Chapter 6
Chapter 6:
Skill.
Along with Traits, it was the source of a Player’s power.
There were two main ways to acquire them.
The first was through items, specifically Skill Books.
This was the most common method, typically involving purchasing from NPCs or obtaining them as loot.
Moreover, skills could be acquired easily without particular conditions.
But there was one fatal drawback.
They were exorbitantly expensive.
In fact, the set of four Skill Books, dubbed the “Sewer Graduation Skills,” cost a whopping 80,000 Points.
‘A method available to everyone, yet paradoxically, not just anyone can do it.’
In the outskirts of the Tower or the Lower Floors, earning enough to afford them would take ages.
Thus, Jincheol ruled out the first method and aimed for the second.
‘Direct acquisition.’
As it was an uncommon method, not accessible to just anyone, the conditions were stringent.
‘The acquisition conditions for each skill vary vastly, and above all, a certain level of mana is required.’
Ordinarily, most wouldn’t even know such a method existed.
But Jincheol was different.
‘Who would’ve thought those days of struggling to survive would come in handy like this.’
Starting with various weapon techniques, he had acquired even the resistance-based skills that others ignored, as well as physical enhancement skills.
He had learned skills indiscriminately and even studied their mechanics for maximum efficiency.
All that experience remained vividly in his mind.
‘So, the conditions shouldn’t be an issue.’
The problem, however, was ‘mana.’
Naturally, Jincheol currently had no mana at all.
Thus, the first step was to secure a certain level of mana.
Of course, he had a plan for that as well.
The ‘core’ extracted from the Sewage Slime was the key.
The monster’s heart and power source, the core, was composed of mana and various other energies.
By utilizing the core, he could not only sense mana but also accumulate a small amount of it.
‘Though there will be some side effects.’
This method was unconventional, unknown even to high-floor Players.
It stemmed from a ‘special entity in the Tower.’
As such, there were risks, but the rewards beyond them were worth enduring.
‘Using such a cheap core is a first, heh.’
Without hesitation, Jincheol popped the coin-sized core into his mouth.
“…Ugh.”
The nausea was overwhelming, enough to make me groan involuntarily.
As expected from something from a Sewage Slime, the stench was no joke.
Nevertheless, to better sense the mana, I bit down on the core with my teeth.
Crunch-
The core split in half.
Suppressing the discomfort, I swallowed it whole.
Gulp-
As the sensation slid down my esophagus, I steeled my resolve and focused inward.
By the time the foreign sensation in my body faded.
“…!”
A sudden, excruciating pain surged.
The agony started in my stomach and swept through my entire body.
The cause was the impurities in the core.
The monster’s instinct for slaughter and its demonic nature were to blame.
Unlike mana stones, which were created by extracting and refining pure mana, this was different.
The core was a mixture of mana, demonic nature, and other turbid energies, causing this kind of pain.
“Urgh, ugh…!”
I suppressed my groans, exercising superhuman patience.
This method was, after all, not the righteous path but a heretical one.
I had anticipated the risks.
Thus, even amidst the searing pain, I maintained my focus.
Like finding a pearl in grains of sand, I tirelessly traced the faint presence of mana amidst the demonic and turbid energies.
How much time had passed?
‘…Found it.’
A faint but distinct energy was detected within my body.
The fuel for skills, an energy that empowered Players.
It was ‘Mana.’
Only then did I exhale the breath I’d been holding, chuckling as I felt the reclaimed mana.
“As expected. Heh heh heh…”
The quality of the core and the state of my body.
Compared to my attempts in my past life, the conditions were clearly inferior.
Yet, I achieved the desired result.
As proof, a mechanical voice rang in my ears.
– Skill [Mana Sensitivity (F)] acquired!
– Title [One Tainted by Demonic Nature] obtained!
The skill, ‘Mana Sensitivity (F).
This was proof of mana recognition and the first step toward mana accumulation.
In other words, it was the reward for enduring the danger and pain.
The title, ‘One Tainted by Demonic Nature,’ was a bit different.
[Title]
One Tainted by Demonic Nature (Derogatory Title)
One who has come into contact with demonic nature through an improper path.
It is an energy too wild for mere humans to handle.
Controlling the ever-surging instinct for slaughter will not be easy.
Perhaps the rulers of the Great Forest know a solution?
“Demonic nature and wildness are but a hair’s breadth apart…, or are they?”
▷ Last Survivor Tiera
A Derogatory Title, like ‘Sewer Rat.’
As the description suggested, it came with a form of ‘madness.’
In other words, it was a side effect and a risk.
As if to prove it, a sudden surge of anger welled up in my chest.
My instincts screamed for destruction.
But I merely chuckled, not even flinching.
“Heh heh heh… It’s been a while since I felt this.”
Indeed, it was an energy ordinary humans would struggle to handle.
But I wasn’t ordinary.
I had the patience that allowed me to endure a long life at the bottom.
As the War God, I had honed a steel-like mentality through countless battles.
‘It’s just difficult to control, not impossible.’
This was a risk I had anticipated.
Naturally, I knew how to resolve it.
