Chapter 60: Mage and Alchemist (Rare)
Chapter 60: Mage and Alchemist (Rare)
The tail, which had been swaying lightly as it sought an opening, suddenly whipped forward with fluid grace. Seeing it shoot up in a straight line from below, I could tell it was aimed at Yoojung’s upper body—specifically, her neck, for an instant kill. I was about to rush forward in alarm, but I froze in astonishment at Yoojung’s next move.
“Hmph!”
Letting out a peculiar cry, Yoojung ducked low and kicked off the ground, sliding forward so close that she nearly scraped the floor. The tail, which had shot toward her neck to impale her, uselessly cut through the empty air. At the same time, Yoojung planted a hand on the ground to pivot, her path curving in a half-moon. Her direction of travel changed, and in an instant, she was behind the Renga.
Its rear now exposed, the Renga let its tail hang limply with a dumbfounded expression before whipping around with a start. But by then, it was too late. Yoojung’s dagger had already mercilessly sliced across its neck. After confirming that the Renga was clutching its throat as it collapsed, Yoojung immediately ran back toward me.
I could only stare blankly for a moment at the brightly smiling Yoojung. Ahn Hyun, who had been about to charge forward with me, let out a loud gasp, clearly just as surprised as I was.
Until now, Yoojung hadn't been able to fully utilize her strengths. Of course, I recognized the potential of her Agility and Magic Power stats, but the two siblings’ fighting styles were fundamentally different. Ahn Hyun, who relied on his Strength, Durability, and Stamina, could perform above average just by sticking to the basics and fighting conventionally.
However, Yoojung, who relied on Agility and Magic Power, needed to incorporate unconventional, instinctual plays into her combat. Moreover, wielding two short-ranged daggers made it difficult for her to shine in standard combat, though she might excel in a chaotic melee.
Until this moment, if I were to compare their pure combat abilities, I would have placed Ahn Hyun decidedly above Yoojung. But now, it seemed I needed to revise that assessment. Her movements were clean and simple, yet utterly efficient. It was only one exchange, but what Yoojung had just shown me left a deep impression. If she could replicate movements like that in every fight…
“Sheeeek!”
The furious cries of the other Rengas reached me. I nodded slightly as Yoojung rejoined the formation and readied herself. Apparently reading my expression, Yoojung flushed with excitement and could not suppress her smile. I had a good feeling about the battle. For the first time since entering the Black Forest, I felt satisfied.
It was then.
Fwoosh!
Several of the nearby Rengas let out ferocious roars and leaped into the air as one. It wasn't a simple jump; they soared well over three meters, leaving the others momentarily stunned.
Although Ahn Hyun, Lee Yoojung, and I had each killed a Renga, Yoojung’s performance had been the most striking. Because Rengas reacted furiously to the deaths of their own kind, they were now targeting her together.
This was the first time I had ever seen a Renga jump that high. But knowing their target, I knew I had to protect Yoojung. A leap attack from that height would carry terrifying destructive power, and it was highly unlikely she could block it without taking damage.
Our party, riding its momentum, didn’t remain passive. As though refusing to lose to her Oppa and Unni, Sol stepped forward with her staff. She had been chanting rapidly and thrust the staff toward the Rengas descending through the air.
“Shackles!”
At Sol’s clear cry, the descending Rengas stiffened and fell helplessly. After each of us dispatched one, we looked at Sol with pride. Depending on a caster’s skill, a spell intended for one target could be expanded to two or three, and this was Sol’s first success. The multi-target version was weaker, but it was more than sufficient to bind airborne Rengas.
Sol, who had been glaring at the Rengas with a fierce expression that didn't suit her innocent face, immediately softened her features when she felt our gazes. We had started the fight by taking out seven Rengas. Our surprise attack had yielded results beyond imagination.
However, there were still about a dozen left. Their eyes had all turned crimson, a sign that they were thoroughly enraged. With their claws raised and radiating killing intent, they slowly began to approach us. To secure an escape route, I began to back away slowly toward the passage we came from, raising my sword into a high guard.
“Kraaah!”
The Rengas roared at us, and a few of them leaped high into the air. This time, however, I wasn't particularly worried. They were a little different from the Rengas I knew, but our party seemed to have found its rhythm. As if to press this advantage, Ahn Hyun and Yoojung took slightly bolder stances than usual.
My sword met a claw that swung down viciously enough to split a skull, and that clash signaled the resumption of battle. Engaging them directly allowed me to see in detail how they differed from normal Rengas. They had swift movements and the tactical sense to realize I was the strongest and attack the others in concert with each other. They even employed tag-team tactics, feigning a retreat when things got dangerous only to re-engage with their comrades.
We had gained an early advantage and I briefly grew complacent, but I quickly recovered and resumed coordinating the battlefield. If this had been the party from our first battle at the entrance to the Black Forest, they would already have collapsed. With my timely support and Ahn Hyun’s inspired spearwork, however, they were not merely enduring; they were gradually overwhelming the enemy.
