The Deep Swamp Bog (3)

Kwaaa!

The distinctive rough resonance of the [Provocation Roar] skill spread out.

Like the hiss of a cat, crimson magic spread.

The eyes of the <Swamp Caiman> and <Venomous Neiki> that were scattering and approaching Meowi turned hazy.

“Grrrr!”
“Shiririk!”

Then, they began to attack the innocent [Turtle’s Shield] indiscriminately.

Watching this scene was Moon Bora.
She couldn’t hide her surprised expression and covered her mouth with her fingertips.

“…[Provocation Roar], you say?”

It was a decisive factor that determined whether a <Tank> class could reach the upper ranks, and a power that symbolized talent.

At the fragment of that power, Moon Bora looked quite flustered.

“I knew she had gotten much stronger, but–”
“You didn’t expect the [Provocation Roar] skill as well?”

At my words, Moon Bora nodded.
Murmuring quietly so that Meowi wouldn’t hear.

“…Yes, it’s a concept on a completely different level from increasing stats.”

It was definitely as Moon Bora said.
Even among tankers, there were those who could and couldn’t learn certain skills.
Every hunter had their own aptitudes and talents.

In Meowi’s case, the attack skill [Push Shield] was allowed, but essential utility skills like [Taunt] were not permitted.

‘Normally, this would be impossible to do.’

Unless it was copied like mine, it was generally an impossible feat.

‘This is why [Disguise] is a cheat.’

From the shining magic emanating from Meowi’s body, I sensed that the binding contract of [Disguise] was nearing completion.

Probably in just a few more days, the [Provocation Roar] skill would be fully acquired.

Then, in accordance with Meowi’s growth, I should be able to acquire even stronger provocation skills.

Once again, I thought it was a good idea to clear the <Garden of the Pearl Spitting Tortoise>, and grabbed the sword at my waist.

It was true that [Provocation Roar] was a cheat, but it was not an omnipotent skill that solved all problems.

After all, enduring the beating was up to Meowi’s discretion.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!
Clang, clang, clang!

“M-Meow!”

Meowi, who had strengthened her defense with [Raise Shield], began to be pushed back.

Because, before I knew it, the number of monsters had increased like cotton soaked in water.

Meowi was enduring to her very limit.

Finally, as the monsters became as dense as possible, she held up the reddened shield and launched a powerful shockwave head-on.

“[Push Shield-Strong]!!!”

Boom!

The shockwave, strengthened two to three times, spread with the force to churn up the swamp.

The frontmost, the Swamp Caiman and the Venomous Neiki, were crushed into mush.

These were just a few that were directly in front.

The rest flew back and then, influenced by provocation, rushed madly again.

As expected of the [Beast] type, they all had exceptional toughness.

“Moon Bora! You take care of the ones coming from the left. I’ll handle the right!”
“Got it!”

Hearing the casting sound, I dashed forward.

I pulled back the exhausted Meowi, who was muttering, ‘Meow…’

“Good job!”
“Meow~”

With my sword at my waist, I briefly looked at the approaching crowd and thought.

Using [Flowing Slash] would roughly take care of them…

‘The mana consumption is too high.’

Our goal was to capture the [Dungeon Boss] after all.

We couldn’t afford to waste much mana on these small fries.

Even with moderate firepower, it would take a long time, and there was a high risk of being counterattacked once the provocation was lifted.

‘The conclusion is minimal consumption.’

And to emit sustained firepower powered by minimal consumption.

After making my decision, I ran my palm from the start to the end of the sword.

Whoosh!

Like lighting dry wood on fire, the rising flames imbued it with a unique firepower.

Like a fairy dancing beautifully, it began to swirl along the blade according to my will.

Though it was the first time I used [Burning Flame], it was as easy to handle as my own limbs.

‘From here… I will perform a thrust movement!’

Though less powerful than [Flowing Slash], instead, the mana consumption was extremely low as the [Three Consecutive Thrusts] were directed at the <Swamp Caiman>.

With each thrust, additional afterimages appeared.

It unfolded as if three people were stabbing in three directions simultaneously.

Purbubuk! Along with the sound, the Caiman’s brain was penetrated.

It didn’t stop there.

Grasping the sword back and taking a step back, I continued to unleash [Three Consecutive Thrusts].

A relentless waltz of the sword.
When [Burning Flames] were added to this, it bloomed beautifully in the air like a fireworks display.

“Swooosh!”
“Kwoooek!”

The [Venomous Neik] and the [Swamp Caiman] got torn to pieces.
They began to burn.
I kept stabbing forward.
Before I knew it, they had all become well-cooked meat, sizzling and smoking.

‘Nice.’

It was clean.
The harmony of the Rare grade [Three Consecutive Thrust] with the equally Rare grade [Burning Flames].

While it might not concentrate firepower momentarily as [Flowing Slash] did, it was better in terms of sustainability when looked at.

After nodding in satisfaction, Moon Bora, who had likewise finished organizing, approached.

Twirling her wand in hand, she looked at me with surprised eyes.

“…Mister Seha? Wasn’t that just now [Burning Flames]? Don’t tell me you’ve also learned magic?”
“…Ah, um. Uh…”
“…Your reaction is strange. And that stabbing move… it’s a Turtle Knight’s technique, right? Don’t tell me you learned it through experience during the entrance exam?”
“Well, practicing it… seemed to work.”

Moon Bora was incredulous at the poor explanation.

“…No, Mister Seha. Normally, skills aren’t something simple enough to obtain through practice.”

