I Never Run Out of Mana Chapter 33-34

33. My Way (5)

After leaving the dungeon, I grabbed a taxi.

By doing this, I was able to level up, but I was not able to obtain the weapon I wanted.

And the B rank stones, even though I was investing time, I was not able to take them back since I couldn't clear the dungeon.

It cannot go on like this.

“Thank you. Take care.”

The place I arrived at was the Awakened market near the level 18 hunting grounds.

After leaving the taxi, I went to the biggest market there.

It was because I was buying a high class item.

In the store, there were many customers present.

While I was wandering aimlessly, a 20 year old female store employee came towards me.

The average male would not want any employee to come and help them.

I felt like there was no point in coming to the large market.

The employee was someone who spoke business like.

“Welcome.”

“Yes. Hello.”

“Is there something you are looking for?”

“Trying to purchase a Necromancer skill book.”

Yes. High ranking magic attacks have anti healing properties, like a rice cake painting.

It was something that I couldn't even dream about with the money I had.

That's why I was planning to buy the cheaper alternative, a debuff skill.

It had the same effect, but no one but the Necromancer could use it, since there would be a 10 times the mana cost penalty.

“Necromancer skill book. Please come this way?”

Following the guidance of the employee, we headed towards the corner of the store.

Unlike the small markets near home, there were many guards looking over the place.

Each armed to the teeth, that is.

The inside of the market was divided like a bookstore, and none of the actual items were on display, as only pictures of them were hung up.

Even the half A rank weapon I used was hung up as picture in a corner.

“This is where the necro skill books are, but what are you looking for specifically?”

“‘Lower Resist' and “Un-Recoverable' please.”

“Understood. Lower Resist is over here, and you said Un-Recoverable?”

She turned towards me to confirm.

“Yes.”

“But why are you saying it in such a difficult terminology. You can just call it anti healing skill. That's what everyone calls it. It's not like there is another ‘anti healing' magic found in any other schools of magic.”

“Ah….. I just memorized it the way the encyclopedia had it written…”

“Guess it hasn't been long since you became an Awakened.”

“Yes.”

The employee smirked and spoke.

After picking up the two skill books, she continued.

“Did you need anything else?”

“Healer class attack power buff skill book as well.”

“Yes. Understood.”

As soon as I finished talking, two guards by the wall headed towards me and the employee.

‘Oh? What the.'

Without thinking, strength went into both my arms.

Looking at my eyes that went wide, she plastered on a fake smile and spoke.

“Out of all the items at our store, the skill books are considered one of the most prized possessions. That's why there are guards that come along when we bring them out. Sorry if it surprised you.”

“Ah… Yes…..”

I guess it made sense since the Necromancer debuff skill book alone was $60,000 1, and then to buy the attack buff skill as well.

It didn't take long for me and the employee to arrive at the counter.

With the two guards at each side, just like the time with the midgets and the goons.

‘This type of situation…. I dislike it for some reason.' was my thought process.

Finishing the transaction, I boarded the taxi.

Learning all three skill books, the taxi was slowly heading back.

It was annoying to have to raise the level of the skills each time I obtain one.

However, only by raising the levels of the skills do their true values show, so there was no other way.

I had to hit the most amount of monsters possible to level them up quickly.

Back to the manticore dungeon. It was like a training room to me now.

After investing three hours to raise the skill levels up somewhat…

I was in front of the level 18 dungeon once more.

Half the time for hunting was wasted.

It was because I had wasted half the time set aside for hunting on a dungeon that didn't return much.

But it was for the perfect clear on the level 18 dungeon today.

The dungeon was pitch black.

I was sure, but just in case, I pulled two mobs first.

Then I casted Lower Resist and Anti Healing on them.

On their chests, an inversed triangle and x shape formed one after another.

With this, debuffs are complete.

Quickly casting the attack buff on myself, I casted Gravity Laser.

With incredible thickness, it penetrated their bodies.2

Riddled with gaping holes, red blood sprayed everywhere.

It didn't heal. The debuffs were showing definitive effect.

After confirming the effects of the debuff, I casted my shields and ran towards them.

And just like the griffon's final attack, I aimed to use my Fire Shock to finish them in one go.

Below me was a sea of flames.

The griffon's sharp feathers became imbedded in the shield, but they were merely ashes slowly cooling.

“Good.”

Other than the poison spit attack from the naga, nothing could approach me without dying.

The only thing I'd have to worry about when pulling a vast amount of mobs is the griffon's attack.

Pulling all the monsters in the dungeon, I casted Frozen Shield and Spirit Armor.

Frozen Shield shatters after taking a strong attack.

Previously, it shattered from the kelvacore's brace attack in one go.

That's why I casted Spirit Armor over the Frozen Shield for additional safety.

Then the debuffs, followed by Fire Shocks to those that cannot recover.

