From Today, I'm a Player

Chapter 34: A Test Pt. 4

Muspel’s Spear swiftly pierced forward, purely acting as a spear with no flames around it. It pierced through an orc’s chest, and it was the same species as the orc that had appeared as the boss of the Tutorial.

"Chwiik!"

"Chwiik!"

"Chwiyik!"

Hundreds of orcs surrounded Lee Jun-Kyeong. However, he reduced the number of orcs one by one in a relaxed manner. Lee Jun-Kyeong’s round shield blocked the fully armed orc’s glaive. He then widened the distance between them and turned the orcs into skewers by using the gap created by the blow.

After Muspel’s Spear had killed about twenty orcs, a voice loud enough to make him wince rang out.

[The Dragon’s Bloodstone has consumed the blood of an orc.]

[The Dragon’s Bloodstone has metabolized the blood of the orc.]

[Metabolized Rate 12%]

Eventually…

[Metabolism has been successful.]

[Dragon’s Bloodstone regeneration rate: 1.7%]

Lee Jun-Kyeong smiled. Unfortunately, the Dragon’s Bloodstone’s current regeneration rate was atrocious. Basically, killing a thousand orcs barely amounted to a 1% regeneration. Although the regeneration rate would continue to fall as time passed…

‘As the level of the monsters I hunt get higher…’

The regeneration of the Dragon’s Bloodstone would become faster. It would take a while, but the Dragon’s Bloodstone that had been split in half would eventually fully regenerate.

Plus, there was something else that made him happy.

“Hup! Hup! Heuk!”

Another person was fighting next to him, making strange noises as if he was being whipped.

It was Lee Jun-Kyeong’s new colleague, Jeong In-Chang. Lee Jun-Kyeong used to mainly solo-clear dungeons, but he now worked in a party with him.

Clash! Clang!

In addition, he was a great help to Lee Jun-Kyeong.

“Mr. Lee!”

"Yes!"

“This sword is awesome! It’s like it was made for me!”

Jeong In-Chang was holding a greatsword with both hands. Each time it moved, it crushed several orcs. That weapon was what Lee Jun-Kyeong had asked Park Jae-Hyun to make by following the bizarre blueprint.

‘As expected, he produced an amazing weapon.’

The smith had crafted an unbelievably crude and massive greatsword. It was as tall as Jeong In-Chang was and even thicker than his body. Despite its ridiculous size, Jeong In-Chang wielded it easily while roaring monstrously.

“Ha-a-ap!

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Eventually, the last orc had fallen.

“This is amazing!” Jeong In-Chang said with the massive sword on his shoulder, clearly brimming with joy.

Lee Jun-Kyeong smiled at him and asked, “What’s the regeneration rate?”

“It’s at… about 2% now?”

Jeong In-Chang’s greatsword was also imbued with a Dragon’s Bloodstone, and the glowing red gem was set at the base of the fuller where the blood would gather.

“To think there was a method of use like this… Wouldn’t one become two, and two become four like this? Are you an alchemist too, Mr. Lee?”

Lee Jun-Kyeong laughed at Jeong In-Chang, who was speaking with genuine admiration. Jeong In-Chang hadn’t finished yet.

“Also, I didn’t know a greatsword like this would suit me so well. It was a good thing I entrusted the Dragon’s Bloodstone to you, Mr. Lee.”

Of course, it was; it was most likely the best thing he had done in his life.

[<The Prince on a White Horse> smiles at you.]

[<The Prince on a White Horse> offers his gratitude.]

As expected, Jeong In-Chang’s Sponsor had given off a stuffy vibe before, like it had been forced to swallow down sweet potatoes without having water to wash it down. It had clearly been frustrated by Jeong In-Chang’s naivety. But, as soon as Jeong In-Chang had joined Lee Jun-Kyeong, his Sponsor immediately gave him massive sponsorships.

Jeong In-Chang remarked, “Huh? I was sponsored again.”

“...”

Unlike someone else, Lee Jun-Kyeong knew <The Prince on a White Horse> was a Sponsor that wouldn’t spare any support for its Incarnation.

‘I’m jealous.’

[<The Sky of the Apocalypse> snorts in your direction.]

However, there was something strange. Until now, <The Sky of the Apocalypse> had refused and blocked any interest from other Sponsors, but it was actually leaving <The Prince on a White Horse> alone.

