I Possess Too Many Characteristics

Chapter 31

Park Sangjun, Kim Seunghyeok, Lee Woojun.

And Han Jeonghyeon and Seo Jinwook.

This was the list of the party who decided to enter the ‘Cursed Castle’.

While getting introduced to each other, I was able to understand why Park Sangjun was acting as the leader of the new Hunters.

“D-Rank Level 3 Swordsmanship, weapon is a longsword.”

“Oh, you leveled up once more in the meantime? Congratulations.”

As expected, he was a skilled D-Rank Level 3 Hunter.

It seemed like he was a case of someone who made quite a name for himself outside and was scouted by Jeongjin.

And Kim Seunghyeok, although I couldn’t imagine it due to his small physique, was a D-Rank Level 1 nearing Level 2 Tanker.

Lee Woojun was also a D-Rank Level 1 nearing Level 2 Archer.

The unique thing was that, unlike ordinary archers, he used a very short bow.

In this case, although the firepower as a traditional archer would decrease, it guaranteed a quick response ability and a certain level of close combat skills, making him popular as an all-rounder.

However, the most unexpected thing was,

“As you all know, I’m meeting Hunter-nim Jeonghyeon for the first time, so I’ll introduce myself again. I’m a C-Rank Level 3 Combat Healer.”

The fact that Seo Jinwook was a C-Rank Healer, and even a Combat Healer, was surprising.

To put it bluntly, he was the same rank as the doctor in the ambulance who instantly healed the injuries from the villain before.

Furthermore, it was safe to say that the lineage of Combat Healers had almost died out these days.

Because the roles within the party were clearly divided, and there was no need to take the risk of putting Healer resources into combat.

However, in the early days of Gate generation, Healers also had to jump into combat to survive.

Leaving aside the fact that he was C-Rank or Level 3, if he was a Combat Healer, he was probably a Hunter with a very long career.

Besides, if he was C-Rank, although it was the lowest of the high ranks, wasn’t it the beginning of the high ranks?

I think I understood why Sangjun, who seemed like he wouldn’t hesitate to do anything, was treating Jinwook with such respect.

Healers themselves were rare, and since he was even higher in rank than him, it was understandable.

‘I thought there was no Healer in the party, but it turns out Chief Jinwook was a Healer?’

Jeonghyeon, who was nodding his head, looked at Jinwook’s weapon, the mace, with a renewed interest.

His trait would be Healing-type, but he would probably be skilled in combat using a mace as well.

If he was lucky, wouldn’t he be able to learn the know-how of a C-Rank veteran?

And then, Sangjun’s voice broke Jeonghyeon’s train of thought.

“So, what kind of trait does that unregistered Hunter-nim have? Ah, you can’t tell me because you’re unregistered, can you?”

“Hey, come on, hyung. Even when we’re going hunting with Jeongjin Guild members?”

Sangjun, who stubbornly called Jeonghyeon an unregistered Hunter even after he revealed his name.

And Seunghyeok and Woojun, who were enthusiastically responding to Sangjun’s every word, even though D-Rank Level 3 was high, what could they possibly gain by flattering him so much?

“The rank is a bit…… well, I’m Agility-type and I’m quite good at throwing daggers. Proficiency level is 3.”

“Quite?”

“Don’t pry too much. It’s rude, hyung.”

“Ahahaha, is that so?”

‘Oh my, they’re having fun all by themselves.’

It was ridiculous to see them sharing the kimchi soup among themselves while the person being mocked didn’t even care.

When I looked at Jinwook, thinking that someone from the higher-ups should stop them at this point, he was just smiling, wondering what he was thinking.

He didn’t interfere much with the hunting plan or briefing except when introducing himself.

“Then, since unregistered-nim is quite good at throwing daggers, you can stand in the backline with Woojun. But then why the mace?”

Sangjun asked, glancing at the rental mace placed beside Jeonghyeon.

Usually, maces were mainly used by close-range Dealers, or occasionally Tankers, or Combat Healers like Jinwook.

He probably didn’t make more sarcastic remarks because he was considering the feelings of Jinwook, the Combat Healer.

Jeonghyeon, upon hearing Sangjun’s question, replied with a smile without changing his expression.

“Because it feels good to crack the skull of a guy I don’t like.”

“……?”

“And I say━”

“Alright, alright. You’re a funny guy.”

Sangjun stopped Seunghyeok, who was about to get angry.

It seemed like they could guess what he meant by funny just by his eyes.

