As I said, the rear guard also serves as the guide.
"I don't know. How would I know here?"
"Number 6."
I stood before the sixth passage of Gatabuta. But the sixth passage will probably be difficult. Truth is, the difficulty is the same as the number.
In other words, the sixth passage is 'Difficulty 6.'
But since Chae Nayun will have chosen the 6th passage, I have no choice. If Sven contracts with a Main here today, Chae Nayun will have a hard time handling it alone.
"Let's go to number 6."
A good person (善人) with 9.5 potential must never be lost. Not only would all future stories get tangled, but it would also be an enormous loss to this worldview.
"Huh, what's with him? Who are you to..."
"Just follow him."
Yu Yeonha stopped Jayden. It's a relief to be a trusted guide at times like this.
"He might look like that, but his eyesight is excellent."
"'Might look like that'? Must you always talk like that?"
"...Even when I compliment you, you complain."
Anyway, that was how our team entered the sixth passage.
It was silent without a sound, and occasionally a dry wind blew from the entrance, brushing against our backs. We walked in that tension for about 10 minutes.
Finally, we discovered a lifeform.
"Up ahead. There's one monster."
Glaring with terrible eyes while flicking its long tongue, it was a 'Salamander.' Judging by its body size, it didn't look to exceed the mid-low grade. But monsters that handle root elements—namely water, wind, earth, and fire—are always tricky.
"What is it? Can you see it clearly?"
Yu Yeonha asked back.
"Salamander. That'll be the switch."
The scenery will change once we defeat the Salamander. Dungeons are subspaces created by magic, so even if they start in the form of a cave, when the switch is triggered, the interior changes completely.
"...You can really see it? I can't believe it."
Jayden asked, half in doubt.
"I said it because I can see it. If you couldn't see, you'd just follow my words, you brat."
This kid keeps acting up; it's really annoying.
"What, punk?"
"...Tch. Both of you be quiet and get ready."
Yu Yeonha let out an audible sigh and drew her whip.
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Dungeon Raid Experience (2)
"How strong is a Salamander? Is there anyone here with the water attribute?"
Jayden asked the team members while stretching. But there were no cadets here who had accepted 'Water Mana' at the mere age of 17. That is only possible after completing the Spiritual Sight at least. Jayden didn't seem to have much expectations, so he took up his sword without disappointment.
"Well. We'll catch it easy."
I took out my pistol, too. A Salamander of that size would probably be around mid-low grade, 6th rank. Eight people can catch it easily. Rather, I'm uneasy because of how easy the difficulty is.
The team members walked down the cave path with senses on high alert.
"Huh? It's there."
Jayden pointed at a Salamander loitering alone in a wide space.
"...It really is there. They say even dog poop can be used as medicine."
"It's the opposite, dumbass."
Jayden glared at me. But rather than retorting, he quietly asked Kim Jingyu.
"Hey. Isn't that right?"
"What?"
"They say even dog poop can be used for medicine if you have it."
"It's 'Even dog poop is unavailable when you need it for medicine.' That's right."
"...Ah."
Realizing that trivial error, Jayden stole a glance at Yu Yeonha. A look of fear that she might be disappointed. But Yu Yeonha showed no interest and began infusing her whip with mana.
"Get ready. ......Though if it's just a switch, there's little to prepare for. Haah!"
Gatabuta Yu Yeonha swung her whip. The whip curved like a snake and flew toward the Salamander's tail.
Kwaek—
The Salamander, its tail bound by the whip, couldn't use the most one-dimensional yet destructive attack, 'Breath.'
Then Kim Jingyu shot an arrow at its eye, and the remaining warriors rushed in to tear apart the lizard's hide.
The Salamander died just like that.
There was nothing for me to do.
"As expected, it's easy. Ms. Yu Yeonha, you're amazing. How did you grab its tail so quickly?"
Jayden fawned with an admiring tone. Yu Yeonha simply smirked.
