Chapter 157 – The Forgotten Dragon Knight’s Pride (5)
It was a series of shocking events.
Ji Yoon-jae, who was a friend and a member of the <Anti Villain> group, was from the <Villain> clan, and had prepared to ambush by setting traps in this dungeon.
Just up to this point, it was enough to make one’s eyes wide open in astonishment, but what came after was even more surprising.
In the despairing situation where death was right before his eyes.
A change occurred to Do Jae-hyun, who was at the very front.
A huge stream of golden light poured all towards him, and the form of a dragon briefly appeared and disappeared behind his back.
It looked just like the appearance of a ‘dragon’ that one would only hear about in legends.
‘…’
Kang Juyeon blankly stared at Do Jae-hyun.
The man who kept showing different transformations every time.
When she first saw him, he was just a crude Holder who only knew how to use a single dagger, but as time passed, the number of weapons he could wield kept increasing…
Now, before she knew it, he had become a talented Multi-Holder who could also use numerous magic runes.
She didn’t know what rune existed for that mystical growth.
Or what power he had borrowed.
But one thing that was certain.
He always tried his best in every given situation, and behind that growth was unseen sweat and effort.
After watching him for quite some time now, Kang Juyeon could finally see the backside of that growth.
‘…I received help again.’
That was another transformation of Do Jae-hyun’s.
She didn’t know what power he had gained this time, but it was surely a desperate struggle using all his power to save the party in crisis…
So even after Do Jae-hyun fully gained that special power.
And even after he retired the enemy leader in one breath with the ultimate skill “Rush” after a simple command.
Completely turning around the unfavorable battle situation.
Kang Juyeon thought.
I want to help too.
Rather than only receiving help from him, she wanted to support his shoulders as a strong colleague who stands alongside him.
Do Jae-hyun…
No, Jae-hyun.
I want to become a strong colleague whom he can trust and rely on.
That determination and will shattered an egg.
Kang Juyeon who was trapped inside an egg created by the mannerisms of genius under the name of talent.
That egg was completely shattered.
And as she stepped out from it, she was newly soaring.
[I have witnessed the sacred pact between the forgotten Dragon Knight and Dragon. The power contained in the pact intertwines with your will. The Unquenchable flame of guardianship slumbering in your chest flickers. The Red Dragon of the pact, Kanaless will stand beside the Knight anywhere and anytime.]
[The hidden power of the ‘Unquenchable Flame’ rune is revealed.]
[Rune information is updated to the new rune ‘Guarding Unquenchable Flame’.]
[You gain 5 magic power and 5 fire resistance with the rune’s attribute.]
[You have learned the derived skill ‘Defensive Barrier’.]
…
…
[Guarding Unquenchable Flame].
The existing [Unquenchable Flame] was renewed to register as a new legendary rune.
She had only thought it was a fire-attribute epic rune obtained upon awakening, but it turned out to be a mystical and intense power intertwined with the legend of dragons.
The seal was finally broken, transmitting a new power to her.
Kang Juyeon slightly opened her eyes which she had been shutting.
The new direction of the rune flashed across her mind. The rune she had thought was focused only on attacking.
Because of that attribute, Kang Juyeon had always only focused on destructive and aggressive rune utilization.
But the real power her rune possessed wasn’t that.
The fire-attribute magic rune once possessed by the Red Dragon Kanaless.
[Guarding Unquenchable Flame].
This was a power created to guard knights who formed pacts and care for humans.
Kwaang!
She looked over the battlefield before her eyes.
Although Do Jae-hyun had completely turned the tide after defeating the enemy leader, the situation was still unfavorable.
There were still seven villain clan members remaining who looked to at least be B-grade Holders, and it was questionable how long Do Jae-hyun who had already used a lot of power raiding the boss could hold out even after gaining new power.
And there was Ji Yoon-jae.
He was looking for a chance to attack Do Jae-hyun with the unique movements of assassin-style holders after being pushed back for a moment in the initial clash against Do Jae-hyun.
While Do Jae-hyun may have noticed this as well, it was clearly visible to Kang Juyeon who was concentrating from afar.
In the smoke that temporarily obscured her vision from the explosion.
Ji Yoon-jae was charging at Do Jae-hyun again.
In that instantaneous situation…
Kang Juyeon quietly moved her magic power.
‘Defensive Barrier.’
Do Jae-hyun who was alone and surrounded from afar.
Around him…
A fiery barrier fiercely blocking attacks.
Now it was her turn to support as well.
***
Ippotranslation
***
Ta- Tap tap-
Wharrlurruk-!!
‘Oh crap. Surprised me.’
I almost swore without realizing it.
In the moment of fighting the remaining <Villain> clan members after rendering Koo Myeong-hoon unable to fight.
Suddenly flames burst up around me.
It wasn’t something the enemies did.
All the opponents were close-ranged, without any hint of trying to utilize magic.
The manifestation of magic power came from behind.
It was magic coming from our party side that had been tensely watching the fight.
‘Who is it? Senior Yoon Ji-ah?’
I don’t know who casted the magic.
They should all have depleted their magic power because of fighting the boss, so I wondered how they cast magic.