At that moment, Jinwook, who had been quietly observing the situation, tapped the table lightly and spoke.

“So, shall we get going? Are you all alright with that?”

The first one to stand up following Jinwook was Jeonghyeon.

Following him, Seunghyeok and Woojun stood up, and Sangjun was the last.

“Let’s not leave that bastard’s share and finish it all ourselves. Well, it’ll probably happen that way even if we don’t try to.”

Sangjun’s words were uttered in a hushed voice, but it was as if he didn’t care if they were heard.

It was obvious who the ‘that bastard’ he was referring to was.

But whether it would really turn out that way remained to be seen.

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“Ugh, it’s as creepy as I heard.”

“A D-Rank shouldn’t be scared of this.”

It was Seunghyeok and Sangjun who took the lead as they were in charge of the frontline.

Sangjun still seemed relaxed, but Seunghyeok looked a bit nervous.

The atmosphere inside the ‘Cursed Castle’ was as gloomy as it could be, befitting its nickname as the upgraded version of the ‘Corridor of Dried Corpses’.

‘Is there one of these atmospheres on every level?’

Of course, this kind of atmosphere didn’t affect Jeonghyeon, who was immune to it.

Jeonghyeon was currently walking with Woojun.

Woojun seemed quite displeased that he was not only separated from Sangjun, whom he wanted to impress, but also with Jeonghyeon, the unregistered Hunter.

In the end, Jeonghyeon often had conversations with Jinwook, who was further behind than Woojun, the other rearguard, for the sake of supervision.

“You don’t seem very scared.”

“Because I did my first hunt in the Dried Corpses Corridor.”

“Ah, I know that place well too. I used to hunt there a lot in the past.”

These were conversations that weren’t very nutritious.

Jinwook was still hard to figure out what he was thinking, but soon that leisure disappeared.

“Front, Ghouls! 3 of them!”

Jeonghyeon’s senses sounded the alarm.

It was so fast that it startled Woojun, who was walking ahead.

He was also an archer with a sharp Archery trait.

Strictly speaking, he wasn’t Agility specialized like Jeonghyeon, but all traits not only improved the indicated functions but also all related abilities.

It was naturally assumed that the D-Rank Archery trait would develop senses far better than the F-Rank Agility trait.

‘Is he lying?’

At first, Woojun, who didn’t want to admit that he was outdone by an unregistered Hunter, even harbored such absurd suspicions, but,

“Kik━ Kik━ Kikik━”

He couldn’t do so because of the Ghouls’ characteristic creepy sounds that soon followed.

“Seunghyeok, prepare for tanking!”

“Yes, hyung!”

On the other hand, Sangjun didn’t panic and gave instructions to Seunghyeok.

Was he a Hunter who did his job even though he looked down on Jeonghyeon?

He calmly patted Seunghyeok’s back and sent him forward, and the way he positioned himself behind him seemed like he didn’t just join Jeongjin without any skills.

Whitish figures quickly rushed out of the darkness.

Although Ghouls were undead, they were different from typical undead.

The slow movements and decaying bodies that could be considered characteristics of undead were nowhere to be found.

Gray skin smoothly covering toned muscles.

Empty eye sockets revealing their pupils were grotesque enough to instill a primal fear in humans.

And the eerie voice that resembled laughter.

‘I heard the rumors, but they’re much creepier and faster.’

There was no time given for them to confront each other from a distance.

Bang━

The Ghouls, who ran in a hunched posture using both their arms and legs, slammed into Seunghyeok using their entire body weight.

Perhaps if it had been Sunhyeong with the Durability trait, he wouldn’t have been able to withstand it and would have collapsed.

“Heup!”

However, Seunghyeok was the owner of the D-Rank 「Honest Strength Enhancement」.

Since he was a Strength-type Tanker, not a Durability-type, he didn’t show any signs of collapsing.

Ping━

The moment the collision occurred, a short arrow flew and pierced the neck of the Ghoul on the far right.

The Ghoul, knocked down by the recoil.

The arrow, shot consecutively without giving it time to get up, penetrated its head instead of its neck and got stuck on the floor.

“Kikik……”

It was an instant kill.

The remaining two were Sangjun’s responsibility.

The D-Rank Level 3 「Quite Sharp Swordsmanship」 trait was displayed without reservation.

The highest Weapon Skill trait Jeonghyeon had seen so far was Jucheol’s Axe Skill.

