Slaying the Sword-Wielding Hound and Jackpot Rewards
With the boss monster defeated and the reward door unlocked, an even wider plaza stretched out before us. Iana's eyes widened like saucers at the sight in the center.
"Wh-what the hell is that?"
A monster the size of a carriage, shaped like a massive dog. But Iana wasn't shocked just by its size. It stood on two legs like a human, gripping a greatsword in its paws.
"No way... Monsters using weapons now?"
It was worth the surprise. In this romance fantasy world, monsters were basically just slightly more dangerous beasts. They might have innate skills, but they didn't use equipment.
But inside a gate, anything goes.
Gates often spawned monsters wielding weapons—in fact, it was more common there. Some even operated in tribes, launching tactical assaults that made them far trickier.
It's deviated from the plan, but maybe that's for the best.
If Iana was inevitably getting tangled up in gates... better she learn just how "unreasonable" they could be.
"Snap out of it."
"Eek!"
I smacked the back of her hand with my palm.
"Doesn't change the fact that we have to fight it. It's not your first swordsman."
"Well... yeah, I've sparred with plenty."
"This one's no better than any of those. Just bigger, and dog-shaped."
"...Isn't that the weirdest part?"
Her words questioned it, but her eyes had already sharpened. Gauging how to win—enemy build, weapon properties, optimal counters. You couldn't be a top-tier swordswoman without reading that at a glance.
"Don't get fooled by the looks. Focus on the essence: beast plus greatsword. That's your priority."
"Told you, I'm more used to fighting monsters than you are."
No sooner had she spoken than the boss charged. It leaped high for a devastating overhead smash. Given its mass, the force would be no joke.
Iana didn't dodge. She raised her sword for a head-on clash.
KAANG!
A eardrum-shattering clang erupted, sparks flying. Far from being pushed back by the monster, she braced her legs and shoved it away.
"...You're right. Now that you mention it, it's just a big, agile swordsman."
"Exactly. Same as all the ones you've fought before."
No matter her skill, Iana was still a woman. Compared to battle-hardened male adventurers or lifelong knights, she was smaller. Had she just gotten steamrolled her whole life?
KAANG! KAANG! KAAANG!
The answer was right here. Iana unilaterally dominated the much larger boss.
Her swordsmanship is top-notch, as expected. She could aim for knight captain someday.
Honed since childhood, battle-tested technique. More than enough for a low-rank boss.
"Grrrrr...!"
She leveraged feminine flexibility and fluid motion. But the power behind it? Far from lacking. Pure strength contest, and she could take a knight.
With her party's synergy? She'd crush this boss laughing.
My instincts were spot-on: Iana had what it took to conquer this gate. Of course, that didn't mean there was nothing to learn here.
KAAANG!
"This ends it!"
Her massive upward swing made the boss drop its sword. Exposed without its weapon, she went for the kill—but
SHRRRIIIP!
The monster revealed hidden claws. It exploded forward off the ground with insane leg power.
"Urk!"
Too late to dodge. Iana awkwardly twisted her arm to steady herself.
"That's far enough."
WHAM!
Just before its claws reached her, my kick slammed its flank. The surprise blow sent it tumbling across the floor.
"You okay?"
"...I could've blocked it without your help."
"Sure. Though you'd have gotten hurt."
"Ugh... Thanks. For saving me. I'd be injured without you."
It wasn't worth thanks.
I let it happen on purpose, knowing it'd play out like this.
Gates threw curveballs. Perfect teachable moment, so I let it ride.
Experiencing it beats hearing it. Sticks longer.
Now she'd get it for sure: never drop your guard, no matter how weak they look.
"Grrrr!"
"What, up already? Why not stay down like a good boy."
The boss charged again, a ferocious rush that would've bowled over most hunters.
"Where do you get off baring teeth, you leashless mutt."
POOF!
I burst the prepped pouch at its snarling face. Brown and red powder engulfed its snout.
"GRRRAAAHHH!"
Scorching agony seared its sensitive nose. The boss thrashed, screaming.
I didn't miss the opening, plunging my sword into its nape.
