Chapter 17 Part2 (1/2)
<chapter 17.=”” disguise=”” -=”” 2=””>
[You have absorbed the Great King Slime's Bone Core. All stats have increased by 1. Proficiency of Rule of Bone has increased by 2%.]
”So stingy. I went through all that trouble to make a level 5 elite monster, but I only get 4 stats in return... It'll take several months to get to level 6 at this rate.”
”Isn't that still really quick?”
Even some of his seniors, who'd arrived in the Underground Empire long before him weren't level 6 yet, so it was indeed quick. However, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, who had the disposition of a thief, thought he'd be able to continue developing at a rapid pace, so he couldn't be happy about this.
”Most of my skills have gotten to the intermediate level, so I probably won't be able to get much stat growth from leveling up my skills... The only things left remaining are achievements.”
”Don't tell me you're going to go around looking for high leveled elite monsters. Just go step by step like you've been doing.”
”Tch.”
Hearing Jin's astute observation, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo clicked his (nonexistent) tongue, and examined the treasure chest. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything noteworthy within.
”A Low-Rank Swordsmans.h.i.+p skill book? It seems like there really are people who don't have this level of skill before they clear this dungeon. There's a pair of useless level 2 Iron Boots... at least this is a little better.”
A level 3 Tempered Steel s.h.i.+eld. As soon as he held it, the material turned to bone, and was absorbed by him; it felt as though he had satisfied some sort of condition and at that moment, his skill leveled up.
[The Bone Armory skill has become Lv3. Health and Magic have increased by 5. You can fuse the materials and special characteristics of the equipment you have absorbed with another piece of equipment and supplement it, but the level is still too low, so it's only half-effective. Updating information regarding the equipment stored in Bone Armory.]
”Huh!?”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was fl.u.s.tered at the sudden series of events. In the blink of an eye, the s.h.i.+eld, as well as armor and helmet he was wearing disappeared. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo stood, fl.u.s.tered, and a message slowly appeared before him!
[Bone Armory Lv3:
Lv4 Acid Bone Armor (Defense 250 - 410) - Acid Type Effectiveness +10%
Lv4 Acid Bone Leg (Defense 210 - 320) - Acid Type Effectiveness +10%
Lv4 Acid Bone s.h.i.+eld (Defense 350 - 400) - Acid Type Effectiveness +10%
Lv4 Acid Skull Helm (Defense 250 - 310) - Acid Type Effectiveness +10%
Lv4 Lightning Tooth (Attack Power 450 - 480) - Lightning Lv4, Effectiveness of Bursting Thunder +20%
Lv4 Melting Bone Double Axe (Attack Power 480 - 760) - Acid Lv3, Acid Type Effectiveness +20%
Lv5 Drake Horn Lance (Attack Power 1,000 - 1,200) - Effectiveness of charge-related skills +40%]
”How is this...”
Of course, he had a rough idea. He thought of each and every piece of equipment separately before, but now he could combine the characteristics and materials of absorbed equipment into another piece of equipment to create a st.u.r.dier and more powerful one!
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo examined the updated description of the equipment stored within Bone Armory and he became even more sure of it. Through the Bone Armory skill, the Acid Skull Helm's materials and characteristics were fused with the other defensive equipment and reinforced; because of that, the once level 3 armor all became level 4.
”They really were reinforced...”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo summoned his upper and lower body armor, equipped them, and interjected. Not only had the armors inherited the Acid Skull Helm's materials and characteristics in its entirety and gotten much tougher, but the magic within these armors covered in a slight green energy was definitely improving Lee s.h.i.+n Woo's acid element.
If he were to equip the Acid Bone Armor, Leg, and Helm, while wielding the Melting Bone Double Axe, the effectiveness of the acid element would increase by 50%! Though it was impossible right now since he could still only summon three pieces of equipment at a time!
'In other words, I can create a full matching set of equipment with just one piece of the set now. As I thought, it was a good idea to get information on the undead heroes.'
But the limitations to the skill were quite clear for now. He couldn't transfer the characteristics of the Lightning Tooth or the Drake Horn Lance to other pieces of equipment yet. It was without a doubt because these two pieces of equipment were at a higher level than the Bone Armory skill itself.
However, the skill level will gradually go up, and if that happens, someday... Lee s.h.i.+n Woo imagined himself wearing Drake Horn Armor and shuddered. He could also obtain an even more powerful piece of equipment and transfer those characteristics to another piece of a equipment!
'I thought it might be possible someday, but... I should start gathering equipment that possess various special characteristics. Do they sell equipment in the secret shop too?'
The dungeon reward by itself was trifling, but he didn't lose out, as it had caused his Bone Armory to level up.
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo looked much more consolidated and stylish than before (in the process of being affected by the Acid Skull Helm, the upper and lower body armor both changed in appearance, similar to the Acid Skull Helm) and after equipping the armor, he returned to the purified city. Kratia was still struggling with the core.
”Is it going well?”
”It's going really well. I can do it if you give me one more day.”
Kratia bluffed and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo could tell. That compet.i.tive magician was going to figure out everything regarding the core no matter what. For the time being, he just needed to let her be.
”Then we'll go and clear out the surrounding area, so you just keep studying the core. You guys, follow me.”
[It's an honor.]
[In the name of Steelworker!]
”Ah, perhaps...”
When they were about to leave, Kratia hastily grabbed him. Did she want to extend the duration of the contract? Lee s.h.i.+n Woo tilted his head and turned around, and Kratia, while still holding onto the core, requested honestly, even whilst looking extremely embarra.s.sed.
”If you find any... things like wild fruit in the dungeon, then...”
”I got it. Since there're no living organisms nearby that can eat fruit, anyway.”
”Thanks.”
Kratia said, and looked over at Jin. Seeing that, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo sighed again. Fortunately, Jin didn't say anything.
”I'm just saying this because it seems like you've misunderstood me, but I'm not envious of that girl just because she's alive. And I don't hate her either.”
Kratia saw them off, and the rest of them left the city; Lee s.h.i.+n Woo found a trace of mana and Jin suddenly spoke while running slowly (since the golems were accompanying them). Lee s.h.i.+n Woo just tilted his head.
”Then what is it?”
”It makes me feel really narrow-minded admitting this, but... besides just being human, Kratia is...”