Chapter 78

< Kindergarten Class Teacher (5) >

"I'm disappointed that my phone camera doesn't work in the dungeon."

Yerim put me down and said. Why the phone camera? It must be because it's an SS-grade monster that appeared for the first time, and she wants to take a picture of it.

Because I was worried I might not be able to hold out, I flew slowly, and the other four were already on Babar's back. The broad back made of rock was almost completely stable, making it feel like we were really climbing halfway up a mountain.

"Really, there's no reaction at all?"

Moonhyeon tapped the ground with her toes and said.

"It's like a fly sitting on a padded surface. But don't just stab it with a spear."

At my words, Moonhyeon raised her spear but then lowered it. I can't let my guard down.

"Where is Kim Sung-han?"

The toad's back was so wide that it was hard to see below. Yerim floated slightly to check and then answered.

"Seeing him with a bow, he must have already shot it."

"Is that so? Then..."

I need to apply the keyword to Moonhyeon, even if it feels a bit unnatural.

The teacher skill can be more burdensome the higher the target's stats. But now there are five S-rankers. It would be safer to reduce the burden with the keyword application.

"Please take good care of our peace, Moonhyeon. I have no experience as a rider, and this is my first time in a dungeon."

I approached Moonhyeon and spoke. I was genuinely worried. I didn't expect to face such a strong monster so soon.

"Don't worry, kid. As long as the peace follows well, there's no problem."

"Even just saying it makes me feel more confident."

I forced a smile, and as expected, Moonhyeon looked displeased.

"If you're anxious, just say it. Anyway, you're the only one who makes me feel uneasy."

"Is it that obvious?"

I said, feeling embarrassed.

"To be honest, I am a bit anxious. But it's not because I think you're inadequate. On the contrary, I feel more secure and grateful. I was quite worried before entering the dungeon. After all, everyone here is far beyond my level."

If I had a normal F stat without fear resistance, I might have had a stomach cramp by now.

"I could relax with the Hyun Guild members because I knew them well, but I was unsure about the other two. But Moonhyeon is much kinder than I expected and listens to my opinions, so I quickly felt at ease. If I acted too casually and offended you, I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't worry about it. Act naturally. It's fine."

She smiled and ruffled my hair. Technically, I'm older than her, considering the regression.

"If you're really grateful, lend me the griffin more often. How about making it exclusive until I find a top-tier rider?"

"That might be a bit difficult. But I'll give you my heart. I love you, Moonhyeon. Please take good care of me in the future."

"Only your heart? A bit disappointing, but I'll let it slide since you're a senior."

Then she made a slightly strange expression.

"Surprisingly, I didn't mind when you criticized me. Maybe it reminded me of my senior. They seem a bit similar."

The mention of a senior made me think it was probably from her school sports club or her previous guild. Most likely a female senior, but that's not bad. Who isn't grateful to their mentor?

Thank you, unknown senior, for taking good care of Moonhyeon.

After encouraging the peace to sync well with Moonhyeon, I cast the growth buff on Yoo Hyun. We'll face an S-rank dungeon right after defeating the SS-rank monster, so it's best to use it now.

"I'm going to use a skill now."

As soon as I said it, everyone's attention focused on me. It was a bit overwhelming.

"This is a special command skill I got this morning. It's my first time using it, so I don't know the exact effects yet, but according to the description, it helps the skill users coordinate closely. The most important thing right now is accurate and quick skill chaining, so I think it will be helpful."

"You got a new skill this morning?"

"Yeah. It seems to be something I didn't get at level 20, but now the conditions are met. It might be related to having several S-rank hunters together."

Technically, it's a level 10 skill, but I said 20 to avoid confusion. Besides, the level 20 skill hasn't appeared yet.

"Looks like you have no aptitude for combat at all."

Yerim's comment stung. Well, my stats are F. Even if I had a good attack skill, it would only be like a mouse turning into a cat in the eyes of these people.

A special skill that's less affected by stats is better.

After warning them not to reject it, I cast the skill on Yoo Hyun first. As soon as the skill was applied, I could "understand" Yoo Hyun's movements. Even a step ahead, including the nuances of force.

Yoo Hyun opened his mouth. Or rather, he was about to.

"I don't feel anything yet. How about you, senior?"

Instead of answering, I cast the skill on Yerim. I could feel her bright gaze without even looking. Yoo Hyun was also looking at me.

Including mine, three gazes were simultaneously detected.

'Maybe this is why mental stats are needed.'

I might have felt dizzy, but the skill or keyword adjustment was still manageable. But if more people were added, it might be too much.

I could also transmit the sensations I was feeling to the skill targets.

Unidirectionally or bidirectionally.

"I'm going to connect the two of you now."

If this is transmitted directly, it might interfere during combat. How will it work?

"Wow, this is amazing."

Yerim's eyes widened. Yoo Hyun also looked surprised.

"Being able to sense how the other will move. This will definitely help with coordination."

"Will it interfere? Like making the senses confused."

"No, not at all. They are stably separated, so there's no risk of them mixing."

It seems different from my experience. Could I be acting as a kind of filter? Maybe the skill is designed to improve coordination by changing the user.

'...Just a normal kindergarten teacher.'

Especially during the talent show season, when teachers try to get the kids to move in sync. Come to think of it, Yoo Hyun was in the chick class when he was in kindergarten.

"Use it on me too!"

