Unfortunately, tactics leveraging our numerical advantage had only been effective at first.
Since the enemies were not foolish, they had no reason to stubbornly persist in a method that didn't work.
Having caught on to our intentions, they quickly changed their approach to counter us.
Moreover, there were many monsters targeting us as well.
"Haneul, the barking over there is noisy. Could you drench them in some magic?"
"Yeah, got it. I was just thinking it was noisy myself."
"We really do think alike. Don't we?"
"Well, we are childhood friends."
"True, I suppose it's not strange for our thoughts and tastes to align after spending so much time together."
"Yep! My thoughts are your thoughts."
"Hmph, you're saying things that aren't even funny. You aren't the only ones who find that noise annoying, you know? And is this the time to be fooling around? Can you stop dampening the atmosphere and making us lose focus?"
Monsters that hunted the mana of living beings continued to swarm after the mana we leaked.
In the game, battles with these guys would have ended after a few stages, but here the fighting continued endlessly.
On top of that, demons were appearing intermittently….
The journey to the Heukma Oga villa was anything but smooth.
As time passed, we couldn't help but gradually feel fatigue.
Min Arin, who had weak stamina, seemed to be slowly losing her composure.
To the point that she snapped at me and Yeon Haneul for merely exchanging a few words.
*'At this rate, she's going to snap at the others too…. This won't do.'*
Spite filled Min Arin's face.
Watching her fly on her staff, huffing and puffing, I decided to take drastic measures.
"Hanbyeol, you have the Magical Silk Hat, right? Put it on Arin."
"Got it! …Arin, put this on your head!"
"Why are you giving this to me!?"
"Use it to cool your head. We're doing this all for you."
"…You have a way with words. I'll wear it, okay, I'll wear it."
Inside Gang Hanbyeol's pocket inventory was the Magical Silk Hat obtained in Heartland some time ago.
The Clear Mind skill embedded in the artifact excelled at emptying the mind and calming emotions.
I had asked Gang Hanbyeol to take it out to help Min Arin manage her stress.
He readily handed the hat to her, and she—who had been grumbling—reluctantly put it on.
Wearing a magician's hat that looked like a dove might pop out of it, Min Arin fell into meditation.
Clear Mind also temporarily increased mana recovery speed and reduced magic casting time.
Soon her expression softened; she confirmed the change within herself and raised the corners of her lips.
After that, we regulated our pace and flew toward the Heukma Oga villa.
It was when we had reached the mid-slope of the hill.
"I won't let anyone beyond this point. However, Gang Hanbyeol may pass. The Young Master is waiting."
"…."
Just as the Regulus Clan existed under the Divine Sword Doga, the Ravens Clan existed under the Heukma Oga.
A hunter wearing that clan's uniform appeared before us, blocking our way.
Unlike the enemies we had faced until now, he was a man who exuded an extraordinary aura.
*'So this is why the Anmak didn't show up; he was waiting here.'*
I knew the identity of the man dressed in black like a crow.
The Anmak of the Ravens Clan, Go Damho.
Even in the game, he appeared in this episode and was known as a troublesome assassin.
This was due to the skill embedded in the tassel on the sword at his waist—the Hongjosua of the Anmak.
*'It was a skill that scattered darkness around to hide from the opponent.'*
In the game, when Go Damho used that skill, the screen would go dark.
Because of that, players had no choice but to rely on instinct to find and defeat him.
The probability of participating characters dying in that process was extremely high.
*'So characters with high durability or good instincts who could respond were preferred….’*
The ones who were at least somewhat advantageous against Go Damho were Bak Sagun, Yong Haerang, and lastly, me.
My thoughts having reached that point, I stepped forward.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll take him down and catch up."
"Why do you want to stay behind? Can't we all take him on together like before?"
"If we all rush him together, the losses would be severe. And…."
It would be a hindrance.
We'd have to fight in total darkness; it would become difficult to distinguish Go Damho.
If things went wrong, we might even attack each other.
Knowing that risk, I ignored Yeon Haneul's concern.
*'Not even the power of a Light Spirit or Light magic could oppose the Anmak's Hongjosua skill.'*
There was no one more suitable than me to face Go Damho.
I confronted him alone.
At that, he sneered mockingly.
"The Blue Pup of the Divine Sword Doga, Do Gyeonu. I know your name well. But at the end of the day, you are nothing but a mere stude—kuhk! What are you doing!?"
The Hongjosua attached to the sword Go Damho was trying to draw began to glow.
