This Level Of Technique! (1)

Whoosh!

Scorching heat surged from all directions, making my whole body feel hot.

Thick beads of sweat trickled down my chin, but I couldn’t even think of wiping them off.

With my arms crossed, I pondered for a moment, unnoticed by the boss.

‘The <Dungeon Boss> has changed.’

Originally, it should have been a <Gimmick-Type> boss.
It was supposed to be 45 <Frogmen>.
But the result was something entirely different.

In this unexpected situation, Meowi tilted her head, going “Meow?” in confusion.

Soon, she smiled and asked her characteristic question, playful and inquisitive.

“Meow. Seha, is this it? Isn’t this one of those cases the Chairman mentioned?”
“Yeah, it seems like it.”

I mentioned it once before.
One of the reasons for entering this dungeon was to identify <Anomalies>.

The person who requested this from us was Chairman Yu Neung-hae.

She had told us to write a report if anything, even minor, differed from the initial strategy.

Even without her words, I was thinking of checking it out, so it was just as well.

‘First, the variety of monsters has increased…’

The second thing seemed to be the change in the <Dungeon Boss>.

But, well…
It didn’t seem like there was much need to worry or think deeply about it.

Although not frequent, it wasn’t unusual for the <Dungeon Boss> in the [Boss Room] to change.

It often occurred in cases of [Rare Bosses], which were superior and specialized versions of standard dungeon bosses.

‘Or the dungeon itself changes with something like a <Break Out>, altering the environment.’

In even rarer cases, the <Boss> could permanently change, leaving a lasting impact on the dungeon.

A great example was the <Trial of the Earthlord>, where Meowi and I had enjoyed a hearty meal. After the original Boss was defeated, the dungeon’s Boss permanently changed.

‘It’s probably the latter in this case.’

If it were a Rare Boss that activated under special conditions, there would have been a signal, like the entrance to the [Boss Room] being slightly different.

As I came to a reasonable conclusion and nodded, the creature finally noticed us, and its gaze swiftly turned.

A bipedal crocodile glaring with eyes as menacing as its red mane.

It licked its yellow reptilian pupils with its tongue.

“Grrr!!!”

The ominous hostility felt as if it could sting the skin.

Neither Meowi nor I felt particularly tense.

Not because it was weak or anything, but because we had long since felt malice on a different scale.

‘Compared to the [Dragon Fear] of the <Sea Dragon>, this is nothing…’

It was child’s play, really.

Anyway, let’s see…

‘Where have I seen this thing before?’

I pondered for a moment.
It seemed like something familiar from my memory.

And then, ah, I realized.
Indeed, the game’s illustrations were different from the real, lifelike version.

Seeing my reaction, the curious Meowi asked.

“Seha, is this a Boss you know?”
“Yeah.”

<Alligator Man of Flame>.

As the name suggested, it was a Boss specializing in fire-based attacks.

At the same time, it was unknowingly recognized among the Supervisors.

‘A typical palette swap boss.’

There were six more just like the one in front of me, differing only in color, abilities, and attributes.

Among the Supervisors, it was commonly referred to as the <Alligator Squad> Boss.

The management once mentioned in an official broadcast that they were hastily made due to being overwhelmed with work.

However, for something with such a shabby background, it was a rather troublesome creature.

“It’s stronger than you’d think.”
“Meow?”

“Fakruruk!”

The Alligator Man shrieked towards the ceiling.
Instead of using its trademark [Charge], it slammed the spear it was holding into the ground.

Wooong!

At the end of the spear was an orb typically used by mages as their main weapon.

Whoosh!

The red magic spread out with the impact.
The magic soon transformed into ten fireballs.

Unusually, each fireball had a face filled with darkness.

<Ash Spirits>.

A gimmick-type summon, they were unranked and didn’t drop mana stones or grant experience upon defeat. Their attack pattern was simple—they’d approach and burn you by rubbing their fiery forms against you.

It might not seem like much at first glance, but the problem was the skills they had.

Fwoosh!

Not even a second after being summoned, another <Ash Spirit> was spit out from the mouth of the <Ash Spirit>.

Skill, [Rummaging Behind the Fireplace].
Unusually, it was possible for them to summon themselves.

In simple terms, it doubled their numbers.

With a cooldown of only one minute…

It was a forbidden, overpowered skill that characters couldn’t obtain even if they died.

Probably, [Eyes of Reversed Heaven] wouldn’t activate either.

“…Meow! Se-Seha, suddenly, there are over 20 of them.”

