Chapter 64 – Gust Blade

[Skill – Gust Blade]

– Grade: B

– Damage: 100% magic power per blade

– Usage Limit: Level 1,000 and above

– Description: Shoots 10 wind blades forward

A wind-attribute area magic that slices enemies in the front with wind blades.

‘It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I reached level 1,000 to learn this.’

When used simply as an area skill, it doesn’t deal significant damage.

‘But if I concentrate the blades in one place using a magic control gauntlet?’

Since each blade deals 100% damage, he could potentially deal 1,000% damage to a single target.

In other words, it’s like gathering magic blades and throwing them at one point.

It’s essentially converting an area attack into a single attack to maximize damage.

Of course, this trick would be impossible without a magic control gauntlet.

“How much?”

“65 million won.”

After purchasing the skill book, Min Do-jun tore the packaging and recited the command.

‘Acquire.’

[Skill slot is full. Would you like to remove a skill to learn this?]

‘Learn. Remove Lion’s Roar.’

Though useful later, Lion’s Roar wouldn’t be needed for now.

‘I can use two magic skills now.’

Fire Blast and Gust Blade.

He could now enchant weapons with two attributes.

Having finished his business, Min Do-jun returned to the car.

“Have you returned, Hunter-nim? That didn’t take long.”

“Yes, let’s go to the dungeon now.”

“Before departing, I have some news you’ll like.”

“What is it?”

Min Do-jun wasn’t genuinely expecting much.

But what he heard was unexpected.

“Our center director has specially decided to use priority rights for you. Five of them!”

Spreading his palm, Park Dong-yun’s action made Min Do-jun’s eyes widen.

“Five?”

“Priority rights are usually one per year, right? But the center director seems to have made an effort for you. Now you can solo A-grade dungeons! Five times a year!”

Min Do-jun couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.

‘This is beyond expectations.’

He honestly hadn’t thought he could enter the Stone Lizard Dungeon alone.

While not as crowded as the Cat-eyed Tiger Dungeon, the Stone Lizard Dungeon wasn’t empty.

“That’s a welcome surprise.”

“Haha, right?”

“The center director is so considerate. I should thank him sometime.”

It wasn’t just lip service.

He was genuinely grateful to the center director.

For Min Do-jun, who could clear dungeons solo, soloing was better than partying.

And increasing the once-a-year opportunity to five times was truly appreciated.

‘This is much better than contracting with a guild.’

Min Do-jun gave his first sincere praise.

The center director’s intention of gaining points by expanding priority rights had worked.

“Feel free to use the priority rights anytime. We can take action immediately.”

“I’ll use one for the Stone Lizard Dungeon I’m entering now.”

“Understood!”

After processing on his tablet, Park Dong-yun drove off at the departure signal.

They arrived at the Stone Lizard Dungeon.

No other hunters were visible, thanks to the priority rights.

‘Soloing… how nice.’

As Min Do-jun approached the entrance, a hologram appeared.

[Cheongyeong Recreational Forest Stone Lizard Dungeon]

– Difficulty: A

– Player Limit: 4

– Entry Limit: Level 1,000 and above

– Clearing Objective: Destroy 600 Lizard Eggs

– Failure Penalty: 1,800,000 experience reduction

– Time Limit: 10 hours

– Dungeon Break Time Remaining: 84 hours 51 minutes 58 seconds

Unlike most clearing objectives being annihilation, here the goal is destroying lizard eggs.

The number of eggs was larger than expected.

Killing stone lizards while breaking eggs might be too slow.

This could lead to failing the dungeon and receiving a penalty.

Typically, the known strategy is for party members to spread out, quickly find and break eggs, then regroup to hunt monsters.

But Min Do-jun must break eggs alone.

‘I’ll leave one egg and hunt for almost 10 hours, then break the last egg at the end.’

That was the standard clearing method.

Since there was no reason to clear quickly when coming to hunt monsters.