Meanwhile casting Gravity Laser to torment them in between.

Out of all my defensive skills, Reflect Shield provided the most reliable protection.

That's why I left it in case the hidden boss appeared, as well as for Louver.

If there was no cooldown, there would be no need for this.

With my perfect plan, I was able to annihilate them cleanly.

Other than the time it took to take down the two, it only took 10 min.

All the fallen's soul was absorbed by Louver.

It was about time that it showed its face.

However, it went back to hiding in the center of the dungeon.

-SQUEEEAL!

I heard the sound of a pig.

The boss had appeared.

To think that a hidden boss would appear on my first clear of the level 18 dungeon.

There was no way to hide the excitement on my face.

If I was lucky, I'd be able to obtain the weapon I want in a single day.

With that in mind, I ran towards the center of the dungeon.

“Wow…. Chicken, snake soup, and now pork?”

The pig was about 5m in size.

It was a bipedal pig, carrying a mace the size of its head.

With its other hand, it held onto a circular wooden box.

Its attack power was low, but the item in its left hand was dangerous.

You could think of it as a bomb that caused a massive explosion.

If I was able to avoid that one attack, I could probably beat it up without any problems.

“However, that guy hiding over there bothers me. Just you wait.”

Only for a moment did the stare down with Louver went.

‘Gwidon' started to charge at an incredible speed with its head nearly touching the floor.

When it came close to me, I casted the debuff and self buff at the same time.

The noise it made as its body crashed with the ground. The ground shook and I could feel the pressure from it.

The mace was raised above its head and came crashing down towards me.

But thanks to its large body, there was no way such a slow attack would hit me.

It swung through thin air and embedded the mace into the ground, it immediately tried to raise it again.

I ran behind it, and got on its back.

Holding onto its hide, I began to cast all my skills with reckless abandon.

From experience, at close range the Lightning Spray is a lot more effective than the Gravity Laser.

Through hunting, I knew it would do massive amounts of damage to its internals.

Even if Gravity Laser was an A rank skill while Lightning Spray is a C rank, depending on the situation, it could be super effective.

The flames from Fire Shock flew about, its back becoming charred black.

From its nose, mouth, and ears, black smoke came out.

It was obvious that it had suffered terrible internal injuries.

Even while casting the spells, my mind was focused on its left hand.

The mace was in its right hand. With its short hand, it could not hit me while I was on it.

It seemed that it has decided on something, as it raised its left hand up and tossed the bomb in the air.

‘Reflect Shield.'

Instead of just going down like this, it seemed to have wanted to get me off even if it meant taking damage as well.

-BOOM!

The wooden container that left its hand exploded with a deafening noise.

At the same time, it knelt down and lost the life in its eyes.

It didn't die just because of the damage from the explosion.

The boss wasn't stupid enough to suicide.

It was because of the damage reflected by the shield.

Since the Reflect Shield had reached level 100, the reflect chance was 30%, while the damage returned was 60%.

It had reflected more than half of the immense amount of explosive damage.

Even if the shield didn't reflect, it was going to die anyways.

But this makes it a lot easier.

While I was trying to loot the drops floating above ‘Gwidon'….

Reaper Louver became a solid form and started to move.

This was the second time I entered this dungeon, but I was already beginning to grow tired of it.

It has not even been 20 minutes yet, but being stared at by those eyes that keeps following me…

Didn't feel like 20 minutes, but over 2 hours.

Using the attack skills of the monsters it absorbed.

And it even absorbed the soul of Gwidon.

It wasn't an easy fight.

That's what I thought as I looked at its ethereal corpse embedded into the ground.

Investing $100,000, I had only learned 3 new skills.

But thanks to those skills, I was able to clear it for less than half the time it would've taken me.

A dungeon that required the skills of 5 to 6 different classes.

But I found a way to solo it.

I went next to Gwidon's corpse.

Looking it over, I could not see any weapons.

However, like a hidden boss, it dropped a huge B ranking bloodstone and a skill book.

It should have a huge price differential compared to the C rank stone.

Taking all the loot, I went to the corpse of Louver.

It did not drop any stones, skills books, or even weapons.

But I saw a shiny bracelet floating above its corpse.

“Ara ara.”

With the skill book, bracelet, and a fortune, I immediately exited the dungeon.

Current schedule: Twice a week.

Current Queue: 7 Chapters

For these prices, we're assuming for most of the time, the author uses both won and dollars, often just using numbers. Author's choice of words. Lewd.

34. Exp Continues to Rise

Look at this nonsensical growth.

It takes 20 minutes to clear the dungeon.

But the experience I gained from it was 2 to 2.5 million.

With only 10 days of hunting, my level had risen from 108 to 124.

I was able to raise 1 to 2 levels each day.

If you think about it, it was only natural.

