Break Out (3)

Crack!

Thick muscles.

And beyond that, the sound of a gorilla’s solid bones breaking echoed.

“…the knife hardly penetrated his body.”
“He’s not the leader for nothing, I guess.”

Ma Hana wiped the sweat off her face, smeared with the blood of the Silverback.

My cute and small favorite character was covered in blood, striving hard and working.

It pained me, but since it was something she wanted to do, I simply helped in silence.

After all, she was the only one with the [Butchery] trait, so there was nothing much I or Moon Bora could do.

A moment later, she held a mana stone the size of a human head in her hand.

It was much larger and of better quality than the one the size of a finger from a Transparent-tailed Monkey (D-grade).

“With this quality, it will sell for quite a bit. There’s no damage, so it should fetch us its full value.”

Moon Bora nodded and carefully packed the mana stone into the porter’s bag that Ma Hana had prepared.

Meanwhile, having finished all the slaughtering and cutting, Ma Hana sat down on the ground and repaired her shield with a hammer in her hand.

Bang, bang, bang!

The shield used by Ma Hana was a sturdy, large shield that did not match her small frame.

Apparently, her father had chosen it for her…

‘…It’s quite worn out, too.’

Even for someone ignorant about equipment like me, Ma Hana’s shield was dented and scratched all over.

A shield was a particularly durable piece of equipment.

If it had been ordinary, it would have been smashed to pieces long ago.

‘……’

At that moment, I shook off the unfortunate thought that this shield was just like Ma Hana and moved on.

I deliberately lingered around the area where the Silverback had been cut up.

‘…Ah, what a waste.’

As expected, the [Rune] did not drop.
The [Rune] of the Silverback inherently possessed a [Strength Enhancement] passive, regardless of the type of skill or species.

It was a versatile and valuable rune to keep, especially during the early and mid-late game phases, if there was any room to refine [Runes].

‘It’s perfect for use right now, whether it’s for Meowi or me.’

It was a pity, but they don’t appear often.

5 minutes later.
It was time to finish all the preparations and set off again.

*‘Cough!’ *A deliberately loud and uncomfortable cough could be heard, clearly meant to be overheard by all.

Suddenly, Moon Bora, who had climbed onto a large rock, was sending a serious gaze that didn’t suit her cute SD version appearance.

“Please pay attention for a moment. As the leader, I would like to make a suggestion here.”

Moon Bora slowly took a deep breath.
The story she was about to tell was a matter of utmost importance that had to be addressed.

“Though you may have noticed, this dungeon is likely… no, 100% on the verge of a ‘Break Out.’”
“……”
“……”

The two did not say anything special.
Because they had already realized it long ago.

“As you know, a ‘Break Out’ is a phenomenon where the magic inside the dungeon increases abnormally. The distribution and strength of the monsters are incomparable to their usual state and to the dungeon grade. Therefore, the path forward will be much more difficult. Moreover, we have only just managed to defeat the mid-boss, leaving the core of the dungeon and the condition for clearing it, the ‘final boss,’ still ahead for us to take.”

The final boss would definitely be stronger than the ‘Silverback.’
This was an undeniable fact.

“This is not something we can handle.”

No, strictly speaking, it wasn’t something they needed to step forward for.

Of course, it was a disqualification as a ‘Hunter’ to do that.

It was as if they were running away with tails between their legs when numerous crises were looming right in front of them.

“…However.”

Moon Bora looked at Ma Hana and Yu Seha.

Though they met for the first time today, they were colleagues who trusted her as their leader and entrusted their lives to her.

Just that fact alone made the depth of the relationship she had spent with them so important.

‘…I can no longer weigh their lives on a scale.’

That was her judgment as the leader.

“It’s too dangerous now. There might definitely be penalties if we choose to return, but it’s time to withdraw, according to my judgment.”

At Moon Bora’s words, a flustered Yu Seha raised his hand.

“…Uhm, in an unavoidable situation… do penalties still apply?”

Certainly, as a novice, I expected him to react that way.

She, too, initially thought it was unreasonable.

“Yes, that’s right. Even if there were unexpected variables, once you enter the gate, you must complete the subjugation by any means necessary, regardless of the sacrifices. That is the ‘Hunter’s’ duty. Even a correct judgment is no different from running away, so the trust score will definitely be reduced.”

“Then…”

“But! I value the lives of you two more than anything else. My life as well.”

Moon Bora’s response was resolutely unmatched.
It was hard to believe such charisma could come from such a tiny SD version, and Yu Seha felt a slight disappointment.

If it were a game, he might have forced the issue, but this wasn’t a game. It was reality.

Gambling when a life was worth only a single coin was not right.

Yu Seha reluctantly considered retreating.
A clicking sound came from beside him.

“…?”

Turning around, he saw Ma Hana trembling slightly, biting her nails with a pale face.

Yu Seha, with his long experience as a guide, noticed that this behavior was a sign she displayed when she felt cornered.

A thought flashed through his mind.

‘…Come to think of it, an employee had called Meowi and talked to her.’

He hadn’t heard it clearly, but he distinctly remembered the words ‘Guild Expulsion.’

‘…So, if the mandatory subjugation fails…’

Does that mean it’s the end of Meowi’s hunter life?

‘…No.’

That couldn’t happen.
It absolutely couldn’t happen.
If Ma Hana were expelled… Surely, her spirit would break, and she would never be able to make a comeback.

