21. Function Recovery

“Everyone, get inside this building.”

“Uh…”

“Hurry.”

“Y-yes…”

I led the women to a nearby commercial building. It was empty and the safest option around.

“I’ll be back after checking the situation outside. Stay hidden until then.”

“O-okay… Th-thank you…”

“Right.”

After hastily leaving them in the building, I rushed outside. I needed to leave quickly before they asked for more help.

I didn’t want to take responsibility for them-killing them might prevent quest completion. Better to abandon them and move on.

Yeah, completing the quest first and killing them later seems like a decent plan.

The chances of non-Awakened civilians surviving without help are extremely low anyway.

Of course, if I shared my skill books, they might gain abilities like Awakened… but…

‘Why should I?’

They could become enemies or betray me. Why would I trust them with my skills? I’ve already taken the lone wolf route.

With my traits, having too many people around just tires me out. Maybe one or two slaves would be manageable, but that’s it.

I have zero intention of caring for strangers who aren’t bound by a Collar of Subjugation.

[Quest Completed]

[Reward Granted.]

[Quest Completed]

[Reward Granted.]

By the time I neared my house after leaving the building, a notification popped up confirming the quest completion. They must have decided I didn’t kill those women.

Moreover, completing the “Save 30 People” quest simultaneously fulfilled the “Complete 3 Quests” quest.

The rewards were 3000 points, increased credibility, 300 points, and a random weapon.

“Ooh…!”

Now I have 7565 points. And even got a random weapon drop…

[Regina’s Blade: When thrown, it returns to the wielder’s hand.]

“Damn. Nice.”

A pitch-black throwing dagger materialized. It was a simple, all-metal black dagger with no decorations.

Its weight was oddly concentrated toward the blade, making it perfect for powerful throws.

Unlike kitchen knives, which are one-time throws, this one returns, allowing multiple uses.

If I can aim well, this could be a devastating weapon. Carrying three of these would let me spam them endlessly like an infinite magazine.

“Purchase Collar of Subjugation.”

After storing the dagger, I immediately bought the 6666-point Collar of Subjugation.

“Kyah…”

A brown leather collar appeared. It looked almost like a choker. Putting this on a sentient target grants absolute command over them.

In short, it creates an obedient slave. And since it works on anything sentient, I could even tame goblins or other monsters.

‘Should I go back and grab one of those women?’

I’m a bit torn. If there’s a woman who looks like she can cook kimchi well, I could enslave her to make meals…

“For now…”

I had two empty quest slots and 899 points left. I could quickly accept new quests and reset the shop.

[Quest: Use Shop Reset Function 3 Times (0/3)]

[Reward: 300P, Exchange Coupon]

[Quest: Learn 5 or More Elemental Spells (2/5)]

[Reward: 1000P, Light Book – Basic]

I accepted both quests immediately.

The shop reset is something I’ve been using whenever I have spare points, so I can probably complete it within the week. The magic quest should be quick too.

‘And an exchange coupon…?’

Using the reset function three times gives a cheat-like item that lets me claim any one shop item regardless of price. I’ll save it for something insanely expensive.

The “Light Book” also sounds impressive. Light magic-maybe healing or faith-based spells?

“Next…”

I reset the shop once.

[Available Items]

[1. Lightning Book – Basic]

[Details: Increases understanding of lightning-element magic. Learn Lightning Strike and Lightning Whip. Requires Magic Emission skill.]

[Price: 300P]

[2. Spell Book – Basic Shadow Shikigami Creation]

[Details: Teaches basic shadow shikigami creation.]

[Price: 300P]

[3. Mana Book – Intermediate]

[Details: Increases mana comprehension. Learn Mana Concentration and Mana Enhancement.]

[Price: 500P]

Three unlocked items, three books available.

“Huh…”

Since the reset cost 100 points, I now have 799 points left.

‘Should I buy the Intermediate Mana Book first…?’

That’d leave me with 299 points-not enough for the other two. But skipping it means I can buy two immediately useful books.

‘Get the Mana Book first.’

After some thought, I decided to prioritize the Mana Book. The new skills would be foundational for everything else.

Magic Sensitivity, Magic Accumulation, and Magic Emission are essential basics. These new skills will be invaluable long-term.

*Thud.*

A thick book dropped.

“Ugh…”

This thing would take at least five hours to read… and it’s already 2 AM.

“I’m kinda tired…”

Should I meditate first or read first? I couldn’t decide.

‘Just read as much as I can.’