I did not have to wait to recharge my mana, and was taking the experience that would normally be shared across 5 to 6 people.

Rather than the boss, the hidden boss had a higher chance of dropping the Awakened Essence.

Thanks to the appearance of ‘Gwidon', I was able to obtain another Awakened Essence.

As soon as I got the essence, I Awakened Fire Shock.

At least until lv 150 to 170, I was planning to continue hunting here.

After that, I was planning to Awaken a physical attack skill.

Other items dropped other than the Awakened Essence, but they were all useless compared to the items dropped on the first clear.

Three footwear dropped, but all of them raised mana.

Why are only mana items dropping…

Thanksfully though, I was able to obtain a skill book I was going to buy, ‘Flash'.

Soon as I exited the dungeon, I learned it.

It was a skill that would let me teleport 5m.

However the real prize was this.

The bracelet that Louver dropped!

It was on a dimension of its own, nothing like the regular equipment.

It was a ‘named equipment', one that would only drop from Louver.

Not just the bracelet, but a ring and a necklace exists, each with their own abilities.

If you equip all three, you even get a set bonus effect.

‘Louver's Bracelet' had a simple ability.

It didn't raise your stats, or your defense.

[After absorbing a certain amount of magical energy and using a skill with the hand that has the bracelet equipped, the skill casted will be more than twice as powerful.]

It was a simple description, but an incredible item.

The bracelet's effect also showed an incredible destructive force.

After casting a certain amount of skills and killing monsters, the silver bracelet starts to glow blue.

Then.

The next skill used would be vastly strengthened.

Currently this item was not found on the auction house.

Even the history of this item showed that it was rarely auctioned.

‘Those who will succeed can do whatever they want.'

Recently, I've been thinking that this saying fits me perfectly.

Honestly, when the bracelet dropped…

I was hoping for equipment that raised strength or stamina stats.

I was just hoping for something that didn't raise the mana stat.

But instead of indulging in my small wish, it gave me this wonderful boon instead.

‘Gold axe or silver axe. My choice is the steel axe.'

It was like the story of the lumberjack who lost his axe in the lake.

Previously, the 5% drop rate on the blood stone had increased to a reasonable level.

Perhaps it was due to the low number of monsters?

The amount of stone earned was similar with places where lots of monsters appeared.

Of course there was the huge difference in price of B rank stones dropping instead of C.

I think I got the hang of leveling up my skills to 100.

If only Awakened Essences dropped more, but that's just wishful thinking.

I was planning to save money to purchase ‘Glacial Field'.

Currently one of the most powerful magic out there.

I needed Magma Pool and Meteor Call as well, but I picked a frost type spell because the first spell I obtained was the Frost Orb spell.

In the taxi after finishing the day's hunt and heading back home…

The 30 minute travel time was also a time for me to plan ahead and sort out my thoughts.

Sometimes, this is where I'd have a call with mother or Jong Ho as well.

There were times when calls would come from Sang-min, but after leaving the guild, there was a unexplainable distance formed between us, and I was no longer glad to talk to him anymore.

-Riiiiiiiing.

‘If you talk about a tiger, it will come.' Jong Ho's calling.

I was grateful to this hyung for many reasons.

Other than the internet, it was my only route for obtaining information. Not only that, but there was much to learn from him, excluding the fashion sense.

During the meal we had to celebrate the purchase of the house, mother seemed to be very fond of him as well.

“Yes. The world's best Kim Min-Cheol speaking.”

“It's commander Lee Jong Ho.”

“Hail! What is it?”

“Uh. You're working hard. It's nothing much, just this. I was hoping to meet with you this weekend.”

“No worries, commander. Would you like to have dinner with my mother as well?”

“Oho. That's good. Then let's meet after taking care of business.”

I can't believe that we match this well.

Perhaps I should ask mother seriously if there was a long lost hyung?

“But what is it? It's the first time hyung has asked me to meet first?”

“Nothing important, just wanted you to come somewhere with me.”

“Okay. Understood. See you tomorrow, hyung.”

“Oh yes. I'm grateful.”

"Min-Cheol. I'm in front of the house. But due to the guards preventing me from even entering the residential area, I just parked the car at the entrance.”

“Yes. I just got on the elevator. I'll be there soon.”

“Ok”

I could see Jong Ho waiting at the entrance.

I've known him for over two months now, but this was the first time he asked to meet me first.

Without even telling me the details to boot.

I saw Jong Ho purchasing something at a corner.

“What's up? You called me up to meet first.”

“It's nothing much. Kind of embarrassing to say.”

“What is it? Making me curious.”

“Hyung is going to go purchase armor with the money he's saved up, but a bit nervous since I'll be meeting up in person to do a trade directly.”

“What… I'm a body guard?”

“Sorry. I couldn't ask anyone else because that'd be embarrassing. Let's buy this first and let's go.”