Yu Seha, with his fist clenched tight, opened his mouth towards Moon Bora, who was responding, “Then that’s what we’ll do…”

“…No. That’s not possible!”

“…Yu Seha-ssi?”

“What I mean is, it’s like a ticking time bomb. There’s no guarantee that the gate won’t explode right after we escape.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“Right now, we are the fastest ones here.”

Yu Seha placed a hand on his chest, sending a serious look.

“We have to do it!”

I have to do it.

For no one else but my favorite character.

‘…For Meowi!’

‘*…Sigh. *Damn it.’

Internally disheartened, Moon Bora sighed softly.
She thought things were resolving too smoothly.

With her arms crossed as if uncomfortable with what was said, Moon Bora continued speaking softly to Yu Seha.

“Mr. Yu Seha. The swordsmanship you showed. Yes, indeed, it’s impressive. You should be proud of it, too.”

The first chapter of persuasion begins by dismantling the opponent’s guard and defenses.

The most classic method was to lift their spirits.

Of course, apart from that, it was true that Yu Seha was a truly remarkable person to fight with.

“But that is not courage; it’s just pure recklessness.”

The second was to carefully admonish by addressing each point.

“No matter how strong you claim to be, showing off your strength in a ‘dungeon’ is nothing but foolish behavior. And what if that leads to an unprecedented disaster like a ‘Break Out’? Failing to recognize when to retreat leads everyone around you to ruin.”

The last was to advocate for making a concession this time.

“Isn’t it possible to wait for another time? As the saying goes, a wise man bides his time. If it’s Mr. Yu Seha, you will surely stand out on other occasions as well. So this time–”

“No.”

However, he shook his head as if to say it was out of the question to move out now.

He looked at Moon Bora with an unyielding will.

“This is my last chance.”

‘…What?’

Moon Bora was perplexed.

What could possibly be the last for a newbie who entered the gate for the first time today?

The most troubling thing was that look in his eyes.

Those eyes.

They were the eyes Moon Bora had seen in her childhood.

‘…This is not for himself…’

Eyes meant for others.

Upon reaching that thought, Moon Bora looked at Ma Hana with a feeling of ‘maybe?’

Seeing the girl sweating and biting her nails, Moon Bora finally understood the situation.

‘…Was expulsion on the corner?’

It could be.

She wasn’t a frequent visitor of the ‘Guild,’ so she didn’t know the full details.

But she had heard rumors that Ma Hana’s evaluations were at rock bottom.

‘…So, this man… is he really going all out to help someone he met for the first time today? Even when his own life is at stake?’

Of course, the reason Yu Seha stepped forward was because Ma Hana was his favorite character.

It was definitely not because he was naively kind.

However, unaware of this fact, Moon Bora couldn’t help but feel tormented by the emotions swelling in her heart.

‘…Such a kind person.’

But he was a foolish one at that.

Moon Bora was certain of it.
He surely wouldn’t live long with this attitude.

It might be surprising.
The power Yu Seha had shown just a moment ago.

Moon Bora herself considered it incredibly powerful, to the extent of being mysterious, so surely he would have no equal.

That’s true.

But…

“Being strong and surviving are entirely different stories in such places.”

It was the law of this world that even those hailed as heroes could perish without enjoying their rewards.

Especially those who are pure-hearted are more susceptible to the reach of evil in the ‘Hunter’ industry.

Moon Bora resolved. That’s why she must save him all the more.

Not someone like herself, already tainted and dirtied by the world’s harshness, but someone with pure courage and a warm heart must live on… surely, it would make for a better world for those living in it.

‘…What’s with her? Why is she staring with such a stiff face? Could it be that she needs to poop?’

Of course, unaware of this, Yu Seha was merely entertaining a very rude thought.

“…Okay. Understood.”

Moon Bora took a step back.

Instead of blindly persuading Yu Seha, she opted for a different approach.

She spread her fern-like hands, focusing her magic power.

The condensed magic power quickly transformed into ice, and it became an opaque ice cup.

Clang.

Three branches were inserted into it.

“Let’s conduct a simple vote.”

“…A vote?”

A simple vote.

It was a brief, informal practice among hunters when their opinions clashed in the dungeon.

“If the majority agrees, we proceed until it is clear. If not, we turn back.”

Moon Bora nodded in approval at the neat method, watching Yu Seha nod.

‘It’s difficult to break Mr. Yu Seha’s stubbornness right now.’

However, arguing more was a poor strategy and wouldn’t bring any favorable results.

In the dungeon, the constantly dense magic energy stimulates the senses of the awakened, making them even more sensitive.

And this sensitivity included a propensity for violence.

‘There’s no guarantee that Mr. Yu Seha and I won’t cross the line and point weapons at each other here.’

That couldn’t happen.

Thus, Moon Bora decided to tread carefully with the option of retreat.

This was the wisdom of a senior.

Moon Bora nodded her head as she looked at Ma Hana, who had become rigid with a different meaning.

‘She’s also a hunter. No matter how much her own personal crisis is at stake, she wouldn’t foolishly push others forward.’

Moon Bora believed in Ma Hana’s wisdom.

“Then, let’s proceed with the vote. Please write on the end of a twig and put it inside.”

However, Moon Bora’s expectations were completely off.

The result was one twig marked ‘Opposed.’

And…

“……”

There were two twigs marked ‘In Favor.’