Level Up Machine

Chapter 21 Boss Monster Hunt (2)

“Isn’t this too early?”

Yu-na frowned as she asked in response to Bae Han-seong’s remark.

Even though the newly appeared boss monster was a low-level one, it was still difficult for Yeong-sik, who was only at level 7, to defeat it.

“Anyway, the Lizardmen habitat is the best place for leveling up right now. I think it’s a good idea to hunt the boss monster while we’re at it.”

“Hmm. Is the boss monster that strong?”

Yeong-sik, who had never seen a boss monster before, tilted his head and asked.

Bae Han-seong stroked his chin as he answered Yeong-sik.

“It depends. For high-level boss monsters, raids of a hundred people are sometimes organized. But for low-level boss monsters… it’s usually done with a five-person party.”

“Hmm. It seems like we don’t have enough people or levels to handle it yet.”

“Yes. But it’s all about gaining experience. For a low-level boss monster that appears in the Lizardmen habitat, I can handle it alone. So, you don’t have to worry about the party being wiped out.”

Bae Han-seong spoke in a calm voice.

Yeong-sik nodded at his reasonable words and continued.

“But in that case, because of the contribution issue, we won’t get much anyway, right?”

“No. That’s true for regular monsters, but boss monsters give a significant amount of experience points, so it won’t be bad. And above all, they have a high chance of dropping rare items.”

Yeong-sik’s eyes sparkled at the mention of items.

Currently, Yeong-sik’s party was armed with simple items bought from the store.

The mention of rare items was naturally tempting.

“Boss monsters also give a lot of gold, which could help improve our guild’s finances.”

“Q.”

At his blunt words, the faces of the Salvator Guild members darkened.

It was clear how much they were struggling with money at the moment.

“By the way, the guild leader might not have explained this, but typically, 20% of the total earnings from hunting must be paid for guild management.”

“Ah, Han-seong, that should be left to the guild members’ voluntary choice…”

“Guild leader, do you know the current balance of our guild? We’re barely managing to cover the cost of potions, let alone supporting rare items needed for hunting.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Bae Han-seong adjusted his round glasses and spoke in a low voice.

At his words, Tiria lowered her head with a dejected expression.

“So, I ask for your understanding on this matter.”

Bae Han-seong looked at Yeong-sik as he spoke.

Yeong-sik’s party could only manage an awkward smile in response to the strange momentum emanating from Bae Han-seong.

“Are potions supported by the guild?”

“Yes. Not only potions, but also travel expenses, food costs during hunts, and various consumables are all supported by the guild.”

“With that level of support, I have no complaints about paying the 20% profit.”

It was a significant relief that the guild would cover the cost of potions.

Even the lowest grade potions, which were the least effective, cost 50 silver.

Additionally, staying at the guild would save on lodging and food costs, so they would accumulate money faster than before.

“But I don’t understand. If you’re high-level, can’t you earn a significant amount of gold through hunting?”

Ara, who had been quietly listening to Yeong-sik and Bae Han-seong’s conversation, asked with a puzzled expression.

Bae Han-seong shook his head as he replied to her.

“Of course, that’s true. But hunting high-level monsters also means that the price of consumables increases. There’s also the cost of maintaining guild buffs and sometimes purchasing rare items on behalf of the guild. It’s not easy to save money.”

“Then wouldn’t it be okay to hunt in low-level monster zones to earn money?”

Even a Lizardman dropped 10 silver.

It wasn’t a large sum, but if a high-level summoner engaged in mass hunting, it would be possible to earn an astronomical amount.

Bae Han-seong gave a bitter smile as he answered her question.

“If the level difference between the monsters and summoners increases, you won’t receive gold just as you won’t gain experience points. Boss monsters are an exception.”

“Ah…”

Yeong-sik and Ara nodded in understanding at his words.

They realized why there were no high-level summoners engaging in mass hunts in low-level hunting grounds.

“If it’s not too much to ask, could you tell us your class and level?”

Yeong-sik asked, looking at Han-seong, who seemed quite confident about defeating the boss monster.

Han-seong adjusted his glasses as he replied.

“I’m a Cleric, level 86. Even though it’s a non-combat class, I can handle a boss monster in the Lizardmen habitat.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Yeong-sik smiled contentedly and clinked his glass with Han-seong’s.

He wasn’t sure exactly how powerful level 86 was in this world.

But considering that the average level of summoners was 30, it was clearly a formidable level.

“When will the hunt start? There might be quite a few people targeting the boss monster.”

“That’s true. Boss monsters have been appearing less frequently lately, so there are more people after them.”

Han-seong nodded as he responded.

Previously, boss monsters often led groups of regular monsters to attack humans from the northern regions, but for some reason, their appearance rate had sharply decreased over the past one or two months.

“When do you think we should leave, Yeong-sik?”

“I can leave as early as tomorrow.”

Yeong-sik replied to Han-seong without hesitation.

Every day was precious for his goal.

“Great. Then let’s depart tomorrow.”

Han-seong nodded with a gentle smile on his face after hearing Yeong-sik’s words.

“Now, let’s stop the heavy talk here. Today is a day for celebration.”

Tiria clapped her hands together with her characteristic gentle smile.

At her words, Han-seong quietly resumed eating.

