F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 32

"......What? A disciple?"

Disciple. It was a word that made Seo Gangrim suspect his ears. To take Yoon Bom, a national representative athlete in Archery, as a disciple. It was an absurd story that made no sense.

"Hyung, me too! Please take me as your disciple."

When Seo Gangrim did not respond, Yoon Geoul also interjected in the conversation. He spoke with a burning enthusiasm in his eyes.

"I would be better than my sister, right? Please take me as your disciple."

"What nonsense? I'm better than Yoon Geoul!"

The two of them bickered about becoming disciples, and Seo Gangrim silently watched them. What a chaotic situation.

Seo Gangrim tried to calm them down a bit and said, "I don't have the skills to teach you two."

"No, it's not true! Oppa, you're an amazing person!"

"That's right. You even saved my life. There's so much we want to learn!"

Even in the face of Seo Gangrim’s refusal, they were persistent. While there was a need to become somewhat closer with the two of them, becoming their mentor was another matter. In the midst of it, Shin Sooah, with an amused expression, looked at them and said, "Should I join too?"

"What are you saying?"

"Let me be your disciple, Seo Gangrim-ssi."

"What?" Seo Gangrim couldn't believe his ears and asked in disbelief.

Shin Sooah looked at him like that and smiled faintly, saying, "I'm just kidding. Did you actually consider taking me as your disciple?"

It was a funny story. Seo Gangrim couldn't even imagine himself being her disciple, much less the other way round. Instead of answering, he stood up from his seat.

"Oppa, where are you going?"

"It's too noisy here. I'll go sleep somewhere else."

Since he had already lit the Mansoo incense, demons wouldn't come near the campfire even if he wasn't present there. He turned away from the three of them and headed towards the forest, leaving behind the three to converse among themselves.

"Do you know what that is?"

"What is it?"

"It's a tsundere..."

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【Oh, I see. Tsundere, huh?】

【Yeah, that's Seo Gangrim.】

【Ah, I get it now. It's exactly like Seo Gangrim.】

Ignoring the commotion of the gods, Seo Gangrim continued walking. Within the deeper of the forest, Seo Gangrim opened the shop window. There was an item that he had to purchase here.

[Purchased item 'Demon World Map.']

After completing the purchase, a single map fell into his hands. When he unfolded the map, it displayed the paths he had taken so far. This place, known as the Blade Forest, was an endless forest with no distinctive features which made it easy to get lost in. Of course, the map wasn't detailed enough to provide accurate information. It only showed the overall shape, and the map would only record the path he had already traversed. Nevertheless, just that alone was a great help in this place, so it was one of the items that he had to buy.

【'Guardian of the Blade Forest' has used the item 'Traces of Divinity.'】

【'Guardian of the Blade Forest' asks why you’re buying the map.】

【'Guardian of the Blade Forest' says that if you want, he can guide you.】

That stalker-like guy was still looking at Seo Gangrim and sent messages like a home shopping agent, but he ignored them. Now that he had the Demon World Map, it seemed like a good idea to take a look around for any sign of demons. Even though he had lit the Mansoo incense, he was not very certain if some other demon might approach. There was also a possibility of people approaching. Seo Gangrim gazed into the darkness.

['Senses' is activated in the darkness!]

Night fell, and the surroundings grew dark, but thanks to his heightened 'Senses,' it wasn't a big problem. Upon careful observation, he found several traps installed nearby. They seemed to be traps set up by Ju Hyereong before. He collected the traps and looked around until he heard a faint sound coming from behind him.

- Kiit!

Something sharp brushed past Seo Gangrim. The attackers from behind were demons. They carried crudely made swords. The swords had a rough appearance, but their effectiveness was completely opposite.

- Sgeok!

The remains of the trap Seo Gangrim had thrown to distract them were split in half in midair. They were holding wooden swords, but they were made from the branches of the trees here in the Blade Forest. The entire sword was made from the leaves to the branches of the trees, which meant it was sharper and more lethal than most swords.

- Kack, kack, kack!

The attackers seemed to know that too and appeared relaxed. The demons, with a strange laughter, rushed at him.

- Seogeok!

However, they were too slow and dull-witted. Before the demons' sword could reach Seo Gangrim, his sword had already struck their necks. The demons scattered, screaming, which made it even more favorable for Seo Gangrim, since the noise revealed their positions. Using their glowing eyes and screams in the darkness as a guide, he swung his sword. In an instant, the area was filled with demons corpses. Now that Seo Gangrim had dealt with them, they wouldn't approach anymore tonight. He then collected the spirit pearls that dripped from the mouths of the demons.

[Acquired Human-grade spirit pearls!]

[Acquired spirit pearls Count: 10/1000]

Although the mission was to collect a thousand spirit pearls, Seo Gangrim didn't actually need to collect a thousand. The count varied depending on the rank. An Insect-grade spirit pearl counted as one, while a Human-grade counted as ten. It was better to collect a hundred Human-grade spirit pearls than a thousand Insect-grade spirit pearls. He had already collected about ten, so clearing that goal wouldn't be difficult.

