Chapter 26

EP.26 Lizardman Lair (3)

The gap between Holder ranks widens as the rank increases.

It's relatively easy to advance from an E-rank Holder to a D-rank Holder, but it's almost impossible to advance from a B-rank Holder to an A-rank Holder in a short period unless one encounters a legendary event.

It requires a long time of effort, results, and talent.

When these three elements align,

it becomes possible to advance to a higher rank.

Therefore, from C-rank and above, even within the same rank, there is often a significant gap between Holders.

"......"

Kang Juyeon has only been a B-rank Holder for less than half a year.

She ascended to B-rank with her overflowing talent and excellent skills, but...

in terms of Holder experience, achievements, and practical experience, she still falls short compared to other B-rank Holders.

Kang Juyeon is well aware of this fact more than anyone else.

The academy's underground dungeon strategy.

She accepted Do Jae-hyun's sudden proposal not only because she was concerned about him but also because she judged that she needed to gain more experience.

The entrance of the dungeon, where C-rank monsters like Lizardmen mainly appear, was a safe and appropriate hunting ground for someone like Kang Juyeon.

Do Jae-hyun's leading role and Kang Juyeon and Moon Ga-eun's solid dealing.

This combination, which is both orthodox and concise, was a great help to Kang Juyeon, who had already done quite a bit of party strategies.

Practical experience is always good combat experience for a Holder.

'But...'

After adding a party member.

As they entered the middle section, B-rank monsters suddenly appeared.

Toxin Iguana.

A lizard-type monster that spews intense poison based on its high speed.

Frankly, a couple of B-rank monsters wouldn't be a problem.

After all, a B-rank monster like the Sizzling Salamander was taken down with a single attack from Kang Juyeon and Moon Ga-eun recently.

However, this is a dungeon, and the monsters inside can move in groups.

When powerful monsters move in groups, it always creates variables.

And in battle, variables are

a dangerous concept that can lead to a Holder's death in an instant.

'...I was too complacent.'

Kang Juyeon looked at the mana gathering at her fingertips.

[Mana Control] derivative skill, [Mana Shield].

The main defensive skill of high-level Mage-type Holders.

When the Toxin Iguana launched its ultimate poison attack,

Kang Juyeon tried to block it with [Mana Shield].

However, the defensive skill created belatedly and carelessly performs much worse.

An incomplete [Mana Shield] would have been torn apart, allowing the poison to reach Kang Juyeon.

...If it weren't for the man who blocked it in front of her.

Do Jae-hyun.

"......"

Kang Juyeon silently looked at Do Jae-hyun.

He was sitting in a corner of the dungeon,

treating his body with health potions and antidotes.

"Hey, tell me how you did it. How did you jump forward so quickly in that situation?"

"Of course, there's a way, man."

"Are you going to keep it a secret?"

"Well, how did you get so strong in just a week?"

"What? I can't tell you that."

"You're such a hypocrite."

Do Jae-hyun was exchanging meaningless words with Park Jin-woo as usual.

As if the recent battle was nothing.

He had been like that from the start.

He didn't get carried away by victory and didn't lose his calm.

He was always composed and unaffected by variables.

That's why he remained in Kang Juyeon's memory.

'I need to... say something.'

Something...

like being sorry or grateful.

She needed to say it, but it passed too quickly, and she didn't get to say anything.

Kang Juyeon was bothered by this.

She briefly turned her gaze to look around Do Jae-hyun.

Moon Ga-eun was laughing at the men's banter, listening to their conversation, and Kim Chae-eun was...

...like a nurse.

Sitting next to Do Jae-hyun, wiping his sweat.

"......?"

Why is she doing that?

Kang Juyeon couldn't understand.

...It's annoying.

It's hard to explain, but something was annoying.

Last time with the thank you, and this time with the dungeon strategy.

Kim Chae-eun had a knack for annoying Kang Juyeon.

'......'

Although she is usually quiet, it wasn't obvious.

Somehow, somehow.

It felt like there was one more thing that kept bothering her.

* * *

Our party's hunting efficiency improved over time.

The Toxin Iguanas, which had tormented us in the first hunt.

We became more adept at hunting them as we continued.

"Park Jin-woo!"

"Ooh!"

When I gave the signal, Park Jin-woo rushed forward.

I quickly followed behind him, providing close-range attacks as if covering him.