Yoojung, too, was no longer just defending and waiting for an opening to counter. She was actively swinging her daggers. I saw her sustain a few minor cuts, but in exchange, she was steadily taking down one Renga after another. It was a moment where her dual daggers, so powerful in a chaotic melee, truly shone.
The tide of the battle turned completely when Ahn Sol’s voice once again echoed through the clearing.
“Shackles!”
“Hell yeah! That’s it! Ahn Sol, nice!”
Sol’s staff was pointed at the Rengas Yoojung was fighting. Yoojung, who had been unleashing a storm of dagger strikes, let out a shriek of joy as her blades now easily found their marks, and she fought with even greater ferocity. Watching Yoojung spin like a pinwheel, scattering dagger strikes, Ahn Hyun and I charged at the remaining Rengas in front of us.
I wasn’t using even a trace of mana against the Rengas. When I swung directly at one charging with its claws extended, the blade passed through cleanly, like cutting tofu, rather than shattering the target. The more I experienced it, the more appealing the Authority of Sword Specialist became.
All sword-related actions receive a positive additional modifier. The advantage provided by this Authority was extraordinary. Unity of Sword and Self, now at EX Rank, was contributing equally. Even a casual swing carried terrifying force; I wondered how powerful a strike delivered with full intent would become.
As I pushed forward, my sword whistling through the air, the Renga pack fell like autumn leaves in the wind. Whether he sensed our dominance or was just thrilled that his spear was finally moving as he willed, Ahn Hyun was also caught up in the excitement, dancing through the fight. Soon, he completely broke through the center and stood facing me, then joyfully began smashing the backs of the Rengas’ heads as he advanced.
“Light!”
Sol’s voice rang out again. This time it wasn’t Shackles, but Light. A white sphere appeared before the remaining Rengas and burst in a dazzling flash. She had copied the tactic the mage used during our battle with the Vagabonds, and her spell proved extremely effective.
While the temporarily blinded Rengas staggered, Hyun, Yoojung, and I pounded them from an enclosing triangular formation. After eliminating another four or five almost instantly, only two Rengas remained. Their drooping ears suggested they already sensed their deaths.
Ignoring them, Hyun’s eyes sparkled as he immediately spoke up.
“Dibs on the one on the left.”
“Then the right one’s mine.”
“……”
*
A short while later, after dealing with all the Rengas in the clearing, we took some time to regroup. Hyun and Yoojung’s bodies were covered in minor cuts, but as they drank potions and received Sol’s healing, their faces were brighter than ever. The thought of the Rengas’ abnormal abilities crossed my mind, but I decided to keep quiet for now. I figured that riding this wave of momentum for a bit wouldn't be so bad, rather than scolding them harshly for everything.
To be honest, it was hard to say the kids had fought well in this battle. It wasn't that they had performed "well" by surpassing their limits; it was more that they had finally started to properly utilize the skills they already possessed. Still, as they slowly accumulated experience like this, they would learn fighting styles that suited them and how to coordinate as a caravan. For the first time since leaving the city, I felt a sense of pride.
“I bet I got more than you.”
“You use a spear; it’s longer. That makes it easier to attack. If you consider that, I did better.”
“Talk about a mental victory.”
“It’s true, though. Should we ask Oppa?”
Recently, the two of them seemed to quarrel whenever they had a spare moment. Faced with both of them staring at me with shining eyes, I did not know what to say. In overall performance, Hyun still ranked higher because he had fought far more steadily. But Yoojung seemed to have found her path in this battle, so criticizing her also felt wrong.
“Hmm.”
I put on a serious expression and pretended to deliberate, making their faces tense as they eagerly awaited my answer. No. If they keep staring at me that intensely, it’ll be awkward to say anything. In the end, I decided to change the subject subtly.
“You both did well. Anyway, for now, let’s focus on recovering…”
“But still, one of us could have done better. Even just a little. Right?”
Seeing Yoojung persistently press the issue, I felt cornered. As a stalling tactic, I turned my gaze to Sol, who was just sucking on her finger.
“Haha. Sol, what do you think?”
“W-Well. I was so focused on casting my spells, I…”
But when I saw Sol subtly turn her head and avoid my gaze, I was deeply shocked. I had tried to pass the buck to her under the guise of asking for help, but Sol, having already noticed my intention, had deftly sidestepped it. I never thought she’d do this. As I stared at her with wounded eyes, Sol just fidgeted, not knowing what to do.
“Well, seeing your reaction, I think I know the answer. It was me. I did better.”
“Nonsense.”
“He can’t answer because he feels bad for you, since you’re getting your hopes up. Tsk, tsk.”
“What? You really…”
I wondered when they would finally grow up. With a deep sigh, I watched Hyun and Yoojung begin bickering again. They had enjoyed themselves enough; it was time to return to the task at hand.