Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: How to Save Erina Esnatia
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[Tutorial Complete]
[Tutorial – Encounter with C-Grade or Higher Boss Monster. Cleared.]
[You have obtained one blank page from a Skillbook as a reward.]
"W... WHAT?! What the hell is that, Kimchi?!"
"You can see it for yourself. It's the dungeon boss."
Originally, the boss of the [Temple of Fate] was the C-Grade boss [Cursed One].
But the Cursed One doesn't have the power to warp a dungeon like this.
'That's...'
Blue glow pouring from its eyes.
Two hourglasses clutched in its grip.
It's obvious.
The superior form of the Cursed One.
The so-called HARD mode.
C-Grade boss monster [Cursed by Fate].
'Why the hell is this thing showing up here?'
Even if it's the same C-Grade boss, [Cursed by Fate] is one of the named bosses in Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy.
It's not supposed to appear as the boss of the [Temple of Fate].
The reason I thought I could clear the [Temple of Fate] was because I was certain the boss was just the regular [Cursed One].
The [Cursed One] isn't particularly strong for a C-Grade, and Erina Esnatia's A-Grade unique skill [Blessing of the Heavens] is a perfect hard counter.
That's why I figured that with Erina Esnatia, who has clear tank potential, we could take down the Cursed One.
But the boss in front of us right now isn't some pushover Cursed One.
All the plans I've prepared are useless now.
'Still, it's not over yet.'
It's too early to give up.
The Cursed One and Cursed by Fate share the same core concept.
In other words, Erina Esnatia's [Blessing of the Heavens] is still fully effective.
I have zero intention of dying here.
"Erina Esnatia. Listen to me carefully. We need to drag this out while saving as much mana as possible."
"WHAT?! Cut the dogshit...!"
"It's impossible for just the two of us to take down a dungeon boss. We hold out until rescue arrives."
Erina Esnatia nodded at my words.
"That makes sense. I'll do as you say."
When you don't know the enemy's abilities, the best option is to stall until reinforcements arrive.
On top of that, an absurd situation has occurred where a training dungeon is collapsing.
They must already be preparing a rescue outside by now.
'The problem is that even the best choice won't guarantee survival.'
[Temple of Fate].
No rescue is coming here.
Or rather, they can't come.
Time inside the Temple of Fate is completely warped compared to the outside.
By the time rescue arrives, we'll already be dead.
Which leaves only one option.
We have to take down the monster right in front of us.
To counter [Cursed by Fate]'s skills with Erina Esnatia, we need to conserve her mana.
Clang-
[Cursed by Fate] shattered the hourglass in its left hand, white sand flowing from it.
Kiririk-
At the same time, wings made of feathers burst grotesquely from its back.
Particles of light scattered like photons from the bloodstained wings.
"W... WHAT?! Holy shit!! What the fuck is that?! Jesus!"
The first phase of the [Cursed One]. It'll unleash holy-element attacks from range.
"Erina! Shield up now!"
"Shit! I already have it up! You think I'd see that holy crap and not raise it?!"
"Then I'll cover your back, Erina!"
I ducked behind Erina Esnatia's sturdy shield as I said it.
"Fuck!!! My pride is crumbling! You're just hiding back there, aren't you?!"
Of course you hide behind the tank.
But who to hide behind?
[Cursed One]. As its wings fully spread,
"Incoming!"
Arrows of blinding light rained down on us.
"Shit!!! Kimchi! This is fucking insane!!"
"Hold! Don't use skills! Hold through it! This is just the first attack!"
We can do this.
Erina Esnatia is an outstanding tank. Plus, as a 'holy knight' archetype, she's got some immunity to the holy attacks [Cursed One] is pouring out.
In other words...
"Hold! We got this!"
"Shit!! Kimchi! You make it look so easy when you're not the one taking it?!"
-Fwaaah
"Is it... over, Kimchi?"
We survived the first attack.
