Leveling Up Alone

The two fresh-faced Porters tensed up when they suddenly had to face the charisma of a Level 50 Hunter, and even Yoo-Bi, who was already acquainted with Han-Yeol, unintentionally stiffened in surprise.

“How much experience do you have as a Porter?” Han-Yeol asked.

Then, he wondered, ‘I haven't seen Yoo-Bi for around four months. Does that mean she was doing this since before we met…?’

It was the same for Han-Yeol, but not anyone could become a Porter just because they wanted to. It was mandatory for anyone who wanted to become a Porter to be registered and receive four months of training from the Porter Department, which was directly under the control of the Hunter’s Association, before becoming one. Then, they had to receive additional training if they wanted to advance to the next level as a Porter.

In fact, Han-Yeol also had to complete the mandatory four months of training and take numerous additional training just to become an A-Ranked Porter.

“But we just completed our training yesterday…?” Yoo-Bi replied quite honestly.

“What…?” Han-Yeol was flabbergasted at her reply.

“Yeah… You were referred to as a very good and kind Hunter by our seniors, so… Ah, is there something wrong?” Yoo-Bi asked.

“Ah, no, there’s nothing wrong. It’s just that it is a bit different from what I was told, so I’m a bit surprised,” Han-Yeol replied.

Well, Ah-Ri had mentioned that they were skilled, but she did not mention that they were experienced in the first place. Technically, she was not lying as long as Yoo-Bi and this boy had the skills to back it up.

‘Their seniors… Did she really pass the bucket to me or is she hoping that I can help them grow…?’ Han-Yeol wondered. This situation was quite a headache for him, regardless of Ah-Ri’s intentions. He thought, ‘Ah, wait a minute! No, that might not be the case here.’

Han-Yeol suddenly shook the problematic thoughts out of his head and remembered what he was supposed to do in the coming days.

‘Hmm… I’m supposed to hunt at the hunting grounds where the weaker monsters are at since I have to train the Shadow Demon. Then, in that case… I can kill two birds with one stone if I can whip these guys into shape at the same time,’ Han-Yeol thought as he decided to be optimistic about this whole situation. It was quite difficult to find a veteran Porter these days anyway, so he really had to make do with whatever he had at the moment.

‘Also… It’s not a bad idea to go hunting if it’s with Yoo-Bi…’ Han-Yeol thought. This was actually the biggest driving factor behind his optimism. Han-Yeol had been missing Yoo-Bi for quite a while now, but he now had the opportunity to stay together with her.

“Alright, let’s sign a contract then. I’m sure you have heard of the terms, right?” Han-Yeol said.

“Ah, yes… I heard that you will hire us for nine hundred thousand won an hour…” the boy said nervously.

Han-Yeol smiled. “I’m already acquainted with Yoo-Bi so I know her name. What is your name though?”

“Ah, yes… My name is S-Sung-Hwan,” the boy nervously replied.

“Alright, Sung-Hwan. Tell me honestly. Do you think that you are worth the same as Sung-Beom and Ah-Ri, who are veteran Porters?” Han-Yeol asked.

“N-Not at all. They are the role models I look up to and I hope to be like them one day,” Sung-Hwan replied.

“Right? Then you should know that it will be a joke if you get paid the same rate as they got?” Han-Yeol asked.

“Yes…” Sung-Hwan replied with a hint of disappointment in his voice. He completely understood what Han-Yeol meant, but he could not hide his disappointment when he heard that he was not going to be paid the amount that he had hoped for.

“Well, I can’t pay you the same rate as what I paid Sung-Beom and Ah-Ri, but we can start with the intern rate, which is at six hundred thirty thousand won. I will increase the rate when I am satisfied with your skills. Do you have any objections?” Han-Yeol asked.

“No! Not at all!” Sung-Hwan enthusiastically replied. His face brightened when the pay that he expected to be greatly reduced was only reduced by a bit and the terms of the contract were quite favorable.

“Same here, I do not have any!” Yoo-Bi replied.

“Alright,” Han-Yeol said before he wrapped up the meeting by telling them the time and location of their next meeting place. He then asked, “I hope that you both are aware of the equipment that you need to have as Porters?”

“Ah…that… We did receive the training…” Sung-Hwan muttered hesitantly.

“Umm…” Yoo-Bi gave a similar response.

Han-Yeol felt a bit nervous, but the next hunting ground was going to be a low-leveled one. Also, he was not the type to reprimand someone when they have not even made any mistakes yet.

In the end, Han-Yeol decided to give Sung-Hwan and Yoo-Bi the benefit of the doubt and trust them this time. He said, “Alright then, I will see you both tomorrow.”

