Absolute Dweller-Chapter 234

Warrior job obtained.

Level 30 or higher.Sword proficiency above 50.

These were the basic conditions for attempting a promotion to the Swordsman class.

‘And.’

Recognition as a Sword Expert.

To obtain this recognition, one must engage in a one-on-one duel, which was a system that allowed promotion only after receiving acknowledgment through combat.

‘So, that’s how Kim Myung-hwan was promoted to Sword Expert.’

When transitioning to the Swordsman class, the effects gained were a perfect upgrade from the first job, Warrior.

The abilities granted by the Warrior class were buffs for melee attacks and temporarily boosting physical abilities.

First, these stats doubled.

Along with the physical enhancements, another active skill was added.

‘The ability to use sword energy.’

The effects of sword energy were intuitive.

It increased cutting power and durability.

Although the effects seemed simple, these two abilities alone hinted that the combat dynamics would drastically change.

It was clear even from watching Kim Myung-hwan’s combat style.

During his process of hunting high-level monsters, the sword he used often became damaged.

The monsters’ bodies were extremely tough, but the sword itself couldn’t withstand Kim Myung-hwan’s power.

In fact, due to the sword’s limitations, Kim Myung-hwan wasn’t even able to exert half of his strength.

But if using sword energy allowed him to pour his full strength into the sword?

He wouldn’t need to stack several large swords in his inventory, like he did now.

‘I should make a custom sword for Kim Myung-hwan. Let’s open the shop.’

Since he also needed to discuss his second-tier promotion, he decided to prepare a small gift.

The great sword Kim Myung-hwan currently used was enchanted for durability and was taking up an entire shop slot.

It was a standard sword designed for use against large monsters and was quite popular among those who used swords.

‘Purchase.’

I bought the sword Kim Myung-hwan used and upgraded it directly to +10.

It wasn’t an expensive item, so it didn’t cost much.

Yet, on the first try, the item was created.

[Steel Great Sword] +10

▶ Durability +4 increased

▶ Skill [Automatic Recovery] acquired

▶ Cutting power increased by 40%

▶ Skill [Blade] acquired

The durability enhancement enchantment seemed to focus on durability in the strengthening effects.

‘This should last a long time.’

Although it cost enough to buy about 100 more great swords, it could be considered economical.

Now, he wouldn’t need to use and discard a sword after just a few uses.

‘He’ll probably like it.’

Though the design remained the same, using it personally would make him see a difference.

With a satisfied smile, I sent a telepathic message to Kim Myung-hwan.

***

[Kim Myung-hwan.]

Kim Myung-hwan froze.

He knew very well who the voice in his head belonged to.

‘It’s Jae-hyun.’

Having been part of the top-tier hunting team, he often heard Kim Jae-hyun’s telepathic messages.

But normally, those messages were directed to the entire hunting team, not a personal message like this, calling his name.

That’s why,

“J-Jae-hyun, is that you?”

He stuttered slightly.

[Yes, it’s Kim Jae-hyun. Do you have a moment?]

As soon as he heard that, a picture began to form in his mind.

‘That light earlier.’

The mysterious light enveloping his entire body.

He knew about it directly from his sister.

‘Proof of being chosen…!’

He had been told that when becoming a guard, such a mysterious light would pour from his body.

‘And…!’

Right after that light had absorbed into his body, he had felt a mysterious energy flow through him.

‘Then this is definitely…!’

The reason Kim Jae-hyun was calling him was clear.

“Yes! Of course!”

[Thank you for your time.]

Right after that,

Zing—

A portal opened in front of Kim Myung-hwan.

And on the other side of the portal,

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kim Jae-hyun.”

Kim Jae-hyun was waiting.

“Come right in.”

Kim Myung-hwan walked into the portal almost as if hypnotized.

Inside the portal, the place was familiar.

Looking out, he could clearly see the landscape of the operation zone where monster hunting had already been completed.

This was Osaka Castle’s Tenshukaku.

Which meant,

“You came all the way here in person?”

Kim Jae-hyun nodded and answered.

“Yes. I have something I’d like to ask of you, Myung-hwan.”

Kim Myung-hwan swallowed nervously.

“Please, go ahead.”

“Could you take a look at your status window?”

“Status window?”

“Yes.”

Following his words, Kim Myung-hwan activated his status window, and something strange appeared.

“Sword Expert…?”

The Warrior job disappeared, and a new job appeared.

“Thanks to you, Myung-hwan, a new job has opened up. It’s called Swordsman, and it’s a second-tier promotion from Warrior.”

“Not Sword Expert, but Swordsman?”

“Yes. Only you, Myung-hwan, have earned the Sword Expert title. To qualify for the second-tier promotion to Swordsman, you must first receive acknowledgment by engaging in a one-on-one duel with a Sword Expert.”

“So, the thing you wanted to ask me is…”

“That’s right. I’d like you to help with the promotion to Swordsman.”

Honestly, it was a bit disappointing.

He had thought that finally, the opportunity to become a guard had come to him.

‘But this isn’t bad either.’

First and foremost, being noticed by Kim Jae-hyun alone was meaningful enough.

‘If I keep progressing like this, an opportunity will come eventually.’

With that thought in mind, Kim Myung-hwan answered.

“Leave it to me.”

“Thank you. Don’t worry. I know you’re busy, so I’ll ask you to help with the Swordsman promotion when you have time.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“And…”

At that moment, a familiar large sword appeared out of thin air.

