The Deep Swamp Bog (5)

Puh-buh-buh-buh-buck!
Bang, bang-bang!
Puh-buh-buck!

“Kwaaaargh!”
“Young-ah!”

It was a tense fight.

The <Twin Head Troll> swung its arms wildly, screaming like a madman.

There was no technique, just pure brute strength in its random swings.

But the physical abilities strengthened to an A-grade level, and the vast magic supplied by the Demon Stone endowed tremendous power to its actions.

With a cracking sound, a tree hit by the troll’s arm shattered.

No, it went beyond that. As if it were completely torn apart, it flew backward in an instant.

Clear traces of destruction remained on the corner of the tree.

Ju Na-young, who was watching, let out a groan, “Young-ah…”

‘Even for me, it would be too much if I got hit directly.’

Ju Na-young’s movements were cautious and composed.

She was always feverish.
In an extreme situation where she might die if things went wrong.
The thought that a gap would eventually appear led her to remain calm and composed.

Crunch, bang!

Ju Na-young, who was dodging the random attacks of the [Twin Head Troll].

Ran forward towards the soon-to-be-revealed gap.

She bent her body and put strength into her hands.
Infusing more magic into [Burning Flames] to increase its firepower, she unleashed [Rapid Strike] without rest.

The [Rapid Strike] that soared to the extreme showed flashes like a machine gun, but that was it.

“Krurrk!”
“Not yet!”

It’s not over!

Ju Na-young put strength into her legs.

She immediately followed up the spot where she landed her rapid strikes with [Punch].

It was practically the best move Ju Na-young could make.

“[Punch]!”
“Krrk?!”

Bang!

With a sound like a cannonball exploding, the body of the <Twin Head Troll> staggered backward.

However, despair flickered in Ju Na-young’s eyes.

Despite the definite hit, the wound healed immediately.

She cursed with a pale face.

“…Fuck.”
“Krrrr!”

The troll charged forward, now based on its much stronger [Regeneration].

Facing the reckless attack that seemed unstoppable, Ju Na-young soon reached her limit.

“Keok!”
“Krua!”

A dull punch struck her side.
Ju Na-young barely managed to perform a breakfall.
The red dragon scales covering her side shattered and fell off.

She was certain at this moment.

‘…If it weren’t for [Dragon’s Child]…’

She would have died, with her guts spilling out from that blow just now.

“…Huff, huff.“

Blood flowing down from her torn forehead obscured her vision.

Her mana reservoir was nearing empty.

In this dire situation, Ju Na-young’s brain was working furiously to find a way out.

Soon, she reached one conclusion.

‘…No matter how much I think about it.’

There was no other way.
It was almost like a gamble; no, the probability of failure was higher, but she had no choice but to bet on it.

“Come at me!”
“Kwaaa!”

Provoking the troll, Ju Na-young narrowly dodged its swinging arm.

She grabbed its arm with both hands and pulled it inward.

Naturally, the distance between her and the troll closed, creating the perfect distance for delivering the final blow.

With a do-or-die mindset, she scraped together all her remaining mana and moved it near her heart.

Thump, thump! The flames burning inside her began to surge like a dragon.

What Ju Na-young was trying to do now was a skill that symbolized the <Dragon>, synonymous with fear, and known as a form of authority.

It was none other than [Dragon Breath].

Among their family members, no one except her mother had ever succeeded in this technique.

Even her ‘cousin sister’, who was called a genius for showing her wings during childhood, could not exhale this breath.

And this was the same for Ju Na-young.

Up until now, Ju Na-young had practiced countless times, but had never once succeeded in using Dragon Breath.

This was proof that, like the wings, she had not been granted the qualification.

It was also evidence that it was a higher-level power that had not been permitted.

‘But such things don’t matter!’

Even in a perfect state, it would be difficult.

Ju Na-young had exhausted most of her stamina just getting to this point.

