Mausoleum Assault: Shraider Falls
The hunters who rounded the corner and entered the mausoleum tensed up at the sight of countless monsters swarming ahead. The boss, Shraider, was still nowhere to be seen, hidden behind the densely packed minions.
"Shraider's gotta be at the back with those things. Everyone, watch out for injuries. Alright, let's go!"
At his command, the hunters charged toward the monsters in unison.
The monsters' power was even greater than Kim Dae-san had described. After all, he'd based his assessment on his own experience, so for these hunters facing a mausoleum battle for the first time, handling the barrage of magic attacks was overwhelming. They were holding their own in the initial trap zone, but that was only a fraction of the total area. Once the traps expired, chaos erupted.
"Healers! Protect the healers!"
"Don't scatter—move in squads!"
"No tanks here? Where'd they all go?"
"Stop yelling and support the right flank!"
Shouts calling for each other echoed everywhere. But even the called parties were struggling just to protect themselves from the relentless monster assaults.
The formation shattered in an instant, and as people scattered everywhere, Kim Dae-san urgently called out to Taemin.
"Taemin! We need to protect the healers first! Over there!"
Kim Dae-san, locked in a fierce battle against three Doom Warriors, felled one and pointed to the healers huddled in the corner.
Losing them would mean not only the loss of buffs but also no way to dispel debuffs, making their protection the top priority.
The moment he heard the call, Taemin launched himself toward them. Surrounding monsters immediately swarmed him. There were too many, so Taemin targeted only the single-target ones to carve a path.
Slicing through the monsters steadfastly, he reached the healers.
"I'll clear the way—stick close."
As he spoke, he deployed his trap and began advancing, pioneering the path back the way he'd come. Mages and healers followed tight behind, and soon they linked up with Kim Dae-san and the others approaching from the front.
Handing off the group to Kim Dae-san, Taemin darted around, gathering the rest of the hunters.
With the formation completely broken, rallying everyone together was the best option now.
"Follow me."
"Stick behind me."
Thanks to Taemin's efforts, all the hunters regrouped without major injuries, just like at the start. From then on, under Im Chi-bin's command, the battle resumed.
Tanks absorbed incoming magic attacks, dealers blocked the surging monsters. Mages provided covering fire with heavy spells, while healers healed and monitored party buffs.
The fight progressed smoothly for a while. But as monsters kept respawning from front and back, the line began to fray again.
"Haste here!"
"On it!"
"No Haste?"
"Just wait."
"Buffs first, not attacks. If we get pushed back, we're done."
"Heal! Heal!"
"Sorry, but a few upfront folks—move to the right. This side's breaking. How are four of us supposed to hold?"
"Dispel on the Phantom! Damage isn't landing."
"Damn... one side wants buffs, the other attacks—what rhythm do I follow?"
Fissures formed amid the tension. Monsters pressed in like a tidal wave from all directions, magic blasts raining down—it was chaos, naturally.
With no improvement in sight, Taemin, who had been laying traps ahead and thinning the monsters, called to Kim Dae-san.
"This won't end at this rate. Let me take the right flank."
Ignoring a reply, Taemin rushed to the most critical right side and deployed his trap. He directed the hunters.
"I'll hold here. Support over there."
With Taemin sealing the right front, the hunters' advance picked up speed.
They barely reached the midpoint, spotting Shraider's faint silhouette beyond the teeming monsters.
Seeing the boss, Kim Dae-san rallied the hunters.
"Almost there! Everyone, push!"
No sooner had he spoken than formless energy slammed into them.
"Argh! What the hell?!"
"Can't move!"
Knights at the front screamed, ensnared by the sudden bind.
"Dispel upfront! Dispel!"
Kim Dae-san, quickest to react, shouted at the healers. They cast dispel immediately.
Fortunately, the prompt response freed the knights, who barely escaped the monsters' attacks.
"Boss attacks have started—keep dispel ready. Speak up right away if you're hit."
