Chapter 13 :Daily Dungeon (3)

Usually, movements that would have been natural without any thought were impossible without conscious compulsion.

I slapped my cheeks with both hands.

Slap.

But.

The touch on my palms was the plump and soft baby fat.

It felt like I had definitely touched the skin, but it didn’t penetrate deeply.

‘Is one time not enough?’

I put a little more force, this time twice.

Slap, slap.

Every time my palm hit my flesh, a soft response like touching a water balloon came back.

The sensation of my cheeks slightly bouncing up was as cute as a small jelly.

Deep breath.

I paused for a beat.

Slap slap slap slap!

Ugh, it hurts.

But my consciousness was still hazy.

I shouldn’t have hit myself.

My cheeks just sting.

‘My head is spinning.’

It was easy to spread Ideation outward and sharpen my senses, or to open the core and move my body freely.

The process of circulating the energy in the body and controlling the muscles does not require a very high degree of concentration.

But.

Manifesting is different.

The act of bringing a narrative into reality demanded a price.

Depletion of Ideation.

That’s why my head is dizzy.

Achilles’ calm voice was heard.

[The Ideation you possess is not mere energy. If you use too much, your brain will inevitably shut down. It’s a simple principle.]

Ideation was my spirit.

If the spirit runs out?

I will become a vegetable.

I’ll be limp and defenseless.

It’s a situation I hadn’t considered.

I felt a sense of urgency.

‘…Manifesting the narrative simultaneously is still precarious with my Ideation. Still, it’s good that I found out.’

Besides.

Didn’t I have my eyes open for a full 5 minutes?

The eyes I can’t handle and the depletion of Ideation.

My head was already like a crumpled cotton ball.

‘My senses are faint. It’s my body, but it feels like it’s not mine.’

It’s hard to continue thinking.

A feeling of something being cut off.

My whole body seemed to betray me, leaving only discomfort and alienation.

Nevertheless.

The only reason I’m enduring this by slapping myself is.

‘I can’t resist opening chests.’

Even if I die, shouldn’t I open the box?

I didn’t know my mental strength was so great.

Letters that stand out clearly even in the blurry vision.

[You have cleared Friday’s Dungeon of Abundance]

[You have acquired Friday’s Elixir as a first-clear reward]

[You have acquired No. 1,004 Treasure Chest]

“…First clear reward?”

It was unexpected.

A breathless sound that burst out unintentionally cut through the air.

It was understandable.

Rewards that only top rankers, such as S-rank, national power level, and transcendental hunters, can receive.

I never imagined that I would be able to receive this.

I felt good about the unexpected windfall.

‘Daily dungeon. It seems that I’m really the only one who can see it.’

A golden elixir in my hand.

Small and hard.

Depending on the angle at which the light hits, a brilliant golden color glides across its surface.

I have to be careful, because Hayang might eat it like last time.

X-ray vision.

The potion slowly revealed its essence.

[Friday’s Elixir]

[Grade: Unique]

[Effect: Permanently increases MP by 10~1,000.]

As soon as I checked the effect, I almost stopped breathing.

“Crazy.”

The efficacy of the elixir is well known.

Even if a normal person who is not an awakened person takes it, it increases lifespan and restores health.

But what if a hunter takes this?

The mana increases.

That’s why it’s priceless.

But, that’s not the end.

My eyes have also seen through the hidden piece.

Another piece of information that no one else would know was clearly displayed.

[※This is a crafting material for the Seven Days Elixir※]

[If you collect all six elixirs from Monday to Saturday, you can craft it on Sunday of Creation.]

[There are not enough materials to craft the Seven Days Elixir.]

[List of currently held material items]

[Monday’s Elixir: 0]

[Tuesday’s Elixir: 0]

[Wednesday’s Elixir: 0]

[Thursday’s Elixir: 0]

[Friday’s Elixir: 1]

[Saturday’s Elixir: 0]

Monday through Saturday.

If you collect all 6 elixirs that can be obtained from each daily dungeon, these elixirs become the ultimate material.

‘I have to go to the daily dungeon every day.’

It’s like I have homework to do every day.

But.

My lips twitched.

A brilliantly shining golden box.

I opened it without any plans.

A flashing message covered me.

Rewards that appeared at once, without the process of selecting cards.

Ding!

[You have acquired a skill]

[Name: Negation of Existence]

[Grade: S]

[Type: On/Off]

[Description: Nightmares were born to negate all existing things. Makes your existence a nightmare.]

[Effect: While the skill is active, all damage is accumulated on the target.

“Wow. S-rank?”

I narrowed my eyes and mulled over its meaning.

‘The enemy has no choice but to mistake that he is safe even after being damaged.’

If there are no visible traces or pain even after being hit?

