(Skill usage confirmed. Skill EXP successfully multiplied!)
Rega let out a sigh of relief after hearing the System's 10,000× notification.
His efforts to endure the fatigue caused by excessive MP consumption had not been in vain.
Rega had indeed said that he would only use his physical enhancement skill when absolutely necessary, but that rule applied only in critical situations.
On ordinary days, after finishing dinner, Rega would use the skill purely to grind EXP and raise it to the next level.
However, the EXP required to level up the skill this time was quite massive. Even though he had used it twice—yesterday and today—it had only just reached 100/1000.
There were still 900 levels left before it could be upgraded to the next rank.
"If only it could be faster."
(I'm sure that if other hunters heard Master say that, they would be furious out of jealousy.)
"…You're right. If it already takes me this long to level up a skill even with the System, then how long would it take for others?"
Ai smiled faintly.
(Based on my calculations, there are almost no beginner hunters capable of raising their skill rank as quickly as Master.)
"I agree with you, but what I mean is—are there any beginner hunters out there who have a mid-rank skill like mine?"
(The world is vast and full of the unexpected. I'm certain there are a few unreasonable hunters out there, just like Master.)
"That seems likely. Otherwise, how could the existence of those famous hunters be explained?"
Ai shrugged.
"I'm tired. I'll head home early today."
(That's for the best. Pushing yourself too hard isn't good.)
Rega stood up and walked out of Jaran Dungeon.
"Welcome back, thank you for your hard work," greeted a beautiful receptionist with a bright smile.
Rega nodded tiredly and placed five hundred green goblin magic crystals on the counter.
The receptionist froze, staring blankly at the pile of magic crystals stacked like a small hill.
"Sir Rega, may I ask you something?"
"Huh? Ask what?"
"Did you encounter a monster tsunami?"
Rega shook his head.
"Then how did you obtain so many green goblins?"
"I hunted them."
Rega's answer was firm, as if it needed no further explanation.
The receptionist took a deep breath and spoke in a concerned tone.
"Sir Rega, you really shouldn't push yourself. You're still young, and you have a long road ahead as a hunter."
At first, Rega thought he was going to be scolded, but instead, he was given advice filled with genuine concern.
Because of her kind treatment, Rega couldn't simply brush it off. He listened to her advice until she finished before responding.
"Thank you. I'll be more careful and make sure not to overdo it."
The receptionist nodded in satisfaction.
"Even though Jaran Dungeon is a beginner dungeon, almost every day there are beginners who push themselves too hard and end up dying tragically."
Her tone was filled with sadness.
"Did you know the victims?"
The receptionist shook her head.
"No, but I see people like them almost every day."
Rega fell silent, understanding what she meant.
"I don't know your name."
"My name is Mawar. Nice to meet you, Sir Rega."
Rega nodded gently.
"For now, I'll be under your guidance, Miss Mawar."
Mawar let out a light laugh and nodded, a bright smile on her face.
After completing the payment transaction, Rega said his goodbyes to Mawar and headed home.
Now Rega had more than one thousand universal currency. He could buy many things with that amount—but it still wasn't enough to purchase a good weapon.
That night, out of curiosity, Rega opened the official hunter weapon marketplace. The results left him speechless.
The cheapest spear was priced at ten thousand universal currency, clearly far beyond what Rega could afford.
"I thought I was already kind of rich with a thousand universal currency. Turns out I was wrong."
Normally, someone his age could buy plenty of things with a thousand universal currency.
But when viewed from a hunter's perspective, a thousand universal currency was nothing more than a tiny toothpick—something no one would bother looking for if it went missing.
"I can't go down to the second floor with beginner equipment. Looks like I need to save up to buy a proper spear."
With that, Rega added another small goal—besides raising his rank as soon as possible.
Since it was impossible to achieve instantly, Rega needed to be patient over the next few days.
To be continued…