If his Axe Skill had a powerful and aggressive feeling,

Whirl━

Sangjun’s Swordsmanship had an elegant and flowing taste.

The neck of the Ghoul clinging to the shield was cleanly severed.

Although it was a thin body overall, it wasn’t easy to cut through the neck tightly wrapped in muscles in one go.

Even in this situation, he had the composure to aim for the joints and cut accurately.

The last remaining one also died before it could even realize what situation it was in.

In the blink of an eye, the three new Hunters of Jeongjin ended the situation.

“How was it?”

Jinwook casually asked Jeonghyeon.

“Well, everyone’s amazing.”

It was an honest and unfiltered impression.

It was his first time seeing a battle composed entirely of D-Ranks, but it was indeed impressive.

Although their pride was a bit excessive and problematic, they were probably all recognized Hunters before joining Jeongjin.

“It’s Jeongjin’s HR system. Of course, it needs more refinement, but.”

Did he mean that even that wasn’t satisfactory?

Jeonghyeon looked at Jinwook.

Jinwook still had a smile on his face.

It seemed like he didn’t mean refining in terms of skill.

Meanwhile, Sangjun, who had finished the confirmation kill, turned around and said.

“Chief Seo, shall we continue?”

“Yes, if everyone’s alright, let’s continue.”

“Unregistered-nim over there, just stay put. Think of it as a vacation.”

“Thank you.”

It was definitely meant to provoke Jeonghyeon, but he replied with a smile.

As a matter of fact, he really wasn’t thinking much right now.

‘Wow, this is the first time I’ve had such a comfortable hunt. This means that 10 million won will be deposited into my account if I just stay put like this?’

From the beginning, it was a party where he was guaranteed a base payment of 10 million won.

It would probably be an equal distribution, and although it was a bit of a shame about the experience and proficiency, it didn’t matter much.

Sangjun probably said it to tease him, but for Jeonghyeon, who had struggled in the past two hunts, it was just a unique kind of vacation that he was grateful for.

‘I wish it could stay like this until the end of the hunt……’

However, Jeonghyeon made a clicking sound with his tongue at the bitter taste he felt for some reason.

The atmosphere was smooth, but you never knew when and how variables would occur inside the Gate.

He couldn’t let his guard down.

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The internal structure of the ‘Cursed Castle’ became more complex the deeper they went.

Not only did the corridors intertwine in many directions, but rooms that were hard to see would pop out unexpectedly.

At first, Sangjun and Seunghyeok were tense as they searched the unpredictable structure, but after several times of not seeing even a glimpse of a Ghoul, let alone an ambush, they completely relaxed.

This contrasted with Jeonghyeon, who still hadn’t let his guard down because his senses weren’t accurate when walls were blocking his view.

“So, I’m planning to switch to a higher lineup next time when I save up some money.”

“Oh really? I want to ride a nice car too. It’s embarrassing to drive around in this domestic compact car.”

“Yeah, if a guy like you, a D-Rank, drives around in that, you’ll get looked down on, man.”

I had guessed it since he first came in his coupe, but Sangjun seemed to be quite interested in cars.

Chatting like that in a Gate was originally considered taboo.

‘Somehow, Chief Seo doesn’t seem to be saying anything either, there must be a reason.’

However, since Jinwook, who was in charge of supervising the Hunters, was letting it slide, Jeonghyeon didn’t say anything.

There hadn’t been any major crises either.

A group of about five Ghouls could be easily handled by the combination of Sangjun, Seunghyeok, and Woojun.

See, even now, Sangjun and Seunghyeok passed by the doors on both sides without any problems……

“Huh?”

Jeonghyeon let out a short exclamation.

There was something.

‘These pathetic bastards-‘

“Ambush!”

Cursing the two idiots who carelessly passed by the rooms where one Ghoul was hiding in each, and warning them out loud happened simultaneously.

And the frontline getting flustered and positioning themselves, and the two Ghouls jumping out into the corridor also happened at the same time.

“Wh-what!”

However, what was different from before was that the cunning Ghouls didn’t attack the frontline in charge of defense, but started running straight towards the rearguard.

Woojun, who had only been shooting arrows safely under the protection of the frontline, was visibly flustered.

If he hadn’t been careless, he might have been able to handle one Ghoul, even if it meant getting injured.

Since he was an archer using a short bow, the dagger hanging from his waist wouldn’t be just for decoration.

But at least for now, he didn’t seem to be able to respond to the Ghoul that had already closed in halfway.

In the end, it was Jeonghyeon who acted first.