It was true, but that didn’t mean I could say I had the ability to [Copy Abilities]…
It was something I couldn’t say.

I decided to brazenly shrug my shoulders and go out.
Since Moon Bora already knew that I was a born 5★.

“Well, it worked.”
“…Ha. Damn talented monster.”

No, but you’re also a born 4★.

“Seha~”

As I sheathed my sword, the characteristic meow sound echoed.

With a broad smile, I spread my arms wide.

Like a snack that fits perfectly in one bite, our Meowi jumped into my arms.

“That was amazing! Flames, whoosh! And with a stab, swoosh-swoosh, it was so cool!”

Truly, it was typical Meowi speech.

As a side note, she knew I had obtained [Burning Flames].

When I felt sorry for being the only one to get it, she didn’t mind at all.

‘…No, she is actually happy.’

―I’ve received so much from you, Seha! I’m actually really glad you got it.

“……”
“Meeeoooowww?”

As I patted Meowi’s head, I reaffirmed my resolve.

‘I’ll get a hidden piece later.’

I must fill our Meowi’s cheeks to the brim.

The battle continued.
We dodged if we could.
If we had no choice but to fight, we had to eliminate them as quickly as possible.
About 20 minutes had passed by then.

“Mister Seha, over there!”

Having finished her words, Moon Bora swiftly pulled out her wand gun with [Guns Weapon] and aimed forward.

Something thick and menacing wriggled.

What emerged, crushing thick trees like straws, was a giant anaconda.

“Ah, damn it.”
“Meow… Seha.”

I slowly held my forehead.

It seemed…

“We are the unlucky ones.”

Meanwhile, same place, same time.

Ju Na-young inwardly cheered at the sight of the massive figure, about four meters tall, in front of her.

‘Found it!’

Skin like a rock and a disgustingly ugly appearance.
Even the distinct sturdiness of the earth attribute emanating from its body.

It was undoubtedly the dungeon boss, the <Stone Troll>, of this place, <Deep Swamp Bog>.

‘Good.’

Luck was on her side.
Probably, Yu Seha’s team was encountering the <Granpfell Anaconda>.

Ju Na-young gathered all her mana throughout her body.

Her current strength was among the top ranks of C-rank hunters.

Even if it was a boss, if it was the <Stone Troll>, she could take it down solo.

Ju Na-young was ready to charge forward.
But suddenly, she hesitated.

She turned her gaze to Ryu Da-rae and Hwang Ki-beum, who were exclaiming, ‘Wow, so that’s the <Stone Troll>.’

‘……’

Ju Na-young briefly recalled last night.

Today, before entering the dungeon, she thought of the conversation she had with Yu Seha, whom she met by chance at the convenience store.

―Ju Na-young.
―Yes?
―You are strong. Probably one of the strongest people I’ve ever met in my life.
―Wh-wh-why the sudden compliment?
―But in the end, you are all alone.
―Yes?

Yu Seha smiled softly and placed his hand on her head.

Then he patted it.

―…Young-aah…
―Should I stop if you don’t like it?
―No, it’s okay…
―Meowi does it almost every day. It calms the mind, they say.

Ju Na-young was a little surprised by his words.

Ma Hana…
That cute child…
W-Was this pleasant feeling something she received every day?

―Anyway, let me finish what I was saying.

Yu Seha explained quietly.
He said her perspective was too narrow.

―I won’t tell you to look around while you’re fighting. Just take a moment to look back before you charge in.
―…Look back?
―Yes. Nine times out of ten.

Your teammates, who trust and look up to you, will be waiting.

―Remember this one last thing.

You are never alone.

“……”

Hu, Ju Na-young took a deep breath.
She slapped her cheeks with both hands and looked at the two.

“Da-rae, Ki-beum.”

The two looked at her with puzzled eyes as she called their names.

Enduring her embarrassment, Ju Na-young spoke in a trembling voice.

“…C-can you fight with me?”

Surprised by Ju Na-young’s words, the two looked at each other.
Soon, they nodded.

“Of course!”
“We’ve been waiting for you to ask us!”

A moment later.

“…Krrrk?”

The Stone Troll, munching on the roadside weeds, turned its gaze at the sensed presence.

A woman holding a shield and sword inscribed with shamanistic terms and adorned with makeup reminiscent of primitive shamans.

Ryu Da-rae.

At her appearance, the eyes of the <Stone Troll> twitched.

“Kwaaah!!”
“Let’s begin!”

As soon as the <Stone Troll> recognized her, Ryu Da-rae announced the start of the operation.
She spun the sword in her hand and struck the ground.
From the spot she struck, a long wooden totem emerged.

The primitive totem, seemingly crafted for shamanism, had human facial features carved into it.

As it slowly opened its mouth with a grating sound, it emitted a sonic wave that fully captured the <Stone Troll>’s attention.

Ryu Da-rae’s class was <Shaman Warrior>.
The main tank, often referred to as a hybrid, was a mix of mage and warrior strength.

When provoked, the <Stone Troll> was drawn to the totem as if enchanted.

“Na-young!”

At the signal of Ryu Da-rae’s shout, Ju Na-young burst out from the bushes as if waiting.

She jumped high.
She clenched her fist tightly towards the Stone Troll, showing its back unguarded.

“[Combo]!”

Bam, bam, bam!

“Graaaah!!!”

The boss of <The Deep Swamp Bog>.
It was the moment when the battle between the <Stone Troll> and Ju Na-young’s team unfolded.