I did as she asked, casting the skill on Moonhyeon and the peace. By the time I had four, I was starting to feel mentally tired. I was a bit dizzy. I couldn't use it for long.

"Yerim!"

Clang!

Moonhyeon's white greatsword and Yerim's ice tree spear clashed. Normally, Yerim would be pushed back, but the two spears, differing in thickness and length like their owners' strength, met in the middle and stopped. There was not a single wobble.

It meant their force distribution was perfectly accurate.

"Wow, it worked right away."

"Right? Why don't you just join me in the dungeon?"

What are you trying to do?

Now only Sung-hyun is left. A human with the best stats and no keyword application. I really don't think I can handle it.

'But it's the most important finishing blow, so I can't not use it.'

Up to Yoo Hyun, Babar didn't react much. But if Moonhyeon breaks the shell, Babar will definitely use a regeneration skill to repair it.

"Is there a problem?"

Sung-hyun, who had approached from behind, asked. He was wondering why I hadn't used the skill on him.

"Let me drink a potion first."

I still had more than half my mana left, but better to be safe. I drank a disgusting apple-flavored potion. I asked the guild about custom potion orders, but they said it wasn't possible. Such inflexible people.

Then I cast the skill.

'...I can handle it.'

The burden is definitely greater compared to the keyword users. Maybe 1.5 times? This isn't bad...

"Interesting."

Suddenly, my whole body shook, and my vision blurred. My legs went weak, and Sung-hyun caught my arm to support me.

Fucking Sung-hyun...

"I told you not to reject it."

"It was just a light touch."

He replied with a shameless face. If you're told not to do something, don't do it. Maybe the burden for non-keyword users includes this. Everyone else, including Moonhyeon, was fine, but this guy is a troublemaker.

"What's going on?"

Yoo Hyun approached, glaring at Sung-hyun's hand on my arm. Damn Sung-hyun. He's the oldest but causes trouble.

"It's nothing. I'm just a bit dizzy because the skill targets increased."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

If the twisted guy next to me behaves, I can handle it. Then Sung-hyun took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders.

"It has S-grade fire resistance. Wear it. Your skill will have the biggest impact, so the defense is also quite good."

"I have a bracelet, so I'm fine."

"I wouldn't use it until I'm confident of a successful hunt, would you?"

That's accurate. But don't say it when Yoo Hyun isn't around. Look at him, his eyes are getting fierce again.

"Senior?"

"No, if it comes to it, I have an earring that can only be used once... I'll wear the coat."

I slowly put on the coat. The loose fit and the sleeves that covered my hands adjusted to fit perfectly.

'I want to run away with this.'

Without this, Yoo Hyun would have an easier time in the ranking battles. If I pretend to be crazy and put it in my inventory, would that work?

"I'll use the bracelet at the right time, so don't worry."

Yoo Hyun turned away with a sullen face. I need to calm him down after the dungeon, or he might explode again.

Then I felt Yerim cast "No Shadow Noon."

"Ready!"

Immediately, Sung-hyun picked me up with one arm. I couldn't hang on during combat with just my arm strength, but it was necessary. Still, it's unsettling.

I'm just luggage. Just luggage A.

"I'll share the skill, so don't let go."

I also used a skill to share S-rank and lower skills with contact. The skill I shared was the Veteran F (S) skill, which doubles the effect of attack skills.

Sung-hyun took out the noble seeker's chain from his inventory. The golden chain, as thick as his fingers, wriggled like a snake in the air, circling around. The strong lightning aura it contained occasionally sparked and flashed.

I closed my eyes. I didn't need to see it, and I wanted to reduce the incoming information.

A powerful magic field was centered on Babar's back, as steep as a cliff.

No Shadow Noon.

Yerim floated above the area she controlled, as confident as always. Even facing an opponent she couldn't even scratch, she was enjoying herself.

The ice tree spear's ice attribute enhancement skill activated. A powerful coldness, capable of freezing even a breath, began to overflow.

If I hadn't gained cold resistance by leveling up yesterday, it would have affected the caster.

Sssss

A cold sigh fell like a veil. The originally white fog, enhanced by the maximum magic and ice attribute, glowed a deep blue.

Above it,

Whoosh!

Frozen rain poured down.

The range was narrowed as much as possible, falling like thick spear tips, wrapped in ice fog.

Crack! Crunch!

The sudden drop in temperature.

Before I could confirm the results, Yerim's body disappeared.

Almost simultaneously, the spot where Yerim was was swallowed in an instant—

Boom!

A raging wave of fire.

The frozen rock wall melted instantly, turning a deep red. The greedy flames quickly darkened, turning from red to purple, and finally to black.

Thanks to the fire resistance, I felt no heat, but the information alone made it feel like I was suffocating in extreme heat.

"Isn't this the perfect moment?!"

Even sending the danger information that it's too much, Moonhyeon can't hold back. She's so impatient.

Of course, now is the softest, but the spear can't break through due to the heat.

To a level Moonhyeon can handle. I account for some damage. She's tough, so I don't need to wait long. Just a moment.

Charge speed, distance, remaining time of the flames, my stomach feels a bit queasy. My mind is already a mess.

Right now.

Crack!

Peace's four legs tensed, and the claws that emerged scratched the ground.

The perfectly synchronized rider and rider strongly stomped the ground and used the bracelet's skill. Moonhyeon's spear tip broke the shell, and Sung-h