Chapter 296 – If It Is For Me (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Call of the Wild: Awakens true wildness, vastly increasing wildness.

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The exclusive skill acquired right after starting the class quest.

Nam Tae-min had reached the master proficiency level of [Call of the Wild] before he knew it.

It was a massive achievement.

Of course, there was a proper reason for that achievement though.

‘I really thought I was going to die.’

Ho-yeol’s heavy burden.

In order to share that burden, power to shoulder the heavy weight was needed.

He was the one who challenged death-defying struggles at the risk of his life every time to equip himself with such ability. It wasn’t just words. Wasn’t the proof revealed in his Sword Ki like this?

He recalls the words of his master, Harkon.

-“Keep in mind, men. Sword Ki deepens in death-defying struggles risking one’s life.”

A level that wasn’t quite 600 yet.

The fact that he could attack a dungeon with an appropriate level of 800 all the way to right before the boss.

The influence of Sword Ki was big.

‘If it weren’t for Sword Ki, would my damage have even gone in?’

Of course, there is another method though.

“Call of the Wild…….”

The Barbarian’s exclusive skill.

It was [Call of the Wild] that vastly increased physical abilities by amplifying the exclusive stat [Wildness]. However, losing one’s reason upon activation was too big of a penalty.

Because he literally became a beast.

‘To the point where I couldn’t even emit Sword Ki.’

Unless he could use [Call of the Wild] and 『Sword Ki』 at the same time……. Just imagining reaching such a stage, Nam Tae-min couldn’t help but clench his fists.

‘If it were possible, I wouldn’t bother Ho-yeol with this kind of matter.’

He felt like he had hit a wall for a while now.

A state where a new [Class Quest] wasn’t popping up either. Since even the proficiency of [Call of the Wild], which could be considered his only goal, had reached its limit. It was natural to feel like he had lost his goal.

‘But to refine my Sword Ki…….’

Because that would mean walking the exact opposite path of the Barbarian’s path he had built up all this time. Because of that, Nam Tae-min often fell into agony even at moments like this.

Shake shake─

“This isn’t the time for this, Nam Tae-min.”

Didn’t Ho-yeol spare his precious time?

“I swear he really thinks twice as much as others.”

He admired him anew once again.

Not only defeating the Great Evil in that short time.

But dropping by the Blue House and even clearing out the corrupt politicians who were like sly snakes.

‘Just how far ahead is he looking truly.’

Having such thoughts.

His head got complicated recalling his lacking self, but he forced it away.

Cruuuunch!

Because the dungeon’s boss monster revealed its appearance along with a loud noise.

[Roots of the Twisted Dead Tree: Lv.900]

If you ask why there’s a level 900 boss monster in an appropriate level 800 dungeon. It was because the guy was a boss with a slightly peculiar pattern.

His older brother, Nam Chul-min’s briefing is heard.

-“Its vitality and defense are abnormally high even compared to its level. Due to its massive size, swinging its roots is all it can do rather than moving, but its attack radius is immense.”

Nam Tae-min bit his lip.

‘With my Sword Ki…….’

Making a small scratch was all he could do.

Even if he gave up Sword Ki and activated [Call of the Wild], there wasn’t a big difference. He did cut off a few branches, but it wouldn’t have been meaningful damage to a guy bigger than most buildings.

-“Tae-min-ah, are you not answering because you’re thinking about something?”

“Huh? No, nothing.”

-“As if.”

They aren’t brothers for nothing, and he isn’t the older brother for nothing.

He knows just by hearing his sullen voice.

Nam Chul-min consoled his despondent younger brother.

-“Whatever it is, it needs time, doesn’t it? Let’s not be impatient, Tae-min-ah.”

He naturally knows.

He was just worried, that’s all.

Even if there is ample time.

‘If there is no clear goal…….’

Will I be able to chase after Ho-yeol’s back moving forward.

Such lingering concerns.

“……!”

However, at this moment in the dungeon.

Shining brilliantly on the dark future.

The existence that turns concerns into groundless fears.

There was Dawn.

Nam Tae-min’s eyes chase that Dawn, Ho-yeol’s movements.

