Chapter 29
Of course, such a life was something I disliked to the point of wanting to die.
However, it wasn’t all bad.
At the very least, leveling up was incredibly fast.
That made sense because the battles between me and Halsenberg distributed experience points in a manner similar to what’s called a “party hunt” in games.
In simpler terms, it’s like when you hunt in a group with a high-level mage, and you end up raking in loads of what we call ‘dirt.’
As a result, my stats are now as follows.
[Name: Park Jeong-yong]
[Nickname: The 163417413th Hero, Guardian of the Demon King’s Egg, One Subject to Immortality]
[LV. 83]
[HP: 635/635 MP: 210/210 Physical Condition: Normal]
[Strength: 103 Agility: 149 Intelligence: 23 Hero Sense: 6]
[Remaining Attribute Points: 0]
Do you feel the difference in power?
I, at least, feel it acutely. To be honest, it’s slightly stretching the boundaries of what it means to be human.
I can split rocks with my bare hands, and can sprint not only 100 meters but even a kilometer in 30 seconds.
Aside from the increases during level ups, every time I use my strength or agility, there were stats that would naturally increase. Due to mostly engaging in combat focused on mobility, my Agility skyrocketed.
That’s also why my Intelligence has increased—I haven’t invested a single point into it.
Now, how about my skills?
This is the list of my current skills.
[Skill List]
[The Eye of Mimir (Passive) LV.11]
[Divine Favor (Passive) LV.20 (Master)]
[Death God’s Favor (Passive) LV.20 (Master)]
[Aether Collection (Passive) LV.5]
[Prometheus (Passive) LV.10 (Master)]
[Counter (Passive) LV.11]
[Stealth (Active) LV.11]
[Earthquake (地雷震) (Active) LV.7]
[Lotus (蓮花) (Active) LV.5]
[Vigorous Ambush (Passive) LV.6]
[Onrush (Active) LV.5]
[Seven Sword Pierce (Active) LV.4]
Most of them, if not all—well, all except for Stealth and Counter—are Halsenberg’s skills that I have… borrowed.
What I didn’t expect was that the effect of the Prometheus skill I had gained as a bonus for being an Egg Guardian worked synergistically when near a powerful being.
Just by watching, I master the methods of use, and with only a few attempts to mimic these ultimate techniques, I can acquire them.
Of course, when I copy them, due to the level difference, they become a somewhat incomplete minor copy. Still, this is such an incredible and game-breaking effect.
Upon realizing this during my battles with Halsenberg, I immediately began improving the Prometheus skill. Now at the Master level 10, it has greatly increased the efficiency of my skill thievery.
There was a day when Halsenberg caught me using his skills as casually as eating rice.
Halsenberg grabbed me by the shoulders, astounded.
“What?! Fellow! That move is a special technique passed down within my family! Did you really just learn it by watching?!”
“Ah… haha… it just kinda… happened…”
“Clearly, you’re gifted in martial arts, beyond what I had imagined! What do you say? Would you not consider becoming my official disciple?!”
“Ah… well… that’s a bit awkward…”
So, thanks to that, I had small mishaps like this from time to time.
In any case, I selectively learned only the skills of Halsenberg’s that would be useful to me.
Primarily those that would help in escape, striking from behind, destabilizing opponents, and confusing them to allow for surprise attacks.
One such skill is Earthquake (地雷震), which triggers seismic tremors by sticking a blade into the ground—perfect for retreats.
Lotus (蓮花) is a skill that detects an opponent’s mana instantly, enabling instantaneous teleportation to the rear. It pairs fantastically with the passive Counter skill.
Vigorous Ambush grants explosive speed specifically during the first strike.
Seven Sword Pierce channels mana into the sword, creating seven simultaneous piercing energy blades.
“Phew… it was exhausting today.”
After about a month of this kind of life, an unexpected event occurred.
Finally, the woman Halsenberg and I had saved got out of bed.
After finishing another exhausting hunt with Halsenberg, I returned to find her looking at me with wide eyes, having lain in my bed like a lifeless person as she usually did.
“Hmm?”
“Eh…?”
Her cheeks were noticeably puffed up.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed the bowl of gruel I had fed her at lunch in her hands. She must have been hungry after just waking up.
“…”
“…”
I froze, halfway through entering the room.
The woman also abruptly dropped her spoon with a clatter, swallowing the gruel in her mouth with difficulty. She carefully placed the bowl on the side table.
Then, her face flushed bright red as she dove under the covers.
“…I… I was hungry… so I… I apologize.”
“Ah, no need to apologize.”
It seemed she thought I was staring at her hastily eating.
There’s nothing embarrassing about it. She had been almost unconscious for nearly a month, only consuming gruel. Of course, she’d be hungry.
