Chaos Trap's Supremacy
While Park Taemin was helping the hunters locked in battle at the outermost edge, Kim Daesan—who had just wrapped up his own fight—began supporting those in fierce close-quarters combat deeper inside. True to a hunter in the 90s level range, he unleashed a terrifying display of prowess. Each time his blazing red greatsword slammed into the monster's armor, cracks spiderwebbed across it, black smoke seeping out from the fissures.
Inflicting wounds like that after piercing 3,000 defense meant his attack power dwarfed every other hunter present.
He soon joined the Yoo Hyuk group—the highest average stats in the team—and with magic support from Im Chi-bin and the other sorcerers and healers, the battle wrapped up swiftly.
Once all fights ended, Kim Daesan gathered the hunters and checked for injuries.
"Anyone hurt? You two healers from earlier— you okay?"
"We're fine."
"No one else?"
"None in our group."
"Ours too."
"All good here."
Confirmations of no issues came from all around. Judging it safe to proceed, Kim Daesan gave one key warning.
"As you saw earlier, keep an eye on the rear too. No guarantee monsters won't pop up from paths we've already cleared. Once combat starts, always watch your back. Support healers, weave in between the combat teams and fight together. Way safer than hanging back alone. And..."
Kim Daesan trailed off, glancing at Taemin.
"What was that skill earlier?"
All eyes turned to Taemin at Kim Daesan's question. Even amid the chaos, the screams from the rear had drawn attention. And Taemin's one-on-four against the Doom Warriors felt off to them somehow.
Under their curious stares, Taemin shrugged it off casually.
"It's called Chaos Trap."
"Trap? Like a pitfall? Didn't look like a simple one to me. If it's not too much trouble, could you explain in detail?"
"Sure. Think of it as a skill that locks targets in a set area in place. Those who saw it know—the black-stained ground is the trap. Monsters step in, they can't move, can't see."
"Ah......"
The hunters nodded, envy in their eyes at Taemin's explanation. Binding legs and blinding foes? Near invincible for hunting. Just wail on defenseless monsters—what could be better?
"Range looks huge too... Could hold dozens of mid-to-small monsters easy. Big ones aside."
"Yeah... Oh, and one more effect."
"Another? What's that?"
Already amazing, and more? Their eyes sparkled brighter.
"Monsters caught in the trap have their defense halved."
"What? Come again......?"
Kim Daesan rubbed his ears in disbelief.
"Exactly that. Those Doom Warriors had 3,000 defense—if I'm honest, my basic attacks would've taken over an hour. Trap let me finish quick."
"That possible?"
"For real, Taemin?"
"So their power drops by half?"
"Defense, not power."
"Same difference......"
The hunters reeled from Taemin's words. Binding and smoke were cheat-level already—now defense halved? Total scam. Especially at half. That alone jumped damage output tiers. Hunt at half effort while others grind full throttle.
Taemin waved it off toward them.
"Downside is it guzzles mana."
He humbly highlighted the one flaw, but it fell on deaf ears. High-grade potions covered mana easy, and at his level, earning potion money was trivial.
For a moment, they wondered if he was really a hunter like them. His skills were all absurd. Seeing monster stats, vanishing body, all-around blind... Beyond common sense.
And this trap pinnacle? Felt like staring at another world's being. How could he be the same awakener?
"Skills like that exist... But uh... Does it work on people too?"
Kim Daesan asked curiously. Taemin nodded no issue.
"Yep. Doesn't affect party members though, so no worries."
"Ah, cool. Can you lay it on cooldown then? I'll cover potions."
Hunters raised hands in support at his offer.
"Me too."
"Count me in. Got extras. Haha."
Taemin nodded readily.
"Sounds good. No reason to hold back with potion support."
"Alright, hand over potions then."
Hunters opened inventories, passing high-end ones— instant-use, pricey. But smoother hunts made it worth it; no regret on their faces.
"All set. Let's move out?"
Hunting went as expected. Taemin led, laying traps. Hunters swarmed caught monsters. Defense halved, bound and blinded—they stood dumbly awaiting death.
"Man, haven't smashed this freely in ages."
"Don't waste hits on torsos—go for necks. Line's right there."
"Got it. Nag much."
"Hey! That's mine. Take the one next."
They toyed with exposed prey, enjoying(?) the fights their way.
After several waves, they reached the tomb palace's end.
"Regroup here. Split front-rear for meals first."
At Kim Daesan's order, hunters shifted, pulling out bentos and snacks.
Taemin—too lazy to pack—sat aside, eyes on the front, ready for stragglers.
"Taemin, no bento?"
"Join us here."
The support healers called out.
"Nah, eat yours. Didn't think ahead..."
"Come on. Quick."
They dragged his arm to their spot, thrusting chopsticks and bentos at him.
"You're the MVP—gotta eat hearty."
"Right. Dig in. Try this, this too."
Picnic-level luxury spreads; they urged him nonstop. He finally grabbed chopsticks.
"Thanks, I'll dig in."
They watched wide-eyed, personal interest obvious.
Taemin flashed an awkward thumbs-up.
"This is seriously good."
"Really? What about the other?"
"All delicious."
"Phew. Eat up. Soup too. Hey, Taemin—girlfriend?"
Interrogation over rice: dorm? Dating? Hobbies? Questions flew; he barely knew if grains went nose or mouth.
Finally emptying one bento, he dodged coffee offers and escaped.
'Told 'em I have a girlfriend.'
They ignored it, pushing weekend trips, dorm tours—nonsense. Bounced right off Taemin, eyes only for Yoon Ji-young.
Meal over, hunters gathered around Kim Daesan.
"All stuffed? Just round that corner to the burial chamber. Taemin's traps make it easy like before, but stay sharp. No boss kill means respawns. Trap's wide but not total coverage—don't rely 100%. Get me?"
Hunters nodded. Narrow halls let traps snag all before; chamber's vast—trap alone risky.
He continued.
"Key point: Watch for rear magic. As discussed, status ailments—hit, healers dispel fast. No dispel in a swarm? Hell awaits."
Yoo Hyuk raised a hand, listening intently.
"Combat same as meeting?"
"Overall yes. Me and Taemin take boss. Once breached, rest handle rear."
"Got it."
Yoo Hyuk nodded. Kim Daesan scanned them.
"Think that's it. Let's enter. Last push today—give it all till end."