CRUNCH! SPLORTCH!
Bone and muscle tore as the blade sank in. A sideways yank, and blood fountained out.
A jolt stung my wrist.
...That's all it takes to strain this wrist?
Ian's body was pathetically frail. Time to start real training once we're out.
Luckily, enough for this gate.
Congratulations!
Gate cleared successfully!
The familiar translucent window popped up. Never thought I'd see this in a romance fantasy world.
"...It's dead?"
"Yeah, says 'cleared,' so definitely."
Iana stared at the corpse in disbelief. Blood gushed from its half-severed neck.
"Taking down a monster like that with one sword stroke..."
"Wasn't just the sword. Powder weakened it first."
"Right! What was that stuff? What even is it?"
I pulled out the pouch and showed her.
"Flour mixed with piss and chili powder."
"Chili powder?"
"Stinks like hell and burns, perfect for scent-sensitive monsters."
Land it right, and the fiery pain creates an opening. Even if not, irritated membranes cripple their fight. Turns their sniffing advantage against them.
"...You had that on you?"
"I'm not walking in unprepared."
Gate prep was endless. Might not use it, but that's fine too.
"How'd you know the boss would be a dog?"
"Most monsters here were wolf-types. Knight reports said no others, so boss likely similar."
"...I see. Impressive."
Iana eyed the pouch and powder with genuine admiration.
"Fighting monsters with powder... Been an adventurer forever, never crossed my mind."
"You never needed to. Knights see it as cowardly anyway."
Classic romance fantasy chivalry. Even minor tricks are dishonorable here.
Peace-bloated bullshit.
I'm a hunter, not some honor-bound knight. Victory means using everything.
I've seen too many "strong" egos die to petty pride in gates.
Wonder if she'll pick up some 'dirty' human tactics from this.
Iana's flaw: too upright, too honest. Fine for humans, maybe. For a guy like me? Easy exploit.
In the original story, she'd learn gradually with party support. But gates don't allow slip-ups—death's too quick.
"Hmm, blinding them with powder. Good trick."
Good—she didn't see it as cheap.
She's skilled now, potential off the charts. Quick learner too. Train her right, she'd be an ace hunter.
Even in my past life, hunters with her mix of character and talent were rare. Fun to teach.
"Anyway, let's grab the rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Says we get some for clearing."
I headed to the plaza center. Small boxes appeared, one for each of us.
"Whoa, cool. Just open 'em?"
"Don't get hopes up. Rewards are pure RNG. Mostly junk, good stuff's rare."
Iana tilted her head.
"How do you know all this?"
"Popped up when I killed the boss."
"Oh, really? This place is nuts."
Good thing she was so trusting.
"So open for rewards? Hope it's good!"
"Told you, probably not."
"...Still, you never know. Could be jackpot."
"At this gate's level? Best case, mana stones."
"No romance in you."
Iana grumbled and opened hers. Golden light poured out.
"Wha—?"
My eyes bulged. That was top-grade reward glow.
First pull's a top item?
Hunters went lifetimes without seeing gold. Odds were abysmal.
And in a low gate. Romance heroine buff?
The glow faded. In her hand gleamed an obviously epic sword. Top reward—and a weapon, super rare!
High mats would be huge. A full weapon? Insane.
This puny gate dropping that? Ludicrous luck.
"Lord Regent?"
"Huh?"
"First try, this good?"
"......"
This girl got the sword and the looks?
"Guess weapons drop sometimes. Open yours quick."
Iana swung it showily. Quality blade—weight, whoosh through air, all premium.
"Whoa, effects listed! Uh... too long to read now. Check later. Bright light means good ones, right?"
"......"
Frustration boiled—romance protag brain—but whatever.
Sigh! Should've pulled first.
Gacha has "stacks." Opponent gets crap, you get gold. Superstition, no science... but back-to-back jackpots? Nah.
Her pulling that? No way mine's good.
I sighed and opened mine.
That instant—
WHOOOOSH!
Blinding rainbow light exploded from my box. Brighter, flashier than hers.