RG 27
by Lubai“Hunter Cha Seohu!”
“Blood…”
At that moment when Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon were taken aback, trying to support me as blood gushed out each time I coughed.
Kiaaaah! Kyaaaah!
Kkiyiing!
Thud thud! Thud!
The sharp cries that seemed to tear the ears and the heavy footsteps that made the ground tremble resounded. A shiver ran down my spine.
The monsters that had scattered after leaving this room were gathering again. Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon quickly noticed the approaching monsters and hardened their expressions.
I spat out the remaining blood in my mouth and bit my lips.
‘Does ‘Antagonist’s Wrath’ continue to apply regardless of quest failure?
Antagonist’s Wrath. Under the influence of the aura of calamity possessed by Cha Sahyeon, a large number of monsters were swarming here.
I looked down and saw Cha Sahyeon, who was hugging my waist. I saw the face of the frightened child through a blurry vision. He seemed surprised by my sudden vomiting of blood. Feeling the cold sweat running down my chin, I squinted.
‘Calm down. Let’s not panic and think. Think…’
Standing here idly, bleeding, wouldn’t do any good.
The number of monsters I checked while escaping was roughly more than 30. This included the Ogre that should be in the boss room.
In contrast, our forces consisted of me, Cha Sahyeon, and Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon.
I had no intention of using hidden skills in a place like this, and I didn’t want to involve Cha Sahyeon in the battle. That meant that practically the only ones who could fight were Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon.
Both of them were S-class, so they should be able to handle a number of monsters like this, but the problem was whether they could protect me and Cha Sahyeon while fighting.
Fighting while protecting someone was not an easy task. It could be more dangerous for me and Cha Sahyeon than the two who fought at the forefront.
‘Of course, I won’t die, but…’
Even though Cha Sahyeon was B-class, he had skills, and if needed, I could use hidden skills as well. However, such outcomes were not favorable, so it was better to have some insurance.
Having made the decision, I opened my eyes and spoke, “Could you lend a hand, both of you?” Kwon Taehyeok and Ryu Seonghyeon, who were blocking our way and preparing for battle, turned around upon hearing my words.
Ryu Seonghyeon, who quickly grasped my intention, showed a surprised expression, while Kwon Taehyeok looked at me with a face questioning what nonsense I was talking about in such an urgent situation.
“Hurry up.”
“No, it’s not possible. Your body isn’t well right now, and using buff skills recklessly might… Hunter Cha Seohu!”
Ignoring Ryu Seonghyeon’s words as I sensed the approaching monsters right in front of us, I grabbed their hands and used the skill without hesitation.
《Skill: Guardian’s Bond (Class S) activated!》
《Primary Skill damage increases. (Target: Ryu Seonghyeon) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》
《Base Speed increases. (Target: Ryu Seonghyeon) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》
《Stability effect applied. (Target: Ryu Seonghyeon) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》
As soon as the status window indicating that the skill was properly used appeared, Ryu Seonghyeon, whose hand was forcibly held by me, squinted and his cheeks turned noticeably red.
It wasn’t the time to pay attention to Ryu Seonghyeon’s reaction. I immediately grabbed the hand of Kwon Taehyeok standing next to me.
“What…!”
Kwon Taehyeok, who was about to swat my hand away in alarm, felt the surging energy and stiffened his shoulders as if he sensed the approaching power.
《Skill: Guardian’s Bond (Class S) activated!》
《Primary Skill damage increases. (Target: Kwon Taehyeok) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》
《Base Speed increases. (Target: Kwon Taehyeok) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》
《Stability effect applied. (Target: Kwon Taehyeok) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》
Kwon Taehyeok couldn’t hide his surprise at the overly favorable effects and the clean, clear energy despite coming from B-class skill. Smiling slightly while looking at Kwon Taehyeok’s eyes that shook in confusion, I said, “I don’t want to die here.”
As soon as I let go of Kwon Taehyeok’s hand, dizziness overwhelmed me once again. As Ryu Seonghyeon had worried, using skills in the midst of pain made my condition worse.
No matter how difficult it was, I couldn’t collapse here. I endured with my mental strength and forced a smile. “I’m counting on you two.” Having received S-class support, it’s now your turn to earn your keep.
***
Thud, thud!
As the massive ogre with a muscular body approached, the ground shook even more violently.
Feeling the life force of numerous monsters piercing his skin, Kwon Taehyeok took a quiet deep breath. The aggressive temperament of an S-class DPS bubbled up as the battle drew near.
‘My body feels light and comfortable.’
