I couldn't understand. At first, it made sense that Park Soobin acted friendly because he needed to get close to Seo Chaeyoon as a candidate, but even now, I couldn't guess why he still wanted to get along.
"Don't worry about that. As you said, Park Soobin, anyway, I… it's not like I didn't deceive anything at all."
"Are you admitting to faking your rank?"
"I'm definitely B-rank, but I did deceive the system profile. And I don't need a weapon. After all, I don't have any offensive skills except for
"Then we should look for a weapon that can make use of
Park Soobin pulled Yoon Seo's arm. Yoon Seo had no choice but to browse through the items.
['The Singing Hunter's Bow'
Rank: S
This bow, imbued with an illusion skill, automatically generates arrows when drawn. The monster hit by the arrow will randomly be affected by an illusion skill.
Arrows remaining: 89/120]
['The Twilight Scythe'
Rank: S
This massive scythe will claim the lives of monsters even more decisively than the Grim Reaper's own.
Durability: 100/100]
['The Roaring Spear'
Rank: S
Attack monsters with this spear, which extends up to 10m. Monsters within range will be struck with fear.
Durability: 100/100]
['The Shooting Star Wand'
Rank: S
If you seek beauty, choose this wand. It reduces mana consumption while radiating a glow as dazzling as a meteor shower.
Durability: 100/100]
['The Thunderfall Blade'
Rank: S
Holding this sword is no different from gaining an additional skill. Punish your enemies with thunder.
Thunder Charges: 81/100]
"How about this sword? Doesn't it match
Park Soobin pointed to 'The Thunderfall Blade' inside the glass case. It was a dagger about the length of a forearm, with a yellow gemstone embedded in the hilt.
Perhaps because of its size and appearance, Yoon Seo was reminded of a weapon he used in the past. A dagger with a blue gemstone.
Although he primarily used it in dagger form, in truth, it was something that could become anything.
'Existing Spirit' could take the form of any weapon, whether a dagger, bow, or staff, as well as small animals like birds, squirrels, or ferrets. Outside of combat, it was allowed to take whatever shape it desired, and since it could fly, it often chose to be a bird.
It was a talkative one.
He could clearly recall the little bird chirping, "Peep peep," as it fluttered around.
He had always kept it with him since his awakening, but he lost it in the Great Dungeon. He only realized it was gone after leaving the dungeon. If only he had an inventory, he would have stored it there…. The thing had always followed him even when he lost consciousness, so he had been careless in keeping it safe.
When he later woke up and realized he had lost it, the sense of loss was indescribable. He had already lost so much in the Great Dungeon…. It felt like having his limbs torn off.
Yoon Seo had no intention of using any weapon other than that.
"I won't be using a weapon. Let's just go look at clothes."
He spoke in a firmer tone than before and strode toward the exit. Park Soobin quickly followed behind, trying to persuade Yoon Seo.
"Are you really sure? You're going to an S-rank dungeon. It's on a completely different level from the B-rank dungeon last time. Just this year alone, dozens of people have died in our country while attempting to clear S-rank dungeons. No matter how strong you are, Yoon Seo, you need a weapon."
"…I'm not S-rank."
"No matter how much you pretend to not be S-rank and claim to be B-rank, you still need a weapon."
"Just take me to the armor display room."
"Yoon Seo."
Park Soobin blocked Yoon Seo's path. His face, which always carried a gentle smile, now looked firm.
"Even as a healer, I carry a weapon. You might not realize it because you don't have much combat experience, but weapons are really important. Please listen to me."
If anyone knew the importance of weapons, it was Yoon Seo, who had fought for his life in the most dangerous places in the world. But he didn't want to use any weapon that wasn't that one, and he had skills that could serve as substitutes. Explaining all this would be exhausting.
"Fine. But I'll choose a weapon right before entering the dungeon. For now, just show me the armor."
"You must take a weapon inside. Promise me."
"Okay."
"Then let's do a pinky swear… Hook your finger, press our palms together, and then shake hands—"
"Park Soobin."
"Yes."
"Shut up and go in."
"Okay…."
***
The two entered the armor room. Hunter suits, uniforms, armor, or just clothing, there were multiple terms used to refer to awakened gear, but for combat-type hunters, it was most commonly called armor.
['Floating Cloak'
Rank: S
No floating skill? Don't worry. This cloak will free you from gravity.
Durability: 90/100]
['Adios Bracelet'
Rank: S
A must-have for close-combat fighters. Smash through concrete walls even without using skills.
Durability: 100/100]
['Deep Dark Hermes'
Rank: S
With these shoes, you'll be able to run as fast as a cheetah.
