Chapter 5: Lizards!
WARNING!
WARNING!
[AUTHOR NOTE: I will be using timeline by Jin-Woo's status IN wiki and by Daily Points! Each day he earns 3 daily points. And each level, every single stats levels up by one level. So I will be excluding his for example : Level 27th Jin-Woo, I will not count 27 points in each one of his statistics but the remaining points will be counted together then divided by 3. And the remaining number will be days on how many days has passed since. That's how I will be going through the story timelines because manhwa nor anime doesn't announce how much time has passed after each ARC!] These numbers are from wiki, but I'm unsure if the site also included stats Jin-Woo got from items also in stats. Whatever the case, I will include all of that together and create this timeline.
Change of POV: Sung Jin-Woo.
[7]
A week has passed since I woke up in this world.
And yet, I still didn't try out [Secondary Character: Querehsha].
You may ask why. Well the reason is very simple.
I'm afraid. I'm afraid of turning myself into THAT woman.
She was a monster.
A crazy strong one at that, and ruler of Insects.
I'm very well aware I'm gonna have to one day. Especially since it's my destiny I suppose.
But yet, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
And currently right now, I'm at my apartment or 'Sung Jin-Woo's ' and i'ts 2 PM right now. I have been discharged from hospital a while ago.
"These chips are not bad at all!" I spoke in english, it's seems that sometimes I accidentally shift between English and Korean. You can't blame me! Having memories of speaking and writing Korean your whole life sometimes mess up your head.
'Yeah, I never explained how these memories worked, did I? It's not as If I was in them, it's more like as If I watched a movie with all these memories in 3rd view with me being a spectator. So I know what happened all before.' I though as I threw another mouthful of chips in my mouth.
I have already found Hwang Dongsuk who needed porter and I signed up for it. Obviously I know what will happen and what will I do.
I'm only doing this for three reasons. Kill that spider to level up once or twice. Save Yoo Jin-Hoo, help Yoo Jin-Hoo destroy those dungeons so I can level up several times.
I don't know what might or might not happen, this is no same [System] Jin-Woo had, I already got a different Dungeon than he did.
And I need key to [Demon Castle] dungeon, Jin-Woo barely managed to kill Cerberus and leveled up several times, while almost dying doing so.
But I'm different, I will use my [Secondary Character: Querehsha] to damage as much as I can that dog and then deal last attack so my [Primary Character: Sung Jin-Woo] can gain XP.
Apparently, after I asked [System], XP is separated from those two characters, they almost act as if they are different accounts it appears.
Those Monsters I kill with Secondary Character will not be registered as XP for my Primary Character, but it will be different if were to deal the last blow on my Primary Character instead of the Secondary.
"Gah, heaven." I chugged the last can of coke down.
[Toxic Substance Detected!]
[Neutralizing!]
Wait! This reminds me of the bottle I got since finishing off Kasaka.
"[System] would Kasaka's Venom Gland's debuff have effect on me since I will be drinking it and not being bitten by it?"
[Affirmative! Any negative substance injected via drink or food into [Player]'s body system will be neutralized! It's all due to Passive Skill: Detoxification ! It also will work with [Kasaka's Venom Gland] by neutralizing debuff. It's a Passive Skill That comes with [System].]
"Ok good then." I immediately searched for [Kasaka's Venom Gland] in my {Inventory} before finding it.
[ [Kasaka's Vemon Gland] Effects:]
[Permanent Effects :
[Kasaka's Armor Scales :Physical Damage -20% =Permanent Buff]
[Damaged Muscles: STR -35% = Permanent Debuff]
I nodded, those -20% Physical Damage will be a huge help for starters.
I took the bottle with purple-like substance from the {Inventory} before opening it and chugging it down my throat.
[Toxic Substance Detected!]
[Neutralizing!]
And my skin it's as if tightened slightly.
I questioned myself before clenching my fists slightly.
I leaned on the coach while still watching TV. There is nothing yet on it.
"I'm Home!" A voice interrupted my thoughts, causing me to glance at my 'sister'.
"Uh! Slow!"
I shouted but she surprised me, she jumped at me to give me a hug! This girl! Hahahhahaha!
I hugged her back before grabbing her and holding her up in air, above my head.
"Wow wow! Calm down Jin-Woo!" She gasped, obviously surprised at my antics, I obviously didn't care. Why should I?
"Who is my favorite sister!" I put her on ground slowly, she slightly stumbled back, disoriented.
"I'm your only sister to begin with!"
"And my favorite too!"
"What is wrong with you, it's as if you changed slightly beside your appearance, you weren't this happy go like this.."
"You don't usually survive a Dungeon and come out same, you know."
She grumbled something beneath her breath, I decided to ignore that.
"But did you have fun these days at school?" I said before picking a small white box, full of fried chicken, Jin-Ah's favorite food. " Here, I got this for you."
I gave it to her. It didn't take her even a second to sniff.