‘Though it’s impossible for now.’
It was a task that required time.
This was precisely why I planned to spend about two months in the Sewers.
But I had no intention of merely enduring the demonic nature during that time.
On the contrary, I planned to make use of this side effect.
‘When your body’s in such poor condition, there’s no better weapon than instinct. Heh.’
It might be a double-edged sword, but I was confident I could wield it better than anyone.
Surviving by cutting down enemies at the brink of life and death has always been my specialty.
‘Now, shall we go for the second one?’
Chuckling, I popped the second core into my mouth.
As the excruciating pain began anew, a hint of madness crept into my smile.
* * *
The next day.
“Phew, my junior! How was your sleep?”
At Choi Taesik’s fussing, I nodded curtly.
My attitude was as nonchalant as ever, but the rose-tinted glasses in Choi Taesik’s eyes remained unshaken.
“Did you have a nightmare or something? You’re drenched in sweat!”
Indeed, I had been sweating profusely all night.
The cause was the three cores I consumed last night and their aftermath.
But thanks to that, I could feel the distinct presence of mana in my body.
‘Well, it’s barely a speck.’
It was only natural.
These were low-quality cores extracted from bottom-tier monsters.
To properly wield mana or acquire proper mana skills, I’d need to consume dozens more.
‘Fortunately, securing cores isn’t an issue.’
In other words, the process of building mana was going smoothly.
While I calculated the time needed in my head.
Choi Taesik handed me something.
“Here, breakfast!”
It was a piece of bread covered in grime and a water bottle.
It was crude and far from hygienic.
But I took it without hesitation and ate.
‘No Player has ever died from illness due to hygiene.’
This was another piece of evidence that I was no longer an ordinary human.
Seeing me eat without complaint, Choi Taesik grinned.
“Ho, other newbies would’ve made all sorts of faces.”
It was, in a way, a natural reaction.
From the sleeping conditions to the food.
Everything in the Sewers was far removed from the wealth and glory promised by the invitation.
But to me, who had already experienced it all, it was no big deal.
‘If you don’t like it, just climb up and leave. Heh.’
That was my mindset.
Perhaps even this attitude appealed to him.
“As expected, my junior’s a tough one!”
Choi Taesik acted chummy, patting my shoulder repeatedly.
It was a simple gesture, but it was enough to stir my murderous intent.
It was due to the side effect of the title ‘One Tainted by Demonic Nature.’
‘…No, it’s not time yet.’
But as I did last night, I let it pass with a chuckle.
Of course, merely suppressing it had its limits.
The key was to manage it appropriately while enduring it.
Just then, the words I’d been waiting for came from Choi Taesik.
“Alright, time to meet today’s quota!”
Sewage Slime hunting.
If it was hunting, I could somewhat satisfy my destructive urges.
As I subtly stood up, Choi Taesik suddenly put his arm around my shoulders.
“Oh, and I’ve got a proposal, so hear me out on the way!”
“A proposal…”
The moment I heard it, a chuckle slipped out involuntarily.
I could guess exactly what he was about to say.
Sure enough.
“Junior! Let’s do a job together!”
Choi Taesik began spouting the expected pitch.
“Normally, our JJ Crew has to give 60% of the quota to the crew leaders! And you’ve gotta give me 20%!”
“Oh? And?”
“That leaves you with just 20%. How are you gonna buy skills with that? Skills? Forget about meat or booze!”
Booze and meat.
Though cheap, they were among the few luxuries available in the Sewers.
“Here’s the thing, I’ve got a good deal. Aren’t you curious?”
I wasn’t curious at all.
I already knew.
Unaware of my thoughts, Choi Taesik whispered as if sharing a grand secret.
“We hunt extra behind the crew leaders’ backs and split the profits fifty-fifty!”
“Split the profits?”
It was utter nonsense.
Even so, I played along.
“Why should I share my share with you?”
“It’s the price for turning a blind eye! If the crew leaders find out, your quota will definitely go up!”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yeah! But if you don’t get caught, as a newbie, your quota stays low! You can milk it for at least six months!”
He went on, promising I’d never get caught.
Just trust him, he said.
He poured out his spiel passionately.
He even threw in a threat.
“You better think carefully. Where else would you find a senior who asks for your opinion like me?”
Thanks to that, I had to suppress not only my murderous intent but also my laughter.
‘This guy’s kinda cute, isn’t he?’
In my past life, almost no one tried to use me.
More accurately, they ceased to exist.
They all ended up dead or crippled after I caught them.
When I was weak, I killed for revenge; when we were equals, I killed to eliminate threats.
When I was strong, I killed because they were laughable.
If this were the old days, I’d have killed Choi Taesik on the spot.
But for now, I decided to hold off.
‘If I cause trouble, I’ll be branded a public enemy.’
I needed time.
I still had to bide my time.
‘For now, that is.’
But it wouldn’t take long to reveal myself.
“Sure, I’ll think about it.”
I replied nonchalantly.
…Though I thought I’d need to lay low for a while.
‘Faster than I expected? Heh.’
Just a few days.
The moment to reveal my true worth came sooner than anticipated.