Stolen Flames

Having stolen a mid-range skill, the shield soldier Han Man-woo spoke up. "The two of us will handle the vanguard. The mages can position themselves on either side of the summoner, and the skeleton soldier can watch our rear while protecting the damage dealers. Sound good?"

"It does..."

Han Man-woo leaned in close, as if struggling to hear Yeonhee's voice, then nodded. "Before we head in, let's set one rule. What's our retreat threshold?"

He was asking about the number of Fire Monkeys that would force them to turn tail and run without looking back. Seventy. Anything more than that would be rough.

"Fifty. Anything above that is too much."

Yu Dali, the mage, named a smaller number than I had in mind. Still, without knowing the full extent of Yeonhee's summoning abilities, it was a reasonable call.

"Understood. If we run into a group of fifty or more, the skeleton soldier takes point and we make a hasty retreat."

Individually, Fire Monkeys were far weaker than Big Bores, but their habit of pulling flame-infused projectiles from the pouches on their chests made them much trickier opponents at range. The fact that they'd chosen our party out of so many applicants probably had something to do with Yeonhee's archery skills as well.

"Let's move."

Shrrrk—

It had been a while since I'd felt that strange sensation of passing through a gate. We entered the dungeon and paused to look around.

Hm?!

My Perception stat picked up on a long, empty space stretching out nearby. A hidden area right by the entrance? That's a first.

It wasn't directly beside the entrance, but there was a downward passage only a minute's walk away. Someone must have already cleared it out before I ever arrived in this life. Can't check it now... maybe on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the way out.

This was exactly why parties were such a hassle. My mind was already racing, but I quickly regained my composure and took my place behind the mage, forming up with the rest of the group.

— She's not going to start moving on her own, is she?

— The summoner must have given the order. No need to speak out loud for commands.

The two shield soldiers chatted openly about me without any attempt to hide it, and Yeonhee didn't seem particularly bothered. We set off along the main route.

"We'll circle the area and advance gradually. No rushing straight ahead."

Han Man-woo, our leader, was repeating something everyone already knew—probably because plenty of hunters charged in without thinking. We spent about ten minutes looping around the entrance.

Kiiik!! Kiihit! Ukakakakak!

Han Man-woo raised a fist. Un-cheol signaled with hand signs that there were around thirty of them.

(How? The mage?)

Han Man-woo nodded toward the monkeys playing with fruit near a small tree. Yu Dali gripped her staff, which now glowed with a deeper green than before, and began chanting.

Ziiing—

Yeonhee drew her bowstring taut. Ddakddak the ironclad beetle was already at her side, and a slime clung to her arm. The other hunters let out small sounds of admiration at the sight. The binding magic activated, and arrows flew, signaling the start of the fight.

The three vanguards had already charged forward before the spell fully took hold. They smashed their shields and massive greatsword into the heads of the monkeys now rooted in place by sudden vines.

Thud—!!

Slash!!

—!!!

The Fire Monkeys, caught off guard, quickly shifted tactics and began rummaging through their chest pouches. Pew— Thud!! Kkhehek—! One dropped from its tree after taking an arrow straight to the eye from Yeonhee. Their apparent leader let out a shrill cry, and about ten monkeys rushed toward us.

"They're coming!!"

Someone from the vanguard shouted, but we had already established our defensive line.

"······Cuvalr!!"

At Yu Dali's incantation, a wall of thorny vines rose around us in a circle. It left just enough space for two people to pass through at the front, preventing the monkeys from surrounding us.

"Haa... 1 minute. I can't hold it any longer than that."

"That's plenty."

Wow, I really want this mage. Walling off this many targets that fast takes real talent.

The Fire Monkeys hesitated at the thorny barrier, but their leader's renewed cry sent them charging through the narrow opening. I couldn't block the gap alone, but with Lizard No.1 summoned beside me, the angle was perfect for striking down any that made it through.

Thud!! Thud-thud-thud-thud!!

Monkeys kept pouring in from the sides of the opening, and I simply hammered them against the wall. We'd taken down about seven when the magic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠faded and the area opened up again.

Stats can wait.

"Lizard No.2, protect her. Ddakddak!!"

Chirrr—!!

The monkeys that had been circling wide to strike at the seemingly weakest targets—Yeonhee and Yu Dali—froze at the grating sound and backed away. Kiiik!! Their faces flushed red with rage. They began hurling fire bullets at Ddakddak, while Lizard No.1 swatted the projectiles aside with its machete.

Kkihiiik?!!

The monkeys looked stunned when their own attacks rebounded onto them. The reflected damage from the Thorn Rune was weaker at range, but it was enough to make them hesitate. I couldn't help but marvel at the Thievery trait once again.

Finally, a mid-range attack... I'm getting emotional here.

Lesser Fire Bullet — Manifests mana into a spherical projectile for storage and throws it to deal damage when needed. Storage: 0/10

So it wasn't actual excrement—it was manifested mana.

I activated the Lesser Fire Bullet skill stolen from the Fire Monkey. A sphere the size of a bottle cap ignited and floated above my palm. Take this!

[Dagger Throw] Mana -2

With one extra point of mana added, the skill-corrected Lesser Fire Bullet struck the head of the monkey that had been throwing fire bullets at Ddakddak.

Thwack— BOOM!! Kkyahaaak!! Ukkihik?!

The remaining two monkeys, seeing their comrade stagger from their own skill, finally came to their senses and fled toward their leader.

Kkhehek...

I ran to the monkey rolling on the ground trying to put out the flames on its head and brought my stone hammer down ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with full force.

Thud!!

Oh!! Insane!!

Was this the effect of that 1% increase in Thievery activation chance from the artifact exchange with Yeonhee?

Obez's Blessing — A minor blessing from Obez, progenitor of the Fire Monkey race. +20% additional damage on fire-attribute attacks.

A "minor" blessing? This is insane!

My excitement surged, but then I noticed the three vanguards struggling. Once our side was clear, they began falling back.

At least their judgment is quick.

Pew— Twang—

Yeonhee provided covering fire with well-placed arrows. Yu Dali, her mana depleted from maintaining the vine wall, retreated to the rear with Ddakddak at her side.

"Don't let them through!"

Lizard No.1, No.2, and I charged at the pursuing Fire Monkeys alongside the retreating hunters.

[Reckless Charge]

Crash—!!

With about fifteen monkeys left, I slammed into their clustered formation. They scattered like bowling pins.

HP: 42/53

I'd taken some hits from their fire bullets during the charge, but nothing serious. When Han Man-woo and the other two vanguards rejoined us and spread out to pressure the monkeys, the creatures panicked and flailed about.

Pew-pew-pew-pew-pew!!

Their persistence in still throwing fire bullets was admirable, but with two Lizardmen and me relentlessly pounding them, they began to falter and retreat. Yu Dali, her mana partially recovered, raised another small wall to cut off their escape. I charged again, ramming straight into what looked like their leader.

BOOM!! Kieeeek!! Thud-thud-thud-thud!!

I smashed the fallen monkey's face with my stone hammer until it was nothing but rags. When I looked around, most of the once-numerous monkeys lay scattered across the ground, with only a few fleeing into the distance.