Chapter 97

EP.97 Stained Rock Pile (9)

After confirming all the information and returning, I couldn't see Yoo Eun-sul, only Kim Chae-eun was in her seat.

Kim Chae-eun tilted her head and asked me, "What took you so long?"

"Sorry. I also briefly checked the holder information. Where is Yoo Eun-sul holder?"

"She said she's going to do a bit of reconnaissance. She woke up when you, Jae-hyun, went."

Just as she said, Yoo Eun-sul returned soon.

She was standing at the path beyond the hill.

We moved our bodies and hurriedly approached her.

"I'm sorry for being late."

"No, it's fine. More importantly, I did a bit of reconnaissance..."

Yoo Eun-sul pointed to the rock mountain on the right.

"It seems the boss room is over there."

Wow.

I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Indeed, an S-rank holder who mainly does solo play is different.

The direction Yoo Eun-sul pointed to was exactly the boss room.

The rock mountain on the right from the highest hill in the middle.

That was the direction of the boss room in the Stained Rock Pile.

She's an assassin type, so she doesn't have exploration runes, yet it's amazing how she figured this out in such a short time.

Could she have gone there herself?

I nodded and asked, "Shall we start then?"

"Yes."

The journey to the boss room was comfortable.

The same battle formation as before continued.

After the Gray Wolf and Black Wolf, another B-rank monster, the 'Silver Wolf,' appeared, but for our party with Yoo Eun-sul as the main dealer, there was no element of danger at all.

Of course, I was a bit restless, taking the tanking role at the front.

'I want to check the new rune I got.'

[Barbarian King's Descendant].

I wanted to quickly understand the power of the new legendary rune.

I was curious about the 'Beast's Law' effect, which enhances abilities when fighting multiple enemies, and the power of the [Berserk] skill, whose penalty has almost disappeared.

But now, it's not solo play but party hunting.

With Yoo Eun-sul's watchful eye, it was also difficult to fully utilize the rune's power.

I guess I'll have to postpone checking the new rune for a while.

"It's the boss room."

Standing on the hill of the rock mountain we climbed again.

Yoo Eun-sul said softly.

Right below the hill of the rock mountain.

A specific area was sunken, forming a space like a crater.

And in the center.

Grrr-!!

Auu-!!

The boss of the Stained Rock Pile, 'Barg,' was there.

He, like 'Athena' at the entrance, had a giant form larger than a regular wolf and a dazzling golden mane.

He possessed all the characteristics of the wolf monsters we've encountered so far.

The fangs protruding from his mouth, the sturdy wolf hide, and the claws poised to tear apart prey.

Just by looking at his appearance...

He had a wild look that could be considered a lion-type monster.

That's not all.

When Barg's loud howl shook the entire rock mountain, I felt my body stiffen slightly.

'Abnormal status!'

It's similar to the [Intimidation] [Declaration of War] used by the Grizzly Drake before.

My body hesitated with just one howl.

It was an abnormal status effect, likely 'Fear' or 'Stiffness.'

"Is everyone okay?"

Perhaps her mental stats are high.

Or maybe she has a special rune.

Yoo Eun-sul, seemingly unaffected by the abnormal status, moved lightly and checked on us.

"I'm fine."

Fortunately, I had no major issues.

This was thanks to the special effect of [Cold-Blooded Concentration].

[Cold-Blooded Concentration] is a rare rune I obtained from Min Chae-hwan, a spy in the 5th hunting team.

It not only assists in making ranged attacks more accurate but also helps quickly recover from abnormal statuses, a mental-type rune.

While not completely immune, I was only slightly stiff for a moment, and the abnormal status quickly dissipated, allowing me to move.

"Ugh…."

But it seems Kim Chae-eun was slightly overwhelmed by the abnormal status.

Even as the wolf monsters, including Barg, started charging, she couldn't move or use her mana.

Yoo Eun-sul, looking at her, turned to me.

"Can you, Do Jae-hyun holder, take over the guard? I'll be back soon."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

Auuu-!!

The battle begins.

A-rank monster Barg and a few wolf monsters protecting him charged.

Yoo Eun-sul, demonstrating the footwork skills she showed before, quickly reached Barg.

Her movement was to eliminate the most challenging boss first.

Seeing this, I also raised [Penitent's Sword].

My task was to guard Kim Chae-eun and tank.

While raising a shield would be more efficient for guarding, six wolf monsters were charging at us.

It was difficult to block the attacks from all directions, so perhaps attacking the monsters with my sword might be a better defense.

Auuu-!!

Three Silver Wolves charged first.

Of the six, three were Silver Wolves.

Two were Black Wolves, and one was a Gray Wolf.

Each type of wolf monster has distinct characteristics.

All three have high physical stats, but the Gray Wolf focuses on durability, the Black Wolf on strength, and the Silver Wolf on speed.