[<The Sky of the Apocalypse> looks at you insidiously.]

Lee Jun-Kyeong shrugged and moved on. He now had two Dragon’s Bloodstone weapons and one comrade.

‘We’ll have to raid a few more dungeons from this point.’

The test given by Odin would be held in the next week or so. Until then, he would have to work together with Jeong In-Chang in order to make sure that they had adapted to their newly acquired weapons and strengthened bodies. The Dragon’s Bloodstones hadn’t been incorporated into the weapons; they were only there to facilitate their regeneration.

Lee Jun-Kyeong opened the information window of the spear while holding it.

[Muspel's Spear (Dragon’s Bloodstone) Lv. 4]

Legendary

1. Increases the power of Reign of Fire.

2. Increases Fire Resistance by 45%.

3. The weapon will grow as it is exposed to fire.

4. Muspel’s Spear will return to the user’s hand when mana is sufficient (Mana cost increases as distance increases.).

5. Stats will increase as the size of the Dragon’s Bloodstone increases.

Lee Jun-Kyeong wondered if the word ‘overwhelming’ had been made for his spear. Park Jae-Hyun may have modified Muspel’s Spear, but it had only been very slight. Inserting the halved Dragon’s Bloodstone was responsible for these new changes.

Furthermore, the spear’s appearance had also morphed. The previously ordinary red spear had transformed, becoming a little thicker and more beautiful when the device for inserting the Dragon’s Bloodstone had been added.

Lee Jun-Kyeong was full of anticipation and wondered how much the spear would grow in the future.

‘Also…’

He looked over at Jeong In-Chang’s greatsword. It wasn’t perfect yet, but it had also become a Unique-grade item after adding a Dragon’s Bloodstone. While it was a high-level weapon made by Park Jae-Hyun, it was currently still only a chrysalis that wouldn’t change to it till later.

“Should I at least give you a name…?” mumbled Jeong In-Chang as he swung his greatsword. He was clearly fond of the blade.

***

Lee Jun-Kyeong cried out, “That sword doesn’t just function as an ordinary weapon. It’s also good for defense, so you need to get to know how to use it!”

“Alright!” responded Jeong In-Chang loudly as he drove his greatsword into the ground. The deeply embedded sword went against the dungeon boss—the club. The ogre had swung with its entire might, and it collided with the greatsword.

“Ugh,” Jeong In-Chang moaned.

“Mr. Jeong, do you really think it makes sense that you’re being beaten back by a mere ogre You’re getting overwhelmed by the weight and strength of the sword itself! Find the correct stance to use the greatsword for defense!”

“Alright!”

Jeong In-Chang moved according to Lee Jun-Kyeong’s advice and quickly changed his posture, making changes and following his instructions akin to how he would follow a master’s. Before he knew it, he had found a stance that didn’t waver even when clashing with the ogre’s club just like Lee Jun-Kyeong had exhorted.

Clang!

Jeong In-Chang’s defense had become stable. Unlike before, he didn’t moan at all after that blow was exchanged.

‘As expected…’

Jeong In-Chang’s fighting sense was at a level that couldn’t help but be acknowledged. Lee Jun-Kyeong had simply spewed a few vague conceptions to the other man as he remembered a single phrase from the book of the Demon King.

[Siegfried's greatsword blocked countless attacks from the Bone Dragon.]

Jeong In-Chang’s ability had turned his imagination into reality.

“This is enough.”

Jeong In-Chang responded instantly after Lee Jun-Kyeong’s comment, and he took his greatsword and stepped back.

Flicker.

A snake-like flame climbed up Lee Jun-Kyeong’s arm, absorbing into Muspel’s Spear. As the flames passed by the Dragon’s Bloodstone and gathered in the shape of a sphere on the tip of the spear…

Whoosh!

Lee Jun-Kyeong heaved it toward the orc.

Pop.

The ogre fell to the floor without even having the chance to scream.

‘Looks like it’s easy to take down ogres now.’

Lee Jun-Kyeong had grown and had finally become a fully matured A-Rank Hunter. The two of them had raided several dungeons together already. Thus, Jeong In-Chang began to put the loot into his inventory as if it was normal, and the gate began to show signs of collapsing.

This particular gate was a C-Grade Gate. Depending on the grade of the gate, the rate at which it collapsed would slow down.

