The Sea Dragon Temple (4)

“Kuoooh!”

The [Big Snowman] moved according to Moon Bora’s command.

The roar from the golem’s mouth filled the with a deafening sound.

It pulled back its massive left arm, which was three times larger than its body, and thrust it forward as if it would break through the passage.

Bang!

“Krruuuek!”
“Purururgek!”

The obvious victims of the gigantic ice fist were the and .

The giant fist carried immense physical power, and the freezing cold that accompanied it left parts of their bodies encased in ice.

The Hero-grade skill, [Big Snowman], could be learned once [Ice Hand] reached a certain level.

In truth, it wasn’t exactly the most useful skill.

While it had high durability and decent physical power, and could even deal attribute damage using cold, the golem’s poor mobility made it difficult to reach its full potential.

‘However, it’s a different story in this narrow .’

The enemies only charged down a straight path.

And the nearby waterway?
If frozen, they couldn’t even launch surprise attacks.

In short, the structure and environment of the were perfect for Moon Bora to shine.

“Whistle~”

I whistled in satisfaction.

People might say it was just one skill, but…

For someone without [Eyes of Reversed Heaven], learning a would usually take months of effort—if you were lucky enough to learn it at all.

Moon Bora mastered it in a short time.

It was clear how much effort she had put in.

Of course, her equipment had probably helped.

‘I’m glad I gave her the [Voice of the Mermaid].’

An equipment that amplified [Obsession] but equally helped in increasing stats.

I thought once again that it was a good idea to give her the necklace as a gift.

Thanks to her, the battle quickly turned in our favor.

There was no need for others to step in.

“Na-young!”
“Yes!”

Ju Na-young ran out at Moon Bora’s call.

Her speed was unusual.

It wasn’t an ordinary [Sprint], but a manifestation of a higher grade, [Fearless Agility].

‘She even acquired that?!’ Yu Seha was astonished, trailing behind Ju Na-young.

She darted behind two that had been caught in the [Big Snowman]’s grasp.

Whoosh!

Clenching her fists, she instantly landed a 9th-level [Rapid Strike] on the heads of the .

Bam! Bam!

The punches to the heads made a sound like a ripe watermelon bursting, concluding the battle.

It was literally a scene of massacre.

“Wow, are those two the strongest in the first year?”

Yu Seha proudly answered Im Hyeja’s question.

“Yes, they are the ones with the epithets and .”

“That’s amazing… You must be happy, right? Having two reliable party members. Aren’t you proud as a leader?”

Yu Seha smiled brightly at those words.

“Of course. I’m extremely proud of them.”

“……”
“……”

And those two, secretly listening to Yu Seha’s praise.

Each subtly raised the corners of their mouths, barely containing the joy that seemed ready to burst out.

Crack!
Fwoosh!

Thud! Boom!
Crunch! Thud!

Screech!
Growl!
Roar!

The one-sided battle quietly continued.
Ju Na-young’s fists swung relentlessly as they emerged.
Moon Bora’s ice stormed through.

Their unstoppable attacks cleared the like a breeze.

“…Meow. Ha, there’s nothing for me to do…”
“…Indeed.”

Ma Hana mumbled with an awkward expression.

Beside her, Choi Mari muttered, ‘I guess I’m useless too…’

The dealers handled everything, leaving no opportunities for the tankers and supporters.

Then, after a short while, we arrived at the passage just before the [Boss Room].

A group of statues appeared, almost as if they had been waiting for us. I quickly gave instructions.

“Na-young, these statues are treated as objects, so they’re really sturdy. Wait until the enemies—”

“[Crushing Fist]!”

Boom!
Crash.

“……”
“Huh? Yu Seha, what did you say?”
“Oh, nothing… nothing at all…”

As I trailed off, Ju Na-young, who had tilted her head, began to strike each statue one by one.

A brute yet efficient method.

Thanks to her approach, the , who had been waiting to launch a surprise attack, poured out of the broken statues.

Clatter!!

They banged their swords and shields together in frustration, almost as if protesting, “This isn’t fair!”

“Moon Bora! Take care of the side!”
“Yes!”

One minute later.

All the creatures were smashed, except for one .

“……”

It glanced at Moon Bora and Ju Na-young.

Quietly…

It returned to the statue it had emerged from.

Laying its body neatly, it extinguished the flame flickering in its eyes.

Thunk!

But of course, Ju Na-young didn’t just stand by and watch.

After forcibly smashing the statue, she quietly spoke to the lying creature.

“Hey, come out.”
“……”
“Or do you want to be smashed without doing anything?”
“…Rattle.”

The quietly emerged under the threat.

“Fine, howl or something. I’ll let you do that much.“
“…Rattle!!!”

After defeating the , we entered the [Boss Room].

Honestly, though…

There wasn’t much to it.

“[Rapid Strike], [Fire Forest], [Crushing Fist]!”
“[Icicle], [Ice Hand]!, [Ice Arrow]!”

In the chaos that seemed like a catastrophe, all 45 were too busy fleeing to even think of resisting.

“Oh, trying to run, are we?”
“Not so fast!”

Soon, a notification window indicating the dungeon was cleared popped up.

Clap, clap.

Then, the sound of applause was heard.

“Huh?”
“…?”

Ju Na-young and Moon Bora turned around.

Yu Seha, genuinely impressed, raised his thumb towards them.

“That’s amazing. Just how much have you trained?”
“…Uh, well…”
“…This is nothing…”

Finally, a proud remark was heard.

“Thanks to you, I feel secure.”

