NOVEL NEXT Chapter 52
Having discovered the Boss Room, all that was left was the strategy.
The Hunters reported their exploration results from atop the cliff and decided to take a day to prepare for the boss battle.
That night, Yoon Byung-ho, the team leader and A Rank Hunter of the Hanul Guild, held an informal meeting with Lee Young-jin, one of the guild members who had been dispatched to explore the cliff.
“So, did you notice any outstanding talent?”
“Yes. There were two.”
The Hanul Guild had deliberately selected certain parties to support during this raid because they wanted to test their actual combat capabilities and, if possible, attempt to recruit them.
“First is Choi Han-na from the Kim Kyung-sik party; she is definitely impressive.”
“…Choi Han-na, she was someone the Guild Master had his eye on.”
“Her potential is high, and she has great instincts. I truly believe she could grow to be A Rank.”
Lee Young-jin, who continued speaking without hesitation, hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth once more.
“The other person is Baek Eun-ha from the Kim Seung-min party.”
“…Baek Eun-ha?”
Baek Eun-ha had indeed been a candidate for recruitment, but due to her severe restrictions in group activities, she had been evaluated as unsuitable for the guild.
Seeing the puzzled expression on Yoon Byung-ho’s face, Lee Young-jin began to recall what had happened on the cliff.
“There are definitely limitations in party play. However, her combat… it seemed to render those shortcomings meaningless.”
On the treacherous cliff where one misstep could lead to death, Baek Eun-ha exhibited skills that felt almost otherworldly.
“I want to hear more details.”
“First, her skills as a Necromancer are exceptional. In the midst of chaos, she swiftly eliminated the enemy and completely subdued them, which ultimately was a great help.”
Turning monsters into Undead and commanding them is not as simple as it sounds.
The fact that she could perform such a precise operation with that level of stability proved Baek Eun-ha’s incredible abilities.
“What else?”
If someone as discerning as Lee Young-jin was giving such high praise, there must be other merits.
Feelings of curiosity urged Yoon Byung-ho to ask, and Lee Young-jin chuckled faintly as he replied.
“To be honest, you won’t believe what comes next.”
“…What in the world happened?”
“I’m not sure how to explain it so it comes across accurately. I didn’t fully grasp what I saw myself.”
However, one thing was certain.
“Her combat is different from ordinary Hunters. That’s the only way I can put it.”
“……”
Yoon Byung-ho’s expression was one of surprise as he sank into deep thought.
It could be said that the efforts of Lee Young-jin, an early member who nurtured the once-small Hanul Guild into what it is today, had a significant impact.
And for Lee Young-jin to give such high praise to someone was unprecedented. This suggested that Baek Eun-ha harbored outstanding potential.
“We need to keep a close watch on her.”
“Indeed.”
Before long, the last day of the raid approached.
—
“Watch out over there!”
“How many members are left?”
“This is the last one!”
The Hunters in the strategy team, including us, finally made their way into the cave housing the Boss Room after numerous trials and tribulations.
It had truly been a struggle, but it was the last hurdle. The Hunters heightened their spirits as they prepared for the final battle.
“Considering the size of this Large Dungeon, the boss is likely to be quite strong. Everyone, stay on alert.”
“Yes!”
Creeeak.
Boom!
Thus, we entered the Boss Room of the B4 Rank Large Dungeon.
The chilly air and biting wind inside the Boss Room resembled a palace of ice.
And at its center stood a massive creature with pristine white armor waiting for us.
Grrrrrrr─!
A roar that resonated as if the air itself was trembling.
The creature resembled something out of an ancient story—perhaps a dragon.
“What… what is that?”
It was certainly a creature I had never encountered before. No one seemed willing to voice out a guess, suggesting it might be a type of monster never seen before.
“…It’s similar to a Drake, but also somewhat different.”
“It feels like a Serpent from a movie.”
If I had to name it, I would have suggested calling it a White Serpent.
“Let’s proceed as planned! Prepare to attack!”
With no time to waste, the strategy team immediately engaged in battle.
As the White Serpent lunged at us with a roar, we each began to fulfill our roles.
“Undead Call!”
Poof!
[That’s it.]
[Crack!]
“I’ll join the front line.”
Song Ha-yan summoned her entire Skeleton series, while Kim Seung-min, acting as the tank, supported the frontline Hunters.
The remaining members took on damage-dealing roles from the back line.
As for me, I summoned a suitable Undead to aid and then fell back to observe the unfolding drama.
“……”
I had no choice. Just watching was already dizzying—there was no way I could jump into such a large-scale battle. Plus, I had used the Mental Stabilization Ring yesterday, so I still had about an hour of cooldown remaining.
