DCRBG 39

Chapter 39

Second Unlock (2):

4.

The second unlock for the Attention-Seeker skill originally required 1 million MyTube subscribers and 10,000 membership subscribers.

But why was the second unlock happening at this timing?

As I was wondering, a golden-framed message window appeared before my eyes.

[Hidden Achievement <Celebrity> achieved! The achievement condition was <Appear on the 9 o’clock news at least 3 times>.]
[As a reward for achieving the hidden achievement, the conditions for the second unlock are relaxed.]

A hidden achievement? Was this a thing?

“Honestly, isn’t this way too convenient for the system?”

From what I’ve seen so far, this golden-framed message window was very different from other message windows.

It seemed to check the Abyss’s administrators, a sort of “my personal system” that gave me countless privileges. And this time, it sided with me again.

[With the second unlock completed, your skill unlock rate increases.]
[Efficiency for all slots increases by 20%.]
[Slot <3. Godslayer Rebon> unlocked!]
[Passive Skill <Rebon – Lucky Guide> unlocked.]
[Passive Skill <Pathfinder> unlocked…]

Good news first thing in the morning—there’s nothing more refreshing than this.

Good thing nobody was home. If someone had been here, they might’ve been scared by my beaming face.

Vrrrrrr!

As my abilities unlocked, I could feel the mana in my body increasing, and the system message window continued:

[Unique Trait <Skill Archive> has changed; previously unlocked sub-traits have been reset.]
[Unique Trait <Skill Archive – Fusion> unlocked.]
[The number of skills currently available for fusion is 2.]

“Finally?”

I hadn’t really worried about it because nothing had been beyond my strength so far. But the <Fusion> trait played a major role in turning me into Avalon’s ultimate weapon.

It’s a skill that lets me fuse any skills stored in my slots freely—a ridiculous power.

I can combine magic of different attributes or even forcibly merge martial arts or combat techniques with different origins.

For example, a fireball with an ice attribute, or an axe skill in one hand and a sword skill in the other.

Borrowing Belua’s words to describe this power:

“I don’t know who made it, but it’s ridiculously childish and ridiculously powerful. Seriously, who even has something like this? Do you know how deprived people feel watching the boss? Combining extremes is so difficult… Geez, boss. Stop messing around and hand me that pepper shaker.”

Well, yeah.

When my strength peaked, I could wield up to five skills at once.

Anyway, it was the brute-force ability that made me the strongest in this world.

“And now they’re letting me unlock it.”

Perhaps this is a system warning: the third-floor raid will be extremely difficult.

It’s not all joy, but now that <Fusion> is unlocked, my trump card is ready.

And with the foul-mouthed elf’s skill unlocked too… it’s finally time to carry out what I’ve been waiting for.

I took a deep breath and cautiously checked Rebon’s skill.

“Summon Spirit.”

[Unique Trait <Skill Archive – Godslayer Rebon> activated.]
[This skill is usable at the current unlock rate.]
[<Skill: Summon Spirit>]

Godslayer Rebon.

The infamous Rebon, known as the Elf’s Savior, Elf Liberator.

A hero who defeated the evil god that enslaved the elves.

Like a true elf of the Longlife species, Rebon was the eldest of our party.

But in behavior, he was almost as childish as me.

Borrowing Belua’s expression again:

“Did you happen to age yourself backward through the rear hole?”

…Hmm, truly a fine expression.

He had a nasty temperament, easily offended, and was a cantankerous old man—but his combat prowess was unmatched.

Known as the Divine Archer, he was an excellent scout capable of exploring unknown paths, and simultaneously the greatest spirit mage in elf history.

No exaggeration to say he was the pinnacle of elves.

Among Rebon’s skills, the one he used most often was this very spirit summoning.

Why? Because spirit magic greatly improved quality of life.

[Due to low unlock rate, connection with <Dimensional Realm: Spirit Realm> is unstable.]
[Recontracting with the spirit is required.]
[The maximum number of spirit slots allowed for you is 1. Additional slots will unlock with higher unlock rate.]

There are four spirit attributes: Water, Fire, Earth, and Wind.

Yeah, I didn’t expect to get all four right away.

Each has pros and cons, but my first choice was already decided.

The spirit I loved most, the one that helped me the most.

“Summon that guy.”

“Earth Spirit.”

Fwaaaah!

Mana surged from my body, forming a small verdant door before me.

Spirits are incredible. They aid in battle, allow use of nature’s power, and most importantly…

Zziiik?

“…Peanut?”

Zziiik!

Cute.

I was moved as I gazed at the cream-colored creature that appeared.

Tiny black ears, glossy cream fur, small body with all the features packed in, and stubby legs.

[Earth Spirit <Peanut> summoned.]
[Recontracting completed.]
[The spirit gladly accepts the recontract with you!]

“Peanut!”

Zziiik! Zziiik!

Amidst the blood-stained adventures of my life here, this little companion had brought me joy.

Golden Hamster Peanut.

Peanut immediately climbed onto my shoulder, squeaking happily and rubbing its face against my neck.

I couldn’t help but be moved as I petted its tiny body.

