It had been a few days since Kuro met Si-Hun.
And today, Si-Hun had a portal hunt to go to.
Si-Hun had reached the location and was standing with Kuro in a corner.
"That portal gives me mid-mana levels. The atmosphere isn't as intimidating."
"Wow, you're progressing slowly."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Si-Hun's senses had just gotten a bit sharper.
"Everyone! Enter the portal, please." Their group's leader called everyone.
"Master, this is like a bonus for you. You will level up when you kill monsters in portals. The abilities you gain will depend on the rank of the monsters."
"Haha, finally you opened your mouth for good."
"Huhh!"
"Let's go."
Si-Hun entered the portal with other predators.
They walked in and were soon met with some low-level goblins.
One attacked at Si-Hun.
Another predator, knowing that Si-Hun couldn't fight properly, was about to kill the goblin for Si-Hun, but before he could do that,
Si-Hun had already taken out his dagger and slid it across the goblin's neck, killing him in one attack.
"Whoa. Looks like you don't need my help."
"Oh, thanks, but I'm good."
"Ok.."
Si-Hun killed a few goblins, not trying to make his gains that obvious, as people would find it suspicious.
Their predator team was of 6 members.
One of them was Shin Rahee, who was very sharp and was a C-rank striker.
Si-Hun felt like someone was keeping an eye on him, but he brushed it off.
Shin Rahee was observing him all the time.
She had noticed the small change in his strength.
"Last time, he couldn't even take down E rank ferals, but today, he's taking them down with such practiced ease.
After dealing with all the monsters, it was time to kill the boss.
"Everyone! Get ready." Their leader shouted.
They entered the boss's chamber and were all ready.
Si-Hun also wanted to participate in it to level up, even if the advantage isn't as good.
The team started attacking the portal boss.
Si-Hun stayed in the corner and said to Kuro:
"I want to participate, but they will definitely notice, but what's wrong with throwing a firecharge?"
Si-Hun swung his hands and was about to make a firecharge when Kuro spoke in.
"MASTER!! Noo, you can't use even your firecharge as your powers have increased, and it could take down a low-level boss in one go. You would attract attention.
"Tsk. Such a loss."
"Cope with it," Kuro said, chuckling.
"You really enjoy teasing me, you do things on purpose, right?"
"What!? No master!"
"They're taking too long to take the boss down. They could've just used their magic and killed him."
After killing the boss, everyone started collecting the mana stones.
Mainly, E rank novices did this because they didn't have much of a role in fighting.
Si-Hun was mining the mana stones when he was approached by Shin Rahee, a senior C rank.
"So…, where's all the strength coming from??"
"What strength?" Si-Hun asked, not wanting to talk about this.
"You've been killing goblins like you're crushing a few ants, whereas you couldn't even kill an E rank feral before. Hmm."
"Uh haha…nothing, I'm just practicing my magic skills at home."
"But you were fighting with a dagger."
"Oh, yeah…, right. I've been practicing every day."
"Convincing, I guess."
She left from there, but she knew something was off.
"People are starting to notice. They'll be suspicious."
"But, didn't you want people to notice?"
Si-Hun's breath hitched.
It was true, but not anymore.
He did want to be seen, but things changed.
"Yes, I did. But honestly, life is more worth living for yourself than for others."
"Is this so? I don't know because I'm not a human, and I do feel, but my emotions aren't as deep. Master Eravus says if I started to feel, then it could be disastrous."
"Feelings can shape a person's way of thinking and impact their actions; that's why your master doesn't want you to experience them this deeply."
"Maybe."
The shift ended with that.
Si-Hun was worried that people would get suspicious of his sudden boost in strength.
Si-Hun was meeting with Jae-Un tonight.
He came back in town last night.
"Kuro, I have to meet my friend at the café tonight. So we'll head there from here."
"Ok master."
Si-Hun waited for Jae-Un at the café.
"Yoo bro, it's the first time in our friendship that you arrived before me."
"You are late this time, but since you're coming after a while, I'll treat you today."
"Yahoo!!'
Kuro was seeing them both laugh. Something inside him wanted to 'feel' like humans.
He was happy seeing Si-Hun happy, since Si-Hun rarely smiled.
"Yo bro! you know what happened to me while I was coming here?"
'What?"
"Bro, there was a girl, and GOD, she was so pretty. I was looking at her in the convenience store. The exciting thing was that when she was billing, she was short on cash, so I offered to pay. She thanked me and asked for my number to pay her back, I politely refused but she insisted. Broo! I so wanted to get her number, but she would think I'm a creep!"
"Haha, Jae-Un, the craziest things happen to you. At least she gave you her cryptocurrency."
"Yeah. Well, Si-Hun, tell me something."
"Tell you what?"
"You're attractive, way more handsome than me, why don't you have any girlfriend!?"
"BRO I've told you so many times, I DON'T WANT ONE."
"Come on, a girl won't do anything. Bro you have zero female interaction."
"I'm good."
"As you wish. Now I'm hungry. Order something."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Hamburger."
"Okay."
They both ate, and Si-Hun had a nice time.
They were on their way back home when Kuro asked
"Master, why do you not want a girlfriend right now?"
"Why are you asking such questions?"
"Yahh, answer please."
"If I don't like someone from the heart. How well do I show love to her? I wouldn't be able to be a gentleman. I'm better off alone for now. A girlfriend can wait."
"As you say, master."
Si-Hun and Kuro went on talking like that and reached home, where another storm was waiting for Si-Hun.