If Erina Esnatia cooperates, we can get through the first phase of [Cursed by Fate] easily.
"Erina, you've got Taunt and Fortify, right? Use them when I give the signal."
"How the hell do you even know that?!"
"Figured a tank like you would."
"Shit! And what's 'Fortify' supposed to mean?! Don't give it such a lame-ass name!"
"Whatever you call it, when I signal, you Fortify, got it?"
"Shit! That stupid..."
Before she could finish, I leaped out from behind her toward [Cursed by Fate].
"Holy shit!! What are you doing?!"
"If I die, you're done for too! Stick to the plan!"
"That's not a fucking plan!!"
As I charged, [Cursed by Fate]'s gaze shifted to me.
!
"Erina!"
"Fuck you, Kimchi!! If you die, it's on you!! I'll curse your name!!"
With her shout, she raised her shield and activated her skill.
"Shit! It's looking at me!! Holy fuck—take it, monster!"
As she spoke, [Cursed by Fate]'s gaze turned back to her.
[Resisting fate holds no meaning.]
A horrific voice echoed in my ears, and countless hands reached up from beneath Erina Esnatia toward her.
"No bullshit destiny!! My prince of fate will come save me!!"
Erina Esnatia screamed as she bashed away the grasping hands with her shield.
Klang-!
Klang-!
Nice, clear sounds.
I don't know who this prince is, but good form.
All attacks are focused on Erina Esnatia.
I'm basically free to move.
'Now!'
[Bunny Hop]!
I bounced toward [Cursed by Fate] at uncontrollable speed.
Hiding my skills here would get me killed.
Even if Erina Esnatia notices, now's the time to go all out!
"Holy! That bitch is using telekinesis too?! Kimchi! I told you to be careful!"
Yeah, interpret it however you want.
It's convenient that she's misunderstanding on her own.
I flew straight toward the back of [Cursed by Fate].
'Slash...!'
[Poor Strike]!
Swish-
"Kimchi...? Did you actually land it?!"
But [Cursed by Fate]'s form was unscathed.
"W, WHY?! Your attack definitely hit!"
Right.
It was an attack that absolutely should've connected.
Yet I sliced through empty air.
[Fate Intervention]
One of [Cursed by Fate]'s abilities.
It has a flashy name, but simply put, it creates a fate that dodges lethal blows.
'That's way too broken.'
This is the first reason [Cursed by Fate] is an upgrade over the Cursed One.
'Even so, no tree survives ten chops.'
Fate Intervention can't be used indefinitely. Eventually, it runs out.
"Going in the same way again!"
"Don't order me around, Kimchi!!"
...
On the final attack, I finally drew a little blood.
Meaning it no longer has the power for Fate Intervention.
Resource depletion strategy successful, after all.
"Shit! How long are we doing this crap?! Kimchi!"
"Buff! Now!"
[Skill (Blessing of the Heavens) intervenes in the Empty Skillbook.]
[All skill levels are fixed at 5.]
[All stats temporarily increase.]
[Mental strength noticeably rises.]
This should do it.
An attack that can't miss.
[Poor Strike]!
[Cursed by Fate], having allowed my attack, froze in place.
As if turned to stone.
"Is it... over?"
No way.
There's no way a C-Grade boss would drop to a single attack from me.
Then, the seemingly dead [Cursed One]'s hand twitched.
Kiririk-
It soon crushed the remaining black hourglass.
'And now it really begins.'
Red liquid streamed from the eyes of the still [Cursed One].
"Holy shit!!! Jesus Christ!! What the fuck is this now?!"
In an instant, its eyes turned black, and it began ripping the wings from its back with its hands.
Rrip rip rip-
"Shit!!!!!!!!!!"
'Phase 2, huh.'
The second reason [Cursed by Fate] surpasses the Cursed One.
Phase 2.
This is [Cursed by Fate]'s true form.
From here on out, I have to fight without Erina Esnatia.