"Jin-Woo you stingy! You actually brough me something for me! " She thanked me, " But Jin-Woo, I'm a bit tired. I'll be in my room if you need something and I got a lot of homework this week." Said with that usual depressing aura.
Oh well.
I did not see that!
"Ok, take care."
Oh well, it's time for me to go to my room too.
If I remember right, after each Arc, a significant portion of time has passed. I watched anime too, but it always confused me one thing.
I closed the doors leading to my room.
"Why is it that Manhwa nor anime didn't mention how much time has passed? I literally had to figure it out by calculating daily points and Level points. Each level gives 1 point to each statistic. And daily points give 3 daily points. Then just don't count the level Jin-Woo was and the points he got from leveling up, then just divide remaining points by 3 and you get number of days since each ARC." I murmured to myself before jumping on my bed and sighing in relief, it's good thing that those walls are soundproof.
What I remember from Solo Leveling yet, I need to write it in a notebook.
I fumbled around my desk before finding a random white and thankfuly empty notebook.
Since there has passed 7 days since my reincarnation, my knowledge of Solo Leveling till Jeju Island ARC should still be viable.
And with that I began writing following.
1 day till I meet Yoo Jin-Hoo, save his ass and kill Hwang Dongsuk.
In 2 months more or less before I get invited to D-Rank Dungeon with Song Chi-Yul and others.
In 80 days more or less Sung Jin-Woo got Job-Change, so then I probably will too.
Then just a day after Job-Change, Sung Jin-Woo joins Red Gate incident.
In 115 days he becomes official S-Rank Hunter, get's re-evaluation too and days after that he goes into High-Orc dungeon. In other words, I will have to pay attention to dungeons at those days.
In 200 days, more or less will be Jeju Island raid.
In 275 days, S-Rank Gate mght open in Tokyo.
I released a sigh of relief.
This is everything I know about timelines, beyond that I didn't research, since it's happening in following month or two.
But since Monarch's lost war here, Regia may not even appear in S-Rank Dungeon.
But.
I glanced at Red-Gate incident.
'That is the most concerning one, I need to get much stronger than Jin-Woo was at that time. Since you never know when Hwang Dongsoo is going to pop up from.
" { Stats}" I activated {Stats} but then I Immediately [Expanded] on [Secondary Character: Querehsha]
{Stats}
[Level: 75]
[Job Class: None]
[HP: 15,000]
[MP: 750]
[Strength: 75]
[Vitality: 75]
[Agility: 75]
[Intelligence: 75]
[Sense: 75]
[Un-added Points: 21]
"Apparently, the only thing that I share between my 'Accounts' would be points from daily quests and {Inventory}, statistics are different from each other. Very much so."
I let out a sigh, this means that there won't really be difference between my characters if once my [Primary Character: Sung Jin-Woo] get's past level 75, but since it was said my Human character has limit, I don't believe he would be able to do so. My other character will probably not have level cap..
TIME-SKIP! NEXT DAY!
"And this is the C-Rank Gate we are gonna go in. " Spoke Hwang Dongsoo, a son of a bitch with that fake ass close eyed smile of his, as if that it's gonna fool someone! " This is your first time in C-Rank Gate for both of you right?"
I nodded.
Yoo Jin-Hoo excitedly added beside me. " Indeed, i'm quite excited about it!"
"Ok then, shall we go and not waste any more time? " Asked Cho Kyuhwan, he is Mage of the group and their main ace in blowing up rocks. He has plain eyes, and long hair. Basically just a random guy from the street, nothing memorable about him.
"Yea! I can't wait to slice up few of those monsters inside!" Commented Goo Juntae, he is young man with curly brown hair, fighter of the team. Wearing leather armor and uses sword as his weapon. He is first person killed by Jin-Woo.
"And I can't wait to shoot something" Jinsuk is archer of the team, using his mini crossbow to shoot enemies from afar. He is blonde haired young man, wearing red steel armor.
And other two remaining members of the team stayed quiet, they are Seok-Min, a guy who called me out for "Weakest Hunter of the Mankind", the guy with afro hair and blonde hair.
And the other guy is the most plainest guy in the group, Lee Chul-Jin.
We walked into the gate, and it was Cave-like gate, usual gate anyway.
"A cave gate.." Muttered Yoo Jin-Hoo beside me, just like me, he is just here to make up numbers and to 'protect' me. Well, it's gonna be other way around, but it doesn't matter.
"Is this your first time ever being in gate?" I asked him, I noticed his glint and how he looked around. It's either his ever first time, or just first time for cave-gate.
He sheepishly looked at me while rubbing his head.
"Yes it indeed was, was it that obvious Mr.Sung?"
I snorted at that.
"Jin-Woo will suffice, i'm perfectly fine without honorifics, and for your question. Yes it, it was indeed obvious."
He grinned before outstretching his left arm, the one with shield for handshake, I took it obviously.
"Then it's Jin-Hoo also for me, Jin-Woo."
