The Field Boss Awakens
"Ugh, no matter how many times I see it, that power is incredible. Hah, but my Thunder of Judgment won't lose to it either!"
"That's the Absolute Spear? It wasn't that big when we sparred. Don't tell me... did you adjust the size on purpose?"
After witnessing the might of the Absolute Spear, Atsbal looked frustrated while Adelia stared in astonishment.
Deciding to deal with their reactions later, I walked toward the crater. I had used the skill against the Water Spirit because I wanted to taste that rush of damage myself. The power had tripled, so the impact was far stronger and the shockwave more intense than I had expected.
Who would have thought it would even create a crater?
"Ah."
Just as I feared, the skill had already vanished. All that remained was a grotesque scene inside the pit—fragments of the monster scattered everywhere by the shockwave.
If I could store it in my inventory, I would, but it was far too damaged to be of any commercial value. The only intact part was the upper body, from the chest where the magic stone protruded downward.
I should at least take this.
I climbed down into the pit, stored the upper half of the Corrupted Stone Oak Champion in my inventory, and climbed back out.
"I've recovered the intact parts and the magic stone. Let's head back."
"The magic stone survived somehow."
"Th-that's a relief."
After returning to the road and waiting a while, we boarded the carriage and set off for Valendia once more.
During the journey, Adelia, seated across from me, asked a question.
"Lee Si-han, that skill you showed today... it had completely different power from when we sparred. Why?"
"I was holding back. When I used it against Atsbal, I ended up putting a hole in the training ground floor. I wanted to avoid that if possible."
"To think you can control a technique of that magnitude so precisely..."
"Still, I never expected the power to increase this much. As expected of your royal family's secret art—it's truly impressive. Without your skill, it wouldn't have reached this level."
Praise Resistance Pierced.
"Ahem! Well, the Blessing of Water Record must have played a big part."
Embarrassing Adelia, I steered the conversation away from the Absolute Spear. Today's main focus wasn't how strong my skill was, but showing everyone how valuable Adelia and her blessing were to the group.
Once I changed the subject, the other members began sharing their own impressions of the damage boost they had felt.
"It was an outstanding increase in power! My lightning shone 1.5 times brighter than usual!"
"Kicking felt incredibly thrilling! The landmine traps exploded much bigger than normal! It was so refreshing!"
"M-me too! My role is usually just binding and weakening, but I actually defeated monsters with my magic! It felt amazing!"
"I'm glad everyone enjoyed it."
Adelia had looked uncertain at first, but seeing her teammates' genuine excitement right in front of her, she smiled as well. It was a heartwarming sight that showed how close the team had become.
Two weeks had passed since Adelia Laden joined the Portis Group.
She had originally joined to borrow the group's strength to resolve the incident involving the rampaging Water Spirit. But now, she genuinely enjoyed being part of it.
For Adelia, who had spent her days endlessly training with almost no social connections, the group offered something new. Even though she had joined for a purpose, she now spent every day facing the members, talking with them, and venturing outside to hunt monsters in pursuit of greater strength. It perfectly aligned with her own training philosophy.
Moreover, at her request, the group had been focusing on areas where rampaging monsters appeared. That alone made her grateful, and that gratitude had only grown stronger over time.
The Portis Group was filled with distinctive personalities.
Shu Yeon-hwa, brimming with confidence and possessing exceptional defensive skills. After returning from hunts or during rest days, they would train together and then chat over tea.
Pamela, with her remarkable potion-making talent and a contract with the Cats Trading Company. Though she often stuttered due to low self-esteem, she was kind-hearted and lit up with such pure joy at any praise that it made others smile too.
Atsbal Genadic, who lived by the principle that becoming stronger meant becoming cooler. Adelia still couldn't fully evaluate him, but her intuition told her he was a man who lived life with great enjoyment.
And then there was the man who left the deepest impression—the most important figure in the group.
Lee Si-han.
No matter how many times she observed him, Adelia couldn't help but give him high praise. His movements during sparring were flawless, as if his spear and body had become one—clean, natural, and awe-inspiring to any martial artist.
Above all, there was the skill he had used to defeat the rampaging Stone Oak Champion.
The Absolute Spear.
