Chapter 172
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: Miracle of the Handicap
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Ranged attacks are powerful.
Magic. Arrows. Thrown weapons. And so on.
In particular, ranged skills that fundamentally rely on mana are classified as pure DPS, boasting tremendous attack power at the cost of extremely fragile bodies—a universal truth in any game.
That's why most hunters harbor a longing for these powerful pure dealers.
Because they can be the star of the show.
Whether conquering dungeons or battling foes.
Leaving my comrades to protect me, I pour every ounce of effort into annihilating the enemy.
Watching monsters crumple into bloody pulp one by one under my assaults fills me with ecstasy and a tangible sense of growth.
But unlike games, pure ranged dealer hunters in reality aren't flawless paragons.
Their damage output is undeniably top-tier.
Yet dungeons aren't conquered by raw power alone.
Even a top-ten global hunter backed by SSS-grade skills, SS-grade mana, and SSS-grade abilities—extreme as that sounds—becomes no better than an average S-rank, or even inferior, if they can't land their hits.
It's because humans are the ones wielding them.
Ranged attackers especially must manually account for non-targeting trajectories, paths, and coordinates with every shot.
Think of tossing a ball from afar to a precise spot—it's no easy feat.
Clicking a mouse in a game sends it flying perfectly; reality's coordinate targeting is worlds apart.
Of course, some corrections help—if you focus on the spot, it'll veer that way.
But enemies aren't scarecrows standing still for incoming attacks.
That's why ranged skill hunters train relentlessly.
There are even academies dedicated to practicing throws, targeting, and hitting moving objects—even without skills.
As a result, a hunter's prowess can halve damage from powerful ranged attacks... or multiply it several-fold.
Lee Sua was no exception.
Even with her talents elevated by my miracle cure, it's no panacea.
Hitting every shot, especially predicting speeds of monsters charging from 100 meters away—it's near impossible.
Unless the enemy doesn't even register the attack.
Hence, she scatters embers first.
Spread wide enough, some cling to charging monsters like magnets, priming them for precise guided follow-ups that deal massive damage.
But even that's not foolproof.
Mana leakage is excessive.
Her abilities and mana-reduction options help, but the SSS-grade Ember skill itself guzzles mana.
Still, landing embers and sealing damage with add-ons works.
Add Han Semi's skill, and even that process becomes obsolete.
Her 'Gate' is still a non-targeting coordinate skill, but its firepower and performance eclipse visible-trajectory attacks entirely.
"Whoa..."
"Insane..."
"...Is this for real?"
The watching hunters' reactions said it all about its overwhelming power.
These weren't basement-dwelling amateurs scratching their balls while solo-learning from YouTube dungeon vids.
SS-grade dungeon veterans, every one.
They instantly recognized Lee Sua's firepower—and Han Semi's skill amplifying it—as extraordinary.
"S-rank monster groggy. Others combat-ineffective. I'll finish them off."
Lee Sua's heroics in that S-rank dungeon days ago were already legendary.
Most hadn't forgotten.
Today's display incinerated those memories—raw, dominant force.
S-rank monster groggy in one hit.
B-rank and below? Properly struck ones outright died.
Monsters aren't game fodder for XP and gold.
They're dungeon-dwelling zombies, thrashing with full fury to kill intruders until the end.
Even after falling, you confirm they're truly dead—finishing blows on AOE victims are dungeon SOP.
That tenacious.
"...How strong is that exactly?"
"Guild Master... what happened?"
Han Semi's amplification of the already-potent embers left everyone stunned as they wrapped up the dungeon.
"...You made the right call following. Truly overwhelming firepower. Congratulations, Semi."
"Thank you. It's less my ability and more Sua's insane output."
"From where I stand, Sua's damage is incredible, but your skill seems peerless. I'd love to try it myself. Kang Hana feels the same—Semi Guild is stacked with talent."
Hong Si-jun approached from a distance, where he'd quietly hauled gear, eyes wide with awe.
Dungeon headaches melted away in this battle's rush.
"Next chance, let's hunt together. Your skill synergizes perfectly with Yeon-su's summons. Can it teleport people too? Ah! Sorry, that was rude..."
"No worries. I'd love that. Move hunters like this?"
Han Semi extended her hand. An alien energy enveloped Hong Si-jun; the scenery warped.
"...!"
She reappeared.
"It costs a ton of mana. My skill has... a bit of a handicap. Hehe."
".....No chance to resist. How does it even..."
"A miracle. The Miracle of the Handicap... my child—no, this new skill feels like a godsend."
"I'm jealous."
Hong Si-jun voiced his honest envy.
Jealous.
Even with his gifts, he couldn't help it.
Growth potential was rocket fuel—far beyond mere dungeon savvy or survival numbness.
Gyu Yeon-su wanted it, begging Kang Jik, but truth be told, Hong Si-jun craved that motivation too if feasible.
He was a hunter, after all.
Still savoring the SSS-grade stats and skills from his Resurrection revival.
But no dice.
Gyu Yeon-su's envious gaze forced him to steel himself against unease.
If Kang Jik was right...
He and Gyu Yeon-su couldn't maintain this relationship.
Pregnancy.
A word hitting childless Hong Si-jun like a truck.
Of course, no actual kids.
No signs among Kang Jik's awakened women—no pregnancies or births.
Yet "pregnancy" evoked sex.
Surrounded by beauties, Kang Jik's words gained credence—even if he cherry-picked hotties under "conditions."
'Yeon-su's at risk too.'
To Hong Si-jun's eyes—and objectively—Gyu Yeon-su's looks and figure stood tall among them.
"Honey, all done talking?"
"Yeah... Yeon-su."
So he had to deflect smoothly.
Said it again, still no go; Han Semi awakened too, but she had the aptitude. Maybe test once more? Reassure Gyu Yeon-su.
Trust her, but hide the truth lest she learn it.
No need to test the fallout—Kang Jik's four women showed it.
Any man instincts scream caution, fear around them, reasons be damned.
But Hong Si-jun wasn't that guy.
"Yeon-su... you might qualify."
"...Really? But earlier..."
"Comes with a tough condition."
"What is it? I'll do anything! Die? But dying twice only gave temporary access..."
Straightforward, honest.
He loved her too much to lie.
He'd vowed manly resolve before Kang Jik.
But her joy, her hope—how could he steal that chance?
Cowardly, maybe.
Or male pride craving Pandora's faith-validation.
Or inferiority complex, seeking azoospermia cure from her.
"...Do that, and it'll work."
"...Honey, for real?"
"Not certain. But that's what he said. Felt genuine."
Heavy silence blanketed their tent.
Spotting his anxiety?
Gyu Yeon-su beamed, hugging him.
"I'm fine, honey. If that's it, no way. You're my real treasure. Ditching you for power? Idiot move."
Just as he'd hoped.
Relief washed over him.
That's his Yeon-su.
Regret stung, but his shaken pride mended a bit.
"Just you is enough. Don't overthink—back to the dungeon."
"Yeah. Thanks, Yeon-su."
He got his answer, yet her eyes' faint regret—and the unheard bliss from Resurrection—lingered deeper than ever.