“Sword Ki…… no, Sword Aura……!”

The stage above Sword Ki, Sword Aura.

He had been taught by Harkon that such a stage existed.

Also, he was already well aware that Ho-yeol had reached the stage of Sword Aura.

Yes, the reason Nam Tae-min was surprised was something else.

‘That is not pure Sword Aura.’

You see as much as you know.

In the past, Nam Tae-min didn’t even know the existence of Sword Ki, let alone Sword Aura. However, as he witnessed Sword Ki and directly reached the stage of emitting Sword Ki himself, he became able to properly look at Ho-yeol’s Sword Aura.

‘……Something is mixed in.’

As expected, you see as much as you know.

Whether that is magic, a skill, or something else entirely.

He couldn’t know with his discernment.

However, the important thing was that ‘something’ had combined with the Sword Aura.

Clench─

Nam Tae-min looked at his greatsword.

His complicated mind got refreshed.

Because the answer was right before his eyes.

‘Does it mean it’s not impossible!’

The combination of [Call of the Wild] and 『Sword Ki』.

To himself, who was drifting having lost his direction.

The moment Ho-yeol presented a new goal.

Nam Tae-min couldn’t help but look up to Ho-yeol once again.

‘Don’t tell me the reason he deliberately picked up a sword setting aside his magic is……?’

The Mage Tower’s Chief.

To Ho-yeol, who could manifest numerous magics.

Burning down such a dead tree would have been enough.

However, what would be the reason he personally faced it with a sword?

Even without speaking, noticing his predicament. It must mean he intends to give him a teaching through actions rather than words. The overwhelming emotion couldn’t help but flow out of his mouth.

“Just how far ahead are you looking, Ho-yeol……!”

*

Wow shit.

I did expect it from its size but.

It’s tough, this thing.

‘Of course, even if it’s tough, it’s just that.’

Is it because I came after facing the Seven Deadly Sins Envy?

Even if it’s a level 900 boss monster, I couldn’t feel any intimidation or such. Even if the [Natural Enemy Relationship] didn’t activate, the difference in attack difficulty is tremendous.

‘Even its patterns are simple.’

Its attack radius is wide?

For me leisurely levitating, it’s not a problem.

Try swinging your roots for hundreds of days.

As long as those roots are thickly stained with dirt.

“How noisy.”

Even to protect high formality.

Even to not get the Dawn Set stained with dirt and dust.

Because I won’t allow an attack.

Flutter─

The Jacket of Dawn flutters back and forth.

If you ask why I draped it over my shoulders again……. I thought, wouldn’t fluttering be better than becoming a self-luminescent firefly.

‘Since it’s not exactly a situation to use the set effect anyway.’

Honestly, there probably won’t be much difference between fluttering or twinkling but.

I force myself to grab my sanity and focus on the battle.

Just because it’s an inferior enemy compared to the Seven Deadly Sins Envy doesn’t mean I can let my guard down. It’s a whopping level 900 boss monster. It’s a guy characterized by persistent vitality and defense to the point even Nam Tae-min couldn’t inflict damage.

‘Practice like a real battle. A real battle like practice.’

I do not forget.

The holy trinity of Magic, Sword Aura, and Tenacity.

In order to get used to that flowing water-like sensation.

I do not take out Guicheol.

Instead, I interfere with the minerals scattered around, orchestrate an appropriate sword, and grab it in my hand.

Then cast [『The Strange』].

Is there a need to explain the might of the Strange?

To existences who haven’t entered the realm of the Strange, the Strange shows an almost unreasonable effect. Why, just like the giant dead tree being sliced off like cutting tofu.

“You are as noisy as your size.”

Ruuuumble!

I gotta keep the words I spat out, too.

I blew away the blooming dirt and dust with magic power.

How could it be left out, the shamelessly spat out words.

“However, your dignity is lacking to be reaped in my flower garden.”

After that.

Is there anything to explain about the whereabouts of the battle.

It was my one-sided victory, what else.

[You have leveled up.]…….

Let’s see, the increased level is 5 levels.

