The More the Healer Gets Hit the Stronger He Become

Chapter 28

28 – … No, not this one?

[Sacred Morning Star. Strength +4]

The leftmost item was the Sacred Morning Star, a short sword purchased for 6,800 points on the 17th floor to complement the lacking reach against high-level monsters.

Thanks to its high strength, it possessed the power to knock down monsters one by one with each swing.

[Basic Magic Power Ring of Alter Magicians]

[Increases the efficiency of magic power by 5% when worn. / Additional Effect: Magic power +2.]

This was an item he couldn’t purchase before, as he had chosen a stamina belt instead. However, with money left on the 18th floor, he bought it for 6,100 points.

Thanks to the function of increasing the efficiency of magic power, the effect of the Holy Touch had slightly increased.

In addition, he purchased it from the Safe Zone on the 5th floor.

[Stamina Belt]

[Increases the healing effect received by the wearer by 8% when worn.]

He bought Asper’s Blessed Short Sword for half the price during the sale at the 10th-floor Safe Zone.

[Blessed Short Sword Infused with Asper’s Fiery Fist]

[Born under the threat of ‘Asper’s Fiery Fist,’ the well-forged blade effortlessly cuts through tough orc leather. / Additional Effect: Increases healing ability by 7% when used.]

Received as a gift from Lee Jungmin in the 11th-floor Safe Zone.

[Basic Kite Shield. Health +1]

Until now.

The items currently possessing stat-boosting effects for Kangwoo totaled 5.

When challenging the boss room on the 10th floor, the only items with stat-boosting effects were the [‘Fist of Asper’ staff received at the start, gifted by ‘Asper’, Healing +2, Mana +1] and the [Basic Round Shield, Health +1] obtained at the Square of Beginnings. Considering this, it was a truly refined change.

Thus, the safe zone on the 19th floor.

Kangwoo’s status window with stat-boosting effects applied to the items appeared as follows:

[Name: Kangwoo Choi

Strength: 19.8 → 41.6 +(4)

Health: 11 → 22 +(1)

Agility: 10 → 18

Intellect: 7 → 11

Mana: 10 → 21 +(2)]

The most pronounced change was undoubtedly in strength.

Given the ability ‘Sacred Touch,’ which increases strength by 0.1 upon using skills beyond a certain injury threshold, Kangwoo’s strength was abnormally high. Perhaps due to frequent hits, his health was also higher than average. Moreover, the frequent use of abilities resulted in an elevated mana value.

The reason behind the increase in intellect was unclear, and his agility had somewhat improved, perhaps due to frequent sprints to survive amid trials.

Who would think these stats belonged to someone on the 10th floor, the level of an awakened individual? His strength alone surpassed that of someone easily handling the 30th floor.

However.

Despite Kangwoo’s seemingly cheerful expression while checking the status window, it wasn’t entirely bright.

“I’ve slowed down.”

The change occurred once the mana value exceeded 20.

When the magical power exceeded 20, the sacred touch displayed a surprisingly remarkable change.

– It feels like it has doubled…?

With each rise in magical power, the healing ability, which had been increasing only as much as a grain of ant dust, suddenly rose more than twice as much.

Wounds that would barely stop bleeding after pouring healing three times were now staunchly sealed with just one heal.

Using it three times in a row showed an effect similar to that of an intermediate healing potion!

The reason Rain, despite entering the fluctuating ocean on the 19th floor, could survive was all thanks to this transformation.

Rain, who rejoiced in the strengthened healing power, soon realized.

That this change was not purely positive.

Muscle strength…!

Wounds that used to require pouring healing six times to treat were now resolved in just two.

In other words, wounds that used to increase muscle strength by 0.5 now could only increase it by 0.2.

With the reduced amount that could be increased at once, to raise muscle strength at the same rapid pace as before, now one had to endure being hit three times instead of once.

Truly….

“Damnit….”

It couldn’t be anything but tragic.

“Sigh….”

Using the sacred touch raises muscle strength, and naturally, magical power also rises. However, the more magical power rises, the harder it becomes to raise muscle strength. But to raise muscle strength, one has to use the sacred touch, and then magical power rises, making it harder to raise muscle strength….

Snap!

Rain, who loudly slapped his cheeks, shook his head.

Even the already elevated muscle strength of 41.6 was remarkable, but due to becoming accustomed to the rush of increasing muscle strength, his greed became excessive.

To adapt to the natural changes, Kangwoo took a moment for meditation and pondered another issue.

“20th floor….”

Since being alone in the store was an established fact, it was time to make thorough preparations.

“The shop.”

Kangwoo’s weapons were only the short sword for close combat and the morning star for melee combat.

For that reason, what Kangwoo needed now was:

[Longbow Enveloped in the Breath of the Wind]

[Less resistance against the wind. Agility +2 increase]

A proper long-range attack weapon and

[Orc Lord Leather Coat]

[A coat made of tough orc lord’s leather boasting outstanding defense. However, there is a high chance it won’t withstand the attacks of higher-ranking orc lord monsters. / Health +1]

A sturdy piece of armor.

But, this also posed a problem as the longbow enveloped in the breath of the wind cost 6,900 points, and the orc lord leather coat cost 8,500 points.

With a total of 11,495 points, it was impossible to purchase both.

“Ah, if Sua was here, I would have bought the armor without hesitation.”

As Kangwoo had no team members, he had to cover all positions alone, making it a regrettable situation.

