EP.51 Companion (1)
I had been studying [Rune Hunter] extensively during this time. What the criteria for a duel were, and what defined victory. Also, to what extent the stages of Rune downgrading were. [Rune Hunter] was the most essential Rune in my possession, so I needed to grasp more information.
As a result, I discovered a few things. ‘The criteria for a duel are generous yet strict’. The system’s standards are generous in acknowledging battles beyond simple one-on-one duels, even up to battles involving multiple opponents. However, it does not acknowledge the concept of a duel as it is. Only ‘combat’ is recognized as a duel.
For instance, deciding victories and losses through rock-paper-scissors or coin flips is not considered a duel… Obviously, non-combat duel wouldn’t work either. Only combat. Specifically, combat against monsters or Holders utilizing Runes is eligible.
The second aspect is the criteria for victory. As long as deliberate manipulation of wins and losses is absent, the standard for victory is quite lenient, ‘because there’s a contribution’. Even in situations of battles against multiple opponents, if my contribution is high enough, victory is adequately acknowledged. I have gained many Runes through such contribution systems, and I have proven this through party raids in the Academy’s underground dungeon.
However, this doesn’t mean that it is recognized with just a contribution. That’s not the case either. Even during party raids, I didn’t obtain Runes from monsters that I merely passed by. If the Holder system deems the contribution insufficient, [Rune Hunter] won’t activate. That’s why the phrases that appeared so far have always been about ‘high contribution’.
‘But why is this…?’ I gazed blankly at the information window. Even though there wasn’t much, [Rune Hunter] had been triggered. It was packaged with the words ‘ambiguous contribution’. Half of a victory was acknowledged, and a Rune was randomly acquired. ‘Did blocking the water bullets twice play a significant role?’ It was the only possibility. The chance of a malfunction in the Holder system was absolutely zero, and probably blocking the monster’s water bullets twice with the use of [Iron Wall Defense] and [Water Sword Dance] had a significant impact.
Especially for Jeong Seon-young, the core attacker of the raid. Since my main goal of defense was to protect her, these points seemed to be acknowledged as contributions.
Regardless, from my perspective, I had gained a Rune for free. ‘What’s this all about…’ [Swirling Tidal Wave]. An S-grade monster’s Rune, and an Epic Rune at that. The highest-grade Rune that can come from a monster. To think that such a thing came out through random acquisition… I hadn’t even had luck like this.
I cautiously examined the Rune information.
<Rune Information>
◎Name: Swirling Tidal Wave
◎Grade: Epic
◎Level: 4
◎Engraved Location: Mouth
◎Special Effects:
: Can manipulate water freely. When using water magic or skills related to ‘Wave’ or ‘Whirlpool’ in the sea, it can exert significantly stronger power.
: Receives adjustments in growth and effect amplification for all Runes related to water.
: Water resistance +4,
: Magic +3
◎Derived Skill: –
◎ [New Wave]
◎Detailed Information: The fierce whirlpool is contained within the waves of a seemingly all-encompassing tide. One who can master the fierce waves of the Swirling Tidal Wave will soon be able to control water and the sea as naturally as breathing.
“Wow…” I found myself marveling without realizing it.
Can you really get a Rune this good even through random acquisition? The effects were so good that it stabbed at my conscience to some extent. When dissected one by one, there was no effect that could be discarded.
First and foremost, the fact that I could manipulate water. Like [Fiery Flame], [ Swirling Tidal Wave ] was a Rune related to magic, allowing manipulation of water and use of water-related magic. Though I hadn’t learned about magical manifestation yet, I could use water as an offensive tool using magic power. Additionally, I could freely move water wherever there was a river, sea, or any body of water. This meant that I could handle both fire and water, two opposing elements.
‘And growth increase and effect amplification for all water-related Runes? Insane.’
The second special effect. This was truly amazing.
At first glance, it seemed useless without any water-related Runes, but this was a total cheat. If I’m not mistaken, it’s Kakashi from the Holder clan who possesses such a rune.
Currently and in the future, I would have plenty of opportunities to acquire water-related Runes, and it was clear that the effects would multiply as I acquired related Runes. Moreover, the Runes I currently possess also have water-related aspects. [Wave Sword Technique] and [Water Sword Technique]. While both Runes are related to sword techniques, as the names imply, they also contain the essence of water. If the judgment is made that both sword techniques are related to water, it would be a definite opportunity to enhance my core Runes.
‘I need to experiment with this later.’
When I find some time, I’ll have to experiment. I would be able to understand those effects properly.
Lastly, there’s a derivative skill called [New Wave]. Seeing that I, who can’t perform magic, gained this skill, it’s likely more of a magic skill rather than a magical form. Even for someone like me who can’t use magic, this skill seems to be about manipulating massive waves anywhere there’s even a little water….
Unfortunately, it has a one-day cooldown. A skill that can only be used once a day. It seemed challenging to utilize during dungeon raids or field hunting where you need to continuously defeat monsters. Anyway, since it’s a derivative skill of an Epic Rune, there might be a use for it somewhere. Moreover, it increases water resistance and magic. There truly wasn’t a single effect to discard.
‘This should be top-tier even among Epic Runes.’
