Rookie: Baek Jaesung 48
"Sunwook! Get a grip!"
Jang Hana's desperate cry echoed frantically through the black void. But her voice didn't reach Kim Sunwook. He was barely clinging to his crumbling mind. There was no room for her words to get through.
Where had it all gone wrong? From the moment he became a dungeon hunter, he'd known he had to get used to others dying. But he never imagined it would feel this gut-wrenching.
The longer they'd been together, the more this sudden parting shattered his heart like glass. Jang Hana clicked her tongue and slapped Kim Sunwook's cheek.
Smack!
"You gonna keep moping now!? Can't you see everyone else!?"
Thud!
Jaesung blocked the enemy's path again. The light from his summoned light saber flickered weakly, like a dying candle. Sensing it, the foe lifted its helmeted head and spoke.
I can clearly see your death throes ending. I'll praise you for forcing me, Kalon, to use this much power.
"A monster with a fucking name? What kinda bullshit is this?"
The enemy's momentum didn't wane at all. Jaesung spat it out with an annoyed grimace. If anything, the longer they fought, the sharper it got. He gripped his light saber tighter.
A tidal wave of massive mana pulsed from Kalon. The mountain-like power pouring from him filled the vast, darkness-choked space and squeezed the breath out of everyone there.
Time to wrap up the hunt. You've got company as prey, after all.
The man-eating flowers surrounding them multiplied. They weren't content with encircling Jaesung's group—they tightened the noose. It felt like an army of death marching slowly toward them.
"Chain Disaster!"
Rina's chains erupted outward like razor thorns. They pierced the grotesque flowers baring their teeth, carving a path. There were tons of them, but individually, they weren't that tough.
Yet new flowers bloomed where the old ones withered. Ignoring their fallen comrades, they pressed toward the deadly chains.
The root-dragging flowers moved slowly, but their sheer numbers weighed heavily on Jaesung's team.
"Sunwook! If you don't snap out of it, we're all dead! You gonna make Minhyuk's death meaningless!?"
At Jang Hana's shout, Kim Sunwook jolted back to reality. She was right a hundred times over. If they died pointlessly here, Minhyuk's end would truly be a dog's death.
And that would be the worst insult to his friend that he could commit. If it came to that, could he even close his eyes in peace after death?
"N-No... I can't let that happen...!"
Kim Sunwook bit his lip. Resignation to death ignited into will to live in an instant.
Even if I die... at least the others... no, just one!
An ability's activation hinged on mana and willpower. Mana was the firewood for the ability's flame; willpower, the wind fanning it stronger.
Kim Sunwook steeled his will and focused on what he could do. He was a healer and buffer. And now was the perfect time for a buffer to shine.
"Advanced Bless!"
His mana responded to his will, manifesting clearly. The crisp flow spread more vividly than ever. He cast it over every teammate around him.
"Power!"
"It's a buff!"
The effects kicked in immediately. Sujin benefited most. She unleashed her strongest attack.
"Heavy Rain!"
A refreshing downpour filled the dark, murky space. The flowers fluttered their petals delightedly in the rain.
Flowers and water went well together. But Sujin hadn't summoned it to water them.
"Crimson Shower!"
The falling drops turned to darts, piercing petals. To the flowers, it was hail. Sujin's precise control directed them solely at the blooms.
"Death Sword!"
Jisu slashed directly at the flowers. Her blade, infused with deadly aura, wilted even those untouched by its edge. From the opposite side of Sujin, she calmly cleaved the charging flowers.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Meanwhile, Jaesung traded blows with Kalon at the center of the small arena the flowers had formed.
His breath reached his throat. Any stray thought, and Kalon's claws would pierce his heart.
Vmmm!
A purple orb flew from the left, its immense pull throwing off his balance.
Dodging Kalon's sharp, swift strikes took all his focus, but the occasional ranged attack added scratches to his body.
Excellent! Perfectly ripe! Truly the best! But is the joy of harvest always this great!?