“Hmm….”

Buying the bow without armor was frightening as he would be vulnerable like a dog, and buying the armor meant facing flying monsters without attacking and being afraid of getting hit.

After much hesitation, Kangwoo executed the purchase with trembling hands.

Attack or defense. Kangwoo’s choice was…

[You have purchased the Longbow imbued with the breath of the wind.]

[A deduction of 6,900 points will be made.]

It was an attack.

***

[You have undertaken the twentieth trial.]

Majestic trees, seemingly reaching for the sky, captivated the gaze.

‘Is this a mountain?’

Kang Woo surveyed the surroundings, trying to gauge his current location.

‘About the middle of the mountain.’

Why would he be transferred to such a place for a trial? As Kang Woo remained vigilant of his surroundings, the system’s voice continued.

[Mission: Eliminate the Owlbear.]

[Upon completing the mission, the trial will conclude.]

‘What?’

Stunned, he almost exclaimed in amazement, turning to cultivation for a moment.

With both hands covering his mouth, Kang Woo carefully contemplated the words of the system.

‘Owlbear?’

If it’s an Owlbear, it’s a D-grade monster with a height exceeding three meters, resembling a bear with the face of a bird.

D-grade monsters were creatures that could be hunted once there were at least five awakened individuals of D-grade on the 20th to 29th floors.

To face such a monster on the 20th floor, considered the beginning of the D-grade, and not just survive within a limited time like the sick orc on the 10th floor but to ‘eliminate’ it.

[The trial begins.]

The system announced the beginning of the trial, and in a frightening manner, Kangwoo checked the potions he currently possessed.

‘One high-level healing potion and… two intermediate healing potions.’

Having spent all remaining points on purchasing Longbows and arrows, he couldn’t afford to buy any more potions.

‘Would three potions be enough…?’

While he had one high-level healing potion, it wasn’t entirely reliable. After all, he was in a situation where he had to defeat an D-rank monster, the Owlbear.

‘Dammit.’

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Even if it wasn’t a pleasant thought, he should have saved his teammate. Regret surged like a torrent.

Dealing with an Owlbear, with tremendous strength and the ability to traverse mountains like stairs, was a daunting task.

‘Facing it head-on is futile.’

Though its rank was lower than an Orc, Kangwoo knew from firsthand experience that the Orc on the 10th floor was no pushover.

On the other hand, this Owlbear in the trial had no handicaps.

Maybe… the Owlbear he was about to face was even more powerful than the sick Orc on the 10th floor.

‘I must stay away and attack. If I get too close, I’ll die.’

One fortunate aspect was that only the loud buzzing of beetles broke the silence. There were no sounds of beasts around.

‘For now…’

He cursed the system for instructing him to confront an Owlbear in the mountains, but dealing with that could wait until after he survived.

Kangwoo used the built-in leather strap of the Kite Shield in his left hand to secure it to his forearm.

Whether he had a shield or not, facing the Owlbear with its terrifying strength would be dangerous the moment he allowed it within striking distance.

Therefore, what he needed most at the moment wasn’t a shield.

[Longbow Enveloped in the Breath of the Wind]

[4-Day Broadhead × 100]

The 4-day broadhead arrows were purchased along with the longbow.

These arrows, with four blades on the arrowhead, were hunting arrows capable of causing serious damage to muscles and tendons anywhere on the body.

However, suffering serious damage was reserved for nothing more than ‘ordinary’ animals.

Monsters. Among them, the performance of these arrows on the skin of a D-grade monster, the Owlbear, was uncertain, but it was undoubtedly superior to ordinary arrows.

“….”

A silent mountain.

Kangwoo, with the arrow nocked on the bowstring, lowered his body.

Even though it was questionable whether he could deceive the sharp-eyed Owlbear with a new head, not doing anything was better than doing nothing.

‘Where could it be….’

At the moment, no matter how much he looked around, he couldn’t see a single strand of fur.

In that case, he had to move….

Kangwoo, scanning the surroundings, shifted his footsteps after a short contemplation.

In this mountainous area, there was only one place that was advantageous for combat.

***

‘Hoo. Hoo.’

Climbing the mountain was not difficult.

Kangwoo’s stats had long surpassed those of an ordinary human.

However, to take each step silently, focusing his concentration, refraining even from exhaling loudly, and constantly being vigilant of his surroundings while moving, was an arduous task, no matter how resilient he was.

“It feels like my eyeballs might pop out.”

Still, this hardship wasn’t in vain. Unconsciously, Kangwoo couldn’t hide the laughter bubbling up as he approached the visible summit.

“hehehe. Let’s shoot an arrow into his forehead before charging in.”

Kangwoo’s plan was as follows:

Upon reaching the summit, scan the area below meticulously, looking for Owlbear. Launch a preemptive attack, killing or weakening Owlbear as much as possible before it reached the mountaintop.

The only concern Kangwoo had while formulating this plan was one:

Encountering Owlbear abruptly while ascending the mountain.

However, now that the summit was within reach, there was no further imminent danger.

“I might catch him without using a potion, right?”

Kangwoo arrived at the mountaintop, turning around a large rock that had obscured his view while sipping hot soup.

Krrr.

“…Huh?”

A fierce wind brushed against the mountaintop, rustling Kangwoo’s clothes.

Kangwoo stared at the massive rock at the center.

“Could it be…”

Why does the rock have a glaring, cloudy, anger-filled eyeball?

“…No way?”