CH.50 Swirl Leviathan (4)
Jeong Seon-young raised her tense face and gathered her magic.
It was an S-grade monster, a rare disaster monster.
Every time a disaster monster appeared, she had applied as the leader for A-grade Holder, but she thought this monster would be especially challenging.
Even though there were five A-grade Holders participating, it was still an S-grade monster, a giant creature that emerged from the sea. The terrain was unfavorable, and the monster’s abilities were formidable.
‘These Holders don’t seem… that impressive.’
She looked around at the groaning injured people filling the scene. Most of them were C-grade Holders experiencing such a large-scale hunt for the first time.
Despite its grandiose name, the Disaster Monster Hunting Squad wasn’t very popular among the Holders…’Because the rewards are small’. While the risk and difficulty of hunting monsters in disasters were high, and the rewards were disappointing. There were no dungeons to conquer or rest rooms to gain for the first time, and if they were going to hunt field monsters, there was no need to go after disaster monsters.
Especially for clan leaders and their affiliated Holders, they rarely participated in disaster monster hunts. It was much more profitable for them to operate their own dungeons or continue their training curriculum.
S-grade monsters were relatively better in comparison. They provided more loot, and the rewards were more luxurious compared to other monsters.
But everything comes with a price. S-grade monsters come with immense risks.
‘We need to be more careful.’
If the plan went awry or unexpected variables occurred, the risks would materialize and come back at them.
Their main targets were C-grade Holders. Unlike A and B-grade Holders who frequently participated in disaster monster hunts, C-grade Holders were mostly inexperienced newcomers. Therefore, they were more exposed to danger and there were relatively more injured or dead Holders among them.
“Dealers are coming from that side!”
“Darn it! All members of the Warrior Group, raise your shields and move forward!”
And, as if to prove himself, a C-grade Holder and the supporting personnel headed towards the rear.
The water magic of Swirl Leviathan flew at them without hesitation. Water bullets shot out relentlessly.
Jeong Seon-young quickly used her skill [Ice Wall] to minimize the damage to the warrior-class Holders she was guarding.
“What the heck is this…”
While she activated her defensive magic, she gritted her teeth at the tenacious counterattack of the S-grade monster. She was a mage, and among them, she specialized in ice magic. Her possessed rune was [Frozen Battlefield], an epic rune highly evaluated in the [Freezing] category, and it was used up to the ultimate skill [Blizzard], but the monster didn’t go down.
Although she managed to land definite effective hits, witnessing the creature shedding its skin and blood pouring out. It still had the power to counterattack, which was extraordinary.
Indeed, hunting S-grade monsters was not an easy task.
‘That child… is holding up well.’
Jeong Seon-young’s gaze fell on the other side.
The C-grade Holder who was unexpectedly assigned to her protection. He had a good-looking face and looked quite young, like a student who had just graduated or was still studying at the academy.
Although she had put him under her protection with the derivative skill [Ice Wall] because she could manage her own defense, unexpectedly, he was holding up well.
He had a shield item that seemed to belong to a fairly decent grade. He skillfully used the [Shield] rune to fend off the water bullets, and his posture was that of a typical tank-role warrior.
Despite the sudden counterattack of the S-grade monster, he calmly defended her, showing his pride and reliability.
Most likely among the C-grade Holders present.
Wouldn’t that kid’s fighting sense and judgment be the best?
“Again, again… !!”
And the variable happened again.
Swirl Leviathan’s water magic, which had been thought to end with a single counterattack, was poured out again as if it were continuous hits.
The direction was also backwards.
Despite trying to stop the monster, the warriors at the front were powerless to stop the wind-blown water magic.
‘I need to be careful.’
Jeong Seon-young bit her lips and used [Ice Wall] even more to block as many water bullets as possible. Many of the warrior-class Holders who had taken on her protection had already been injured or killed.
If she allowed more attacks, the support personnel in the rear would suffer significant damage.
‘Oh! That child!’
As she used [Ice Wall] to block as many water bullets as possible, Jeong Seon-young suddenly thought of the C-grade Holder she was protecting.
He had definitely wielded his [Shield] and protected her well, but when the last water bullet was about to hit him, his shield was almost worn out, so he discarded it and took out his sword.
In other words, he was currently defenseless.
If not for Jeong Seon-young’s [Ice Wall], he might have been hit and killed by the water bullet.
“No…!!”
It was a clear mistake.
To save him as quickly as possible, Jeong Seon-young tried to change the direction of her [Ice Wall].
However…
“Flow.”
He was clearly a C-grade Holder. His face was unfamiliar, and he looked quite young. He had recently been transferred to the warrior class as a squad member. His proficiency with [Shield] was not high, and his shield had worn away in no time.
He was one of the 50 C-grade Holders recruited for this expedition.
But the words that came from his mouth were of a higher grade.
Usually, only A-grade Holders or, at best, B-grade Holders could say it…
It was the manifestation of an ‘Ultimate Skill’.
“It can’t be…”
Jeong Seon-young looked straight at him.
He was performing a certain dance.
He nonchalantly moved his feet as if dancing, easily deflecting all the water bullets that were so fast, they were almost invisible.
Both physical and magical attacks.
He managed to repel them all with a single sword.
There were no more water bullets coming towards Jeong Seon-young and the approaching Holder.
They had all been blocked by his sword.
