Chapter 48
Episode 5: Bonus Time (6)
“Are you back to yourself, Master?”
“Lord! Are you alright?”
As I opened my eyes, I saw Dark Shadow helping me up, while Jejangi looked at me with a worried expression.
It seemed I had lost consciousness again while experiencing the memories of a summoned character.
“Yes, I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
I got up from where I had fallen and examined my body.
I had fainted briefly, but there was no particular issue.
Oddly enough, I felt unusually refreshed.
I had also gained a new skill.
—
[Assassin’s Chain Quest Completed.]
[Dark Shadow’s Shadowstep (1/1)]
[Reward Acquired.]
[Lv 1. Silver Assassin’s Stealth Skill Acquired.]
—
After finishing the memory experience, I learned Dark Shadow’s techniques, just as I had previously learned the Empire Knights’ swordsmanship.
**Silver Assassin’s Stealth Skill**
Dark Shadow’s training from the assassin faction included techniques for infiltrating enemy territory.
I pressed the skill button and checked the list of stealth skills.
**[Lv 1. Silver Assassin’s Stealth Skill]**
**[Invisibility]**
**[Skill Level Too Low for Unveiling]**
**[Skill Level Too Low for Unveiling]**
**[Skill Level Too Low for Unveiling]**
‘For now, I can only use Invisibility.’
Comparing Dark Shadow’s memories with Haire’s skills, the Stealth Skill had more abilities than just Invisibility.
However, at the current level, I could only use Invisibility.
Still, there was no need to be disappointed.
**[Skill: Lv 1. Invisibility – Covers the body with mana to make it transparent. Due to low skill level, sound and presence cannot be erased. Invisibility is deactivated if hit or if another skill is prepared. Mana consumption increases with surface area and duration. Basic mana consumption: 20.]**
Even just Invisibility was a high-performance skill, commonly used by hunters. The fact that it’s level 1 suggests that there are higher levels available.
It was also suprising that Invisibility was a skill possessed by other hunters as well, unlike the unique swordsmanship of the Empire Knights.
**Invisibility**
Having acquired the new skill, I immediately decided to test it.
**Shhh…!**
“Ah! The Master suddenly disappeared!”
When I used [Invisibility], I felt a thin veil enveloping my body, and Jejangi gasped, exclaiming in surprise.
“My strength felt a bit drained… I seem to have stepped into the night,” said Dark Shadow, though he was not overly surprised and showed signs of recognition.
I had previously faced the reality of becoming a ruler and the challenges involved.
Accepting the position of a ruler meant taking on the lives and fates of characters under my command.
Even if it involves pain, I must accept it as part of my duty.
**[Character Understanding of Dark Shadow Increased.]**
**[Character: Dark Shadow’s Loyalty Increased by 120.]**
**[Character: Dark Shadow]**
**[Loyalty – 500 / 999]**
**[Loyalty Exceeded 500, Experience Points from Monsters Defeated by Dark Shadow Increased by 5%.]**
The increase in loyalty by 120 and the additional effect was significant.
While the loyalty increase effect for Tangil-kkeoya was mana consumption reduction, Dark Shadow’s effect was an increase in experience points.
Though it might seem like a small percentage, it was not insignificant in practice.
**”Shhhhhhh…!”**
“Your life ends today.”
As Dark Shadow struck the boss monster, **Corrupted Queen of Water (C)**, with twin daggers from behind.
**[Character: Dark Shadow Defeated Corrupted Queen of Water (C).]**
**[Ruler’s Trait, Lone King Activated.]**
**[Experience Points Increased by 10 Times.]**
**[Level Up!]**
**[Gained +1 to Health, +1 to Mana.]**
A flood of messages appeared, and my level increased.
Considering the 10x experience boost from Lone King, the 5% increase in experience was quite substantial.
—
Night fell, and the scenery of the dungeon transformed as the boss monster was defeated, revealing a clear and beautiful view of the purified forest and reservoir.
Jejangi, dazzled by the sight, exclaimed.
“Wow! It’s so beautiful, Lord…”
It was a stunning scene that would have made other hunters eager to take photos.
However, I had other pressing matters.
I retrieved a water bottle from Jejangi’s inventory and walked over to the puddle where the boss monster had appeared to collect the purified water.
**[Acquired Purified Spring Water (1/1)]**
**[Condition Met]**
**[Character: Jejangi Acquired Skill Enhancement.]**
**[Skill: Enhancement – Enhances an item’s grade permanently. It’s a chargeable skill and can only be used if there are remaining charges.]**
**[Charges: 1]**
**[Charges Increase Through Specific Conditions Such as Material Collection and Level Up.]**
‘It’s done!’
This was something I had eagerly anticipated – the skill to permanently upgrade an item’s grade, [Enhancement].
I was relieved to see that simply collecting the Purified Spring Water completed the quest and allowed Jejangi to acquire the skill.
Jejangi then came back to his senses.
“Ah, look at me! Now it’s my turn. I’ll create something amazing for you, Lord!”
He quickly stopped admiring the scenery and quickly came to me, pulling out a hammer and anvil from his inventory.
He then said,
“Lord, could you hand me the Radiant Sage’s Bracelet?”
“Here you go.”
Receiving the bracelet from me, Jejangi began the item upgrade using the materials he had collected.
**[Skill: Enhancement Tutorial Started.]**
Jejangi placed the Radiant Sage’s Bracelet on the anvil, cleaned it with Purified Spring Water, and combined it with minerals shaped into light.
Then, he began to hammer away with intense effort.
**”Haaa!!”**
As Jejangi struck the bracelet and minerals on the anvil with all his might.
**[Character: Jejangi Uses Enhancement.]**
**Flash-!!**
As the [Enhancement] skill activated, a brilliant light burst forth.
**[The Item’s Grade is Upgraded by Enhancement Effect.]**
**[‘Radiant Sage’s Bracelet’ Upgraded to ‘Great Sage’s Bracelet’.]**
The newly transformed bracelet appeared.
