Chapter 67
Chapter 67
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 67
As Kang Se-jun stepped forward, Yoo Su-eunwho'd been under his protection as the raid party's most vital corelet out a sigh and waved him off.
"Fine. I can handle my own body."
If the healer died and healing stopped, the raid party would eventually collapse.
But Yoo Su-eun was the country's one and only S-rank healer. As long as her brain or heart wasn't hit, she could protect herself just fine.
"Then we're going again."
Since the enemy had fire attributes, water magic would land the most effective hits. Several flower buds made of water floated up around Kang Se-jun.
"Eighth Formula: Hydro Bloom."
It was water, yet not quite water. The moment the flower buds touched the magical beast's body and bloomed brilliantly, a sizzling sound rang out as chunks of hide peeled away. It was acidic liquid.
"Yoon Jae-hun!"
The moment the wound opened, Do Jun-young and Yoon Jae-hun unleashed their sword auras. Joo Eun didn't miss the spurting blood, pouring in wide-area attacks.
The finishing blow fell to Kang Se-jun. He drenched it in acidic water blossoms again, and even the magical beast couldn't withstand it anymore.
Kyaaaargh! For the first time, the beast let out a scream of agony.
"Hydro Shift."
Kang Se-jun gathered the acidic water blossoms into one mass and reshaped it. The water twisted into a rope that strangled the beast's neck. Even as it screamed and thrashed, clawing wildly, the watery noose didn't snapinstead, it relentlessly melted the flesh around its neck.
"Strike it down."
Seizing the opening, Han Su-eon swept his finger from above downward. A single bolt of lightning plunged from the gathering storm clouds onto the beast's body.
As it stiffened, Eun In-jae smashed its jaw with her crimson shield, while Do Jun-young and Yoon Jae-hun wounded all four legs, forcing it to its knees.
The final strike belonged to Joo Eun.
A single pure-white arrow shot skyward transformed into a massive beam of light that crashed down to earth.
Aimed straight at the neck Kang Se-jun had it locked down.
Boom! A deafening roar echoed as thick smoke billowed out. Visibility blocked, no one could see what happenedbut Joo Eun and Kang Se-jun sensed it clearly.
"Couldn't sever the head!"
"Everyone, fall back!"
The instant a sulfurous stench of blood wafted through the smoke, Kang Se-jun shouted. But the beast's counterattack came faster.
Bursting through the smoke wasn't fireit was lightning.
Just before the massive thunderbolt rained down, a brilliant golden shield materialized above everyone's heads.
"Ugh... grrr...!"
Yet the 1st-grade beast's lightning shattered even Yoo Su-eun's barrier, renowned for its top-tier defense. The backlash from the barrier's destruction hit her full force.
"Urk... cough!"
Kang Se-jun caught Yoo Su-eun's collapsing body and stared straight ahead. Now, the only one facing the beast head-on was Eun In-jae.
"Heavenly Vanguard, Earthly Vanguard!"
Two wooden guardian poles rose before her. Including the ones guarding the perimeter, six protective deities glowed radiantly, deploying a barrier.
But even the power symbolizing protection was no match for a 1st-grade beast stronger than Eun In-jae herself.
"Gah!"
The poles shattered, the barrier pierced. Eun In-jae's electrocuted body flew back violently, and Han Su-eon barely caught her. Cracks spiderwebbed across her shield and armorher body a total wreck.
"...Damn it all."
Kang Se-jun's face darkened as she neutralized the lingering lightning. Thanks to Yoo Su-eun and Eun In-jae, they'd mostly blocked the wide-area strike, but the situation wasn't optimistic.
Through the smoke, the beast's head had somehow grown into two.
"Really turning into a Cerberus, huh."
A new head sprouting beside the half-dangling one from Joo Eun's attack. And this one crackled not with fire, but lightning.
"Fitting for a 1st-grade beast's reputation."
