In reality, the biggest obstacle to Jeonghyun’s growth at the moment was the shortage of coins.
If there were enough coins, he could have easily gathered all the attractive traits without any hesitation.
Moreover, it required a total of 40 coins to reach level 3.
However, it was said to be 70 coins to advance to level 4.
Considering the future level-ups, it became even more distant.
“To be honest, it’s frustrating just relying on hunting.”
In such a situation, showing the probability of coins dropping by monster type or giving quests to acquire additional coins was a welcomed gesture.
What if the monsters that Jeonghyun failed to catch due to yielding to other party members were actually the ones with a 70% chance of dropping coins?
What if he had only been targeting monsters with a mere 20% probability until now?
Of course, these were mere speculations.
“Considering my luck so far, it’s quite plausible.”
Such doubts couldn’t be ignored either.
Moreover, the difficulty of sudden quests was still unknown, but wouldn’t they become invaluable when needed if somehow managed?
But such things were matters for the future.
In fact, there was something else that was most important to Jeonghyun at the moment.
Right now, there was one item appearing in the store list that caught Jeonghyun’s attention.
[Equipable slot expansion tickets (D), 3 coins]
And currently, there were only 3 coins left.
Wasn’t this like a perfectly timed temptation for consumption?
“Sir, thank you very much. It’s eventually good for you too. I’ll move out as soon as I earn money.”
Jeonghyun solemnly prayed to the neighbor next door.
With that, the courtesy was over.
[“You have purchased the ‘Equipable slot expansion tickets(D)’,
The Equipable slot will be expanded from 4 to 5.”]
Upon purchasing the expansion voucher, the most needed message for Jeonghyun immediately came to mind.
Then there was only one thing left.
It was to equip the clandestine action that had been stored in the warehouse.
“I have a feeling that synergy will definitely occur.”
But at the last moment, Jeonghyun’s hand hesitated for a moment.
Just the thought of going through the adaptation pain again made him shudder.
“If only there was an exemption voucher for adaptation pain, I would buy it even for 5 coins.”
Though expressing a feeling of regret, it didn’t seem like the system would provide such convenience.
Anyway, there was only one choice in the end.
Moreover, based on past experiences, it was better to start when he was already exhausted to the point of almost dying.
Then he could faint right away and sleep deeply until the next morning.
“Thinking like this doesn’t seem quite normal.”
[Equipping “Goblin Eye Deception (E, Lv.1)”.]
After finally equipping it, Jeonghyun closed his eyes tightly.
Then he bit onto a towel that was rolling nearby.
“If I lose this, even healing won’t fix it.”
It is said that there are three illnesses that even the all-powerful healing, which cannot be explained by modern medicine, cannot cure.
One is the disappeared illness.
······ Let’s leave the other two to imagination.
And as always, excruciating pain engulfed Jeonghyun.
Ultimately, Jeonghyun’s expectations were precisely met.
[Attribute Synergy, “Blind Eyes Assassination” (E) is applied.
After activating “Deceiving Goblin Eyes”, the probability of the first attack causing lethal damage increases.
The accuracy of “Dagger Technique” (D. Lv.1) increases.]
It was the synergy effect of the clandestine action and Dagger Skills.
Moreover, the effect was very good.
Firstly, lethal damage.
No matter how the reality has changed like a game through the system, critical hits are not calculated with a uniform probability in reality.
You can’t expect a critical hit just by barely attacking with your toes.
At least you have to attack the vital parts properly, and critical hits are a problem after that.
For example, the reason why he instantly killed a rock spider was because Jeonghyun’s dagger accurately pierced the brain.
Since it was such a critical hit that caused a lot of damage, having the system adjust this probability was like a dream come true for hunters.
Normally, the battle time that should have taken tens of minutes was drastically reduced, so why wouldn’t it be like that?
Moreover, the increase in accuracy of the throwing skill was an unsurpassed effect.
“I should go back to the Association soon and test it again… Ahh.”
Jeonghyun grabbed his waist, still feeling the pain that hadn’t completely disappeared.
However, even so, he couldn’t hide his joyful expression.
Isn’t it visible how he’s growing step by step?
Except for Jeonghyun, others only focus on one level of expertise and live their hunter lives.
This applies to both low and high grades.
It’s natural for those who despair at the expertise that doesn’t increase during the process to eventually kneel down.
“I remember there was a documentary about a B-grade who couldn’t advance to level 4.”
Now I can’t remember his name, but he was running a knight’s restaurant and was considered quite promising.
Although he seemed satisfied with his life now, well…
It must have been grim when he had to leave the gate without any further growth.
However, expertise level wasn’t everything to Jeonghyun.
There was also an unbelievable growth route where he could equip new traits and raise his grade.
Of course, to do that, he had to gather coins, but he could bear that much, couldn’t he?
“I want to go into the level 4 gate soon.”
The gap between the level 3 gate and the level 4 gate was significant.
According to the evaluation of hunters, it was about two or three times between level 2 and level 3.
However, he was the one who could hunt leisurely even at the 3-level gate, and now that he had gained the second synergy, it seemed like there would be no problem.
Moreover, the 4-level gate held symbolic significance.
