Chapter 9 : The Reason for Cherishing

[You have gained experience points!]

[Challenger, ‘Kim Do Yoon’s’ level has risen from 1 → 2!]

A welcome notification window popped up, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at it.

Kim Do Yoon stared silently at his team members for a long while.

The boss monster had suddenly spoken to him, and he had even received the skill it used.

“…Mr. Do Yoon.”

“Yes.”

“Just, what in the world…”

“Do Yoon, that thing just now.”

“How did you draw acid from your palm and shield?”

“It said I resonated with the boss mob, and then suddenly, I got the skill.”

“The boss mob?”

“The Great King Slime?”

“Yes.”

Han Ji Hyuk swept a hand through his hair as if dizzy, then looked at his colleagues.

His expression seemed to ask how on earth they were supposed to take this.

Jo Ha Rin had a similar reaction to Han Ji Hyuk, and Jung Ah Hyun.

“Awesome.”

“This is seriously crazy!”

“Doesn’t this mean you can steal skills from other boss mobs too?!”

She jumped up and down excitedly.

In her mind, a bright future brought about by Do Yoon’s achievements was already unfolding.

The Hunt Business, oh, the Hunt Business.

Only thoughts of Korea and the Hunter business mindset began to dominate her.

“Then, can we conquer floors and not be looked down upon by Hunters of other nationalities?!”

“Ah, no, Ah Hyun.”

“Calm down first.”

“Ah, yes!”

At Han Ji Hyuk’s dissuasion, Jung Ah Hyun came to her senses and took a deep breath.

The tension that had risen in an instant caused the frozen atmosphere to thaw, if only a little.

“Thinking about it again, is there really a need to view the situation so negatively?”

“If a Hunter of our nationality becomes stronger, isn’t that good news for us too?”

“…Since it’s an ability directly or indirectly influenced by monsters, perhaps we were surprised without realizing it.”

“I’m sorry, Do Yoon.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Only after seeing Han Ji Hyuk immediately bow his head did Do Yoon also snap to his senses.

Anyone looking at Do Yoon now would find it hard to see him as ordinary.

“Stealing a boss mob’s skill.”

“Thinking about it again, it’s truly unbelievable.”

“And, didn’t you say you heard some words earlier?”

“If that ‘Supporter’ skill could be refined a bit more, we really wouldn’t have to bow down to other Hunters…”

“Mr. Do Yoon, was what you did earlier also thanks to ‘Supporter’?”

As Han Ji Hyuk and Jo Ha Rin began discussing a new direction, Cha Yoon Ha approached and asked.

“Uh… I think so.”

Do Yoon hastily explained in a roundabout way.

He said that thanks to the skill ‘Supporter’, he was able to receive fragmented information about the boss mob.

He didn’t forget to mention that obtaining the skill was also due to resonating through it.

“…This.”

“If other industries hear about this, it’ll cause an uproar.”

“Other industries?”

“As you know, Mr. Do Yoon, our country’s Hunter pool is much weaker compared to other places.”

“Ah…”

“So if someone even slightly stands out, they’ll be scouted with eyes blazing…”

“Hey, Cha Yoon Ha.”

“What are you talking about right now?”

“Ah, sorry.”

At Jo Ha Rin’s sharp interruption, Cha Yoon Ha covered her mouth with her hand and took a step back.

Scouted?

Do Yoon, who had just started his Hunter career, still had much to learn.

“Let’s leave the Tower first.”

“Yes.”

“We need to get out quickly and report to the Association…”

“At this rate, isn’t the manager going to cry for real?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“In my entire life, I’ve never seen a Hunter who steals and uses a boss mob’s skill.”

Han Ji Hyuk added, the lingering excitement not yet faded.

In truth, the main purpose of the 1st-floor exploration was to test Kim Do Yoon’s inherent qualities.

However, today, the Hunters had witnessed a performance from Do Yoon that exceeded all expectations.

Even amidst such chaos, Do Yoon mentioned the notification window he had seen earlier.

“Ah, I almost forgot to tell you.”

“I leveled up.”

“Aah, right.”

“Since you delivered the final blow, Mr. Do Yoon.”

“You must have received the most experience points from the boss mob.”

“Leveling up and discovering a new ability.”

“Today is really your day.”

The value of leveling up had long since disappeared from their minds.

For Hunters, levels were indeed essential, but compared to the information they had just learned, its value diminished.

“Ah, I’m suddenly a bit worried.”

“Yes?”

“Why?”

When Do Yoon asked, Jo Ha Rin frowned, imagining the future.

“Because there’s someone who enjoys tormenting Hunters like us.”

“Still, we have to do what we have to do.”

“I know.”

Han Ji Hyuk and Jo Ha Rin said so and headed towards the portal that had appeared first.

“Mr. Do Yoon, you can just follow!”

Two portals had appeared on site.