"I beg your pardon, but…” Jeong In-Chang said, suddenly speaking in a manner of speech one could only find in TV shows. Lee Jun-Kyeong looked over at him.

“How do you know so much about the Dragon’s Bloodstone and this greatsword, Mr. Lee?”

“..."

“And when you hunt monsters, you are already aware of the weaknesses of even the unknown monsters.”

Lee Jun-Kyeong eventually laughed.

“Are you really from the future?” Jeong In-Chang continued.

Lee Jun-Kyeong had already answered that question, but Jeong In-Chang still didn’t believe him.

He shook his head. “Let’s head out first.”

After all, there was no need for him to explain any further.

“Two days from now, we will have to go to that place.”

Jeong In-Chang’s expression slowly hardened. He was also nervous.

“Let’s hunt as if our lives are on the line for the next two days. Because…” Lee Jun-Kyeong said while placing the loot that Jeong In-Chang had not yet picked up into his own inventory.

“...that’s how we can increase our chances of surviving, even if it's only a little bit.”

Jeong In-Chang nodded with a confident expression and responded, "All right."

***

Lee Jun-Kyeong and Jeong In-Chang had begun to meld and coordinate their fighting styles. Jeong In-Chang faithfully fulfilled both the roles of a damage dealer and a tanker. On the other hand, Lee Jun-Kyeong was a pure damage dealer who wove in his damage and was responsible for the powerful final shot. Considering their level of cooperation, it was enough to say that they had done everything they could have in this short amount of time.

‘It’s tomorrow.’

Finally, the exam was fast approaching, and it put Lee Jun-Kyeong in an irritated mood.

‘I have no other choice right now.’

Unfortunately, that person was an overwhelming force right now. No matter how strong he may have thought that he had become, Lee Jun-Kyeong wouldn’t be able to reach his toes. Therefore, he had to accept it. Even if it was disgraceful, he could accept the insults of the present for his bigger plans in the future.

"Whew…"

There was only one thing that made him feel a bit of regret.

‘It would have been nice if Jeong In-Chang had gotten a title.’

While Lee Jun-Kyeong knew that it would be some time before his partner would have earned his title and that expecting it this early was greedy, he had a reason for it.

‘Considering you already gave him the Dragon’s Bloodstone, can’t you give him a title too?’

Jeong In-Chang would only be able to handle the Dragon’s Bloodstone fully after earning the title of Siegfried. Fortunately, it still had a significant effect even without the title. However, Lee Jun-Kyeong had a lofty goal. ‘The fall of Asgard.’

For that, Jeong In-Chang would have to grow faster and even better than he did in the book. However, the Sponsors weren’t existences who would give just because they were asked.

Lee Jun-Kyeong was currently lying down on a soft bed. He felt as though his remaining time to rest diminished with each passing day.

“I have to move as well…” he grumbled.

Before he knew it, the sum of money that had accumulated in his bankbook was large enough to bewilder him. It was only natural, as he had continued to raid dungeons without resting. In addition, there was no way that Lee Jun-Kyeong’s earnings would have been lacking as he usually hunted solo. He could afford to move right away, but the timing was never right.

‘I mean, while the apartment isn’t uncomfortable…’

The only thing that he could quibble about was that his current apartment had been given to him by the Association. In any case, as long as he joined Asgard safely, his move would be handled as well.

And at that point, Lee Jun-Kyeong heard the sound of the doorbell reverberating in his home.

Creak.

He already knew that person had come, and Lee Jun-Kyeong spoke toward the opening door.

“I’ve been waiting.”

A man appeared, holding a tremendous amount of food.

“Hyung.”

The light in the entryway lit up, illuminating his head. Lee Jun-Kyeong smiled bitterly at the sight for a moment and then spoke.

“There’s a lot to talk about, right? The two of us.”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t a planned meeting. However, the man entered Lee Jun-Kyeong’s house quite comfortably. Putting down the food, the man spoke first.

“Don’t go tomorrow.”

The man was frowning severely, which showed that he was being serious and sincere.

“If you go tomorrow, you could die.”

1. The slang ??? is often used to describe a frustrated and irritating feeling about someone, akin to the feeling of having eaten sweet potatoes and not having anything to drink, the dry and stuffy feeling in the back of your throat that can make you irritated.