Evolution Theory of the Hunter

However, thinking about the price of a single monster, it wasn’t that efficient.

The thing that could produce the greatest efficiency was Baek Gyeong as expected. Since there was a danger where it would just break down so applying this technique on that guy would be the best.

The copied Baek Gyeong’s greatest weakness would be nulled.

If there were to be a problem, it’s that it’s not in the form of a skill but a skill book.

There was no method to get a skill slot expansion item at the moment so it would be difficult to apply it within the dungeon.

Edward who was inspecting my expression opened his mouth.

“It seems something good came out?”

“Somewhat. But seeing how a reward appeared, it seems linkage to the Alpha system has succeeded but…….”

I started talking after pressing the transmitter.

“Where should I go now?”

[There should be a place the monsters came in from.]

The place monsters came in from you say.

I looked at the back wall that the Grabgor destroyed on his way in.

There was currently a large hole there.

“Do I just have to go in there?”

[Yes. But be careful. It won’t be possible to monitor or communicate from that point onwards.]

“In other words…….”

[It’s the Alpha system’s territory from there.]

“Then what do I have to do in there?”

There was no answer from Dr. Suresh.

I tapped the transmitter but there was no signal.

It should be fine to kill monsters sent by the Alpha system I guess.

I slowly walked towards the wall behind the stage.

If it was the past me, I would have taken a break after finishing the battle but I had over 1500 Endurance at the moment. It was enough to endure fighting all day.

This level of battle had no meaning to me.

The only thing that worried me is the fact that I didn’t have armor.

I silently stared at Baek Gyeong.

He stared back at me silently as well.

“Can you take that off for me?”

“What.”

Baek Gyeong replied. It’s good that we can communicate for now.

I pointed at the level 10 leather armor he was wearing.

Leather Armor of the Abyss (10 , Copy) : Made from the leather of evil beings killed in the abyss. Immune to curses and restraint.

I had said so since it was still a level 10 armor even if it was a copy. It did seem like it would break after getting hit a few times though.

“I cannot take it off.”

“Is it that much of a waste?”

“It’s made that way.”

Baek Gyeong said so with an expressionless face.

I thought about taking it off by force but I decided to leave it just in case something went wrong and it broke.

I wore a level 6 armor that I bought from the Delta Store.

I did pick the cheapest from the level 6 equipment but it was still 500 EP.

Gargantia’s Plate Armor (6) : Raises Stamina, Mental Strength, and Strength to the one that has the highest value.

But the option was considerably, no, incredibly good.

Since the Endurance that can be said to be stamina, was at 1,550, Mental Strength and Strength would both rise to 1,550.

It was expensive but at this level it can be said that I got my money’s worth.

Only, I didn’t know how the Mental Strength would apply since it wasn’t a stat that was open yet.

– Delta Store expands up to level 7.

Also, the level I can buy went up.

There was no leisure to go through it all but I was able to confirm that there were quite a few items related to the van as well as utility.

I put Baek Gyeong into the item list for now. There was no telling when this guy would break down and I was planning on saving him before getting a skill slot. Since he was made by a level 10 item if I were to lose him the loss would be pretty big.

I took a few deep breaths and approached the wall.

Compared to the bright stage, the hole behind the wall endlessly dark.

I couldn’t believe that I could enter the Alpha system’s territory through this place but I couldn’t believe that the Grabgor appeared here in the first place.

I sent a signal to Edward with my eyes.

He opened his mouth while hesitating.

“It’s not a place that feels good.”

“Tell me if you think you can’t go in.”

“Hmph. Don’t forget the danger pay.”

Edward stepped forward after saying so.

At that moment, his figure disappeared.

“Hm?”

It didn’t seem to be a normal hole. I silently waited for Edward to reappear.

If Edward who could use Shadow Transformation were to be done in instantly then it would be difficult for me to endure as well. If it really was so then although it was a bit cold of me, it would be better not to enter.

That’s the correct decision.

Edward was a monster and he and I were only in a contracted relationship after all.

“Can I do that with my personality…….”

I carefully approached the hole after drawing the Dancing Sword.

At that moment Edward’s head popped out of the hole.

His head came out so quickly that I didn’t have time to dodge.

Crash!

“…… What are you doing?”

“…… Come out after saying so.”

I said so while rubbing my forehead.

Thankfully, only our foreheads collided, we might have unluckily hit each other on our lips.

Edward sighed and went into the hole once more. I also threw myself into the hole.

I felt dizzy for a bit and then the surrounding background suddenly changed completely.

“This is……?”

Also, the inside was completely different from what I expected.

I looked around while being surprised.

Through the collapsed wall behind the stage was a vast cosmos.

Numerous stars flashing as small lights and a sun that was particularly bright could be seen.

I suddenly remembered what the Grabgor said.

