, I’m not particularly good with words.

In the end, I lightly patted her shoulder.

“…Are you okay?”

At my question, she seemed to snap back to reality, hesitating.

She forced a smile and scratched her cheek.

“Yes, thank you for worrying. Um… What about Bora…?”

“She went to report to the guild first. She said there would be a hefty reward, so expect it.”

“Hehe. The rewards should be substantial. ‘Break Out’ usually pays well for basic dungeon bounties.”

Oh, that’s good news.

I needed to quickly get a sword anyway.

[The infinite talent contained in causes severe damage to your martial arts.]

[ damages your martial arts.]

“…What was this made of to be so weak…?”

Just a few normal hits.

I used the [Ryu Cham] about four times.

I hurriedly put it in my inventory, trying to find something salvageable.

Money had run out everywhere; I couldn’t spend any more gold.

“No, it was a non-grade item, but lasting this long is surprising.”

As I thought about buying a sword as soon as money came in, the following response brought a tinge of bitterness.

“After paying off overdue rent… the deposit… oh, and the water bill too.”

‘Gosra’ settings-wise, Mahana was poor.

From her attire and equipment, it was clear, but there wasn’t much difference here either.

‘…No, judging by her speech, it seems worse…’

It concerned me a bit, so I wanted to visit her house to see.

But abruptly asking, “Invite me to your house!” would be strange.

“…Shall we settle up now?”

Changing the mood and removing my luck, I pointed to the orb lying next to Kappa Rhino’s corpse.

“Would you like to have it? If you have a [storage pouch], you could take it to sell. Since I don’t have one… it might just disappear.”

I was tempted too, but I asked.

Most likely, this was her first chance to acquire a proper [rune].

Having been a mere tag-along in other parties until now, she probably never even had a say.

So, I guessed greed would arise.

Mahana looked at the bluish orb from my words.

Firmly, she shook her head.

“…I appreciate the sentiment. But it’s not suitable for me… It would only drain my magic further.”

That was true.

Kappa Rhino’s rune was a typical ‘offensive’ rune.

“…And I’m not qualified to have it. Yuseha.”

Silently watching, I nodded slowly.

“Then… could you wait a little? I intend to consume it.”

“Of course. It’s courtesy to protect rune owners. I’ll be collecting Rhino’s remains in the meantime.”

With those noble words, I watched Mahana draw her dagger and approach the orb.

Kugugugu―!

The orb emitted a powerful magical aura, feeling strong just by its presence.

‘…So, this is a rune.’

《Rune System》.

Evaluated as innovative in ‘Gosra’ alongside the ‘Backup’ position, this system involves defeating bosses, monsters, or very few NPCs to obtain the essence of power.

Runes are generally divided into ‘skills’ and ‘traits,’ although exceptions exist.

Unlike ‘trait runes’ that provide strength upon consumption, ‘skill runes’ require configuration.

Select a skill to embed a rune. Then add additional options.

This provides additional effects to the skill, opening up new paths for growth.

There are various settings and precautions, but there’s no need to mention each one.

“Gosla” typically obtained runes through draws.

It was much quicker and more convenient, allowing access to high-grade runes that are usually unattainable.

However, in this world, there are no draws; it’s a harsh world without them.

Ultimately, obtaining runes through hunting like now.

This method is not preferred by most “Map Guides.”

“There’s no guarantee I’ll encounter the boss I want… and unwanted runes might appear.”

Especially as you move up the ranks, this becomes more severe.

With bosses possessing various abilities, the probability of obtaining a rune that grants the [skill] I desire has decreased.

In the case of attributes, they are relatively easy to learn even without runes. Perhaps the balance set by the operators is due to the inability to embed runes.

“So, generally, it’s about embedding runes into main skills and designing a development tree.”

The lacking parts are covered by “attributes.”

This was the basic growth method of “Gosla.”

Anyway, that’s as far as my thoughts go.

If I keep going like this and disappear, it would be a disaster.

I cautiously reached out towards the concrete.

And then, as if alive, it reacted, absorbing through the palm of my hand.

[Acquired .]

[Select the skill to equip the rune.]

“Ryucham selected.”

