Chapter 69

EP.69 The Forest Covered in Snakes (3)

What methods do Warrior-type Holders have to deal with magical attacks?

The most basic and straightforward method is to increase the special stat known as 'Resistance.'

The resistance stats I possess are Poison, Water, and Fire.

Among these, Poison is not a result of mana manifestation, so it's not relevant here, but Water Resistance and Fire Resistance are indeed effective against the corresponding elemental magical attacks.

'My Fire Resistance is currently at 8...’

Unlike basic stats, a value of 8 in special stats is quite high.

Even a decent D-rank Holder's fire magic would have no effect at all.

However, to increase resistance stats, special methods are required.

One can obtain runes related to the element, be born with a talent for it, or...

If not, one can manifest it through special items.

It's not easy for ordinary Warrior-type Holders to acquire such special stats.

Moreover, even I, who have a lot of resistance stats, don't have 'Lightning Resistance.'

'The second method is to use a shield.'

If the [Shield] level is high and the equipment quality is good, a Holder's defensive skills can block magical attacks.

Most Warrior-type Holders who claim to be tanks use shields, which is why they prefer sword-and-shield warriors.

However, Kwon Oh-jun and Shin Yu-na don't use shields.

Kwon Oh-jun is an offensive Warrior-type who uses a spear as his main weapon, and Shin Yu-na is an evasive Warrior-type who uses speed.

Kwon Oh-jun, with his extensive experience and A-rank status, is fine, but Shin Yu-na, who is weak against magical attacks, could be in danger.

"Pull yourself together, Shin Yu-na! Joon Jae-hyun and I will take the front, so you focus on evading and luring them!"

"Y-Yes!"

Fortunately, Kwon Oh-jun immediately noticed Shin Yu-na's unease.

He gave instructions and signaled the start of the battle, and I also gripped my shield tightly and quickly moved forward.

Swish—

Roar—!!

A total of six Electroforuses.

They charged at us, cutting through the water at high speed.

Their speed is quite high, but it's manageable.

My prepared shield blocked one of their body slams.

I didn't hold back and used the [Iron Wall Defense] skill as a precaution.

Clang—!!

Zap, Zap, Zap!

"Oof…!!"

The monster isn't particularly strong in physical strength, so the impact itself is weak.

But it's a monster that uses lightning-based magical attacks.

The moment we collided, a large amount of electricity from its body flowed through the shield.

‘Ouch, it stings.’

I was suddenly alert.

Even with the defensive skill [Iron Wall Defense], it still hurt this much.

Thanks to the mana I had stored in the [Hobgoblin's Bronze Shield], I managed to avoid being electrocuted and knocked out.

Roar—!!

There was no time to rest.

I blocked one monster's attack with my shield, but another was already targeting my exposed side.

Dividing the six monsters equally, each Warrior-type would have to handle two.

I had to deal with at least two monsters.

‘I can’t block with my sword.’

I was able to block the first monster's attack because the [Hobgoblin's Bronze Shield] is a rare shield that can block magical attacks.

It was too late to turn the shield to block again.

Using a sword would increase the risk of being electrocuted by the lightning-based magical attack.

Completely defenseless against another monster's attack.

In this critical situation, I had only one option.

"Stop!"

Ah, embarrassing.

In my haste, I inadvertently used such a word.

But it was effective.

The Electroforus that was charging from the right suddenly stopped, as if it had been electrocuted.

…It didn't stop because I said "stop."

It was the effect of the [Intimidation] rune's derivative skill, [Declaration of War].

‘It still doesn’t work on multiple targets.’

The current [Intimidation] rune is at level 2.

That's why the range of [Declaration of War] isn't very wide.

It didn't affect the monsters on Shin Yu-na and Kwon Oh-jun's side, only the two monsters I was handling were momentarily paralyzed by 'fear.'

And I had no intention of leaving them be.

‘Weapon Switching Technique!’

Using the Weapon Switching Technique, I put the shield in my bag and switched to a two-handed sword.

Then I immediately charged at the Electroforus on the right.

Swish—!

Roar—!!

The sword movements using [Flowing Water Sword Technique] and [Continuous Strikes].

Immediately followed by the unique thrusting technique of [Wave Sword Technique].

The [Flickering Flame] skill, which has reached level 7, is an added bonus.

The more offensive a monster is, the weaker its defense.

This is a kind of rule in monster hunting.

The Electroforus, with its low durability, easily succumbed to my sword strikes, which were enhanced by various runes.

It writhed in pain from the severe injuries.

"Ugh…!"

Of course, I wasn't unscathed either.

The monster itself has an enormous amount of bioelectricity.

Even without using lightning-based magical attacks, it emits a vast amount of electricity.

As a result, the electricity flowed through the sword I had thrust into it and into me.

‘It might be a bit dangerous.’

I almost put the right monster in a near-death state.

In contrast, the left one had recovered from its fear and was charging again.

I briefly crouched on the ground.

Immediately using the Weapon Switching Technique to raise my shield.

Ready to defend at any moment.

I couldn't use [Iron Wall Defense] anymore, but the shield wasn't broken, so I could still tank effectively.

"Huh…?"

But the expected danger didn't materialize.

To be precise, the danger was completely averted.

Swish— Zzzt—

Roar—!!

A man appeared in front of me at a fierce speed.

Almost like a teleport.