Of course, there was no way to anticipate fighting an evolved creature like the <Twin Head Troll>.

In reality, there was no room for leeway.

Therefore, the only move for a reversal was this.

‘Please, I beg you!’

Even if it’s just for a moment, manifest it!

Ju Na-young opened her mouth.

“[Dragon Breath]!”

A burst of light.

…However, reality was cold.

What came out of her mouth was nothing but a puff of black smoke, signaling failure.

“…Ah.”
“Krurrr!”

The enraged troll raised its hand.
Sensing death from the impending blow, Ju Na-young tightly closed her eyes.

And at that moment.
A sound cutting through the air echoed.

Ju Na-young belatedly noticed that the sound was mixed with someone running.

Soon, a clear voice that transformed her suspicion into certainty resounded.

“Ju Na-young, duck your head!”
“…!”

She ducked her head like lightning.
Immediately after, a straight sword strike exploded, and the troll’s scream echoed.

The [Flowing Slash-Enhanced] reinforced with red light severed the troll’s right wrist entirely.

“Ju Na-young! Are you okay?”
“Huh? Uh…”

The one who saved her was Yu Seha.

Sweating as if he had rushed over, he gripped the [Turtle’s Longsword] with both hands.

“Meowi!”
“Yeah!”

At his shout, Ma Hana dashed forward, raising her shield.

“[Push Shield-Enhanced]!”

Boom!

This was not the end.

“[Icicle]!”

Moon Bora’s staff gun spun, firing a magic-infused bullet.

With the exploding ice chunk, the <Twin Head Troll> screamed and fell.

“Y-you guys…”

Ju Na-young sobbed in gratitude.

After looking at Ju Na-young for about two seconds, Yu Seha quickly made a decision.

Ju Na-young couldn’t fight.
And the same went for Moon Bora next to him.

“Moon Bora. Don’t act rashly, and tell me. How much mana do you have left now?”
“…That was the last of it.”
“Got it; take Ju Na-young and get out of here first.”
“……”
“Hurry! You know better than anyone that we don’t have the luxury to argue with this opponent!”
“…Understood.”

Moon Bora, who accepted those words without a fuss, pulled Ju Na-young’s arm and slung it over her shoulder.

They ran out before anything else could be said.

“Wa-wait! I-I want to fight too!”
“Don’t say something foolish. I know your side ribs are shattered. In that condition, you’ll only be a burden to the two who are staying.”
“…B-but!”
“Trust me.”
“…Huh?”

Moon Bora glanced back.

Yu Seha, and Ma Hana.

Though it had only been a few months, the depth of the bond between them flowed as if they had been in sync for a long time.

“As far as I know…”

I’ve never seen a tank and dealer complement each other as well as those two.

Bang, bang!

Scenes of indiscriminate violence spread throughout the [Swamp Area].

The master of the scene was, of course, the [Twin Head Troll].

The creature seemed angry that the regeneration of its arm, cut off by [Flowing Slash], was slow.

With its remaining arm and even its severed arm stump, it was launching random attacks.

However, no matter how powerful the attack, if it wouldn’t hit, it wasn’t a problem.

The blind-like attacks would never reach the two.

“Meeooow!”

Ma Hana thought while twirling around the side.

‘The one it’s targeting is Seha.’

It’s obvious.

Since Seha dealt the highest damage, the aggro value must have skyrocketed.

In reality, the movements of the Twin Head were concentrated on Yu Seha, not on herself.

‘That’s why I can make it.’

Now that it wasn’t paying attention to her.
It was the moment to land the decisive blow!

In the blink of an eye.

Ma Hana witnessed the Twin Head Troll turning its body towards Yu Seha.

Seeing its defenseless back, she quickly rushed out.

Thanks to that, she was able to reach the [Range] of the skill.

“Meeeooow! [Provocation Roar]!”
“Kwaaah?!”

Feeling the sensation of its head being forcibly pulled, the Twin Head’s body turned around.

