Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Second Phase
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Once again, they entered the boss stage.
In a deathly silence, the two men calmly advanced.
Let's feel him out first.
I agree.
Yuhyeon and Cedric exchanged glances.
They had already been hit by the Elder Trent's near-instant-kill skill.
They had to avoid being taken out by the same skill again.
This was a golden opportunity they had barely managed to secure.
Sir Yuhyeon, over there!
As soon as they spotted the Elder Trent.
T-ring!
The Elder Trent has discovered you and Cedric.
The first phase will now begin!
Instinctively, he raised his hilt into a defensive stance, but the Trent remained motionless.
Realizing it wasn't using the instant-kill skill, Yuhyeon charged forward and said,
Looks like its area-of-effect skill has a cooldown. Let's go!
Yes!
Soon, a battle unfolded, different from the one before.
The Elder Trent casts Forests Cry!
Instead of an instant-kill skill, the powerful cry of the trees pierced their eardrums.
Ugh!
Gah!
Debuff: Forests Cry has been activated!
For 1 minute, your physical abilities will be lowered and your attack power will decrease by 30.
A 30 reduction in attack power for one minute?
A 30 reduction with no strings attachedit was a truly absurd effect.
Cedric, on the other hand, had to overcome death just to get a 50 stat boost.
But even so.
But it doesn't affect my movement at all!
It only reduced attack power; their actions were completely unimpeded.
This meant they could still strike their opponent and block attacks.
I need to figure out its patterns.
The first step in any battle was to understand the opponent's attacks.
No matter how fearsome the enemy before them, they had to advance bravely and swing their swords.
Thus, identifying the Trent's attacks and responding accordingly was the first step.
A light start.
Yuhyeon's eyes gleamed as he rushed toward the Trent.
Should I thrust, slash downward, or block and counter?
Amidst his various thoughts, it was the Trent that attacked first.
Swoosh!
The Trent's massive wooden trunk swung towards Yuhyeon in a horizontal slash.
I can block this.
He had already learned every kind of slash and block.
Yuhyeon swiftly raised his blade to meet the wooden trunk.
Sword Guard!
He was using the skill imbued in Gessin's sword to defend.
Clang!
Ugh!
Having successfully blocked the trunk, Yuhyeon was pushed back.
The force was monstrous, stronger than he could have easily imagined.
What is this...
But blocking it meant an opportunity had opened up for him.
Spotting an opening as the Trent recoiled its trunk, Yuhyeon's sword shot forward fiercely.
Crack!
You have damaged the Trent!
It landed!
A small smile spread across Yuhyeon's lips.
The moment his attack connected, he quickly stepped back.
My stance was off, so I couldn't deal maximum damage, but...
Still, he had confirmed that his attacks could inflict damage.
That meant he had successfully identified one of its attack patterns.
A wide horizontal swing with its trunk, a downward smash with its hand, a palm strike to knock you back...
The battle continued in a similar fashion.
The Trent had roughly five attack patterns.
Gah!
Its reach was so long that landing a hit wasn't easy, but he had more or less figured out its patterns.
Its long reach makes it tricky, but if I can dodge what needs dodging and block what needs blocking.
Which meant.
I can take you down.
Once the patterns were identified, the rest was surprisingly simple.
Now, all he had to do was demonstrate the most perfect and simple principle in theory.
Dodge, parry, and strike.
The very secret sword technique Olsen had taught him.
The most basic, yet formidable, swordsmanship Yuhyeon could perform.
Slice!
You have executed a perfect stance, unleashing a Powerful Slash.
You inflict 150 additional damage!
Critical Hit!
You inflict 200 additional damage!
All he had to do was land a perfect downward slash!
By the gods!
The same was true for Cedric.
Slice!
Cedric has landed the Belvern family's secret sword technique on the Trent!
He too unleashed the best sword strike he could muster, crying out.
The secret sword technique of the Belvern family, renowned as masters of the sword!
Crack, cra-crack!
You have dealt a critical wound to the Elder Trent!
You have dealt a critical wound to the Elder Trent!
A horizontal slash is coming now!
I am ready!
Now! Dodge to the side!
Yes!
And in that moment, when Yuhyeon and Cedric confirmed that their attacks were effective against the Trent.
Now, it's our turn.
Yuhyeon smiled faintly.
A player once said.
Hire a mercenary? Honestly, it's a waste of money. They're just normal classes...
Mercenaries hired with money were usually of a normal grade, making them weaker than players.
Their fees were high, so it was better to just take him, a unique class user.
He had gone on and on about how players were much better than NPCs.
That might have been true. Assuming that player wasn't lying to me.
Yuhyeon could sympathize with that view.
Players had superior class advantages over mercenaries, with more talents and skills.
Depending on their proficiency, they could even perform more spectacularly than NPCs.
But that's only possible if you meet such a player.
However, that was only half the truth.