“Then I’ll see you in 10 hours.”

Min Do-jun, having finished preparations, disappeared into the dungeon with light.

* * *

A barren wasteland filled with stone piles.

Unlike previous dungeons with dense vegetation, the surroundings were incredibly desolate.

Min Do-jun immediately began searching for monsters.

‘Stone Lizards…’

Min Do-jun particularly disliked stone lizards.

Because they were the monsters that caused his parents’ death.

‘Those stone lizards back then were pure terror.’

The lizards released during the dungeon break had killed his parents right before his eyes by swinging their tails.

The only small mercy was that his benefactor Hwang Ui-cheol appeared before the bodies were eaten, allowing him to preserve their remains.

‘That’s why I used to hunt stone lizards like a madman when I first saw them.’

He thought he had gotten over it, but.

Swish- Swish-

As stone lizards appeared before his eyes, rage surged within him.

‘Though my teacher already killed the ones who killed our parents…’

Killing intent flashed in Min Do-jun’s eyes.

‘They’re all the same breed. I can’t let them live.’

As the distance closed, the weakness detection revealed information.

[Stone Lizard]

– Description: A lizard made entirely of stone. Better handled with blunt weapons than blades due to hardness.

– Combat Method: Shoots stone protrusions from back when far, swings tail when close.

– Weakness: Glabella

He didn’t pay much attention since he already knew this information.

‘Gust Blade.’

As soon as he spoke the skill name, wind gathered and blades formed.

Ten blades lined up on both sides, waiting for his command.

‘Normally, I’d need a sword to set a target for them to fly.’

But Min Do-jun didn’t need that.

He had a magic control gauntlet.

‘Go.’

The wind blades flew according to his will.

Swooosh-!

Blades meant to spread widely for area attack curved and converged at one point.

Crash crash crash!

Ten blades pierced a single target.

Crack-

Boom-!

The stone-composed creature couldn’t withstand the attack and split apart.

[Experience +18,000]

‘Dies in one hit?’

Min Do-jun couldn’t hide his surprise, having expected it to endure somewhat.

‘1,000% is indeed powerful.’

His previous Fire Blast was only 400%.

Dying to 1,000% damage seemed natural.

‘Soloing really makes a difference in experience.’

It gave more experience than the Cat-eyed Tiger dungeon.

‘Let me check how many stacks I’ve accumulated.’

Having attacked, he would have accumulated Berserk Mode stacks.

[Stack 10/100]

‘Oh.’

One attack per blade already accumulated 10 stacks.

‘Killing just ten would fill the stack.’

Swish-

Min Do-jun spotted another test subject nearby.

This time, he planned to fight without magic.

Woong-

After buffing his ghost sword.

‘Weak to hammers.’

He transformed his weapon.

Swish-

The sword morphed into a hammer shape.

The buff remained intact.

‘Little brother, use tracking skill.’

[Wang!]

As the tracking skill message appeared, Min Do-jun charged at the lizard.

Slash!

The lizard, already watching Min Do-jun, raised its back and shot stone protrusions.

Papat!

Predictably, Min Do-jun dodged and raised his hammer at close range.

Whack!

The hard-skinned stone lizard staggered from the hammer attack.

He had controlled his strength, so it didn’t die instantly.

Swish!

Seemingly realizing it couldn’t continue, the lizard swung its tail.

Boom-

An attack that would cause at least serious injury, but Min Do-jun had already moved away.

“Time to die.”

He raised the hammer high and struck the lizard’s glabella.

Whack!

Crack- Boom!

[Experience +18,000]

‘How many stacks this time?’

[Stack 14/100]

‘Not much accumulated compared to magic.’

Since stacks accumulate through attacks and dodging, quickly defeating enemies results in fewer stacks.

‘Still not bad.’

He thought he could fill 100 faster than expected.

Min Do-jun gave an order to the ghost wolf before full-scale hunting.