‘…With so many people around, what’s one more?’
Anyway, this had already been discussed beforehand.
I shot a glance at Gwak Min-ji beside me, who was also staying back, clicking my tongue in disdain.
“Tsk.”
With a title related to assassins and a low level, there was no way she could do anything against such a massive monster.
Feeling my gaze, Gwak Min-ji muttered with a hurt expression.
“But you’re the same…”
“Sh, shut up. My contribution is different.”
As we bickered, the battle unfolding ahead grew more intense.
Hooooooom.
Poof─!
“B, breath attack! Block it!”
Boom!
Crack!
“Gyaaaa!”
“Ghh!”
“What power…!”
Despite the various protective shields, the attack was powerful enough to injure even the tank.
The White Serpent was undeniably strong, far more than one would expect from a B4 Rank Dungeon boss.
However, this mattered little. In this moment, A Rank Hunter and team leader Yoon Byung-ho was here.
“Throw it.”
Swoosh!
Poof─!
Kyieeek─!
Yoon Byung-ho used a carefully prepared skill that tore a piece off the White Serpent’s body entirely.
This was a distinct power from the attacks of other Hunters. I had felt it during the previous fight with Jackson as well; the difference A Rank made was clear.
“Attack together!”
Boom!
Crash!
Kyieeek─!
Yoon Byung-ho was experienced. Even against a monster of an unfamiliar type, he calmly chipped away at its strength.
The initial awesome presence of the White Serpent faded as numerous wounds marred its body.
At this rate, the battle seemed destined to end in a victory for the strategy team without much difficulty.
However.
‘…Something feels off.’
In fact, I had felt a certain discomfort since the day I first discovered the Dungeon’s Boss Room.
The cave, halfway up the cliff, felt strange. The magic power in the air and the surrounding environment hinted at something artificial, even though I couldn’t confirm it from a previous visit.
It felt as though only the cave and the area surrounding the Boss Room were set apart.
For this reason, even amidst an advantageous scenario, I remained vigilant and watched the surroundings carefully.
“First team! Resume defense! We’ll finish it with our next attack!”
Kyyaaa─!
Boom!
“Now! Attack!”
Boom!
Crash!
Sizzling─!
In the charged atmosphere, the White Serpent finally let out its last breath and fell.
Phew!
Was that just my imagination?
Faced with such an anticlimactic outcome, I awkwardly averted my gaze and shot Gwak Min-ji another look.
“Tsk.”
“…….”
Finally, Yoon Byung-ho plunged his blade into the neck of the fallen White Serpent and declared the strategy team’s victory.
“…Great job, everyone.”
Only then did the tense atmosphere among the group dissipate.
“Damn. That was my first time taking down something that big.”
“This dungeon was especially challenging.”
“Everyone worked really hard. If we hadn’t cooperated so smoothly, it would have been much tougher.”
Following the successful completion of the dungeon, the Hunters of the strategy team shared a light-hearted conversation, each unburdening their minds.
In the midst of this lively atmosphere, Kim Seung-min, with a serious expression, muttered quietly.
“But why hasn’t the portal appeared?”
“Huh?”
At that, everyone hastily turned their gaze.
But there were no return portals visible in any direction.
After waiting for another minute, the situation remained unchanged. What this suggested was simple.
“W-we didn’t clear it?!”
It was difficult to believe even as I said it out loud.
We entered the Boss Room and defeated the boss. What possible reason could there be for failing the raid?
As the Hunters of the strategy team froze in disbelief, a strange sound began to reverberate.
Crackle.
Creeeak.
What emerged was a portal swirling with various lights and colors—a return portal.
“Damn it. I thought my heart would drop. Nowadays, portals break down too?”
A man chuckled incredulously as he made to be the first to enter the portal, and feeling uneasy, I quickly opened my mouth.
However, Yoon Byung-ho’s command came even quicker.
“Stop right there─!”
“W-what’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“…Look closely. It’s not a return portal.”
With that, everyone stared with anxious expressions at the portal. Indeed, there was something distinctly different about it compared to the return portals we had seen thus far.
If anything, it looked more like.
“A dungeon entrance portal?”
It certainly resembled that.
The Hunters, now completely frozen, turned their heads to seek others’ faces.
Each of them seemed to wish for someone to declare that what they saw was a lie.
In that surreal moment, Yoon Byung-ho, who had been leading the team with a cool demeanor, murmured.
“…This is just messed up.”
It was a statement that felt like a death sentence for the Hunters of the strategy team.