Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 338 – Ten Days In The Bastro Dimension (5)

[Oh? You seem quite chill.]

Tak!

The Ox Warrior might appear crude and mischievous, yet he demonstrated respect for Han-Yeol by kneeling before him. It was the primary method for a Bastroling to display reverence toward another individual.

Ironically, while he conveyed respect through actions, he remained reticent verbally. Han-Yeol chose to overlook this disparity, finding it challenging to comprehend the Bastrolings' behavior even after having assumed the role of Dimension Lord and had resided there for two decades.

Consequently, Han-Yeol found himself with an Ox Warrior as his subordinate.

‘Should I be grateful to those spotted bastards?’ he wondered when an alert suddenly rang.

Ding!

[A citizen from the first dimension has successfully asserted dominance over a citizen of the second dimension, compelling them to pledge loyalty. The Dimension Manager is impressed by your accomplishment and eagerly anticipates further displays of your capabilities.]

[A new skill has been created – Oath of Loyalty (F)]

[A new skill has been created – Ruler’s Eye (F)]

[A new skill has been created – King’s Gift (F)]

Four messages appeared before him.

‘I-Is this for real?’ Han-Yeol was bewildered and surprised upon seeing the three skills he had obtained.

Creating a single skill required a substantial investment of time and effort. That was why acquiring three unplanned skills, seemingly useful from their names alone, was undoubtedly astonishing.

He promptly checked the skills, urgently requesting, ‘O-Open skill descriptions!’

[Oath of Loyalty (F)]

Type: Passive

Description: A passive skill that activates whenever a creature swears loyalty to the user. When a creature pledges loyalty, its HP increases by ten percent while reducing the likelihood of betrayal by fifty percent. These percentages will escalate as the skill's level advances.

[Ruler’s Eye (F)]

Type: Active

Description: Capable of seeing through the entirety of any creature that swears loyalty to the user, including their status, abilities, skills, and likelihood of betrayal. Prolonged exposure to the Ruler’s Eye results in the subject being charmed by the user's charisma, reducing the probability of disobedience while under its influence. Even a creature that has not sworn loyalty to the user will be influenced by the user’s charisma if a significant power gap exists between them.

[King’s Gift (F)]

Type: Active

Description: Enables the user to utilize their mana to enhance a piece of equipment wielded by a sworn subject. This skill can alter the equipment’s stats and shape, with the capacity to enhance an additional piece of equipment each time the skill levels up.

‘Wow… This is the best…’ Han-Yeol ruminated, feeling a surge of catharsis.

By now, labeling his ability as overpowered was an understatement.

[What's on your mind right now?]

“Hmm… It’s nothing.”

[Oh well, what should I do now?]

The Ox Warrior spoke in a manner neither courteous nor rude.

“We’re going hunting.”

[Hunting?]

“Yeah, I need to grow stronger.”

[Geez… if you say so… Ah, I wanted to ask you something.]

“What?”

[Are you an enemy of the hyenas or did you kill them just for the hell of it?]

“Do you want a clear answer?”

[T-That would be best…]

“It’s either I die, or the hyenas go extinct.”

The hyenas were Han-Yeol’s enemies in numerous ways. They nearly killed his father, aided the Dragon of Destruction, and even dared to desecrate his body. Technically, it was Harkan’s body, but it had been Han-Yeol’s home for two decades, and its desecration left a bitter taste.

Han-Yeol had countless reasons to exterminate every hyena in existence; they were a species unfit to share the sky with him.

[Bwahaha! That works for me! I'll gladly serve to obliterate those hyenas!]

Bam! Bam!

The Ox Warrior let out a hearty laugh and slapped Han-Yeol on the back twice.

“Hmm… I always knew you had it in you to become a ruler, master. Barely a day has passed since we arrived here, and you've already acquired a subordinate.”

“Haha… Is that how it appears?”

“Kyu!”

Tia and Mavros returned after eliminating all of the Spotted Hyenas.

[Oh? These are the ones who took down the Spotted Hyenas. Are they your subordinates, boss?]

“Yes, they are.”

[Oh! That's fantastic! Hahaha!]

‘Geez… I can’t quite figure out what’s going on in this guy’s head…’ Han-Yeol grumbled inwardly at the Ox Warrior’s enthusiasm.

***

Han-Yeol welcomed the Ox Warrior as the newest addition to his party, and they set off toward the dungeon he had scouted earlier.

“Oh right, I haven’t asked your name yet. What’s your name?” Han-Yeol inquired of the Ox Warrior.

He could easily check using the Ruler’s Eye, but he felt it might seem suspicious if he knew the name without an introduction.

[Hmm… I have already shed my past. I have pledged loyalty to you, so… Why don’t you share your name first, and then you can grant me a name? I seek to begin anew with a fresh name.]

“Hmm… Well, my name is Lee Han-Yeol, and your name will be…” Han-Yeol paused, rubbing his chin in thought.

‘Bastrolings often name themselves after the first alphabet of their animal names in English, so…’[1]

This wasn't always the case; for instance, Kandir was a werewolf, yet his name didn’t start with 'w' but with 'k'. However, that's because the canines were quite liberal with their naming conventions. Most Bastrolings tended to stick to tradition.

‘This guy’s a part of the cows, so… I should give him a cool name that at least starts with C…’ Han-Yeol strained his mind, hoping for a stroke of creativity.