A player could also have a normal class, just like a mercenary, and possess unremarkable talents.
They might have mediocre gear due to a lack of money, or low proficiency, making them a liability.
Encountering such a weak link in party play, where cooperation is paramount?
It wasn't even worth thinking about. He would rather play solo.
But what if there was an NPC with prodigious talent, a low hiring fee, and excellent teamwork?
But what if there was an NPC who embodied all the strengths of a player?
In that sense, bringing Cedric along was a stroke of genius on Yuhyeon's part.
Die, you monster!
As a knight, Cedric could use Holy-attribute attacks.
This meant his attacks countered the Dark attribute that elite-grade monsters possessed.
Considering how Holy Water becomes mandatory in higher-level content, this was a huge advantage.
They say this is the main reason people recruit clerics for their parties.
This was also why players hired clerics for their parties.
Because of the availability of 'Heal' to restore health and 'Bless' to grant the Holy attribute.
While not essential for normal dungeons, they were a mandatory class for hard dungeons.
Haaahp!
Of course, as a normal knight, Cedric could only use Holy-attribute attacks; he couldn't use Heal or Bless.
But wasn't he already doing something special that a healer could never do?
Clang!
Fighting in close quarters, coordinating their attacks.
If it weren't for Cedric, I would have been hit several times.
This was especially true when facing an elite monster with dozens of times more attack power and health.
If Cedric hadn't drawn its aggro, even Yuhyeon's health wouldn't have held out.
Sir Yuhyeon! Now!
Clang!
Cedric shouted, blocking the Trent's attack with his two-handed sword.
Tatata!
Yuhyeon swiftly rushed in and, using the force of the rebound, brought his sword down with great power.
T-ring!
Critical Hit!
You have dealt a critical wound to the Elder Trent!
A clean and stable downward slash, beyond any doubt.
A strike as swift as lightning.
A critical hit!
A thrilling vibration traveled up his arm from the strike.
A joyful smile graced Yuhyeon's lips as he looked at the message.
If we keep this up, we have a good chance of winning.
Unlike its normal-grade counterpart, the Elder Trent boasted monstrous health and attack power.
A single gesture could shave off huge chunks of their health, and no matter how much they cut, it wouldn't fall.
Despite all this, Yuhyeon wore a confident smile.
What's wrong? You seem a little impatient.
Groan. Groooan...
He could see the Trent's body had grown somewhat gaunt from the chipped-off branches.
And he also saw its eyes grow more menacing as time went on.
As if it were growing impatient.
And in that moment.
T-ring!
The Elder Trent activates a special skill.
The Elder Trent uses Wood Spirits Recovery!
The Elder Trent, which hadn't shown any special moves for a while, began to use a skill.
Sensing danger, Yuhyeon and Cedric instinctively backed away.
Cedric! Back!
Yes!
Groooan. Groar!
Its health has been restored to 100, and the Elder Trent has become more ferocious.
The Elder Trent's attack power and attack speed have increased by 1.5 times!
.
.
.
Groan. Groooar!
The Elder Trent's rage-filled roar echoed throughout the dungeon.
Soon, its body began to grow, becoming so massive that its head touched the ceiling.
The Elder Trent has awakened to its final form!
The second phase will now begin!
And so began the second phase of the battle with the Elder Trent.
Cedric, let's stick to the plan!
Yes!
Still, nothing changed.
Clang!
When the Trent struck down, they would block with an upward slash.
Slice!
The plan was for Cedric to exploit the opening and cut down the Trent's branches.
That was the plan, but.
Thwack!
Ugh!
A single gesture from the Trent sent Yuhyeon flying into the distance.
Yuhyeon's eyes widened in shock as he was thrown back.
You have taken a critical blow from the Trent!
Your health has decreased by 20!
This is ridiculous!
A single attack had wiped out 20 of his health.
Cedric, change of plans! We have to dodge as much as possible while fighting!
Understood!
But even so, Yuhyeon and Cedric charged forward.
If I can't block it, I'll just dodge.
Just as they had always done, without hesitation.
If you can't block, you dodge. When an opening appears, you attack.
There was no simpler mechanism than that.
Slice! Sliice!
Yuhyeon's strike connected with a branch.
A sharp blow, like that of a highly trained swordsman!
I cut it! But... huh?
But the Trent's branch didn't break.
To be precise, the shattered fragments of the branch began to mend themselves.
As if it were regenerating.
The Elder Trent is currently under the effect of Wood Spirits Recovery.
You must deal damage that surpasses its health regeneration per second to inflict any damage.
Heh, what kind of nonsense is this...
Yuhyeon let out a dry, incredulous laugh.
He could see now why other parties didn't challenge hard dungeons.
If the boss had a skill like this, it wouldn't matter if you had four people or dozens; it would be pointless.
Good thing I saved these.
As if he had been waiting for this very situation, Yuhyeon opened his status window.
