Why Is This Coming Out?

Wriggle-wriggle!

I looked at the plain glove on my hand.

[Slasla].

A Hero-grade item.
[Slasla] was technically classified as a glove, but its most defining trait was being a <Pet>.

I had mentioned it once before.

<Pets> were like Ego Weapons—they chose their owner and acted with a degree of will.

[Slasla] had always been unusually docile.
This was partly due to its temperament, but also because [Slasla] itself had almost no ego or intelligence.

As a tool, that made it convenient, but <Pet> equipment lacking self-awareness or intelligence generally didn’t possess very strong effects.

‘[Slasla] is gear specialized in affinity.’

To be honest, affinity didn’t mean much to me at the moment since I didn’t have any <Summoner>-related skills.

Its built-in skill, [Slime’s Arsenal], was excellent utility-wise, but…

It had a long cooldown, only worked through exchanges, and could summon only weapons, which was a major downside.

Every time I used it, I found it frustrating.

‘If only I could summon and wield a wider variety of weapons…’

Or at least store potions or other miscellaneous items.

I could have continued a more efficient battle against the opponent.

For instance, if the opponent was fully focused on defense with the [Hardening] skill, I could break it with a blunt weapon or a two-handed sword.

In general, the more diverse equipment I had, the more it would contribute to my combat power.

‘Right now, my main weapon is just the [Saint’s Sword].’

The rest were just average things I carried around.

In truth, the [Saint’s Sword] was basically my one and only main weapon.

It hadn’t been much of a downside until now, since I possessed a large number of powerful skills.

But after my recent battle with Jing Daram, I’d become more certain.

‘I’m starting to feel the limits.’

Of course, that was still an excuse.

Just look at Peng Jin-ah—she fought perfectly fine with just one sword.
Most people hailed as masters fought with only one main weapon.

‘But I’m a little different.’

My strength lay in diversity.

I possessed a wide range of skills, evolved them, and went further by fusing them in pursuit of the ultimate.

In that process, having multiple weapons was ideal.

‘There’s a strong figure who confirms this belief.’

The Sword Ghost, So Hang-woo.

The hidden boss of ‘GAL,’ and a superhuman who possessed the <Weapon Master> class.

I still remembered him vividly.

A seasoned general who handled the countless weapons strapped all over his body like extensions of himself, radiating overwhelming might…

‘Did I get wiped out about… 100 times?’

A boss that couldn’t be crushed with damage-focused strategies—one you had to beat with actual skill.

A menacing old man often mentioned for his elderly charm.

‘Definitely as strong as Peng Jin-ah… at the A-grade pinnacle.’

That’s why, from the moment I possessed the character Yu Seha, I thought to some extent.

Maybe that path would suit me better.

‘…I’m getting off track.’

Anyway, the conclusion was simple: I needed to become stronger by mastering a variety of weapons.

And for that, there was only one utility item that could support all those weapons…
I needed to strengthen [Slasla].

‘That’s why I brought this.’

The cube in front of me now was a [Pet Evolution Item].
The [Liberation Cubic].
It was only purchasable with premium currency…
A very, very rare item that cost about 200,000 won in real money.

Now then, you might be curious about something here.
Why is this in my possession, you ask?

‘Hehehe…’

It was a day before I was discharged from the hospital.

Though I had finished all treatment, I remained in the hospital room just in case. With a serious expression, I pondered something deeply.

“Hm…”

This was a real dilemma. Honestly, I don’t think I’d ever been this conflicted before.

Right now, three photos were laid out in front of me.

Each photo captured a cute, lovable, and healing angel, Meowi.

Ah, don’t get me wrong.
It’s not like I took these photos secretly or anything.

I got Meowi’s permission before taking them. I swear.

I stared intently at the pictures. Her voice automatically played in my head, “Meoow~ Seha~”

‘Ugh…’

She’s so cute, I could get a nosebleed just looking at her.

I fell back into thought.

‘Which one should I set as my phone wallpaper…?’

It was a tough choice.

Should I go with the one in the center—Meowi sticking out her tongue like a cat after eating something spicy, going “Meow!”?

Knock knock. Pardon me, Cadet Yu Seha.

Just then, Peng Jin-ah walked in.

She looked puzzled to see me seriously choosing between photos.

After I explained the situation, she gave me a strange… slightly scornful (?) look.

“……”
“…Um, why are you looking at me like that…?
“…Give it here.”
“Huh?”
“Your phone. Hand it over.”

She took my phone, tapped around a bit, and then handed it back with a quick flick.

“Huh?”

The wallpaper had changed.

It was now a photo of Peng Jin-ah, kneeling in a pristine uniform while sharpening her sword.

“…Um, Professor?”
“Master.”
“Ah, yes, Master… This photo… where did it even come from…?”

At my question, Peng Jin-ah folded her arms and turned her head with a sharp motion.

Her cheeks were just slightly flushed.

