Transferred to an SSS-rank Production Class

[Choose an effect to apply to ‘Studded Gloves (C)’.]

Unlike before, each time I clicked on an enchant name, an additional explanation window appeared, resembling a blueprint.

The additional window contained a popup explaining the supplementary effects and the expected circuit shape. The circuit’s shape changed depending on the type of enchant. The additional explanation was a general description like “■■ stat increases slightly.”

Still, this is something! Now it finally felt like I had obtained an S-rank skill.

“Gaho-unni, are you almost done? They say the safe zone is about to deactivate!”

“I’m almost finished!”

I answered Cha Taeyang’s question while keeping my gaze fixed on the system.

Among the innate effects, none boosted mana, but all the suffixes had mana-increasing effects.

It must be because of using the staff.

I struggled to choose between ‘Flame’ and ‘Sage’.

The A-rank enchant ‘Sage’ provided a much higher mana boost than ‘Flame’, but it came with the risk of slightly lowering health and agility stats.

The decision was made quickly.

I couldn’t know exactly how much the stats would increase or decrease, but there was no room for risk-taking. It would be disastrous if the mana stat fell short.

I chose the ‘Sage’ effect, which significantly increased mana at the cost of slightly decreasing other abilities. To compensate, I selected an innate effect that boosted health…

“Apply enchant ‘Steel Sage’.”

“Concentrate.”

Mini-Kallos, perched atop my head, led the way in moving mana as if paving a path. His mana drew circuits delicately, sometimes boldly.

I barely managed to follow his movements, but before I knew it, the mana circuit encompassing both pieces of equipment revealed itself.

It was more intricate and perfect than the expected circuit.

I got goosebumps at the form that purely extracted only the advantages of both pieces of equipment.

“Master, you truly are a genius.”

“Unnecessary chatter.”

Mini-Kallos retorted gruffly before vanishing without a farewell. Simultaneously, brilliant light poured out from the magic circle.

When I opened my eyes, the success message I had so longed to see was waiting for me.

[Enchantment successful!

– ‘Steel’ (C): Health +5, Magic Resistance +3

– ‘Sage’ (A): Health -6, Mana +21, Agility -3, Accuracy +7]

[Steel Sage, Studded Gloves (C)

– Health: 5 (-1)

– Strength: 7

– Mana: 0 (+21)

– Agility: 3 (-3)

– Magic Resistance: 0 (+3)

– Accuracy: 0 (+7)]

[Viewing condition met! Additional skills for the trait ‘Eternal Blessing (S)’ are unlocked.]

Finally, success!

Though I wanted to check the additional skills first, now wasn’t the time.

I approached Cha Taeyang and handed over the enchanted gloves.

While Cha Taeyang checked the gloves’ options, I listened to Seo Young-woon’s plan for what came next.

“Just before the monster wave starts, we’ll scatter and herd the monsters from all over the mansion to one place. Hunter Yun Gaho, please move together with Hunter Cha Taeyang.”

“Where’s our destination?”

“The glass greenhouse, or more precisely, the clearing in front of it.”

It was a reasonable judgment. We needed a wide space to gather monsters from both inside and outside. Though slightly distant from the mansion, it should be feasible for A-rank hunters.

“The two of you focus on the undead near the greenhouse…”

“Unni! What on earth did you do? This is a completely different item now!”

“Let me see that too.”

Jo Sung-hyun’s eyes widened as he checked the gloves. He strode over and thrust the gloves at Seo Young-woon. Then, as if in disbelief, he started questioning me.

“What’s the deal with that skill? I thought Hunter Yun Gaho was C-rank!”

“Trainee Jo Sung-hyun, what are you doing? This is…”

“What rank is that skill to make this possible? A-rank? Surely not S-rank? This completely breaks the balance!”

Seo Young-woon, who had been trying to restrain Jo Sung-hyun, changed his attitude after viewing the information. He stood beside the interrogating Jo Sung-hyun, urging me to answer with his eyes.

I tried to evade, but with even Cha Taeyang joining in, an atmosphere formed where I couldn’t avoid answering.

[Monster wave begins in 1 minute!]

“Ah, unfortunately, I don’t think I can answer right now. Let’s all move to our positions.”

“You must answer later!”

“…I’ll see you in front of the greenhouse.”

“Let’s go, Mr. Kim!”

‘Who knew there’d be a time when I’d welcome a monster wave.’

Seo Young-woon and Jo Sung-hyun persistently watched my back as I left the room with Cha Taeyang.

Cha Taeyang hoisted me up with one arm and leapt out the corridor window.

As if they’d been waiting, a horde of undead gave chase, but Cha Taeyang didn’t flinch. Instead, she shouted loud enough to make the mansion reverberate.

“Now, it’s time for the final battle!”

That recklessly bellicose declaration somehow filled me with confidence. Isn’t this what every hunter dreams of? An uncharacteristically optimistic statement escaped my lips.

“Let’s do this, stage clear.”

“Yes, let’s go!”

Cha Taeyang placed me on a suitable tree before darting around the greenhouse. Can you even call that darting around?

“Phantom Steps!”

Activating her skill, Cha Taeyang appeared here and there in flashes, running on thin air while herding the undead.

‘So this is what she meant by being able to do most goblin-like things.’

The goblin sitting on Cha Taeyang’s shoulder also rolled across the ground, jingling noisily.