Put 70 points into Strength, and 30 into Agility!
If he lacked strength, he just had to add more. If that wasn't enough, he just had to increase his attack speed.
Grip.
Putting points into Strength, I can definitely feel myself getting stronger.
A powerful force filled Yuhyeon's hand as he gripped the hilt of his bastard sword.
Cedric! Let's attack together!
Understood!
The ensuing strikes from Yuhyeon and Cedric!
Slice! Thwack!
Ugh!
Slaaash! Thud!
Guha!
Slashing, getting hit. Slashing, barely dodging.
A desperate struggle between Cedric, the Trent, and Yuhyeon continued.
A fight to the death. It was truly a desperate battle.
A fierce and distant battle of desperation, one that would only end when one side was dead.
Ugh!
Huff, haah...
Yuhyeon and Cedric, their bodies battered and bruised, gasped for breath.
One hit, just one last hit is all it takes.
They had used up all their potions, and a single hit would mean death.
Whether it was Yuhyeon or the Trent, the winner would be decided by the very last blow.
It was then.
T-ring!
Your and Cedric's health has dropped below 10.
Desperate Courage (A) has been activated for you and Cedric!
All stats will increase by 50 for 1 minute.
In the face of death, a notification window popped up before both Yuhyeon and Cedric.
Fall!
For the honor of the Belvern family!
Seizing the opportunity, the two's sword strikes plunged precisely into the Trent's core.
Simultaneously.
Crack! Cra-crack.
Cra, cra-cra-crack!
Their swords, having pierced its core, shattered the wooden branches.
Groooan...
The light faded from the Trent's eyes as its body began to completely disintegrate.
Its menacing gaze grew dim, and its branches fell to the ground, gaunt and lifeless.
Huff, haah... D-did we get it?
As Cedric murmured, watching the suddenly motionless Trent.
T-ring!
You have defeated the elite monster Hard Elder Trent.
You have gained a large amount of experience for defeating a stronger enemy.
You have leveled up.
You have leveled up.
You have leveled up.
.
.
.
Countless notifications flooded Yuhyeon's vision.
...We did it.
D-did we really defeat it?
In other words, they had succeeded in defeating the Trent.
One more hit and I might have died.
Yuhyeon thought to himself as he checked his health bar.
He had only 20 health left, an amount that would have meant defeat had he taken just one more of the Trent's attacks.
Yuhyeon clenched his fist at the narrow, thrilling victory.
We did it. And with just the two of us.
They had cleared a quest that other players tackled in parties of four with just the two of them.
It was a dramatic victory, like a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth with two outs.
...W-we did it. W-we did it! Aaaah!
Cedric, coming to his senses a moment later, also threw his arms wide and reveled in the joy of their triumph.
God has granted us a miracle!
They had defeated a black-grade Trent, known as the highest tier even among elites.
A monster that would normally require the Knight Commander to even attempt to subjugate!
No, he granted the miracle!
More accurately, it was as if Yuhyeon himself had granted the miracle.
Because in that moment before death, Desperate Courage had activated, and an unknown power had surged through him.
I protected my honor, I protected my honor...
Cedric clutched the cross in his hand, bowed his head, and assumed a posture of silent prayer.
Soon, his shoulders began to shake.
Cedric...
Watching him, Yuhyeon's eyes narrowed slightly.
He's feeling a joy that can't be put into words.
Yuhyeon understood the emotions Cedric was feeling better than anyone.
Because I went through the same thing when I regained my hearing.
He must be feeling a happiness that no words could describe.
Phew, now then, shall we see what we got.
Black-grade elite monsters were known to be the strongest among the elite class.
Add the difficulty of a hard dungeon to that, and the rewards were bound to be significantly better.
I wonder what'll drop.
As he placed his hand on the Trent's corpse, a golden energy swelled in his palm.
T-ring!
You have obtained Elder Trent's Lumber (15).
You have obtained Elder Trent's Lumber (17).
Hidden Quest: Bring Materials to Repair the Bow Stave has been completed.
Finally!
Yuhyeon's eyes sparkled.
He had finally completed the Conductor of Melody's first hidden quest.
He said one bundle would be enough, but I got three.
In fact, he had obtained three times the amount of lumber Gessin had requested.
...Does it normally drop this much?
This was because he was completely unaware that bringing a mercenary was considered solo play.
And that solo play significantly increased the item drop rate.
Not to mention, being in a hard dungeon doubled that rate.
This alone is already over 300 gold.
Since one bundle was said to be worth over 100 gold, he had already earned the equivalent of over three million won.
And that was more than enough, but.
T-ring!
You have obtained Elder Trent's Spirit Earring (Epic).
You have obtained Elder Trent's Sword Belt (Epic).
Huh?
Two messages appeared in succession.
An Epic-grade item...
Yuhyeon's eyes flickered rapidly.
I got two of them?