Tutorial: Floor 8
Hwaaah!
Unlike the leader who retreated backward, the three men who had spoken first charged forward.
I lightly dodged their attacks.
Thud!
Kyaak!
They were already slow anyway. Each one was weaker than Nam Eun-ju.
These were the weakest among them.
Levels around 6, abilities averaging 7 to 8.
The weakest of the weak.
I lightly shoulder-checked them. Not yet, not yet. I was still holding back.
Soon, the opportunity would come.
Shick-shick!
All slow attacks.
I dodged their strikes and instead drove into their gaps.
The ones who clumsily wielded swords were the easiest to deal with.
Their attacks had far too many openings.
Thud! Crack!
Kheuk!
I used sword handles, elbows, and pommels to stomp down on heads, chests, and sides.
While they cried out in pain and fell, Na Seoyun charged toward the ones trying to surround us.
Yah!
Two swords gripped in both hands.
In the past she had wielded a single blade, but now it was different. The short sword had been manageable, but Small Rage was a bit too much for Na Seoyun. Still, the overwhelming power and high physical ability erased even that clumsiness.
Bang! Slice!
Uwaak!
What, what is this!
In one breath, Na Seoyun pushed them back and used her 15 attack power to slice through armor and opponent alike.
Of course, I had not killed them. But the wounds were deep.
How is this so strong! They’re monsters!
Shit! If the sword won’t go in, what then! Kill them all!
‘Won’t it go in?’
My armor’s defense was extremely high. To pierce it, Na Seoyun would have had to pour mana into her Small Rage or bring a mage. To cut through with a sword, one would need to aim for the gaps in the armor, but with these men’s skill, that was impossible. I could not have done it myself.
The battle was one-sided. We ravaged our opponents with ease.
They had no way to stop me or Na Seoyun.
I feigned an intense fight and pushed deeper into their camp.
The ones who spotted the opening charged at Na-yeon and the others.
Na-yeon still had not attacked them.
I shouted at them.
Just a distraction! I’ll finish it quickly and leave!
The leader, sensing something amiss, checked his fallen comrades.
He immediately lit up with interest.
Fight properly! Those guys have never killed anyone!
The men who looked around immediately changed their expressions.
What? They were virgins?
Haha! So that’s it!
Immediately, they began charging aggressively.
Kk!
I deliberately acted flustered, as if I were being pushed back.
At first they charged while seeming doubtful, but once I clearly started to falter, they pressed even harder. Openly ignoring defense.
They’re just big kids!
Haha! Stupid fools! If you’re skilled, what do you do? Your head’s all messed up!
Fucking idiots!
Hearing their mockery, I felt a bitter irony.
Still, separately, I steadily endured their attacks and added wounds to my body. I deliberately pressed against the armor’s uncovered parts, creating light but bleeding wounds on the skin.
How tough is this armor!
Damn it, push them!
Na Seoyun’s side was the same.
No, Na Seoyun did even more.
Monster little brother! This oppa will properly educate you!
Haha! How about surrendering? I can do well—
But it was their misconception.
Na Seoyun was different from the others. Seeing blood on my body, she immediately swung her arm and knocked away the opponent’s limb.
Kwaaak!
W-what! M-mad!
After all, I had not taken a life. Na-yeon would be scared. But the arm had already been knocked off by me, so it was only fair.
Oppa!
Seo-yun!
But that was Na Seoyun’s mistake.
No, partly I had intended it.
The rear was completely defenseless, and over ten men attacked from behind. It was a suicidal move as vanguard.
Hwaaah!
Catch them! Catch these bitches!
Their physical abilities were clearly inferior to mine and Na Seoyun’s. As if their last hope, they rushed toward the rear. Were they trying to take hostages?
This was definitely dangerous. If Na-yeon did not use her spirit magic properly, the rear would collapse. But if she did use it, the enemies would die in return. Na-yeon’s skill was not enough to wield spirit magic so delicately.
Ah… aah!
This…!
U, uwaaa!
Na-yeon was at a loss. Joo Ha-yeon looked panicked, and Nam Eun-ju screamed in terror while swinging her weapon.