Han-Yeol was about to leave after the meeting finished when Yoo-Bi suddenly held his wrist. Looking back at her, he asked, “Ah, what’s wrong, Yoo-Bi?”

“Han-Yeol oppa… It has been quite a while since we have seen each other… Do you plan to leave just like that?” Yoo-Bi asked.

“Ah, you’re right. Do you want to go for a walk?” Han-Yeol replied.

“Sure! Ah, Sung-Hwan, you can head home first,” she said.

“Eh? O-Okay,” Sung-Hwan grumbled slightly before he left the café.

Han-Yeol and Yoo-Bi went for a stroll at a park near the café. They have known each other for quite a while now, but this was the first time that they were spending time together.

“I was really surprised when I saw that you have become a Hunter,” Yoo-Bi said.

“Yeah, I was surprised when I awakened too. Also, I’m sorry,” Han-Yeol said.

“Huh? What are you apologizing for?” she asked.

“I should have at least contacted you before I moved, but I couldn’t, since things were just too hectic at that time,” he replied apologetically.

“Ah, don’t mention it. I understand that it was not an easy time for you,” Yoo-Bi responded.

It was then.

Wooong…

‘Hmm…?’ Han-Yeol tilted his head when he suddenly felt a wave of mana from somewhere in the park. As he looked around with ‘Mana Eyes’, he thought, ‘Don’t tell me…?’

Then, Han-Yeol saw that mana similar to that of a dimensional hole was forming at a place not so far away from where he and Yoo-Bi were. Noticing that a dimensional hole was suddenly forming out of nowhere while he was having a lovely time with Yoo-Bi, he cursed inwardly, ‘Damn it! What shitty timing is this?!’

“Han-Yeol oppa?” Yoo-Bi called out when she saw him glaring at one spot.

“Yoo-Bi, do you have your Porter equipment with you right now?” Han-Yeol asked.

“Ah, no I don’t,” she replied.

“You have to keep at least some of your equipment with you from now on,” he said.

“Huh?” she was confused at what he had just said.

Bzzt… Bzzt… Bzzt…!

The space above the lake in the middle of the park suddenly started to twist and turn while releasing static sounds, and this caused panic among the park visitors as they screamed and fled in all directions.

“Kyaaaah!”

“It’s a dimensional hole!”

“Run away!”

“Help me!”

The dimensional hole had already cemented itself as a source of terror, not only to the Hunters but also to the general populace. This was all because of the news that reported the numerous fatalities caused by it.

Waaaaaang! Waaaaang!

It seemed that someone quickly reported the matter to the authorities, because sirens blared from the speakers installed across the park.

[Attention everybody. A dimensional hole has just formed here at Gangbuk Park. We request for all civilians to seek refuge at the nearby shelter this instant. I repeat. A dimensional hole has appeared here at Gangbuk Park. We request for all civilians to seek refuge at the nearby shelter this instant. We ask any Hunters nearby to push back the monsters and buy some time for the civilians to evacuate.]

Numerous speakers and cameras had been installed all over civilian areas by the government as a precautionary measure in the event of a dimensional hole suddenly appearing.

Han-Yeol and Yoo-Bi did not move a single step despite what was currently happening. With a relaxed voice, Han-Yeol said, “You have to be prepared just in case something like that happens, right?”

However, Yoo-Bi was currently stunned and confused as to what was going on because of the sudden appearance of the dimensional hole. She was barely able to respond, “Ah… Y-Yes…”

She had heard about the dimensional holes quite a lot, but this was her first time seeing one in real life.

Han-Yeol smirked at Yoo-Bi, who was obviously frozen with fear, before he took out his revolver and passed it on to her. He asked, “You know how to use a gun, right?”

“Of course, I’m a certified Porter that went through four months of training!” Yoo-Bi retorted.

Click… Clack!

She received the revolver from Han-Yeol before opening the cylinder to check the bullets inside. She then closed it with a flick.

“Good,” Han-Yeol said with a satisfied nod before he pulled out the new sword which he had bought for one billion five hundred seventy million won. His other equipment was all in his car. He would have made it just in time if he had run to his car and collected all of his equipment, but he chose not to bother.

‘It’s a perfect opportunity for me to check how strong this new sword is,’ Han-Yeol thought.

Splash!

Swooosh!

The monster that popped out from the dimensional hole resembled a gigantic blue bee that released electricity around it.

‘Is it at the same level as the Electric Hornets?’ Han-Yeol wondered.

Gulp…!

Yoo-Bi, who was standing beside Han-Yeol, could not help but gulp dryly at the sight of the monster that she had never seen before in her life.

Brooooom!

The monster emitted a loud sound resembling that of an insect. It threateningly reverberated throughout the park.

