Chapter 15

The buffs were surprisingly effective. Specifically, the luck stat performed admirably.

Fishing Level 2 had a barely noticeable impact overall.

However, Level 1 Luck influenced treasure chest appearances and item quality significantly.

There was definitely an increase in frequency.

As for the +1 Health, it was hard to tell – I’d rarely struggled while fishing anyway.

At this point, I could fish all day without exhausting my stamina.

Thanks to the Luck buff, I managed to snag some decent gear from treasure chests:

A Long Sword at Level 29.

Chain Mail armor at Level 33.

Since equipment that should have been crafted instead kept popping out while fishing,

I ended up prioritizing tool upgrades and enchantments over crafting.

As Fishing levels increased, so did the value of treasure chests.

With both Luck and Fishing leveling synergizing well, high-quality gear kept appearing.

I started thinking about visiting regularly whenever time allowed to try different meals.

While I had a rough idea that the buffs were good…

…there’s always a difference between knowing something intellectually and experiencing it physically.

Using the buffs felt like my body repeatedly telling my brain just how awesome this ability was.

One great aspect of buffs is that they can skip tiers.

For example, receiving a Level 2 Fishing boost at Intermediate Level 8 grants the power equivalent of Advanced Level 1.

Though you won’t gain the additional abilities from choosing specific traits,

you still get all the benefits of advancing to the next tier.

“Maybe I should start preparing meals soon.”

I decided to consider occasional meals from Evangelin as special treats.

Occasionally enjoying delicious food…

And getting buffs…

When I first received the buffs, I excitedly promised myself I’d visit every day.

But would that really happen?

I worried that showing up daily without shame might deplete her resources.

To consistently renew and prepare the buffs I wanted, I’d ultimately need to do it myself.

That’s right.

I needed to experiment with every dish since I didn’t know what effects they provided.

Given my lack of confidence in my own cooking skills, all I could do was hope my level and ability would improve gradually along with practice.

After finishing fishing, I returned home to conclude another ordinary day.

In my dream, I spent a long time shopping.

Cooking tools, materials, and equipment…

Turns out seeds were more expensive than expected.

It’s wise to keep some spare gold on hand since opportunities like this don’t come around often.

Especially after using potions, my funds were quite limited despite earning 400 gold from fishing.

The faint light streaming through the window…

That bright morning light waking me up made me squint slightly as I rose.

I carefully unpacked tools and equipment from my bag.

I wanted to expand and upgrade my house using the crafting table, but…

Just like how you realize you’re short on money whenever something doesn’t work out…

My gold reserves fell short.

Without a gas stove, I’d have to make do with what I had.

Well, if there’s no fire, just make one.

There are plenty of wooden planks and kindling around.

Stepping into the yard, I instinctively watered the crops – an action that had become routine.

I picked about two garlic bulbs.

Like in games, there’s quite a difference between buying ingredients versus harvesting them yourself.

Unless it’s a rare material, growing or hunting your own is usually better.

Especially when aiming for buffs.

I gathered some dry twigs.

Building a simple bonfire and creating space to place a frying pan wasn’t difficult.

I brought a couple wooden planks from the warehouse.

Collecting some dry grass by hand completed the fire-starting preparations.

Carving a groove in a small stick and covering it with dry grass…

Rotating the stick back and forth to create friction heat produced sparks.

Without a lighter, I had to start the fire primitive-style.

“Surprisingly easy.”

Is this survival skill related to logging, which involves using wood?

Or is it simply due to my improved physical stats?

Regardless, the fire caught quickly and the campfire crackled to life.

Placing the frying pan on top, I coated it with oil.

Throwing in some meat and garlic, I waited for it to cook.

Cooking isn’t complicated.

You just grill until it’s done, then eat.

Given my lack of culinary knowledge, that was the best I could do.

Though the cooked meat tasted fine, disappointingly no buffs appeared.

Was expecting too much from such a simple dish?

Still, I needed to practice cooking once daily to level up.

Equipped with my Long Sword and Chain Mail, I headed toward the dungeon.

With my body fully recovered over two days, better gear, and Level 8 Combat experience…

I firmly resolved to obtain Red Spider venom today and moved northward.

Passing through the ominous purple portal as usual, I was greeted by that putrid smell.

The stagnant air carrying that unpleasant odor welcomed me warmly.

On the first floor, I encountered zombies.

Definitely different from before, these monsters slowly increased tension.

Though slow-moving and non-infectious, their aggressive nature remained unchanged.

Their decayed flesh easily split under my sword.

Chopping through exposed white bones, I advanced confidently toward lower floors.

This battle was effortless with better weapons and armor.

These improvements transformed my stable mindset into something more aggressive and proactive.

On the third floor, I met goblins.

Unlike the previous encounter on the seventh floor, their numbers seemed reduced this time.

Two groups consisting of two and four respectively.

Before they could throw rocks or attempt anything else, I charged in and cut them all down.

My body craved this action while my mind screamed approval – there was no reason to hold back.

Reaching the tenth floor without any injuries.

This was where three Dire Wolves suddenly appeared last time.

“Grrowl…”

Low growls.

Grayish forms.

Glowing yellow eyes piercing through the darkness.

Dire Wolves.

Three of them.

Exactly the same situation as before.

Though combat felt easier now, tension remained unavoidable.

My mind and body remembered every detail of past experiences as I gripped my sword tightly.

A grinding battle ensued.

Aware of necessary actions, I calmly observed my opponents.

The wolves circled me cautiously, maintaining distance.

I moved deliberately to prevent being completely surrounded, ready to break through at any moment and maintain visual contact with all enemies.

