Before all of this transpired, I sensed the collective gaze of everyone directed my way as if silently demanding an explanation.
"Huh... Hyung..."
"This... How did you manage this?"
Even Kim Hyunsung appeared taken aback.
"It's a characteristic that comes with my new job."
"Ah..."
Their anxious expressions hinted at their need for a more precise explanation.
"To put it simply, think of how a television responds to a remote. What I'm holding right now is the remote control, and that colossal monster's arm over there is the TV. You need a catalyst that triggers the right response, and the preparation itself is a bit complex..."
"Even so..."
The surprise was etched across my fellow party members' faces.
When I first achieved this result, I was utterly shocked and embarrassed. But now, I feel a sense of pride. It was unbelievable that I had produced such a result.
[Name – Kee Miyoung]
[Title – The Red Mercenary Queen's Gigolo]
[Age – 25]
[Propensity – Willing Strategist]
[Job – Bio-Alchemy Summoner – Unique Heroic Grade]
[A novel job, never before discovered, even in a continent with a long history. Any alchemist would undoubtedly praise your accomplishments. Due to your remarkable achievements, your class has been elevated to a unique Heroic rank. Intelligence increases by 4. Magic power increases by 3. The result of your alchemy is a pet, granting you limited control over it.]
[Job Effect – Acquisition of Basic Magic Knowledge]
[Job Effect – Acquisition of Basic Alchemy Knowledge]
[Job Effect – Acquisition of Intermediate Alchemy Knowledge]
[Job Effect – Acquisition of Special Summoning Knowledge]
[Stats]
[Strength – 20/Growth limit: Below normal]
[Agility – 21/Growth limit: Normal or less]
[Health – 25/Growth limit: Below normal]
[Intellect – 64/Growth limit: Heroic or higher]
[Durability – 20/Growth limit: Below normal]
[Luck – 45/Growth limit: Heroic or higher]
[Mana – 15/Growth limit: Below normal]
[Equipment]
[Ramus Tucker's Introduction to Alchemy – Heroic Level – Alchemist Only]
[Magic Shield Ring – Rare Grade]
[Talent – Eye of the Mind]
[Overview – Your efforts to rise above your lowest point are evident. Don't push too hard, though. Trash will always be trash. Besides that, I commend your efforts. Keep doing what you can until you reach your limit.]
Meanwhile, my overall stats had greatly improved, and I had gained special summoning knowledge as an additional job effect.
It was peculiar to see that I had acquired it. This was knowledge based on the theory I had established, and what stood out was its unique heroic-grade ranking.
Everyone appeared curious, so I smiled and continued.
"The job's name is Bio-Alchemy Summoner, and it's ranked as a unique heroic-grade."
"Ohh..."
"You mean it's of the unique heroic-grade rank?"
"Yes."
Park Deokgu's expression seemed sour. I understood why after checking his information.
He had obtained only a rare-grade job?
As it turned out, everyone except him had secured a heroic-grade job.
Even Kim Ye-ri, despite her young Age, had displayed astonishing growth. Obtaining a heroic-grade job after just a second job change was highly unusual. Typically, it took until the fourth or fifth job change to achieve such a feat.
At this point, I knew I needed to address Park Deokgu's state of mind. However, answering my fellow party members' questions took precedence.
"Unique heroic-grade... That's impressive, Kee."
"It's the first time I've heard of ranks other than rare, heroic, and legendary."
"Kee Miyoung is probably the only one among us who can attain such a job. There are a few adventurers in the city with unique ratings. Like Kee, they discovered something new and received this class. It's said that latecomers won't receive the same job, even if they replicate the same actions or results."
"Oh..."
"In simple terms, it means that this job category is one-of-a-kind."
I relished the notion. Being special had its perks, and I knew my worth had significantly increased. Kim Hyunsung's excited expression affirmed that I was on the right track.
I had previously explored the city to observe and hadn't once encountered anyone with a unique heroic-grade job. If Kim Hyunsung was indeed from the future, this could be the information breakthrough he had been seeking.
"Since this job is specialized, it must come with both advantages and disadvantages. It might impede your progress in potions or Homunculus..."
"Oh, I've already considered studying Homunculus, but my intelligence is currently too low. I've also pondered controlling a chimera, but I can't do that without the Warlock class."
"Ah..."
"Since I couldn't control the entire chimera, I thought there might be a way to control a part of it... Anyway, I'm going to terminate the spell now."
