Chapter 50

“To think there would be this much of an offensive right from the start…”

“At this rate, if we exclude the Raid Leader, it seems our combat power has become quite tight, hasn’t it?”

“What should we do? If this continues, I feel like we’ll keep losing personnel.”

Although Lee Yoonseop, a Level 4-rank Hunter, was with them, he wasn’t multiple people, nor was he invincible. Even so, against a boss of this kind of Dungeon, even Lee Yoonseop would need to maintain peak condition to seize victory.

‘…’

Taewoon’s thoughts were equally complicated.

He could handle monsters on the level of Mummy Knights, but the problem was that the damage to the other Hunters could increase.

Furthermore, Taewoon had a feeling that something far more powerful than a mere Mummy Knight was lurking within this Dungeon.

‘I can feel a tension that keeps pricking at my skin.’

He could realize it even from a brief experience. In the third sector of this Multi-type Dungeon, countless crises of death were lurking.

He had to move cautiously, step by step. That much was certain.

“Whew, I didn’t think it would be this bad…”

“Shouldn’t we be grateful that enemies of Level 4 haven’t appeared yet?”

“When you say that, I’m scared that one might actually show up…”

After the battle, the Hunters’ faces were filled with gloom.

However, even in such a situation, a few people cracked jokes to ease the tense atmosphere, and everyone began to move forward through the eerie corridor while maintaining their guard.

“No particular presence has been detected yet.”

“They rushed us so fiercely earlier; it’s strange.”

“I’ll keep detecting just in case.”

Since the corridor was quite dark, those with appropriate means secured the visibility, and the party calmly moved forward to scout the Boss Room.

“…Could it be that the number of monsters decreased as their level increased?”

“That’s not an illogical theory, but…”

“I really hope that’s the case.”

But before those words could finish, Taewoon suddenly lunged forward, pushed the shoulder of the man in the lead, and swung Barata with all his might.

And then.

A sharp dagger and spear collided, and faint sparks flew, scattering around them.

It was a sharp ambush, so precise that even Taewoon would have been late to notice if he hadn’t remained tense.

Revealing itself along with the clash was a humanoid monster armed and wrapped in bandages adorned with strange patterns all over its body.

“C-Corpse Assassin!”

“Dammit, it’s just one disaster after another.”

The Type 4 Undead Corpse Assassin was a monster positioned in the upper ranks of Level 3. While its pure physical specs were high, it was practically the natural enemy of Rear Guard Hunters.

In particular, with agility and technique that didn’t seem characteristic of an Undead type, it was an entity strong in one-on-one combat, capable of competing with Level 3-rank Hunters who had reached mastery.

Taewoon thrust his spear repeatedly, aiming for the creature’s openings, but the Corpse Assassin skillfully deflected them and launched a counterattack.

‘…So it possesses reasonably decent techniques.’

A type of monster completely different from the Horn Draktors he had faced previously.

However, its skill and precision were not comparable to Taewoon’s.

Slowly adjusting his steps, Taewoon heightened his focus and began to press the opponent relentlessly.

“Everyone, guard the front and the surroundings of the corridor! An ambush could come from anywhere at any time!”

It was an excellent, concise instruction, but in truth, it was difficult to properly perceive the Corpse Assassin’s stealthy movements with mediocre Detection Ability.

Ultimately, those capable of it had to support the rest of the personnel.

And naturally, one of the most suitable people for that was Taewoon.

After several exchanges, the Corpse Assassin vanished again into the shadows of the wall, hiding its traces of Magical Power, and the Hunters began to scan the surroundings tensely.

“Everyone, be careful! We must not lose track of its movements!”

Someone shouted urgently, but the Corpse Assassin’s movement was even faster. Appearing instantly from the rear, the Corpse Assassin swung its dagger, aiming for the heart of Kang Somin from the 2nd squad.

“…Gasp!”

Everyone was startled, and the moment Kang Somin desperately threw herself aside, a striking sound echoed through the corridor, and a golden barrier began to unfold around Choi Hanna.

【Condition 1: A target to protect with a sincere heart must exist】

【Condition 2: A threat or crisis toward the target of protection must exist】

【Condition 3: A suitable casting posture must be taken using a body part or tool】

【Condition Fulfilled】

【Cinema Skill: Final Rampart】

CLANG—!

【Creating a Level 3 Equivalent Semi-Automatic Protective Zone targeting a 3-meter radius area!】

Simultaneously, a sound like the atmosphere being torn apart echoed, and as if by magic, a large hole was punched through the Corpse Assassin’s chest.

Taewoon, who had already taken out and donned the Red Wax Mask, had moved through the shadows of the corridor to ambush the Corpse Assassin from behind.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“…Ah, no. Thank you. Whew, that was truly a hair’s breadth.”

It was a skill that left one speechless. Such mysterious movement that it could catch the back of a Corpse Assassin, which possessed unrivaled speed and stealth among Level 3-rank monsters.

Seeing the overwhelming skill, everyone, including Kang Somin, admired blankly and began to reorganize their formation.

“Everyone, focus! We’re not there yet!”

