Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 190: Mavros Flying Above the Snowman (1)

Han-Yeol, after a long while, focused for the first time on infusing the Ice Attribute into his unique chain. His white frosty mana made repeated attempts to merge with the unique chain, but the chain steadfastly rejected the mana.

After all, being a unique-rated item, it appeared to possess considerable pride.

[The chain is not showing any reactions.]

‘Damn it… I’m also doing my best!’

This was the first time Han-Yeol was struggling to control his mana after becoming an S Rank Hunter.

Woooong!

‘This is quite difficult…’?Han-Yeol gritted his teeth.

He was not the type to give up merely because a challenge was difficult. Granted, he might abandon an endeavor if it entailed significant risks, as his life motto always prioritized safety first. However, acquiring a new skill posed no immediate danger to him, so he began to find pleasure in the challenge.

‘This being difficult means that the rewards will be worthwhile…!’?he smirked as he believed that he was currently in the process of reaping the benefits.

“HAP!”?

Wooooong!

Han-Yeol drew out his mana from the depths of his cells and channeled all of it into the chain.

Crack…! Crack…! Crack…! Crack…!?

[Just a bit more! You are almost there!]

Karvis' voice rose a tone, and Han-Yeol could discern from her tone that she was nearing the finish line.

Boom!

“Argh!”

The chain unleashed a mana explosion, causing a sharp pain to surge through Han-Yeol's head, eliciting a grimace and a groan. However, what ensued after the pain was a piece of good news.

Ding!

[You have successfully imbued your Ice Attribute into the Unique-Rated Chain.]

[A new skill has been created: Cold Chain.]

[The rank of ‘Ice Attribute’ has risen from (F) to (E).]

The messages appeared before his eyes, accompanied by the voice of his Ego system.

[Congratulations, Han-Yeol-nim. You have successfully created the skill.]

“Haa… Haa… Thanks, Karvis… It’s all thanks to you.”

[Not at all. You were the one that did all the work, Han-Yeol-nim.]

The process was quite tedious and agonizing, but Han-Yeol had no complaints as he was successful in the end.

He checked the details of his newly acquired skill.

[Cold Chain (F)]

[Type: Active]

[Description: A skill that allows the user to imbue ice attributes into their chain. All of the chain’s attacks will inflict ice attribute damage, and the target’s movement will be slowed by ten percent and restricted if any restraining skill is used with the chain. The skill’s effect will become stronger the higher this skill’s level becomes.]

‘Wow! This is really awesome!’?Han-Yeol exclaimed inwardly after realizing that Cold Chain was even better than his current main weapon, Sword Breath.

It was not as destructive as Sword Breath or Explosion, but Han-Yeol knew that Cold Chain was definitely a step above those skills when used together with his other chain skills.

‘Well, I don’t really have to compare the two since they’re both my skills and I’ll be using both of them. I guess it’s decided that I’m going to be a true dual-wielder from now on.’

Han-Yeol had predominantly relied on Sword Breath as his primary weapon, with his chain serving more of a supportive role. However, with the inclusion of Cold Chain into the equation, he was now able to utilize both his sword and chain as his primary weapons.

‘I’m really glad I was able to make this happen, since I was getting concerned that my chain was starting to lag behind my sword. But this is not the end of it…’?he knew that there was something more important right now.

He might have gained three skills, Ice Attribute, Freeze Hand, and Cold Chain, but he was not satisfied with three skills alone.

‘I need at least five skills to be able to deal with any kind of situation…’?he knew that Freeze Hand was the only skill he could use in combat among the three new skills.

Cold Chain, technically speaking, functioned more as a buff or enchantment rather than an offensive skill. Consequently, Han-Yeol recognized the necessity for additional offensive and defensive capabilities. However, he wasn't in search of generic skills since he already possessed several formidable ones.

Explosion stood out as his most destructive offensive skill, while Force Shield and Reflect provided protection by warding off damage and reflecting it back to the attacker.

What he truly sought were specialized skills that fully harnessed the power of the Ice Attribute. Nevertheless, the creation of such skills posed several limitations. While he could generate countless generic skills, he had no desire to clutter his skill list with ones he knew he would never employ.

Moreover, he harbored concerns regarding a potential cap on the number of skills he could possess, prompting him to refrain from embarking on a skill-creation spree.

‘Hmm… The best ice attribute skill will be something that could limit my enemy’s mobility or freeze them to death… That means the most effective skill will be…’?Han-Yeol pondered again and again until he looked around his surroundings.

Almost the entire backyard was now in ruins thanks to him.

‘Haha… I don’t think this can be fixed… The workers are probably going to be pissed if they saw this… Geez, why did I have to lay waste to this entire place…? Hold on…!’?he suddenly thought of something brilliant.

‘I was able to lay waste to my surroundings by simply reducing the temperature… This means that I can finally gain a skill that I’ve always wanted but did not know how to get!’?

Chwak…!

Han-Yeol reverted his chain back to a tattoo.

“Phew…?I wouldn’t have dared attempt this if I was still a weakling, but…”

He composed his breathing, gradually gathering all of his mana into his core, before unleashing it in one powerful surge, channeling the Ice Attribute.

And then, something truly astounding transpired in his surroundings—everything froze.

Crack…! Crack…! Crack…!?