Being in the same grade doesn’t mean they’re of the same level. Just like how the [Rune Hunter], which can replicate opponent’s Runes, and [Oppression], which is effective against opponents with lower abilities, can’t be placed on the same level, even among Epic Runes, there are slight differences in performance and effects.
[Swirling Tidal Wave]. This Epic Rune possessed by the S-grade monster was almost top-tier among these Epic Runes. To think I acquired such a Rune randomly. It’s really like living a good life.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Just as I was gaping in awe by myself.
Suddenly, a voice from behind made me turn my head. It was the damage dealer I had been assigned to guard during this monster hunt, A-grade Holder Jeong Seon-young. She smiled and extended her hand to me.
“I’m Jeong Seon-young.”
“Ah! I’m Do Jae-hyun. It’s an honor to meet you, senior.”
I quickly bowed my head and shook hands with both of my hands. At that, Jeong Seon-young burst into a small laugh.
“It’s been a while since I’ve heard such an address. I’m always called Nuna or Unni. You’ve probably seen that too, Holder Do Jae-hyun, but… the newcomers are all pretty much the same.”
“Ah… That seems likely.”
All the C-grade Holders, including me, were rookies. But the A and B-grade Holders seemed to have a heightened sense of battle due to their experience. They moved as though they had hunted disaster-type monsters frequently. Moreover, since they knew each other’s names, there seemed to be a level of familiarity.
Unlike the clueless C-grade Holders who newly applied, A and B-grade Holders were seasoned veterans who frequently went on such hunts.
“Do you attend the Academy by any chance? Your name, Do Jae-hyun, seems unfamiliar.”
“Yes, I’m currently in my first year at the Academy.”
“First year?” Jeong Seon-young blinked in surprise.
“Yes. Is there a problem…?”
“No, you’re just really good for a first-year. You’re really skilled in combat for your level.”
“Holder Jeong Seon-young, you did most of it. I just held up my shield.”
“You blocked with your sword and even used an ultimate skill.”
I closed my mouth at her words. …So she saw that.
Of course, you couldn’t miss it. I practically wrote it for you to see. And with that charismatic tone. I looked pretty foolish for not knowing it was an ultimate skill at that point.
“…I was lucky.”
“I know. Your stats or Rune level probably didn’t match. After using it, there was likely a usage restriction, right?”
“How did you…”
“When a C-grade Holder uses an ultimate skill, it’s obvious. I’ve done the same. Anyway, I can see that Holder Do Jae-hyun has remarkable talents. Using an ultimate skill at your age and with those stats.”
“….”
Using a skill beyond its limit. It seems I wasn’t the only one who experienced this.
Jeong Seon-young smiled again and continued speaking.
“Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. Watching Holder Do Jae-hyun fight from behind, I wanted to have a chat at least once.”
“It’s an honor for me to meet you too.”
“Do you have any plans after this hunt? The Academy is on vacation now.”
The S-grade disaster-type monster that appeared in Pohang. The hunt for the Swirl Leviathan. To be honest, I wasn’t particularly interested in hunting this monster. More accurately, I was interested only in acquiring its Dragon stone after hunting it. The [Forgotten Drogen Stone] was one of the five magic stones I needed, and I guessed one of them was the Swirl Leviathan’s.
Well, it might have been a fruitless effort on my part alone.
“I plan to participate in the auction in Daegu. Since I don’t want to miss the auction priority… “
“Oh. Do you want to go together? I’m planning to go to Daegu too.”
“What? Are you talking to me?”
“I was feeling bored going alone. It would be nice to have a chat with a brilliant junior I haven’t seen in a while. Why, is that not okay?”
Not bad at all. Actually, it’s really good. Jeong Seon-young, an A-grade Holder with a robust backbone, is knowledgeable in theory and experienced in battles, offering a lot to learn. Over the course of 2 or 3 days in Daegu, if I spend time with her, I’m sure I’ll gain something.
Moreover…
“Jae-hyun! Are you okay-?”
Approaching us and yelling from a distance was a Holder.
My close friend, Kim Chae-eun.
I smiled as I looked at her.
Jeong Seon-young seems to be at the highest level among ice-related Runes. There’s no Holder in Korea who can handle [Freezing]. And Kim Chae-eun too, She’s a rare resource in the magician class that deals with [Freezing]. Interestingly, both of them are in the same class. Meeting top-grade Holders in the same class is not an easy opportunity.
If the two of them are together… Even if Jeong Seon-young makes a joke, Kim Chae-eun will probably take notes.
I looked at Kim Chae-eun and turned to Jeong Seon-young.
“Would it be alright if there’s someone in my party?”
“Girlfriend?”
“Oh, not that…”
“It’s a girlfriend, isn’t it?”
“Well, not exactly…”
“If you don’t act lovey-dovey in front of me, it’s fine. If you act like that in front of a woman who hasn’t married, it might make her angry. Pfft.”
A nice little joke from the kind-hearted Jeong Seon-young. Considering her age, she probably did not want to get married rather than couldn’t…
It was her way of poking fun. I smiled back in response.
“Understood.”
So, the three of us left behind the corpse of the Swirl Leviathan, currently being disposed of, and stepped through the warp gate toward Daegu.