On top of that, the shield of flames burning wholly around me,
It was a peculiar form of magic I had never seen before.
Although the flames bloomed around me, there was no intention at all of attacking me.
Rather, it seemed like magic created for the purpose of defense.
The flames blazed up and surrounded my body, then freely moved by adjusting its height near my chest.
It looked like the skill, [Magic Control] and [Physical Defence], runes you could acquire by taking martial arts runes to the extreme.
And….
Crk-
Whoosh-!!
“Kuuk…!!”
Among the blinding flames, there was an enemy taking damage.
Ji Yoon-jae.
The guy who clashed swords briefly with me earlier and got pushed back by the momentum of my [Explosive Sword Aura].
He was trying to ambush me while I fought intensely with Koo Myeong-hoon, but got blocked by the suddenly appearing flames and bounced off.
Although the shield of flames consisted of magical energy, it effectively blocked all of Ji Yoon-jae’s physical attacks.
‘What is this…’
Of course, I knew he was lurking for a chance to ambush me.
With [Berserk] and [Gaze of Stiffness] increasing my stats nearly twofold, my dynamic vision to respond to the opponent’s raid also increased exponentially.
Of course I noticed Ji Yoon-jae’s ambush and was preparing countermeasures.
Then the shield of flames suddenly appeared and obstructed him.
Because of that unexpected defense, Ji Yoon-jae shouted as if exploding.
“F*ck! Just how many skills do you have?!”
“Hey. This wasn’t something I did.”
I really didn’t.
Feels kinda unfair.
Tak- tak-
Swish-
Crk!!
And maybe that defense was the fuse.
Three Holders wedged themselves into the battle formation where I was surrounded alone.
Kwon Oh-jun, Park Jin-woo, Choi Dong-wook.
The Holders who took the tanking line at the front.
The members besides Shin Yu-na who was guarding the rear.
They quickly approached beside me,
Then clashed weapons with the <Villain> clan members.
Seeing that, I quietly spoke.
“…Is everyone okay?”
No matter how physical attacks are better to use than other elements, still, they must be tired and depleted of magic power.
I was needlessly worried they had forced themselves to come help me.
“Oh, we can’t just keep watching.”
“Right. Because you took down that gravity mage, our feet got freed up a bit.”
“…Kill about three for me.”
They must have already used up their ultimate skills, and skills with long cooldowns too.
All they had left was physical ability and weapons.
Despite that, they stubbornly charged in to help me.
Because we’re a team.
Because we ran here with the same goal as a team.
So I understood their feelings completely.
It wasn’t like I would be any different.
Even in that despairing situation, I unsealed the ‘Stone Tablet’ in an attempt to do something.
I didn’t know the result would be this good, but anyway, all that was an action for the team.
I nodded my head then gripped my weapon again.
“Then everyone be careful! I will engage as many people in front as possible!”
After leaving the rear to my teammates.
I immediately utilized [Agile Agility] and stepped forward.
The number of <Villain> clan members had already decreased a lot.
Cha Soo-yeon was in mortal danger from [Distortion’s Shadow] and one clan member was next to her trying to heal her.
On top of that, Koo Myeong-hoon was practically unable to fight after my first explosive attack.
Of the original 10 clan members, only 7 remained.
With 3 of those already occupied by my teammates.
The number I had to face was just 4.
‘And once it’s 3 or more the law of the beast is applied.’
Special effect of [Descendant of the Barbarian King], Law of the Beast.
When fighting 3 or more enemies, physical abilities (strength, speed, toughness) rise.
20% for level 4.
Pumping from [Berserk] and [Gaze of Stiffness].
Pumped once more by [Descendant of the Barbarian King].
And finally, pumped again by [Oppression]’s special effect.
Countless ability score modifiers combo’ed and applied like a cheat key.
Well, this is something that would make anyone nod their head.
Judging only by my current ability scores…
I had easily surpassed A-grade level.
Crk- Kagang-!!
Kkakagaga-!!
“Kuhk…!!”
“W-What’s with this monster-like strength…!!”
The <Villain> clan members desperately tried to deploy formations, but were quickly flustered by my overwhelming abilities.
Of course, once past A-grade, the highs and lows of ability scores lose a lot of meaning.
There’s no criteria ability score to raise grades
And from there, ability scores matter less than rune level and rune utilization skill in distinguishing combat power.
But that’s only for A-grade and above.
The <Villain> clan members here now besides Ji Yoon-jae are all B-grade Holders.
Even with 3:1 odds it would obviously still be difficult for them.
Because of that….
Crk- Kagang-!!
The only one who can compete with me now is an A-grade Holder.
The [Sword of Penitent] and two short swords clash roughly.
And a single Holder, escaped from the difference in ability scores…
Blocked my path from the start.
It was Ji Yoon-jae, who had been lurking for a chance to ambush all this time.
In front of the crossed weapons, I grinned wickedly.
“You little rat. Just aiming for the back as always, huh?”
“Do Jae-hyun… I will definitely kill you here.”
Ji Yoon-jae.
And the 4:1 battle against the three <Villain> clan members.
A formation I would never have dared attempt normally,
But I wasn’t afraid of it at all now.
