Chapter 48

EP.48 Swall Leviathan (2)

Generally, the rank of a monster is proportional to the rank of the holder.

A D-rank holder can hunt D-rank monsters without much trouble, and a C-rank holder can easily take down C-rank monsters.

However, this is only true in general.

"B-rank monsters are a different story."

This was what the professor of "The History and Information of Monsters" said.

Just as there is a significant difference between C-rank and B-rank holders, B-rank monsters also have a different scale of strength.

The inherent destructive power and durability of monsters sharply increase, and situations arise where physical attacks alone cannot deal damage.

Even B-rank holders, if they are not main damage dealers, might find it difficult to hunt B-rank monsters.

"That's why party play was introduced."

Two tanks, two damage dealers, and one support.

This is the standard five-member party in the holder community.

When they combine their strengths, they can hunt monsters that are stronger than themselves.

A C-rank holder in the warrior class can tank the attacks of a B-rank monster, and a C-rank holder in the mage class can penetrate the durability of a B-rank monster and deal damage.

This is a rather revolutionary concept.

It's a theory that changed the previous methods.

After party play became the norm for hunting, most holders focused on developing their abilities for their specific roles.

Tanks focused more on tanking, and damage dealers concentrated on dealing damage.

As a result, it was not uncommon for C-rank holders who specialized in tanking to withstand the attacks of A-rank monsters.

"Professor, what about A-rank holders? What kind of party do they join?"

"A-rank holders also join B-rank holder parties. B-rank parties hunting A-rank monsters. If these monsters encounter special situations or appear as bosses, B-rank holders often cannot hunt them, so A-rank holders take on a leadership role in the party."

In other words, when it comes to hunting monsters,

there is no need to strictly divide holders by rank to form parties.

A-rank holders can easily join B-rank holder parties, and B-rank holders can participate in C-rank holder parties as leaders.

It's all about efficiency.

In the first place, there are almost no small 5-member parties when A-rank holders are involved.

Mostly, they are large-scale parties of 8 or more, often centered around clans.

The higher the rank of the monster, the more powerful and numerous the holders needed for hunting.

"But the standards change again with S-rank monsters."

However, the professor of "The History and Information of Monsters" said that

things are completely different with S-rank monsters.

S-rank monsters are...

not something that can be taken down by just five A-rank holders.

* * *

"Wh-What the hell! I thought it only existed in the sea?"

"One hit from that monster and you're dead, I bet..."

Shaking the ground like a massive earthquake,

the Swall Leviathan emerged from the sea onto land.

Holders trembled with fear at the immense impact of the S-rank monster.

It was indeed an awe-inspiring presence.

However, most of these holders had a common trait.

'I'm not the only newbie, then.'

They all seemed to have just reached C-rank, like me.

They looked like newbies participating in such a disaster monster hunt for the first time.

And as if to confirm this,

holders in heavy equipment appeared from behind, bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha! There are so many newbies again this time."

"Warrior class, if you don't want to die, get to the front quickly!"

"Man. Why do they participate in such a useless temporary attack squad?"

These holders, boasting their experience,

seemed to be B-rank holders in the warrior class.

-ROAR!!

There was little time for idle chatter with an S-rank monster in front of them.

The Swall Leviathan roared so loudly it seemed to tear the sky and swung its tail.

Given its enormous size,

just swinging its tail was a massive threat.

"All warrior class, raise your shields and move forward!"

This time, holders with equipment that glowed with high quality appeared.

Exactly five of them.

And they exuded overwhelming magical power.

They were A-rank holders who took command of the attack squad.

"Tch. It's that guy again."

"Doesn't he get tired? Every time a disaster monster appears."

"Man, I envy the mages. I wish I had a commander like Seo-yeong."

The B-rank warrior class holders grumbled.

Since a holder's rank does not necessarily reflect their experience, they seemed to be dissatisfied with the A-rank holders who were in command.

I don't know who Seo-yeong is, but...

she is probably an A-rank holder in the mage class.

However, despite their complaints,

there were no issues with the execution of the mission.

They moved with the fastest and most precise actions, raising their shields and facing the Swall Leviathan head-on.

It was as if they had done this many times before.

Their movements were accurate and efficient.

BOOM!!

The Swall Leviathan's tail, which had been hovering in the air, struck the ground.

About ten B-rank holders completely blocked the attack.

Then, they immediately stabbed the tail with the swords in their other hands.

Despite the tail's extreme durability, which left no marks on the monster's skin, the B-rank holders continued their tasks without hesitation.

It was a fierce defense and counterattack, utilizing their individual runes and skills.

"Don't dawdle, raise your shields!"

"C-rank holders, don't bother with swords, just raise your shields! You don't want to die in one hit."

"5th squad, all gather here!"

The playful attitude from earlier was gone.