It looked like he was performing a dance representing the flow of water.
‘He’s definitely using an Ultimate Skill.’
From his words and his current state, it was clear.
He had used an Ultimate Skill.
It was incredible for a mere C-grade Holder to use an Ultimate Skill, but the fact that he possessed a rune of a grade higher than Rare was also noteworthy.
Normally, with the ‘Normal Runes’ Holders usually possess, it’s almost impossible to derive an Ultimate Skill.
In other words, the C-grade Holder before her not only had a rune of Rare grade or higher, but he also possessed the abilities and senses to fully utilize it.
‘What an amazing talent he has.’
Jeong Seon-young looked at him blankly, realizing this.
The young C-grade Holder, whose name was unknown.
It was indeed exceptional to keep him by her side as her protection.
In the end, despite the coincidence, she had made an excellent choice.
***
ippotranslations
***
‘Damn it. I did it.’
Even if my language is foul, I can’t help it.
The [Water Sword Dance], which I had never succeeded with before.
I succeeded in implementing it perfectly.
Although the level of [Water Sword Technique] is not yet 10, and my magical power is insufficient, the ‘usage restriction’ was applied once again.
Anyway, what mattered was that I succeeded in the implementation.
If I meet the conditions, I can use [Water Sword Dance] again.
‘Ah, I feel so good.’
The feeling was different from when I gained [Sky-Shattering Heavenly Sword].
Back then, I was in an extreme situation, and luck played a significant role as I wasn’t in my optimal physical condition.
I couldn’t even use orations.
But this time, my body was in its best state.
Using only the shield didn’t pose a problem for wielding the sword and using magic power, and I had faith that Jeong Seon-young, the Holder of the Ice Wall, would protect me even if I failed.
Moreover, I had been practicing [Water Sword Dance] diligently while exploring dungeons and fields.
I had never succeeded before, but I never missed an opportunity to practice the technique.
Such an ultimate skill, at the most critical moment.
It felt amazing to be implemented at the most needed moment.
The understanding of [Water Sword Dance] also improved rapidly, and it reached level 7, just like [Water Sword Technique].
“The monster has fallen into a weakened state!”
“All members of the raid, focus on defeating the monster!”
After using [Water Sword Dance] to repel all the water bullets.
The temporary raid party launched a counterattack once again.
The raid’s charge, Swirl Leviathan’s counter, and then the raid party’s charge again.
It was a pattern similar to before.
The previous water magic attack was fierce, but it was beyond its limits.
The monster had already endured numerous attacks from the front-line warriors, relentless bombardments from the rear dealers, and some ultimate skills from A-grade Holders.
It had allowed too many attacks.
Its toughness started to give in. And its never-ending toughness was depleted.
It was bound to become fatigued.
-Ka, kaaah….
Victory had completely turned toward the raid party.
The dealers were confused due to the water magic attack.
As they regained their composure, they initiated a third bombardment, which resulted in pouring attacks on the already beaten-up monster.
Surviving the onslaught…
Even for an S-grade monster, it wasn’t easy.
Kuung-!!
After enduring all the attacks, Swirll Leviathan finally fell.
“Wow!”
“W-we won…!!”
“You damn monster! How dare you kill my friend…!!”
“I’m alive….”
Not only those nearby but also the Holders in the front lines.
They all threw their weapons and shouted loudly.
The tiresome battle had finally come to an end.
An S-grade monster hunt that succeeded through the efforts and sacrifices of many.
Finally, victory was achieved.
‘A bit disappointing though…’
I clenched my fist and celebrated together with them, but deep down, there was a slight sense of disappointment.
Through this battle, I gained new skills like [Water Sword Dance] and [Iron Wall Defense], and experienced valuable growth, but there was one regretful thing.
That was how difficult it seemed to activate [Rune Hunter].
[Rune Hunter] was a rune that allowed me to copy the rune from the opponent after winning a duel.
The criteria for the duel and victory were quite generous.
Even in multi-versus-one battles, if the contribution was high, it was considered a victory, and I could acquire the opponent’s rune.
‘But my contribution was low in this battle.’
In this battle, I was unsure whether I was tanking or dealing damage.
While I managed to hold the shield, I couldn’t completely block the monster’s attacks, and I didn’t deal any damage on the offensive side.
I did manage to block the monster’s water magic attack with [Water Sword Dance] towards the end, but… even then, it was hardly worth considering it a significant contribution.
‘Sigh. Let’s be satisfied with gaining two new skills.’
I sighed and quickly gave up on the idea.
After all, the main goal was the monster’s magical stone.
If I become too greedy, I might end up getting hurt for no reason.
Gaining an S-grade monster’s rune would probably have to be postponed for a long time.
But…
[You won the duel! Since your contribution was ambiguous, only half of the victory is acknowledged. Thanks to the mysterious power of the Rune Hunter, you can replicate one of the opponent’s runes. As a result of the half victory, the replicated rune will be randomly selected.]
[The Swirling Tidal Wave has been selected. As it’s an Epic Rune of level 7, its level will be reduced to 4.]
[You have gained a new rune.]
[Due to the attributes of the rune, You gained 4 water resistance and 3 magic.]
Wait, what? Are you kidding me?
Ambiguous contribution? Can that really happen?
Luck should be a stat
D*mn… he should try playing rock paper scissors with some people 🤣
Scam rune