Translator: rainbowturtle
Editor: LD & Jyazen
âA blessing in disguiseâ was an idiom that meant life was changeable and that a person should not worry too much about the things they had done. Hyeonuâs current situation was just like thatâa blessing in disguise. The hunt started with the unpleasant encounter with the Venom Guild, yet todayâs hunt went better than ever.
After killing one group of monsters, another group appeared. They flocked over to Hyeonu one after another like they were on strings. Additionally, they dropped items for Hyeonu. Of course, they were rare and uncommon rated items. Then at this moment, the finishing touch to Hyeonuâs blessing arrived. An instance dungeon appeared in front of Hyeonu.
[Would you like to enter the Ancient Arperium?]
Hyeonu looked at the message window in front of him and asked Tang-E, âTang-E, this... Is it right? It is a dungeon, right?â
Hyeonu held Tang-E by the armpits and shook the bear. Tang-E felt the world shake and responded with much difficulty, âThat... It seems so. Damn Master dude!! Stop shaking me!â
Hyeonu was very excited about the dungeon he had discovered after a long time. The last dungeon he went through had been Vampire Rotonâs dungeon with Gang Junggu and Kim Seokjung. The main scenario had also been done in a dungeon, but that was another topic.
âHuhu.âHyeonu smiled slyly. The dungeon had already left his mind. It was now full of the rewards he could get from the dungeon.
âA skill? A unique item? No, perhaps an epic item can come out.â
On the other hand, Tang-E looked disgusted at the word âdungeonâ. He thought of using magic in a dark cave or similar environment for a day or two and felt choked up.âI already miss Bung Bung Island...â
Still, a slight smile appeared on Tang-Eâs face when he saw that his master, Hyeonu, liked it.
âIf youâre going, then letâs go quickly, damn master. Enter quickly and leave quickly.â
At Tang-Eâs urging, Hyeonu entered the dungeon.
[Would you like to enter the Ancient Arperium?]
âI would.â
***
[You have entered the Ancient Arperium.]
Hyeonu and Tang-E entered the dungeon, and a vast plain appeared in front of them. It was a very familiar sight.
âIsnât this the same as the Balder Mountains?â
Thatâs right. It was very similar to the scenery before Hyeonu entered the dungeon.
âYes, Master dude. It is similar to where we used to be. I like it.â
Tang-E had a satisfied look as he observed the plains, forests, and mountains he could see.
âWhat is the clear condition for this dungeon?â
Normal instances had the condition of defeating the boss monsters. A similar environment to this one was the rebel base that was the site of the main scenario. At that time, Lebronâs defeat of Edward was able to satisfy the clear condition. The current dungeon environment was different, but the clear condition should be similar.
âIt means I need to defeat the boss monster to clear it...â
âTang-E, how do I defeat a boss monster here?â
After Hyeonu asked this question, Tang-E stared at him. âWhen did you start thinking while hunting? Just beat it as usual with your body, Master dude.â
Hyeonu bowed over like a wounded heroine in a movie after hearing Tang-Eâs words. Tang-E didnât care about Hyeonuâs appearance and moved his small body.
âJust a bit more...â
The time of his awakening was clearly visible.
***
Hyeonu and Tang-E were carefully hiding behind a tree and looking at something. They were watching a fight between monsters. A giant that was over five meters tall was fighting an ogre the same size as it. The giant was holding a huge piece of metal that fit its size.
Meanwhile, the ogre was wielding a log that looked like it had just been pulled out. At some point, the ogre started to be pushed one-sidedly. It might be due to the difference in weapons or strength. Eventually, the log failed to withstand the force of the collision and broke.
The giant aimed precisely at this gap and hit the ogreâs head. It swung so hard that the ogreâs head exploded without leaving a trace behind.
âItâs terrifying.â
Hyeonu frowned at the power struggle between the giant and the orc. He thought that the giant was the boss monster. Otherwise, it wouldnât be able to beat the ogres of the Balder Mountains with a club in an instant. However, Hyeonuâs speculation was completely wrong. The giant was just one monster. Forget a boss monster, it wasnât even a named monster. It was just strongâstrong enough to kill an ogre instantly.
âTang-E, we have to kill that guy later. Understood? So quickly awaken.â
Hyeonu realized that Tang-Eâs second awakening was necessary in order for him to hunt more boss monsters. Just like before the first awakening, Hyeonu started the awakening plan.
***
A blade made of black steel separated the ogreâs ankle from its body.
Hyeonu cut the ogreâs ankle and shouted at Tang-E, âDo anything!â
Upon hearing the words, Tang-E released a lightning bolt toward the ogre who couldnât control its body. Tang-Eâs Lightning skill, used with his 1,800 points in magic power and the B+ proficiency, boasted a great power. He neatly cleaned out the ogre table prepared by Hyeonu.
[The ancient ogre has been killed.]
[Experience has been acquired.]
âHow long left?â
âHow many times have you asked already? Be patient, Master dude,âTang-E lashed out at Hyeonu who had asked the same question again.
