Chapter 6

02. The Teacher's Grace is Like the Sky (2)

"Ah, I really want to turn back."

"Jo Sung-hyun, I said there's no time for that, didn't I?"

Jo Sung-hyun, who had been kicking an innocent wall, drew his sword at Seo Young-un's words.

Three waves had passed.

Only two safe zones remained. The group was worn out in a short time.

With the safe zone maintenance time getting shorter and shorter, our breaths were almost at their limit. Now, even this basement was no longer safe.

As we broke the door with arrows, a pack of demons blocking the narrow stairs came into view. Seo Young-un, who was at the front, used a provocation skill to draw their attention while Cha Tae-yang and Jo Sung-hyun cleared the path.

It was difficult to shoot arrows without hitting the group, so I swung my bow to keep the undead at bay.

We had only just reached the first floor when a message appeared: "3 minutes until the next monster wave."

"Where are the remaining safe zones?"

"There's one each on the second and third floors, but I don't remember the exact locations."

"Let's split up."

"Let's start with the second floor. The third floor is our last stronghold."

Why is this mansion so vast?

We divided into three teams and began searching the mansion, which was shaped like a 'ㄷ' with three connected buildings. Even Cha Tae-yang's goblin joined in, rolling around to find the safe zone.

"This isn't it... Damn, this isn't it either."

My fingertips trembled as I opened doors. Please, just show up! The relentless demons slowed us down.

"I found it! I found it!"

Jo Sung-hyun, who was searching the eastern part of the mansion, shouted.

Cha Tae-yang, who had been searching with me in the central area, quickly lifted me onto his shoulder and ran. It seemed that Seo Young-un carrying me earlier had left a strong impression.

The group of undead from the central area followed us to the eastern part, but due to the slowing effect, Cha Tae-yang easily evaded them.

Jo Sung-hyun waved his hand in front of a room with the door wide open.

'Now we can rest for 5 minutes.'

Just as we were about to enter the room, the goblin rolled in, jingling loudly.

"Mr. Kim, it's a big problem! The path in the middle is blocked, so the big Mr. Kim can't come!"

"Seo Young-un Hunter?"

The group of undead we had evaded was blocking the corridor. We hadn't considered Seo Young-un coming from the western building. It felt like a clock was ticking in my head. My thoughts froze.

Cha Tae-yang, who had grasped the situation, pulled my arm.

"Let's go quickly!"

"Yes, let's move. Jo Sung-hyun, come with us! Hurry!"

Although slowed, the other stats remained the same. It would be difficult for Seo Young-un, a defensive hunter, to clear the path in time.

I ran with the two of them to the central building.

***

Seo Young-un, trapped in the middle of a pack of demons, was struggling. Even an A-rank tanker couldn't handle the sheer number of enemies, and he looked exhausted.

"Why did you come? I can handle it, so go back to the safe zone!"

"Do you have time to worry about your pride?"

"Mr. Kim! I called the other Mr. Kims."

While fending off the undead with a shield, Seo Young-un glared at the goblin.

"Haah!"

Stepping on Jo Sung-hyun's shoulder, Cha Tae-yang leaped over the group of undead and landed, then approached Seo Young-un without hesitation.

For some reason, his flames seemed to shine brighter than when he was fighting plant-type demons.

With Seo Young-un and Cha Tae-yang joining, the demons were cut down even faster. I continuously shot arrows to cover the group.

Just as Jo Sung-hyun and the two others finally joined us, the atmosphere changed.

"We were so close...!"

The flow of magic surrounding the demons became more intense.

Behind the three people running towards us, a swarm of undead followed like a swarm of bees. What's going on?

"Wait a moment. That... "

Something caught my eye. If that's it, we might have a chance.

I activated the 'Sharpshooter's Eye,' which I had kept inactive to conserve mana. My irises, though invisible to others, must have turned a light golden color.

The target was an old chandelier hanging from the ceiling, swaying.

The weakest joint of the chandelier glowed red.

I didn't have time to use the Bow Assistant to increase my accuracy. Fortunately, the size of the mounting bolt wasn't too small. This should be doable without system assistance.

"How many arrows have I shot already!"

I immediately drew the bow and aimed at the mounting bolt.

Ignoring the system window, I directly cast an attribute.

"Apply the 'Clone' attribute to slot 3."

– Slot 3: Clone (2 uses remaining)

[Your item is imbued with a special power!]