I felt a sense of emptiness and tried to approach them.
At that moment, click.
My foot caught on a stone protrusion. I felt my body silently tilting. So without realizing it, I grabbed the person in front of me. It was probably the crown of Yu Yeonha's head.
Kyak—
A bird-like shriek rang in my ears.
At the same time, a sharp and alien object brushed past my hand and Yu Yeonha's hair.
Thud.
Yu Yeonha collapsed.
"What? What! Is it an ambush?!"
Jayden made a fuss and aimed all around. But soon his gaze fixed on me; somehow, I was kneeling on one knee, pinning Yu Yeonha's head to the ground.
"..."
"..."
The cadets, including Jayden, were at a loss for words and stared at me. A gloomy and ominous silence hung heavily.
"...Let go."
Yu Yeonha's voice sank chillingly. I felt my heart rapidly constricting. I immediately withdrew my hand and stood up as if nothing had happened.
"You..."
Yu Yeonha staggered to her feet, ignoring her disheveled hair, and glared at me as if to kill.
"Oh. What's that?"
"What. Wh-why?"
Then Hazuki pointed somewhere. Thanks to that tactless Hazuki, I could breathe for a moment.
But looking there for real, an arrow was embedded in the cave wall.
Only then did I understand the situation.
The noise of something cutting through the wind that I'd felt earlier, and the strange sensation.
So that was it.
"..."
Yu Yeonha's head turned creakingly in that direction. It's scary how she looks like a ghost. Having discovered the arrow, Yu Yeonha opened her eyes wide.
Though it was completely unintentional, I cleared my throat.
"It's fine to say thanks between teammates, Ms. Yu Yeonha."
"Wow. How did you know? I didn't feel anything at all."
Hazuki asked in admiration.
"...The rear guard has good instincts."
Instinct or whatever, it was probably thanks to high luck. Eight people with senses far beyond ordinary people had gathered, yet none of them detected this ambush. There's no way I could have detected it.
This is probably a trap activated by mana. Moreover, look at that lethality, embedded deep into the cave wall. It's too extreme to be called an experience trap.
"That was a close call. You aren't hurt anywhere, are you, Ms. Yu Yeonha?"
I joked as I approached the arrow.
"Huu...."
From behind me, Yu Yeonha's deep breath rang out. Was that a sign of forgiveness, or anger that she still couldn't forgive me?
Whatever it was, I crouched right in front of the arrow and turned on my laptop.
===
[Poison Arrow]
「Lethality 4/10」
「Granted Effect — Silent Ambush」
─The arrowhead is coated with a neurotoxin.
===
As expected.
"I'll retrieve this."
I put the arrow and the laptop into my crossbody bag.
"...Let's go."
It was Yu Yeonha's voice. I flinched and turned around. Yu Yeonha, who had already fixed her appearance, was looking at me. Chewing her lips.
Jayden asked while gauging Yu Yeonha's mood.
"Yeonha. Are you ok..."
"Be quiet."
"Yes. Understood."
After that, we walked without a word.
Passing over the dead Salamander, the scenery began to change as expected. The dark interior brightened, and vegetation covered the ground that had been only stones. Amazingly, the entire forest was red, as if dyed with autumn leaves.
Moreover, wind began to blow. But it was far from refreshing. It was a high-temperature heat wave that choked one's breath.
"...Hot."
Jayden said, taking off his outer garment. Jin Hoseung and Kim Jingyu, Ri Syawung and Hazuki. And me too. Everyone except Yu Yeonha shed a layer. Only Yu Yeonha didn't take anything off. Even while sweating profusely, Yu Yeonha maintained her dignity.
"Haa.... Ahem. It seems to be a field-type dungeon after all."
Apparently, a sigh had escaped unconsciously, so she quickly changed the subject.
Dungeon formats are largely divided into 'Stage' and 'Field.' Stage is divided into levels where you clear them one by one, and Field is where you hunt visible monsters like in many RPG games, and eventually a boss monster appears.