As I recast the spell, the monster's arm began to shrink. This modified version of Jung Hayan's spell was designed to reverse magical effects.
"I understand it doesn't look like a traditional pet. It wasn't a living entity to begin with, and it lacks a will of its own. However, the system categorizes it as a pet after my job change."
"I see."
While it looked impressive, it came with its limitations. Firstly, the quality of the catalyst material was crucial. It had to be of at least a rare grade to support various magic circles.
Secondly, its duration was relatively short, unlike most pets that stood by their owners indefinitely. Lastly, I could only create a few body parts for now; I couldn't construct an entire body.
Although the conjuring occurred magically, its attacks manifested physically. If I find other unique monster catalysts, I might find a solution. But for now...
Kim Hyunsung's view on the matter mattered more than my assessment. It all hinged on whether my ability could align with his future plans.
As if on cue, Kim Hyunsung nodded when I sought his guidance.
"Thank you."
"Ah!"
"I knew you had potential, but I never expected you to achieve this much," Hyunsung commented.
"Thank you," I replied, quickly adding, "But I still need to learn more about it..."
Just knowing that he was satisfied already buoyed my spirits. It wasn't just his reaction that brought me satisfaction; my other party members also seemed genuinely surprised. Praise flowed from everyone's mouths, and a smile crossed my face.
"I always knew my friend Kee was amazing... This is great," Deokgu remarked.
"Thank you, Deokgu," I replied.
"Congratulations..." Kim Ye-ri greeted me, speaking correctly for the first time.
I smiled and reached out to pat her head, but she quickly hid behind Kim Hyunsung.
That's when I noticed Jung Hayan's expression. She looked anxious, and I knew it wasn't because of my interaction with Kim Ye-ri.
You're worried because I might have discovered your magic, right?
Since Jung Hayan had noticed the similarity between my alchemy method and her magic application, she trembled. I knew she feared.
My discovery of her actions.
I needed to inform her and set boundaries but now was not the time.
"Hayan," I called out.
"Ah... Yes, Kee..." she replied.
I reached out and took her hand, noting her guilty expression.
I have no choice but to let her grapple with her guilt. Making her realize that her intentions were wrong was the best action.
However, I would find a more appropriate time to address it, not directly.
"Shall we go for breakfast? Kee also needs to know what jobs we've obtained."
She didn't have to tell me, but it would be more appropriate to hear their explanations than to discover it myself.
"I think the expedition went decently?" I asked, trying to appear naive.
"Oh, it didn't. In fact, it was so tough at first that I thought we might have to retreat," Hyunsung replied somberly, casting a hush over everyone.
"I'd like to hear more details," I prompted.
I didn't know how bad it was, but the quiet atmosphere suggested it was worse than I had initially imagined.
"We first entered a rare-grade dungeon. However, it took us three days to exit," Hyunsung shared about the incident.
"What? Why?" I inquired.
"It was due to Jung Hayan's physical condition," Hyunsung explained.
"Ah..."
I glanced at Jung Hayan, who had bowed her head in shame. I understood how this had come about. Until they left, Hayan had stubbornly avoided proper eating and sleeping, expending her energy needlessly.
So, that's why you all returned late.
The three extra days Hyunsung had mentioned were likely dedicated to rehabilitating Jung Hayan's strained mental state.
"Deokgu also took a long time to adjust. I noticed several areas they need to work on. The same goes for Ye-ri. Besides her lack of experience, she tends to act unpredictably. It would have been even more challenging without Hee-young," Hyunsung continued.
"Ah..." I muttered, nodding.
"It felt like the party could be wiped out at any moment," He added.
The way Kim Hyunsung narrated it to me was akin to how a parent might discuss their children's misbehavior with their spouse. Not surprisingly, Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan lowered their heads even further.
"But the more times we ventured in, the better they became. Overall, the results weren't bad," Hyunsung noted, shifting his mood from gloomy to hopeful.
"I'm glad to hear that," I replied.
"We also achieved stats of 60, and all of us succeeded in obtaining heroic-grade jobs," Hyunsung added.
Wait, all of you got heroic-class jobs? But Park Deokgu's Show Details...
"Let's head back inside so I can explain it all in more detail."
It didn't take me long to understand why Kim Hyunsung had phrased it that way. Turning around and seeing Park Deokgu's ashamed expression, I realized what he had done to conceal the type of job he had received.
'This rascal…'