Caution will be loosened, and complacency will arise.

But the reality?

Only time was suspended.

In a state of ignorance, you become a moving corpse.

Then, the moment the skill is deactivated, explosive damage will hit the target.

Sniping is all about timing.

Finishing it before the enemy finds me.

Breaking the enemy’s guard was a prerequisite for a sniper.

In that sense, this skill was perfect.

Enemies won’t even know why they died.

“It suits me perfectly.”

I muttered to myself and nodded.

But.

That satisfaction didn’t last long.

My head became distant.

‘…Did I overdo it?’

My body collapsed.

It was a blackout.

Can you train your mind?

It’s invisible, intangible, and you can’t even be sure it exists.

That’s why the academy’s practical evaluation places great importance on the ability to handle Ideation rather than mana.

On the other hand, the process of training the body is clear.

Tear the muscles, and recover them again.

Pain follows, but in the process, the body becomes stronger and harder.

So Jeong Chaemin tightened the bandages tightly.

‘Ha. It keeps getting bigger.’

It was a daily routine, but it was still not easy.

The felt elasticity is unusual.

Bad premonitions always come true.

The moment I pulled the bandage and pressed my chest, the forcibly deformed flesh popped out.

If one side becomes flat?

The other side came out without missing the opportunity.

“Damn it.”

I held my breath and pressed my chest as flat as possible.

‘This should be fine.’

But the figure in the mirror still looked somewhat unnatural.

Even if I wear a training suit, a small bulge remains.

I have no choice but to wear a jacket.

‘It’s uselessly big.’

The skin was chafed, pressed, and a bumpy texture was felt.

But.

It was bearable.

Because I have to go to the physical training room.

I spend my own time in the physical training room when no one is there.

Laughter flowed out of my mouth.

I thought it was a perfect plan.

However.

The sight I faced made me frown.

The sacred physical training room had turned into a playground for punks.

Each of them was lying on the equipment in a bad way, or sitting on the bench press and exchanging useless jokes.

“Ah, my muscles aren’t growing. I’m so hungry.”

“Then let’s go drink after working out.”

Their chatter echoed everywhere.

The used equipment and weight plates were scattered around.

Not a single one was put back in its place.

Drinks bottles also rolled around.

Jeong Chaemin gritted her teeth.

A crack mark appears on the back of her hand.

Anyone who likes exercise will be disgusted by this scene.

‘I haven’t seen those faces before…………. Are they additional successful applicants?’

I mostly remembered the people who passed the entrance exam.

‘I’m not picking a fight.’

I was uncomfortable, but I went to a corner and stretched to warm up.

If the other party is also a freshman, words of good advice will not work.

They don’t look like people who will listen.

‘I don’t want to cause trouble already.’

But.

Unfortunately, the problem was that another person entered the physical training room.

Shiny blonde hair.

A cute face.

Like a lost fairy that popped out of a fairy tale.

The girl was holding a leash of a dog larger than herself.

With sunglasses on.

Jeong Chaemin’s eyes widened.

“El?”

There’s no way I can’t recognize her.

How common is such a unique person?

The first place in this entrance exam.

The girl who passed the most difficult exam with a perfect score.

Yawns.

Her cheeks were somehow flushed.

The appearance was unbalanced, but it felt incredibly lovely.

‘I want to pinch her. I want to hug her and cuddle her…………… No, that’s not it. Those guys are going to El?’

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just Jeong Chaemin who recognized her.

Three punks approached swaggeringly.

Most people in the world receive a higher education and live with manners and courtesy.

But awakeners lived in their own world, not caring about others.

They must have grown up hearing that they are geniuses.

Their blood must be hot.

“Hey, isn’t that kid number one?”

“I saw it at that time. She was shooting a gun?”

“That kid who got in through connections?”

El looked at them without saying a word.

That lack of response seemed to increase their discomfort.

“Hey, no matter how good you are, it’s not right to bring a dog here, is it?”

“This is a place to build muscles, not a place for kids to play house.”

“Are you mute, too? You can’t say anything. Go play survival with a BB gun. Hahaha.”

A greasy laugh spread, and a hand reached out towards her face.

Yellow teeth glistened.

“Take off your sunglasses. Let me see your face properly.”

Mana moved.

An air current spread, and a gentle breeze arose from her feet.

‘These punk bastards. What are they doing to a child?’

Jeong Chaemin tried to step forward.

But.

At that moment, her hand stopped.

No, to be precise, it was stopped.

A metallic impact sound rang out, and a short scream came out between the yellow teeth.

A fishy smell spread in my mouth.

I could see the missing teeth through the gap where the blood was leaking.

“Wh-What?!”

“This bastard!”

The heavy pistol the girl was holding hit the man’s face.