It was a smile that could melt hearts.
Ju Na-young and Moon Bora’s faces blushed.
The two people turned their heads, letting out a cough.

“Ha.”

Lastly, only Im Hyeja on his shoulder watched this farce in disbelief.

After clearing a total of 45 [Frogmen].

Soon, we could reach our destination.

Kuo-o-o-o-!

Ahead, the gate of the [Sea Dragon Temple] swirled with an ominous force.
Was it my imagination?
It felt like it had grown larger than when we came before.

“…Meeoooow? Seha, doesn’t that Trial look bigger?”

Ah, it wasn’t my imagination.

If even Meowi, with her sharp eyes, noticed it, it had to be true.

‘…The Trial is continuously expanding its influence.’

I sensed it.

If we didn’t act soon, something troublesome would happen.

In the worst-case scenario, a might occur.

Kugugu!

At that moment.

As if on cue, a thunderous vibration.

Kwa-kwa-kwa!

Soon, in front of our eyes, a vortex swirled, and powerful barrier techniques began to interlink.

A very high-level and formula composition.

Moon Bora, who was watching, broke into a cold sweat.
She stepped forward and examined various parts of the barrier.

“Moon Bora, it’s dangerous if you get too close.”
“……”

Despite the warning, Moon Bora stared blankly at the barrier.

At this moment, nothing reached her ears.

Before they were fighters, were scholars.

Moon Bora was clearly amazed as the path of magic beyond her domain unfolded before her.

‘…It’s amazing.’

Moon Bora thought.

Among all the magic she had seen in her life.
She had never seen such high-level magic.

This was like…

‘…The kind of power might use…’

The strongest creatures on Earth, .

They had disappeared nearly a hundred years ago, but occasionally relics related to them would surface, sending shockwaves through the world.

Not only for their performance, but because the <Dragons’> unique contained within make the hearts of race.

Moon Bora’s eyes swiftly scanned through the [Mana Array] and [Mana Flow].

Her conclusion was swift.

It was beyond the level that a mere like herself could handle.

Still, out of regret, she inspected a bit more.

Soon, Moon Bora’s complexion turned pale at the ‘Unique Mana’ sensed in the barrier.

The simultaneous heat and cold, the coexistence of fire and ice, made her let out an involuntary gasp.

“…!”
“…Moon Bora?”
“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

She hastily waved her hand at the approaching party’s concern.

She placed her hand over her pounding heart.

‘Th-That’s right…’

It must be a misunderstanding.

Logically…

‘In this place…’

There shouldn’t be any trace of the magic her sister uses.

A moment later.

Everyone tried to use their strength on the barrier, but it was to no avail.

I felt relieved at the sight.

‘Phew, thank goodness.’

If I hadn’t managed to bring Hyeja with us, we would have been stuck at the entrance for sure.

I was glad I had forced her to come along.

Now, it was time for Hyeja to show her true strength.

“Hyeja, please.”
“……”

At my request, Im Hyeja, who was sitting with a sullen expression on her shoulder, scratched her head.

She sighed deeply and landed with her short stature.

“Seha, little brother. I’ll say it again, this is an act of repaying a debt. I don’t have any intention of becoming a party member or anything. Remember that.”

“Of course.”

Only after my firm response did Im Hyeja’s face relax.

It seemed she was worried about being continuously exploited.

Hmm…
Hmph…
Hmmm…

“It’s a bit disappointing…”

“…What was that?”

“It’s nothing~”

“Tsk.”

Im Hyeja’s face twisted.

Immediately, she clicked her tongue and turned around.

Buzz-buzz!

Spinning the blacksmith’s hammer in her hand, she boldly walked towards the vortex.

Soon, the most intense words resounded from her mouth.

“…Ah, I didn’t want to use it here.“

Words as strong as her confident steps.

Im Hyeja, muttering, “I have no choice,” vigorously swung the hammer she was holding backward.

“Watch closely! You junior punks. And don’t tell anyone!!!”

Fwoosh!!!

Spreading crimson flames.

Ju Na-young, who was watching, widened her eyes.

It seemed she was surprised because it was a type of completely different from her own.

The flames rising from Hyeja’s body didn’t simply burn their targets.

They melted everything—metal or objects—transforming them into whatever she wished.

Behind her, the flames took the form of a colossal incarnation.

“Wh-what is that?!”
“Wh-what?! A giant. It’s a giant! Seha!”
“…Se-Seha…could that be…?”

As expected, Moon Bo-ra.

With her vast knowledge, she seemed to understand what the figure represented.

“That’s right, it’s a god.”
“…Is that really Volcanus, the god of blacksmiths?”
“To be precise, it’s a part of him.”

Moon Bora stared at me blankly as I explained.

Either way, Im Hyeja’s abilities progressed steadily.

“!“

The ‘Word of Command’ shouted from Im Hyeja’s mouth.
Indeed.
She was one of the rare who could use an [Ultimate Skill].

Flames surged as the vortex of energy—charged with the power of a dragon—was engulfed in the fiery judgment of Volcanus.

Logically, Im Hyeja should be thrown away.

But a surprising event occurred.

Crack!

It shattered.

The target wasn’t the vortex itself—it was the space containing it.

Whoosh!

Like molten metal, the space itself was heated and deformed.

While we were all still in shock at the absurdity of the scene, the superheated space encased the vortex, transforming it into a single sphere.

Tap!

Im Hyeja, seemingly unfazed by the heat, confidently grasped the sphere with her hand.

And then she grinned.

“How is it?”

Aren’t I amazing?

Juniors.