‘Little brother. See those eggs?’

[Wang!]

At the location Min Do-jun pointed, three lizard eggs were present.

‘Go destroy exactly 599 of these eggs and return to me.’

The ghost wolf immediately approached the eggs, stomping and breaking them.

With strength over 500, the wolf easily crushed the eggs.

After breaking three eggs, the wolf disappeared to find more.

‘I knew from using him for hunting, but he’s really intelligent.’

The ghost wolf’s ability to perform detailed commands was incredibly fascinating.

‘While he’s breaking eggs, I’ll go hunting.’

Min Do-jun began moving for full-scale hunting.

[Multiple targets detected.]

[Closest target distance: 21m]

The hunting method was simple:

– Use tracking skill to find stone lizards

– Let the lizard shoot stone protrusions first

– Dodge lightly

– Counter with two magic skills simultaneously

Using Gust Blade and Fire Blast simultaneously would eliminate the target and provide 12 stacks.

This hunting method meant filling 100 stacks wouldn’t take long.

[Stack 100/100]

Killing about ten monsters filled the stack completely.

Total time taken: approximately 5 minutes.

‘Berserk mode preparation is complete.’

Min Do-jun went to find a test subject.

The tracking skill made finding targets easy.

Swish-

‘You’ll be my first demonstration target.’

Before facing the stone lizard, he silently recited the command.

‘Berserk mode.’

Then.

Groooo-

A hot energy was felt inside his body, and a message appeared.

[Activating Berserk Mode.]

[Strength and agility increased by 1.5 times.]

[Strength +460, Agility +443]

[Remaining time: 2 minutes 59 seconds]

He felt power overflowing, almost bursting to be released.

Swish!

Instinctively sensing danger, the lizard raised its back and loaded sharp stone protrusions.

Papat!

Despite the arrow-like speed, Min Do-jun easily dodged.

‘Dodging is easier than before.’

With increased strength, his ground-pushing power had changed.

Paang-!

Instantly reaching the lizard’s close range, Min Do-jun swung his hammer.

Boom!

Crash-

The lizard died without even responding, without him targeting its weakness.

‘This is no joke.’

Immersed in the surging power, Min Do-jun searched for the next target.

Boom-

Boom-!

Stone lizards died helplessly.

‘No stacks accumulate during Berserk Mode.’

Despite killing over 10 monsters in 3 minutes, stacks remained at 0.

‘Definitely usable.’

This was satisfactory even without armor stat options.

Combined strength and agility increased over 900 stats.

‘Compared to 1,000-level armor’s 70 stats, this is overwhelmingly good.’

Berserk Mode would be hugely helpful considering future opponents would be top hunters.

Min Do-jun tested various other aspects.

‘Stacks don’t reset when removing armor.’

This meant stacks would be maintained even outside the dungeon.

‘It’s good to accumulate stacks before leaving the dungeon.’

Preparing to use Berserk Mode anytime would allow immediate use when needed.

[Wang Wang!]

The ghost wolf returned after hunting for a while.

Seemingly having completed all commands.

Checking the dungeon progress:

– Dungeon Completion: 599/600 Lizard Eggs Destroyed

– Remaining Time: 3 hours 20 minutes 34 seconds

Exactly one egg left, as instructed.

‘Well done!’

[Wang!]

Min Do-jun never knew having an obedient summoned creature could be this convenient.

Now he could hunt freely and destroy the last egg before time runs out.

Min Do-jun roamed the dungeon like his own home, killing lizards.

A true massacre.

‘At this level, I might even be able to defeat Lee Se-yun.’

Strengthened by Gust Blade and Berserk Mode, Min Do-jun showed confidence.

‘But I still can’t kill him yet.’

Revenge has its order.

‘Weaker guys than Lee Se-yun are still around.’

Eliminating weaker targets would block variables.

‘Gil Chung-soo.’

The time to kill the hunter and psychopath was approaching.