Chapter 10

03. S-Rankers Falling from the Sky (2)

"I am truly ashamed. I apologize."

"I apologize!"

As soon as they stepped out of the field, the two people bowed deeply as if they had been waiting for them. They were a woman with a ponytail, who seemed to be in a higher position, and a man with a somewhat young appearance. The man had a novice necklace around his neck. So that's how it is.

I stopped Jo Sung-hyun, who was about to raise his voice. Seo Young-won, who looked as haggard as we did, exchanged a glance with me.

'The estimate is just right.'

Jo Sung-hyun still doesn't know, but it's an open secret that Lee Hyun Sang-guk exploits new members during their probationary period under the guise of training.

If one of us had been injured, I would have been the first to get angry, but in this situation, I can't.

Knowing the circumstances, I couldn't be harsh. The guild would certainly get a substantial compensation.

"This time, it was just luck. It wouldn't have been strange if there had been casualties. Please be more careful from now on."

"Yes, I am truly sorry. We have medical staff prepared over there. Let's go."

"Whew, cool."

Ignoring the whistling and fussing Geon Ji-won, we headed to the tent where the medical staff were waiting.

Everyone seemed fine, but during the battle, they would have been too excited to feel the pain. I quickly had the doctor check Cha Tae-yang and Jo Sung-hyun first. Fortunately, both were just exhausted from the long battle and had no serious injuries.

On the contrary, Seo Young-won, who had been at the front of the group, received treatment for various wounds.

'That's why defensive types. They don't even complain about being hurt...'

While treating him, the doctor, who had heard my rank, was surprised and came running to me.

"Why didn't you say that earlier! These A-rankers don't get hurt easily, and even if they do, they recover quickly! Compared to them, you're as fragile as a paper doll. A paper doll!"

"I just provided cover from a distance..."

"Oh, come on, come over here quickly."

The doctor pulled my arm and started the examination.

"You were only worried about others!"

Cha Tae-yang and Jo Sung-hyun chuckled at the sight of me being scolded. The doctor, while disinfecting minor wounds, scolded us.

"Hunters being careless isn't a new thing, but you need to be careful! The human body isn't an indestructible, self-repairing object. Don't rely too much on potions."

"Ah, yes."

I tried to send a distress signal with my eyes, but everyone ignored me.

The doctor, who had quickly treated me, hurried back to Seo Young-wun.

"Seo, are you okay? I didn't know you were so fragile."

"Yes, I'm fine. They're just minor injuries."

"Is that so, sis. Do hunters always end up like this?"

Cha Tae-yang, sitting on the bed, asked. I was about to say that today's incident was quite rare, but I closed my mouth.

For hunters like me, who operate in lower-ranked fields, such incidents are rare, but it might not be the case for Cha Tae-yang. Despite being in his first battle, he showed remarkable skill.

Mr. Ji-hwa must have brought Cha Tae-yang to join the exploration team, which navigates through unknown layers. If that's the case, such incidents will become frequent.

Therefore, I chose my words carefully.

"Interference is a very rare phenomenon."

"Thank goodness, Tae-yang!"

"But hunters are always surrounded by danger. In that sense, yes, hunters work in uncertainty like today. It's never a safe job."

After a long moment of contemplation, Tae-yang smiled widely.

"...Everyone is amazing!"

"You didn't know that before becoming a hunter?"

"It could be! I'll learn from now on. And if I don't like it, I can quit anytime, right?"

"Hey, are you crazy? You came all the way to the wilderness and want to quit?"

"Who said I want to quit!"

Seo Young-wun, who had finished his treatment, separated the two bickering.

Amid the commotion, Geon Ji-won's face appeared between the tent flaps. When does this guy plan to leave? Isn't he busy?

Despite not being welcomed by anyone in the tent, Geon Ji-won was grinning.

"We are planning to return now. The guild leader should also go in..."

"Be a little more considerate. Are you kicking us out?"

"The wilderness will take care of itself, so don't worry."

Speaking on behalf of Seo Young-wun, who couldn't respond, Geon Ji-won narrowed his eyes and looked at me.

"Pickiness. I promised Ji-hwa to help you get back safely. I can't face him if I just leave you here."

"...Up to the guild."

"Hmm, I'll think about it."

Whether he genuinely meant to help or not, Geon Ji-won took the wheel. Well, I don't mind if he doesn't drive.

Thanks to this, I could sit in the back with Cha Tae-yang and Jo Sung-hyun. As I settled into my seat, fatigue washed over me. Ignoring Geon Ji-won's chatter, I closed my eyes and leaned back into the chair.

'Seo Young-wun will handle it.'

Then I suddenly remembered I had a lot to check. I forced my eyelids open.