“Could it be…… This is the abyss?”

“I think it’s just space though.”

“…… Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know? In the first place it’s weird that a universe is spread in this place and there’s no problem in breathing as well.”

“Now that I think about it, that’s true. Humans are inconvenient in various ways.”

“Don’t you have to breathe as well?”

“I don’t die just because I can’t breathe.”

“Don’t vampires originally not have such an ability?”

“They do.”

Edward strongly nodded his head. To be honest, most of the abilities they had had nothing to do with being a vampire. In my opinion, it was an ability they got from being a monster, not a racial characteristic.

Monsters didn’t need to eat, need air, and could perfectly survive in the cold or heat.

“Are you going to stay there?”

“No, wait a bit.”

I took a step forward from the foothold below the hole. It felt like my body was floating.

To be exact, I couldn’t feel gravity pulling me down than to say that my body was floating up.

It was a peculiar place in various ways.

It would have been impossible to stay at ease in space like this. There was no atmosphere and no pressure. Also, there was no necrosis due to the radioactivity from the sun.

In fact, it was an incredibly comfortable feeling.

If I had to say, it was like returning to one’s mother’s embrace.

“It’s a strange feeling.”

Edward said.

“What is.”

“I feel nostalgic.”

“Have you been here before?”

“There’s no way that can be so. It’s my first time here since being born.”

“Let’s look around a bit more for now.”

It was best to run around on foot when you didn’t know. There was no ground to step on but I had the Dancing Sword and psychokinesis. Edward could fly in the sky as well so we could freely move around in space.

How much did we move I wonder, I suddenly felt a sense of incompatibility.

“What is it?”

“No, wait a bit…….”

I inspected the surroundings while looking around. This place was a vast universe. It was an empty space with nothing in it besides the stars and the sun. However, there was something bothering me since before.

I was wondering what that was and realized that the locations of the stars seemed to have changed.

“Ah…….”

“What is it?”

“Wait here for a bit.”

I used the Dancing Sword to fly at maximum speed. After traveling 1 km and returning in one minute, I opened my mouth while breathing roughly.

“The stars are moving.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that the locations of the stars are changing every time I move.”

“Like I said, what does that mean.”

“It means that there’s something nearby that we can go to. Shut up and follow.”

I stepped on the Dancing Sword after saying so.

I ran towards the brightest star I could see. I ran faster than 100 km/h by stepping on the Dancing Sword. After running for 10 minutes like that the figure of the star could finally be seen.

It was a flat world.

Stars normally looked round. The huge land would have strong gravity itself and would form a sphere on its own.

However, this was flat land left in the middle of space like the ancient people had imagined.

It was difficult to grasp its exact size but it seemed to be about 10 times the size of Yeouido (approximately 8.5km^2).

In that small land was a river, mountain, forest, and plain.

“This is…….”

Edward said.

I nodded my head and replied.

“That’s right. It’s a dungeon.”

The identity of the stars scattered in space.

They were none other than dungeons managed by the Alpha system.

“Leaving that aside. This is quite the item.”

Edward said so while fiddling with the Confinement Necklace.

He was currently copying my Concentration stat. Thinking about how he had to fly not run in space, it seems the Concentration stat not only affects running speed but just ‘movement speed’.

He asked with a certain look in his eyes while fiddling with the necklace.

“How much is this item? Can I buy it?”

“1b.”

“…… Pretend you didn’t hear it.”

I let out a light laugh and turned my sight towards the dungeon in front of my eyes. If it had to be classified it would be an open dungeon type. A normal one with various geographical features mixed in.

“The monsters seem to be about level 3.”

“Can you see that?”

“Thanks to this ring. Want to buy one? It’s cheaper than the Confinement Necklace.”

“How much is it?”

He showed quite some interest in the Optics Ruby Ring.

“100m.”

“……”

“I’m joking. Just take it.”

I took out an Optics Ruby Ring from the item list and handed it to him.

I had piled up quite a few of the utility items among the level 1 items just in case so there was quite a bit of them in excess.

Edward went wide eyed. It was a pretty surprised expression.

“Are you really just giving it to me?”

“Think of it as getting your danger pay ahead of time.”

“…… I am thankful but. I’m not sure if it’s okay to receive this.”

Edward said. It seems he’s feeling awkward.

“Why, is it strange?”

“That’s. There’s never been a time you gave something for free after all.”

“Well, I just thought that it might be about time I started treating you like a comrade. Also, you’re my scout. Just think of it like an expensive telescope.”

His face lit up at my words.

He was unexpectedly the type that shows his thoughts on his face. Now that I think about it, was I this obvious as well?

“Hm hm. Did I ever mention that I had always respected you within my mind before?”

“Respect he says.”

I let out a laugh.

For such a thing to come out of his mouth. The power of money was certainly good.