“Hmm… Ah!”

[Have you thought of one?]

“Yes, your name will be Camelot from now on!”

[Bwahaha! That’s a cool name! I like it! My name will be Camelot from now on, and I’ll be in your care, boss!]

“Certainly, Camelot.”

Han-Yeol felt proud that Camelot appreciated the name he had chosen.

Ding!

[Your first subject approves of the name you gave him.]

[His loyalty has increased.]

[You have gained +1 Charisma.]

‘Oh? I didn’t realize I could boost my stats like this,’ he exclaimed inwardly, surprised at the increase in his stats.

Han-Yeol’s party arrived at the entrance of the dungeon.

[This place is…]

It was a forest near a lake fed by a now-dry waterfall. The vegetation was so dense that peering into the forest from outside proved impossible.

“Do you recognize this place, Camelot?”

[I do, but I’ve never been here. I usually roam alone, so it’s quite burdensome for me to enter a dungeon alone. Hahaha!] Camelot burst into laughter despite the lack of humor.

“Well, you’re not alone anymore, so feel free to enter.”

Han-Yeol was about to step into the dungeon when Camelot halted him.

[Before that.]

“Hmm?” Han-Yeol tilted his head, curious.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

Camelot rummaged through his pockets, retrieving three vials containing purple liquid, and handed one to Han-Yeol, another to Tia, and the last one to Mavros.

“What’s this?”

[Hehehe… It’s a special potion I made.]

“A potion? From you?” Han-Yeol tilted his head again, surprised that an Ox Warrior had crafted a potion.

He scoured his memories from his time as Harkan but couldn’t recall any mention of an Ox Warrior creating potions.

Han-Yeol's caution might have seemed offensive to Camelot, given their limited acquaintance. However, Camelot appeared unfazed by Han-Yeol’s reaction.

[Bwahaha! You seem to know about us Bastrolings! Yes, most oxen among us only know how to fight and consider potion-making a waste of time. I might be among them, but I retained memories from my previous life.]

“Huh? Memories from your past life?”

[Yes, I might not remember everything, but I recall things like potion-making and alchemy. Living with the Ox Warriors was suffocating. The Bastro Dimension could have been better if they put more effort into things beyond fighting… Tsk… Tsk…]

“Haha…”

Han-Yeol chuckled awkwardly, inwardly agreeing, ‘I had the same thought as him…’

It appeared that Han-Yeol and Camelot shared some similarities. It made sense why Camelot readily surrendered and accepted being Han-Yeol’s subordinate.

‘Perhaps he was a pragmatic being like humans in his previous life…’

[Hmm… If my memory serves correctly… I believe my race in my previous life was called 'human'?]

“Ah… I’m a human too…” Han-Yeol subconsciously murmured.

[I knew it! No wonder something about you felt familiar!]

“Stop lying through your teeth, will you? You attacked me the moment you saw me, remember?”

[Ahem! How about we let bygones be bygones? Hahaha!]

“That’s not how it works!”

[Bwahahaha!]

Despite Han-Yeol's angry outburst, Camelot appeared unfazed.

[Anyway, bottoms up! I wasn’t able to create anything remarkable as I’m on the run and had to make do with whatever I could find. But this potion enhances one’s affinity with mana. You’ll find it much easier to control your mana after drinking this.]

‘Oh?’ Han-Yeol’s interest was piqued upon hearing about the potion's effects.

‘Item Appraisal.’

Ding!

[Mana Potion]

Rating: Low

Type: Buff Potion

Description: This potion is crafted from common plants and requires highly dexterous mana handling. Drinking it enhances one’s mana sensitivity, enabling more efficient mana manipulation. However, its effectiveness is somewhat diminished due to the quality of the raw materials utilized.

‘This is quite impressive,’ Han-Yeol thought after confirming it was not poisonous.

He was not some fool who would drink whatever was given to him just because the Ox Warrior swore loyalty and became his slave.

‘Well, it doesn’t really matter as both Tia and Mavros are immune to most poison too,’ he thought before he signaled to them it was safe to consume the potion.

Mavros was able to freely use poison while Tia would be unharmed even after devouring highly-toxic critters.

What about Han-Yeol?

He had the ability to detoxify himself thanks to his skills so he was safe from poisons too.

Not a single one of them was susceptible to poison, but he still checked nevertheless as there was no harm in being careful.

Han-Yeol drank the potion after confirming it was safe.

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

“Ugh… It’s so bitter…!”

[Bwahaha! I usually add some sugar to make it sweet, but where will I find sugar while being on the run?]

“You could’ve warned me first! Damn it! Ptooey!”

Han-Yeol was not the type that could not stand bitter things. He usually ate most things without complaining, but the potion Camelot gave was far too bitter even for him.

[Bwahahaha!]

“Stop laughing!”

Han-Yeol and his subordinates entered the dungeon after their small ‘commotion’.

Ding!

[You will obtain double experience points.]

‘Alright!’ Han-Yeol cheered inwardly after seeing the message.

He was worried the double experience buff disappeared after he returned to Earth, but his worries seemed to be unfounded as the buff was still in effect.

Tia looked around the dungeon as soon as she entered and said, “Hmm… There’s an odd smell here…”

1. I know this doesn’t make sense. I've reread it repeatedly for almost 20 minutes, but I keep arriving at the same conclusion. Please don’t shoot the messenger—I’m just a bunny. ☜