Perennial White-Horned Praying Mantis (1)
Crack—!
I stomped the ground hard enough to crater it. The surrounding scenery rushed toward me in a blur, closing the distance in a single step. There stood the enemy, unflinching. It immediately shifted into a counterattacking stance. As a monster, its innate senses were exquisitely sharp, far beyond any ordinary human's instincts.
"Kishaaak!"
A piercing screech erupted, followed by the mantis's signature vicious forelimbs slashing down. I ducked low to evade. Channeling the momentum from my charge, I thrust my sword forward. In an instant, the blade pierced its back and emerged from the other side. Moments later, the creature collapsed lifelessly.
Red Mantis defeated.
"Hoo…"
I caught my breath, planted a foot on its torso, and yanked the sword free with a forceful shove. The blade emerged half-ruined, slick with viscous fluid.
'Fighting these things with a proper weapon is always a pain.'
I wiped away the cold sweat streaming down my face. Maybe it was the location, but the air reeked of a cloying, acrid stench, and the heat was oppressively stifling. All things considered, I counted myself lucky.
'Stuck in a place like this alone with Jeon Eunbyeol… Just thinking about it twists my guts.'
Turning my head, I saw a vast icy expanse billowing with frigid mist. Scattered corpses of frozen bugs dotted the area. At the center stood Seol Garam, exhaling a visible breath of cold air. Impressive as always. She'd flash-frozen an entire zone without a hint of fatigue. It wasn't just the monsters she'd handled—the grotesque red pustules riddling the floor and walls, those malignant tumors that periodically spewed corrosive poison, were solidly encased in ice too. Her power was a natural disaster incarnate, nullifying even that threat. I couldn't help but admire it.
At this rate, any monsters ahead wouldn't pose much issue.
'But…'
One nagging doubt lingered.
'Why isn't she using her spear?'
Seol Garam hadn't touched her spear once since entering. Someone else might shrug it off as nothing, but having synced with her extensively in my previous life, I couldn't ignore the vague unease. The Seol Garam I knew didn't rely solely on her overwhelming ability.
'She said her power was too strong for fine control, so she always paired it with her spear.'
A sudden realization flashed through my mind. No way? Pointing behind her, I shouted at the top of my lungs.
"Seol Garam! Behind you! Bug! Right in front of you!"
"?!?"
My yell made her eyes widen. She leaped back over two meters, flailing her spear wildly. Whooshing sounds echoed as an incomprehensible shriek burst out.
"Ububu! Ubububuuububu!"
"……"
"…Uhehe. So cute…"
Once she'd calmed, I asked quietly.
"You aren't… scared of bugs, are you?"
"……"
Hit the mark. Seol Garam averted her eyes, cold sweat trickling along her jawline. Her lips pursed tight; I could hear her gulp dryly. I smacked my forehead without thinking.
No… I'd explained this already, hadn't I?
"So… you stayed quiet because you didn't want to disappoint me?"
"…Yeah… Sorry."
"Hm…"
Seol Garam hung her head like a punished child, hands at her sides, peeking at me anxiously. Her fidgeting fingers and glistening eyes showed genuine remorse.
'At least that's something.'
We were already inside; no turning back now. Scolding her wouldn't help—instead, I needed to ensure she wouldn't hinder the fights ahead. Thankfully, her cheat-level ability made that unlikely.
'But avoiding eye contact with enemies is a real problem. Trash mobs are fine, but against a boss…'
As I pondered, Jeon Eunbyeol sneaked up behind the sulking Seol Garam.
"Uhehehe… Hi hi…"
Grinning her signature madwoman smile, she blew a whoosh into Seol Garam's ear.
"Ububebe!!?"
"Th-the reaction is so cute. This natural adorableness… It's unfair, but at the same time, it's okay."
"Wh-what… the hell… was that?"
"Uhehehe. It's Senior's way of saying don't be so tense."
Jeon Eunbyeol's gaze flicked to me.
"I-I'll be her eyes. With my ability… it should work. Right?"
"Mm…"
She had a point. With Jeon Eunbyeol as support, we'd manage fine. I nodded in agreement, and her face split into a goofy grin as she sidled up to me next. My eyes twitched involuntarily. A chill ran down my spine; my hand drifted to my sword hilt on reflex.
"…Why are you getting closer?"
"Uhehe…"
Jeon Eunbyeol giggled creepily, then darted beside me with startling speed—like a predator eyeing prey. And then… grope. Squish. Squish.