Player Name: Yun Gaho

Overall Evaluation: C+

- Health: 27 (+13)

- Strength: 30 (+7)

- Magic: 45 (+22)

- Agility: 36 (+19)

- Dexterity: 4

Traits: Eternal Protection (S), Marksman (C)

- Additional Skills: Enchant (S), Magic Engineering (A), Explorer's Eye (A), Rising Moon (B), Bow Assistant (C)

Even a little improvement in dexterity! And two new additional skills.

I can guess what Magic Engineering is, but what's Rising Moon? I immediately checked the skill window.

[You have tasted the essence of Magic Engineering! You can now interpret magical formulas.]

[Rising Moon (B)

- Manipulates the target's mana lines to cause continuous damage. Recovers 30% of the damage dealt as mana.]

A mana recovery skill! This could help replenish the mana consumed by stacking enchants. I bit my lip in secret, feeling like this skill was a godsend.

Although I only had one S-rank skill, the others seemed useful as well. I would need to test them to know for sure.

'I need to check the quest rewards too.'

The best item would have gone to the highest contributor, Cha Tae-yang, but since it's the main quest reward, it's worth looking forward to.

'What is this, more ordinary than I expected.'

The Umantha flower petals that can be sold for a good price were nice, but they fell short of my expectations. Just as I was about to feel disappointed, a new item called "Chimera Egg" caught my eye.

'There was no mention of such an item from the 19th floor exploration...'

A sudden uneasy premonition flashed through my mind, and I bit my lip.

'Could it hatch?'

"Hey, is something wrong?"

"No, nothing."

Like a ghost. He was clearly driving and looking ahead, but he must have sensed something was off.

Calm down, Yun Gaho. It might not be what you think. You can worry after checking the item information.

[The greatest masterpiece of a black mage completed in his old age. It grows by consuming magic. (0.1% chance of hatching)]

※ Non-tradable item

Aah! It can hatch! And it's a non-tradable item.

'Come on, World Tower. Can't you consider my situation?'

When I think of Chimera, I only remember the scaly creature from an anime. And it's made from undead materials. I don't want that.

Moreover, it's B-rank. Even in its egg form, it's stronger than me.

'If it hatches when I'm alone...'

I didn't even want to imagine it.

It was an excessive reward for a weak C-rank.

"What do I do with this."

Is there a hunter who is skilled in black magic? While searching my poor network, my eyes met Geon Ji-won's in the rearview mirror.

'There he is, a black magic specialist.'

One of the best dark wizards in the world. When will I meet Geon Ji-won again? I cautiously started the conversation.

"Guild Leader Geon Ji-won, can I ask you something?"

"Ask away, ask away. I was just bored."

"Can black magic create something like a Chimera?"

Geon Ji-won was silent for a moment.

That's not like him. I must have asked something wrong, so I quickly backtracked.

"I have a concern. Most of the monsters on the 19th floor were animal-like, which seemed strange. They were from different environments, as if someone had collected them artificially."

"Interesting. Tell me more."

"There were traps on the 3rd floor, but upon reflection, that seemed suspicious too. If they were meant to block intruders, they should have been on the 1st floor."

"Hmm, really?"

As I spoke, I became more convinced by my own logic, and my voice grew louder.

"The forms of the undead were also unusual. There were many monsters with bandages or missing body parts. Not very common."

"So?"

"Could a black mage have been conducting some secret experiments?"

Seo Young-wun nodded, finding it plausible. Geon Ji-won's eyes sparkled with interest in the rearview mirror.

"Is that the Chimera experiment?"

"It could be."

Though I rushed to back it up, it made sense.

Could it be true? The Chimera egg I received as a reward was the decisive evidence.

But why? I felt I shouldn't reveal the existence of this egg. A hunter's intuition should not be ignored.

I left out the part about the Chimera egg, but it seemed Geon Ji-won was convinced. He tapped his finger on the steering wheel, deep in thought, before speaking.

"It's not impossible."

"Then..."

"But creating a Chimera is extremely difficult. The chances of success are slim."

Should I ask more? Geon Ji-won hummed a strange tune. I glared at him, and he chuckled.

"Oh, don't look at me with such intensity. I thought you were cool."

"Guild Leader Geon!"

"To connect the monsters, you need highly intricate magical formulas. Think of them as one-time-use mana circuits. Even if successful, they are like forced creations that break easily. Creating a properly functioning Chimera is almost impossible."

Of course, I haven't tried it myself. Geon Ji-won added.

It's a completely unbelievable claim. I bet my wrist he's tried it.

I asked a few more questions, but Geon Ji-won evaded them. Understandably so. If the story of creating a Chimera from monsters spread, he would face severe criticism.

'What a revelation.'

Still, it's a relief to know it will break easily. If the Chimera shows aggression, I can at least avoid it for a while.

'I need to examine it more closely when I get home.'

Maybe I can learn more using the new skills.

While lost in thought, the van had already arrived near the guild. Tae-yang, who seemed uncomfortable, jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped.

Ding!

Someone caught the goblin that almost fell off Tae-yang's shoulder due to the sudden exit.

"Tae-yang, be more careful."