A card appeared and disappeared, and three mana-made arrows struck the chandelier's mounting bolt.

The chandelier shook violently but didn't fall as I had hoped.

"One more time!"

I fired arrows with the 'Clone' attribute in quick succession.

The mounting bolt, hit by the first, second, and final arrows, broke.

Bang!

The massive chandelier fell onto the group of undead.

"Nice assist!"

"Mr. Kim, that was awesome!"

The crystal glass shattered on the floor, and the group, momentarily stunned, quickly carried me to the eastern part of the mansion.

Taking advantage of the demons' confusion, we barely made it to the safe zone.

"Are you serious?"

"Don't waste energy. It's better to rest a little."

"I told you to go back! What the... "

"If you hadn't, Seo Young-un Hunter could have been seriously injured."

"You should have run away like a C-rank hunter. Why did you step up?"

Seo Young-un, pressing his forehead, closed his eyes. Jo Sung-hyun, who seemed to share the same thought, looked at me with a subtle expression.

Isn't it good that it ended well? So what if you're nitpicking.

Seo Young-un, shaking his head, spoke.

"Anyway, thanks for the help."

"Wow, Uncle, you can say that?"

At the innocent comment, Seo Young-un frowned.

What do you think of me? Cha Tae-yang shrugged and smiled.

"Hunter Yun Gaho, tell us about the final safe zone."

"Ah, yes."

There, Jo Sung-hyun, who had been calling me by a casual name, finally addressed me as Hunter Yun Gaho. Trying to hide my surprise, I began to explain about the third floor.

"The safe zone on the third floor is our last stronghold."

"What does that mean?"

"There are traps set up all over the third floor. During the raid, it caused a lot of trouble."

Jo Sung-hyun groaned. If the agile hunters of the raid group had trouble, the traps must be very difficult.

We only have about 5 minutes left, and reinforcements are taking so long.

In the uncomfortable silence, Cha Tae-yang whispered.

"If I could use that, these things would be a one-bite snack."

"Absolutely not! Have you forgotten what Witch Kim said?"

"Prohibited until my mana stats increase! I remember."

Cha Tae-yang, mimicking someone, slumped like boiled spinach.

Jo Sung-hyun, intrigued by the unusual conversation, shook Cha Tae-yang's shoulder.

"Do you have some trick up your sleeve?"

"I can't!"

"Like a brat! Don't bully Tae-yang!"

"Hunter Cha Tae-yang, do you have a plan? Can you explain it?"

Under Jo Sung-hyun's urging, Cha Tae-yang, who had been tight-lipped, finally spoke.

"I have a wide-area skill that sends back things from the underworld."

"Hey, why didn't you mention this skill earlier!"

"Don't shout! Do you think Tae-yang is using it on purpose? He can't use it!"

"I can't use it now. My mana stats are too low, and it's locked. If I force it, I'll be out of commission for days. It's a skill far from my abilities."

It's a perfect skill for this situation.

But he can't use it because his stats are insufficient. Is it an attribute-adding skill?

Based on his combat style, Cha Tae-yang's stats are likely focused on strength and agility. The skill he's talking about must be a mana-based one.

I've heard of such attribute-adding skills, but I didn't expect Cha Tae-yang to have one. In such cases, one usually compensates with equipment or gradually increases the stats through training.

"How much is your mana stat lacking?"

"12."

Hearing the number, I felt even more regretful. A good mana-based equipment could have made up for it.

I quickly dismissed the thought. It would be problematic if Cha Tae-yang fainted. We'd need to carry him, and it would put too much burden on Jo Sung-hyun.

"...That's it!"

I suddenly remembered a skill I had just obtained. Enchant.

'Can I use that skill to enhance Cha Tae-yang's mana stats?'

But I immediately shook my head.

If I tried and his equipment was destroyed, it would be a disaster. I can't afford to lose a key member. This isn't the time for reckless actions.

"We don't have time to talk."

The warm light surrounding the room faded. Fortunately, we were given another 5 minutes, and it didn't seem to decrease further.

We climbed to the third floor through a window because the stairs were blocked by the chandelier I had dropped.

As we left the room, I realized something was wrong and stopped.

"Hunter Yun Gaho?"

The tiles on the floor were glowing red in various places.

Not just the floor. The vases by the windows, the tapestries at the end of the corridor, and the doorknobs of some rooms were also glowing.

"What's this?"