I couldn't let him use his skill while others were still here.
Having sensed the intent beforehand, I immediately rushed at him.
I dare say, absolutely no personal emotion was mixed into the sword I swung.
"Don't call me by that epithet. If you must call me something, call me Rabbit."
"…!"
"Haneul, I'm fine, so hurry on. Help Hanbyeol in my place. I'll catch up right away."
"Okay, be careful."
"You too."
Really….
I'm definitely going to get a cool epithet.
* * *
Leaving behind Do Gyeonu, who had taken sole responsibility for dealing with Anmak Go Damho.
Yeon Haneul, Gang Hanbyeol, and their group continued on toward the Heukma Oga villa.
As they ascended the hill and drew closer to the villa, the enemies they encountered grew stronger.
"…Cunning bastards. To think they know how to attack under cover of darkness."
Monsters were latching on from the forest spreading out on both sides of the road.
Those hiding in the darkness would ambush the party at every opportunity and withdraw without hesitation.
They were taking their time to slowly drain the party's strength, aiming for the moment they weakened.
They were like hyenas.
Do Sieun, who understood their intent, furrowed her brows.
She scanned the shadowed forest with blue eyes and spoke.
"We can't just leave them like this. It would be better to wipe them out here. Someone, can you blast light across the entire forest when I give the signal?"
"If it's illuminating the surrounding darkness, I can do it, so I'll help."
"Thanks. And we need to cut off their retreat so they can't escape… can someone set the surroundings on fire?"
"I can do that, unnie. But if it goes wrong, the fire could spread; is that okay?"
"It's fine. As long as it's not too severe, I can suppress it with my power."
She had already verified Lisa and Min Arin's capabilities more than enough.
They could be trusted.
Having given orders to the two, Do Sieun gauged the right moment.
Soon, when the monsters leaped onto the road to ambush them.
"Begin."
Do Sieun executed the operation.
Lisa immediately deployed her prepared magic, creating a massive sphere of light in the sky.
As that sphere burst in all directions, the forest area was brightly illuminated.
Meanwhile, Min Arin raised flames to block the monsters' retreat.
Not missing this opportunity, the others all rushed at the monsters at once.
Thus the operation ended successfully.
"Did you know? Most people who work here know one or two black magic spells. They are not ordinary people. Do you understand?"
The enemies who appeared before the party afterward were employees hired at the villa.
Those occupying relatively high positions aimed shotguns.
Among them, the head maid with the highest rank swung a chain with a giant weight attached in circles.
Right then.
"By the Young Master's order. Only Student Gang Hanbyeol is to come to the villa… kuhk!"
"Yeah! I've heard that nonstop on the way up, and I'm sick of it now!"
"You said they weren't ordinary people? That means we can hit them to our hearts' content."
Before the head maid could even finish speaking.
Nam Yuri, who charged straight at her, delivered a body blow.
Yong Haerang, who had moved almost simultaneously for fear she might be hit by gunfire, covered her.
"You didn't have to help. I'm not someone who'd die to gunfire. Still, thanks for helping!"
"Even so, I can't let you go alone. It's only natural as a friend. That's loyalty."
The employees surrounded Nam Yuri and Yong Haerang, who had personally plunged into enemy lines.
Nevertheless, the two showed no fear; they stood back-to-back and watched the enemies' movements.
"You confident in close combat?"
"Um… to some extent? I won't get in Haerang's way."
"Tell me if it gets hard."
"That won't happen, but okay!"
The enemies were close, and they couldn't recklessly kill people, so Nam Yuri couldn't use Side.
Yong Haerang, who knew Nam Yuri's situation, couldn't help but worry.
But the worry was unfounded.
Nam Yuri had transformed her hair into giant fists and displayed martial arts combined with swift movements.
She leaped among the employees and delivered heavy blows.
Support from Go Eunbi, Bak Sagun, and others was present as well.
"Guys! I might hit you too, so just dodge on your own!"
"Drawing aggro is my role; why are you guys pulling it?"
From below the hill, Go Eunbi fired arrows mainly at those busily running about trying to shoot their shotguns.
Breaking through the encirclement to get inside, Bak Sagun swung his axe in sync with Yong Haerang and Nam Yuri.
With additional support from the others, the employees were quickly neutralized.
The enemies that appeared next were demons.
"…."
A demon with the build of an adult man, wearing a monkey mask.
On the demon's chest, covered only in vital areas by leaves, was a tattoo for show.
Four black stars.
