Chapter 10

Master of The Thousand Mastery (3)

"Hmm?"

As I opened my eyes, a dazzling fluorescent light bothered my vision.

The scent of disinfectant stung my nose...

'A hospital?'

Ah, right.

I cleared the dungeon, didn't I?

The old man eventually accepted my proposal.

I'm sure, since I received the stage clear message.

After that, I have no clue.

I lost my consciousness.

"...."

I furrowed my brow, adjusting to the bright world for a moment.

"Hmm?"

I felt a stinging gaze around me.

I forced my eyes open and a lady in a formal suit with her fists clenched was looking down at me.

She spoke abruptly.

"It seems you've regained your senses."

I tilted my head and asked.

"Who... are you? Huh?"

I had no choice but to widen my eyes.

A face that clearly in my memory.

And a golden nameplate attached to her waist.

Kim soo yul, right?

'Ah.'

I marveled inwardly.

It was quite a different atmosphere from his combat attire.

Back then, it gave off the feeling of a tough warrior, but now it's more like a cold-hearted career woman?

"Now that you're up, let me greet you again. I am Kim soo yul, Deputy Guild Master of the Blue Guild. In the common world, I'm also known by the alias 'Shadow Empress'."

Kim soo yul spoke calmly.

I nodded.

"Okay. but..."

Why is she here?

I quickly scanned the surroundings.

There was only her and me in the hospital room.

No one else.

Could it be?

that she want to took the dungeon reward from me ?

It's not an impossible feat.

She's the Empress of Assassination.

Even if she were to take my life here, she's a superhuman who could leave behind no evidence.

"To be honest, I was quite surprised. The boss seemed utterly unbeatable, but I never imagined Mr. Porter can do it. And in just one try at that."

Her attitude remained polite, unaffected by my concerns.

But I didn't let my guard down.

it possible that.

She might be a psycho who smiles and commits murder while using polite language...

"...But why have you been staring at me with that look since earlier?"

Kim Soo eul must have sensed my wary gaze, as she furrowed her brow.

Afraid of offending her sensibilities, I shook my hands nervously.

"Oh, no. I was just curious why the Deputy Guild Master of a major guild would come here alone."

"Well, of course, I'm curious too."

"Huh?"

"How on earth did you clear that absurd dungeon? And if you did clear it, what's the reward? Did you really earn his recognition and become the old man's disciple, etc?"

"Ah..."

I pondered upon her questions.

In truth, her inquiries were only natural.

The ownership of the dungeon clearly belonged to her.

I was merely given a chance.

Honestly, in her position, wouldn't she be annoyed at the possibility of someone like me benefiting from his efforts?

"If it were another ranker, my head might have been rolled on the ground already."

Just by not getting angry.

This was a testament to the thickness of Kim soo yul magnanimity.

"And besides..."

This world is harsh.

As cruel and treacherous it is .

If it were known that a rookie like me obtained such a tremendous feat?

I could become a target for someone.

Whether it's a lunatic driven by jealousy or an underground group trying to cut off a new sprout.

I must always be cautious.

"Hmm, Mr. Porter? What's on your mind?"

"Oh, Amje-nim, before I answer, could I perhaps... know how the article about this dungeon exploration was written?"

In response to my question, she looked at me with a surprised expression.

"I think I have a rough idea of what concerns you. You don't need to worry too much about that part. For now, the Blue Guild's Vanguard safely cleared this dungeon. We've also secured confidentiality agreements from all the survivors."

"Huh?"

Does that mean the public doesn't know that 'I' was the one who cleared this dungeon? 

Oh, I was genuinely touched.

What an incredibly consideration!

I respectfully nodded my head. "Thank you for your consideration, Amje-nim."

"You're more mature than you seem, Mr. Porter. Other hunters are usually restless to show off their achievements to the whole world."

"Safety is more important than showing off. Safety first and foremost."

"You don't have to be thankful for that. It's directly related to the pride of the Blue Guild."

"Ah?"

As I blinked, she gave a small smile.