H, haha! We can win! Just a little more…!
Kwaaaak!
At the moment they were in danger, with a firm expression, I, together with Na-yeon, knocked away the limbs of the surrounding enemies.
Scared by the screams, the rear rushed even more desperately, and finally Nam Eun-ju began to falter.
S-sister! Sister! Please, please use magic, I, I don’t want to die!
Magic. At those words, the men attacking the rear grew even more desperate. If magic was used, it was truly over.
In the meantime, I cleared the encirclement around me and Na Seoyun. With limbs flying, even if they did not die, they would be disabled, which was the same as death. They were terrified.
Seo-yun! Hold on just a little!
Yes!
I rushed to the rear in one breath.
Kyaaak!
Finally, the pushed-back Nam Eun-ju fell.
The man swung his sword to finish her, but Nam Eun-ju desperately raised her shield.
In the end, unable to kill her, the man immediately threw his body over the shield.
Kyaaaak!
The man who covered Nam Eun-ju pushed her shield aside and climbed on top of her. Then he took a stance as if to bring down the sword.
I increased my speed by adding mana. At the same time, I looked at Na-yeon.
Na-yeon’s gaze was fixed on me. Probably wondering what to do. Her mind was blank. At the moment our eyes met, I deliberately made a firm expression.
Honestly, I thought she was a useless bitch. A lump of talent. If she had no talent, I might have left with only Na Seoyun.
I turned my gaze to the man attacking Nam Eun-ju.
It was a real split-second moment. I made an expression as if I had made a promise and bit my lip.
What did Na-yeon feel?
Don’t—!
Immediately, the spirit was summoned and magic was used. The target was the man who had trampled on Nam Eun-ju. The power was a bit weak. It seemed they had reduced it somehow.
However, faster than that, my sword cut the man’s neck.
Pung!
The man’s body without a neck was pushed back.
Thud.
The man’s severed head fell to the ground.
I turned my head back to Na-yeon and showed an expression twisted to the max. To make it a painful expression.
Na-yeon looked at my face and showed a desperate expression.
I closed my mouth again and turned my body.
After that, it was a one-sided slaughter.
***
After the battle ended, I stood there blankly.
In the end, all the members had killed a person.
Joo Ha-yeon bit her lip while looking at my second kill in this round and sliced the neck of the man she was fighting.
Blood spurted madly, and the man soon fell.
Nam Eun-ju was the same. Though terrified, there were many enemies. She stood up and protected the rear as I had trained her. In the process, she eventually killed one person. She sobbed and stabbed the opponent’s heart with the sword. However, apart from luck, she faithfully performed her role.
Na Seoyun was faster. The moment I killed a person, as if waiting, she also dirtied her hands.
Except for me, the one who killed the most people was Na Seoyun and Na-yeon.
Na-yeon, who was watching my slaughter, eventually used the spirit and killed the remaining ones.
She also crossed the irreversible river.
Na Seoyun came running toward me, who was standing blankly.
Oppa, are you okay?
…Yeah. I’m fine. Are you hurt anywhere?
No injuries! But, oppa, how…
My body was covered in blood.
No big wounds, but.
I’m fine. This much is fine. No big wounds. It’s fortunate that you didn’t get hurt.
I hesitated while trying to stroke Na Seoyun’s head, looking at my bloody hand.
Then Na Seoyun instead grabbed my hand and placed it on top of her head.
I deliberately showed a slightly trembling hand.
I-I’m fine. Oppa. If it’s hard, tell me. I, somehow become strong quickly. Next time, I’ll do everything. From now on, I’ll protect you…
Pshk.
I didn’t say anything.
Then, suddenly, the three rear members approached us.
…Thank you, Shin-hoo. I owe you again this time. …Killing… Don’t worry about it. They did it first….
No. It was necessary. These kinds of people. Eventually… it was something that had to be experienced. If I had retreated this time, I would have been attacked by more people.
I answered flatly.
However, I did not hide that my hand was trembling.
…Th-thank you. Party leader… Thanks to you, we survived….
