Chereads / Leveling with Automata / Chapter 16 - The Quest For Mastery

Chapter 16 - The Quest For Mastery

Hee-Joon, preparing to rise from his seat, noticed a flicker on his interface. The system AUTOMATA notification window materialized before him, displaying an important message. Excitement surged through him as he read the words that appeared on the screen:

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[System Notification]

[Main Quest: Mastery over Porter, Mining, and Excavation]

Incomplete Tasks:

1. Mastery over Porter: Incomplete(0/100)

2. Mastery over Mining: Incomplete(0/100)

3. Mastery over Excavation: Incomplete(0/100)

[Upon completing all three tasks, a special reward and skill will be granted.]

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After reading the mission details and examining the promised rewards, a surge of excitement coursed through Hee-Joon's veins. This was the first time he had encountered a task of this nature, distinct from the routine daily tasks that had become predictable and less rewarding.

Previously, the daily tasks had provided Hee-Joon with a steady stream of experience points, but their impact had diminished over time. Despite his consistent efforts, he had remained stuck at level 5 for the past two weeks, with only minor increments of a single point here and there.

As he studied the mission once again, the special reward associated with completing all three tasks caught his attention. It held the promise of unlocking a new skill, something that would undoubtedly set him apart from his peers.

After closing the system notification, Hee-Joon saw his status window for the final time before leaving

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[STATUS WINDOW]

Name: Hee-Joon

Title: None

Level: 5

HP: 500

- Strength: 24

- Agility: 16

- Stamina: 18

- Intelligence: 12

- Mana Power (MP): 21

Attribute: None

Skill: None

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With a final glance at his status window, Hee-Joon absorbed the details of his current standing.

As he closed the status window, Hee-Joon's attention shifted to his surroundings. It was then that he noticed Hyun-Soo making his way toward the exit, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

Hastily bidding farewell to his acquaintance, Hee-Joon gathered his belongings and prepared to leave as well. The day had been eventful and filled with new revelations, and now it was time to return home and reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

With a sense of determination burning within him, Hee-Joon stepped out of the training facility, ready to embrace the next phase of his journey.

The mission to achieve mastery over Porter, Mining, and Excavation beckoned, promising growth, rewards, and a chance to leave his mark on the world of hunters.

"Good morning, everyone!" Mr. Kim greeted the class with a warm smile. "Today, we'll dive into the fascinating world of rare ores and their significance in dungeon mining."

A student eagerly raised their hand, "How do we know which dungeons contain these rare ores?"

Mr. Kim grinned. "Ah, that's where the ranking system comes into play. Dungeons with higher ranks, usually from C to S, have a higher likelihood of containing rare ores. These dungeons are more challenging and require experienced hunters to navigate safely."

"Also there are possibilities of finding ores in lower level dungeons as well" the Instructor added.

"In the world of hunters, guilds play a crucial role," Mr. Kim explained, capturing the attention of the students. "Guilds are organized groups of skilled individuals who tackle high-level dungeons together.

These guilds have established reputations, access to valuable resources, and the ability to undertake grand expeditions that can be both perilous and rewarding."

A student raised their hand, curiosity evident in their eyes. "How do we join these guilds, Instructor Kim?"

Mr. Kim smiled. "As you progress through your training and graduate from this school, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your skills to the guilds. They actively seek out talented individuals like yourselves.

Impressive performances during mock raids, strong teamwork, and a proven track record in the dungeons will increase your chances of being recruited by a guild."

As they entered the dedicated mock mining dungeon facility, the ambiance transported them into a realm that closely resembled a real mining dungeon. The ethereal glow of mana stones cast an enchanting light, hinting at the adventures and discoveries that awaited them.

The use of luminous stones for lighting was a deliberate choice, as traditional torches were rendered ineffective in this unique environment. The luminous properties of these stones, typically found deep within the dungeons, providing a safer alternative to fuel-based illumination that could potentially pose unforeseen risks.

As the trainees adjusted their eyes to the dimly lit room, they marveled at the meticulous attention to detail in creating a realistic mining scenario.

Each trainee was assigned a sturdy pickaxe, their primary tool for extracting the attached stones without causing any damage.

The stones had been securely embedded in synthetic soil and other materials, simulating the experience of mining in natural terrain. Careful placement ensured that the stones were firmly anchored, replicating the challenge miners face in real dungeons where stability is crucial for successful extraction.

Under the watchful eye of their instructor, the trainees took their positions, ready to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice. The instructor emphasized the importance of precision and control, reminding them to strike with purpose while being mindful of the delicate nature of the stones.

As the trainees progressed, they became more adept at navigating the intricate network of stones, strategically selecting their targets and extracting them with increasing efficiency.

Mistakes were made, and occasionally a stone would crack or crumble under the pressure, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in real mining dungeons. But with each setback came a valuable lesson, reinforcing the importance of patience, precision, and adaptability in this line of work.

The routine remained unchanged throughout the rest of the week, with the trainees diligently honing their mining skills within the mock mining dungeon facility.

As the days passed by in a blur of swinging pickaxes and careful extraction, the trainees gradually grew more accustomed to the physical demands of the task.

However, while the others who had solely chosen mining as their main course were scheduled to continue their training in the facility for the remaining months, Hee-Joon and Hyun-Soo found themselves reaching the end of their mining training journey.