"Did the advance party already get them all? I don't see so much as a nose."
Walking like that for 20 minutes. Jayden let out a large yawn, perhaps bored.
"No. Each team has a different entrance. If we started from the east, other teams would start from the west. And I see a group up ahead."
"Up ahead?"
A place with small craters dotting the ground. There, four Salamanders and eleven Peanut Flames were gathered in a pack.
"Probably 15 in total. Salamanders and Peanut Flames. It'll be quite difficult."
"That many?"
Hazuki's eyes widened.
"Yeah."
I raised my pistol. Jayden smirked at me.
"Pfft. How are you going to catch them with a pistol? You probably can't even catch a Peanut Flame."
...Dumbass.
Jayden whispered very quietly so Yu Yeonha couldn't hear.
I admit it. With a pistol like this, I can't even pierce a Salamander's epidermis. Peanut Flames are also monsters that handle mana, and they constantly maintain barriers made of flame (炎), so their defense is strong. However, it's not entirely impossible. If I fire about three shots at the same point, I should be able to break through the barrier itself.
"You'll see."
"Hmph."
Jayden pouted as he raised his sword energy. "If you're so confident, want to bet?"
...
But I wasn't yet at a level where I could beat Jayden. Just as I was about to refuse,
Snap!
A whip appearing like lightning swept fiercely across the ground where Jayden and I stood.
"Uwoah!"
"Ah, you startled me!"
Jayden and I looked at Yu Yeonha simultaneously. But she merely muttered quietly with an extremely cold face.
"Focus. Please."
* * *
At the same time. Chae Nayun and Sven's team had already been through considerable hardship. Because the team leader, Sven, had fallen prey to a sudden trap and his entire body was paralyzed.
"Ah, dammit. Where the hell did that arrow come from?"
Sven muttered quietly at Chae Nayun's complaint.
"Leave me...."
"What are you saying. Leave you behind? As if. If you know you're a bother, just stay still."
They had cleared the dungeon well enough even without Sven. If they could just clear it like this, they would receive overwhelming scores not only in individual performance but also in teamwork and various other aspects. Chae Nayun could not give up the only chance to beat Kim Suho.
"What should we do?"
The team member, Damian, asked.
"Wait for now. I think the dungeon boss is up ahead? See it?"
Chae Nayun looked much further ahead than where she currently stood.
A giant golem with a body made entirely of magma. The magma flowing from its skin melted the ground, creating its own domain.
"...Yeah. It has to be the boss."
That is the monster 'Magma Oddstone (岩漿怪石),' at least mid-grade 5th rank or higher. They had somehow gotten this far, but even if Sven were fine, they couldn't overcome that thing.
"But it's hard with just our team. Another team will probably arrive soon. Let's join forces with them."
"...But what if no one chose our passage?"
"That won't happen. At least three teams will come here. Because it's that kind of system."
Other cadets might think it's random selection, but Chae Nayun knows. That once three teams choose a passage, that passage disappears.
"It's just an experience anyway. Rankings don't matter at all, and only individual scores will be evaluated, so...."
Chae Nayun's enthusiastic voice didn't reach Sven.
Huu. Huu.
To him, the surroundings were silent as if in a vacuum. In that comfort, Sven slowly regulated his breath. Peace came to his mind, which had been filled with all negativity and inferiority, guilt toward his teammates and self-loathing.
—Child. Don't you want to become strong?
A beguiling voice intruded upon the tranquil surface, sending ripples across it. Sven opened his eyes in a daze. In the dark sky, a pair of light sources shone brilliantly. That light drew a beautiful arc, like smiling eyes, then poured straight into Sven’s pupils.
—Hasn’t it been painful all this time? I can give you power.
The voice grew clearer and struck Sven’s chest. Feeling a wave of emotion rising from deep within, he shed tears.
