Chapter 8 : Reality (3)

“Oh, this is my Hunter license.” I smiled, looking at the ID with my face and D-rank designation.

“Now that I’m a Hunter, let’s go to a Gate.” My D-rank allowed me access to E-rank Gates.

‘I think I can handle D-rank Gates with my current abilities, though…’

Gates. Nests of mana beasts, dangerous yet full of opportunity for rapid growth. The higher mana concentration and abundant mana beasts provided the perfect environment for accelerated growth, especially in higher-ranked Gates.

While I wanted to enter a higher-ranked Gate, regulations limited Hunters to Gates one rank below their own. The only exception was for Irregulars, those whose power exceeded their rank. Proving oneself an Irregular granted access to higher-ranked Gates, but…

‘The process is too much of a hassle and takes too long.’ I wanted growth now, and E-rank Gates were sufficient, especially with Growth Acceleration and Plunder.

“It’s still daytime. I’ll enter a nearby Gate and then head home.” I checked my phone for nearby E-rank Gates.

“Nearby Gates… Wolf’s Meadow, Goblin Village, and Inferno Cave.” I checked their mana beast types and environments.

“Wolf’s Meadow it is.” Wolf’s Meadow was a vast grassland with E-rank regular mana beasts and a D-rank boss. After the Hobgoblin fight, I wasn’t keen on Goblin Village or Inferno Cave with its fire-wielding mana beasts.

“A Gate. First time seeing one in person.” It looked just like in the novels and comics: a large, shimmering portal, twice my height, showing a different landscape within.

“Hunter, please show your license.”

“Here.” Hunters had to check in for safety and tracking purposes. I handed my license to the association staff member at the Gate entrance.

“Confirmed. Good hunting.”

“Thank you.”

I stored my license in my Inventory and stepped through the Gate.

[Entering E-rank Gate: Wolf’s Meadow.]

A blue message appeared as the scenery around me solidified. A vast grassland, teeming with wolves. And…

“Hey, I was hunting that one!”

“Bullshit! I was hunting it!”

…Hunters fighting amongst themselves.

“I’ll stay away from them.” I preferred to avoid conflict.

“Good. This spot is perfect.” I found a secluded area with no people or wolves, landed, activated my aura, and drew the Holy Sword.

A wolf spotted me and charged.

“Grrrr!”

“You’re my first Plunder target.” I swung the sword downwards, aiming for its head.

Slice.

The wolf’s head split in two.

[Activating Plunder.]

[Attempting to plunder E-rank mana beast: Meadow Wolf.]

[Stat Plunder successful.]

[Plundering Strength 1, Agility 2.]

“Oh, it really increased.” I checked my Status Window, pleased to see the increase.

The wolves in this meadow…

‘Each one is a potential source of stats, skills, and Traits?’

This was too good to pass up.

I went on a rampage, slashing at the charging wolves and blasting the fleeing ones with magic. Plunder activated repeatedly.

[Stat Plunder successful.]

[Plunder failed.]

[Stat and Skill Plunder successful.]

[Skill Plunder successful.]

[Plunder failed.]

Plunder didn’t always succeed. Even Stat Plunder, with the highest probability, only had a 50% chance. But I was grateful. Most Hunters could only increase their stats through rigorous training or expensive potions. I could plunder stats, skills, and even Traits. This skill was truly broken.

“And it’s not just stats and skills that are increasing.”

[…increasing…]

[…increasing…]

[…increasing…]

The proficiency levels of my magic, swordsmanship, and support skills were also rising.

“I won’t miss a single one.” Each wolf was like a valuable potion.

After killing about 30 wolves…

“Time to collect the mana stones.”

I approached a wolf carcass and plunged my hand into its chest, ignoring the unpleasant sensation of tearing flesh.

Thud.

I felt something hard and pulled it out.

“A mana stone. My money!” The mana stone, the heart and essence of a mana beast, was worth 100,000 won for an E-rank.

“This is why I became a Hunter.” Humming, I collected the mana stones from the wolves I’d killed. These stones were the reason Hunters, despite the dangers, were among the highest earners. I desperately needed money, so I quickly gathered the stones and stored them in my Inventory.

• Low-Grade Radiant Magic

• Purify

I cleaned the wolf blood off my hands with magic. This was another reason I developed my magic: convenience. It made difficult and tedious tasks easy.

“310,000 won already?” I smiled, looking at the 31 mana stones in my Inventory.

“Just 70 more.” Today, I would finally have over 1 million won in my bank account.

I resumed my wolf hunt.

Three hours later…

[Acquired Wolf’s Sense of Smell (E).]

[Acquired Wolf’s Footwork (E).]

[Acquired Trait: Wolf’s Five Senses (C)!]

[Acquired Wolf’s Hearing (E).]

[Strength increased by 33.]

[Agility increased by 41.]

[Stamina increased by 32.]

[Radiant Mana increased by 47.]

[Proficiency in all skills has greatly increased.]

Name: Lee Yoohyun

Age: 22

Traits: Leisure Life (EX), Radiant and Adaptive Angel (E, Growth-type), Enhanced Senses (C)

Skills: Plunder (S, 14%), Growth Acceleration (C, 67%), Regeneration (E, 36%), Low-Grade Radiant Swordsmanship (E, 77%), Low-Grade Radiant Magic (E, 81%), Low-Grade Mana Regeneration (E, 73%), Low-Grade Mana Manipulation (E, 71%), Wolf’s Sense of Smell (E), Wolf’s Hearing (E), Wolf’s Footwork (E)

Strength: 66

Agility: 78

Stamina: 65

Radiant Mana: 88

Leisure Points: 339

<Trait: Wolf’s Five Senses (C)>

A wolf’s keen senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight.

Ability:

• Enhances all five senses by 30%.

<Skill: Wolf’s Sense of Smell (E)>

A wolf’s keen sense of smell.

Ability:

• Enhances sense of smell by 50%.

<Skill: Wolf’s Hearing (E)>

A wolf’s keen sense of hearing.

Ability:

• Enhances hearing by 50%.

<Skill: Wolf’s Footwork (E)>

A wolf’s agile footwork.

Ability:

• Increases Agility by 30%.

“…”

I was speechless, looking at my stats, nearing high D-rank with an average of 70, the new Trait, and three new skills. This was insane.

This was the moment I truly grasped the game-breaking power of Plunder.