It was the large sword that had become the most frequently used while hunting large monsters.

However, despite the design being the same, it was entirely different.

"This is a gift. It's something I put special effort into, so it won't be something you'd easily discard like usual."

Kim Jae-hyun spoke as if it were no big deal, but the aura emanating from the sword made it clear that it was something extraordinary.

It was obvious at a glance that this was no ordinary object.

However, what truly shook Kim Myung-hwan's heart was Kim Jae-hyun's choice of words.

"...Did you say 'like usual'?"

"Yes. You've often had the sword break down during your hunting, so I know you always keep a spare in your inventory, right? I had planned to give you a gift like this someday, and I’m glad I finally get to give it to you now."

Kim Jae-hyun continued, as if it were nothing.

"I think changing your main weapon from a gun to a sword was a stroke of genius. Your constant efforts to improve yourself have been truly impressive. That's also why I had you join the level-up project."

The words he casually uttered hit Kim Myung-hwan's heart deeply.

‘I thought up until now… I had gotten my chances because of my sister…’

The sudden opportunity for a level-up.

He had thought that the benefits he received were purely because he was Kim Ga-young's younger brother.

But now, it turned out that it was his own effort that had borne fruit.

Filled with a sense of gratitude, he lowered his head.

"Thank you."

At that moment, Kim Myung-hwan's body shone brightly.

***

[Citizen Kim Myung-hwan's loyalty has reached 100.]

[Citizen Kim Myung-hwan is registered as a retainer.]

[The retainer holding limit has increased.]

‘Bingo.’

The strategy, which subtly boasted of success, had worked.

Although it had been a highly intentional effort to raise his loyalty, it had been necessary.

‘Thanks to that, the holding limit has increased by two.’

One from being registered as a retainer, and another from the increased limit.

Kim Myung-hwan wasn't losing out.

Immediately, he gained the retainer buff, causing his stats to skyrocket, and now, he could even use enhancements on him.

‘The dark energy...’

These days, instead of rejecting it, he was trying to use it more proactively.

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

He had been using devouring to do some self-devouring from time to time.

‘It doesn’t seem to do much, though.’

He hadn’t felt any direct effects, like when he saw his future self in the unreal world.

Before or after devouring, he still felt like a loyal subordinate.

Anyway, since he now knew that the dark energy was part of his power, there was nothing holding him back from using it.

Before knowing its identity, he had vaguely feared it, but now he understood its source.

‘For the future, overall power increase is necessary.’

No matter how he thought about it, facing the coming disaster alone seemed impossible.

It was a clichéd conclusion, but he thought that if everyone combined their strength, they might be able to manage somehow.

‘Future me chose to devour everyone and face it alone, but I am different.’

It was the exact opposite.

Growing together with everyone and responding together.

That was the future he envisioned.

At that moment, Kim Myung-hwan spoke up.

"Then, I’ll be on my way."

"Ah, just a moment."

Since he had become a retainer, he thought he should officially extend the offer.

So, he said:

"Would you consider becoming a retainer?"

In an instant, Kim Myung-hwan's face showed surprise, and he asked back:

"Are you serious?"

"Of course."

At that moment:

[Citizen Kim Myung-hwan’s trust level increases.]

[Citizen Kim Myung-hwan's trust level has reached 100.]

[‘Sword Energy’ has been acquired.]

"I'll do it! I'll definitely do it!"

And then:

[Citizen Kim Myung-hwan attempts to break the limit.]

It was an unexpected message.

"Thank you for accepting so willingly."

While he was explaining the privileges and responsibilities of becoming a retainer, his mind was fixated on the breakthrough message.

"I'll do my best!"

Immediately after:

[Citizen Kim Myung-hwan succeeded in breaking the limit.]

[Citizen Kim Myung-hwan’s maximum level has increased.]

[The amount of star power Citizen Kim Myung-hwan can accept has increased.]

In the end, he had succeeded in breaking the limit.

‘...Was it really this easy?’

Considering the grand scale of Lee Joon-hyuk and Kim Da-bin’s breakthroughs earlier, he hadn’t expected it to be this simple.

‘But I think I understand a bit more about the conditions for breaking the limit.’

The common points of the three were immediately obvious.

‘Loyalty 100, Trust 100.’

Most importantly, Kim Myung-hwan had broken the limit after his trust level hit 100.

‘Probably, the condition isn’t becoming a retainer, but rather getting both of these values to 100 first.’

Of course, when loyalty reaches 100, automatic retainer registration happens, so it is also true that breaking the limit requires being a retainer.

‘I'll need to focus more on retainers with 100 loyalty and trust.’

The importance of breaking the limit was clear just from looking at Lee Joon-hyuk’s battle in the Pacific.

***

The USS John F. Kennedy.

It was both an aircraft carrier and an outpost, currently crossing the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. military personnel onboard operated the ship, and the one maintaining the outpost was ‘Lee Joon-hyuk.’

He was chosen because he was the one who could unleash the greatest powers in the sea.

The sailors on the deck stared blankly at the horizon.

"Monster... monster..."

While there were indeed various monsters in the sea, their expression was not directed at those monsters.

Kwahhh!

It was directed at Lee Joon-hyuk, who had single-handedly subdued the enemy.

Even now, the horrific scene was unfolding around him as he stood majestically on the sea.

One aircraft carrier.

Three cruisers.

Ten Aegis destroyers.

Seventeen submarines.

And 57 other naval vessels.

It was the level of military force that Lee Joon-hyuk had obliterated alone.