Chapter 36 With the Party Members in the Rift
Chapter 36: {Party Members in the Rift}
{Party Members in the Rift}
Even before entering the C-rank Rift, the sight of the party members—composed of dazzling beauties with the sole exception of Yu Ji-hu—drew considerable attention, though not as much as Empress Yu Ha-rin would have.
But ignoring the murmurs and stares around them, they completed the registration process and stepped straight into the rift.
Whoooosh—
The moment they entered, an endless expanse of wilderness unfolded before them.
And there, waiting, was a horde of countless minotaurs.
ROOOOAR!
The monstrous minotaurs—bull-headed giants with humanoid bodies—roared in unison, baring their hostility toward the intruders.
Their massive forms, wielding razor-sharp axes, would have made ordinary people shrink back in fear.
"There's a lot of them."
"There sure are."
"Way too many."
Yet Erika, Irina, and even Sophia—who specialized in healing and defense rather than direct combat—remarked with complete indifference.
To Erika and Irina, these minotaurs were nothing more than a swarm of weaklings they could wipe out in an instant.
"W-wow, that's... way too many."
Seo Yu-rin, however, tensed up at the sight of the densely packed horde.
As a D-rank Ability User who had only tackled low-level dungeons and was still preparing for her C-rank promotion, each minotaur—a D-rank monster—was already a tough opponent for her. Seeing them gathered in such overwhelming numbers made her dizzy.
"Yu-rin, take point for now."
"O-okay."
Despite the daunting swarm of enemies—each one a formidable threat to her—Seo Yu-rin obeyed Ji-hu's command without protest.
Her compliance stemmed from absolute trust that Ji-hu had a reason for his orders.
'I need to help her break through to C-rank here.'
Having resolved to help Yu-rin shatter the barrier to C-rank, Ji-hu watched as she nervously took the front line, gripping her sword and shield in a combat stance.
The minotaurs didn't attack immediately, instead holding their ground as if hesitating.
Ji-hu knew their reluctance to charge despite their furious roars was due to the oppressive aura radiating from his sister, Ha-rin.
"Unnie, ease up on the pressure now."
"Got it."
The moment Ha-rin withdrew her aura, the minotaurs' eyes turned vicious in unison.
ROOOOAR!
As the beasts charged, Yu-rin stiffened—only to relax as Ji-hu's energy enveloped her.
"Yu-rin, from now on, move as your instincts guide you."
"R-right!"
Infusing her sword and shield with her own Qi, Yu-rin followed the sensations Ji-hu's energy directed.
By the time the first minotaur reached her, raising its axe for a brutal overhead strike, she gritted her teeth and lifted her shield.
THOOOM—
The monstrous strength behind the blow reverberated through the shield.
Had it been a standard-issue shield from the government, even reinforced with Qi, it would've shattered under the impact.
But the shield provided by the Underground Guild, despite being basic equipment, was leagues above government-issued gear in quality. It withstood the minotaur's strike effortlessly.
'Ugh!'
Still, it couldn't completely negate the shockwave, and part of the force traveled down her arm.
'I can handle this.'
Feeling her stance hold firm, Yu-rin immediately swung her sword as her instincts dictated.
The blade, sharpened by her Qi, sliced cleanly through the minotaur's throat.
Gurgle...
The massive beast collapsed, blood frothing at its mouth.
Yu-rin raised her shield again just in time to block another incoming attack, then seamlessly transitioned between offense and defense, gradually surrendering entirely to the flow of battle.
'Excellent progress.'
Seeing her state, Ji-hu smiled faintly, recognizing that she was on the verge of breaking through.
Most people would struggle due to fear, but Yu-rin trusted him completely—believing he had a plan—and followed his guidance without question.
And now, she was reaping the rewards.
"Her movements just improved... Is she already promoting?"
Irina's muttered surprise reached his ears.
The fact that she reflexively spoke in Korean showed just how diligently she'd been practicing the language.
"That should be enough. Irina, clean up the rest?"
"Leave it to me."
Now that Yu-rin had broken through, there was no need for her to hold the front alone.
In fact, some minotaurs were already trying to flank her, charging toward the rest of the party.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
But every one of them collapsed mid-sprint, their heads pierced by arrows.
'Fast.'
Witnessing Irina's archery firsthand, Ji-hu noted her impressive speed.
And her skills weren't limited to just the bow.
BOOM!
CRACK!
A pack of summoned wolves and bears—manifestations of wind, lightning, and flame—materialized, blocking the minotaurs' advance.
Even the relentless beasts faltered at the sight, their charge breaking into hesitant retreat.
"Wipe them out."
At Irina's command, the summons tore into the horde with ruthless efficiency.
Minotaurs fell in droves—slashed apart, burned alive, or convulsing as poison wracked their bodies.
The ease with which Irina dispatched them showcased exactly why she was a renowned Ability User.
"So, what do you think?"
When Irina turned to him expectantly, Ji-hu nodded honestly.
"Impressive. Your experience shows. But you've never fought a truly powerful enemy as part of a team, have you? Your movements are optimized for handling swarms."
The blunt assessment could've been taken poorly, but Irina only nodded in admiration.
"You're right. You saw through me immediately."
Ji-hu could guess what she was thinking.
'She's probably thinking, 'As expected of the Empress's brother.''
He approached Yu-rin first, who looked dazed by her sudden growth.
"Yu-rin, how do you feel?"
"J-Ji-hu... I'm stronger now, right?"
Her voice was hesitant, as if she couldn't quite believe it.
'Well, that's understandable.'
It wasn't easy to accept that simply following his instructions in the rift had elevated her so drastically.
But it was true—she was no longer a D-rank. She had officially reached C-rank.
'And Yu-rin can grow even further.'
Her potential ran far deeper. With the right opportunities, she could surpass even this.
Reaching C-rank was just the beginning.
"Yeah, you've gotten stronger. And you'll keep growing."
"It's amazing... I never thought I'd reach C-rank this easily. Ji-hu, it's all thanks to you. Really, thank you."
"Don't mention it. A stronger party benefits me too, right?"
He replied playfully, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder.
"So, Yu-rin, hang in there and keep pushing forward, okay?"
"Yeah, count on me!"
"Good."
Ji-hu nodded, silently hoping she'd endure the grueling path ahead.
The road to greater strength would be arduous, even painful—but if she persevered, she could easily reach S-rank or beyond.
No, perhaps even further.
"Alright, let's regroup for now."
Though Irina had already annihilated the first wave, the minotaurs here were only a fraction of the rift's total forces.
It was time to locate the next swarm, discuss tactics, and use the battles as training.
'Yu-rin's strong enough now to hold the front line properly.'
The real training was about to begin.