“Hah, seriously.”

“Even so, there should be a limit. Another swarm?”

At the sight of a new group of monsters appearing beyond a fork in the road, the Hunters let out hollow laughs and raised their respective weapons.

“Mummy Knights, Corpse Assassins… what is that over there? A Ruin Horn?”

The Hunters were disgusted by the faces of the enemies, whose reputations were steadily rising, and Taewoon stepped forward to the lead, slowly closing the distance with the enemies.

“The Raid Leader and I will take the lead. Everyone, focus only on the enemies in front of you.”

【Condition Fulfilled】

【Cinema Skill: The Red Man】

And so, Taewoon, becoming a single streak of light, began to sprint toward the enemy positioned at the very front.

Thanks to the activities of Raid Leader Lee Yoonseop and Taewoon, the party succeeded in defeating the swarm of monsters before them without significant casualties.

Though it might be a stretch to say it was solely because of that, the previously dark atmosphere seemed to have lifted slightly.

“Still, two additional injured… it’s cutting it close.”

“But at this pace, it doesn’t seem impossible? It’s definitely doable.”

The moment everyone united their wills and steeled their resolve, a strange voice, almost sounding modulated, began to be heard from somewhere.

The party’s expressions stiffened, and Raid Leader Lee Yoonseop let out a short sigh.

[…Can you hear me?]

Looking in the direction the sound was coming from, they saw a mummy holding a lantern standing in a place not far from the Raid Party, having approached unnoticed.

Faced with this unexpected encounter, everyone grew tense and raised their weapons.

“E-Elder type!”

One of the six categories of monster classification, a Type 2 monster possessing intelligence and experience superior to humans.

[If you are willing, why not come over here and exchange a few words for a moment?]

Elder type monsters have a few peculiar characteristics: first, they crave communication with the Hunters who intrude into the Dungeon, and second, every single one of them is incredibly eccentric and foul-tempered.

‘Additionally, most Elder types…’

The difference in strength between individuals is extreme, and there is a high probability that they possess a Threat Level of Rank 4 or higher.

If that thing was a being with above-average power even within Rank 4, it had to be viewed as a powerhouse that even Raid Leader Lee Yoonseop could not oppose.

[Can you not hear me? Hmm, strange.]

That thing simply repeated its question without causing any harm to the members of the Raid Party.

Eventually, Raid Leader Lee Yoonseop, shaking off his complicated feelings, gave an answer to the question on behalf of the party.

“What is your business?”

[It is simple. Is your goal not also a single thing? I invite you to my domain. I swear I will not cause you harm for the time being.]

The creature did not take any action and simply extended an invitation to the members of the Raid Party. It was a truly bizarre situation.

‘Dammit, this is driving me crazy.’

‘Just how are things playing out?’

‘I’ve heard that Elder types are eccentric, but I didn’t think it would be to this extent…’

In truth, from the Hunters’ perspective, there was no reason to refuse the offer.

Regardless of what the creature was thinking, they could simply find the location of the Boss Room and launch a surprise attack.

“…Everyone, get ready.”

Under Lee Yoonseop’s instructions, the Hunters suppressed their tension and followed the mummy with the lantern, finally reaching the Boss Room of the third sector.

They encountered several monsters on the way here, but they simply stared at the Hunters of the Raid Party without moving an inch.

It was evidence that all of them were under someone’s complete control.

“It’s a trap… right?”

“I don’t know. Elder type monsters are inherently impossible to read.”

“Anyway, we have no choice but to look for an opportunity.”

There was no other way regardless. Whether it turned out for better or worse, they had to face it.

After waiting for a moment, the door to the Boss Room opened without anyone touching it, urging the Hunters forward.

“Welcome.”

Along with a chilling, gloomy Magical Power, a being of bizarre appearance revealed itself before the Raid Party.

With the Dungeon’s monsters lined up orderly by its side, it sat in a chair, exhibiting a haughty attitude as if boasting the demeanor of an emperor.

A mysterious being holding a staff that emanated an unusual Magical Power and wearing a robe of a peculiar style over its shoulders.

The Dungeon’s boss monster, reminiscent of a Pharaoh from old tales, took the form of a Wooden Man, as if carved from a withered old tree.

‘Dammit, what is that?’

‘It’s definitely an Elder type, but what Level is it?’

‘…The density of the Magical Power I feel. Gasp.’

Before the finally revealed Dungeon Boss, the Hunters were literally frozen in place.

An opponent that perhaps none of the Hunters here could defeat even if they tried their hardest; naturally, they couldn’t help but be afraid.

“…Dammit, what exactly do you want?”

Among the hesitating Hunters, one man stepped forward and spoke.

The Wooden Man, who had been silent, opened its mouth with an indifferent attitude.

“What I want… well, there are countless things.”

The Wooden Man revealed a face with a bizarre expression through the bandages wrapped around its body, and soon let out a sinister smile.

“First, I was thinking, how about I make all of you my precious research subjects? What do you think about that?”

At those words filled with insidious intent, the Hunters ignited their fighting spirit and drew their respective weapons.