/
The combat plan I explained to Kim Sangyoon was as followed:
First, the [Soft-cone Kings] were so huge that, if one approached carelessly, there was a large risk of being crushed like those [Fondue Golems]. We needed to make unexpected attacks, and, for that, we needed something to attract the monsters’ attention.
Of course, I had thought about luring some [Fondue Golems] over here, but that would be too dangerous and would take too long a time. So, the plan that came to mind involved taking advantage of the [Soft-cone King]’s wariness of the [Cereal Babies], moving the small cookies over to them to grab their attention.
“Since they detest the mini-cookies so much, even if the [Cereal Babies] are just nearby, they may not notice our approach–too vigilant against the [Cereal Babies].”
“Oh! That seems like a good plan! But…how will you lure the [Cereal Babies] there?”
“Lackey will have to suffer some hardships.”
[Clack Clack Clack!]
I felt a little sorry for Lackey, but Lackey’s undead body couldn’t be eaten by the [Cereal Babies]. I had no choice but to briefly use the skeleton.
Anyone could see that chocolate was a favorite of the [Cereal Babies]. So, after much consideration, I scooped up some chocolate from the nearby river and applied it on the skeleton. The chocolate flowing near the banks–once I touched the flowing river–was not as hot as I had thought. It was simply hot enough that the chocolate couldn’t harden.
At first, I was wary of touching the river. Air bubbles rose and slowly burst in the river’s center; steam rose from the burst bubbles like a hot spring. However, it seemed like there was a big difference in chocolate temperature depending on the location.
I was worried that Lackey would get hurt from the heat…but I was relieved to see that wasn’t the case. I ordered, “Do you want to just…dip yourself in for a little bit before coming out of the river?”
[Clack Clack!]
Like that, Lackey became a chocolate-coated skeleton.
Of course, because of the constant motion around the joints, the chocolate did not harden there so the white bones were exposed, but, except for that, Lackey became a huge chocolate skeleton, sporting a brown, shiny luster. Lackey didn’t seem to enjoy this very much, but it didn’t express much dissatisfaction. I guess it realized that this was something it needed to do.
“Pffft hahaha! So hilarious!”
[Clack Clack Clack Clack Clack!]
However, Jung Garam, who had been observing us, detestably made fun of the skeleton; Lackey could only fume in silent anger… I immediately punished Jung Garam by stepping on his feet before making Lackey stand still for one moment.
[Kyaaa.]
[Kyaaa.]
As expected, swaths of [Cereal Babies] appeared out of nowhere and climbed atop Lackey’s body.
I had no intention of holding onto the bait for a long while; as soon as I saw the [Cereal Babies] climbing atop Lackey’s shoulders, I ordered the skeleton to run. Lackey ran, careful to adjust its speed so that the [Cereal Babies] would not fall off.
[Co-one.]
[Co-one.]
The [Soft-Cone Kings], who had not looked our way once, reacted to the vibrations of the skeleton’s steps on the cracker floor. They turned their gargantuan bodies to face it.
And soon, the mild-mannered expression painted in chocolate syrup upon their faces distorted terribly. Their reaction denoted how quickly they recognized that something distasteful was coming towards them.
[Coooooone!!]
In human terms, I guess that was akin to an “AGHHHHHH!” scream? Each of the ice creams, which had previously seemed peaceful in their own right, panicked and began backing away from the approaching skeleton.
And, better than I had expected, one [Soft-cone King] was so terrified of the [Cereal Babies] that, in its haste to retreat, lost its balance and fell to the floor.
Crash!
Its inverted triangle shape, its building-like height–the damage it received when it fell must have been quite grave. The sound it made as it fell was extraordinary.
As I hurriedly ran over to the fallen monster, I could see the [Soft-cone King]’s waffle cone was almost fully broken; soft ice cream and chocolate syrup began to bubble out of the bottom.
A fatal injury! I gestured to Kim Sangyoon, who was following behind me.
“[Buster Blade]!” As soon as he saw my signal, Kim Sangyoon raised [Berserker] high into the air and slammed it down.
Maybe the skill’s level had risen; a blue flame I had never seen before wrapped around his sword and created a whirling gust of wind. The [Soft-cone King]’s chocolate syrup expression changed from embarrassment to fear.
Slam–!
Like that, Kim Sangyoon’s [Berserker] broke through the cracks in the waffle cone.
Although the monster was so large that the sword could not fully penetrate it, Kim Sangyoon pulled his sword that had been deeply lodged within the waffle cone. As soon as the sword left the monster’s body, white cream spurted out in a spray before subsiding. Simultaneously, the [Soft-cone King] stopped its struggles.
