Ranker's Return

Hyeonu gave up a lot to let Tang-E reach level 100. He sacrificed his skill proficiency and the speed at which he leveled up. Nevertheless, he didn’t think it would be a loss. This was an investment.

‘Double—no, I’ll triple it. Tang-E. Now is the best time.’

“Enjoy your present, Tang-E,” Hyeonu muttered as he watched Tang-E resting comfortably. He spoke at a very low volume to prevent Tang-E from hearing his words.

***

Two hours passed, and Tang-E finally leveled up. Hyeonu’s efforts had yielded fruit.

[Your pet ‘Tang-E’ has now reached level 100.]

[The first awakening has begun.]

“Master dude! Tang-E is becoming stronger!!!”

Tang-E’s entire body was surrounded by light. It was a powerful storm of magic power.

‘The fruit has grown, so I have to eat the fruit.’

Hyeonu watched the scene quietly. After shining for a few minutes, the magic power started to permeate Tang-E’s body.

[Stats have risen due to the first awakening.]

[The first awakening has created a skill.]

[The strength stat has increased by 233 points.]

[The agility stat has increased by 233 points.]

[The physique stat has increased by 344 points.]

[The magic power stat has increased by 566 points.]

[Your pet ‘Tang-E’ has over 1,000 magic power, and a new skill has been created.]

[Giant Transformation]

[-A marionette bear’s melee combat mode.

Type: Buff

Rating: Unique

Skill Proficiency: F

If the skill is used, all stats will rise except for magic power.

Duration: 10 minutes.

Skill Cooldown Time: 30 minutes]

[Roar]

[-A marionette bear’s fear skill that is used in the Giant Transformation state.

Type: Immediately Activated

Rating: Rare

Skill Proficiency: F

Reduces the attack power and defense of all enemies within 10 meters by 10%.

Damage down by electricity-based attacks will increase by 20%.

Duration: 3 minutes.

Skill Cooldown Time: 5 minutes.]

‘Jackpot!’ Hyeonu felt that he had hit the jackpot.

‘Giant Transformation and Roar...’

The 10 minutes where Tang-E used Giant Transformation would just be like the giant robots in cartoons. During that time, all his stats would range from 1,000 to 1,500. If he buffed himself, then he himself would be a tank. Then what about Roar? It could only be used twice during Giant Transformation, but the effect of a wide-area debuff was great. Furthermore, the 20% increase in damage was a scam considering Tang-E’s skills and stats.

Hyeonu opened Tang-E’s status window to see what exactly had changed. ‘Tang-E’s status window.’

[Status Window]

[Name: Tang-E

Level: 100

Species: Marionette Bear (First awakening)

Title: Bung Bung Island’s Heir

Stats: Strength: 479   Agility: 465  Physique: 620  Magic Power: 1,096

The heir of Bung Bung Island. Bear-like physical abilities and high magic power are racial characteristics. He is very affectionate, unlike his prideful tone.

Intimacy: 85

Skills Possessed: Bear’s Momentum, Forest’s Blessing, Magic Power Affinity, Lightning, Giant Transformation, Roar]

The only things that changed were his stats and skills. Additionally, ‘First Awakening’ was added to the species column. The changes in the status window weren’t insignificant.

‘I drew the right pet.’

In this state, Tang-E was comparable to magicians and priests above level 150. Additionally, if Giant Transformation were used, he would be able to act as a tanker and close-range damage dealer.

‘An all-rounder, all-rounder.’

The moment Hyeonu marveled over Tang-E’s status window, Tang-E’s awakening finished. All the magic power was absorbed. Tang-E’s appearance had barely changed. Perhaps his fur was shinier and he was a bit cuter, but that was it.

Tang-E moved his short legs and walked to Hyeonu’s side. Hyeonu was still looking at Tang-E’s status window. Tang-E jumped lightly off the ground and landed on Hyeonu’s shoulder. “Master dude, worship me. I have become stronger. Hehe.” Tang-E tried to look dignified, but he couldn’t hide his frivolous laugh.

Hyeonu carefully placed Tang-E on the ground. “Hey, become bigger.”

“Can you handle it, Master dude?” 

“What are you talking about? Quickly become bigger.”

Hearing Hyeonu’s annoyed words, Tang-E used Giant Transformation without arguing. Once Tang-E used Giant Transformation, a mysterious magic circle appeared at his feet. The magic circle shimmered, and Tang-E started to grow in size. He grew continuously and didn’t stop until he was four meters tall.

“Master dude, now I’m bigger.”

Hyeonu felt like he was looking at a big Tang-E. “Tang-E, look at that tree over there. Shoot lightning at it once.”

“Understood, Master dude.” 

Tang-E listened to Hyeonu’s words. Blue lightning revolved around Tang-E’s paws. It was the application of Lightning. The moment he waved his front paws, the air exploded. The tree that was struck by the lightning from his front paws turned to powder, and not a single remnant of the tree could be found. It was a tremendous power.

‘That one blow can allow him to be considered as stronger than me… But I don’t know if he knows how to fight. It is very ambiguous.’

“He is a treasure. If I didn’t have him now...” Hyeonu murmured.

Then he thought for a while and called out to Tang-E, “Tang-E, good work. You can come back now!”

At Hyeonu’s words, Tang-E immediately released Giant Transformation and returned to being a light yellow teddy bear that was 50 centimeters tall.

“Master dude, how is it?”

“It’s great, Tang-E. You are truly my treasure.”

