The Master of Strength

“What just happened…”

As Myeonghu walked across the village, it was only after recognizing the familiar buildings that he became grounded back in reality. He then checked everything, his inventory, skills and status page, but nothing had changed. It seemed that the only effect the crystal had on him was to teleport him back to town.

“At least I still have this though.”

Myeonghu consoled himself as he pulled the skill book out from his inventory.

“What kind of skill will it be?”

With such a grandiose name like ‘Origin of Strength’, it was hard to imagine what kind of power up he would receive.

“Let’s have a look!”

He finally opened the skill book which had been staring at for so long.

A flash of blue light burst out, but disappeared as quickly as it had come, along with the book itself.

[You have learned the Origin of Strength.]

The system message appeared to confirm his acquisition of the skill. He then opened up his skills page to take a look.

<Origin of Strength [Passive]>

Level: –

Proficiency: –

Effect: The source of all Strength, increases your Strength stat by a factor of 10.

“…?”

Despite confirming several times the effects of the skill, Myeonghu couldn’t help but pinch himself to make sure it was all real.

“…What?”

He certainly understood the it was a passive skill which raised his strength, but the numbers…

Myeonghu still couldn’t believe what he saw, so he rubbed his eyes furiously and checked again, but nothing had changed.

Thump! thump!

His heart rate began to accelerate but he never even noticed. He quickly called up his character window to confirm its effects.

Name: Myeonghu
Nationality: Helioka [Empire]
Age: 22 
Class: Warrior
Level: 17
HP: 32450

MP: 420
Strength: 1580(+25) Agility: 25(+10) Stamina: 17 Intelligence: 10 Wisdom: 11
Bonus Stats: 60

“…OMG!”

Myeonghu simply couldn’t get a hold of himself, his strength had truly increased by a factor of 10. His original 158 strength stat had now become 1580 and his health also increased as a consequence of the change.

“…”

Gulp

He closed his Status page then reopened it to have a look, luckily nothing had changed. Not matter how many times he repeated the actions of closing and opening his character information, seeing that large number always brought a smile to his face. He had truly picked up a terrifying skill.

“…”

He had nothing to say, simply shaking in excitement until he could no longer keep it all bottled up as he cried out in joy.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

Laughed hysterically like some fortunate lottery winner. Jumping around excitedly with unbridled joy as he took one more look at the skills description.

<Origin of Strength [Passive]>

Level: –

Proficiency: –

Effect: The source of all Strength, increases your basic strength stat by a factor of 10.

‘Come on, let’s do this!’

He quickly decided to invest all of his bonus stats into strength.

‘How many did I have left?’

He opened up his character window to have a look.

‘60…’

He didn’t hesitate at all as he poured them all into Strength and enjoyed the show.

Name: Myeonghu
Nationality: Helioka [Empire]
Age: 22 
Class: Warrior
Level: 17
HP: 44450

MP: 420
Strength: 2180(+25) Agility: 25(+10) Stamina: 17 Intelligence: 10 Wisdom: 11
Bonus Stats: 0

An ear to ear grin filled his face as he stared at his status. This was no longer that stats of a level 17 player.

“Let’s go!”

Pure excitement coursed through his veins as he energetically made his way towards the Village Chief’s house. However after taking the first step he finally remembered what the events were that led to him finding the skill book.

“Shit.”

He chuckled to himself at the ridiculous thought.

“Could I hunt it now?”

Myeonghu muttered to himself as he thought about the Great King Fox. It could deal 2,000 damage with a single basic attack, but that didn’t necessarily mean that it also had a strong defense and vitality. Not to mention that with his current 40,000 health he could endure at least 20 regular hit. Still, that was only considering basic attacks, if it had anything similar to the Bear’s Body Slam, things could definitely get tricky.

“Sigh, I still don’t know!”

Before actually fighting it would be too hard to predict the result. Just as he arrived at Ga Dogu’s house, he stopped to take a look at the quest.

<Hamuru’s Illness 2>

✿Hamuru, the village’s best hunter has collapsed due to a certain disease. Ga Dogu, who is not only the village’s Chief but also its doctor, needs your help to concoct Hamuru’s cure. The second ingredient required is Bear Gallbladder! Collect 60 Bear Gallbladders and take them to Ga Dogu!

Difficulty: F

Quest Reward: Leather Gloves, Leather Boots

Quest Restriction: Myeonghu

Rejection will result in a loss in Intimacy with Ga Dogu and Hamuru

<Pelt of the Great Fox King>

Provide the Pelt of the king of foxes, a Great King Fox, to Pelun!
Difficulty:  F+
Quest Reward: Increase in Intimacy with Pelun and monetary compensation depending on the quality of the leather.

Rejection will result in a slight loss in Intimacy with Pelun.

After taking a look at his inventory that was filled to the brim with Bear meat, pelts and gallbladders, Myeonghu smiled to himself as he was certain that he had the necessary quest items.

Creaak!

The squeaky door announced his entrance and he headed towards Ga Dogu.

“Hello, Chief?”

“..Ah! So it was you! I had no idea that you were back.”

“I was searching for the gallbladder.”

“Oh, and you’ve already acquired enough?”

The Chief couldn’t help but put on an expression of surprise as Myeonghu began unloading the 60 gallbladders onto the table.

“Thank you so much!”

[Quest complete.]

“Finally!”

[You have acquired Leather Gloves.]

[You have acquired Leather Boots.]

Myeonghu took the items from Ga Dogu and happily stowed them away in his inventory. The Chief then looked back at Myeonghu and began to speak.

“Now there is just the last ingredient remaining…”

His face formed a deep frown, and from that alone Myeonghu knew that this last ingredient would not be a simple matter.

“All that is left now is the Inner Core of the Great Fox King, can you bring this to me?”

<Hamuru’s Illness 3>

✿Hamuru, the village’s best hunter has collapsed due to a certain disease. Ga Dogu, who is not only the village’s Chief but also its doctor, needs your help to concoct Hamuru’s cure. The third ingredient required is the Great Fox King’s Inner Core! Collect the Great Fox King’s Inner Core and take it to Ga Dogu!

Difficulty: E

Quest Reward: ?

Quest Restriction: –

Rejection will result in a slight loss in intimacy with Ga Dogu and Hamuru.

He had no reason to reject it so he quickly replied.

“Yes.”

[You have accepted the Quest.]

After accepting it, Myeonghu gave the Chief a curt nod and began to make his way out.

However shortly after having turned around, Ga Dogu called out to him.

“Hold up!”

He went into his back room and returned shortly after holding a small box.

“This should help.”

Ga Dogu told him as he handed over the box. After taking a look at the box’s information,  Myeonghu’s expression was filled with surprise. The Village Chief simply gave him a gentle smile.

“Goodbye.”