Regardless of its own will, it began to pound on Ma Hana’s shield.

Kang, kwang, kang!

One hit, two hits.

Each time it struck, the shield grew hotter.
The power of the [Rune of the Pearl Spitting Tortoise] was steadily accumulating.

At the same time, the crimson glow in the Twin Head’s eyes began to fade.

The duration of the provocation was ending faster than expected.

‘As expected, a boss is a boss.’

The [Troll] itself had high resistance to abnormal statuses.
Its sudden evolution significantly increased its resistance.

However, Ma Hana did not panic.
She counted the numbers in her head, perfectly calculating the duration of the provocation.

“Grarrr!”

And just before it ended, she dodged its attack and closed in.
The target was, of course, its vital point!

“[Push Shield-Enhanced]!”

Bang!

It struck the twin-headed monster’s head accurately.

“Seha!”
“Yes!”

Yu Seha responded as if waiting for the call.

During the provocation, she must have continued attacking with normal hits.
His sword maintained [Rage of the Earth Lord] at maximum.

“[Burning Flames]!”

He applied increased power and decreased regeneration to the blade with a flame skill.

“[Flowing Slash-Enhanced]!”

A follow-up slash.
Simultaneously, the maximum power that could be exerted right now.

Yu Seha’s longsword, diving in like lightning, decapitated the Twin Head without hesitation.

“Meeooow!”

Ma Hana clenched her hand.

Far away, Yu Seha was sitting on the ground, catching his breath.

Seeing him rummage through his belongings, it seemed he was about to consume the ‘potion’ he had prepared before entering this place.

‘I…’

I need to buy more time!

Ma Hana wanted to be of more help to Yu Seha.

Although, it might not be enough to deliver the final blow.
If one more [Push Shield] lands, it would at least create some breathing room.

So, Ma Hana charged at the kneeling Twin Head.

Yu Seha’s eyes widened as he saw this.

“M-meowi! No! That guy has two heads, so he can react to it!”
“…Meow?!”

She quickly stopped at his shout, but it was already too late…

As if they had targeted this moment, the half cut-off left head of the Twin Head was looking at Ma Hana.

Bung! Peoeok!

“Kuak!”
“Meow!!”

Followed by a backkick.

Although it was an innocuous kick, it was a very fatal blow to Ma Hana, who was defenseless.

“Krrk!”

Ma Hana caught her breath after being hit by the backkick.

One or two of her ribs must have been broken, and she shed tears of pain.

The <Twin Head Troll> approached her.

Its remaining eyes shone with killing intent.

Clasping both hands together.
Its thick arm muscles swelled and became as strong as a mace.
It was covered with scale-like stone pieces, further increasing its power.

It was [Rock Fist], a derivative skill of [Rough Rock Crevice].

Originally, it was only possible up to the wrist, but the evolution through the Demon Strone showed such results.

“Kkwaaaa!”

The [Twin Head Troll] raised its fist up.

As it was, the will to turn this rat-sized bitch into a real mushed-up rat was spreading.

However.

Flinch!

“…Kreurk?!”

Before its fist touched Ma Hana, it stopped quickly.

No, the right word was that it had to stop its fist.

Kugugu!

Behind the <Twin Head Troll>, something incredibly massive was surging.

It pierced its skin, and it hurt.
An energy that seemed to energize the cells of its entire body.

It was undoubtedly ‘killing intent’ taken to the extreme.

“Keu… rek… keuwek!”

Saliva was dripping from the <Twin Head Troll> as it was experiencing difficulty breathing.

The other regenerated head trembled as if it couldn’t believe it.

It was an impossible thing, by common sense.

Even though Yu Seha had recently achieved rapid growth, the <Twin Head Troll> was a boss equivalent to an A-rank borderline.

Such a <Twin Head Troll> was paralyzed with fear.

Those precious three seconds.

Yu Seha’s abnormal killing intent continued to pour towards the <Twin Head Troll>.