Chapter 99

00099 Suhyun's Madness

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“Haaaaa….”

The moment the creature opened its mouth, a chilling aura spread throughout its body. However, I did not stop my running. All the monsters we've encountered on this floor so far have been mere imitations. Even if the Knight of Lost Souls had some trick up its sleeve, I could remain calm because there is a difference between the real and the fake. Ah, except for Giga.

The creature, sensing my intense aura, firmly raised its shield and swung its sword. Once again, a blue sword aura rose, and the chilling energy it emitted flew towards me. However, such a simple attack would never work on me.

Swish! Rustle….

Using the power of the Sword Specialist, I cut the sword aura in one go, and I could see the light inside the helmet burning more fiercely.

The creature and I clashed head-on. I intended to simply break through its shield, but then I noticed a black energy seeping into the creature's shield, causing me to frown.

At that moment, I heard Jung Hyeon casting a spell from behind.

“───. Ice Cannon (Ice Canon)!”

Ice Cannon is a high-level water spell. It seemed she cast it to break the shield before I could. Soon, a long ice tunnel formed and struck the creature's shield directly. And then—

Crack! Crack!

“Ah…?”

The black energy from the Knight of Lost Souls' shield and Jung Hyeun's Ice Cannon clashed, creating sparks. However, after a brief struggle, the Ice Cannon was absorbed into the shield. The Knight of Lost Souls' shield had absorbed Jung Hyeun's magic.

Those researchers really do some strange things. Jung Hyeun's voice, filled with doubt, reached my ears, but I kicked my foot powerfully. No matter what trick the creature had, I just needed to get rid of the shield.

Crack!

This time, I put in a lot of genuine effort, and the Knight of Lost Souls could not withstand my strength, dropping its shield. Though the creature had no expression, I could sense its confusion. Then, the shield, now floating in the air, fired an Ice Cannon at the ceiling. I smiled in satisfaction. It was trying to send it back to me. Out of annoyance, I filled my sword with mana and struck the creature's chest forcefully.

“Haaaaa…!”

The creature's chest armor caved in, and it was pushed back. Seizing this opportunity, Yoo-jung thrust her head forward and pursued the retreating Knight of Lost Souls.

“Haaat!”

Tch. This time, she didn't let out a strange battle cry. Anyway, the Knight of Lost Souls, pushed back, hit the wall hard. With the shield gone, the creature's guard was partially open, so Yoo-jung immediately swung her daggers. It was the drumbeat dagger technique she had shown before.

“Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!”

It was hard to tell if she was laughing or letting out a battle cry, but Yoo-jung swung her daggers like a storm. Honestly, unlike An-hyun, who would take a stance and stab deeply, her wild swings were effective against an already disarmed enemy.

After confirming the creature's condition, I sheathed my sword and turned around. The others, who had been watching us, all turned their wide eyes to me. Even Vivian, who was casting another spell, tilted her head.

“Hey, bro.”

“What.”

“That… No… The monster is still….”

“Hm? I thought it was over.”

After muttering casually and turning my head, I saw the Knight of Lost Souls collapse with a mournful scream. I had destroyed the core that made up its insides and dealt a significant internal shock.

I shrugged and turned my head again, and the others looked at me and Yoo-jung with disbelief. It was inevitable. If we were to speed up the exploration, we had to sacrifice the process of building the kids' experience.

“Yay! I took it down! Did you see that, An-hyun?”

Yoo-jung, looking a bit happier, cheered and jumped around. Jung Hyeun sighed, and Shin Sang-yong followed suit. However, they didn't show any other reaction, as if they had agreed on something. But not An-hyun.

“This is ridiculous!”

“Huh?”

Seeing An-hyun suddenly complain, I looked at him with surprise.

“Bro!”

“Why.”

When I asked coldly, An-hyun shouted at me with fiery eyes.

“This wasn't done by Yoo-jung! You did it, and she just landed the final blow!”

“Hmm… So what?”

As I responded, An-hyun's face brightened. He then turned to Yoo-jung with a smug smile.

“See? Even bro agrees. You only landed the final blow, so what are you boasting about?”

“…….”

I had momentarily forgotten the kids' nature. This isn't the issue, you thickheads. I wanted to say, but since it didn't affect me, I just sighed. Jung Hyeun alternated her gaze between the kids and me, showing a very complex look.

On one hand, she seemed to find it unbelievable, but on the other, she looked somewhat sympathetic.

“Why do you look so sympathetic?”

“…Raising kids must be really tough.”

“Haha… Ha.”

I gave a bitter smile, and Jung Hyeun finally smiled lightly. Meanwhile, An-hyun and Yoo-jung continued their argument.

“No, didn't you see my flashy dagger technique?”

“Flashy my ass. You just swung wildly.”

“Hmph. I don't dance around with a spear like someone.”

Was she referring to the time I supported her during the battle with the giant on the first floor? An-hyun had almost dropped his spear by mistake, and it seemed she was mocking him for that. An-hyun's face turned bright red, remembering that incident.

They started bickering again, and occasionally, curses could be heard, which was quite a spectacle.

The atmosphere was becoming increasingly hostile. Did they not hear what I said earlier? Still, after spending so much time together, I didn't want to embarrass them in front of the other users. Just as I was about to frown and shout loudly—

“Stop it!”

At that moment, An-sol stepped forward and shouted loudly. An-hyun and Yoo-jung immediately shut their mouths, surprised by the usually quiet An-sol's angry shout. An-sol, who seemed to think she was being sharp, looked cute to me with her tightly pursed lips.

“What are you two doing? Don't you remember what Suhyun-nim said earlier?”

“That… That’s….”

