Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Choi Yeonseung nodded with satisfaction upon being rewarded. He could feel the gazes of the hunters watching from the side.

-Do you really want to learn martial arts?

-Can we learn it now and use it in actual combat?

-Won’t it just get in the way of magic?

Their eyes were full of complicated thoughts!

‘They’re definitely interested.’

They were?anxious?since they didn’t know much about it, but they were certainly interested in martial arts. That perception could change if Smallwood could properly perform a martial art technique.

‘I just don’t know if that is possible.’

He had only learned one fist technique, and it wasn’t certain if he’d even get the chance to use it properly. That could change if Smallwood could properly perform a martial art technique, though.

***

‘The world has really improved.’?Choi Yeonseung kept that thought to himself out of the fear of sounding like an old man.

In the past, he had to raid dungeons to improve his skills, putting his life at risk. That was no longer the case these days. All they had to do now was enter the Otherworld, which had extremely realistic virtual dungeons and monsters. Of course, its dungeons had no rewards, unlike real ones. Nevertheless, being able to experience dungeons without risking their lives was great.

"Get ready.”

The Icarus clan also frequently trained in virtual dungeons since that was the closest training to actual combat. The abilities shown here were closest to reality!

“How many people will there be per party?”

“Six. That’s the golden ratio, friend.”

A party of six was the most frequently used combination when raiding dungeons. Having?fewer?people made it hard to effectively respond to monster attacks, and having more dragged the monsters’ aggro toward them and made them vulnerable! Some dungeons required dozens of hunters, but they were split into several groups during raids.

“The rules are simple. Enter the dungeon and clear it quickly and safely.”

At Ernest’s words, the resting hunters’ eyes changed. They were slumping around right now, but they were completely different in actual combat. Besides, there was no better opportunity to show their skills?than during a virtual dungeon raid. They could reveal their skills much better here than in other complex training.

‘I have to get into the 1st team.’

‘They'll certainly put me on the 1st team. They better not joke around, or else I won't forgive them.’

‘Ah, I don’t want to raid a dungeon.’

“Everyone’s eyes are burning.”

“Of course, friend. In the clan, only the 1st team gets to participate in actual combat. The other training drills are also important, but this one plays the biggest role in?determining who goes to which team.”

Smallwood shrugged.

“Can’t you make a good living even if you don’t?get into the 1st team?”

“It doesn’t matter how much money we make. This is a matter of pride as a hunter. Why would we even be here if we’re just trying to make a bit of money?”

“Hmm. Are you part of the 1st team?”

“It isn’t fixed. It goes back and forth.”

Smallwood wasn’t particularly ashamed to admit that. The hunters in this clan were extremely skilled.

“It’s okay. There is no shame in being weak.” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“No, friend. I’m not particularly weak, and I’m not ashamed...”

“I get that you’re embarrassed, which is why you’re saying that, but what’s really embarrassing is knowing you’re weak yet doing nothing to fix it. You’re trying to become stronger, so it’s fine.”

“I’m not weak, friend. Do you want to get hit?”

Smallwood was stunned. Raiding capability aside, he was confident he could win in single combat against a hunter. Who did this person think was a weakling?

Groups of six were being made randomly as they talked. Choi Yeonseung and Smallwood Highmountain were fortunate enough to be put on the same team. They were also with Richard Parker, Antony Schneider, Elisabeth Gutierrez, and?Whittaker Moneymaker.

“......”

“......”

Elisabeth looked very disgusted.

“What’s with that expression? I’m hurt.”

“I agree with you, friend. Why are you making that face, Gutierrez?”

Choi Yeonseung and Smallwood’s words only made Elisabeth seem troubled. How were those two people already so close?

“Why did I have to end up in this party?”

“Wow, friend. Did you hear what she just said? She gets zero points in cooperation.”

“It’ll be difficult to get into the 1st team.”

“Shut up, idiots. I was never pushed out of the 1st team.” Elisabeth said as she stared at them.

Smallwood was an all-rounder and sometimes fell out of the 1st team, but Elisabeth had always been a part of it. While she did have her own set of weaknesses, few hunters were as suitable for melee combat as Elisabeth. Hunters specializing in one area could sometimes be more popular than all-rounders. That was the case for her.

Elisabeth sighed and started to point at them with her finger one by one. “An Abyss returnee who hasn’t even adjusted to this era yet, a newcomer, someone with no sense of cooperation...”

“Did you just say I have no sense of cooperation?”

“Friend, she’s talking about Antony Schneider. He doesn’t cooperate.”

“Ah. I thought you were talking about me again.”

“Aren't you the only hunter here who has returned from the Abyss, friend? Hahaha.”

Elisabeth sighed again upon hearing the conversation between Choi Yeonseung and Smallwood.

“... Idiots. Highmountain is the sanest here—no, he isn’t right in the head either.”

“I’m a bit hurt, friend. There is no talent like me.”

“It’s not your skills that’s the problem, Highmountain. You’re too...”

“Outstanding? Perfect? Great that it makes you jealous?”

“... Reckless.”

“No. What nonsense are you saying?!”

Smallwood jumped up and down, but Elisabeth was stubborn.