I want to become strong. I want to become strong. I want to live up to the expectations of my homeland, which advertises inadequate me as “the greatest prospect,” and of my parents, who likewise believe I will become the greatest hero. I don’t want to suffer from feelings of inferiority and being left behind. I don’t want to hate myself anymore…
—The price is light. Far lighter than giving up everything.
At that kind voice, Sven nodded.
And toward the light that caressed him, he slowly reached out his hand.
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Dungeon Raid Experience (3)
“I believe you all know what kind of monster a Peanut Flame is.”
A Peanut Flame was a lower grade-2 monster belonging to the spirit family. It was called a Peanut Flame because it looked like a flame drifting through the air, but if you looked closely, you could tell that its main body was a tiny lizard. Roughly speaking, a lizard about the size of an adult man’s forearm was inside a circular barrier, making it look like a flame.
“We should deal with the Peanut Flames first.”
A Peanut Flame’s only attack pattern was spewing flames, but its barrier was sturdy, and since they moved in groups, anyone lacking real combat experience could struggle plenty against them.
“But who’s going to draw the Salamanders’ attention in the meantime?”
“I will.”
At Jayden’s words, Hazuki raised her hand.
“I’m a little fast. I ranked fifth in agility.”
“Okay.”
For the first time since they had met, Jayden used English. Yoo Yeonha smiled gently and said,
“Peanut Flames are much slower than Salamanders. So all you have to do is draw the Salamanders’ attention.”
“Yes. Then please cover me.”
Hazuki stretched once. Then, shouting, “I’m going—!” she sprinted toward the enemy line. In the blink of an eye, she closed the distance and, with a “Hiyah!” threw her axe. Enraged by that, the Salamanders waddled after Hazuki.
Taking advantage of that opening, Jayden charged into the enemy line.
“Hup!”
The sword he swung with a firm breath collided with the Peanut Flame’s barrier. For an instant, crimson flame and magic power mingled, and a flash burst out. With that single exchange, a clear crack was carved into the Peanut Flame’s barrier. A magic arrow flew into that crack. Under Jayden and Kim Jin-gyu’s joint attack, the barrier shattered miserably. Jayden cut down the lizard whose barrier had been stripped away without hesitation.
It was clean, efficient teamwork.
But there were still many enemies to deal with.
Jayden turned his gaze elsewhere. At that moment, a whip came rushing in fiercely over his shoulder. By grabbing and tying together three Peanut Flames at once, that whip determined Jayden’s next target for him. Jayden surged toward them.
I began doing my own job as well. In my case, it was simple and elegant, with no need to move busily like the others. I just designated one Peanut Flame and pulled the trigger four times in succession. Then four bullets flew in a line toward the enemy.
The first magic bullet struck the Peanut Flame’s barrier and exploded.
The barrier remained firm. But immediately afterward, the second magic bullet lodged in the exact same spot as the first. The barrier shook, but this magic bullet also failed to pierce it.
Next came the third magic bullet. The third magic bullet reached the cracks created by the previous two shots and finally destroyed it.
The lizard whose barrier had disappeared was blown apart by the final, fourth magic bullet.
“…What the hell?”
A dazed murmur of admiration came from beside me. It was Kim Jin-gyu, a marksman in the same position as me.
Well, to his eyes, it must have looked a little strange.
Unlike the “labor” of drawing out magic power, weaving it into the form of an arrow, then exerting strength to pull the bowstring and shoot, I went thump-thump-thump-thump—seeming to fire four shots with great ease—and blew up a Peanut Flame.
“A pistol has weak destructive power, but in exchange, it has almost no recoil or delay between shots.”
I waved the pistol and put on airs, but in truth, this was a method that only worked on low-level monsters like sluggish Peanut Flames. Even then, about half of it was probably luck.
“…”
“Focus, focus.”
I pointed ahead for Kim Jin-gyu, who looked dumbfounded. Just then, Yoo Yeonha was swinging her whip with all her might. The whip extended viciously and swept across the ground wholesale. From that lash, I could detect a very small flash of electric charge