Above a giant rhino monster's corpse, a boy lying in his back while looking at the bright blue sky. Sweats flowed on his forehead while he took his breath and normalized his heartbeat. He closed his eyes, listening to the rasping grass noise while assessing his fight with this rhino-like creature earlier.

There were many occasions where he can end the fought sooner, but he took many unnecessary risks, which made this hunt dangerous to himself.

"I still inexperienced," the boy mumbled while opening his eyes.

"Hey, good job there, Jun."

The boy, Jun, sat down and looked at the old man who called his name. That old man was his teacher at hunting monster and often helped him when he's in a plight. Jun saw this old man in high regard and fully respect him even though Jun rarely showed them.

"Thanks for the compliment, old man," Jun said with a smile and then jumped down from the monster's body.

“Your skill improved greatly in just a month, Jun.”

“I know, right. I find it hard to believe too. If this were me one month ago, I wouldn’t even dare to hunt a red level monster by myself even if you beat me.”

The old man smiled but then sighed, “Unfortunately, I never saw ability similar to the one you awoke one month ago, so there’s not much I can do to help you. However, from what we see thus far, your ability has the potential to make you stronger.”

“Heee, maybe there is a chance for me to become a ranker after all,” Jun uttered his words while grinning.

“Forget it. Their abilities are broken as fuck. Just focus on your own improvement instead.”

“Just let a young man dream, gramps,” Jun sulked.

“What young man, you’re just a kid. You know, back on earth, children on your age are still going to school,” The old man sneered.

“Yeah, whatever old man. You and your nostalgia, you know that I was born here and never even saw the earth right.”

After bantering with the old man, Jun looked at the monster’s corpse. His eyes changed from dark brown into silver with golden glows – the sign that his ability was active.

In Jun’s vision, the monster’s corpse radiated different colors depend on its body parts, and not long after, a notification sound ringing at William’s ear.

*Ding*

Armored Rhino’s Corpse

The corpse of Orange Level Monster with strong defense and fast linear speed.

??? – You need to kill more Armored Rhinos to unlock its explanation

“So, how is it,” the old man asked.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“As expected, the window just gives general info of this corpse.”

Jun answered and then looking at the old man while his skill was still active.

*Ding*

Name

Hansoo

Title

Noisy Old Man, Assassin Monarch, ???

Rank

??? – Impossible to see with your current level

Status

??? – Impossible to see with your current level

Relation

Affection – He found your antics similar to his deceased son

“As usual, I can’t even see your rank,” Jun sighed.

“Don’t be perturbed. I’m a prodigy and much older than you to add. Our level is too different, kid,” the old man, Hansoo, said smugly.

“You and your conceit again, old man.”

“It wasn’t a conceit. It’s confidence. Kids today don’t even know what the difference,” Hansoo sighed. “Just look at the dropped item from that rhino.”

“Oookay,” Jun answered cheerfully and then looking at the corpse, but soon he trembled after seeing the thing that dropped.

“Old man, old man, this, this, is this what I think it is?” Jun stuttered, and his words weren’t even coherent because of his surprise.

Jun took a small glowing translucent stone from the corpse remain and then showed it to Hansoo.

“Hooo, it’s truly your lucky day. You just got a skill rune. Is this your first time?”

Jun nodded after hearing confirmation from Hansoo.

In this world, when you kill a monster, there is a small chance for a rune to drop, that if consumed, will increase your status. On a rare occasion, a skill rune can drop too, but there’s some condition to meet, and it also needed luck on your side.

“Good, it’s yours because you’re the one killed this monster. If you choose to sell this, you could live leisurely for a while,” Hansoo nodded after examining the rune and then gave it back to Jun.

Jun fell silent as he wanted to sell it and split the money with Hansoo or maybe just give it to him. After all, it’s thanks to Hansoo he could improve this fast, but he already knew Hansoo’s personalities and would reject his offer. Hansoo probably would say something along the lines that he wouldn’t need skill from a measly orange level monster.

“Don’t bother trying to share it with me. That level of skill is useless to me anyway,” as if knowing what’s in Jun's mind, Hansoo reassured him with a smile.

“Okay then,” Jun held back his thought and accepted Hansoo’s words. “So, do you know where I should sell this?”

“My advice? You rarely asked for one boy,” Hansoo smirked.

“Well, you should consume it rather than selling it. An orange level skill will be a huge boost for your strength. Even though the armistice currently maintained and the rule of the jungle is not so apparent now, there are too many variables to say this peace will last. You don’t know what era will come later. It’s better preparing some trumps card.”

“I understand. I’ll consume it later at night,” Jun nodded, and then fell silent for a moment while looking at Hansoo’s eyes, “thanks, old man.”

“What the. You made me uncomfortable. Just skin that monster, it’s already late.”

“Fine, fine.” Jun took the knife in his belt and started cutting the edible parts. His movement was swift and precise as he already used to skin beasts.

In just fifteen minutes, all usable parts already cut into pieces. The only thing left for Jun is separating the one for selling and the one for his siblings' consumption later at the orphanage.

When Jun nearly finished sorting them, Hansoo spoke, “Jun, there is some mission that I must do. So we won’t see each other for a while.”

Jun stopped his hand and then looked at Hansoo, “Is it dangerous?”

Hansoo grinned after hearing Jun’s question, “Save your concern. Who do you think I am? This one also would be walking in the park. You should focus on your training because you still lack in many aspects.”

Jun smiled, “I relieved if you this confident old man.”

“Anyway, it seems someone’s coming this way. Time to wind up our lesson today,” As Hansoo finished saying that, he vanished into thin air.

Jun doesn’t know why Hansoo always disappeared whenever other people come, but he believes Hansoo has his own reason, and he won’t pry either.

“Time to pack this meat and back to the guild.”

“Inventory,” Jun murmured, followed by vanishing meats in front of him.