“The moment you enter a battle, you forget everything you’ve planned and just do whatever you want. Do you think that's a desirable trait? ”

“I do admit that blood sometimes rushes to my head when I get into a fight so I occasionally act on my own.”

“That sounds a bit too much.”

Choi Yeonseung understood what they were talking about. There were hunters whose personalities changed in combat. A person revealed their true nature when put in a situation where they could lose their life at any moment. In most cases, hunters would scream and run away. There were also quite a few hot-blooded hunters who deviated from the plan, like Smallwood.

As they were talking, Antony Schneider confidently approached them from behind. Smallwood shamelessly said, “Let’s do well, Schneider.”

“Of course. I will wipe them all out! You can believe in me!”

“N-No. That isn’t what I meant, friend.”

Things were already starting to feel ominous!

Antony looked around, then exclaimed, “Trust me and follow me! I’ll take care of everything!”

“......”

“......”

“Well, it sounds like Schneider is trying to take on the role of team leader.”

Smallwood smiled awkwardly. Despite how he was, it would be best for him to lead the team. He wouldn’t listen to others anyway.

Smallwood looked at Elisabeth and asked, “Are you okay with that, friend?”

“I’ll listen to him if his orders are logical. You? Tell us now if you have any complaints.”

“Hmm. Let me think for a moment.”

Choi Yeonseung held out his hand and pretended to take some time to think.

“I’m fine with him giving orders.”

“You have good?senses, newbie! This is it!” Antony passionately exclaimed. In his opinion, the best way to raid a dungeon with a party of six was for everyone to absolutely follow his instructions.

After all, he was the king. The other hunters were just attendants!

‘This guy was beaten up earlier. How can he be so confident? Did he erase that memory from his mind?’

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says he’s a very optimistic human being.]

The defeat Antony suffered earlier in training had no effect on him. He conveniently forgot memories that were unfavorable to him!

‘He’s crazy.’

He certainly wasn’t ordinary since he could frustrate Choi Yeonseung.

“What’s up with that madman?”

“Although he’s a bit strange, he’s an all-rounder that enjoys ranged combat yet responds well even in close quarters. He’s a bit strange, though. Oh, and he has several rare skills to make up for his strangeness.”

“I’m well aware he’s strange. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”

Choi Yeonseung stopped Elisabeth. She didn’t have to mention it for him to know.

‘I’d rather just see it myself.’

No matter how talented Antony was, Choi Yeonseung didn’t want to turn such a man into his household member. Wouldn’t it be a disaster if he accepted everyone into his household? That was why he hadn’t used his discerning eyes on him yet, but…

[You have seen through?your target's essence!]

[Honing your vision strengthens your power of existence!]

[Antony Schneider]

[Level: 288

Strength: 351

Agility: 347

Physical Strength: 316

Magic Power: 361

Intelligence: 334

B+ rank skill Mental Protection.

B-rank skill Self-absorption.

(Can’t see any further).]

‘!’

Antony was certainly great. He was level 288. Most A-grade hunters were over level 300, so Antony was seriously close to that rank. That was rare among B-grade hunters!

‘I can see skills now?’

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says that your celestial eyes have grown?and that you accurately read your target's personality.]

Utilizing the power of a constellation was also a type of training. The more he did, the more proficient he became. In addition, the two skills that Antony possessed matched his personality so well that it was easy to discover.

‘The skills he possesses are obvious.’

Mental Protection and Self-absorption. They were more than B-rank. How strong was his mentality?

‘Those are also helpful in raids.”

His skills were surprisingly extremely powerful. It was common for a party member or two to have a mental breakdown once inside a dungeon..

“I already have information on our party members’ combat styles except for yours. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?” Elisabeth asked Richard.

“... I’m a B-grade hunter, and I used to lead the?Ganes?clan,” Richard replied, then glanced around wondering if anyone knew about it.

Of course, no one did. Richard blushed slightly. He was the king in his old clan, but he was just one of the newcomers here.

‘Damn.’

“Ah. I know that clan.”

“!”

Richard looked up in surprise. It was Choi Yeonseung who spoke.

“......”

Choi Yeonseung winked at him.

-It will be less embarrassing if I do this, right?

However, that only made Richard feel more miserable.

Don’t do this...!

“Really? Is it a famous clan, friend?” Smallwood asked.

“It is a fairly solid clan with very competitive members.”

“Whoa. Really? Isn’t that amazing? Why haven’t I heard of it before?”

“... I’m a long-range damage dealer. I mostly use ice magic.”

“Do you know any 5th-circle magic?”

“Of course.”

Among the hunters who had just made it to B-grade, some hadn’t learned any?5th-circle?magic. Though only a league apart, 5th-circle magic vastly differed from 4th-circle magic in terms of power. Hence, people had to know about it in advance.

“Really? I’m glad. You’re a clan leader, so you likely have a lot of raid experience. Think you can sync up with us?”

“O-Of course.”

“Friend, did you stutter just now?”

“Newcomers are always nervous.”

Choi Yeonseung said to pass by that question. Of course, Richard wasn’t nervous just because he was new.

‘... C-Can I do this right?’

Though the dungeon was low-rated, this was his first time partying up with ace-level hunters.