Chapter 46: Satisfaction
Cheoldu examined the spear he had planted. His search skill poured out various information.
<Abandoned Dragon's Nest>
You can declare this dungeon as territory by using a banner. To maintain the territory, you must periodically defend key points against enemy invasions.
Deploy defensive forces to protect your territory from enemies.
Dungeons not claimed as territory will gain new owners after one day.
Activation Cost: 30,000 coins
Remaining Time: 23h 56m
Cheoldu hadn’t activated the banner yet, and the dragon’s nest’s value as territory didn’t resonate with him. He didn’t even have 30,000 coins.
“I hate basements.”
If claiming territory, it should be somewhere sunny. His grandfather loved farming, after all. For now, he needed to meet Jintae and discuss the banner.
“The loot seems roughly…” Cheoldu noticed a door glowing faintly, identical to when he’d acquired the banner—the same entrance to the orc village.
“Hmm.”
He should go in. There were likely unclaimed rewards.
As Cheoldu approached the open door:
<You’ve discovered the secret of the Abandoned Dragon’s Nest.>
“Wait, this was the secret?”
He’d already found it earlier…
Step. Step.
Upon entering, another notification:
<First Discovery: Dragon’s Mystery>
<Inventory Expansion +3>
<World Map Upgrade +1>
<Status Screen Upgrade +1>
“Giving out freebies?” Cheoldu tilted his head.
He considered expanding inventory space but grew more curious.
“Hmph. As expected.”
Cheoldu nodded at his updated status screen:
Race: Barbarian Origin: Valhalla Rank: Novice HP: 97% MP: 27% Barbarian’s Heart, Fairy’s Blessing, Giant’s Hide Spear Mastery, Sword Mastery (2), Axe Mastery Throwing, Overhead Strike, Sprint, Power Strike, Exploration Activation Orb
Strength: 43
Agility: 42
Stamina: 49
Perception: 41
Magic: 6
“So 49 was correct.”
He’d nearly entered the arena unprepared. Chuckling, he continued through the cave. The first discovery reward was just a bonus—he needed the dragon’s original reward.
Arriving where he’d fallen earlier, Cheoldu found a suspicious glow in the lake’s center. Stripping his gear, he dove in.
Splash!
The small lake’s light faded as it absorbed into him, followed by a vivid memory—no, a vision.
A wounded dragon crawled into the cave, submerging in the spring. The water healed its injuries, and it soared up the cliff face.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
<The Spring of Rebirth’s final blessing flows into you.>
An unfamiliar warmth loosened his tension.
“Ah…”
He wanted to stay forever. Why seek more strength? He could already dominate human “rankers.”
Just as he resolved to stop—
Thud-thud-thud!
His Barbarian’s Heart roared.
‘Would I give up?!’
Becoming stronger was his oath. A warrior who abandons growth isn’t a warrior!
Swish!
He slapped his face underwater but remained dazed.
“What the—?”
He was submerged! Swimming upward felt like dragging boulders.
Gasp!
Cheoldu hauled himself onto the rock, lungs burning.
Smack! Smack!
“Rraaagh!” His barbarian roar shattered the fog.
<Resisted the Dragon’s Curse.>
“Hah!”
The dragon had left a trap while fleeing. “Coward!” Cheoldu swore vengeance.
“Curse Resistance trait? Nice.”
His health stabilized at 50%.
Slap! Slap!
“Still a rookie.”
Maturity wasn’t just physical.
Returning to the village, he gathered scrap metal—profitable for now. He needed 30,000 coins.
‘Secure a base, then move on.’
Complacency was erased. Nova held countless unknowns.
Backtracking through caves, he slaughtered orcs with ease until finding a hidden switch.
Click-click-click.
The wall opened to Obongsan Peak. “How’d I miss this before?”
Descending, he found Jintae’s rope tied to a tree above a vertical cave.
“Kim Jintae!”
Only echoes replied.
“Hold tight!” Cheoldu yanked the rope furiously.
“Ease up, you lunatic!” Jintae emerged, drenched and bloodied.
“Took you long enough.”
“Bastard! I was climbing already!”
At the bandit hideout, they found it deserted—Choi Junseop had evacuated everyone.
By dusk, they reached Sungsojeil Inn.
“Landlady!”
“Heavens! Look who’s back!”
Her prideful gratitude mirrored a landlady welcoming a triumphant student.
“You’ve done something grand!”
