Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: How the No.1 Ranked Hero Protects the World
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The ground trembled faintly. Woo Seong-yeon looked up in fear.
Beyond the horizon, the sound of something charging could be heard.
In a dungeon, no monster was out of place no matter what appeared. Especially without any clear information, failing to prepare properly was a one-way ticket to total annihilation.
Thud, thud. The earth-shaking footsteps grew closer. Dust clouds billowed in the distance.
Something was barreling toward them at an insane speed.
The moment a red silhouette emerged from the dust, Woo Seong-yeon screamed.
"M-Monster! It's the bronze bull!"
- C-Rank Monster: Red-Furred Bronze Bull has appeared.
- Would you like to view the monster's detailed information?
A system message popped up right on cue with his scream. I glanced at him sideways. He didn't even have the strength to run, slumped right there on the spot.
There was still a little time. I advised him.
"Don't give up. Read the details."
"What's the point of reading that...!"
"What's your trait?"
"'Charging Warrior'..."
He dives in headfirst without even checking if the info makes sense, and sure enough, his trait fits right in.
Fortunately, I knew what it was, so I nodded at him to get up.
"Get on your feet first. That thing's a pain in the ass."
"No way... You've fought that bull before?"
A flicker of hope lit up in Woo Seong-yeon's eyes. No reason to hide it, so I nodded.
"Yeah."
Though in a much harsher environment than this.
Woo Seong-yeon flashed a relieved smile and started to say something, but I cut him off.
"But that skull's thicker than most armor, and the hide's tough to pierce. Legs like pistons, charge like a freight train."
If I were at full strength, I'd grab those horns and yeet the damn thing into next week. But not now. Dodging that charge alone would drain me dry.
Woo Seong-yeon stammered.
"Still, it's wide open out here. Can't we just run...!"
Right then, the bronze bull slowed its charge and came to a halt. Close enough to see its eyes now. The red-furred beast glared with eyes like blue flames.
...It had spotted us.
- 'Bullfighting Arena' activated. Time until deactivation: 00:10:00
The moment the message appeared.
Massive flames erupted from the plains. Right behind where the bull stood firm, the fire blazed up as if alive, shooting out to both sides in an instant.
The spreading inferno curved sharply around where Woo Seong-yeon and I stood, linking up behind us into a single ring of fire.
"Wh-what the hell!"
"You saw the message."
A circular bullfighting arena of flames had formed.
Heat singed my cheeks. I could feel it baking my back too. I smirked.
"It's to keep us from running."
"Wh-wh-what do we do!"
"You're the 'Charging Warrior,' right?"
I pulled an item from my inventory and tossed it to Woo Seong-yeon. His hands shook, but he caught it.
"What's this?"
"Fairy Sylph's Footprint. Put it on."
"Uh, uh..."
"I'm lending it to you."
I drove the point home.
Fairy Sylph's Footprint was a downgraded version of my Nymph's Wind.
Nymph's Wind whipped up winds to boost movement speed, preserved body heat, and gave a +3% stamina option. The one I gave him? None of that.
Still overkill for a newbie.
"Your 'Charging Warrior' trait should've boosted your explosive power on awakening. That bull can't turn on a dime mid-charge due to its build. Use that to your advantage."
Awakened reflexes plus that item? He could hold out for a bit.
I drew the two daggers strapped to my thighs. The bull let out a bellow.
"This 'Bullfighting Arena' lasts ten minutes."
Woo Seong-yeon asked in a whimpering voice.
"So I just run around for ten minutes?"
"Yeah, I don't have the bandwidth to babysit you. Survive on your own."
"But what if it keeps chasing after ten minutes!"
"Won't happen."
I cracked my knuckles in my black half-gloves. Couldn't check my status, but my arms felt strong, legs steady.
Piece of cake.
"It'll be dead by then."
- Time until Bullfighting Arena deactivation: 00:09:59
While the bull stood still, time had frozen—but now it ticked again.
A guttural snort echoed. Charge incoming. I yelled at Woo Seong-yeon.
"Shut up and run!"
"What about you?!"
Guy won't listen.
He was just standing there like an idiot, about to get steamrolled, so I kicked him in the back.
"Ugh!"
The bull charged. Dust swallowed its form.
Five seconds later, maybe.
I timed the dodge on instinct.
I bolted opposite Woo Seong-yeon. It smashed through where I'd stood by a hair's breadth.
"Uwaaak! Uwaaah!"
I said no screaming!
Before the bull could swing its head toward him, I had no choice—pulled another dagger and hurled it at the beast.
It hit between the eyes... and bounced off with a clang, clattering to the ground.
"..."
The bull's head slowly turned my way.
Shit...
It pawed the ground again, gearing up.
Nine minutes left.
Cold sweat trickled down my back. Low stamina made this hell.
