Solo Resurrection

Chapter 77 – Guild Expansion (1)

Kang Hyeon stared at his status window, lost in thought.

▫Name: Kang Hyeon

▫Title: Tutorial Graduate and 3 others

▫Level: 65

▫Detailed Stats:

Strength 30 (+4)(+2)

Agility 30 (+3)

Stamina 31 (+3)(+8)

Magic 33 (+3)(+4)

Additional Stats: –

▫Unique Ability: Resurrection

▫Abilities: Advanced Swordsmanship(C), Lower-grade Shield Technique(E), Lowest-grade Crossbow Technique(F), Intermediate Martial Arts(D), Lower-grade Blunt Weapon Technique(E), Magic Detection(D), Poison Resistance(E), Magic Manipulation(E)

▫Skills: Roar of the Enraged Lion(C), Advanced Bodily Regeneration(A), Bisection(D), Giant’s Strength(B), Magic Explosion(C), Wayne’s Secret Technique(C), Entria’s OuterShell(B)

Quite a few changes had occurred.

The ranks of Blunt Weapon Technique, Entria’s Outer Shell, and Magic Explosion had increased, and a new ability called Magic Manipulation had appeared.

It was also notable that his level had risen, with all basic stats exceeding 30.

“I’m probably the only human whose stats are still increasing without leveling up at this point, right?”

As seen in his previous conversation with Han Si-hwan, normally people can’t increase their basic stats by means other than leveling up.

It’s too arduous and difficult.

It’s more beneficial to spend that time hunting monsters to level up and get better equipment.

This was especially true when one’s stats were already high.

“Advanced Swordsmanship…”

Kang Hyeon’s gaze is fixed on Advanced Swordsmanship(C) at the top of his abilities list.

“Should I give up… I’ve been swinging a sword every single day until I’m sick of it.”

He was about to finally let go of his attachment to the sword, but couldn’t.

Another problem had arisen when he met the masked person recently.

“I thought I’d found a breakthrough with Magic Manipulation, but I overlooked that the opponent could use Magic Manipulation too.”

The Magic Manipulation he had obtained with great difficulty along with Kergo wasn’t his exclusive ability.

“Right. It’s my fault. With no talent, I swung the sword like a club until it shattered, so of course my swordsmanship wouldn’t improve.”

In the past, Kang Hyeon paid quite a bit of attention to sword techniques.

To gain an advantage when he had similar stamina to others, he needed to excel in at least one area.

But now it’s different.

“I’ve become too strong.”

More precisely, his ‘body’ had become too strong.

At some point, his physical specs became overwhelmingly stronger than others.

Thanks to that, he just takes most attacks instead of dodging them.

It was more advantageous to take a hit and throw one more punch than to dodge.

In other words, he would smash through obstacles rather than jumping over them.

Kang Hyeon found this more efficient and comfortable.

“Have I become a strong idiot?”

It seemed so.

“Haa. Shit…”

The swordsmanship of the unidentified masked person who appeared at the end and took Choi Min-jun wouldn’t leave his mind.

“Could I catch up if I practice?”

The status window system might seem fair at a glance, but it’s not at all.

Even with the same skill, the growth rate can be drastically different depending on the talent of the person who has it.

There’s no guarantee that Kang Hyeon could catch up to that masked person even if he puts in more effort than now.

“Aaargh! I don’t know!”

Finally, Kang Hyeon, frustrated, shouted as he stomped his foot.

“What!”

“Nothing…”

Just as he was glaring at Han Jae-moon who was looking at him, his phone rang.

“Team Leader Sin Tae-gil?”

-Yes.

“I was about to call you actually, perfect timing.”

-Then how about we meet and talk?

“Let’s do that.”

***

Ippotranslation

***

Shin Tae-gil greeted politely as soon as they met. He was being more courteous than usual.

“Thank you for coming to meet me.”

“Why are you suddenly being so cringeworthy?”

“…”

“You have a favor to ask, don’t you?”

“Ahem… Let’s sit down first.”

Though it was a brief moment, Kang Hyeon didn’t miss Shin Tae-gil’s nervously trembling eyes.

“You go ahead and speak first, Mr. Kang Hyeon.”

A moment later.

As warm tea was served, Shin Tae-gil began to speak.

“What is it?”

“Didn’t you say you were going to call me?”

“You also called because you had something to say, Mr. Shin Tae-gil.”