“What? Beansprouts?”

“Yes. Sweet potatoes and spinach too.”

“Eh?”

I noticed Jong Ho receiving a black envelop.

Paying for my share, and obtaining the change from the grandma…

I noticed Jong Ho sliding a few C rank stones into the herb basket.

Looking at Jong Ho, I asked by mouthing the words silently.

‘What. Is. It?'

To my question, he put his index finger on his lips in a shushing gesture and nodded his head.

‘Is he paying me because he is guilty? I feel like a bad person now.'

After finishing the purchase, Jong Ho scratched his head while laughing.

“You'll come with, right?”

He's been helping me so much until now, but for something simple as this, he was feeling guilty and sorry for me, and I found it cute.

Despite him being a hyung and all.

Today's the day we take a break, once a week. There's the dinner with Jong Ho and mother, and when else would I be able to help this hyung out, I felt proud.

However, if it went like this, it won't be fun.

“Ah. What are you doing, hyung. Calling someone busy like me for something like this.”

“Uh… uh? Ah. I'm sorry. I thought it'd be okay since I heard you are resting today.”

“Ah… Jeez.”

Yes. I have to tease him like this for fun. Right when his red embarrassed face was about to explode…

“Pfft. Teasing you is the best.”

“What? You… Are you going or not?”

“Of course I'll go. Why are you asking something like that. And because it's cold today, you even wore a windbreaker?”

“Yeah. I thought you'd be embarrassed, so I wore it one purpose. Why?”

“Then we must go for sure. Let's go.”

A small park near the market.

This is the area Jong Ho planned to have the trade.

After calling the seller, Jong Ho spoke.

“3 min and they'll be here.”

“We'll only have to wait a bit. But what armor did you buy?”

“Yes. B rank armor, but it's used so it is cheap. It was being re-evaluated as a half A rank.”

“Aha. How much?”

“Cost?”

Hearing my question, he smiled while raising four fingers.

“4 million? Is it usually that expensive? From what I hear, it's about 1 million. There's no helmet included, right?”

“No. No.”

“Hyung, you don't like me, right?”

“$400,000! Super cheap, right? ‘Opportunities come to someone who lives righteously.' But it has to be all cash.”

“Wow. No matter it being a used item, it's that cheap? That's really good. But let me go use the bathroom real quick.”

Needed to go quick, but I did not see a single open stall.

I had to go to the cafe and buy a drink to be able to use the bathroom.

Returning to the park. I saw Jong Ho and the vendor from afar.

‘Hm? Why does he look familiar?' was what I thought.

As I got closer, I heard the conversation.

“Since we need to check the armor's ability, should we go into a dungeon?”

“Yes. But my sibling has gone to the bathroom. Let's wait a bit.”

“Eh. It'll be over real quick. Let's go already.”

Who's this. The one who tried to scam me out, trying to buy the ‘Magician's Insight Bracelet' from me.

Guess he didn't change his ways.

“Oh boy. You're still alive?”

“Hwuhh!”

“You really give your all to living.”

Remembering the past, he started to tremble like a leaf when he saw me.

Even stuttering his words too.

“You suffered that much last time. Why did you not learn.”

“… Th-that's… because…..”

“You'll confirm it at the dungeon? Let's go then.”

I flicked the armor he was holding on with my finger, and he just collapsed on the ground.

“You know him?”

“Hyung. I think you saved $400,000 today?”

“What do you mean?”

“This guy is a scammer. Remember how I told you about the time I beat the shit out of the person who tried to buy the Magician's Insight Bracelet?”

“Yeah, you did.”

Instead of answering, I pointed at him.

Realizing the situation now, Jong Ho gave a hollow laugh.

However, Jong Ho was still handing over the envelope with the money inside to him.

‘Kind to the point of bothersome. So frustrating.'

“What are you doing hyung? You can just take it you know?”

“…..”

After handing the money, Jong Ho turned around and headed towards the car in silence.

I was able to learn that there was a side to him other than the joking one, a side that was very different from me.

It's not just pocket change, but $400,000.

For a level 60 like Jong Ho, it would take months, if not a year to get that much money saved up without a doubt.

But here he is, walking on his own path with the armor in silence.

He was someone I could never understand.

“Let's go together, hyung!”

We headed towards Jong Ho's car.

He sat at the driver's seat with a neutral expression.

I quietly got onboard the car.

“Yeah! Min-Cheol. Doesn't this armor look killer?”

“Hyung…..?”

“It's not a joke. I smell the sweat of a hard, honest veteran's work.”

I didn't say anything more about the scammer.

Just kept joking around with him like usual while we moved.

“Then we should probably check out the armor's ability, no?”

“Yeah?”

“Let's go!”

Current schedule: Twice a week.

Current Queue: 7 Chapters

Chapter end