No way I could evade for nine minutes straight. Had to conserve energy and end it quick.
I turned and leaped forward using Nymph's Wind. The raging bull roared behind me.
- Warning! Insufficient stamina to use Nymph's Wind.
Red system message in my face. Damn it, don't mess up my run! I stomped harder.
- Nymph's Wind now has a usage cooldown.
- Cooldown: 00:01:00
Only a minute? Brutal.
But with my stamina, it was time to settle this anyway.
A few steps in, and I was already winded. I glanced back at the pursuing bull.
A bit farther than expected. Five steps ahead: flame wall!
Thinking it had me, the bull charged full throttle. Dust everywhere.
"What are you doing?! Run!"
Woo Seong-yeon yelled from afar. Bull at ten steps.
Nine.
Eight.
I felt its killing intent and heat prickling my skin.
"Now!"
Right as it barreled toward me.
I stomped.
Usage time down to thirty seconds, but Nymph's Wind launched me airborne perfectly.
The bull hesitated mid-lunge. Its eyes tracked me into the sky, but momentum wouldn't let it stop.
I flipped midair and stomped again. The burst of wind slammed my floating body downward.
But I didn't crash. Reaching out as I fell, I grabbed the bull's head—just as planned. Impact jolted through me.
"Urk...!"
Gotcha!
I gripped the horns tight and hauled myself onto its back.
Startled by the sudden pressure, it tossed its head, but I was already locked in, hands firm on the horns, astride its body.
Tough as bronze hide, fur thick as armor—but between the horned skull and ears, there was a soft spot unprotected by bone.
I clamped my thighs to hold on and gripped the daggers from my thighs. Then plunged both into the tender flesh behind its ears.
- Kuaaaang!
The bull bellowed in agony.
I gritted my teeth.
- Using Nymph's Wind
- Cooldown remaining: 00:00:10
"Stop using!"
I bellowed.
Leave ten seconds buffer! The winds enveloping me vanished as I yelled.
No more Nymph's Wind.
Now it was all willpower.
The bull was rattled but didn't lose speed.
Of course. If I could've severed a deep artery, easy win—but my strength only let me pierce the thinnest hide a bit.
It bucked wildly to shake me, but I dug the daggers deeper and held.
To dislodge me, it went berserk. Front legs high, head thrashing—I clenched my jaw and thighs.
Good thing the hide wasn't actual smooth bronze. The hot, foul stench was nauseating.
After rampaging to no avail, realizing I wasn't budging easy, it slowed to a stop.
How much time left?
Was Woo Seong-yeon alive?
I cautiously lifted my head—and flame heat blasted my face.
"Urk...!"
A groan escaped.
C-Rank or not, it had some brains. Willing to take damage to shake me—it shoved me toward the fire wall.
- Warning! Insufficient mana to equip Angelus's Blessing. Impact reduction lowered.
I gritted my teeth.
Flames licked my skin, but I couldn't release the daggers embedded in its head. One slip to the ground, and it'd trample me.
How long did that hazy agony last?
My grip weakened, legs quaking.
I stared at the floating message.
- Time until Bullfighting Arena deactivation: 00:01:50
So over five minutes since stabbing.
Not bad.
Flames gnawed at unprotected skin. I released hands and legs at once, reactivating Nymph's Wind.
Perfect timing as it shook to throw me—I flew farther than expected, tumbling onto grass.
Every inch hurt.
Sensing its foe off its back at last, the bull snorted triumphantly.
Approaching hooves, choking dust, soaring flames.
New system message.
- C-Rank Monster: Red-Furred Bronze Bull has been poisoned.
- Bullfighting Arena deactivating.
- C-Rank Monster: Red-Furred Bronze Bull has died.
Mooooh!
Crash!
Too damn late.
I dusted my hands and stood.
With the messages, the bull's massive body collapsed amid the dust. Blue poison aura seeped through its thick red fur and hide.
Lucky I had 'Petal's Death' in my inventory—it worked on monsters too.
Hoarding pays off.
Status unreadable, but taking down a C-Rank in ten minutes with these injuries? Back stung from the fire, but a potion would fix it.
Decent pace.
"Uwaaaah!"
Seeing the bull down, Woo Seong-yeon whooped from afar and charged over. I scowled and waved him off.
"Crazy! We actually cleared it! What the hell are you? Secret S-Rank hunter?!"
"Stay back. And don't celebrate yet."
I pointed at the floating message.
- Congratulations! You've fulfilled 1/3 of the dungeon clear conditions.
Woo Seong-yeon's face drained pale. I grinned.
"Gotta do this twice more. Survive on your own. I'll drag you out if we clear."
And once outside, that scammer's getting burned at the stake.
......You're a dead man when we exit. Stake plus porcupine style.