Chapter 12 Part2 (1/2)

<chapter 12.=”” joker=”” apprentice=”” -=”” 2=””>

Levels were an absolute standard by which organic and inorganic beings were divided. It was also the standard which discriminated between the superior and the inferior. ...Because of that, those who surmount those standards are given an unconventional reward for their efforts.

That was karma, the very basis of this world that was more absolute than even levels.

[You succeeded in meting out your revenge against a stronger foe. All stats have increased by 2. The Low Rank Avenger skill has become Lv2. The skill duration time increases.]

Overcoming the difference of even just one level was extremely difficult. Even if one possessed the Avenger skill, it was a karma that could only be achieved by staking one's life on it.

If that's the case, what about a two level difference? Others would call it brash. They would never attempt it, unless they had several lives. Even if they did have several lives, fighting with a two level difference was like trying to break a rock with an egg, so there wouldn't be many who would attempt it and risk their precious lives.

[You have defeated a foe two levels higher than you! It is an achievement that has never been seen before in history. All stats have increased by 5. You have acquired the t.i.tle 'He Who Conquers the Impossible'. Whenever you attempt to challenge the impossible and succeed, you become stronger.]

However, what if that egg were extremely tough, and instead of egg yolk and egg white within, it was filled with explosives? What about if that rock was hammered away and cracked?

He would achieve each and every one of those conditions, and create a stairway in order to reach that karma step by step. Those rules were everything, and it was truly akin to the way one would think in a game. It wasn't ridiculously difficult or impossible for him to break through the wall known as levels if he properly utilized the karma that he had gathered, as well as the skills he had learned.

Especially since he possessed the ever-changing persona, the Joker's karma!

[You, who have communed with a higher leveled riding companion and defeated your foe, show a glimpse of the qualities of the one foretold in legend as the Dragon Knight. You have acquired the Dragon Knight's karma token. All stats have increased by 5. The Low Rank Horseback Riding skill has become Lv7. Agility has increased by 5.]

”Ah, there are seriously a lot of messages.”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo always thought this. That these lines weren't enough for him to enjoy the lingering feeling of victory. It felt like he was reading a biography of what happened just a little while ago.

But there was also nothing better than these messages to verify his achievements. When he thought about it, perhaps G.o.d, or the world, was whispering to him. It was like they were saying, 'You have achieved such and such feat, and that was truly amazing. And that achievement makes you this much stronger.'

”W-We really didn't die and won.”

”If it wasn't for you, I really would've died at least once.”

”You...!”

Jin must've been reading his messages just like Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and muttered, embarra.s.sed. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo replied carefreely, but Jin belatedly recalled the situation before and raised his voice. It seemed he was also upset, as he stamped on the ground a few times.

”I can't believe you. A person could be momentarily scared in a fight, and yet you see that and say you'll fight alone?”

”Well, I thought you might really die at that rate. I have a lot of extra lives, but you only have two.”

”Still, how can I help you if I always just back off when it gets dangerous? That doesn't seem like a proper contract!”

He was right. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't accept Jin because he needed a car. He believed that he would become stronger through Jin's help, so he decided to work together with him.

Honestly, in the recent battle, the both of them hadn't died and were able to kill Steve because of their deeply developed bond.

”But if you actually die, you'll probably be really p.i.s.sed.”

”You don't need to worry about that. This is the path I've chosen, so I'm plenty prepared for it. So in the future, whether I'm scared or I freeze, just move me as you please and charge forward. Got it?”

When he heard Jin's unwavering voice, he sounded like a general. However, in actuality, the meaning behind his message was something like 'At the very least, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could use him as a horse while in battle'. It seems like Jin was humiliated from being temporarily frightened from the enemy.

”If that's what you want, then that's what I'll do. I won't be considerate of you in the future and tell you to back off.”

”Good. Just think about winning against the enemy. Because if you don't, I won't be able to get stronger either.”

Is he beginning to understand karma, the system that rules this world? Hearing Jin comment on the important parts of karma, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo naturally nodded his head.

But that state of mind would certainly be dangerous for Jin, so he decided that from now on, he would figure out a way for Jin to more actively absorb more of the curse's magic.

Should he go check at the secret shop? But before that, he'd need to deal with the level up... Wait, the level up?

”Huh?”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo tilted his head and checked his status; he realized that he had already acquired the qualifications to level up to level 4.

When he thought about it, a few of his skills leveled up during the battle, and his Combat Sprint was even reborn as Combat Sense, an intermediate level skill! So there was no way his stats hadn't risen over 800!

”But I ignored it all because I was concentrating on the battle.”

”Was there an easier way to win by any chance?”

”No, there wasn't. If I had acted like I was going to level up, I probably would've been hit and pointlessly die.”

The level up transformation wasn't as simple as it seemed in manga, where leveling up was as easy as changing clothes for the hero. In terms of the skeleton, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, all of his 200 bones would be fundamentally changed, and he would be reborn with a new const.i.tution filled with new mana as well.

But to do that while fighting an enemy? He'd probably incur considerable damage or his level up may go wrong; it would be one of the two.

”Jin, stay back for now.”

”Stay back? Why?”

”Hmm... You should be fine, but it's just...”

If he were to say that he absorbed all the bones in his surrounding in the process of leveling up, Jin would probably say he's crazy.

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo thought Jin would figure it out if he saw it himself, shrugged his shoulders, and inspected the loot the level 5 Treasure Eater had left behind. Though he had caught a glimpse of the message before... he couldn't believe what it said, and the 'treasure' that needed a second inspection was right there.

[Drake Horn Lance]

[Lv5]

[Durability: 2,220/2,220]

[Attack Power: 1,000 - 1,200]

[Options: Strength +30, Health + 30, Magic +10, Effectiveness of charge related skills +40%]

”Hoo...”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo interjected as he saw the truly large and lengthy conically shaped lance that lay before him. The level 4 Melting Bone Double Axe's power was likewise tremendous, but it seemed like a gentle breeze when compared to this lance.