Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World Part 2 Chapter 38
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The pilgrimage path was a grueling ordeal.
Unlike before, we couldn't even swim.
The weight of the water enveloping us grew heavier the further we walked along the path.
This change hit the members of Team 2, who had relatively lower ranks, the hardest.
"Huff... gasp..."
"Breathing... it's getting kind of tough."
"Feels like altitude sickness or something..."
Naturally, our pace slowed to a crawl.
Of course, the timer kept ticking away mercilessly.
In the end, Yoo Jin-rok spoke up.
"People who are still in good shape should go ahead first. It's probably best that way, Guild Master Kang Han."
Even Yoo Jin-rok, who said that, didn't look so great himself.
Leaning on his weapon like a cane just to take each step, he probably wouldn't be in any shape to fight even if they reached the end of the path.
"...Yeah, that sounds right. Anyone who thinks they can't handle combat, follow behind."
At Kang Han's order, Yang Hwa-yeon from Team 2, who was one of the magic users with relatively low stamina like Han Ji-seong, fell back from the formation and started walking at the rear.
I turned to Yoo Jin-rok, who was still silently trudging along beside me.
"Teacher, don't push yourself too hard."
"...I have no face left."
"Don't say that. Team 2's here anyway, so I'll be fine."
Even so, Yoo Jin-rok kept gasping for breath, trying to hold out a bit longer, but in the end, he leaned on my shoulder once and dropped out of the main group.
"Ji-seong, hop on."
"...Thanks."
Eventually, even Han Ji-seong had to hitch a ride on Jeong I-do, Team 2's shield.
The number of hunters walking the pilgrimage path dwindled, and so did the chatter.
Compared to the others who were gasping as they walked, I was in a much better state, but even cradled in Kang Han's arms, the ever-increasing weight of the water was unavoidable.
"Hoo."
As I took a deep breath, Kang Han hoisted me up a little higher.
I'd be needed for my abilities if a fight broke out, but I was still baggage right now, which left me feeling awkwardly embarrassed. In a sullen tone, I muttered,
"...I've been eating whatever I want lately, so I'm a bit heavy. Sorry."
Kang Han chuckled.
"Just focus on breathing easy, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
He didn't tell me to stay back with the others.
He understood the sense of responsibility I felt over this double dungeon opening up.
"...Thanks."
That was when Kang Han adjusted his hold on me, pulling me closer.
"The path is widening."
Ryu Do-kyung, who was at the very front, called back to the group.
Sure enough, soon after, the narrow trail ended.
In its place appeared a smooth road paved with flat stones.
And at the end of that road, a vast open space came into view.
"...Looks like a plaza?"
There were no other buildings around the plaza.
Just a desolate square with a statue in the center—a hand gripping a pillar—jutting out starkly.
It looked just like the fragmented statue that had been the key to opening this double dungeon.
"Doesn't seem like just any statue. Not with four monsters guarding it."
Ryu Do-kyung said, his face tense and rigid.
True to his words, four shark-like monsters the size of whales were swimming around the statue.
It was like they'd gathered the worst of the whale sharks.
But my eyes were drawn not to them, but to the statue in the center.
Even those shark-like monsters were huge—big enough to make you wonder if humans could fight them.
As a sigh escaped me, Kang Han set me down on the ground and cautioned,
"Nayeo-ju-ssi, stay right here. If it gets dangerous, fall back further."
I grabbed Kang Han's arm as he turned to go.
Even that simple motion left me breathless.
"Not the sharks... that thing. Be careful. Ha... the one in the center... that hand."
Kang Han glanced at the statue and nodded.
"Don't worry. Take a breather. I'll be right back."
The hunters quickly readied for battle.
Han Ji-seong was still on Jeong I-do's back, so they must have been planning to advance further in for spell range.
"Moving in."
Kang Han, gripping his dark spear in one hand, stepped into the plaza.
Kwaaaak—!
At the same instant, the four sharks charged at tremendous speed, and the fight began.
Kwang—!
Kang Han shoved the lead shark's maw away with his spear, sending it flying back, then checked the remaining time.
Judging by the force and speed of the impacts, the four shark monsters were definitely A-rank.
Out of the hunters who'd entered the plaza, eleven were combat-ready.
More than enough to handle four A-rank monsters, but no room for slacking.
"Not the sharks... that thing. Be careful. Ha... the one in the center... that hand."
Nayeo-ju's warning and an S-rank hunter's instincts kept blaring alarms.
The little over three hours left on the timer wouldn't be enough.
Kung—!
Kang Han saw Jang Su-ho, shield raised, get sent flying back from a head-on clash with a shark. He was just about to dash forward to help when,
Kurung.
The ground shook violently, like an earthquake.
After rolling once on the ground, Kang Han sprang up and looked toward the plaza's center.
Kwadeuk, kwaduk.
A massive hand was clutching the earth.
It wasn't aiming to crack or shake the floor.
Kuwoong—!
The ground trembled again, and a forearm rose up from below the giant hand.
Something wearing the statue like a shell was trying to emerge onto the surface.
"Shit, what the hell is that?!"
The hunters who spotted the emerging entity cried out in shock, just like Kang Han.
Fear began to creep in at the sight of this colossal being unlike anything from any gate they'd faced before.
Kwang—!
"Sang-eun!"
Ryu Sang-eun, Team 2's A-rank, got smacked by a monster's tail and crashed into the plaza floor.
His stealth skill to erase his presence and sneak toward the central statue had failed.
"Ugh..."
His face flashed with dismay as the unimaginable impact made him swallow a gasp.
A monster had charged right up to his face and opened its jaws wide.
As Ryu Sang-eun braced for the horrific pain about to hit, curling up,
Kwaang, kadeuk—!
Jang Su-ho threw himself forward alongside him, blocking the monster's maw with his shield.
Despite the brutal impact that snapped the shark's pointed teeth, the shield—scarred with long gashes—charged once more, successfully shoving the monster back.
But the largest of the four sharks didn't retreat, even as it spewed black ink-like blood.
It thrashed its enormous tail spasmodically and lunged to bite at Jang Su-ho's shield.
That was its fatal mistake.
Shiiiik—!
Puk!!
Lee Yu-chan's massive arrow pierced the shark's gills with a sound far heavier than slicing air.
Finally, the hunters began their counterattack.
"Yo-na! Herd them into one spot!"
At Kang Han's shout, Seong Yo-na unleashed her skill toward the center of the three sharks.
"Krrk!"
Bloodshot veins filled her eyes from the intensifying pressure and the monsters' struggles to escape her skill's range.
Teoryeok!
The moment her hands clapped together, the sea compressed, sucking the monsters backward.
Lee Yu-chan and the shrine leader's arrows pierced the three immobilized monsters one by one.
The black blood spreading through the water, like ink, grew thicker.
"Ice Spear."
Slower than usual but massively larger, an ice lance completely split one monster's belly.
"It's almost over..."
That was when Lee Yu-eul, who had sliced off a slowing shark's fin, lit up.
Kwaaaang! Kurung, kuwoong—!
A vibration far stronger than before rocked the ground.
Something with one arm and shoulder already exposed was pounding the earth with its fist.
Kwang! Kwang! Kwaang!
Finally, the plaza's surface cracked in two with a jjerriek.
And from that fissure, a massive eyeball emerged... and grinned wickedly.