Chapter 67

 

< Chapter 23 – Skill ‘Armed’ (3) . >

[Armed]

– Skill Level : Rank F

– Skill Instruction : You can give an item in your possession to the Skeleton Magician under the Skeleton Warrior . As proficiency increases, an increased variety of items could be given to the mage under the Skeleton Warrior .

-Other : The weapon given to the mage under the Skeleton Warrior will become one with the weapon . The mage under the Skeleton Warrior has to be summoned to withdraw the weapon’s right .

The hologram window displayed the Armed Skill’s description, and Hyrkan removed his Hahoe mask . Then he carefully looked over the description of the skill, and he watched the video regarding the use of the skill .

Afterwards, Hyrkan swallowed his exclamation .

‘An incredible one showed up . ’

Armed Skill .

It’ll allow the Skeleton Mage under the Skeleton Warrior to become incredibly strong . In one fell swoop, the skill would make the Mage into a powerful being .

‘It really is an incredible one…… . ’

At the same time, it was a skill that required a steep price .

‘A skill that’ll put an incredible dent into my account books has showed up . ’

At that moment, Hyrkan wasn’t filled purely of happiness .  He started earnestly calculating the figures .

‘So how much do I have to spend?’

Currently, level 70 Rare rank weapons with decent options were traded between the price of 500 to 1000 gold . Of course, Rare rank items like the Orc Hero’s Sword, which was closer to the Unique rank, was traded at a much more expensive price .

‘First, the number of Skeletons I could summon…… . ’

This was Hyrkan’s current Rank of skills related to Skeleton Summoning .

[Skeleton Fragment Rank B], [Skeleton Study Rank D], [Skeleton Magician Rank D] .

There were 5 Skeleton Warriors able to be summoned through the Skeleton Fragment Rank B .  Skeleton Study Rank D’s effect allowed him to summon an additional 3 Skeletons .  The effect of Skeleton Magician Rank D allowed him to summon two more . The Corrupt Pursuer’s Necklace allowed for an additional summon with its effect .  If he only summoned the Skeleton Warriors, he could summon 11 of them at most .

What if he added these two factors?

“Hoo-ooh!”

Hyrkan’s mouth let out a sigh as his complicated emotions were mixed in with it .

This skill wouldn’t arm the entire body yet .  It’ll just allow it to take up a decent weapon . Hyrkan needed much more money than the security deposit for his one room . Moreover, as the Armed Skill proficiency increases, he would need more money . When he thought about the breastplate, greave, shoulder, boots, and shield… .

Of course, it was possible to resell the weapons he purchased later on .  However, he wouldn’t be able to get the full price for what he paid for .  It would impact on how much profit he would bring in .  However, it wouldn’t affect Hyrkan’s way of life too much .

The important thing was deciding whether he wanted to spend a lot of time selling and purchasing items .  If not, he had to secure enough funds where he’ll be able to purchase the items in bulk .

Hyrkan stopped thinking at this point .  If he thought any more, it felt as if a hole would form in his stomach .

‘……for the foreseeable future, it’ll be protein powders, cheap coffees, and grape-flavored candies . ’

Hyrkan let out a bitter laugh .

‘I can understand how a head of the household feels when he has to save money to be able to support his children and wife . ’

In the entirety of his life, he had never married anyone .  Moreover, he hadn’t dated either .  He already felt as if he had not one, but several children now . His situation was funny .

‘I don’t have time for this . ’

His mirth didn’t last long .

First, Hyrkan had to acquire the Skill .  He once again raised his hand onto the Skill Book .  It requested whether he would like to acquire the Skill . He chose to accept .

[You’ve acquired the Armed Skill . ]

After he finished learning the skill, Hyrkan put the thoughts about the Armed Skill to the back of his head .  He once again started to carefully search his surrounding .

‘Let’s clear the Dungeon first . ’

The message indicating the Dungeon Clear hadn’t popped up .  He hadn’t received the Bonus EXP that followed a Dungeon Clear . This meant he hadn’t found the element that was required for a Dungeon Clear .  Hyrkan had to work on this problem instead of thinking about the Armed Skill .

‘There should be something here .  There should be something that’ll inform me about the identity of this Dungeon…’

Hyrkan busily searched through the book cases .  Afterwards, he started searching the desk drawers, when it happened .

Dul-kung dulkung!  

One desk drawer wouldn’t open .  There weren’t any noticeable change to Hyrkan’s expression as he kicked the desk’s drawer with his foot .

Kwah-jeek!

Accompanying a rough sound, the desk drawer was demolished .  When he looked inside the destroyed drawer, he found a bundle of documents being stored there .  The owner of this Dungeon used Salamanders as ingredients .  He wrote down the results of his research in making the Elemental Knights .  

The title on the cover was quite grandiose and weighty .  