“I’ll speak after hearing what you have to say, Mr. Kang Hyeon.”

“Tch.”

Kang Hyeon decided to speak directly.

“Get me some skills and abilities related to swordsmanship, resilience, and magic power.”

“You’re saying something incredibly outrageous so casually.”

“Ahem…”

“Even if we put aside the others, aren’t you already learning swordsmanship, Mr. Kang Hyeon?”

Shin Tae-gil’s doubt was natural.

All ability users naturally acquired skills and abilities related to the weapons they frequently used.

“I don’t mean those basic abilities. Find me some groundbreaking skills that can supplement swordsmanship.”

“I understand.”

“And for resilience abilities, anything will do. Whether it’s fire, electricity, or whatever, get me anything you can find.”

“I’ll try to find those as well.”

Kang Hyeon was a bit taken aback by the unexpectedly straightforward answers.

“I shouldn’t be saying this as the one asking for help, but didn’t you say it was extremely difficult to get these last time?”

“That’s right.”

“But you’re saying you’ll get them?”

“I’ll do my best to acquire them somehow.”

“That’s good.”

Since he said he would get them anyway, it wasn’t something Kang Hyeon needed to worry about.

“Ah, and…”

“What else is there?”

“What happened with the weapon repair I mentioned last time?”

“I’m still looking into that. I’ll let you know as soon as I get any information.”

Kang Hyeon nodded at Shin Tae-gil’s answer.

“And also.”

“Sigh, is there more?”

“This is really the last one.”

Shin Tae-gil looked tired from Kang Hyeon’s continuous demands.

“A lot of people died this time, right?”

“Yes.”

“As far as I know, the government collected all the equipment, right?”

“Yes…”

When an ability user dies, all the equipment they were carrying and everything in their inventory drops at that moment.

While the equipment of ability users belonging to other countries or guilds would have been collected by their respective organizations, there was no one to claim the equipment of the terrorists, at least nominally.

“Let me have a few of those.”

“…”

“Is that not possible?”

“What kind do you want?”

“First, weapons. Preferably swords. They must be very sturdy and heavy.”

“I see.”

“And accessories. Regardless of the type, ones that boost stats as much as possible.”

In fact, all the items collected by the government this time were supposed to be disposed of and used as compensation for various countries and guilds.

Even though that would only cover a small part of the compensation owed, the government’s situation was desperate enough to hold onto even that much.

Nevertheless, Shin Tae-gil promised to give some items to Kang Hyeon.

“Sigh… Alright.”

“You’re being unusually accommodating today.”

Kang Hyeon smiled briefly and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

“Now, it’s your turn, Mr. Shin Tae-gil. What’s the reason you wanted to meet today?”

“The current situation of the government is not good.”

“I imagine so.”

It was far beyond just ‘not good’.

President Han Seung-hoon’s position was precarious, and it was a great crisis for the entire country.

“The wariness towards ability users has also reached its peak. Internally, there are increasing voices saying we should restrict ability users even now.”

“…”

“There’s even talk of abolishing the Special Ability User Management Team, calling it a useless department that only eats up the budget.”

“And?”

“However, the President intends not to change his existing policy.”

“Hmm…”

It was an unexpected answer.

While President Han Seung-hoon had implemented ability user-friendly policies from the beginning, it was hard to understand why he would make such a decision when his own position was in jeopardy.

“Anyone with a bit of foresight would know that the future depends on ability users.”

“That’s true.”

“The fact that South Korea can still withstand pressure from foreign countries is because this incident showed that we possess ability users of exceptional caliber.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ironically, this incident has revealed that South Korea is a world-class power in terms of ability users. Your role in this was significant, Mr. Kang Hyeon. The Warriors Guild of the United States highly praised the Badass Guild. Especially Guild Master Eden, who was very impressed with you, Mr. Kang Hyeon.”

“What? But I don’t know him.”

“He’s the blonde man who uses a greatsword.”

Only then did Kang Hyeon recall who he was.

“Ah, that man was indeed exceptionally strong.”

“Yes. He’s also someone who has perfectly graduated from the tutorial.”

That was something Kang Hyeon had already suspected.

“That’s not all.”

“…?”

“This incident has shown the world that even armies are useless against truly powerful ability users.”

“That’s certainly true.”