The B-rank holders, following the commands of the A-rank holders, took on their roles as intermediaries.

They barked orders to control the new C-rank holders.

Now I understood why the B-rank holders had been showing off earlier.

Despite their pretentious appearance, they were experienced.

They performed their roles in the attack squad more quickly and accurately than the C-rank holders.

If they had failed to defend against that attack,

the Swall Leviathan's tail would have directly hit the damage dealers in the attack squad.

'The division of roles... is clear.'

As befitting a large-scale and numerous attack squad, the division of roles was sharp.

The five A-rank holders took command and launched large-scale attacks.

The twenty B-rank holders were the core of the attack squad, handling comprehensive attacks and defenses.

Finally, the fifty C-rank holders provided support.

C-rank holders, who were relatively lacking in stats and runes, had limited roles.

At best, they could assist when the damage dealers were dealing damage?

That's why most of the C-rank holders were in the mage or archer classes.

The C-rank holders in the warrior class were just me and a dozen others.

"What are you doing! Raise your shield!"

"Yes, sir!"

A B-rank holder's stern command to me, who had been momentarily dazed.

I quickly pulled out the [Hobgoblin's Bronze Shield] from my magic bag.

Now was not the time to use [Daggers] or [Swords].

I had to endure with the low-level [Shield].

-ROAR!!

The Swall Leviathan attacked again.

This time, it was not its tail but its hand.

The creature, lacking legs,

was moving on land using its fins and hands.

"1st and 2nd squads, block it!"

"Damn. When will the damage dealers provide support?"

Arrows from the archer class were steadily flying.

However, the most crucial damage in such a large-scale hunt was the magical attacks from the mage class.

Their powerful magic skills were needed.

Following the instructions of the higher-ranking holders, I used the [Hobgoblin's Bronze Shield] to block the Swall Leviathan's attack.

Blocking the physical attacks of an S-rank monster

was not an easy task, but with the combined efforts of many holders, the impact could be distributed.

[You have successfully defended beyond your limits! Your shield begins to etch the hardness of a rock.]

[Your rune level has increased.]

[You gain 1 durability from the rune's attribute.]

[You have acquired the derived skill 'Iron Defense' from the Shield Rune.]

Moreover, the rune grew rapidly just by blocking.

The intense practical experience and the appropriate use of runes.

The [Shield] growing was only a matter of time.

The rune level was already at 5.

I gained 1 durability and the derived skill 'Iron Defense'.

1-hour cooldown.

A skill that can block twice the power of what the [Shield] can normally block.

Considering the long cooldown,

it seemed I should only use it in desperate situations during this battle.

"All attack squad members, temporarily retreat! Magic attacks are coming!"

"Lower your shields and lie down!"

After blocking two attacks, the mages were ready.

A massive amount of magical power and intense electrical currents could be felt in the surroundings.

Lightning magic.

The most effective magic against the sea monster, the Swall Leviathan, was being prepared.

'They've thought of everything.'

The mage class holders preparing to cast magic.

Most of them were preparing lightning magic.

The compatibility between monsters and holders.

The association must have considered these factors when forming the attack squad.

ZAP-

BOOM! BOOM!!

Intense lightning magic struck the Swall Leviathan.

It seemed like there were only lightning mages, as [Freezing] and [Wind] magic also joined the attack.

A large-scale magic attack that felt powerful just by looking at it.

-ROAR...

Not many could survive such an attack.

The creature, which had been causing chaos, seemed to shrink momentarily.

It was a powerful blow.

The strength of the magic, which took advantage of the monster's weakness, made even the massive S-rank monster hesitate.

-ROAR, ROAR!!

But the advantage did not last long.

The creature seemed to have absorbed the attacks.

It soon stretched its body, which had been crouched,

and let out a loud roar that made my head ring.

"It's not even fazed. It's an S-rank, after all."

"It's incredibly tough."

"Wait. What's that?"

It was not over yet.

Something vortex-like began to emerge from the Swall Leviathan's open mouth.

The command holders, who recognized it immediately, shouted.

"Everyone, get out of the way! It's a water magic attack!"

"Run for your lives! You'll really die if you get hit by that!"

The front-line warrior class holders quickly retreated.

While the creature's physical attacks could be blocked with shields, few holders could block magic attacks that used magical power.

I also hid behind nearby structures to avoid the attack.

WHOOSH!!

RUMBLE!! RUMBLE!!

A massive vortex.

And a flood of water on the scale of a tsunami poured out.

Holders who had hastily retreated,

and those who could not escape,

were all caught in the massive water magic.

"Unbelievable..."

I could only stare in shock.

Even though I saw it with my own eyes,

it was a scene that was hard to believe.

It did not draw water from the sea.

It spewed out this much water from its own body.

"Using water magic of this level in a place without water...?"

For a moment, I felt doubtful.

Damn...

Can we even take this thing down?