Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: 15. The Tenth Trial (3)
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The decision was swift.
Kim Myung-min cleaved the werewolf right in front of him in a single stroke and bellowed to his team members.
"Fall back for now! Regroup and figure out our next move!"
It was an A-Rank monster.
In a situation where even Kim Myung-min couldn't guarantee victory, compounded by a debuff that reduced their physical abilities by a full 30%. And on a night with a full moon, the werewolves' stats rose in turn. Even C-Ranks would struggle immensely against a single werewolf—the gap was that vast.
There was no time for hesitation.
Imagining what would happen if the Werewolf Lord charged in, Kim Myung-min boldly chose retreat.
If we push too hard and end up in an irreversible situation, it'll be over. Considering the rescue targets' depleted stamina, heading back to where they were isolated and calling for backup is the right call.
Fortune smiled amid misfortune—the isolated spot's terrain was ideal for holding off a horde.
An unexpected variable.
The team's response was immediate.
Ju Suk-hoon struck down enemies as he fell back, while Yoon Ji-tae unleashed a 4-circle spell.
Inferno
Flames engulf the forward line
Whoosh.
Roooar.
Fierce flames swept the front lines.
The werewolves charging ferociously were engulfed, and the sub-DPS poured on additional attacks to quickly widen the gap. Killing one or two more werewolves wasn't the priority now. Somewhere in the distance lurked the lord. They absolutely could not let that monster catch them.
If they did.
It meant annihilation.
A creeping dread swelled Kim Myung-min's presence explosively.
Kyaaak-!
He dodged the attack.
Kim Myung-min dove into the werewolf's guard and decapitated it in the tangled instant.
Flash.
Splurt.
Blood sprayed.
Bathed in the pouring blood, Kim Myung-min's eyes scanned the surroundings murderously.
Three ahead, two to the right.
He took a step forward.
The werewolves' gray fur gleamed under the moonlight, only to be dyed red the moment they clashed with Kim Myung-min.
乱舞 (Chaotic Dance)
Targets vital points in frenzy
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
Krraaak!
He didn't confirm the fallen foes.
After toppling the three ahead, he shifted right to slash the others, checking surroundings and team status. Fortunately, no one was in dire straits. Ju Suk-hoon was holding the surging wave at bay upfront, while Yoon Ji-tae blasted with explosive mana to block approaches.
Stab.
Grrr.
He thrust his sword into the werewolf's nape.
Hope flickered.
The chance to escape the immediate crisis was alive.
But then.
Slither.
Beyond them.
Something emerged from the darkness.
A body twice the size of a normal werewolf, covered not in dull gray fur but radiant silver.
".........Damn it."
It was certain.
They'd been caught by the monster after all.
He sensed the presence.
Issued the warning.
And upon re-confirming the 'monster,' Kim Myung-min's vision caught Ju Suk-hoon slammed into the ground.
"Suk-hoon!"
Boom!
"Urk."
The lord.
That beast barreled through space.
Ju Suk-hoon swiftly raised his shield mid-chaos, but even he couldn't withstand the overwhelming brute force. People say from B-Rank onward, hunters enter a whole new realm—but even B-Ranks can't handle what A-Ranks face.
Thud.
Ju Suk-hoon sprang up.
Before he could secure his vision, the lord's claws rent the air.
Kraaaak!
Clang-!
Clang, clang, clang!
He was pushed back relentlessly.
Kim Myung-min charged in as collapse loomed inevitable.
Berserker
Red aura surges; speed boosted
Groooowl.
Red energy flared.
Kim Myung-min's speed spiked instantly, exploiting the gap as the lord attacked Ju Suk-hoon.
Clang-!
Blocked.
As the lord counterattacked.
Thud-!
Ju Suk-hoon shoved the lord back.
Battle-honed teamwork.
The lord staggered from the sudden assault, and in that blink, blades flashed toward werewolf vitals countless times. But none landed. No matter how Berserker boosted his physical prowess, the fear debuff and full moon negated any gains.
On the contrary.
Crunch-!
Sharp fangs drew blood from his shoulder.
Despite unleashing barrages, Kim Myung-min was the one bleeding.
This is dangerous.
He glanced around.
Yoon Ji-tae and the rearguard were overwhelmed just holding off the werewolves.
Somehow, the two of them had to shake the lord—but two B-Ranks against it was no easy feat. Stats were roughly double, but some say two B-Ranks can't topple one A-Rank. Reality isn't that simple.
Three years ago.
An A-Rank slaughtered a dozen B-Ranks. Rank gaps defy raw numbers.
Then.
Radiance
Heals allies; boosts defense; removes debuffs
Hummm-!
Ju Suk-hoon was enveloped in brilliant light.
The glow wrapped Kim Myung-min too, healing wounds and purging his debuff.
"Team leader. I'll tie its legs somehow—go all out. If we don't drop this bastard, we're all dead."
For a moment.
Their eyes locked.
Memories resurfaced.
That day they lost comrades, Ju Suk-hoon wept endlessly and chose secluded training to never repeat it. That resolve shone in his eyes. No words needed—Kim Myung-min turning to the lord sealed their pact to stake their lives on felling it.
Ju Suk-hoon struck first.
Thump.
He kicked off the ground.
Radiance healed targets and massively boosted defense temporarily.
But.
After 10 minutes, healed amounts rebound as shock, and defense plummets—a huge risk. No alternatives now. Ju Suk-hoon grappled the lord. Claws raked his flesh, but he gritted through pain to bind its legs.
The opening created.