I nodded at him.
We walked in silence for several minutes, I advised him to keep quiet as much as possible, since sounds could alert Magic Beasts, which wasn't wrong. But I just wanted to avoid questioning about how much I know about gates from him.
It didn't take us long to reach what appears to be middle of the cave, with numerous holes all around us, and since we have not encountered even one
Hmm.
These guys are already panicking? Seriously?
Since I know what will happen today, I mentally prepared myself for killing them and so.. I wouldn't warn them from ants coming out of several holes at once.
I walked a bit closer to Yoo Jin-Hoo so I can protect him in case worse comes up.
He nervously looks around, as group in front of us panics.
One hole above us.
And two holes, both on right and left will they come out from.
"Keep your guard up, Jin-Hoo. They are coming." I told him in whisper, just in time for bugs to jump out from above and from two other holes.
Seeing this, Yoo Jin-Hoo immediately gritted his teeth and began waiting for incoming waves of monsters.
All meanwhile Hwang Dongsoo's group, even if unprepared from where bugs would come, did not suffer any casualties. Though they were close, very close.
Sounds of swords grinding against carapace was heard from the cave, and sound of cross-bow firing it's arrows too.
And I squashed several of them too, they were too close, who'd know my sneakers would be useful ?
Each one of them taking down several of them.
But then.
Hwang Dongsoo used his Skill: Taunt to anger all those Bugs so fire can be concentrated at his location before he sprinted off in safe distance from them.
And Cho Kyuhwan used this chance to blow those ants away with his Fireballs. Indeed a classic show off.
In all, this group is just plain old thugs but with brain..
"We will rest up here for several minutes before we continue." Hwang Dongsoo told us before he turned his attention to his real members of the team, leaving me and Yoo Jin-Hoo alone, dozen meters away or so from them.
Yoo Jin-Hoo used this chance to whisper.
"How did you know.." It wasn't a question but a statement.
I stared at Yoo Jin-Hoo before opening my mouth.
"Call it experience. I didn't survive in so many D-Rank Gate for nothing."
His eyes gleamed with shine.
"You just became Hunter, you still have a lot to learn of. Don't let it go over your head yet, just so you know." I reprimanded him, it's a good quality to not be arrogant, just look at how original Querehsha died and you'd see I was right.
Yoo Jin-Hoo nodded at that, good he learns.
But we we're interrupted by our 'leader.'
"Well, that should be it, let' move!" He shouted up from their position, seeing this we began moving quickly.
"What do you think Boss looks like?" Asked Yoo Jin-Hoo, since we are last ones in the group, we were quite a bit far away from others.
"Well. Considering that monster were insects, Boss would also be a bug or insect. Normally it's connected by some type of race hierarchy." I informed him, all while adjusting backpacks on my back slightly.
" I see.." He gulped before shifting subject. " Isn't it too much for you to carry those two backpacks??" He couldn't help asking, we arleady passed quite the distance away, probably kilometer.
I chuckled at that, I don't feel weight on my shoulders at all.
"It's fine, despite being E-Rank Hunter, I'm still a Hunter.." I chuckled once more. " Besides, this way I can simply carry these things instead of fighting for my life."
" I see."
"But anyway, pay attention." I told him, causing him to turn his head in front of us. And as you can expect. In front of us is a small entrance to another cave or hole.
20 meters or so away from us.
Once Hwang Dongsoo's group entered it, they all got rather happy for seeing so many Mana Crystals, all meanwhile counting the amount of money they can earn from it.
I walked in front of several Mana Crystals before touching one of them.
"Incredible." I murmured to myself, so only I was able to hear it. The texture and appearance of these crystals is fantastic, this is the first time I touched one of them. Sure, Sung Jin-Woo has memories of touching them, but that's different, I did not retain that sensation of touching them.
"Jin-Woo, can you show me your contract for a second?" Asked Yoo Jin-Hoo as he outstretched his palm in request, I knowing where this goes, and how much important this is. I gave him the contract to re-read it.
Which he did before proceeding to argue with Hwang Dongsoo.
I ignored their banter while continuing to do what I want, these crystals are interesting.
Should I pick one or two to place them at my apartment with Jin-Ah?
Just for souvenir..
I cut one of them with pickaxe later..
But since I heard my name, I switched my attention at Hwang Dongsoo.
Still wearing that ugly close eyed smile, I see.
Good thing I saved up Daily rewards for today, just in case for [Status Recovery] you never know what might happen.
Chapter Word Count: 2626
{Stats}
[ Primary Character: [Sung Jin-Woo] [Equipped]
[Secondary Character: [Querehsha] [Expand]
[Level: 20]
[Titles: Goblin Slayer [Expand] ]
]Job Class: None]
[HP: 4,000]
[MP: 200]
[Strength: 52]
[Vitality: 30]
[Agility: 30]
[Intelligence: 30]
[Sense: 30]
[Un-Added Points: 3]