"What the fuck are you on about!?"
I'm saying this boring fight ends now.
"Ha! Didn't you say that from the start?"
True. But now it's different. You'll see. All our sparring so far was just my amusement.
"Looked pretty real when you got pissed off just now, though?"
No idea what you mean. Any last words?
"Fuck off!"
Jaesung drew a deep breath. Stamina and mana might be low, but his focus held strong.
Kalon turned his helmeted gaze to Kim Sunwook. His body vanished. Not toward Jaesung's group.
Jaesung whipped his head toward Kim Sunwook.
One first.
A purple orb formed in Kalon's hand. It rocketed toward Kim Sunwook, who was buffing the others.
"Not on my watch!"
Jang Hana stepped in front. She maxed out her Acceleration ability.
Pouring every ounce of strength, she swung her mana-clad sword, cleaving the purple orb in two. Wracking pain shot through her—like her wrist snapping, shoulder dislocating.
"Ngh!"
But Jang Hana didn't budge. Kim Sunwook's face went pale.
"Hana!"
"Sunwook! Focus on the buffs! I'll block no matter what!"
Big dreams.
Dark, murky energy bloomed from Kalon's hand, lashing toward Jang Hana.
Can't dodge!
Dodging would expose Kim Sunwook behind her. If Sunwook fell mid-wide buff, defeat was certain.
Jang Hana gritted her teeth and swung. Her right wrist numb, she poured mana desperately into her sword, slicing the oncoming energy. Her cherished blade shattered against Kalon's power.
"Kyaaak!"
Her body flew back. Kim Sunwook caught her.
"Hana! You okay!?"
"Still... I can still fight!"
Jang Hana struggled up. Her arm wouldn't lift. Legs trembled.
Yet, burning to protect Sunwook, she glared at the monster ahead. A slim chance, but she bet everything on it.
Admirable refusal to quit. But it's over. I'll send you both together.
Vmmm!
Immense gravity crushed Jang Hana and Kim Sunwook flat, like magnets to the floor. Kalon approached slowly.
I'll take your ability too.
Kalon's arm extended. No matter how she strained, not a finger twitched. The pressure threatened to squash her like a rat.
Is this the end...?
Jang Hana closed her eyes. She'd tried, but the results sucked. Couldn't even hold him off ten seconds. Her helplessness stung like her shattered sword. Like that blade, she wished her body would break too.
Stab!
But the gruesome piercing sound came from ahead. Jang Hana opened her eyes.
Keep filming this melodrama. Taking hits for others—is that your world's custom?
"Urk!"
Kalon's arm had pierced Jaesung's chest. Jang Hana nearly stopped breathing. Jaesung standing firm before her looked gigantic.
*-*-*
In any game, you save your trump card for last.
Reality's the same. In crucial trials amid chaos, the decisive evidence drops at the climax. The deadliest weapon can be the biggest weakness.
Sounds like bullshit? Simple: if your ace gets countered, game's over.
This Kalon bastard hadn't gone all-out from the start. He called it play, but I read another intent in his attacks.
He was using us as punching bags to hone his abilities. The longer the fight, the sharper his moves got.
Whoever dies is fine. Rest easy now.
Squelch!
His arm pulled from my chest. Electric shock-like pain and fading vision—fatal heart wound. Blood pressure crashed into shock.
But I clocked his shifted aura. He was about to unleash his true power.
Perfect for me. In my blurring mind, I recalled an item slumbering in my inventory.
◈ A bead infused with ominous power. It holds the strength to alter fate.
◈ Using its power resets all skill cooldowns, raises skill grades by one for a time, removes all status ailments from the user, and grants attack immunity for 1 minute.
◈ Has its own cooldown until recharged.
※ A bead containing the determination of one aspiring to become a dragon.
My best card to turn this around.
The ultimate joker.
My consciousness snapped.
My consciousness snapped.
[You have died.]
Life Vessel effect triggers.