“I can’t just sit idle either.”

Using a skill, I climbed up a tall tree near the greenhouse. I could see the surroundings clearly. Great position!

“Activate Bow Assistant. Anchor!”

A sight appeared before my eyes, blinking.

My targets were the monsters not drawn by Cha Taeyang’s aggro. Seo Young-woon would handle those near the mansion, so I’d deal with the ones around here.

The number of monsters with arrows floating above their heads gradually increased.

“Apply 3rd slot ‘Disperse’.”

A card depicting dandelion seeds floated up. I frowned at the system message that appeared almost simultaneously.

[Skill ‘Enchant (S)’ activates.

– 3rd slot: Disperse (2 uses remaining)]

[Do you want to stack the effect? (Maximum 2 times)]

What’s this now? Even the skill name changed from Attribute Bestowal to Enchant.

“Stack? I don’t know what it means, but… stack the effect!”

As I answered reflexively, the number of targets nearly doubled.

Is this stacking function a new feature unlocked after successfully enchanting? I opened the skill window, but there was no additional explanation.

“It seems I can activate two attributes stacked together.”

As expected of an S-rank trait! I thought it was specialized for crafting, but it has this use too. Not just a golden path, but a rosy path for Dealer Yun Gaho has opened up!

Smiling slightly, I shot an arrow into the air. The mana-wrapped arrow split the sky.

“Release!”

A massive magic circle illuminated the dark sky. Following that, an arrow rain fell over a wide area near the greenhouse.

The monsters, caught off guard by the sudden attack, became agitated. Though not very powerful, it effectively drew their aggro.

“Good. Now let’s move quickly.”

As I activated ‘Cat’s Step’ and tried to move, my vision suddenly spun.

I staggered so badly that I nearly fell from the tree.

I could feel Cha Taeyang looking worriedly in my direction from afar.

Leaning against the tree trunk, I checked my status window.

“What? Mana depletion?”

Mana depletion is a status ailment that occurs when the body’s mana level falls below 5%. I’m not a novice, I always calculate my mana levels…

My body grew colder, and my lips trembled. I hastily drank the highest-rank mana potion I had.

Nothing was different from usual, so what’s this misfortune?

“Could it be… because of stacking?”

It seemed using the stacking function consumed much more mana than usual. Rough calculations suggested about three times as much.

As I cursed, my body shook. Several undead had latched onto the tree, shaking it simultaneously.

“Yikes, aren’t you impatient.”

I threw the potion bottle to the ground and activated my skill again.

I’m not particularly high in health, nor do I have the attack power to break through the monster horde. If I fall to the ground in this situation with all the aggro drawn, it’s over.

With nerves on edge, I crossed from tree to tree.

Looking back, I saw an enormous dust cloud rising. Through it, I caught glimpses of Jo Sung-hyun and Seo Young-woon. Looks like they’re wrapping up well too!

“Activate ‘Master of the Hunt’!”

I activated a skill that shapes arrows into hooks and leapt onto the greenhouse roof.

We had deliberately drawn out all the monsters, but looking down from above sent chills down my spine.

If Cha Taeyang fails… No, Cha Taeyang will definitely succeed. Let’s not get scared prematurely.

“Unni, unni! I’ve brought all the ones from outside!”

“Mr. Kim-! I did my best too!”

Cha Taeyang, wrapped in blue flames, advanced relentlessly. From the opposite side, the goblin, leading a group of undead, defied the laws of physics by rolling up onto the greenhouse roof.

The monsters reached for the greenhouse or climbed its walls, but they didn’t destroy it. It seemed some special command had been input.

Cha Taeyang moved busily, knocking down undead climbing the greenhouse walls, while I shot arrows to keep flying-type monsters at bay.

“Whew, I thought I was going to die.”

“Don’t exaggerate.”

“No, you didn’t see the state of the basement, sunbae!”

“A-rank hunters don’t die that easily.”

The two, covered in dust, jumped onto the greenhouse roof while bickering. With the addition of the monsters they’d brought from the mansion, the clearing in front of the greenhouse was packed.

Rotting flesh, bare bones, mummies wrapped in bandages – each one was a sight to behold. With this many, the stench was unbearable.

“I think I’ll hate even the word ‘undead’ for the next few months.”

“Same here. My nose feels like it’s going to fall off.”

Seo Young-woon, who had just knocked down a monster with his shield, handed something to Cha Taeyang.

“Th-that’s an A-rank potion…!”

“Hunter Cha Taeyang, take it.”

“Should I drink it now?”

Cha Taeyang stared intently at the cobalt liquid shimmering with gold.

‘Well, I also wondered if it was really okay to drink when I first saw a potion.’

Soon, Cha Taeyang closed her eyes tightly and downed the potion.

“Ugh, it tastes bad. Like herbal medicine.”

“Do you know how much that costs?”

High-rank potions were expensive because they affected even the skills used immediately after consumption. Jo Sung-hyun made a fuss on behalf of Cha Taeyang, who didn’t know the value of superior potions.

“I just said it tastes bad because it does.”

Cha Taeyang shuddered. Regardless, her mana seemed properly replenished as she looked much more refreshed than before.

Grooooowl- The monsters’ howls filled the surroundings.

“I’m going to start.”

Cha Taeyang exhaled deeply. Everyone watched her silently, in tense anticipation.