This is the hunting method we came up with.

Toxin Iguanas are small and fast monsters.

Therefore, if we tried to hunt them separately like we did with the Lizardmen, we would be picked off one by one, and the danger would reach the dealers.

'So, let's fight in a line.'

That's why we decided on a linear formation.

Park Jin-woo takes the front line, tanking the monsters, and I quickly handle the Toxin Iguanas that follow.

It's a hunting method that requires high speed and reaction time, but with my speed of 30 and the [Agile Movement] skill, it was possible.

[You have won the duel! By the mysterious power of the Rune Hunter, you can duplicate one of the opponent's runes. Since the opponent only has one rune, it will be duplicated.]

[You have obtained a new rune.]

[The rune grants 1 Durability.]

[The poison becomes more concentrated over time. Your understanding of poison increases.]

[The rune level has increased.]

[The rune grants 1 Poison Resistance.]

Thanks to this, there was no break in my growth.

The [Deadly Poison] rune, which grows excitedly when encountering poison-related monsters.

The rune level is already at 4, and the poison resistance is at 7.

At this point, even a direct hit from the Toxin Iguana's poison doesn't cause much pain.

Not only that.

I finally obtained the [Sturdy Teeth] rune.

[Sturdy Teeth] is a rare rune that enhances the teeth, providing strong support when biting and tearing.

It has a special effect that halves the target's durability and deals damage.

That's why my [Toughen] skill was initially penetrated.

'Honestly, I don't really need it...'

As a human, I rarely use my teeth.

My main weapons are swords and daggers.

Unless I make [Fighting] my main rune, it's difficult for me to develop [Sturdy Teeth].

However, it's always good to have runes.

They immediately assist in ability scores, and like [Brute Strength], you never know when they might be useful in certain situations.

Moreover, for me, who has the lowest durability among my main ability scores, a rune that assists in durability is valuable.

Thanks to the level 3 [Sturdy Teeth], I have already gained 3 points in durability.

As a result, my strength and speed are over 30, and my durability is over 20.

This level of ability and rune level would classify me as an upper-class C-rank Holder in the academy.

"Seems like we've got them all?"

"Check carefully. Don't get sloppy like last time and get me hurt."

"Ah, really. It was Moon Ga-eun's mistake, you know?"

Park Jin-woo thumped his chest, looking indignant.

I chuckled and looked at Moon Ga-eun.

"Any more?"

"Just a moment."

She used [Dolphin's Sonar] again.

Moon Ga-eun closed her eyes and placed her hand on the ground.

From her calm expression,

it felt like there were no more monsters.

"Two Sizzling Salamanders? But they're too far away. We'd have to go back to get them."

As expected.

Sizzling Salamanders are monsters that appear in the underground dungeon.

One of the monsters that lived here broke through the [Mana Barrier] due to some mana phenomenon and appeared inside the academy.

Toxin Iguanas and Sizzling Salamanders.

Two B-rank monsters known for their strength among lizards...

were the main monsters in the middle section of this underground dungeon.

We dealt with these challenging monsters and finally reached the end of the middle section.

The next and final stage is likely to be the boss room.

It's highly probable that it's the room where the dungeon's master resides.

"Going back is a bit much."

"Yeah. It would take too much time. Even if we catch two more here, it wouldn't be worth it."

"Kang Juyeon, what do you think?"

I turned my head to look at Kang Juyeon.

Although I am the de facto leader who has led this party, Kang Juyeon is the strongest Holder among our party members.

Before entering the final boss room,

I wanted to hear her opinion as a B-rank Holder.

However, Kang Juyeon slightly bowed her head and

spoke in a small voice.

"...Do as you please."

Why is she doing this, so fearfully.

Kang Juyeon, who is usually so straightforward,

is even giving an 'answer'...

I scratched my head and looked around the party members.

If Kang Juyeon is okay with it, the rest seem to be following my opinion.

"Then, let's assume everyone is ready and go in?"

"Yeah!"

"Let's go...!!"

The final part of the academy's underground dungeon.

The boss room, known as the highlight of dungeon strategies.

The moment we finally enter the unknown space that has never appeared in the original story.

[You have entered the boss room.]

[The destructive aura of the Grizzly Drake is lingering. The Holder's speed and strength are reduced.]

And in the boss room,

we met the ultimate boss of this tiresome lizard lair.