I Can't Hold Back Anymore

Lee Yeonhee couldn't hold back any longer. "Number Two, Number Three. Provoke."

She used Provoke intermittently to reinforce the monsters' defensive line. The summons' resistance values were unknown to her, but they endured the Depression effect remarkably well. And through the gaps between her summoned creatures, one particular being stood out—turning every direction into a blazing sea of fire.

"He looks like he's operating in an entirely different world," Bae Jua remarked, sounding exhausted. Yet her eyes betrayed her, already completely captivated by the overwhelming display. Her gaze darted diligently after Ilwol's every move.

"I really need to step up my game... At this rate, there won't be any space left for me to stand."

"This dungeon is special, that's all. You can show what you're capable of starting tomorrow," Yeonhee said, gently comforting the dejected Baek A-rin while watching Ilwol's solo performance.

Haha! This is easy. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Way too easy!

I was exhilarated for the first time in ages. Actually, battling monsters had always brought me joy. These were the moments I could truly feel my own growth. I wanted to savor every second.

Hmm— No point using Skeleton Bombs anymore.

The horde of ghosts—over a hundred strong—scattered in panic from the barrage of Fire Balls.

Kiiiiii—!

Were they recalling memories from when they were human? Some clutched their heads and fled, while others turned tail and ran.

Where do you think you're going—!

I tested the newly acquired skill on a fleeing ghost. The moment Depression took hold, it slumped like a wet rag, sinking to the ground and writhing like heat haze.

Pfft—! What a sorry sight.

I might have been the first to witness a ghost succumb to the Depression effect. After all, I'd never heard of any hunter capable of stealing monster skills, so it was probably true.

Boom—!Boom-boom-boom—!

After firing dozens of Fire Balls in succession, the other hunters in the parties eventually stopped fighting altogether. They simply watched me work.

Even if they were under control, summons were still monsters. There was no telling when they might turn their blades on us.

Are you people serious? Instead of chatting, how about helping finish this? Sigh—

It felt like I was doing everyone else a favor, which didn't sit well with me. Still, the rising quest completion numbers kept me focused, and I continued slaughtering monsters without pause.

The moment my mana dropped below 50, the second effect of my Mana Circuit kicked in and instantly refilled it to maximum. Brbrbr—

Ughhh— I'm dying— As expected of a top-grade Mana Circuit!

It could only trigger once per day, but in a dungeon, that single use was priceless. And as my total mana capacity grew, so did the amount recovered. It was essentially a growth-type skill.

Fwoooooosh—!

The flames only grew fiercer with time. The hunters who had been hovering nearby, wondering if they should help, retreated all the way to the outer edges of the auditorium.

These guys were already panting from Depression the moment the fight started. What are they even on about?

It was ridiculous that they would complain after I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had done them a favor. Still, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠knew the real reason they felt drained wasn't because of me—it was because there were no kill rewards for them. So I decided to let it slide this once.

Hmm... The mana stones that would have gone to Yeonhee are coming to me instead. Well, it doesn't really matter.

"Wow— Ilwol really handled everything by himself."

"Insane. He wasn't even this monstrous when we fought the orcs... Is it possible to improve this much in just a few days? Yeonhee, does your first summon get some kind of special bonus?"

"What?! N-no... Other than not consuming any mana, there isn't anything special..."

"So it's purely his own talent? Is he like the ultimate genius among skeleton soldiers?"

"Well, thanks to him we cleared it comfortably. The number of ghosts today was seriously rude."

"My thoughts exactly."

Jua and A-rin grumbled for show, but their faces were brighter and happier than ever.

"Skeleton... Ilwol..."

"Yes?"

"Uh...?"

"Did you say something?"

"No, nothing..."

Yeonhee found it strangely unsettling how often she heard Ilwol's name in Ham Eun-yeong's mumbled whispers. Still, Eun-yeong had pulled her weight in both dungeons, so Yeonhee didn't feel like calling her out on it.

The staff member's farewell message rang out as if it had been waiting for the perfect moment. Thanks to us, their shift had ended early, so their voice was especially warm and gentle.

"Don't they sound exactly like a cosmetics store employee?"

"At least they didn't say 'The exit is located on the opposite side of the entrance.'"

"Hehe, I guess so?"

I returned to Yeonhee's side carrying a sack heavy with mana stones. Everyone knew these were today's main source of income, so satisfied smiles that couldn't be hidden spread across my party members' faces.

"It's finally over—!"

The moment we left the abandoned school, A-rin stretched her arms wide, savoring the sense of liberation. For her, every second inside this dungeon must have been pure stress. Since there wouldn't be any more dungeons focused primarily on incorporeal monsters like this one, she wouldn't have to suffer the same way again.