As Yeong-sik continued his meal, he observed the overall atmosphere of the guild.

Perhaps because the guild leader had a gentle personality, there was a pleasant atmosphere among the guild members, without any signs of reluctance or discord.

Just as she had described, like a family.

Yeong-sik tilted the wine glass in his hand.

The bitter taste of the wine spread across his tongue.

Gil-soo, who was sitting next to him, turned his head towards him and asked.

“Is something wrong?”

Yeong-sik shook his head as he replied.

“It’s nothing.”

He said with a faint smile.

He found the warm atmosphere of this guild quite agreeable.

—

The next day.

Yeong-sik’s party had finished preparing to leave for the Lizardmen habitat and gathered in front of the guild building.

Bae Han-seong, wearing a loose robe, walked out.

“I have all the consumables in my inventory, so let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

As one’s level increased, so did the size of their inventory space.

Yeong-sik’s inventory was still as small as a backpack, so it was more efficient to store miscellaneous consumables in Han-seong’s inventory.

“Well, given my class, you probably won’t need to use them often.”

“That makes sense.”

Yeong-sik chuckled and nodded.

As a Cleric, Han-seong had skills for buffs and healing.

Unless they sustained critical injuries that required the simultaneous use of skills and potions, most wounds could be treated by him.

“Ah, but I won’t be healing during battles. It significantly lowers the contribution rate.”

“Understood. Please do.”

Yeong-sik nodded and headed towards the Lizardmen habitat.

Ara approached him and whispered in a low voice.

“Will you be alright?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

Yeong-sik tilted his head and looked back at her.

Ara glanced at his right arm before speaking.

“You’ve been hiding your condition from the guild members.”

“Ah…”

Yeong-sik nodded, finally understanding what she meant.

Indeed, none of the guild members knew that his body was made of mechanical parts, not flesh and blood.

“For now, I won’t use my right arm.”

“Do you plan on telling them eventually?”

“I guess I have to. It’s not something I can hide forever.”

The reason Yeong-sik, who had no skills, could fight alongside Ara and Gil-soo was due to the weapons he obtained by unlocking the security levels.

Without these weapons, Yeong-sik, whose class was a non-combatant machinist, would have had very few opportunities to shine in battles.

“I see.”

Ara replied, looking a bit disappointed.

Yeong-sik tilted his head and looked at her.

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Ara evaded his question and distanced herself from him again.

Yeong-sik didn’t press her any further, seeing her lost in thought.

“Hmm. A shield, huh? It feels a bit awkward since it’s my first time using one.”

Before departing for the hunting ground, Gil-soo, who had obtained a new shield on Yeong-sik’s advice, looked at it with an uncertain expression.

He had never used a shield before, so it felt unfamiliar in his hands.

“You’ll get used to it soon enough.”

Yeong-sik said as he stepped forward.

Watching them quietly, Bae Han-seong spoke up.

“You need to choose your initial weapon carefully. New skills are given based on it.”

“Got it. I’ll try it out today and decide.”

Gil-soo said, gripping his shield firmly.

Yeong-sik’s party arrived at the Lizardmen habitat.

Upon reaching the swamp, the heavy humidity felt suffocating.

Ara frowned, already finding it hard to bear.

The stifling humidity made it a challenging environment for anyone to endure.

“Ugh…”

Ara swallowed hard and glanced at Yeong-sik.

If he could use a mini fan, she could combine it with her magic to create a cool breeze, but she couldn’t do that in front of Bae Han-seong.

“Everyone, use this.”

At that moment, Bae Han-seong pulled out sky-blue potions from his inventory and handed them out.

Yeong-sik took one and asked Han-seong.

“What is this?”

“It’s a potion that keeps your body temperature comfortable. It’ll significantly reduce your discomfort. It’s a must-have item for hunting in environments that drain your stamina.”

“Oh?”

Gil-soo and Ara’s eyes sparkled as they quickly took and drank the potions.

The suffocating humidity that had been oppressing them disappeared entirely.

“Phew…”

Yeong-sik hadn’t felt particularly uncomfortable due to the surrounding humidity, but he drank the potion to avoid raising any suspicions about his body’s nature.

A refreshing sensation spread through him, making him feel much more invigorated.

“How much does one of these potions cost?”

“They’re not very expensive. About 30 silver each?”

“Huh…”

It wasn’t outrageously expensive, but it wasn’t cheap either.

Bae Han-seong smiled as he looked at Yeong-sik.

“You all need to grow quickly and become the sturdy financial pillars… ahem, the pillars of our guild. This kind of investment is not wasted.”

Yeong-sik sensed Bae Han-seong’s underlying motives regarding the guild’s finances and kept his mouth shut.

‘Well, as long as it’s mutually beneficial, it’s all good.’

Such a relationship, where both sides could benefit, was the ideal one.

Yeong-sik thought this as he walked through the swamp.

“Kieeeek!”

Before long, the group heard monstrous screams, and a pack of Lizardmen appeared.

Gil-soo, with his shield, stepped forward.

‘There are four of them.’

Yeong-sik took a deep breath as he observed the Lizardmen.

The Lizardmen, armed with sharp scimitars, glared menacingly at Yeong-sik’s party.

“Blade.”

*Click!*

A sharp blade sprang out from the back of Yeong-sik’s left hand.