Han-Yeol's previously drab and colorless mansion had been transformed into a vibrant paradise, thanks to the diligent efforts of his workers. However, his newly acquired skill rendered all their hard work futile, freezing everything solid in his vicinity.

If the workers were to witness this scene, they would likely be horrified and mourn the loss. Yet, any other Hunters who beheld this spectacle would marvel at the sheer devastation he had unleashed.

This was no ordinary offensive skill; rather, it served as a testament to the raw power one could wield solely through their own mana.

‘Just a bit more…! A bit more…!’?Han-Yeol gritted his teeth and ramped up his mana.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!?

The frost began to encroach upon the walls of the mansion. Han-Yeol took great care to confine it within a five-meter radius around himself, ensuring that no one inadvertently became entangled in its icy grip. After all, the frost possessed formidable power, capable of instantly freezing any living being that dared venture into its path.

Ding!

[A new skill has been created: Frozen Field.]

‘Yes!’?Han-Yeol exclaimed in delight after seeing the message.

Typically, it would take Han-Yeol a significant amount of time to refine something he accomplished into a fully-developed skill. However, fortune appeared to favor him on this particular day, as he achieved it in an instant.

Han-Yeol harbored a strong conviction that today was undeniably his lucky day.

[Frozen Field (F)]

[Type: Active]

[Description: A rare field skill that spans five meters around the user and completely freezes it. Anything that steps into the field will have their movement speed reduced by ten percent and sustain frost damage per second. The area, effect on speed, and frost damage will increase the higher this skill’s level is.]

‘Excellent! Marvelous! What I wanted has materialized into a skill!’?Han-Yeol rejoiced after gaining four skills in a short period of time.

If most Hunters were to witness this sight, they would likely be filled with overwhelming envy. However, for Han-Yeol, this was just another ordinary day in his life as a Hunter.

There was a time when he would become extremely ecstatic upon acquiring a new skill, but over time, he had grown accustomed to it, finding contentment in the simple joy it brought him.

One of the most unsettling traits of humanity was perhaps their capacity to adapt. Anything that initially brought immense happiness would inevitably lose its luster once familiarity set in, prompting individuals to seek out new sources of stimulation and potentially leading to corruption.

Fortunately, Han-Yeol remained far from succumbing to such corruption, and he had no intention of allowing it to taint him.

‘Let’s see… I just need one more skill and I’ll stop working on this Ice Attribute. I wonder what I should get this time…’?he wondered.

He was trying to come up with a skill when he suddenly sensed a familiar mana.

‘Oh, it’s Mujahid’s mana? Is it already time for us to leave?’?Han-Yeol checked the time after sensing his mana.

‘Wow… I thought only thirty minutes passed, but three hours passed already? Time really does pass really quickly if I focus on my mana,’?he thought in amazement at how fast time had passed while clicking his tongue.

He probably had to delay gaining another skill now that Mujahid was here.

‘Well, I’m not in any rush, so…’?he figured that they were going to the Cheolwon hunting ground, so he was not in a rush to get any more ice attribute skills.

After all, it was more effective for him to use his fire attribute skills against those monsters instead of the same element.

Surprisingly, this time Mujahid appeared to lack his usual sense of urgency as he entered the mansion through its gates in a proper manner.

The security personnel expressed their gratitude that he refrained from leaping over the mansion walls, a habit that had previously thrown the entire estate into chaos whenever he did so. With a sigh of relief, the guards allowed Mujahid to enter, engaging in a casual conversation among themselves.

[Haa… I always get nervous whenever Mujahid-nim comes.]

[Yeah, my family back home is quite comfortable now thanks to this job, and I’d hate it if anything happens and we lose this job…]

[Hey, they say that your words can become reality, so be careful what you wish for!]

[Oh, right! Let’s be careful with what we say from now on…]

The mercenaries assigned to guard the mansion were determined not to lose their current employment. They had previously worked as mercenaries for England, India, and Brunei, allowing them to earn a decent living. However, the shift in the world's order had left them without work for a considerable period.

This predicament left them acutely aware that if they were to lose their present job, they would undoubtedly face significant challenges in finding new employment. The mere thought of Mujahid breaching the mansion walls caused their hearts to sink, for they knew the consequences would be dire if they were to be dismissed from their positions.

“Hyung-nim!”

“Hey, Mujahid. Did you find a suitable weapon?”

"Yes! The Dwarf Workshop had a fine claw that was commissioned by an S Rank Hunter. However, since that Hunter hasn't come to claim it for nearly three months, they agreed to sell it to me instead."

“That’s great news. Then, are you ready to go to the Cheolwon hunting ground?”

“Of course! Hahaha!”

There were numerous hunting grounds available in South Korea, making it somewhat unusual for him to be so elated about this particular one. However, once he became engrossed in something, he was the type to stubbornly insist on pursuing it. If he couldn't hunt in his chosen hunting ground, he would become greatly frustrated and upset.

Some might suggest going on another outing, but Mujahid's unwavering dedication to hunting surpassed everything else. Moreover, he had a notorious reputation for his impatience.

"Shall we prepare to depart?"

"I am already prepared, hyung-nim! In fact, I have already brought our Porters for the hunt, and they are all stationed outside the mansion! Haha!"