Both had formed shortly after the Great King Slime was defeated.

“What’s that red one?”

“That portal goes to the next floor!”

“The blue one Ha Rin unni just entered is for returning!”

“Aah.”

He learned something new again.

Do Yoon, along with a beaming Jung Ah Hyun, went straight outside.

‘Gallery.’

Do Yoon’s mind was filled with the desire to resolve his questions by accessing the Gallery.

After leaving the Tower, Do Yoon entered the room assigned to him for rest.

“Nice.”

One room per person.

In a breakroom the size of a studio apartment, Do Yoon decided to first melt away the day’s fatigue with deep satisfaction.

He came out of the shower provided in the breakroom and immediately opened the Gallery tab.

[Holding breath until newbie comes hup]

[It’s the 1st floor it’s a tutorial it’s the 1st floor it’s a tutorial it’s the 1st floor it’s a tutorial]

[When is newbie coming…? I’m coldWhen is newbie coming…? I’m coldWhen is newbie coming…? I’m cold]

[Ah, shouldn’t he report his status when he has spare time in between]

[But if he died on the 1st floor, he just wasn’t cut out for it in the first place… ㅇㅇ;]

[Ah, when is he coming!!!]

[I’m so worried something happened to the newbie my hands and feet are trembling beyond control]

As soon as he did, he saw the Bobeob Gallery users clamoring for his presence.

Do Yoon responded to such expectations and immediately posted.

[(My Post) Title: He was a good Great King Slime…]

[(Photo of Great King Slime parts)]

[-As per the info from Bobeob Gallery users]

[-I diligently cooked the Great King Slime and came back]

[-But so much happened, I’m confused ㅇㅇ;]

[ㄴ Newbie’s here?]

[ㄴ My dopamine has arrived!!!!!!!!!!]

[ㄴ Newb-kkyathou Newb-kkyathou Newb-kkyathou]

[ㄴ AgedWine*) Hoee…! Newbie-jjang, I was worried because there were no new posts for a while…]

[ㄴ You killed him…]

[ㄴ Are you hurt anywhere?]

[ㄴ (My Post) It wasn’t hard to catch… but…]

[ㄴ But?]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) ㅇㅇ? Newbie, did something happen?]

[ㄴ (My Post) I feel like I did something really f*cking bad;;]

[Title: What kind of variety show antics]

[-Did you get up to, to be laying the groundwork like this? kekeke]

[ㄴ Fr fr kekekeke]

[ㄴ Surely you’re not sympathizing?]

[ㄴ F*ck, he’s so cute, what do we do;]

[ㄴ Newbie, don’t worry, boss mobs revive even if they die ㄴㄴㄴㄴ]

When the atmosphere suddenly turned comforting, Do Yoon blurted out the words he hadn’t finished.

[ㄴ (My Post) No, it’s not that]

[ㄴ (My Post) Suddenly, this b*stard started talking to me]

And at that moment, numerous reactions started flooding in below Do Yoon’s last comment.

[ㄴ ?]

[ㄴ ????]

[ㄴ Sir, what did you say?]

[ㄴ It talked to you? Who on earth]

[ㄴ Surely you’re not talking about the 1st-floor boss mob? I misunderstood, right…?]

[ㄴ What does that mean? Explain in detail]

A feast of comments continued to pour in.

However, Do Yoon, still not free from the aftermath of the battle, did his best to compose himself and calmly explained the situation.

[(My Post) Title: At first, I thought I was crazy too]

[-I was healing while getting carried by my fellow Hunters,]

[-But as soon as I entered the boss room, someone started talking in my head;]

[-Turns out it was the Great King Slime talking directly to me.]

[-It even gave me its skill, saying something about resonance on the status window ㅇㅇ;]

[-Is this right?]

[-Is it right for me to kill a boss mob that helped me with all its might with my own hands?]

[ㄴ Uh… well, that is correct, right?]

[ㄴ Then, well, you can’t die, newbie]

[ㄴ (My Post) So I killed it ㅇㅇ…]

[ㄴ You have a talent for making obvious things sound difficult]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) But what’s this about a skill?]

[ㄴ (My Post) It’s literally as I said; it talked to me and then passed on its skill.]

[ㄴ …Yes?]

[ㄴ No lies ]

[ㄴ F*ck, what is today? He’s blowing up the gallery with every word]

[ㄴ (My Post) No, it’s real;;]

[ㄴ Sir, the pace is too fast]

[ㄴ This news is so absurd I don’t even know where to start pointing things out]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) This is baffling. So, the 1st-floor boss mob talked to you, and gave you a skill?]

[ㄴ (My Post) ;]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) Why? No, how?]

[ㄴ (My Post) Uh… I don’t know either?]

The Gallery users didn’t believe Do Yoon’s words for a long time.

However, Do Yoon felt just as wronged.

If such an absurd situation was going to be handed to him, couldn’t he at least have been given a heads-up?