[Party member ‘Kim Sangyoon’ has defeated the ‘Soft-cone King.’ Large amounts of experience points have been awarded!]
[Your level has increased!]
[Your level has increased!]
[Your level has increased!]
[Your level has increased!]
[Your level has increased!]
[You have received ‘chocolate syrup’ for the event ‘What are the ingredients for cookie dough?’]
* * *
We were able to defeat three more [Soft-cone Kings] in the [Cookie House] dungeon in that manner and were able to end our hunt when we reached the desired level. We hunted for four hours without a break, but I didn’t realize, entranced by the rate in which my level had increased.
I actually wanted to hunt more, but, at that moment, Seo Dawon stopped me and told me not to overdo it. On the car ride home, I nervously checked my status window.
Name: Choi Lee-kyung — Lv 100
Class: Intermediate Necromancer
HP – 321,000
MP – 102,040
Title:
Sweeter than candy – Revenge is truly sweet
<The title: ‘Sweeter than Candy’ can only be obtained by users who, in the pursuit of revenge, inflict irreparable damage on their target without suffering retaliation or damage in return. While using this title, the title’s special skill, ‘Counter Attack’ may activate–doubling the damage from an enemy’s physical or magical attack and returning it back at the opponent.>
Greenhorn Adventurer – You’ve tasted the bitterness of life!
<While using the title ‘Greenhorn Adventurer,’ movement speed is increased by 5%>
Main Stats (The three highest stats will be preferentially shown here):
Magic: 680
Magic Control: 3.9%
Movement speed: 22.7% (+5%)
Skill:
– Summon evil spirits
[Summon Vengeful Ghosts: Proficiency 95%, Rank: High rank]
[Summon Sacrificial Offering: Proficiency o.7%, Rank: Lowest rank]
.
.
-Death Mark
After special conditions are met, you can attach a death mark to the enemy. A living enemy marked by death will suffer a significant loss in defense; furthermore, you can gain additional experience points.
-Shinigami’s book (new!)
You can summon a soul within one hour after their death and look into the soul’s memories.
I checked the level section in my status window.
Finally!!
I also became a User with a 3-digit level.
Fascinated by that number, I took a screenshot of my status window for this landmark moment.
When one pressed the screenshot button, the status window will be captured, converted to an image file, and sent to one’s cell phone for storage. But, because previously my stats were so dismal, I had never used this function before–too scared that others would see it.
In the past, I used to curse at those who would upload their screenshots onto the [Ranking Gods] community, calling them attention seekers… But, now it felt fun to be in that same position. My heart filled with pride… Was this really the same loser Choi Lee-kyung…? Hehehe!
Now that I thought about it, I had never thought I’d really be able to reach level 100. As the difficulties I had faced flashed before my eyes, I, without realizing, got all choked up.
However, this touching moment was short lived–Jung Garam soon interfered, “Haah… It’s the first time I’ve seen such a solutionless status window.” 1
“……”
“All your class skills are for utility? How on earth are we supposed to raise a Necromancer?”
Because I knew that punk Jung Garam spoke without a hint of malice, I felt even more upset.
Honestly, he probably said those words because he was worried about me… After all, he had one of the best classes for melee combat: Assassin…
However, regardless of his intent, his tone was so detestable, that my fist flew before my words. That was to say…I punched the back seat.
“Hyung, why is Choi Lee-kyung like that? No way, did he try to punch *this* body?” Of course, Jung Garam was not hit, and the young Assassin maintained his shameless attitude.
“Don’t invite violence, Jung Garam. Don’t you know how hard sloppy people like Choi Lee-kyung have to work to reach level 100?”
“Of course I don’t know. I’m not sloppy.”
“……Shut up.” I growled.
“What? Is there something wrong?” However, Kim Sangyoon would see our scuffles as my solitary struggle–a one-man show.
I didn’t want to be seen as someone strange, talking to myself and all, so I narrowly swallowed my boiling anger and kept my mouth shut… My first trembled when I made eye contact with Jung Garam’s wide smile through the rearview mirror.
In addition, Jung Garam ignored Kim Olim, who attempted to stop him, and hugged me from behind, continuing to tease me. “Weak Lee-kyung-ie, be patient with me.”
“……”
I pinched the back of his hand fiercely, but Jung Garam was a man who wouldn’t move even if I punched him with all my strength. He messed around with me until we exited the car.
TL: I’m Back! In the middle of finals and also amidst the DDOS attacks! Since It’s holidays period, I want to get a few bonus chaps in! Rye and Drea, thank you for the Kofi! The bonus chap should be going up in like a few mins!
Footnotes
Colloquially, this means future-less. Or that there’s little Jung Garam can do with what he’s been provided.