"Do you think people would believe that in a search party with a Ranker, an E-rank mercenary who is also a porter was the MVP?"

"Ah... I see."

The point was simple. 

We'll keep our mouths shut because we'd be embarrassed. 

Just understand that you might end up dead if you blabber for no reason. 

Anyway, I'm thankful.

'However.'

There was a dilemma. 

because I was given a chance. 

Do I have an obligation to disclose everything about my abilities to her? What she bestows upon me.

What she allows me to have. 

because of her strength. 

But as weak as am i. 

I don't have the luxury to expose my capabilities to anyone.

"But, Amje-nim."

"Yes, go ahead. Mr. Porter."

How many days have I been lying down?"

"Well, it's the third day since you came out of the dungeon. So, it's about three days."

My Goodness.

I've been lying here for a long time.

I stared at her with a puzzled expression.

"Frankly, I still don't quite understand what's going on, and I haven't figured out what the rewards are... So, it might be difficult for me to give an immediate answer."

It was real. 

Because a conversation happened the moment I opened my eyes.

"Hmm... Is that so?"

Kim soo yul eyes narrowed.

She suspected I might be avoiding, but there was also an understanding look in her eyes.

"If you could give me a little time, I'll organize my thoughts and explain."

"Hmm."

"You don't need to worry about me running away. Which hunter in the world could avoid the Empress assassin eyes?"

"Alright. I'm grateful that you're willing to cooperate. I'll come see you again once you sorted things out."

Kim soo yul coolly acknowledged and left the hospital room.

Her presence, which had filled the space, disappeared.

"Phew."

I felt like I could finally catch my breath to some extent.

Darn it. 

Life has been quite spectacular lately.

First, the sudden appearance of the orc, then awakening after three years, and meeting a Ranker.

And now, this strange dungeon on top of it all.

Moreover, making a wrong judgment here could lead to a confrontation with the Blue Guild.

But on the other side.

it could also leave a good impression with them.

As I pondered this, I was about to toss and turn around.

[Please Check the clear reward!]

"Oh, right."

The message I hadn't opened yet because I fainted. 

It was time to check it out.

***

[The Reward is arriving!]

[Congratulations!]

[Energy permanently increases by 20.]

[Acquire skill, 'Teachings of Perfect Mastery' (S-rank).]

"Wow!"

I shouted without even realizing it.

Goosebumps ran all over my body.

The energu increase was already a tremendous reward, but...

"Another S-rank skill."

A grade of skill that others might struggle to obtain even once in a lifetime.

I already got two in a short amount of time.

[Hunter: Joo dong hoon]
[Alias: X]
[Energy: 120/120]
[Unique Ability: Cursed Necromancer]
[Grade: D]

[Effects]
- You are a necromancer, a profession that deals with the dead souls. You can subdue opponents using terrifying spirits and poisons. However, you are cursed.

- You can only summon skeletons.

[Owned Skills]
- 'Awakened Skeleton Summoning' (D-rank)
- 'Memory Reproduction' (S-rank)
- 'Teachings of Perfect Mastery' (S-rank)

"This is insane."

No wonder the experts are all about "dungeons, dungeons and dungeon." 

The status window was now even more filled than before. 

I felt a sense of pride swell in my chest.

"First, let's take a look at 'Memory Reproduction'."

[Skill: Memory Reproduction]
[Grade: S]
[Effect 1: Read the memories of the deceased.]

What on earth could this be? It seemed quite remarkable, even though the content wasn't particularly grand. 

It was surprising to see such a high grade.

Besides, it was mentioned to be a hidden skill. 

A hidden skill that could only be awakened when facing a 'cursed' soul. 

There were many questions, but for now, there was no way to find out, so I moved on.

"If it proves useful for dungeon-breaking, that would be great."

Since I could see the old man's memories in the dungeon, it might have been usable for breaking through other dungeon. 

someday, there would come a day when I could make use of it.

"Next is 'Teachings of Perfect Mastery'."

I steadied my trembling heart and calmly examined the next skill.