When she mentioned me, they glanced at me and then bowed their heads. They clearly had no excuse. I crossed my arms and decided to observe the situation. Though I had repeatedly told them, they didn't listen, but maybe they would feel differently if scolded by a younger person.

“We are on an expedition. If you keep ruining the atmosphere, it will be difficult for me, Suhyun-nim, and the two mages. The more you two do this, the more you tarnish the reputation of Suhyun-nim, the leader of the caravan.”

Well said. She doesn't usually speak so well. Was she waiting for this opportunity all along?

An-hyun and Yoo-jung looked frustrated but had to admit An-sol was right. After a while, Yoo-jung, who couldn't let it go, spoke with a grudge.

“Still… An-hyun keeps starting it. I also fought hard….”

An-sol nodded solemnly, acknowledging this. But why does she have the authority to do so?

“Yes. That’s definitely An-hyun’s fault.”

“But it’s because he made ridiculous boasts to me first.”

“That’s not it. You reacted too sensitively. Can’t you just praise her once?”

Yoo-jung looked taken aback. Though she had intended to mock, she couldn't interrupt An-sol, who was defending her. If she admitted it now, the criticism would fall on her.

An-sol, shocked that An-hyun didn't take her side, looked dazed and then turned her head away.

“Huh. There’s something to praise. I can’t. I don’t have anything to praise.”

“Sigh… An-hyun. That’s not the point.”

An-sol blocked Yoo-jung, who was about to react, and stepped forward again.

“It’s because you want praise from An-hyun. You always criticize Yoo-jung but never praise or say anything nice.”

“…….”

An-hyun remained silent. An-sol, with a kind, motherly smile, approached An-hyun and gently held his hand. An-hyun didn’t turn his head but didn’t shake off her hand either. It was a scene like a mother comforting her son, and the other party members' mood became solemn.

An-sol, with a caring look, stroked his head with her other hand.

“There’s a saying that even a whale can be praised. If An-hyun dances, Yoo-jung will surely… No.”

“?”

An-sol stopped mid-sentence, tilting her head, realizing she had made a mistake. We, who had been focused on her, suddenly felt an awkward tension and soon realized its source.

“…….”

“…….”

A heavy silence fell over the party. I closed my eyes, trying to suppress a burst of laughter from within. I tried to calm myself, but I couldn’t. I hadn’t felt such difficulty in a long time.

Crack. Crack.

When I opened my eyes slightly, Jung Hyeun was also tightly pursing her lips. However, the sound of her grinding her teeth indicated she was trying hard to hold back. Shin Sang-yong was also moving his mouth, in the same situation. Only Vivian, who hadn’t lived on Earth, tilted her head in confusion. But Yoo-jung, who wasn’t very patient, couldn’t hold back.

“Pfft.”

“…Hmm. I got a bit confused.”

“Pfft!”

“Hmm. Anyway, Yoo-jung.”

“Pfft, hahaha!”

In the end, Yoo-jung couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing first. An-sol tried to continue, but she stopped every time Yoo-jung’s laughter was heard. The other party members were holding back, but Yoo-jung, laughing uncontrollably, started rolling on the ground. An-sol’s face turned red, and she shouted again, stuttering.

“S, sorry! T, that’s enough laughing!”

“Ah! Dance, hahaha! Praise, hahaha!”

“S, stop laughing!”

After laughing for a while, Yoo-jung suddenly stood up and held two daggers in her hands. She then started swaying her hips in a ridiculous dance, giggling.

“This isn’t a dance. I’m praising An-hyun. Hahaha!”

Yoo-jung’s words were the trigger for the laughter.

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

Jung Hyeun and Shin Sang-yong, unable to bear the sight, burst out laughing. An-hyun and I also couldn’t help but laugh. The way An-sol had tried to maintain a serious atmosphere and then made a mistake, causing it to collapse, was just too funny. An-sol, with a red face, tried to calm the situation but eventually burst into tears.

“Aaaaaah!”

============================ Author's Note ============================

Hello, I'm Ro Yujin.

Ah, I came in after 6 AM today. I didn’t expect to be tortured (?) for so long. Hahaha. And I read all the comments.

Yes, I will try not to be swayed as I write more. (Thank you for the comment and message from hohokoya1.)

『 Reader Comments 』

1. IDI: Congratulations on first place. Haha. I hope you enjoyed the 99th episode.

2. Fabre: Thank you. Your support gives me strength. (__)

3. Williams: Thank you for the valuable advice. I agree that it could be the case. The story might be a bit slow, but I will do my best to make each episode as interesting as possible. Thank you. (__)

4. Toranoanal: Hmm. I was curious about the video of Vivian and looked it up. Hmm. Thank you. (?!)

5. SilverRingKnight: No, no! Not at all! Sniff.

6. Aporia: Great! I’ll go! Hurry up and come here… I’m sorry. ㅜ.ㅠ

7. GradeRown: Vivian is also angry about what she did, not thinking about it. This bad Vivian! (?!)

8. HumanLife: Wow. Pohang. That’s really far. Haha; I’ll take a short break after 100 episodes and then start working. Honestly, I want to rest a bit today, but thinking about HumanLife waiting, I can’t rest! I’ll take a deep breath, wash up, and start working on the 100th episode right away! Fighting!

9. Madangso: That’s right! The conclusion is the exploitation of the author! It’s not a good choice… Sniff.

10. Hweel: Yes, it’s possible. It would be troublesome if the power manifested at any time. Hahaha.

Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind my continuous writing. (This is the truth.)

I always read all the comments repeatedly.

Please don’t be too disappointed if you’re not mentioned in the reader comments.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to send a message, and I’ll respond!

I’ll end here for today.

I hope you always read the story with a comfortable mind.

I always welcome pre-reading, recommendations, comments, reviews, and questions.