Do Yoon harbored resentment towards whoever kept thrusting these strange incidents upon him.

[ㄴ What was that Great King Slime b*stard’s skill again?]

[ㄴ What skill would a mere 1st-floor boss mob have. It probably just shoots out acidic stuff]

[ㄴ (My Post) That’s right ㅇㅇ]

[ㄴ Oh, so then, like, that stuff comes out of your hand?]

[ㄴ So cool keke]

[ㄴ Then can’t our skills be copy-pasted too?]

[ㄴ Huh?]

[ㄴ Ah, that’s true]

[ㄴ So f*cking OP]

[Title: Honestly, forget everything else]

[-If you think the newbie being dejected over killing just one mere 1st-floor boss mob is cute, upvote kekeke I’ll start]

[ㄴ Fr, super upvote ]

[ㄴ He is cute ]

[ㄴ (My Post) No, this feels really sh*tty]

[ㄴ It’s infinite respawn anyway, don’t worry newbie. That b*stard will revive again anyway]

“Ah.”

Suddenly, the Great King Slime’s last words (?) came to mind.

The final words saying, ‘Let’s meet again.’

So that’s what it meant.

[ㄴ PaperLover*) Something’s ambiguous. Seems like we need to look into it more]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) Anyway, it wasn’t with other mobs, only the boss mob, right?]

[ㄴ (My Post) ]

[ㄴ ShortEaredElf*) Hmm~ That also seems related to you, newbie, joining our Gallery~]

[ㄴ Fr ]

[ㄴ What’s newbie’s real identity?]

[ㄴ (My Post) I don’t know either, Sir;;;]

[ㄴ If you don’t know, who does?]

[Title: The reason that’s really unbelievable is]

[-This is the first time in my life I’ve heard of a boss mob directly talking to a Hunter.]

[-First off, that doesn’t make sense.]

[-And then, the skill.]

[-The Great Slime talked to you and then passed on its skill?]

[-Where on earth does such a f*cking OP cheat key like skill exist?]

[-It’d be more plausible to say an ordinary human entered our Bobeob Gallery kekeke]

[….Huh?]

[ㄴ This b*stard getting mind-blown mid-sentence is hilarious kekekeke]

[ㄴ Huh? lol kekekekeke]

[ㄴ Where did all the fatalist b*stards go? Is newbie still a coincidence even after this?]

[ㄴ Even that is part of the coincidence;]

[ㄴ The fatalist b*stards are still stubbornly insisting]

[ㄴ Even after this, is the newbie joining Bobeob Gallery a coincidence?]

[Title: But well, not much is different for now]

[Nickname: PaperLover*]

[-The newbie extracting skills from other boss mobs is also better news for us.]

[-Rather, hasn’t he gained a means to protect himself?]

[-Let’s all Bobeob Gallery users be grateful to the newbie who grows day by day ㅇㅇ…]

[ㄴ We worship you…]

[ㄴ But that is true keke]

[ㄴ I hope he levels up quickly, gets strong quickly, and clears me quickly so I can graduate ㅇㅇ;]

The Gallery’s atmosphere was no different from usual.

Rather than being wary of Do Yoon’s suddenly acquired skill, they showed great interest in his growth potential.

‘Is this right.’

Do Yoon couldn’t understand such an atmosphere.

No matter how much they talked about respawns or whatever, wasn’t it the same that they died feeling pain?

[(My Post) Title: Why on earth are you guys doing this much for me?]

[-I’m really grateful that you’re being nice, but I’m asking because I don’t understand.]

[-Aren’t we, you guys and I, ultimately fated to kill each other?]

[-If I become stronger, you guys will eventually be in danger too.]

[-So why are you so positive? Or am I the strange one?]

[ㄴ Woah woah, calm down]

[ㄴ AgedWine*) Hoee, hoee… Newbie-jjang, please don’t be angry, it’s scary ㅠㅠㅠ]

[ㄴ Making even the moderator tremble ㄷㄷ]

Perhaps it was because he was influenced.

The experience with the Great King Slime, which had conversed with him familiarly until the very end.

Taking someone’s life, not just giggling about it inside the Gallery, was-

‘Let’s meet again.’

It was by no means a pleasant memory.

[(My Post) So, please tell me now]

[(My Post) What on earth is happening to me?]

Do Yoon judged that this very situation-

Was the time he needed to find out what was happening to him.

[ㄴ PaperLover*) Let me say it again, dying in the Tower doesn’t mean you really die]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) Didn’t I say something about ejection at the very beginning?]

[ㄴ PaperLover*) The reason we’re paying so much attention to you, newbie, is because it’s related to that.]

Related.

‘To me?’

What could the renowned boss mobs of the Tower want from him?

Since he still couldn’t figure anything out, Do Yoon continued to wait for their answer.

[ㄴ Newbie is a famous anti-ejection button ]