Hyeonu had already asked the same question several times, and Tang-Eâs answer would also be the same.
âIâm almost there. Just a little bit more.â
This process had been repeated for several hours. In fact, Tang-E was feeling more anxious than Hyeonu. Having the second awakening within sight made Tang-E nervous. He just didnât express it outwardly. Tang-E was a wonderful Marionette Bear as always. He couldnât seem anxious.
âThere really is only a short time remaining. I have to kill more monsters.â
He merely felt encouraged at Hyeonuâs urging.
***
Despite Hyeonu spending a day to level-up Tang-E, there were no signs of a second awakening.
âTang-Eâs status window.â
[Status Window]
[Name: Tang-E
Level: 199
Species: Marionette Bear (First awakening)
Title: Bung Bung Islandâs Heir
Stats: Strength: 793 Agility: 739 Physique: 905 Magic Power: 1,758
The heir of Bung Bung Island. Bear-like physical abilities and high magic power are racial characteristics. He is very affectionate, unlike his prideful tone.
Intimacy: 100
Skills Possessed: Bearâs Momentum, Forestâs Blessing, Magic Power Affinity, Lightning, Giant Transformation, Roar, Ice, Fire, Subspace.]
Tang-E was at level 199. All the accumulated experience had increased Tang-Eâs level by one. However, there was definitely a sense of regret. Hyeonu believed it would be possible for Tang-E to reach level 200 as long as he worked hard.
âI think I can awaken if we kill that, Master dude.â Tang-E hit Hyeonu who was looking at the status window. He looked at Hyeonu and pointed at something with his paws.
âHey, that isnât small.â Hyeonu was frightened when he saw the target Tang-E pointed to. Tang-E was pointing at the giant they saw yesterday. The giant, which hadnât been seen for a day, reappeared.
âWonât I help Master if I awaken? Letâs hunt it.â
Hyeonu recently noticed how much Tang-E wanted to awaken based on the way he was saying âMasterâ politely.
âDonât spare your magic power. Pour out your magic whenever itâs availableâLightning, Fire, and Ice. Understood?â Hyeonu grabbed Tang-E and gave new orders.
âI know. I will show everything.â
Hyeonu stressed it over and over again. He was now acting like the giant was a boss monster. Hyeonu thought calmly about the fight against the giant. There was a big difference between doing a rough simulation and not doing one. Hyeonu knew the difference quite well.
âIn any case, my attack power isnât lacking. The problem is that I canât get hit...â
Considering the attack power of the giant who killed the ogre in one blow, even a three-year-old would know what happened if Hyeonu was hit.
âI can use Blink seven times. I have to end the battle before that.â
âTang-E, give me the buffs.â
Hyeonu grabbed the buffs that he had almost forgotten about. It was impossible to leave out the buffs that had the greatest effects.
[You have received Bearâs Momentum.]
[Physique has increased.]
[Strength has increased.]
[You have received the Forestâs Blessing.]
[Physique has increased.]
[Health will continue to recover.]
Hyeonu felt power rising as he rushed toward the giant in front of him. The distance between the giant and Hyeonu was approximately 200 meters. It was a distance that wouldâve taken dozens of seconds to run in reality, but in Arena where transcendent movements were possible, it only took a few seconds. Once the distance between Hyeonu and the giant was 50 meters, the giant turned to Hyeonu. Only then did it realize Hyeonuâs existence.
âKung,âthe giant snorted when it saw Hyeonu.
From a giantâs point of view, Hyeonu was just a flyâa fragile being who would die just by being grabbed. Such a being was rushing toward it. The giant swung its club lightly like it was annoying, but the result wasnât light. The iron club ripped through the air and rushed toward Hyeonu quickly. Hyeonu aimed his single-edged sword at the iron club that was flying with an eerie momentum. Then messages appeared at the same time.
[Master of Combat is activated.]
[Your stats have increased.]
[The stat âfighting energyâ has caused your stats to rise.]
[The other party is stronger than you.]
[Your stats have increased.]
[The stat âdignityâ has caused the opponentâs stats to fall.]
[Mindset of a Murderer has activated.]
[All stats have increased by 15%.]
The messages signaled that the battle had begun in earnest. Hyeonu swung his single-edged sword and ignored the messages that appeared. It was suicidal to try and hit the giant directly. If so, there was only one remaining option.
An elongated black pure energy appeared around Hyeonuâs single-edged sword. The pure energy kept increasing in size until it was as long as the giant. It was Crescent Moon Cut. The huge pure energy targeted the giantâs club. The giantâs club and Hyeonuâs pure energy collided.
Neither of them pushed each other, and sparks flew. Eventually, the winner of the power fight was the giant. The giantâs club bounced off Hyeonuâs pure energy. The deflected pure energy disappeared only after dozens of trees were cut.
Hyeonuâs expression became strange when he saw this. It looked as if he had realized something.
âThis...â