[Research Log about the Ancient Power]

It looked like a very important title .  However, when Hyrkan caught sight of the title, he let out a single snort .  The word ‘Ancient Power’ was something that was very familiar to him .  It was like the name of the neighbor’s dog . It was so familiar that he was almost sick and tired of it .

‘It’s the Ruined Kingdom’s bait . ’

Ancient Power .

This was a topic one comes across the main storyline of the Warlord .  It wasn’t anything complicated .  It was a trope commonly used in most fantasy novels .  Some ancient kingdom possessed a special power .  They used the power in a wrong way, and it destroyed the brilliant and civilized kingdom .  

After a long time passes, the power reappears once again in the world, and it drives the world into chaos!  That was the basic story line .

Additionally, the power used by the current corrupt count, and Baeduk’s prince was also of the Ancient Power .  The Warlord users were given frequent clues, so one could piece together this story .  This was why these elements of the story was hidden in places like the Dungeons as bait .    

‘When I heard the story for the first time, I was like wow, wow!  I was like that . ’

Unexpectedly, this subject was a bit of a money maker .  The Top 30 guilds were interested in this main scenario quest, which was viewed through the outlook of a Warlord .    There were at least one program that dealt with main quests like this . Since he found it here, it probably held a similar story!  The fan of this piece would gather, and a minor program would have various conversation about the view of the world inside this work .  Moreover, these types of shows were unexpectedly popular . Hundred thousand to millions of viewers enjoyed watching even this minor view of the world .

This manuscript wouldn’t bring in an enormous sum of money, but it would bring in enough .  In the case of the Top 30 Guilds, they frequently purchased and collected such manuscripts .  

Hyrkan put away the manuscript .  He had planned on taking it any ways, but this manuscript felt much more precious now since he had to worry about the Armed Skill .

‘I need to earn every penny . ’

At the same time, he started berating himself for hunting in luxury up until now .

‘Shit .  Why did I do that?’

It happened at that moment .

[You’ve reached the Dungeon’s Secret . ]

[You’ve cleared the Dungeon .  You’ll be given a reward . ]

[You have leveled up . ]

With the notice, the not too short Dungeon Exploration came to an end for Hyrkan .

Plop plop .  

Ahn-jaehyun dropped grape-flavored candies into hi cheap coffee . Then he busily worked his hand over the Tablet PC .  He was calculating figures using a Calculator App .

‘At the very least, he would have to give llevel 60 and up rare weapons to the 11 Skeletons . He could purchase those items using his excess funds of 20 thousand gold .  Since he had the level 70 Set Items of Shadow Hunting Dog Set and the White Mamba’s Tooth Sword, he wouldn’t have to invest any more for his own equipment .  

If he sold the Skull Snake Set and the items he earned from this Dungeon Exploration, he’ll be able to obtain 20 thousand gold . However, he would need around that much spare funds for his future hunting .  Then there was the Orc Hero’s Sword…  He would feel the absence if he sold it .  It would better to give it to a Skeleton . ’

His calculation didn’t end there .  His calculation continued as he crossed from the game into reality .

‘I’ll have to purchase a higher model V Gear .  There was a limit when one used the Level 1 .  It would be hard to immediately get the level 6, but he should at least purchase a level 3 or level 4 . If he switched to a higher model while still paying his old installment, his monthly installment would be…’

Ahn-jaehyun’s forehead was stacked with wrinkles as he continually calculated everything .  When he finished his calculation, Ahn-jaehyun’s expression became rigid with his foreheads still furrowed .

“Uheekoo . ”

Ahn-jaehyun, who had enough money to live in luxury, suddenly found himself in rags now .

‘Suddenly, I’m short on money .  Fuck . ’

He swallowed his sigh .  He withdrew his hand from the Tablet PC, and Ahn-jaehyun looked at his one room as he sipped his coffee .  The inside of his house was so poor that the large monitor and V Gear felt out of place .  The corner of Ahn-jaehyun’s mouth hung downwards .

‘I thought I was trending up towards the right direction…’

He had thought about moving to a new place when he had some money to spare .  However, he would have to push that dream further down the line .  As if his coffee was bitter, Ahn-jaehyun let out a bitter laugh .

‘My intent was to play the game to make a living . Currently, I’m putting my living expenses into the game . ’

Truthfully, Ahn-jaehyun could make an agreement at any time .  The moment he made an agreement he would be able to live a decent life . He just had to pick up one enthusiastic love call sent by the Top 30 Guilds .  After 3 years, he would have a decent apartment, and a nice automobile .  He would also have a pretty expensive watch on his wrist . He would go to meetings, and he will be able to introduce his job as a Warlord Gamer with pride .

He just had to come to an agreement .  Then he wouldn’t have to be hungry like right now, and he wouldn’t have to take on any risk .