“It is absurd to have another woman’s photo as your wallpaper when your revered master is right in front of you.”
“…Uh, well—”
“If you change it, I’ll be angry.”

“……”

After that brief commotion, she finally got to the real reason for her visit.

Peng Jin-ah, with a note of triumph, told me she had secured access to the <Academy> warehouse.

I had thought it was probably something like the <Swamp Area>, but it turned out to be a far more impressive reward than I expected.

“…The second warehouse?”
“Yes. Cadet Yu Seha, you’ve probably never heard of it before.”

That wasn’t true.
I had been there before while playing GAL.
The first place I visited was commonly referred to as the first warehouse, where less important items were gathered.

The second warehouse was akin to the heart of the <Gonis Hunter Academy>, where truly rare treasures were collected.

‘Usually, it’s the final reward you get after finishing a chapter…’

Peng Jin-ah said she ‘managed to persuade(?) Chairman Yu Neung-hae appropriately’ to get it… but it was obvious what kind of threats she might have used.

“I wanted to give the usage permit to everyone, but… the Chairman said, ‘No, I’ll really get fired!’ so Cadet Yu Seha, only you can use it.”

“Aha…”

I bowed my head and gave my thanks.
Peng Jin-ah just cleared her throat and told me not to think much of it.

Holding hands, we went to the second warehouse, which was indeed filled with incredible treasures.

‘Wow…’

Honestly, I wanted to take everything. But of course, that wasn’t possible.

After long and careful consideration, the item I picked was…

“This… the [Liberation Cubic].”

Wriggle-wriggle!

[Slasla] began to twitch impatiently, as if demanding why I was taking so long to use it.

That temper of yours, seriously…
Wait a second, damn it.
I’ll give it to you now.

I removed the glove and neatly placed both it and the [Liberation Cubic] side by side.
Then I set the cube on top.
It was devoured instantly.

Hmm, good.

While [Slasla] was synthesizing, I decided to check the abilities I gained this time.

‘The first thing to look at is definitely…’

The newly acquired Epic grade skill [Calamitous Fiend].

“Oh…”

I nodded my head in satisfaction.

I knew it from experience, but it was indeed excellent.

The growth in stats was good, but the best part was being able to deploy two crowd-control abilities at once.

The additional damage amplification of a whopping 20% was an option that couldn’t be ignored.

‘With this, do I have two major Crowd Control ‘CC’ skills now?’

Based on [Charge Crush] for <Stun>.
Adding [Calamitous Fiend] for <Stiffness, Fear>.

If I could read my opponent’s movements beforehand, I could basically kill them before they even had a chance to react.

‘However…’

There was the drawback—mental stat loss.

And with this <Murderous Intent> status that even I wasn’t familiar with, it didn’t seem like something I could use recklessly.

‘Hm? Wait a sec…’

Wait a minute, I just noticed…

The skill description had the word [Tyrant] written.

‘I’ve definitely seen that somewhere before.’

After thinking for a moment, I remembered with an “Ah!”

That’s right, that’s it.

[Unprecedented Sense] also had the word [Tyrant] written in there.

‘Could this be a set skill then?’

<Set Skill>.

Put simply, they were a group of skills that became significantly stronger when collected together.
There were a few in ‘GAL’ too, but…

‘I’ve never heard of Tyrant…’

I thought about it briefly, then moved on.
There was no use pondering it too much anyway…

‘There’s something more delightful right now.’

I couldn’t help but smile.

Time for sweet rewards!

It was time to embrace the level-up that had risen through intense battles.

Wow, it’s dazzling.
It’s beautiful.
Yes, this is it.
This is it!

‘Absolutely splendid.’

I clenched my fist.

Bit by bit, steadily…

And yet, rapidly, I could feel myself growing stronger.

That sensation of power surging through my body like it was about to burst.

‘Even though stats alone won’t cut it in the late game…’

The presence or absence of solid basic stats really did make a difference.

Right.

I almost forgot.

The [Eyes of Reversed Heaven] also activated for Jing Daram.

“Hmm…”

Well, not that a thief like me had the right to complain, but…
Honestly, it was a bit disappointing.
Just one Normal grade…
And it was a [Whip] ability that had no connection with me.

Of course, it made some sense.
Jing Daram’s strength was based on the <Fusion-Type Demon> body ability.

There seemed to be nothing I could learn from that.

As for why I received [Whip]? That was an easy mystery to solve.

‘Probably because of that tentacle attack she used at the end.’

On top of that, the insight gained from Bodenov Silla’s technique must’ve played a role.
All of that mashed together likely led to me acquiring it.

I casually pressed the <Information Window> button.

Because I didn’t consider it very important.

At that moment…

Fwaaash!

“…Huh?”

The <Information Window>, covered in gold and red, shone as if it would obscure my vision.

“……”

I remained frozen in place, my hand still on the screen.

I tilted my head slightly.

Uh, huh?
Hmm?
Why is this…

“Why is this suddenly appearing…?”