[Skill: Teachings of Perfect Mastery]
[Grade: S]
[Effect 1: Conjure the 'Master of The Ten Form,' who once dominated this world using 20 stamina, for 60 minutes.]

[Effect 2: The summoned 'Master' cannot exert physical force in this world. You can only inherit his knowledge for a limited time.]

[Effect 3: The cooldown for this skill is 24 hours.]

[Effect 4: Only the user of the skill can perceive the 'Master of The Ten Form.']

Gulp.

My saliva went down involuntarily.

"The one who once dominated this world...."

It felt like my chest was swelling with grandeur.

Finally, our skeletons. 

Did we really manage to secure an instructor that even greater than a Ranker?

"Darn it, now doesn't seem like the time to be idle."

I swiftly pulled out the dangling IV line.

It wasn't the time to be receiving a drip.

If I didn't check it quickly, I felt like I might go crazy.

Swish, swish.

I quickly changed into the clothes hanging nearby and stepped out of the room.

"Uh, Patient Joo dong hoon?"

The startled nurse called out, but I was in a hurry.

"Aaaah! It's not allowed, you still need to rest..."

"I'm sorry. I have something urgent. Please put the bill for the hospital stay under my name."

My heart pounded.

- Truly, the potential is immense. There's no doubt these were extraordinary skeletons in their previous lives. I've always wanted people like them, but why only now? Tsk.

The old man's voice still echoed vividly in my ears.

Was this what parents felt like when they heard praise for their children?

I wanted to train these guys quickly.

***

[Activating the skill, 'Teachings of Perfect Mastery' (Grade S).]
[Using 20 energy.]
['Master of The Ten Form' appears.]

As soon as I arrived at the usual training ground, I activated the skill.

Zzzak!

"Ugh!"

An immense pain shot through my forehead. 

It was so painful that I could see stars in the sky.

When I regained my senses, I saw the old man glaring at me fiercely.

"You brat! After promising to inherit everything from me, is this what you do? Did you think you could catch up to even the tip of my toe by lazing around like this?"

"No, wait a moment, sir... I came to see you as soon as I regained consciousness..."

I felt unfairly treated. 

No, wait.

Before that.

Didn't the old man say he couldn't exert physical force in this world?

"As expected, you're quite sharp. Tsk, since our minds are connected, it's easy to inflicting a little pain"

The old man shook his head as if to say he wasn't pleased.

For some reason, he seemed like a very grumpy type...

"Anyway, since you called me here. Let's start right away, you rascal. I don't have time."

"Ah, yes."

I nodded in response to the old man's urging.

"Shall I summon the skeletons as we agreed?"

"No, there's no need for that."

"What?"

"Today, before the training, let's decide what to learn. I've grasped the talents of those ten, but the problem lies with you."

"...Me? What do you mean?"

I widened my eyes. When he mentioned ten, he must be talking about the abilities of the skeletons.

Could it be that he's even assessed the talents of the skeletons who haven't awakened yet?

"And earlier..."

Why am I the problem?

Surely this old man... Don't think about teaching me too right?.

Then, he suddenly said.

"Do you know why it's called 'Perfect Mastery'?"

"...?"

"The nickname that I am, who has mastered countless talents that can't even be counted, is 'Perfect Mastery' (만술). After all that, why should i only pass on a measly ten skills?"

Tsk.

The old man chuckled eerily.

I suddenly felt uneasy.

Eerily uneasy.

"Then, can't you pass them on to the skeletons?"

"Hmph, their talents are all inclined in only one direction. They wouldn't even accept if I tried to teach them other skills."

"Th-then?"

"What's with the 'th-then'? Of course, it's you who should receive them."

"Me? But... Didn't you say, that my talent is trash?"

"You're noisy. As long as you keep the promise with me, you must inherit 'Perfect Mastery.' If it's not work, then keep trying until you can. Don't worry. Turning trash into a genius, surpassing even a master, can also be a form of skill. It's fortunate that i seem to be able to exert physical force. Really fortunate."

Wait, what is he suddenly talking about?

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