Debuffs kept coming after that: binds restraining bodies, smoke screens blocking vision—every variety. Some used auditory hallucinations to disrupt focus or illusions for mental chaos.
The hunters panicked at first but gradually adapted over time.
About two hours into the hunt, with no end in sight, Kim Dae-san herded them toward the wall.
"Everyone, to the wall!"
Hunters shifted toward the wall bit by bit. Once all were pressed against it, Kim Dae-san spoke again.
"Hold for a bit, everyone. I'll finish it quick and be back. Taemin, let's go."
Breaking through the encirclement, Kim Dae-san left the rear to the hunters and charged Shraider with Taemin.
"Any attributes visible?"
"Tried right away—nothing. Level gap's too big, probably."
Taemin had activated Insight the moment they broke through, but all he saw were question marks.
Kim Dae-san nodded knowingly.
"Lay the trap as soon as we engage. I'll check."
"Got it."
Taemin accelerated ahead. As he closed in, he deployed the trap. Black energy erupted from under his feet, binding Shraider.
First time trying it on a boss monster, so he wasn't sure it'd stick—but luckily, Shraider thrashed like a hooked fish, unable to move an inch.
Kim Dae-san arrived, swinging his sword to test attributes.
Tang!Pop!Tang!
"Fire!"
After a few exchanges, he called the attribute to Taemin, then unleashed his top skill, Ignition Dunk.
His blazing sword slammed into the ground, upheaving the earth as white flames erupted.
The flames surged from below, engulfing Shraider in an instant before exploding.
Kaboom!
A massive blast and flash rocked the chamber. Moments later, as the fire cleared, Shraider emerged in horrific shape.
Its body was charred black, severe burns oozing pus like waterfalls from everywhere—utterly ravaged compared to before.
Confirming the state, Kim Dae-san yelled to Taemin.
"Taemin! Now!"
Taemin, already poised, activated Invisible and surged in. He unleashed Ambush, driving swirling blades into its body.
Pa-pa-pat!Kwang!
The overcooked Shraider burst into dozens of chunks, scattering everywhere.
Acquired 1,800,000 EXP.
Shield Smash has been opened.
Please check your skill window.
EXP poured in with the level up and a new skill unlocked. But Taemin had no time to check.
He had to help the hunters struggling in the rear.
Confirming the boss dead, Taemin and Kim Dae-san wheeled around and charged to aid the fiercely battling hunters.
The precarious tug-of-war shifted to a landslide as they joined, sweeping the monsters away.
Without the respawn handicap, the monsters were no match.
Proof: foes that had stalled them for over two hours vanished in under twenty minutes.
The hunters who wiped out the monsters wiped sweat and sighed deeply.
It had been a breathless fight. Individually, the monsters weren't that strong.
But the unexpected magic barrages and endless respawns charging relentlessly were plenty to wear them down.
Taemin's presence had ended it here; without him, they'd likely still be surrounded and fighting desperately.
"Any injured?"
Leader Kim Dae-san scanned the hunters as he asked.
Yoo Hyuk, nearby, replied.
"Everyone seems fine. A few got hurt breaking through earlier, but treatment was immediate—they're good now."
"Phew. Great job, everyone."
"You too."
"Good work."
They praised each other, then scattered to collect material items.
Disappointingly, boss Shraider's corpse dropped nothing.
But the pricey materials made up for it—they were grateful and satisfied.
Dividing the loot fairly, they exited the mausoleum toward the portal exit.
Taemin jogged leisurely to match the hunters' pace when Kim Dae-san approached.
"You were incredible today. The mausoleum could've failed, but thanks to you, we cleared it safely. I agonized over bailing before entry, but my call was right."
"Everyone worked hard. You too, Dae-san. So, what's the screening result?"
Kim Dae-san replied as if it was obvious.
"Pass, obviously. Way beyond. Report goes up today—permit by tomorrow lunch."
Taemin's face lit up.