The people's faces hardened and tensed upon confirming the demon's rank, but only for a moment.
"You guys look deliciooous…!?"
"Don't be a nuisance."
Cha Eunsol flew straight at the demon and used the Wind Spirit's power to slam him to the ground.
She didn't stop there and kept pounding force into the one stuck in the ground until he perished.
It was a miserable end unbefitting a 4-star rank demon.
"Let's go, quickly."
While people stood dumbfounded by her violence.
Taking a deep breath, Cha Eunsol urged them on and flew up into the sky.
*'The spirits are screaming.'*
Spirits could be called crystallizations of emotion.
To demons who enjoyed emotions as a delicacy, they were naturally irresistible.
Because of that, the spirits currently living in the forest were being devoured by demons.
Cha Eunsol, who considered the spirits as part of her own being, couldn't contain her anger.
She was eager to resolve the situation quickly and save the spirits.
Meanwhile, Yeon Haneul, running at the front with Gang Hanbyeol, suddenly fell into thought.
*'Will Gyeonu be okay?'*
Even though she trusted Do Gyeonu's skill, it was impossible not to feel anxious.
Gang Hanbyeol, realizing her state, smirked and spoke.
"You're worried about Gyeonu?"
"Huh?"
"It was written all over your face. That you're worried about Gyeonu."
"…Yeah, you're right."
"Don't worry too much. If it's Gyeonu, he'll definitely win and come back."
"Yeah, if it's Gyeonu, he will."
There was no hesitation in Gang Hanbyeol's words.
It meant he believed in Do Gyeonu's victory without the slightest doubt.
Comforted by him, Yeon Haneul soon nodded.
She decided to focus on what lay ahead rather than worry about Do Gyeonu.
*'There's not much left now.'*
Soon, they would reach the Heukma Oga villa.
Yeon Haneul recovered as much strength as she could while looking around.
Before she knew it, the others were also devoting themselves to recovering their strength like her.
It was then that she sensed a presence.
*'That's….'*
It was Oh Junsu of the Heukma Oga.
He had exited the villa and was looking down at the people coming up the road.
Immediately after, Yeon Haneul and Gang Hanbyeol's group widened their eyes at the change occurring in him.
Snap! Crack! Fwoosh!
"…."
Black wings sprouted from Oh Junsu's back.
Wings so massive they could easily cover a person emanated an ominous aura.
Then, when he struck the ground with his staff.
───!!
The crystal skull ornament on the staff flashed red eyes and rattled.
Black lightning struck down toward Yeon Haneul and Gang Hanbyeol's group.
And so the battle began.
* * *
The surroundings were covered in darkness.
Even moonlight couldn't squeeze its way in.
It was so dark that it was no different from having one's eyes closed.
Moving freely within it was impossible unless one was a master who had attained the Mind's Eye.
With nothing more than the skill of a mere student, it was impossible to perceive.
*'No matter how promising your future is, you're still just a brat. You will never find me.'*
Go Damho, the owner of the artifact—the Anmak's Hongjosua—and the only one who could see through the darkness, was filled with confidence.
And so he kicked off the ground in one go, intending to deal with Do Gyeonu, who was wandering lost in the curtain of darkness….
*'…!?'*
The attack didn't work.
Do Gyeonu had reacted quickly, as if he had eyes on his back.
*'How on earth….'*
No, even if he had eyes on his back, he shouldn't have been able to see.
Yet to dismiss it as coincidence, the way he had parried the sword was too perfect.
Feeling baffled, Go Damho distanced himself and aimed for another ambush.
*'He noticed again?'*
But the result was the same this time as well, no different from before.
He had blocked the attack as if he knew it was coming.
Furthermore….
"Well, about there."
"…!"
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and even launched a counterattack.
Go Damho couldn't help but be surprised by the unexpected situation.
What was even more surprising was….
*'His eyes… are closed?'*
The fact that Do Gyeonu, facing him, was swinging his sword with his eyes closed.
He was even being pushed back.
In that brief moment, the trajectory had begun to sharpen, as if Do Gyeonu had grasped something.
Swish!
The blade grazed his cheek.
If he had been even a moment late in dodging, half his head might have flown off.
Feeling the dread of the blade, Go Damho couldn't suppress his inward shock.
*'Don't tell me, this brat….'*
At this point, one hypothesis came to mind.
It was an absurd hypothesis, but there was no other way to explain it right now.
*'He mastered the Mind's Eye? At his age?'*
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss