Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Off to Steal Again Today
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Level 154 named NPC. Taking one down solo was practically impossible.
It had been the same just moments ago.
The wound on Drauder's forearm from the kukri slash.
Of course, it was a counterattack clearly meant to cause bleeding, but it was still a solid hit that applied 100% additional human damage.
Yet the bastard didn't even flinch.
He treated it like a minor scratch, nothing more.
Was that why?
The HP gauge floating above his head hadn't budged.
Total health: immeasurable.
But from the gauge, you could roughly guess how much had been shaved off—and even that showed no change, not the slightest.
Normally, even a hit like that would make the gauge dip, if only faintly.
'A monster like this lurking near Jermi? That's not balance-breaking, what is?'
Well, not like he could say much.
Luke let out a slight chuckle.
In one hand, the bloodied kukri.
In the other, Braincleaver gripped as he adjusted his stance.
Drauder, leader of the revolutionary army.
He was undeniably a monster among NPCs in this area.
An off-spec existence that current-level players could hardly touch.
But today, they were hunting that monster.
How?
With numbers.
'As always, no boss beats a dogpile.'
The same went for games.
Clank!
The heavy gauntlet locked into place.
Crimson Flame Gauntlets.
Rare gear that boosted fire-based skills.
The optimal weapon for fistfighters at the current level.
With them equipped, Roxy's combat prowess was worth a hundred men.
True to her rank as number one rookie, she had the battle sense and talent to match—perfect support.
But she alone wasn't enough.
Not to take down that monster.
They'd need more allies besides Roxy.
So Luke checked his minimap and asked her first.
"The others?"
"Y-yes?"
"Where are the others?"
"Ah... They're on their way up. I came ahead with the teleporter, so they'll join us soon."
Teleporter.
Meaning the fistfighter job skill, Spring Dash.
She'd used it to arrive here faster than the rest.
As she said, the main force would take a bit longer.
So for now, only two remained on this floor.
Luke.
And Roxy.
They had to face him alone.
'Tricky.'
Luke's expression hardened slightly.
Allies to fight with were one thing, but right now, they desperately needed as many meat shields as possible to buy time.
To draw aggro upfront.
To eat hits in his place and create openings for damage.
Yet they had to stall again until reinforcements arrived.
This time with Roxy, at least—but for some reason, she'd been off since earlier.
"...A voice. First time hearing your voice. N-no way, am I the first?"
Her low mutter drifted out.
She seemed oblivious to her inner thoughts leaking, even flashing a creepy smile.
'What's with her?'
No idea.
She'd started off oddly excited.
Now she was mumbling darkly to herself nonstop.
Maybe he'd misjudged her?
Nothing like her public image.
"Fighting alongside Iron Mask Man... C-can I even sync up properly? Ahh..."
"..."
Or maybe that was her true self.
'Kinda unsettling.'
Still, she was key firepower against Drauder. No changing that.
Why?
Her skill was one even Luke acknowledged among rookies.
And it didn't take long to prove.
Clang!
Drauder's greatsword swung to crush her.
She parried it cleanly, countering with an elbow to his gut.
Even though she'd been distracted earlier.
'Pro's a pro.'
Satisfying.
But.
"...?!"
Rumble!
The problem was Drauder exceeding expectations.
Roxy faltered at her suddenly pushed-back form.
A slash followed in the blink of an eye.
She couldn't react.
It was written all over her face.
Makes sense—she was facing Drauder for the first time.
"...Level 154?!"
Apparently, taking the hit revealed his level clearly.
Thanks to her job's high health and defense, she wouldn't drop in one or two hits like him—but relentless assaults left her struggling regardless.
If Roxy died here, he'd be in trouble.
Cling!
So he slipped between them early, parrying the greatsword.
"Get it together."
"Y-yes!"
"From now on, I'll back you up. Just focus on him, no worries about me."
"But..."
"You can't match my pace anyway."
"..."
A pride-shattering line.
But better to say it straight here...
"I-I'll do my best!"
Or so he thought.
She nodded eagerly, face flushed with joy.
'...Masochist or something?'
No way.
Right?
Luke shook off the chill and swung.
The real fight began.
'Two rats now.'
No, still just two.
But more rats were coming.
Iron Mask Man.
He'd stalled the healing so persistently to buy this setup.
To complete this formation.
'He predicted everything from the start.'
Playing right into his hands.
So what?
Just one more rat.
Thinking they'd seized momentum from this? Big mistake.
So finish these quick, heal the bleed.
Escape the stronghold before reinforcements hit.
That was it.
Drauder moved on that judgment.
First target: the wounded adventurer from earlier.
Iron Mask Man.
His form slightly stiffened.
Legs still trembling faintly.
'Hasn't fully recovered. Finish him first.'
The heavy greatsword cleaved space.
Carving a long arc toward Iron Mask Man's torso.
But then.
The woman who'd just joined blocked it with a resolute face.
Arms spread wide.
Defense?
Counter?
As doubt flared, she spun her hands in a circle.
The greatsword lost its path, floating into empty air.
'...?!'
She'd canceled his force.
Using rotation from both hands.
That pose earlier? Prep for the technique.
'Cute trick.'
Then overwhelm with power she couldn't cancel.
Wrist tensed with strength.
The greatsword arced high from low left to high right.
Blade weighted down.
Then plummeting like a siege ram from the sky.
No canceling this.
Even a counter—she'd shatter first.
That much destructive force.
Yet why?
Why was she in the same pose again?
She knew the power differed.
Ching!
Drauder's doubt cleared soon enough.
Iron Mask Man wedged in, knocking the blade upward.
Weakened, she canceled it again with rotation.
'This woman...'
Trusted him from the start, took the pose again?
No words or glances exchanged.
But that was just the opener.
One link succeeded, they flowed into full combo.
Their joint assault was no joke.
Clang, clang!
No mix-ups.
Ching!
No errors.
Boom!
Crackle!
Seamless as flowing water.
She always initiated.
He supported.
Like a long-time duo.
But Drauder knew.
A tiny gap in their sync, unfilled.
Meaning?
Simple.
They lacked practice together.
Yet this level? All thanks to Iron Mask Man's support.
'He knows exactly how to assist her for max efficiency.'
Not just matching her.
Real-time pattern analysis, calculation, optimal moves.
Beyond mere veteran savvy.
'And that shadow...!'
The black silhouette sometimes bursting from his back.
Mirroring his attacks exactly.
So it was.
After the kukri wound, no hits landed—now scratches accumulated one by one.
Annoying.
But he couldn't shake them easily.
Clang!
Boom!
Gauntlet slamming the flat.
Explosion within.
A snake veering left bared fangs.
Fangs.
Not super toxic, but stacking was dangerous.
Whoosh!
Greatsword swept forward to limit range—but he climbed the flat, kicking at the chest.
"Kuh!"
Body shoved back.
Drauder hurried to reset.
But she detonated near his leg, charging head-on.
'Coming.'
Weighted gauntlet again...
Thud!
'...!'
Legs wobbled, balance shaken.
No straight punch—instead, a low kick from the side.
Risky for her too.
But not thoughtless.
Her backer.
Trusted Iron Mask Man.
And he repaid, appearing behind her.
Crackle!
Current along the blade.
Eyes narrowed briefly.
Drauder gritted teeth, waiting for counter chance.
But.
Swish!
He sensed it like a ghost, pulling back fast.
Then switch.
Like trading offense-defense, she lunged front again.
Her health fuller than his, claiming tank role.
Grind!
A shield risking nothing.
Spear thrusting sharply from within.
No tougher combo.
But their intent clear.
Stall for time.
All-out to bind his feet.
Meaning both overexerting.
"Huuuuh."
Breath already ragged.
Especially hers, tanking front for him—red zone health, probably.
Push harder, he could drop them and heal.
But too late by then.
Reinforcements would arrive.
One option left.
Slither.
Draw the latent power within.
But using it meant no return.
At least, no safe recall stone escape.
'...Ugh!'
Moment of choice.
Drauder's eyes shook dangerously.