“Hehe, you know it well, Master dude.”

“Yes, let’s continue hunting, Tang-E. Do it well.”

“???”

Before he realized where the conversation had gone, Tang-E ended up hunting with Hyeonu.

***

Two hours after Tang-E’s awakening...

Herard’s map was finally completed following their hunt of the monsters in the Hejin Mountains.

[Current map completion rate: 100%]

[Herard’s Treasure Map has changed.]

The completed map was terribly simple. A drawing? A secret? There was no such thing. The finished map was perfect in itself. The map became a consumable.

[Herard’s Treasure Map]

[It is Herard’s treasure map.

Rating: Common

Restrictions: None

Effect: Once used, you will be instantly transferred to the instance dungeon ‘Mine Spider’s Lair’.]

After confirming the information on the map, Hyeonu tore at the map. Hyeonu and Tang-E’s bodies were surrounded by light.

***

Once the light that filled Hyeonu’s eyes disappeared, Hyeonu found that some light was still left. He had moved to a dungeon. Hyeonu turned his head to observe the scene inside the dungeon. In line with Mine Spider’s Lair which was the name of the dungeon, there was a variety of gemstones everywhere. Due to the light emanating from the stones, the dungeon wasn’t dark. It wasn’t as bright as the sun, but there was a minimal amount of light, enough for visibility.

Hyeonu moved carefully. He knew that spiders would emerge, but he had no information on them. Hyeonu was strong, and Tang-E was also strengthened by the awakening. However, the nature of an instance dungeon meant it was over once death occurred and they would be thrown out of the dungeon. The only ticket to the dungeon was the map Herard had given, and even the exact location of the dungeon wasn’t known. It meant he had to bet everything on this opportunity.

At this moment, a giant spider entered Hyeonu’s eyes. It had a very ugly appearance. The spider’s torso was more than a dozen meters long, and its eight legs were also many meters long. Moreover, the fur all over its body was enough to make Hyeonu and Tang-E feel squeamish. Every time the giant spider moved, the entire mine shook.

‘It seems impossible to hunt if they’re all like this? It looks as strong as a desert dragon...’

If these giant spiders were the main monsters in the mine, then Hyeonu decided he couldn’t hunt them. It seemed like a hunt would only be possible after forming a party of pro-gamers or large guild elites.

‘Is there only one of that guy?’

Hyeonu was filled with hope as he started to wander the mine again. It didn’t take long for this hope to become true.

***

‘That’s right. It is like this.’

The giant spider that Hyeonu first saw was probably the boss monster here. After 30 minutes of wandering the mine, there were many spiders smaller than the giant spider. Even the largest spider was around one-third the size of the giant spider. Hyeonu completely grasped the dungeon and immediately started hunting.

He made the most of the safety time. Now it was his turn to pick the sweet fruit. The fur-covered spider raised its meters-long legs and slammed them toward Hyeonu with a peculiar cry. The mine spiders had legs that were covered with a very hard looking shell.

Hyeonu swung his single-edged sword toward one of the legs. The single-edged sword waved like lightning and showed a faint light. The light that appeared succeeded in cutting off the spider’s leg. The spider’s legs were hard, but Hyeonu’s defense penetration was more powerful. The defense penetration was a percentage, not a firm number, and it was fair to anyone. A goblin wouldn’t be more injured, and an orc wouldn’t be less injured. 

‘I have cut off one leg, and there are seven left.’

“Tang-E!”

Once Hyeonu cried out, Tang-E immediately released nine stems of lightning. Tang-E’s lightning immediately brightened the interior of the mine and hit the spider’s legs. A burning smell started to come from the spider’s legs. It was properly cooked by the lightning.

[The amethyst spider has been inflicted with the ‘electric shock’ abnormal state.]

‘Okay.’

The spider cried out with pain. It wanted to move, but it was electrocuted by Tang-E and couldn’t move. Hyeonu used Crescent Moon Cut to create a giant crescent-shaped sword energy. The sword energy moved like a snake and managed to cut off three of the spider’s remaining legs. With only four legs left, the spider couldn’t move its massive body.

An immobile spider was just a good sandbag. Tang-E reached out his paws, and the lightning exploded. Lightning struck the spider’s entire body. The only sound that was heard was the spider’s crying. Hyeonu’s sword energy flew toward the spider’s head. Then the spider’s lifeless body fell to the ground.

[An amethyst spider has been killed.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

‘I just need to kill one more to level up.’

The spiders were weaker than expected. For Hyeonu, there was no easier prey. The weaknesses were clear. Normal players would have to rush out in a party to catch the spider. The spiders had a high defense and moved quickly. It was also a great problem due to its large size.

However, all these advantages were useless against Hyeonu, who had high defense penetration and strong attack power. Moreover, there were many places to strike because the spider was so big. Every time Hyeonu swung his single-edged sword, one piece of the spider was cut off.

The spider’s movements were quick, but Hyeonu was quicker. Additionally, Hyeonu had a stubborn pet. Tang-E’s lightning caused an electric shock which limited the spider’s movements. Once Hyeonu moved and cut off all the legs, the spider was just a big target. It was no different from the scarecrow that improved his skill efficiency.

“Eh? Is this an item?” Hyeonu was happy when he saw his first item in a week. He approached to naturally pick up the item. At this moment, four pairs of red eyes appeared eerily behind Hyeonu. The owner of the eyes quickly stabbed its huge legs toward Hyeonu’s back as he walked in an unguarded manner. The spider legs pierced Hyeonu.