‘Sword Breath,’ Han-Yeol activated his main sword skill.

Fwaaaa!

A bright flame engulfed Han-Yeol’s sword, and Yoo-Bi could not help but exclaim at the awesome sight that was in front of her. Amazed, she cried out inwardly, ‘Wow…’

Yoo-Bi had never seen an actual Hunter in action before, since the only Hunters she had encountered were the ones who volunteered as instructors during her Porter training. That was all the more reason that she was astounded by how flashy Han-Yeol’s skill was.

“Hey, Yoo-Bi. You have learned that the first thing you should do if you encounter a monster is to shoot it with your gun and lure it, right?” Han-Yeol asked.

“Ah, yes!” Yoo-Bi replied as she snapped back to her senses.

“Then, try to hit that bee with the revolver I gave you,” Han-Yeol ordered.

“Okay!” Yoo-Bi enthusiastically replied before she aimed the revolver at the monster.

Tang! Tang! Tang!

Yoo-Bi accurately shot the monster’s face with pinpoint accuracy, using the revolver Han-Yeol had given her as soon as he gave the order.

The bullets fired from the revolver would have exterminated the insect if it had been fired by Han-Yeol along with ‘Power Strike’. Unfortunately, the one that was using the revolver right now was Yoo-Bi, who was only a mere human, and the bullets she shot only managed to graze the monster. That was also because the gun and bullets were crafted by a Hunter.

‘Kireuk…!’

However, Yoo-Bi was successful at agitating the monster, which was her main purpose in the first place.

Brooom!

The monster flew at a high speed toward where Yoo-Bi and Han-Yeol were at.

‘Mana Shield!’ Han-Yeol summoned his shield, which was the best thing that went along with a sword, before he charged toward the incoming bee monster.

***

Bzzzt!

The bee released an explosion of bluish energy. It seemed to have gotten agitated by the human that was charging toward it.

‘Electricity… Hmm…’ Han-Yeol coveted the electricity that the bee was emitting. With a smirk on his face, he thought, ‘Shall we play for a bit?!’

Bam! Bzzzt!

Han-Yeol’s mana shield and the bees collided. He groaned upon impact, ‘Keuh!’

The monster from the dimensional hole lived up to its reputation, because Han-Yeol could feel the difference in their strength compared to the normal monsters at the hunting grounds in just a single clash.

Han-Yeol used ‘Mana Eyes’ to gauge the density of the monster’s mana, and he found that this monster’s mana was much denser than the normal ones at the hunting ground. He thought, ‘It’s still a relief that they are only slightly stronger than three Mutant Orcs combined.’

Han-Yeol was already much stronger than he had been when he had fought against the Mutant Orcs, and that was why he was confident that he could face the monster this time around without any problems.

‘Also, what I want is…’ Han-Yeol’s thoughts trailed on. He was not sure if it was going to be possible, but he really coveted the monster’s electricity attribute. He did not know if it was going to work the same way when he had obtained ‘Fire Attribute’, but he was certain that he would become much stronger if he could obtain a skill to control electricity.

‘It’s because the electric attribute is quite rare…!’ Han-Yeol thought before he smashed his shield into the monster, ‘Shield Bash!’

“Kieeeeeek!”

The bee shrieked in agony when it was hit by the shield. ‘Shield Bash’ was lagging behind in terms of levels compared to the other skills he had obtained around the same time as it, but the shield was not lagging behind at all when it came to its strength.

Han-Yeol simultaneously used ‘Mana Control’ while fighting against the bee. He tried to control the electricity that the bee emitted from its body.

Bzzzt!

‘Keuk!’ Han-Yeol groaned.

However, it did not prove to be easy as the electricity that Han-Yeol was trying to control was not something that was made from his mana. Therefore, the electricity rejected all of his attempts to tame it.

“Kieeeek!” The monster brandished its stinger, gathering electricity on it.

‘Damn it…’ Han-Yeol cursed under his breath before he used ‘Jumping’.

Bzzzzzt!

The monster had shot the electricity it gathered on its stinger, and it would have hit Han-Yeol if he did not promptly evade by jumping out of the way. The area that was hit by the monster’s attack was charred, and the attack even left a large depression on the ground.

Gulp…!

‘I’m a goner if I get hit by that,’ Han-Yeol thought as he gulped dryly.

He was underestimating the insect monster, since its defense did not seem to be that strong. However, he soon realized that the monster’s attack power was not something to look down on.

‘I would have already died if it wasn’t for ‘Sixth Sense’,’ Han-Yeol thought with a sigh of relief.

The main reason why Han-Yeol was still alive despite his recklessness was all thanks to ‘Sixth Sense’, which made him see the opponent's attacks in slow-motion.