Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: 3. The Runner
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Walking with the blazing flames as our light, we soon came upon a vast open space. Ellie thrust her staff forward and finally chanted the activation spell.
Fireball
A basic spell from novels, but not to be underestimated.
Don't underestimate the magic that even the lowliest mobs in novels learn. The fireball exuded a dangerous aura with its intense heat and speed. Even the werewolves prowling in the darkness sensed it instinctively.
She'd aimed it as precisely as possible, but the werewolf dodged, and it slammed into the ground instead.
BOOM!
"Kieeeek!"
"Kyung! Keuung!"
"Damn! It's going according to plan!"
Still, it wasn't a total miss. One werewolf with flames licking its fur rolled around in agony, and A-yeon's arrow finished it off, leaving it unable to move properly. Sung-hoon delivered the clean finishing thrust.
A werewolf that couldn't move properly was no different from an orc. Riding that momentum, Sung-hoon swung his sword at the black werewolf and bared his teeth in a grin.
"How many times is this now?"
"Grrr!"
"Yeah, yeah. Good to see you too, buddy!"
He deftly blocked the black werewolf's powerful strikes from both sides, tying it down. Its stats were impressive, but what made Sung-hoon truly exceptional was his combat prowess. Basic skills improve with martial arts training, but differences emerge even then.
Those who rely solely on skills without effort show weakness even with intermediate swordsmanship. But someone who fights dozens of life-or-death battles, honing experience and effort, will surpass an intermediate swordsman even with basic skills. Skills are merely support, after all.
'Even one-on-one, black werewolves are manageable now.'
He smacked its claws with the flat of his blade to create an opening, then slashed. It blocked with its other arm, but a thin gash formed, blood flowing from it. He was pushing the black werewolf back in a frontal clash. Ellie clearly saw it.
Everyone was busy with their roles, but as a ranker with some leeway while chanting, Ellie could observe Sung-hoon's fight objectively. Still, facing a sub-boss alone made her wonder if she should help—but her worry was unnecessary.
If he'd had one or two active skills to boost attack power, or better gear, the fight would've ended already.
'For someone who got strong through opportunities, his fundamentals are solid.'
Feeling even more drawn to Sung-hoon, who held his own against rankers she knew, Ellie finished her next spell.
Binding
A werewolf lunging at Il-woo's opening freezes.
The werewolf lunging at Il-woo's gap hesitated, and A-yeon's arrow pierced its throat in that instant. It didn't kill it—the werewolf's hide was tough, its vitality tenacious. But it diverted its attention, and Il-woo matched it evenly, slashing with his daggers.
The battle flowed evenly, with no clear advantage. But the balance began to tip starting from Ellie's side. Werewolves under constant magic and arrow barrages crumbled: one with an arrow in its eye, followed by an ice spear piercing its mouth, collapsing like a sandcastle.
"That's it! Bash!"
Dong-cheol excitedly pressed the werewolves relentlessly. His heavy axe and skill power overwhelmed two; their claws— their main weapons—mostly broken. Victory seemed assured. Sung-hoon wanted to applaud their unexpectedly strong party synergy.
Individual skills were solid, and their composition excellent. In that moment of distraction, the black werewolf roared and charged inward.
"Keuheung!"
"Huh?"
Distraction's price was mortal danger. Sung-hoon eyed his sword flung aside and the werewolf closing in, then extended his arm.
'Shock.'
Now at S proficiency and Magic (Lower) grade, Shock could activate silently above A proficiency. As it reeled from the lightning, a second strike followed.
Not a sword attack—it would recover by then. Sung-hoon stepped forward, extending his left arm for a neck snap.
"Kek!"
The black werewolf didn't know, but Sung-hoon had intermediate martial arts too. Rarely used in real fights, but a trump card in emergencies—not to be ignored.
He followed with a soccer kick to the fallen foe, amplifying confusion, then plunged his sword down. It twitched a few times before breathing its last.
"Don't rest—help here!"
"Got it, coming now!"
Shing!
The battle ended anticlimactically. With Sung-hoon joining, the rest collapsed without much resistance. As it wrapped up, Dong-cheol stared at Sung-hoon in disbelief.
Setting aside the great stats, soloing a sub-boss was unbelievable. Sung-hoon felt the gaze.
Normally, he shouldn't draw this much attention.
"Whoa, you took down the black werewolf solo?"
"Ah, yeah. It's not that impressive."
"Not impressive? My brother Dong-cheol can barely hold it, but you not only did but first among us! Are you really a ranker?"
"N-no, I'm not. This black werewolf just didn't perform at full strength."
"Didn't perform?"
Sung-hoon glanced around and decided to deflect the piercing stares to Ellie.
"Yeah. Ellie's fireball at the start must've hit it indirectly."
"Me?"
"How else could I take it down? Incredible power. Even glancing, it nearly killed a werewolf and shocked the sub-boss."
"R-really? But it wasn't that close, right?"
"No, it was stunned from the impact. That opening let me win. Amazing magic."
Her initial skeptical look shifted to convinced as Sung-hoon insisted. Her mana-enhanced fireball had unheard-of power, after all.
After praising Ellie a couple times, they finished resting sloppily. Sung-hoon sighed in relief, vowing to hide his strength again. Not absolutely—he'd go all out if needed.
'But not now.'
"Aren't you guys hungry?"
Il-woo's question prompted exchanged glances and subtle nods. Battle hunger was real, especially after unexpectedly entering slaughterer mode. They just hadn't voiced it mid-dungeon.
"A bit, but got snacks?"
"Haha, I love food, so I carry ingredients in my inventory. Want a quick meal?"
"Carrying food in inventory? Impressive."
Eating mid-mission wasn't special, but Il-woo pulled out pots and bowls, gearing up for real cooking—not just jerky or bread.
"Just simple soup, but better than plain bread—warm soup with bread?"
"Wow, Il-woo, you're amazing!"
"Hey, we're getting treated unexpectedly?"
Everyone praised Il-woo. Sung-hoon had no complaints—he was hungry but hesitated to eat alone. Free cooking? Welcome with open arms.
Skilled and mannerly—rare type. Smiles spread.
"Split into two groups for meals. Who'll guard with me?"
Sung-hoon raised his hand; Ellie followed.
"Ooooh, what? How long have you known each other to be like that... Gahk!"
"Ignore him. Please. Hehe."
A-yeon's smiling hand had bulging veins; beside her, Dong-cheol squirmed wordlessly like dried squid. Sung-hoon chuckled lightly, stood, and began guarding a bit away.
Werewolves have keen noses.
Food smells might attract some, but this sub-boss area was like a safe zone—low chance of fights.
"Um... Sung-hoon."
"Ah, yes."
Ellie called suddenly; he turned with a light smile. She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Are you... hiding your strength, Sung-hoon?"