She kneaded my arm, producing a barrage of disgusting sound effects.
"Fuck. What the hell are you doing?"
"Uhehe. Uhehehe… I-I didn't notice at first… but your muscles are incredible. L-look at those bulging tendons. So cool. Total beast mode, alpha male—no, yeah. Pure stud vibes? Imagining you grabbing a delicate, tasty, obedient bitch like me and dominating her… Ah, my crotch is tingling."
Goosebumps crawled up my arm. Suppressing the urge to slice her with millennia's worth of patience, I held back.
"…Even imagining it's gross, so knock it off?"
"C-can I just dissect you once? Later… Uhehehe? I'm curious about the blood and flesh."
"Get the fuck off!!"
Finally snapping, Choi Siwoo flailed his arms wildly. Jeon Eunbyeol clung like a leech, unfazed.
As the two bickered, a clear, melodic laugh rang out—like jade beads clattering. Turning, I saw Seol Garam clutching her stomach, doubled over in mirth.
"S-sorry. You two just look so good together… Been friends for years?"
"No."
"N-nope?"
Seol Garam tilted her head at the responses, then clapped her hands with an "Aha!"
"Wait… are you two dating?"
"No!!!"
"N-nope!!!"
The pair stared at each other, then shouted in unison.
"As if I'd date a total freak like her!"
"Ob-obviously this guy's head over heels for me… We're not dating—he's my slave."
They grabbed each other's heads and tussled. Seol Garam kept laughing her ass off at the sight.
One hour later.
"…Halt."
Raising a hand to stop them, I traced a circle with my fingertip, issuing orders. Mana gathered in Jeon Eunbyeol's palm accordingly. A soft pop echoed, and a ridiculous pair of glasses spun onto her face.
Jeon Eunbyeol activates Pororyong Cheonri-an (C).
"There's a presence ahead, but it's hard to see. Looks like a tough one…"
"Y-yeah. One monster. Judging by the patterns on the floor… it's the mid-guardian. Bipedal. Six arms. Each holding a weapon. The spots suggest ladybug type."
"…Weapon types?"
"Th-three swords… two spears… one priest's staff."
I nodded and stepped forward, regulating my breathing. Battle lust built steadily in my chest. Igniting it with willpower turned it into a cold blaze spreading through my body. My overheating flesh contrasted with a cooling mind. Back to basics, always.
'Steel your resolve and judge coldly.'
Recalling my master's teaching, I spoke softly.
"Stick to the plan. Seol Garam, when I charge, deploy it without hesitation. Got it?"
"Got it…!"
No sooner said than done—I bolted ahead. My mana-enhanced body streaked like lightning.
Encounter with Mid-Layer Guardian - Paramede!
"…Kururuk?!"
The foe reacted instantly. A mid-boss was still a boss—its reflexes were no joke. It swung one of its swords down at me.
'Left side…!'
I shifted internal mana to my arms for reinforcement, drew my waist sword, and parried upward. A whirlwind of sword aura sent the ladybug's blade flying into the ceiling.
"Kuruk!"
I kicked off its shoulder and leaped high. Crackle—! My gaze downward revealed frost spreading to bind its legs.
Seol Garam uses Eternal Snow Flower (S).
But it wasn't over. Jeon Eunbyeol, cheeks puffed, unleashed a puha! A rainbow-hued beam—honestly more like vomit—struck the ladybug dead-on.
Jeon Eunbyeol uses Silver Star Beam (C++).
Boom—! Dust billowed everywhere. Soon, the unscathed ladybug emerged, its glossy carapace unmarred.
"E-eugh?! My full-power strike!"
Shing—! Mid-air, I focused my mind. Icy chill swirled around my blade. Tucking it under my armpit, I channeled swelling mana into the edge and slashed downward fiercely. Violet sword qi pierced its torso at blinding speed.
Ghost Valley Slash (Lv. 8) activated.
Purple slime splattered. Three of its six arms severed, weapons clattering to the floor. The ladybug slowed, frost radiating from its chilled innards.
"Kurururuk…"
I clicked my tongue softly. Rushed execution meant insufficient mana.
"Not enough power, huh."
"Kurururuk!!!!"
Enraged, the ladybug slammed its priest's staff into the ground. Bubbling erupted as a massive fire pillar shot up from beneath it. Self-ignited, it stepped forward in an empowered state.
"N-not easy."
"Yeah, a bit more damage and it'll drop… Let's push."
I crouched low right after her reply. Our eyes locked. Without a word, we charged simultaneously.