Of course, she would still encounter specters and other incorporeal beings in the D-rank end-content dungeon known as the Dungeon of Nargul, but they only appeared occasionally as a spicy seasoning.

From now on, it's your time to shine.

The next dungeon on our list, the Harpy's Spawning Ground, wasn't exactly ideal terrain for her either, but it would still be far better than this place.

The journey back after the battle was incredibly relaxed. Given the dungeon's nature—ghosts congregating near the abandoned school—it made sense. Yet my party members kept crediting me for the peaceful walk.

"Whoa— Having Ilwol as our guide makes this so comfortable. Sorry for not realizing it sooner!"

"Clack—"

"We'll do our best from the next dungeon onward. There won't be any more piggyback rides like today. I promise!"

I get it, so please...

The distance from the entrance to the abandoned school was about five kilometers. Walking in a straight line without any major battles would normally take seventy to eighty minutes. But having them talk to me the entire way made it feel chaotic.

It seemed they felt guilty about leaving the entire fight to me. There was no need to worry about it. Matchups existed for a reason. For the monsters in this dungeon, I—with my high resistance to status ailments—was the worst possible opponent.

The parties that had joined us for the boss fight walked back with us. We moved under the unspoken agreement that no one would speak to each other, but even without words, the topic was clearly our party.

It's only natural they'd find it fascinating.

Walking alongside dozens of monsters wasn't exactly a common experience.

Shinigami... That giant double-handed scythe comes to mind.

Getting involved with that guy seems like it would be incredibly exhausting... Should I ask Kang Yeonsu to control the media a bit?

If I spoke to her in my original form, she might agree immediately. Buying her a cup of coffee should be enough payment, right?

I recalled her face turning red the first time she saw me at the guild building. Of course, she hadn't shown that side since then. Hmm... I'd have to think about it.

But could I eat anything while using Mimicry?

Crack. Crunch.

While I was lost in various thoughts and even crafting more Skeleton Bombs, we arrived at the exit. We left the gate, distributed only the mana stones, and each headed home.

A-rin suggested they all grab drinks together again, but Yeonhee still seemed unprepared.

"I'll definitely go with you next time."

"You promised!"

"Yes."

The walk home after finishing a dungeon exploration was always pleasant. Sitting beside her on the bus, her profile caught the passing streetlights, creating a deeper atmosphere than usual.

Man... She doesn't even wear makeup. Why is she so beautiful?

Normally she would chatter nonstop on the way home, but inside the bus she kept her lips pressed tightly together. There weren't even any other passengers besides the driver.

Hmm... Her heart rate was definitely higher than usual. Was she feeling nervous like me?

Is it because of Mimicry? The fact that I can transform into something else? I don't know. She's squeezing her eyes shut as if trying to keep me from reading her mind.

Upon arriving home, Yeonhee followed her usual routine but moved at lightning speed before sitting down in front of me. Washing up, changing clothes, eating dinner—she completed everything forty minutes faster than normal.

"Haa— I can't hold back any longer. Show me."

......

"Mimicry, I mean. You can do it, right? Or are the conditions not met yet? Like, maybe you can't use it on the same day you learned the skill?"

Just from what she was saying now, it was almost certain she couldn't see the detailed information in my status window. If she could, she would have asked me exactly who Yoon Han-gyeol was. She was probably just making vague guesses based on the skill name alone.

In that case, I'd follow the original plan and call Ran to act as interpreter. Right now, the only form I could transform into was Yeonhee herself.

Her eyes were ordering me to show her quickly. She rarely gave me direct commands, but once she made up her mind like this, it was hard to resist.

...... Something feels off.

Having relied on my sensory abilities my entire life, I possessed a sixth sense that rivaled a woman's intuition. Of course, that was just what I believed.

She was staring so intensely... It was subtly different from usual. What was it? Hmm... I couldn't figure it out.

"Ran, interpret for me!"

(Yesss! Master!)

My usual philosophy is to do nothing when I don't know what to do. But this time there's no avoiding it. My body is already reacting to the command to show her, trembling with anticipation.

Though I had more freedom than the other summons, I was still hers. The desire to transform with Mimicry and show her flooded out like a waterfall.

Yeonhee watched me with an expression full of intense expectation. Such a powerful wish was impossible to refuse.

My head was already turning pure white, and my focus had locked onto her purple eyes. Was the sense of unease I felt earlier just my imagination? I didn't know. And what did it matter? I'd think about it after transforming.

When I adjusted my posture, she flinched and began regulating her breathing.

"Haa— Inhale— Haa— Give me a moment to breathe."

......

Her breathing was trembling violently. She seemed genuinely nervous. If anyone should be nervous, it was me.

"I'm ready! S-show me."

"Clack clack clack!"