Kwon Taehyeok raised his hand and clenched his fist. The desire to test his strengthened power made his heart beat faster.
Ryu Seonghyeon, standing beside him, must have felt a similar sensation. Though he pretended otherwise, the restless expression on his face revealed that he kept clenching and releasing his fist.
Kwon Taehyeok turned his head slightly to look at Cha Seohu. Leaning against the wall, he had closed his eyes, his pale face showing signs of distress. The child who came in with him was nervously wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
‘A mere B-class provides such support?’
It couldn’t be. This was undoubtedly S-class. The skill was one of the top-notch among S-classes, with such pure energy and buffs.
Recalling the paperwork about Cha Seohu that his secretary gave him before entering the dungeon, where he was listed as B-class, Kwon Taehyeok narrowed his eyes.
For some reason, Cha Seohu was hiding his skill grade.
Grrr!
At that moment, the ogre, finally reaching the room, broke through all the walls like a wild boar, making a clamorous entrance. Other monsters flooded in beneath the roaring ogre.
Kiiing!
Eight blades appeared in the air. Using the skill, Kwon Taehyeok continued to think about Cha Seohu. “If I threaten him with his hidden grade…”
He frowned.
Kwon Taehyeok found himself unconsciously considering even more aggressive methods to bring Cha Seohu into his guild. The moment he realized that the other party was hiding something, he thought of using it to his advantage. Was he such a bastard? He questioned himself.
Above all, Cha Seohu didn’t seem like the type to easily move guild just because of a threat. If that were the case, he could have simply joined a good guild without bothering to establish his own.
‘Did he create a guild with his brother to hide his grade?’
He would have to find out more once they left the dungeon.
So, if he could propose scouting him in a moderate way… He wanted to bring him in somehow. Despite a few suspicious points, bringing him into the guild would make it easier to keep an eye on him.
It was only natural to desire a hunter with excellent skills and abilities. Kwon Taehyeok, being the responsible leader of a guild, knew very well how beneficial recruiting a capable individual could be. Moreover, he was a precious S-class support; his worth would be recognized not only by him but by others as well. Thinking this far, Kwon Taehyeok, with blades hovering near him, made a decision.
‘For now, I should help him hide his grade.’
Once it’s revealed that Cha Seohu is an outstanding S-class support, the competition for him will undoubtedly increase. Until he could uncover the reasons behind his decision not to join a guild and instead establish one himself, keeping it hidden seemed far more preferable.
After quickly organizing his thoughts in a short amount of time, Kwon Taehyeok took the initiative and leaped forward. Like an arrow leaving the bow, he shot out at an incredible speed. As he reached out his hand, one of the flying blades accurately landed in his grip.
Chyaeng!
Behind Kwon Taehyeok, the fan-shaped blades unfolded simultaneously, shooting forward. With a swoosh, they pierced through the bodies of the monsters, causing blood to gush out.
Kiieek, keeak!
Seven blades swiftly moved around Kwon Taehyeok, piercing through, slashing, and tearing apart the monsters’ bodies. The speed was so fast that every time Kwon Taehyeok moved, the monsters couldn’t counterattack and died one after another.
The sharp and rapid movements of the blades were more vivid than ever before.
Hwoong, swish!
It was then that a brightly shining sphere passed right next to Kwon Taehyeok and exploded along with the monsters.
Like shooting stars falling in the night sky, the radiant mass spread out from Ryu Seonghyeon, turning into dozens of spheres that rained down on the monsters. Bang! Thud! The seemingly soft light mass, upon touching the monsters, erupted with a fierce sound.
Unlike Kwon Taehyeok, who used specially crafted blades, Ryu Seonghyeon’s weapon was the natural light itself. Even in the darkest places, if there was a speck of light as small as a fingernail, Ryu Seonghyeon could magnify it and use it in battle.
Ryu Seonghyeon was as promising a talent as Cha Seohu.
Having seen Ryu Seonghyeon in action several times, Kwon Taehyeok acknowledged that he was a decent Hunter. His skill utilization was high, and he possessed both strength and good combat sense.
Honestly, Kwon Taehyeok couldn’t quite understand why Ryu Seonghyeon chose to be in such a weak guild. Moreover, holding the ambiguous position of vicemaster.
Knowing that it would be difficult to bring them over given their strong determination, Kwon Taehyeok couldn’t help but feel a sense of regret.
[Main Quest: Successfully conquer a dungeon of B-class or higher with the antagonist. (Remaining time: 3 days 7 hours 16 minutes)]