Meowi took a stance, holding the [Sea Dragon’s Shield] forward to block.

“I’ll go first and draw aggro with a taunt! Seha, you finish them off…”

Tap.

“Meow?”

I placed a hand on Meowi’s shoulder.

“Meowi, can you leave this to me?”
“…Meow?”

I looked at the puzzled Meowi and walked forward.

‘It wasn’t intentional though…’

A perfect opponent appeared.

I was already feeling regretful, thinking I might leave without even using it once.

It was as if it was all planned, with the fire attribute appearing right on cue, along with its minions.

This kind of stage was hard to come by.

“Flaaaame!!!”

The Alligator Man, having finished its summons, hunched down.

Crunch!

It placed one hand on the ground and spun its spear with the other as it charged forward, barreling past its own <Cinder Spirits> at full speed.

It was the derivative skill of [Charge], the Hero ability [Charge Crush].

The same skill had been used by the <Redback> that Moon Bora faced during the entrance exams.

I instinctively knew that its destructive power was on a much higher level than back then.

Additionally, the charging creature’s body seemed to be surrounded by something like a shield.

‘Is it [Protected Charge]…?’

A compatible skill with [Charge].
During [Charge], it was an excellent defensive technique that reduced physical attacks by up to 50%.

The two combos currently unfolding were techniques common to all members of the <Alligator Squad>.

‘[Defense Charge] to reduce damage while [Charge Crush] stuns for up to 5 seconds.’

It was a vicious combo.
A method perfect for making clueless newbie Supervisors cry.

But it didn’t know.

The fact that I had been preparing from the moment I entered the [Boss Room] and saw it.

That I had long since seen through its strategy.

Swish!

Before I knew it, a pulsating water orb was in my hand.

The Alligator Man snorted at the sight.
It probably thought it was nothing special.

“…!?”

However, when I lifted the orb upward, its face instantly hardened at the phenomenon that occurred.

Rumble!!!!

The water flow emanating from the small orb was so powerful it seemed impossible to believe it originated from such a tiny source.

It was the [Epic-grade skill], [Tsunami of the Rising Dragon], that I had recently acquired.

‘It’s still overwhelming to me no matter how many times I see it.’

The power of authority that could essentially manipulate water as if it were one’s own limbs.

However, there was a part that needed to be kept in mind.

‘It’s impossible to just create water.’

It meant it couldn’t just pop into existence out of thin air.

Right now, this place was a burning land covered with typical heat.

It was difficult to find anything resembling water anywhere.

However, it was fine.

Because there was a [Derivative Skill] that would compensate for this weakness.

A stream of water surged according to my will.
And then, a fierce wave was created, enough to cover the entire stream.

A massive tsunami that could cover the ceiling; it was literally a disaster of water.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
Kwaduduk! Bang!!!

“Beeeeep!”
“Beeeek!”
“Beeeduk!”

The approaching <Ash Spirits> were instantly oxidized.

Beyond evaporation, they were crushed by the immense mass of water, leaving no trace behind.

Following that, the water’s judgment struck the < Alligator Man of Flame> directly in an instant.

The first manifestation of the derivative skill [Tsunami] from the [Tsunami of the Rising Dragon] showed unimaginable power.

“Meeeoooww! Seha, you’re amazing! To perform a water technique like this where there’s no water!”

Bang!!!

Another deafening crash echoed as the creature was hurled away, engulfed in the water.

“Kraack! Kraaaargh!”

It floundered, unable to regain its senses.
The creature struggled in agony.
However, it didn’t seem like it would die just from this.

Bang!

I focused my magical power on both legs and soared up with the strong force of [Monstrous Strength].

The manifestation of [Deep Underwater Breathing] and [Reckless Dash] gave me the freedom to move even in the violently crashing waves.

Soon, the floundering creature came into view.

I drew the [Saint’s Sword].

Although my level hadn’t increased, I wielded the [Overlord Sword Technique] with more skill than before, like a storm of fury.

Swish!

“K-keugh…”

A sound like a soul escaping emanated from the mouth of the <Alligator Man of Flame>.
The flames enveloping its body subsided, and its eyes turned white.
The creature had already taken a direct hit from the derived skill [Tsunami], suffering significant damage.

Having been helplessly struck by the follow-up attack, there would be no way to withstand it.

Shuk!

With final resolve, I swung the [Saint’s Sword].
A determination not to create any unknown variables.
The head of the <Alligator Man> was cleanly severed and rolled onto the floor.

A bright smile spread across my face at the sound echoing in my ear.