‘At any rate, my pride is quite expensive . ’

However, he couldn’t make that agreement .  He knew the truth .  Ahn-jaehyun drank the bitter coffee, and he let out a bitter laugh .

However, the numerous grape-flavored candies soon took the edge off the bitterness .  The sweetness coated the inside of his mouth .

‘Still, this is a favorable development for me . ’

The appearance of the Armed Skill would most definitely damage Ahn-jaehyun’s expense plan .  On the other hand, the appearance of the Armed Kill would significantly increase Ahn-jaehyun’s potential .

He would get stronger by using weapons .  This was most definitely a great thing .  However, the weapons in the game didn’t only serve to increase one’s attack .  It was the same for the Warlord .  Numerous types of weapons were used by the Warlord .

Especially when he reached the Unique Rank and the ruined Kingdom arc, weapons containing the Ancient Power would start to appear . The Aura from the weapon could decrease the stat of the targets .  On the opposite spectrum, there were weapons that could increase the Stat of the nearby allies .  There were even defensive gear that was touted to have an absolute defense .

They were really really expensive weapons .  If Hyrkan used all the money he had gathered up until now, he wouldn’t be able to buy those weapons .  What if he could equip his troops with those weapons?  The Skeleton army commanded by Ahn-jaehyun would induce unimaginable fear .

Moreover, it wouldn’t end there .

‘At level 100, I’ll acquire the Skeleton Knights… . ’

The moment any class reached level 100, one would learn one’s main skills .  It would dramatically strengthen his potential . Amongst his summoning skill, there was a skill called ‘Skeleton Knights’ . The Skeleton Knights were twice as strong as the Skeleton Warriors, and their special ability increased the stat of the Skeleton Warriors .

Furthermore…

‘If I also acquire the Death Knights, afterwards…… . ’

After the Skeleton Knights, the creme de la creme of the Necromancer was the Death Knights .  A Death Knight was powerful enough of an existence that it didn’t need to be equipped . In the LichLich’s Solo Raid video, Death Knights displayed superior battle capability than a fairly skilled ranker .

Moreover, if he activated the Death Knight’s special ability called the Immortal Army, the Skeletons sourrounding the Death Knight would receive an almost limitless life .

Boo-roo-roo!

For a brief moment, Ahn-jaehyun’s body shook . Even in his own opinion, he would be able to possess a ridiculous amount of combat power .

If only he had money .

If he was overflowing with money, Ahn-jaehyun would truly become what he wanted to be .  He’ll be able to become a Warlord .

‘Yes .  I have to quickly make money, so I can give my Skeletons good weapons to carry around .  It isn’t the time to be standing around like this . ’

The thought forced Ahn-jaehyun into moving .

Ahn-jaehyun finished his coffee, then he put on his clothes . It was light clothes suited for the end of spring, when summer started to approach .  His clothes showed off his skinny frame .

Ahn-jaehyun adjusted his glasses, then he stepped out of the house .

[Maung’s Request]

– Quest Rank : Rare

– Quest Requirement Level : None

– Quest Summary : Investigate the monsters inside the Pareung Forest .

– Quest Reward : Maung’s Trust

He manipulated the clock to confirm the content of the Quest .  Then Hyrkan turned his head, and he stared at the mountain in front of him .  Even viewing it from afar, the large forest gave off a sense of peril .

The full forest held a foreboding feeling .

Pareung Forest .

It was crawling with monsters over level 90 .  It was a region where a single village hadn’t formed even now . Decent regular users wouldn’t even dare to approach this region . The fairly high level users would come with a party formed by the guild .  It was a place where they would be inserted for a full-scale fighting .

From the corner of the Pareung Forest, the sound of explosions rang out, and fire rose into the air .  Sometimes he would hear a chilling and powerful cry of a monster .

Hyrkan, who was viewing this sight, quickly put on the Hahoe mask slung on the waist of his armor .  His new armor gave off a sense of sleekness and sophistication . He also wore a hooded shirt inside his armor, and he put on the hood .  When he put on his hood, darkness descended to cover Hyrkan’s face .   

Then he was with the Darkness .

[Shadow Hunting Dog Set’s Special Option ‘Shadow Hunting Doge’ was activated . ]

[Shadow Hunting Doge Set’s Special Effect increased movement speed . ]

[Shadow Hunting Doge Set’s Special Effect dims the presence of the wearer . ]

[Shadow Hunting Doge Set’s Special Effect decreases defense by 20% . ]

The new power wrapped itself around Hyrkan . As Hyrkan felt the power of his new Defensive Set surround him, he softly spat out his resolve .

“I’ll kill all the bastards, who will interfere with me making my money . ”

His account held $232,120,  It was a resolve made by someone who had to make a monthly payment of couple thousand a month for the V Gear .