I turned on my flashlight and started reading. My reading speed has improved drastically lately-I finish at least two books a day now.

·

·

·

“Wow. I have no idea what any of this means…”

That was my conclusion. No matter how carefully I read, it was all gibberish. At least I got new skills from finishing it.

[Learned Mana Concentration.]

[Learned Mana Enhancement.]

Surprisingly, these skills help with mana accumulation.

First, Mana Concentration lets me gauge my mana limit.

[Mana: 340/1000]

Before, I didn’t know my limit and just meditated blindly. Now I know I can store up to 1000 mana.

Mana Concentration compresses 1000 mana into a single “Dan.” I can create up to 5 Dans.

This drastically reduces mana loss from over-accumulation beyond the 1000 limit.

In other words, when [Mana: 1000/1000] is reached, the mana is bundled and set aside.

Like [Mana: 0/1000(1)].

This means I can eventually store up to 6000 mana-5 Dans plus another 1000.

Like [Mana: 1000/1000(5)].

‘As for Mana Enhancement…’

Previously, Magic Accumulation gave 1 mana per minute. One hour of meditation = 60 mana.

Mana Enhancement doubles this. Now, one hour = 120 mana. Efficiency doubled.

‘2 hours = 240. 3 hours = 360… 10 hours = 1200…’

This is insane. Glad I learned it fast.

‘Sun’s up…’

Feeling a bit tired, I decided to meditate before moving. Just 301 more points today-easy.

‘If I kill those women I saved yesterday, that’s 405 points right there…’

I started meditating.

·

·

·

“Cough.”

This time, I woke up coughing-unusual for meditation.

“2 PM…?”

I started at 8 AM, so I meditated for nearly six hours.

My arms, bruised from the Mud Mite attack, were completely healed. The stinging pain was gone.

“Mana’s up by 720 too…”

I still had plenty of healing potions and paper shikigami left, so I decided to head out.

I could hunt the women I saved yesterday or nearby monsters.

I geared up and opened the door. Thankfully, no monsters were lurking.

“No one around…”

I headed toward the commercial building where I’d left the women. Along the way, I passed the site of the Mud Midgets and Machungs’ clash.

“Oh…”

No corpses remained-they must have dragged them back to their nests. Only bloodstains littered the road.

*Plop.*

“Huh? Ah…”

Rain started falling. The air had been humid since yesterday, but of course it pours as soon as I step out.

‘Good thing I left pots on the roof…’

I’d placed pots to collect rainwater, anticipating this. Boiled, it’ll be usable.

‘Well then…’

I kept walking until I reached the commercial building where I’d left the women-then stopped.

‘Those guys…’

A few armored figures stood in the street, gleaming like Space Marines.

The blue crosses on their white armor marked them as Hunters from the Blue Cross Group.

‘An international guild…’

One of the mega-guilds in the original work, operating under the UN. Unlike the Red or Green Cross, the Blue Cross specializes in rescuing civilians from Gate disasters.

‘Thought they were wiped out… Are they still intact?’

Seeing Korean branch Hunters patrolling means the chaos has slightly stabilized.

If they’re mobilizing, the worst must be over.

No idea what they’ve been doing until Friday, but their appearance now suggests something massive happened.

‘Didn’t the government collapse? How’s this playing out? Will utilities return? The internet? Nuclear plants might still be shut down for safety…’

It’s unclear if national functions are operational. Seoul is a wasteland, and the rest of the country must be the same. The government’s likely defunct, with only a few guilds surviving.

‘Hmm…’

I watched from hiding as they rescued the women from the building and loaded them into vehicles.

In the original, the Blue Cross was rigidly bureaucratic. Getting involved now would be trouble.

They’d probably drag me in under “rescue” pretexts, then force me into emergency service if they discover I’m Awakened.

‘Not happening.’

Joining any group would restrict my abilities. Fatigue recovery would suffer, and I’d lose access to the general store and inventory.

‘And who knows if they’re genuinely rescuing people…’

In the original, the Blue Cross wasn’t exactly clean.

‘Might as well assume they already know about me.’

They’d have questioned the women, who likely mentioned me.

If they talked, my existence is compromised.

‘Should’ve killed them yesterday…’

Delaying backfired. I should’ve slaughtered them right after the quest completed.

‘Damn… What if they see me as a powerhouse and try to recruit me? If they force me, I might have to kill them all… Or maybe they think I died on the way back…’

I gritted my teeth and turned away.

I need to gather points and grow stronger. That’s the only way.