One might tilt their head wondering isn’t it a small amount of experience points for a level 900 boss monster……. But considering the wailing wall of required experience points that exists every 100 levels, it’s an understandable level. No, conversely I get amazed.

‘Just how much experience points did it give, that Seven Deadly Sins Envy thing?’

To lightly ignore the level 700 wall and increase by the limit of 50 levels.

The amazement was also brief.

The automatically acquired loot pops up as a message.

[Base of a Rotten Dead Tree]

[Rank: Unique]

[Restriction: None]

[Effect: None]

[Description: The base of a giant tree. It’s already rotten, but it harbors considerable energy. If you build something, it becomes an auspicious spot, and if you craft, it is reborn as a masterpiece.]

A material item, huh.

‘Should I call this a relief?’

If a level 900 restricted item fitting the boss level dropped.

Wouldn’t it just be a pie in the sky.

Now that I’ve realized the wall of the 700s, let’s rejoice rather than feel disappointed.

‘Because I can entrust the dwarven forging.’

Items forged by dwarves have the ‘Craftsman’s Dexterity’ effect attached.

Meaning I can craft the equipping restrictions to my advantage with dexterity.

Therefore.

‘What should I make for a rumor to spread that I used it well…….’

The moment I was rolling my brain.

Nam Tae-min approached.

But why does his face look unusual……?

“Thank you, Ho-yeol!”

Bow─

Why the sudden greeting again.

Is it because I killed the boss monster?

‘Even though I monopolized the experience points and the loot?’

Isn’t there no reason to be this thankful.

It was the moment I thought so.

At Nam Tae-min’s raised expression, I opened my mouth.

For now, it means I shamelessly acknowledged it.

“It is a relief if it was of help.”

I also have tact.

Nam Tae-min clearly looked moved no matter who saw it.

I could know the reason without asking.

“Just how should I repay this precious teaching…….”

Teaching.

I did think it would be nice if it helped but.

Even though I didn’t have the intention to properly teach him.

Indeed, rankers aren’t rankers for nothing, huh? It must mean they find points to learn from in every action. As expected, since I am me, who doesn’t show modesty, I nodded my head gently.

However, the surprising thing didn’t end there.

……They aren’t brothers for nothing, huh?

Nam Chul-min, why are you acting like this to me too?!

“The results of the education are showing, General Commander!”

As I cleared the dungeon and returned to the giant alliance’s base camp, Nam Chul-min hurriedly ran over and reported. What he held out was a tablet PC, a single video playing on the screen.

Checking the title, I couldn’t hide my astonishment.

[The One Chosen by Excalibur, Lee Ho-yeol]

E, Excalibur, you say?

I was chosen by that?

When?!

‘More importantly, did he read my inner thoughts?’

A high-difficulty magic of manifesting and pulling a sword out of a rock in real-time. Setting aside the sword’s performance. Granfel’s living-and-dying-for-style meshed together so it looked like pulling out Excalibur, I did think that but…….

‘No matter what, to think he took that and slapped it on as a video title?!’

Skipping the surprise, I want to ask for what kind of education.

Did you attach such a grandiose name.

However, as expected, this thick face wouldn’t stay quiet.

“Excalibur, such an underestimation.”

That was an expression of boundless confidence.

Meaning the level of the magic he manifested is higher than Excalibur.

Of course, it’s the Granfel-style speech specialized in causing misunderstandings.

“……!!!”

Everyone astonished.

Everyone’s eyes including the Nam brothers widened.

Nam Chul-min barely opened his mouth.

“I am sorry, General Commander. Due to my lacking discernment, I ended up underestimating the General Commander’s military strength. Still……! I think you can rest assured. The reaction to the education is certain.”

Soon, the tablet screen transitions.

What popped up on the screen were comments.

I only realized after skimming through those comments.

-Excalibur lmaooooo

-It must be adding salt to the wound for Liu Ouzhunchun fr lol

-Kya loll This is the difference in class

-Know your place please hahaha

‘No, the education meant this kind of education?!’

To overcome one trial only to face another.

Why is the world so harsh to me?

I seriously can’t go around with my head held high……!