…No. Rather, I’m sorry I couldn’t properly protect you. I should have used my hand faster.
…Sorry.
It was Na-yeon.
What?
…Too… I only wanted to be clean myself. You too… must be having a hard time.
It’s not that you’re bad. It’s just… this place is like this. When we get stronger, even a little, we can help the people who are having a hard time. Rather, I’m sorry. Because I’m weak.
Na-yeon shook her head.
No, if it weren’t for you, I would have died long ago. Now… I’ll listen well.
What? If you have opinions, say them. I’m not a dictator.
No. I was too childish. I knew the world isn’t just a place where everything is right… From now on… I’ll just do as I’m told.
She finally broke. She would adapt to the tower now. She would get used to killing gradually, and she would start drawing lines with other people.
She would be suspicious and cautious. Of course, I did not think of completely breaking her. Just a little bending would be enough.
Get stronger. So that I don’t have to ignore the people having a hard time.
…Yeah.
Of course, we are the priority. Helping others should be within the range that does not harm you or Seo-yun.
…Yeah.
A small hope. This hope would lead her to higher places.
Are we?
Of course, including the two of you.
…It doesn’t seem like it?
Well, let’s quickly go catch the Goblin Lord.
So, the party got used to the tower.
***
The Goblin Lord was caught without much difficulty.
Na Seoyun actively participated in the battle as if her words about protecting me were not empty talk.
After all, the skill gap was still large. Honestly, I did not think she would catch up.
After completing the sub-quest and returning to the village, Epathos came as if waiting.
I used the same seal and obtained the desired information.
And said to the party.
We’ll go to the 9th floor separately.
…Huh?
You four and I will go separately.
Why! Why oppa!
I received a dungeon recommendation, and it seems we have to go separately. It’s a 4-person dungeon and a 1-person dungeon. Since I want to get strong quickly, there’s a dungeon that suits me.
Epathos made an incredulous expression but immediately managed his expression.
I-I don’t want to! Oppa, come with us!
…I also oppose.
M-me too!
Na-yeon also stared at my face and expressed opposition.
We have to get strong quickly. This dungeon is good, but it’s really difficult. It’s a 1-person one. Don’t worry. We’ll meet at the 10th floor after getting stronger.
Oppa, but, but!
Don’t worry. Your dungeon is also a really good place, and it said it’s enough to clear it. So, huh?
The place where they would go is the Abandoned Grave. A place where the lowest-grade skeletons are rolling around. Although it is difficult to deal with because they are undead, with Na-yeon there and each having decent abilities, it should not be too hard. The important thing here is that when you clear the dungeon center, the mana stored there is absorbed by the trainees.
Depending on talent, some get at least 2, up to 5 or more. This kind of reward is not common. It is an advanced dungeon. Since Na-yeon is going to be a Spirit Master and Na Seoyun a Magic Swordsman, mana is important, so she chose this place.
While barely convincing the opposing female party, I told them not to worry because we would definitely meet at the 10th floor.
When asked how I could guarantee it, I looked at Epathos, and he nodded his head. It seemed he judged that this much information was okay to know.
I had to scold Na Seoyun, who was running around saying how could I believe that (!?) after all.
The first time Na Seoyun was scolded by me, she eventually followed my words and went to the separate dungeon.
Good. Then see you at the 10th floor. You guys go first.
…Yes. Oppa. Definitely, definitely see you. At the 10th floor.
…Since you said you would listen well. See you at the 10th floor.
It will be necessary, right, Shin-hoo?
Of course.
Then… I’ll go first.
See you at the 10th floor. Party leader.
Yes yes.
Only after answering their words one by one could I send them off.
I could see how much they relied on me.
…I relied on you too much….
I wondered if I had relied on you too much. But I shook my head. This is the best. Because I have no intention of letting go of Na-yeon noona.
It seems so. By the way, finally the two of us became one. It’s really hard.
Hoo… That’s right.
Yeah, you. Where is your hero from?
…Huh?
Don’t dodge. You, didn’t you enter with someone already contracted?
An expression as if I already knew. Confident voice.
I showed a bitter smile.