Durability: 100/100]
After checking out a few pieces of armor, Yoon Seo didn't find anything particularly appealing. He already had items or skills that served similar purposes.
Park Soobin observed Yoon Seo's expression.
"Looks like nothing caught your eye again."
"Yeah, Seokyoung's collection isn't that impressive."
Park Soobin chuckled as if he had heard an amusing joke. Yoon Seo had, in fact, meant it as one. If this was all they had, Seokyoung wasn't just the number one guild, they might as well rule the world.
"With them monopolizing everything, it's no wonder The Guild of Leaves ended up so scrawny. They're the real 'Vice Guild, Empty Guild.'"
"Haha."
Park Soobin laughed out loud, apparently liking the phrase 'Vice Guild, Empty Guild.'
"Well, now The Guild of Leaves is Seokyoung, and Seokyoung is The Guild of Leaves, so try to like them."
"If the guild members saw this, they'd probably like it."
Yoon Seo spoke indifferently and started to walk out, but Park Soobin quickly grabbed his arm.
"Even if there's nothing you like, why not just take something? It's free anyway."
"They're not giving it away for free, they're just lending it. And I don't like carrying heavy things."
"You can just put it in your inventory."
"My inventory is small. You need experience points to expand it, right? Since I haven't entered a dungeon yet, I don't have any experience points."
Yoon Seo, who had over 13 billion experience points saved up, lied without a hint of shame.
"If you keep going to S-rank dungeons, you'll rack up experience in no time. You might have given up on a weapon, but you absolutely can't give up on armor. You need to wear it to protect yourself."
"Park Soobin, did you forget what my main skill is?"
"…Of course, I've heard that your shield is incredible, but still."
"Whether I wear this armor or fight barehanded, it makes no real difference to me. I'll be inside my shield anyway, so I'll just wear something comfortable."
"That's because you've never been inside an S-rank dungeon before. Please, listen to someone with experience."
Even after that, Park Soobin tried everything he could to persuade Yoon Seo, but no matter how much he pleaded, Yoon Seo didn't budge.
"Let's just go eat. I'm hungry."
"Sigh…"
In the end, Yoon Seo left empty-handed without taking a single item and headed to the cafeteria.
Seokyoung's cafeteria was a buffet-style restaurant with three main menu options, but since it was still early, there weren't many people around. Yoon Seo piled his tray with all three of today's main dishes: lamb steak, udon, and vegetable bibimbap. The portions looked big enough for five people.
"Thanks for the meal."
"Enjoy."
Yoon Seo started with the lamb steak, stuffing his cheeks full. Watching him, Park Soobin smiled in satisfaction.
After chewing the steak thoroughly twenty times, Yoon Seo moved on to the noodles. Most people would just slurp them down, but he carefully chewed them as well.
Having watched him eat many times before, Park Soobin already knew about Yoon Seo's eating habits. Unless he was in a hurry, he always chewed his food at least twenty times, a healthy habit.
As they neared the end of their meal, Park Soobin spoke up.
"You eat so well, but I have no idea where all that food goes. You must have one of those body types that doesn't gain weight."
"You eat just as much as I do."
"Well, I'm bigger than you. I need to eat this much."
"I'm not short."
"I never said you were short. I said I was big."
There were two things that Yoon Seo, who was usually indifferent, was sensitive about: dramas and his height.
If someone said, "Love in Han River isn't even that good, why do you watch it?" his usual indifferent expression would immediately turn stone-cold, and with his pretty lips, he would start delivering a precise lecture on the profound meanings hidden within Love in Han River. An hour? Two hours? No, it wasn't a matter of hours. Not even days. It would go on for years, every single time he met that person. And the unfortunate soul who had dared to say it wasn't good would always end up regretting it.
When it came to his height, he was slightly less reactive than with dramas. If someone asked, "What size clothes do you wear?" Yoon Seo would simply reply, "I'm not small."
He was 176 cm tall, not short by any means, but for an S-rank, he was indeed on the smaller side. Normally, when someone awakened as an S-rank as an adult, their growth plates would reopen, allowing them to grow taller and more muscular. But for some reason, after awakening as an S-rank, Yoon Seo had only grown an additional 4 cm.
Though he appeared slim, his proportions were good, and he was more toned than he looked. Because of this, the members of The Guild of Leaves, who didn't know he was S-rank, never understood why he was so sensitive about his physique. But since he always reacted so cutely whenever his height was mentioned, they would tease him about it on purpose, especially Park Youngbum and Goh Heewon, who were the worst offenders.