A secret technique powerful enough to affect even the Water Spirit Praton. In terms of combat ability, she could give him nothing but the highest evaluation.
But it wasn't just his strength. According to what she had heard, Shu Yeon-hwa had joined Portis instead of the Flame Dragon Society because of his invitation. Pamela and Atsbal had also joined because he approached them first. He had an eye for talent, and over the past two weeks, she had seen that he was just as skilled at managing relationships as he was at fighting.
For example, no one had ever felt uncomfortable while talking with him. Though the members' personalities weren't bad to begin with, his presence clearly improved the atmosphere. His tone was straightforward and his expression often serious, yet he responded well to conversation and openly expressed what he liked or admired about others. His words carried a sincerity that resonated deeply.
It felt as if the joy of receiving kindness or praise for the first time was being renewed through him. And she wasn't the only one who felt this way—every member of Portis seemed happier when speaking with him. Shu Yeon-hwa even deliberately steered conversations toward receiving his compliments, then squeezed her eyes shut in delight.
Why did his words touch the heart so strongly? Adelia could only conclude it was his natural charisma and genuine character. That was why the members respected and followed his advice. Even the headstrong Atsbal never argued when Lee Si-han suggested skill order adjustments—he simply tested them. And those suggestions always led to good results.
That's why he's the vice president.
Thinking about it now, Lee Si-han was perfectly suited for the role.
At first, Adelia had planned to continue group activities out of obligation after the incident was resolved, since they had helped her. But now, she found herself wanting to participate voluntarily because it aided her own training. At the same time, she was certain that any activity involving Lee Si-han would make her academy life far more fulfilling and enjoyable.
Before she knew it, Adelia was heading to the clubroom not out of duty to resolve the Water Spirit Praton's rampage, but of her own free will—because Lee Si-han was there.
Then one day—
"What did you say?"
Adelia received a report from the attendant who had been assisting her from the royal palace.
"Rock Kong has gone on a rampage?"
"Yes, according to the report, it's confirmed. The noise from the rampaging Rock Kong has drawn in and eliminated surrounding monsters."
"Even Rock Kong... Well, if the Water Spirit rampaged, this was bound to happen."
Rock Kong was a massive gorilla-like monster with thick, rock-like skin on its forehead and fists. It was the field boss of Valendia, occupying the same position as the ogre near Lukedia Academy.
"And there's one more thing to report, Lady Adelia."
"What is it?"
"His Majesty is beginning to notice your actions."
Adelia had deliberately focused the group's activities on areas with rampaging monsters. The attendant worried that her father, King Porten Laden, might discover this and scold her.
"It's fortunate he hasn't found out yet."
"Yes, but encountering Rock Kong will almost certainly expose you. So this time..."
"No. Precisely because it's Rock Kong, we must proceed."
"Lady Adelia?"
"Rock Kong is a powerful monster. If Father learns that I defeated such a strong creature, he won't see me as just a fragile daughter who needs protection anymore."
"Lady Adelia, however..."
"Don't worry. I'm not charging in recklessly by myself."
Adelia smiled softly as she thought of Lee Si-han and the Portis members.
"I have reliable comrades."
"Lady Adelia..."
It was a smile the attendant had never seen in all the years she had served her.
The next day, Adelia headed to the clubroom early in the morning to share the information about the rampaging Rock Kong.
"Everyone, listen! There's new information about a rampaging monster..."
"Ah."
When she opened the door to the clubroom with a bang, she found Lee Si-han sitting alone at the table, which was laden with apple pie, cake, chocolate cookies, croissants, muffins, and fruit drinks. He had just picked up a slice of apple pie and opened his mouth to take a bite.
One thing Adelia had learned during her two weeks with the Portis Group was that Lee Si-han had a serious passion for gourmet exploration.
Even so...
"Lee Si-han, you'll get fat if you keep that up."
"It's fine. I move around enough to compensate."
Saying that, he gently set the pie down and asked her, "Want to join me?"
"...I suppose I will."
She knew from experience that the foods he chose were never bad, so Adelia accepted the offer.
I've been moving plenty while hunting rampaging monsters too, so I don't have to worry about gaining weight.
Adelia Laden made the same excuse to herself that Lee Si-han had just used.