His movement seemed to have reached the extreme in speed stats and footwork rune proficiency.

It was the party's Assassin-type, Choi Dong-wook.

He held a short sword in each hand.

Without hesitation, he charged at the Electroforus.

Stepping on its head and slashing once.

Then leaping into the air, spinning once, and landing with his body.

There, he swung his short swords like steps, slicing the monster.

Decapitation.

The term 'decapitation' perfectly describes Choi Dong-wook's short sword technique, which was both flashy and fast.

I watched the scene in amazement.

‘Wow… That’s how it’s done.’

Due to not receiving proper short sword training at the academy, I had only used [Short Sword] for throwing.

Choi Dong-wook, on the other hand, used two slightly longer short swords like extensions of his own limbs, freely slicing the monster's body.

I don't know what runes or skills he used, but he clearly demonstrated the advantages and coolness of the 'Assassin' class.

If I get the chance,

I would like to learn short sword techniques from him properly.

Whoosh— Boom—!!

Boom—!!

It didn't end there.

This time, magic flew and covered the monsters.

One was fire-based, the other wind-based.

The attack magic of the prepared Kang Joo-yeon and Kim Sung-chul.

The Electroforus in front of me, which was in a near-death state, met its end, and the monsters handled by other team members were in similar situations.

"…"

I scratched my head and silently took in the scene.

It was really instantaneous.

The battle ended in an instant everywhere.

Shin Yu-na, who had to handle two monsters alone, looked quite strained, but with the support of the archer Min Chae-hwan and the magic users, she managed to complete the hunt.

There was no need to mention Kwon Oh-jun.

He handled two Electroforuses alone.

His Bruiser ability, which uses a spear, had reached the extreme, and only the two corpses and a pool of blood remained around him.

‘…This is why they are the top three clans.’

<Fire's Judgment>.

Together with <Royal> and <Molten Sword Path>, one of the three major clans in the country.

They demonstrated that they are not called the best clans for nothing, ending the battle with incredible power in an instant.

30 seconds? 40 seconds?

It probably took about that much time.

Compared to when Shin Yu-na and I fought together in the Inwangsan field, it was embarrassing.

"Battle ended. Good work, everyone."

Kwon Oh-jun briefly concluded.

Then he looked at Shin Yu-na, who was in a panic.

"Shin Yu-na. Are you okay?"

"…Y-Yes, I'm fine…."

Shin Yu-na managed to answer with a strained voice.

She managed to answer, but it was clear she wasn't fine.

It was understandable.

She is not a Holder who uses a shield like me, nor does she have the overwhelming power to handle two monsters alone like Kwon Oh-jun.

An evasive tanking Warrior-type.

Certainly a Holder with attractive abilities, but in front of a monster that uses magical attacks, like just now, it becomes awkward.

As a result, Min Chae-hwan, Kang Joo-yeon, and Kim Sung-chul, the three support roles, were assigned to Shin Yu-na's monsters.

Shin Yu-na was aware of this and probably felt like a burden to the team.

"Hmm— The new recruit looks quite exhausted—"

"Ah, Holder Lee Soo-mi."

As usual, Lee Soo-mi approached.

Then she lightly touched me, channeling divine power.

This time, the light was purple, not light green.

"Intern, you were electrocuted earlier, right? I'll use [Rest] on you."

[Rest] is a skill focused on stabilization among the various buffs of the divine class.

It was the most needed treatment for me, who had been electrocuted by the monster earlier.

I was about to thank her, but I frowned at her hand, which was sneaking into my chest area again.

This woman is a repeat offender.

"Um, I'm grateful, but… don't go too far inside…"

"Oh— It's a mistake, a mistake."

Lee Soo-mi said with a sly smile.

Then she naturally moved her hand to my shoulder.

And she brought up the topic she had mentioned earlier.

"Please comfort the new recruit a lot later. She seems quite discouraged from this battle."

Surprising.

I didn't know she could say such things.

Indeed, one shouldn't judge a person by their appearance, attire, tone, and actions.

I nodded and replied.

"It's a learning process. I think Shin Yu-na will do better the more she fights."

"Heh— For someone who is still learning, you fought really well, Intern? You almost took down one of the two monsters, didn't you?"

"…It was just luck."

Actually, it wasn't luck.

I fought well, and it was smoother than expected.

The Electroforus is a monster with strong attacks but weak defenses.

Therefore, it unleashes a powerful attack before being attacked.

For a Holder focused on offense, it's easy to be hit by the magical attack.

However, I had many runes that could handle both defense and offense, making it easier.

The combination of my well-balanced runes was perfect for hunting this monster.

[Declaration of War], which instills fear for about 3 seconds, is also an incredibly powerful skill.

I think I could have taken down both monsters even without the party's support.

My stats are still far from B-rank, but…

My rune proficiency feels like it has reached the threshold of B-rank.

[The flowing water and the turbulent waves. Your understanding of the two contrasting properties deepens.]

[The level of the 'Wave Sword Technique' rune has increased.]

[The level of the 'Flowing Water Sword Technique' rune has increased.]

[You have won the duel! Your high contribution in the duel is recognized as a victory. By the mysterious power of the Rune Hunter, you can replicate one of the opponent's runes. Please choose the rune to replicate.]

And as if to reinforce this.

The reward for my monster hunting, unique to me, was approaching.