Kang Se-jun finally understood why Baek Hee-won insisted on Yoon Se-ra. Even as an S-rank, her space-manipulation ability was one-of-a-kind.
An hour and a half since the battle began.
He didn't know when she'd arrive, but just knowing she was on her way brought considerable relief.
"Yoo Su-eun, can you move?"
"Fuck, this pisses me off. Damn beast bastard."
Yoo Su-eun, having quickly healed herself, stood on her own feet. Han Su-eon laid Eun In-jae beside her. Thanks to her, Do Jun-young and Yoon Jae-hun were unharmedbut she was the problem now. She probably couldn't fight anymore.
"Joo Eun, how's the wound?"
"No good. I'll need treatment."
Joo Eun glanced at his arm. He'd failed to fully dodge the attack toohis right arm mangled. As a right-handed archer, jumping back in was impossible right now.
"Split into two teams. Lightning goes to Han Su-eon and Do Jun-young. Fire's me and Yoon Jae-hun. Joo Eun, join the lightning side once you're healed."
"No. Everyone go lightning. I'll handle fire alone. Take it down first, then back me up."
Yoon Jae-hun, treating minor wounds with potions, stepped forward abruptly. Kang Se-jun yelled that he was insane, but he was perfectly sane.
"Killing one for sure before tackling the other gives us the best odds."
"You can't hold out alone!"
"No. That's exactly why I can."
Yoon Jae-hun advanced alone toward the beast.
"Wait, Yoon Jae-hun!"
Do Jun-young, guessing his intent, tried to grab himbut Yoon Jae-hun was already in front of the beast. Do Jun-young bellowed.
"Don't use it. At least not both at once!"
"If not now, then when?"
The 'Solitary Pilgrim' title, unlocked with his vow to avenge his parents and protect his sibling no matter what.
And the 'Guardian of the Sanctuary' from his contract with the adult entity.
Both were buff skills granting temporary power boosts, but they shared one major drawback.
"You idiot! Using them together is dangerous!"
The severe aftereffects.
But he ignored it. As he'd saidif not now, then when?
A powerful aura erupted around Yoon Jae-hun. The beautiful pure-white sword aura enveloping his blade swelled even larger.
With one step forward, he was suddenly facing off against the fire head. By stats alone, he was nearly L-rank now.
This was why he held Korea's greatest potential.
But Do Jun-young, watching him, bit his lip until it bled.
"We need to join him fast. Yoon Jae-hun can't maintain that power for long."
Kang Se-jun, who'd once fought alongside him in a labyrinth, knew the gravity and nodded gravely.
The 'Solitary Pilgrim' title only activated when fighting alone. No one could interfere.
What they had to do now was kill at least one head before the time limit expired and Yoon Jae-hun collapsed.
"Let's go."
The three still able to fight charged toward one side.
Hoping Yoon Jae-hunwho'd thrown everything into vengeancewouldn't die.
Everyone gritted their teeth.
* * *
"..."
The endless stream of posts in the community left Song Han-na deeply unsettled.
That damn dungeon upgrading to 1st-grade. Even 2nd-grade was plenty tough.
Bad memories kept surfacing, forcing her to shake her head repeatedly. Cheorwon Dungeon was her greatest trauma.
"...Shut up."
"I said shut up."
"Shut up!"
The moment a deep, gravelly voicenot a system messagerang out, Song Han-na exploded in fury.
Golden patterns shimmered across her skin as the president's office rumbled ominously. She could hear her secretaries panicking outside.
"Spouting whatever you want, you damn devourer bastard. Think I don't know you just want to eat me?"
The contracted adult entity 'Greedy Devourer.'
True to its name, it craved even its contractor, Song Han-na.
Chew on worries? Receive the adult's favoritism? Overprotection?
No. It just wanted to fatten her up for a good meal.
"Get lost. I'm not becoming your food."
"Get lost, you son of a bitch!"
Song Han-na's power swept through the office once more. The sticky voice that had licked at her ears faded away, leaving only mocking cackles behind.