Thus, the first to charge at us were the three Silver Wolves, the fastest.

'There's no time to use mana attacks...'

The innate skill [Divine Slash].

Or other mana attacks; there wasn't enough time.

The best option now was physical attacks.

While they wouldn't deal significant damage, physical attacks were needed to control the monsters' movements.

I used the techniques of [Flowing Water Sword Technique] to slash the wolves.

Swish-

Swish- Swish- Swish-!

Auu…?!

But something strange happened.

The initial purpose of raising my sword was for defense.

Since I couldn't block the wolves charging from all directions with a shield, I planned to strike first and then calmly wait for Yoo Eun-sul's support.

I didn't think I could hunt all the wolves with physical attacks.

'What is this?'

But it worked well.

Too well.

To deal damage to a B-rank monster, I usually need 'mana attacks.'

With my current C-rank top-tier stats, physical attacks were insufficient, so physical attacks during B-rank monster hunts were mainly for defense or counter-tanking.

Physical attacks that usually require several strikes to deal damage.

Suddenly, they worked too well.

The three Silver Wolves, after being hit once by my [Flowing Water Sword Technique], fell to the ground with pitiful howls.

'This time, with the [Crashing Wave Sword Technique]...'

I didn't miss the opportunity.

I used the techniques of [Crashing Wave Sword Technique] to deliver additional thrusts to the fallen Silver Wolves.

The same effect.

Physical attacks were highly effective.

The Silver Wolves couldn't withstand my sword strikes and died instantly.

Three more wolves of different types remained.

I moved towards them like a machine.

'My body feels so light.'

It's a strange feeling.

The speed of my movements and sword swings.

The force when thrusting into the wolves.

Everything feels light and overflowing.

My attacks relentlessly pushed the remaining wolves.

With [Chain Strike], I simultaneously slashed two Black Wolves and delivered a powerful thrust to the Gray Wolf with a bit of mana.

Auu?

'Lucky.'

The heavens are helping.

The [Stiffening Eye] that put the Red Drake into a 'stiffness' state before activated again.

The Gray Wolf, now stiff, had to endure my attack.

I thrust with all my might into its abdomen.

"Huff…."

With the most durable monster eliminated, the rest was easier.

Now, I had the leisure to use mana attacks.

I easily raised [Penetrating Aura] on my sword and finished off the two Black Wolves I had slashed earlier.

The battle ended there.

'How many seconds did it take?'

Roughly, it was within 10 seconds.

I took the tanking role to guard Kim Chae-eun, who was affected by the abnormal status, but ended up hunting all the monsters.

After the short battle ended.

Seeing my body return to normal...

I finally realized.

'It's the rune's special effect!'

[Barbarian King's Descendant].

One of its special effects, 'Beast's Law.'

When facing three or more enemies alone, it grants additional stats in strength, speed, and durability.

I didn't notice this effect in previous battles because I was tanking and Yoo Eun-sul was dealing damage. But when I directly used a weapon and focused on physical attacks, I could feel the effect.

'It's not over yet.'

The ability boost from [Barbarian King's Descendant] is 15%.

My strength, speed, and durability are 45, 44, and 40, respectively...

So, roughly 6 stats are boosted.

All three stats are close to 50.

And in that case...

The ability boost from [Intimidation] is applied again.

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Intimidation

...

...

◎Special Effect

: When fighting an opponent with lower stats, receive a 15% (Lv.3) boost in those stats.

...

...

[Intimidation] assists in battles against opponents with lower stats.

With the rune at level 3, the boost is 15%.

Thanks to [Barbarian King's Descendant], my stats temporarily surpassed those of the wolf monsters.

Thus, [Intimidation] activated, providing another boost of nearly 7 stats.

'...It's almost a bug.'

The three main stats, now 13-15 points higher than before.

Naturally, my body felt light, and physical attacks worked well.

'The synergy effect is incredible.'

I predicted that the 'Beast's Law' special effect would be good.

Since my main hunting style is solo play, and the boosted stats are the physical stats I use.

But I didn't expect the synergy with [Intimidation].

After receiving a boost from [Barbarian King's Descendant], my stats were ahead, triggering another boost from [Intimidation].

For me, it was an amazing synergy effect, and for the opposing monsters, a terrifyingly unfair effect.

"Do Jae-hyun holder? How did this happen...?"

Thanks to this, I quickly eliminated 'Barg,' and Yoo Eun-sul, who returned, looked at me with a surprised face.

She had intended to eliminate the most dangerous boss monster and provide support, but the hunt was already over.

A warrior who introduced himself as a C-rank holder hunting six B-rank monsters alone without support.

It must have been an unbelievable sight even to see it directly.

"Ah, hahaha…."

I scratched my head and looked at her.

I'm disappointed that I couldn't even touch Barg.

Should I have just driven the bus...?