Chapter 02 - Solo Awakening as an Ex-Rank-Munchkin
The administrator handed him a watch.
Normal communication was impossible inside a gate.
One had to wear a watch made of magic stones to communicate with the outside world. And communication devices made of magic stones could only be used by Awakened Hunters.
This was because ordinary people couldn't handle magic stones.
Na Dan-sik took the watch and put it on his wrist.
And then he entered the Gate.
[Grade 1] Slime Extermination.
It was the easiest, lowest-difficulty Gate.
Gates were classified into three types.
Conquest, Exploration, and Infinite.
Conquest gates were meant to be conquered and had a high degree of danger.
The gate's color was also red.
Exploration gates were commonly called treasure gates and were purple.
They were treasure troves where one could discover rare mineral veins, items, and so on. They appeared with a very low probability.
Lastly, Infinite Gates were gates that didn't disappear and had a blue hue.
They could be entered at any time, and returning was possible after defeating the boss.
Since they were a primary source of magic stones, Hunters of D-rank and below often cleared them to earn money.
Upon entering, he saw green slimes moving about in a damp cave.
He put on the basic equipment provided by the Association.
He considered using the dagger but decided to try his fists first.
“This should be fine.”
He had been told that a slime's body was made of an acidic fluid and could melt skin on contact.
That was why combat gloves were said to be essential.
However, the gear provided by the Association was a basic suit, so it didn't include combat gloves.
“Well, let's give it a shot.”
He glanced at a slime.
Inside its translucent body, he could see a round, core-like object.
He had a feeling that hitting it would do the trick.
Na Dan-sik aimed for the slime's core and threw a punch.
He had only put a little strength into it.
With a *SPLAT!*, the slime burst.
A clear message popped up.
[You have defeated 1 slime.]
[You have acquired the close-combat skill: Straight.]
He threw a punch and acquired Straight.
But the feeling wasn't great.
Rather than an acidic fluid, it felt like touching sticky jelly.
“Let's not use my fists.”
He gripped the dagger instead of his fist.
But strangely, using the dagger also seemed like it would be easy.
It was just as he expected.
He aimed for the slime's core and swung the dagger smoothly.
*STAB!*
The dagger pierced the slime's core.
[You have defeated 1 slime.]
[You have acquired Beginner Dagger Arts.]
He used the dagger and acquired the corresponding skill.
“This is fun.”
Having gained confidence, Na Dan-sik moved forward.
The cave was a one-way path, and the number of slimes increased the deeper he went.
[You have defeated 1 slime.]
[You have defeated 1 slime.]
[······.]
[You have obtained 1 Low-grade Magic Stone.]
[You have obtained 1 Low-grade Magic Stone.]
[You have acquired Beginner Evasion.]
[You have acquired Beginner Charge.]
[You have acquired Beginner Aerial Leap.]
He acquired beginner skills he could perform with his body.
When he threw the dagger to attack a slime.
[You have acquired Beginner Dagger Throwing.]
Everything he did was acquired as a skill.
Moreover, he randomly obtained a magic stone each time he defeated a slime.
He had obtained 7 magic stones randomly, a very small number.
As he advanced while killing slimes, he reached the end of the cave. At the end of the cave was a large door.
Na Dan-sik looked at the watch the administrator had given him.
He considered making contact but shook his head.
It felt wrong to come all this way and not meet the boss. He somehow felt confident, too.
‘I feel like I can do this.’
He didn't know whether it was courage or recklessness, but his desire to fight was stronger.
Without making contact, Na Dan-sik opened the door and went inside.
In that instant, a giant slime appeared before his eyes.
It was obviously the boss slime.
Even though it was three times his size, he strangely didn't feel afraid.
“I'm not scared.”
It was strange.
Dagger in hand, Na Dan-sik charged toward the Boss Slime.
He could see a large core floating inside its body.
*STAB! STAB!*
He stabbed the core relentlessly.
[You have acquired Beginner Consecutive Stabs.]
He acquired another skill.
The boss slime thrashed about, spraying acidic fluid.
Strength flowed into the forearm gripping the dagger.
As he pulled the dagger out of its core, the boss slime instantly went limp with a *gushing* sound.
[You have defeated the Slime Boss.]
[As a reward, 3 Low-grade Magic Stones have been granted.]
[You have acquired Beginner Acid Shot.]
“Beginner Acid Shot?”
There was a "View Details" option, so he checked it.
Acid Shot
Grade: Beginner
Trait: Throws a small lump of slime
*Clink.*
3 Low-grade Magic Stones also fell to the floor.
Na Dan-sik collected the magic stones.
“Is it normally this easy?”
The path to the boss room had been too smooth.
Slimes were said to be the weakest among monsters, but they weren't easy for beginners. That was because their bodies were made of acidic fluid.
Still, it was rewarding.
Because he had acquired various skills.
“I should get going now.”
This was a Grade 1 Gate that didn't pay well, anyway.
It was basically a training Gate for beginners.
Since the only items were Low-grade Magic Stones, there was no merit to it other than for training.
That's because the market price for a Low-grade Magic Stone was 100,000 won each.
Even if you cleared a Grade 1 Gate, you couldn't get many Low-grade Magic Stones. Meaning, it wasn't profitable.
The number of Low-grade Magic Stones Na Dan-sik had obtained, including those from the boss slime, was 10.
No experienced Hunter would come to clear a Grade 1 Gate just to earn a mere one million won.
Na Dan-sik waited for the return gate.
A return gate appears after you defeat the boss.
But.
Tiring.
A message rang out.
[Congratulations! You have cleared the gate in the shortest time with a phenomenal record.]