“Have you been well?”

Zziiik!

Our Peanut, squeaking like a real hamster.

Outwardly, a tiny, precious hamster—but in truth, quite formidable.

Fshhh!

“Kuhhaaak.”

Top-tier Earth Spirit. Capable of causing earthquakes at full power, physically strongest among spirits.

And yes, its tiny paws pack a punch. When Peanut’s little front paw struck my cheek, my neck almost twisted 90 degrees.

The saying “small but mighty” exists for Peanut.

Also, making hamster noises is one of its hobbies.

Why a hobby? Because…

“I’ve been waiting! How have you been, Master?”

Hey, it can actually speak.

5.

As soon as I summoned Peanut, I headed straight to the Abyss.

Now that my abilities were unlocked, the first task was obvious: objectively assess my current state.

“There were only almonds at home. Are they tasty?”
“Crunchy! Almonds are really good!”
“Is this the power of genetic engineering?”
“Genetic engineering? What’s that?”

Peanut’s cheeks on my shoulder seemed about to burst from the almonds.

Even though I could just feed it everything, having been in hamster form so long, it was behaving like a hamster.

…Cute, so I let it slide.

[Entering the Abyss.]
[<3rd Floor – Plains of Departure (Western Seoul, Korea Starting Point)>]

I considered visiting the newly unlocked 2nd-floor starting point, Witch’s Forest, but entered the 3rd floor directly.

A vast green plain spread out before me.

The endless horizon, rare in Korea, indicated a huge field.

From the scale alone, floors 1 and 2 felt like tutorials, while the real Abyss began at floor 3.

The main difference with floor 3 is:

[Congratulations. You have earned the qualification of a true Dimensional Wanderer.]
[Floor 3 progresses via chained quests.]
[Select a chained quest. You can quit midway, but progress will reset.]
[Rewards vary depending on quest difficulty.]
[Available chained quests:]

Immortal Army (Difficulty S)
Rage of the Green Skin (Difficulty A)
Terror of the Distant Sea (Difficulty A)
Nightmare Forest (Difficulty C)
Alchemist’s Experiment (Difficulty B)

Chained quests are how one explores the Abyss.

You don’t have to follow the quest path strictly.

From my research, the usual method is to level up via hunting, meet the required specs, and then tackle the quest.

Most players wander the field, hunting and doing quests as they please.

In gaming terms, the chained quests act as main quests, while field quests are side quests.

“Hmm…”

Choices galore—this is tough.

I heard the quest list changes periodically. Usually, B-rank is chosen for balanced difficulty and rewards.

If you spend about a month leveling on the 3rd floor, you can handle B-rank.

As I pondered, Peanut muttered while nibbling almonds:

“Uh-huh. Master, I brought a letter!”
“Huh? A letter?”
“A crazy wizard asked me to deliver it… wait!”

Peanut waved its tiny hands, then pulled a tiny vial from its cheek.

The tiny bottle instantly grew in size.

The “crazy wizard” must be Belua.

“Here!”

After delivering the letter, Peanut resumed eating almonds.

I took the letter out and read quickly. Short, but it said:

“Maybe we can make contact soon? Boss, I think I found a way. Wait just a bit longer ♥”

There’s a heart and a lip mark… probably stamped with ink.

“How do you have this letter?”
“Rebon summoned me! He asked me to store it in my cheek at that time.”

For reference, Peanut’s cheek pouch is essentially a pocket dimension.

Contact soon? I wonder what that means. But for now, it’s not urgent.

“Good job.”

I petted Peanut’s head and focused back on the quest window.

B-rank or lower? Skip.

No need for grind; if my spec allows higher floors, leveling there is more efficient.

A-rank seemed bland… ah, no need to overthink.

“Immortal Army.”

Without hesitation, I chose the S-rank quest.

[Chained Quest <Immortal Army> selected!]
[Warning! Minimum recommended party size: 5. If solo, recruit companions first.]

[Immortal Army <1>]
Difficulty: S
Description: An army that does not vanish despite the passage of time. The ultimate power dreamt of by countless rulers. A king from another world created the army he dreamed of through dark power. Fearless in death, they terrorized countless mortals. Trace their remnants.
Objective: Proceed to <3rd Floor – Silent Cemetery> to gather clues.
Reward: <3rd Floor Rare Capsule>, <Achievement Points 100>

For reference, 1500 achievement points are required to advance from 3rd to 4th floor.

First reward is already a rare capsule?

If natural drops give a capsule via Lucky Matryoshka… I’ll be rolling in money again.

There’s plenty of time before the 3rd-floor raid, so I’ll diligently push quests until then.

Ah, right. Almost forgot.

Vrrrrrr!

I pulled out a recording drone from my inventory and powered it on.

I hadn’t scheduled a broadcast today, but a surprise stream is fine sometimes.

I really want to show our cute Peanut to viewers.

“Broadcast start. Today’s title… We’ve recruited a mascot.”

[Broadcast title set: We’ve recruited a mascot.]
[Broadcast starting.]

The forums were flooded with “Turn on the stream or else.”