Realizing this, I quickly snapped out of it and prepared to leave, opening the door again.
“Anyway, good to see you up. I have a lot of questions for you.”
“Yes.”
“In any case, all things come after a good meal. You seem hungry, so I’ll get you some food. Is there anything you’re craving?”
“No, no! I’m fine! I just had some gruel, I’m full…”
She hastily waved her hand, but at that perfect moment, a loud growl reverberated through the room.
Realizing the sound came from her stomach, the woman with black hair pulled the blanket over herself again, her ears that briefly peeked out turning tomato red.
Damn it. It’d be simpler and more straightforward if you just told me what you want. Time-wasting is not my style.
I snapped my fingers for emphasis and said in a somewhat forceful tone.
“Tell me what you want. I’ll give you three seconds. 3, 2, 1…”
“M-meat.”
The woman, hidden under the blanket, peeked her eyes out to say this.
She spoke clearly, her eyes glowing fervently as they looked into mine.
… For someone who just gave me a hard time, your body is pretty honest. Makes sense if she’s craving meat.
I nodded and left the room promptly.
“For dinner. Don’t care if it’s chicken, pig, or cow, just don’t get your hopes up.”
“Yes, yes sir.”
And I immediately ran towards the kitchen.
There would likely be Leira. When she’s not dealing with the sewer maintenance duties, Leira is usually in the kitchen or utility room.
Of course, it makes sense. She’s a maid. The basic job of a maid isn’t combat but various household chores—and cooking is no exception since there’s no official chef.
“Oi, Leira, if you’ve got any leftover meat, can you spare it?”
Leira, who was preparing dinner for Halsenberg, stared at me with a bewildered expression. Soon disdain and contempt flickered in her eyes.
“…Rookie… or should I say, you. Haven’t you already eaten not long ago? Aren’t you as uncouth as some pig-dog breed? Truly insatiable indeed.”
“Ah, alright. Pig-dog, whatever. Don’t mind me.”
“…”
For the past week, I’ve been acting quite overbearingly towards Leira.
Is it because I rely on Halsenberg’s backing? Halfway true. But there’s more to it.
I’ve become stronger than Leira.
[Name: Leira]
[Nickname: Clumsy Maid, Sewer Handler of Halsenberg, Guin’s Lover]
[LV. 63]
[HP: 420/420 MP: 337/337 Condition: Healthy]
[Strength: 79 Agility: 88 Intelligence: 32]
As my level increased rapidly, Mimir’s Eye was upgraded, allowing me to finally see her stats.
And by the time it happened, my level had already surpassed hers.
Ah. That victory, that superiority, that intoxicating feeling!
I snapped out of my short bout of self-reflection and once again urged Leira.
“Got any or not?”
“Yes, there is some, but I won’t give it to you. Hmph.”
Damn. Guess I’ve irritated her too much. Leira’s upset.
Exhaling deeply, I approached making a deal. Since our relationship isn’t exactly close, I’d come here expecting to compromise to some degree.
“Alright. I’ll handle the laundry and sewer cleaning for today and tomorrow. Can we agree?”
“Deal.”
As soon as she heard that, Leira nodded and tossed me the entire kettle.
I barely managed to catch it and glanced at her. But she just stuck her tongue out mockingly.
Oh for goodness’ sake, not cute at all. Grousing to myself, I turned around and went back to the room.
“You waited, right? I brought food.”
“Wa, waah…”
The black-haired woman probably didn’t expect me to carry the entire kettle over, as her mouth gaped open. I set it down on the table and opened the lid.
It was an ordinary pork stew. The moment the lid opened, its characteristic rich aroma filled the entire room.
“…Drool.”
The woman was literally drooling.
As I stared in slight bewilderment, she suddenly snapped back to awareness with a “Hot!” and hastily wiped the corners of her mouth. Once again, her cheeks flushed red like an apple.
I handed her the spoon from the gruel bowl.
“Here. Eat. I’ve already eaten, so go ahead and finish it.”
“Really? Can I?”
“Yeah.”
“Ahh, but I’m not a pig. How can I possibly finish all of this?”
Seemed like she was trying to act polite after the fact. Which was confirmed after merely thirty minutes, when she single-handedly emptied the whole kettle.
“… Wow, that’s impressive.”
“… Ugh.”
Even I was a bit surprised at her immense appetite. With my words, the young woman awkwardly contorted her body before letting out a slight burp. She turned bright red again, clearly embarrassed.
There’s an awful lot to feel embarrassed about in this world, isn’t there?
“Anyway, your urgent hunger must’ve been sated now.”
I dragged a chair over from beside the table and straddled it in front of the woman. Sensing the change in my mood, she slightly tensed her expression.
I grinned slightly and spoke to her.
“Let’s talk business now.”