[Runes can only be equipped on skill tree-related abilities.]

[ is a skill tree skill.]

[ has been selected.]

[Rune engraving in progress… Complete.]

[Congratulations. Your skill has successfully reached a higher level.]

As soon as the words ended, the skill window refreshed.

—

◉Name: Ryucham (流斬)

◉Grade: Rare

◉Level: 3

◉Special Effects

: Swiftly draw towards the front. (Power proportional to agility, strength, and magic power.)

NEW!

◉Skill Rune

1. [Kappa Rhino (C+)]

⦁(P) [Charge Impact]: Grants the skill [Charge] effect. Skills with [Charge] deal 20% increased physical damage and receive a 20% speed boost.

⦁(P) [Adrenaline Booster]: Upon hitting a target, all actions’ speed increases during combat. However, it also raises the consumption of health and mana. (10% per stack, up to 100%)

◉Derived Skills

: –

◉Detailed Information

: A swordsmanship technique developed by an unknown swordsman passed down through the ages.

Boasting efficiency with no superfluous movements, aiming for practical combat maneuvers.

—

“Ah…”

Feeling the rising excitement, I clenched my fist tightly.

Was this really the same pathetic ‘Ryucham’?

‘I’ve secured decent mobility.’

Compared to its respectable attack power and range, Ryucham lacked in mobility.

No point in hiding in the bushes for sneak attacks anymore.

But now, supplementing with [Charge], I can insert the skill more easily and powerfully.

‘Could even use it for escape.’

Since it’s categorized as a movement skill, it could serve as an emergency evasion if unavoidable.

‘Of course, with a delay, I shouldn’t do such things recklessly… Huh?’

Only now did I realize something strange.

‘…What?’

It was because of the existence of the passive [Adrenaline Booster (P)].

The rune I know from [Kappa Rhino] ends with [Charge Impact (P)].

For a boss drop rune, it always felt lacking with just one option.

‘…And the effect is pretty good too.’

Increases all action speeds during combat.

“Run, avoid, attack, and so on… It means all speeds are increasing.”

In fact, it’s a step above buffs like increased movement speed and attack speed that are classified as S-rank.

This absurd option… comes from just a C-rank rune?

“…Wait, isn’t it C+? No way, it’s a crazy rare boss judgment!?”

Just a plus sign doesn’t seem that impressive, but in ‘Gosla,’ a plus is treated as a kind of rare grade.

Even if they’re the same grade, just having a plus sign serves as a sort of guarantee of its value.

Then suddenly, a memory resurfaces.

I hastily opened my status window to examine the contents.

“[Nekomata’s Luck] is activated. Temporarily gains ‘Good Fortune.’ Kappa Rhino (C) rune upgraded by one grade.”

“The transmission of luck resets to 0. It will rise again when the caster’s mind strengthens.”

“…Nekomata’s Luck?”

This is also a skill I’ve never heard of before.

Oh… Is my pride hurt for some reason?

“Am I really a veteran player?”

Turns out, I might be a cute and lovely newbie after all?

Anyway, since it’s not recorded in mine, it must belong to Moonbora or Mahana.

My guess leans towards Mahana.

“…[Lucky Cat].”

Just like my [Eye of Reverse Heaven], Mahana possesses a unique ability.

Its effect is simply to slightly boost luck.

“…Both labeled as luck, their effects seem similar…”

But the aftermath was different.

Having a luck attribute that boosts rewards by one level was unheard of.

“And… back to 0? The caster’s mind…?”

The more I read, the more confusing the explanation became.

This, this…

“After a long time, my blood boils as a map guide…?”

Now, veterans have made it easy for everyone to play thanks to the strategies they’ve shared.

When ‘Gosla’ first came out, everyone experimented, worked hard, shared information, and explored hidden knowledge.

I, too, am one of the representatives of the ‘Let’s experiment~’ group.

“…Getting excited, huh?”

Quietly resolving to conduct various experiments later, I turned to Mahana, who stood guard silently.

“It’s all done. Hana.”

“…Ah! Congratulations. You’ve gotten stronger.”

“Thanks to your generosity.”

Looks like she’s collected all the by-products… In that case, now.

“Shall we go out?”