The wolf on the right made the first move.

The center one tensed immediately afterward.

I anticipated their charge based on my movements.

Pretending to move right, I swiftly shifted left instead.

Like feints in soccer or basketball, though whether it fooled the wolves’ reaction speed was uncertain, judging by the right one lunging open-mouthed, it seemed successful.

“Khhrr!”

I slashed.

Hardly moving my sword, I grazed its side effortlessly.

The middle one bared sharp teeth toward me next.

Unable to change direction mid-motion, I prepared to meet its charge head-on with my blade extended fiercely.

Clang!

Our strengths matched evenly.

The harsh collision sound rang out as our weapons met, halting the charging wolf mid-air.

Visible cracks formed on its teeth from the impact.

Breaking the deadlock with a strong kick to its face.

I stepped back steadily, ending the exchange.

The injured wolf dripping blood while glaring furiously was quite intimidating.

The situation reset.

One bleeding wolf.

Same positions.

Avoid complete encirclement.

Holding the sword with both hands, I waited patiently.

This time, two wolves charged simultaneously.

The remaining two launched themselves forcefully from afar.

I leaped aside dramatically, slashing one in the process.

Now two bleeding wolves.

One intact.

Rather than rushing recklessly, I carefully observed their movements.

Ultimately, a creature with four legs has limited attack options.

Charge and bite.

Powerful front paw swipes.

Crushing with sheer weight.

No significant variables beyond these. If my reflexes can counter all attacks, the safest method is to parry and wear them down gradually.

Though my mind already knew this…

Accepting it felt somewhat strange, but I embraced the truth without resistance.

This must be the experience and skill granted by Combat Level 8.

The wolves’ expressions remained ferocious.

Injured and weakened wild animals tend to behave more aggressively.

They can’t show weakness and risk elimination in the wild.

So I waited.

No rush at all.

When the wolves charged, I stepped back and slashed.

Accumulating wounds and bleeding marks.

The excessive bleeding slowly claimed the lives of these 1.8-meter-tall creatures.

Eventually, one collapsed.

After several more slashes, all three lay motionless on the ground.

Exuding warmth, they spilled copious amounts of crimson blood.

Splattered droplets covered the surrounding area.

I was no exception – the distinct metallic scent of blood stung my nose.

“Huff.”

Not a single drop of my own blood was spilled.

Tenth floor.

I finished the battle unscathed.

Despite the sudden difficulty spike, it felt manageable.

The lower levels would likely become progressively harder, but avoiding floors beyond twenty should be fine.

“Must stock up on painkillers.”

Muttering softly, I tightened my grip on my sword and descended to the eleventh floor.

Wild boars appeared.

Easier than the tenth floor since they died instantly with one strike.

On the twelfth floor, I faced goblins.

An Archer leading a group of seven or eight.

Once the Archer was dealt with, the rest posed little threat.

Even allowing some ranged attacks, my armor’s protection exceeded their damage output.

Finally reaching the thirteenth floor, I encountered the Red Spiders.

About one meter in size.

Impressive red-furred legs.

The battle concluded anticlimactically.

Despite their fierce leg attacks, severing them one by one with my Long Sword left the spider flailing helplessly.

Gradually whittling down its health until landing a Fatal Blow to its head.

Engaging in 1v1 combat gives me full confidence.

Chuckling softly, I looted the Red Spider’s corpse directly.

Collecting the subtly glowing purple poison sac and placing it into a vial.

Such UI convenience is great. Even though it’s my first time seeing it, understanding its function instantly is a huge advantage.

Exiting the dungeon.

Ascending while avoiding most monster encounters to conserve stamina.

Battles against monsters during descent are one thing, but ascending requires preparation for potential combat as well.

Emerging from the dungeon unharmed.

Thrilling sensations continued coursing through my body.

Adrenaline and dopamine always flood after battles.

The thrill and addictive nature became clearer.

I began to understand why people seek stimulation and increasingly stronger thrills.

Walking lightly toward the Tower of the Mage located westward.

Moving faster than expected due to my light-heartedness.

The peculiar Mage’s Tower grew larger as I ascended its mechanical-filled structure.

Knocking on the door produced its characteristic creaking sound before opening.

“Come in.”

The distant voice.

Same as our first meeting.

An ageless tone.

Slowly approaching the paper-scented study.

Gilbert watched me from the end.

“Hello.”

“Did you bring it?”

“Of course. Here it is in this vial.”

“Hmm, slightly disappointing. I was hoping to see you take a different path – ideally choosing opiate-based painkillers.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing important. Occasionally, my delusions escape verbally. Just typical useless imagination from a mage. Give me the vial. I’ll prepare the painkillers immediately.”

“Thank you.”

Dangerous individual.

This moment perfectly aligns with the societal norm that few mages are sane.

The wait wasn’t long.

Perhaps ten minutes passed.

Gilbert handed me three vials containing a soft purple liquid.

[Red Spider Painkiller]

Effects simply suppressed pain.

That was the entire description.

Regardless, this was officially recognized by the system with no apparent side effects – exactly as Gilbert explained.

“Thank you.”

“Yes. I did it because I wanted to. Feel free to come again whenever you need more. These small tasks provide a certain sense of fulfillment.”

Nodding respectfully, I exited the tower.

Shaking the clinking vials, I anxiously awaited tonight’s farming promotion.

Would this painkiller work effectively?

If not, I’d have to endure the pain through sheer willpower during promotion.

I’d rather avoid that.

“Please.”

Praying endlessly in my heart, I returned home.