【Wow, you defeated all the demons in this situation?】

【That's right. The demons had the advantage in the dark.】

【Is he planning to finish this stage tomorrow?】

The gods chattered while he collected the spirit pearls. They seemed a bit anxious, and more voices started to interrupt the others.

【Ah, the competition is increasing. This won't do.】

【Gangrim! If you make a contract with me now, I'll give you a top-grade weapon.】

【General Gangrim! Make a contract with me and I’ll make you a master of magic!】

Seo Gangrim did need a weapon right now, but there was no doubt that the offer of a top-grade weapon was a lie. There was no point in believing the words of these gods. Besides, even if they really did give him a top-grade weapon, there was no need for him to accept it. After all, there was a hidden weapon in this place. Unfortunately, Seo Gangrim didn't know the exact locations, but he was fairly certain it exists. So, the only option was to search this place like a hunter.

At this meantime, Seo Gangrim felt movement in his embrace.

-Tak tak tak tak

As he took out the egg, the tiny mouth started tapping its teeth as if asking for food. It had been over half a day since it entered this place without being given any food, so it must have been hungry.

-Tak tak!

The little creature turned its body towards the direction where the corpses of the demons were, as if it wanted to eat them. Seeing this, Seo Gangrim quickly blocked it as if parrying a strike.

"You can eat this."

He brought a sharp leaf from nearby and placed it in the egg's mouth. The egg smelled the leaf's scent and took a bite.

-Ptooh!

However, it seemed like it didn't like the taste and immediately spat it out. Even so, he couldn't feed it anything else. Hence, Seo Gangrim forced it to eat the leaf, and it resisted a few times but eventually chewed and swallowed the leaf. He then checked the message window.

[The Wood attribute and Gold attribute of '??? Egg' increase by 0.4% each.]

[Growth Progress: 0.4%]

He had to feed it diligently if he wanted it to grow. It was a bit troublesome to pay attention to it all the time, but it was worth it for an egg with this level of value. It would be good to hatch it as soon as possible, but it seemed that it would hatch in the next stage at the earliest. In the meantime, the gods who saw the Mystery egg went crazy.

【What is that? Isn't that a Mystery Egg?】

【I was wondering what the egg was, and it turns out to be a Mystery Egg?】

【Where did that come from?】

【The more I see this brat's egg, the more I'm tempted.】

Ignoring the voices that clamored at him, he gave food to the egg. The problem was that it kept refusing.

-Ptooh!

Seo Gangrim forcefully made it eat even when it kept spitting it out. He couldn't let it ruin things by eating something else. Whether it was because it was full or it got tired, the egg closed its mouth after he fed it a bush or two. It didn't seem to have any intention of eating anymore today. It looked a bit gloomy, but there was nothing Seo Gangrim could do about it.

He had cleared the vicinity, and before he knew it, the night had deepened, and the full moon was hanging above his head. Seo Gangrim climbed up a nearby tree and took a seat. From there, he could see where Shin Sooah was and could easily assess the surroundings.

【Why aren't you joining them? Aren't you comrades?】

【Or is Gangrim playing hard to get?】

【Ah... so this is what they call tsundere.】

The gods were still chattering.

Seo Gangrim heard that when his stats rose a bit more, it would be possible to control their chatter to some extent.

【But why sleep on a tree?】

【You'll get hurt like that. But if you receive my Divine Blessing with me...!】

The tree was covered in blade-like leaves, and if the wind blew even once, it was obvious that he would be cut. To remedy this, Seo Gangrim took out a large fur from his inventory. It was the skin of the tiger that he obtained in a cave. Its skin was strong against blades and could easily block the blade-like leaves. He draped the fur over himself and looked towards the direction of the campfire.

"Geoul, why are you so careless, just like last time? Be more cautious!"

"Ah, stop nagging! I'm reflecting, okay?"

Yoon Bom and Yoon Geoul seemed to be fighting again. Shin Sooah just watched them without trying to stop them. Having brought some preserved rations as an emergency, she was eating them instead. It reminded Seo Gangrim of the time when they were in the Flying Tiger Sect. Fighting with Yu Harang, stopping Jang Taeheon, and Shin Sooah just watching and laughing. It was a normal routine for things to quiet down only after Kang Dohyun scolded them.

【Why are you just watching?】

【Because he's playing hard to get.】

【Why does Gangrim always wander alone?】

【Maybe that's his concept.】

Ignoring the gods who were chattering as they pleased, Seo Gangrim simply watched over them. Before he knew it, the night grew deeper, and Yoon Geoul and Yoon Bom fell asleep first, while Shin Sooah wanted to stay up indefinitely.

As the night grew even deeper, Seo Gangrim opened his eyes upon hearing the sound of the demon approaching from nearby. Since he had set up the Mansoo incense, the monsters should not have come. However, dangerous things in this area were not limited to just monsters. In the darkness, enemies were not easily distinguishable, so Seo Gangrim increased his senses.

['Senses' has increased to level 18.]

He slowly opened his eyes and looked down at the forest. Something was rushing in the darkness.