“From level 4, you can’t find F-rankers.”
The growth limit for F-rankers is considered to be level 4.
Since there were no F-rank hunters registered up to level 5.
Except for cases where it was determined that they were of high rank even though they were unregistered, there were no examples.
Isn’t it possible to enter the level 4 gate even though it’s level 4?
Of course, you can.
But,
“The death rate is around 30%, who would dare to enter.”
It was too risky.
Now that knowledge about gates and monsters has accumulated, the death rate might have dropped a bit.
But it was still perilous enough to risk one’s life.
Therefore, F-rank hunters who reached level 3 often only served as guides at the level 3 gate, rather than trying to improve their skills.
Reaching level 4 was akin to retirement.
And such retirement phenomena become more prominent as the levels rise.
As the gap between levels widened, overcoming inherent limitations due to ranks became nearly impossible, so it was a natural progression.
Therefore, even low-ranking hunters who could operate at the same level were often treated very well by guilds out of respect.
Is Jeonghyun, who is superficially unregistered, entering the 4-level gate?
“Now there’s no choice but to surface.”
As always, it seemed that his true value couldn’t be deceived by mere bluffing and pretense.
But it was also something he had to experience at some point.
Jeonghyun logged into HunterNet and searched the recruitment board, specifically looking for posts related to the level 4 gate.
– [Level 4] Looking for one vanguard position.
Serious applicants only, no E-rank or below. Details about location…
– [Level 4] All positions needed.
Heading out to hunt black goblins. Contact me if interested. No nonsense tolerated.
Usually, it was like this.
Jeonghyun sighed deeply.
“Well, I didn’t think it would work anyway.”
Would he send his unregistered hunter license?
It was obvious that he would be blocked.
Why would they take him along if they hadn’t hunted with Jeonghyun before?
They weren’t even aware of his abilities. Moreover, their specs were not sufficient for the 4-level gate.
Even E-rank hunters needed considerable skill to enter the level 4 gate.
“I don’t know! Let’s think about it after a good night’s sleep!”
Anyway, there was no point worrying about whether someone would take him along. He had just come out of the Spirit Forest yesterday, exhausted.
If he didn’t feel better after resting for a few days, Jeonghyun decided he would revisit the level 3 gate a few more times.
***
– The test has ended.
The familiar voice of the hunter measurement room’s guide now.
This time, Jeonghyun’s challenge was none other than D-rank level 4.
There was also a meaning to check his skills because he wanted to challenge the level 4 gate if given the chance, and because testing the synergy received from clandestine and memorized techniques was insufficient at level 3.
That’s why,
– Compared to others of the same rank and level, your percentile is in the top 1%.
Jeonghyun had already achieved a top 1% record in the D-rank level 3 test.
That’s why he raised to level 4 and took the test again.
– Compared to others of the same rank and level, your percentile is in the top 35%.
Being in the top 35% meant a considerable high record even within the same level.
Since not all attempting the test were purely members of that level.
Some deliberately lowered their ranks and levels to relieve stress.
And to test the characteristics of a higher level, they often measured at a level lower than their own for familiarity.
Therefore, if it was 35%, generally, they would be considered around 20%.
“Now it definitely seems right to go to the level 4 gate…”
This was the moment Jeonghyun gained confidence in the level 4 gate.
But the problem, however,
“Someone has to take him along!”
There was no one to take him to the level 4 gate.
Jeonghyun had cautiously reached out several times.
– Um, I’m unregistered, but I’m confident in my abilities. I’m ready to spill blood if needed, just give me a chance.
– Conversation partner blocked.
– Hello, I’m a D-rank level 4 hunter. My status is hidden due to special reasons.
– Conversation partner blocked.
But no progress was made as they blocked him without listening to what he had to say.
“They never had to be unregistered. They don’t know the plight of a frog under a dragonfly.”
Eventually, he vented his frustration, but nothing changed.
So much so that Jeonghyun almost called Team Leader Seo Jinwook.
He even dialed his number.
Fortunately, he realized just before pressing the call button and hurriedly stopped.
He thought it wouldn’t be a big deal to enter the Level 4 gate with Sooyeon, whom he had hunted with last time, if he asked Jinwook.
It felt a little awkward, but it seemed like he had earned quite a few points with them.
But to ask for help first?
That was a whole different dimension from the support he had received so far.
Until now, the support he had received from the Jungjin Guild had been more of a “do it yourself” kind of thing.
It was akin to Jeonghyun’s declaration of joining Jungjin.
“Especially now that I’ve received support so far, it’s even more worrying.”
In the end, Jeonghyun had no choice but to go back and forth between the Association’s measurement room.
At that moment of closing the door after ending the test program and leaving.
Creak-
Jeonghyun happened to glance at the person entering the adjacent measurement room.
He shouldn’t have done that.
“What? That! How does he always manage to show up wherever I go!”
He hastily pushed his body back into the measurement room and tried to close the door again.
Since there was someone inside the measurement room, the door couldn’t be opened from the outside.
Click-
“Oh, long time no see. Hunter Han Jeonghyun?”
However, Jeonghyun’s archenemy, the shining Cha Yerin, didn’t miss the opportunity and slipped her foot into the gap of the door.