[As a reward, 10 additional Low-grade Magic Stones will be granted.]
[Hidden conditions have been met.]
[Due to the effect of Power Inflation, the hidden stage, Slime Palace, will now open.]
What?
The effect of Power Inflation?
Something bewildering had happened.
In that moment, he recalled the Power Inflation part of his class description.
Power Inflation: Great power attracts powerful enemies.
A moment later.
*Ta-da-ran!*
With a loud sound, a pure white door appeared before his eyes.
[Entering the hidden stage, Slime Palace.]
“What, entering?”
The moment the door opened, Na Dan-sik was forcibly pulled inside.
A new cave appeared.
It was a circular space with pillars, and on top of the pillars were bird-shaped statues. It was wider and larger than the boss room.
Just then, a message appeared.
[Welcome to the hidden stage, Slime Palace.]
[You will now be given a hidden mission.]
Tiring.
[Mission: Defeat the Corrupted Slime King]
*FWOOSH!*
With a blinding light, a giant, crown-wearing slime appeared before him.
Its skin was black, and it had three eyes.
And demonic energy flowed around it.
It was so large and menacing that just looking at it gave him goosebumps.
He didn't feel nervous. On the contrary, his whole body overflowed with power. A strong desire to fight it surged within him.
‘Was I always like this?’
Definitely not.
He had been one of society's weaklings.
He had always endured unfair treatment.
But not anymore.
The fact that he no longer had to endure was exhilarating.
‘Ah, screw it. Let's just do this.’
He gripped the dagger in his hand.
The Slime King's eyes all turned toward Na Dan-sik at once.
*CHWAAAAK!*
Instantly, dozens of tentacles shot out from the Slime King's body like arrows.
Na Dan-sik's body reacted on its own.
His body moved nimbly, dodging each one of the incoming tentacles.
The evasion skill he'd gained from fighting the slimes made it possible.
His body felt incredibly light.
All his senses felt sharp and clear.
Quickly, Na Dan-sik's dagger shot out and slashed the Slime King's side. Black mucus splattered out, but the wound immediately sealed itself.
‘Regeneration?’
Maybe because it had "King" at the end of its name, it was certainly special.
Again, tentacles swarmed him from all directions.
This time, they were imbued with mana.
Explosions erupted where the tentacles touched.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
Na Dan-sik dodged them lightly.
In that moment, his eyes widened as he saw a faintly glowing core inside the Slime King.
[You have acquired Beginner Sense.]
His senses had sharpened.
“There it is.”
He took a deep breath and ran.
He cut through the tentacles flying at him from the front and dove toward the core.
*CRUNCH!*
He plunged the dagger into the core.
He felt immense resistance.
The Slime King thrashed wildly, attacking with its tentacles.
He let go of the dagger and dodged.
He could see the dagger embedded in the core melting away.
“Not so easy.”
This was his first real battle.
No matter how strong his abilities were, things were bound to be difficult without experience.
But it was fun.
“This is fun.”
Was fighting always this enjoyable?
A thrill ran through his entire body.
He clenched his fists tightly and rushed toward its core.
He caught the incoming tentacles with his bare hands and tore them apart.
[You have acquired Beginner Super Strength.]
He threw a flurry of punches.
*P-P-P-POW!*
[You have acquired Beginner Combo.]
His fists struck the core dead-on.
*CRACK!*
The core cracked, and the Slime King's eyes rolled back.
Tiring.
[You have defeated the Corrupted Slime King.]
[Congratulations, you are the first human to clear a hidden stage.]
[As a reward for clearing the hidden stage, you will be granted the Slime King's Core and 2 Intermediate Magic Stones.]
[You have acquired Beginner Regeneration.]
“Beginner Regeneration?”
He checked it.
Beginner Regeneration
Grade: Beginner
Trait: Instantly heals minor wounds
Curious, he pricked his finger with the dagger.
[Beginner Regeneration is being cast.]
The tip of his finger healed right away.
It seemed the Munchkin Class could learn just about anything. A class that grows stronger by acquiring new skills, perhaps?
Na Dan-sik’s gaze turned to the floor.
On the floor lay the black core of the Slime King and two Intermediate Magic Stones.
He picked up the items and put them in his bag.
However.
That wasn't the end of the messages.
[You have succeeded in the fastest clear time.]
[Additional rewards will be granted.]
[Granting 2 Intermediate Magic Stones as an additional reward.]
[Granting Slime Jelly as an additional reward.]
[You have mastered Beginner Dagger Arts.]
[You have mastered Beginner Hand-to-Hand Combat.]
He had mastered Dagger Arts and Hand-to-Hand Combat.
He felt like he could fly.
The black color of the Slime Jelly was a bit unsettling.
He took it anyway.
It wouldn't be too late to check it after he returned.
[Opening the return gate.]
A blue portal appeared before his eyes.
It was the return gate.
Na Dan-sik stepped out of the gate.
The administrator stared at Na Dan-sik in shock.
“How… Don’t tell me, did you clear the boss via solo play?”
“Yes.”
“Hah…”
The surprise was short-lived.
Suddenly, the gate began to fluctuate wildly.
The gate’s mana reading was climbing.
Both the administrator and Na Dan-sik blinked.
Tiring.
[Power Inflation has been applied.]
[The Grade 1 Gate will be upgraded to a Grade 2 Gate.]
What?
So Power Inflation applied to gates, too.
He could see the flustered administrator hurriedly making a phone call.
He looked too busy to pay any attention to Na Dan-sik.
Thinking this was his chance, Na Dan-sik quietly unfastened the watch, set it down, and hurried away.
End.
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