One Flash
Explosive sword strike pierces space
Flash.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Kim Myung-min's blade exploded forward.
A streak of blinding killing intent seemed poised to pierce past Ju Suk-hoon into the lord.
But.
Bang bang bang-!
A massive shockwave erupted.
Ju Suk-hoon was hurled away, Kim Myung-min's strike slicing empty air futilely.
His heart sank.
In slow-motion time, he watched the lord's claw impale Ju Suk-hoon.
Stab-!
"Gah."
Ju Suk-hoon spewed blood.
His trembling eyes turned to Kim Myung-min in despair.
"Suk-hoon!"
"What the fuck!"
Screams echoed from behind.
Seeing Ju Suk-hoon crumple, despair etched their faces.
On a full moon night.
The lord's destructive power overwhelmed even a B-Rank tanker.
As the lord lunged to finish Ju Suk-hoon, someone reacted before Kim Myung-min.
Shield of Trials
★★★ Protective barrier manifests
Whoosh!
The lord's gaze shifted.
It was Kang San.
As the lord switched targets and charged, Kang San felt his heart pounding wildly.
Thump thump thump thump!
His blood ran cold.
He wanted to run.
Guarding Yoon Ji-tae amid the dire shift, he activated his skill without hesitation the instant Ju Suk-hoon was endangered. He had to. Azmun's trial demanded rescuing all targets without a single casualty—Rangers included.
His mind reeled.
He bit his cheek's flesh.
Only that kept him grounded.
"Pull the tanker back first!"
"But you can't handle..."
"Do it quick! Fuck, we'll all die like this!"
He snapped at Kim Myung-min.
No time for talk.
Trusting Kim Myung-min to extract Ju Suk-hoon, Kang San faced the oncoming lord.
Super Sense.
Shhh.
A-Rank minimum stat: 500.
D-Rank minimum: 50.
Tenfold difference.
To face a monster B-Ranks couldn't handle, he couldn't clash head-on even once.
Red lines rose like heat haze.
As they converged on his head, Kang San rolled across the dirt without hesitation.
"Hup."
Dust coated him.
Undignified, but he sprang up, letting killing intent whoosh past. Eerie wind-slicing sounds reverberated. The lord's strikes were imperceptible to him—even sensing via killing intent, the space tore lethally in a second.
Tap, tap.
Pushed back.
Dodging failed despite efforts.
No matter how he read trajectories via killing intent, D-Rank stats couldn't match the speed.
Dummy
Clone intercepts attack
Whoosh.
Crunch-!
The clone shredded in his stead.
His heart raced madly.
Locking eyes with the lord, Kang San tore a scroll without pause.
Rip.
Great Shield
4-Circle barrier (10 million won scroll)
Boom-!
A massive shield materialized.
4-circle defense, worth over ten million won per scroll.
Even it shredded after a few lord strikes.
Breath caught.
He'd already used Haste scroll for boosts, yet the A-Rank Werewolf Lord exuded untouchable menace. Past crises? He'd overcome limits. But those paled here.
Obviously.
He always chose manageable spots knowing his place.
Variables there had 'safety nets' unlike Azmun's trial.
Now, no net.
A foe like the Werewolf Lord—impossible even in death—meant real death anytime in this trial.
Boom-!
"Argh!"
Shield blocked it.
Still, screams escaped.
He staggered; killing intent targeted his head, but reaction lagged.
Even reacting, sub-second lord follow-ups were impossible to block.
Split-second.
Strong Strike
Pushes back foe with overwhelming force
Boom-!
Boom boom boom boom!
Kim Myung-min reappeared.
Moments ago.
In chaos, Kim Myung-min accepted reality.
He knew Kang San couldn't hold, but in that binary choice, he knew what to do.
Kang San had stepped forward.
Too late to save him.
So, extract and heal Ju Suk-hoon, praying Kang San held till then.
He moved fast.
Handed groaning Ju Suk-hoon to the priest.
"Heal him quick and fall back!"
"Yes!"
Whipped around.
About 20 seconds?
Time spent.
Expecting Kang San dead, he was stunned—rolling on dirt, yet enduring.
What the hell are you?
Incomprehensible.
Just a D-Rank.
What confidence? How was he surviving?
Beyond understanding.
Hesitation was fleeting.
No luxury for thought; he kicked off.
Abandoning someone? Unthinkable since 'that incident.'
Strong Strike
Pushes back foe with overwhelming force
Boom-!
Boom boom boom boom!
He drove back the lord.
By a hair's breadth.
Kang San intact, Kim Myung-min yelled.
"Fall back now! I'll buy time!"
No chance for reply.
The lord was unscathed.
Eyes met the monster's—no yielding, they clashed savagely.
Boom-!
Clang clang clang clang!
Mad exchange.
Chaotic Dance targeted vitals, but shallow hits bounced off tough hide with fierce repulsion. Counters added wounds: arms slashed, legs gashed, body bloodied. Dizziness hit.
He knew.
To survive.
He should've abandoned Kang San.
From returning without hesitation, survival odds plummeted.
But impossible.
That mindset wouldn't have made him a Ranger prioritizing self.
Even if I die, I raise the team's survival odds.
Kraaaak!
Lord charged.
Teeth gritted.
No other way.
As claws tore his chest, Kim Myung-min's One Flash pierced the lord's vitals.
Mutual destruction.
Thud-!
Sword sank in.
Heart missed.
Even all-in yielded this; agony made him think death come.
Yet.
Incomprehensible message.
Simultaneously.
"Kraaaak!"
Behind him, Kang San vomited blood and collapsed.