“It hasn’t even been a year since ability users appeared. We can’t even imagine how strong they’ll become in two or three years.”

“Hmm…”

“And what about the monsters? A few days ago, the world’s first B-rank dungeon appeared. So we can expect that there will be at least A-rank dungeons in the future.”

“Yes.”

“Given the current rate of difficulty increase, there are predictions that some countries might collapse starting from B or A-rank dungeons.”

After hearing everything, Kang Hyeon understood to some extent.

“To be honest, I’ve never thought about anything other than the need to become stronger, but I can fully empathize with this.”

“Yes. The President believes that the fate of the country, no, the world, depends on ability users. I believe so too.”

“So why are you telling me this?”

“That’s why! We’ve decided to nurture you, Mr. Kang Hyeon.”

“What?”

Kang Hyeon was taken aback by the sudden statement about nurturing him.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means we’ll support you with all available means.”

“Why?”

“Haven’t I explained the reasons until now?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

Kang Hyeon interrupted Shin Tae-gil.

“There’s the Dangun Guild, and Brother Choi Dong-woo in the Ability User Alliance. Or the other top 10 mega guilds, right?”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t it be more efficient to support these already massive organizations? Why specifically nurture me?”

“Hmm, there seems to be a slight misunderstanding. We’re not saying we’ll only nurture you. We’re saying we’ll invest the most in you.”

“That’s what I’m asking – why invest the most in me?”

Honestly, Kang Hyeon couldn’t understand.

He was well aware that he was strong. But there are limits to what one can do alone.

While the Badass Guild is strong, it’s true that it still falls short compared to the well-established mega guilds.

That’s why it seemed much more efficient to utilize the top 10 guilds or organizations like the Ability User Alliance rather than himself.

“It’s because of your potential, Mr. Kang Hyeon.”

“Potential?”

“Yes. In fact, when we analyzed it, we cautiously predicted that in terms of pure combat power, you might already be the best in the country.”

“Even with Han Se-yeon around?”

“Yes. And we see a lot of room for further growth.”

“Hmm, but ultimately, you need to have influence, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“But right now, the Badass Guild doesn’t even have 20 members… And honestly, except for An Yu-seong, their level isn’t overwhelmingly superior to other guilds.”

Shin Tae-gil nodded at Kang Hyeon’s doubt.

“You’re right, but… Mr. Kang Hyeon.”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, Shin Tae-gil leaned forward with a serious expression.

“Do you know what the leaders of the current mega guilds have in common?”

“That they’re insanely strong? Ah, excluding Fire Dragon Guild.”

“No.”

“Then what?”

“They’re ambitious.”

Kang Hyeon’s brow furrowed at the unexpected answer.

“Ambitious?”

“Yes. The current guild leaders are all strong and excellent leaders. But they also have ambitions to match.”

“And I don’t seem to have that ambition?”

“Relatively speaking, yes.”

Since it was somewhat true, Kang Hyeon didn’t particularly deny it.

“But I’m far from being a hero-like person, you know? I don’t even think I’m particularly altruistic.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

“What…?”

“It’s not like we’re trying to nurture you to make you move according to our will. You’re not someone who would move according to others’ wishes anyway.”

“You know me well. Heh.”

“What we want is simply for you and the Badass Guild to grow further. To the point where no one can touch you.”

“That doesn’t seem like something the government should be saying.”

“You can think of it however you like. The President just wants to make all possible preparations during his remaining year and a half in office. To the extent that even if he steps down, others can’t overturn it.”

The conversation continued for quite a long time after that.

The tea in their cups had long since gone cold, and the sun was already starting to set.

“I understand everything you’ve said today.”

“So what do you think you’ll do?”

“What do you mean, what will I do?”

“Pardon?”

“Is there any reason to refuse when you say you’ll nurture me?”

“Hahaha. We’re grateful if you think that way.”

Suddenly, Kang Hyeon’s expression changed from a smile.

“However.”

“…”

“I’ll move only when I want to, just like I’ve done until now.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t regret it.”

“We’ve already come too far to turn back.”

Shin Tae-gil nodded with a solemn expression.

“Then buy me beef for dinner.”

“I have another schedule…”

“Didn’t you just say you’d support me?”

“Sigh, let’s go…”

Shin Tae-gil sighed and tried to get up, but Kang Hyeon held him back.

“Mr. Shin Tae-gil.”

“Yes?”

“And beer too.”