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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: JayM
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The search ability of [Ultrasonic Wave] was as outstanding as seeing with my own eyes.
Even while standing behind the rock, I was able to grasp the members of the Hwarang rising star team.
Two melee fighters.
Two ranged-type players.
And finally, one support-type player.
I had absolutely no means of ranged attack.
If I allowed the distance to widen, I would be beaten up one-sidedly.
‘First, I get close.’
The moment the negotiations broke down.
I put strength into my two legs and used [Agile Hind Legs].
The distance to the Hwarang rising star party was about 100 meters.
With one leap, the distance was narrowed by half.
I continued with that momentum and, like a track athlete preparing to run, I brought my waist close to the ground.
“Crazy.”
A curse burst out of Park Jongwon’s mouth.
Almost at the same time, I felt a scorching heat from the opposite direction.
The magic-type players in his party were preparing their magic.
These guys…
To react right away without panicking.
The Hwarang Guild had raised their kids quite well.
[Thorn Carapace.]
A gray carapace enveloped both arms and my back.
Right after that, two flaming arrows struck my back and arms.
Hwareureuk
The durability of the carapace decreased by nearly 30%.
“He’s still charging even after being hit by a Fire Arrow?”
“No way!”
Voices filled with astonishment echoed in my ear.
I take back what I said earlier.
It seemed like they had received some training, but they still reeked of being beginners.
If you think your attack isn’t working, you should prepare your next move.
“Your opponent is me!”
Park Jongwon stood in my way while raising the shield in his left hand.
[The opponent uses ‘Iron Wall’.]
[If the distance to the target increases, defense decreases up to 20%.]
Iron Wall was a useful tanking skill on the lower floors of the Tower.
It seemed like he had noticed that my aim was the magic-type players.
Not bad.
I changed my direction and charged at Park Jongwon.
I rapidly closed the distance.
I took a deep breath and then let out a shout.
“Haaaaa-!!”
[Using Howl.]
[Beings within a 20-meter radius have their strength and agility decreased by 10%.]
[The duration is 20 seconds.]
Park Jongwon and the player holding a spear flinched.
They probably hadn’t even noticed the strength and agility penalty.
“Even so……!”
Park Jongwon as he swung his sword with clenched teeth.
Swaeaek!
The curved blade aimed for my shoulder.
So he had no intention to kill.
If killing intent had been mixed in the attack, I was planning to do the same.
Jongwon, you’re lucky.
I put strength into my heels and decelerated rapidly.
Kagagagak!
Since I had enveloped the soles of my feet with [Carapace], sparks flew due to the frictional heat.
The blade missed by a hair’s breadth.
I clenched my hand into a fist.
[Monstrous Strength.]
Peooong-!
I struck the shield Park Jongwon was holding with my clenched right hand.
Pure force with a strength stat that reached the 60s!
Since I had amplified that by 300%, Park Jongwon couldn’t hold his ground with his level of strength.
“Keoheok!”
Park Jongwon was sent flying dozens of meters while vomiting a bowlful of blood.
Even though he had protected his body with the shield, it seemed like he hadn’t been able to mitigate all of the shock.
If I had used [Sharp Claws], I could have killed him in one blow, but since he didn’t show any killing intent, this hyung will let him off.
[The target who had deployed ‘Iron Wall’ has left their position.]
[The binding effect disappears.]
The penalty of Iron Wall.
If the user leaves their spot, the skill would also be canceled.
That was the reason I had pushed Park Jongwon back with [Monstrous Strength].
The skill that had bound me disappeared.
“Fire Ankle!”
A rope made of fire caught my arms and legs.
Oho, they had used the time Park Jongwon had earned them quite well.
The area that had come into contact with the fire rope was charred black.
“It would be better for you if you don’t try to break free. If you use your strength, it’ll just get wors—”
Tududuk-
As I imbued mana into [Sharp Claws], the fire rope was cut.
“If I use my strength, what?”
The magic-type player’s mouth dropped open.
“Yiaaaap!”
A sharp spear blade aimed for a blind spot in my vision and dug into my side.
Ah, right. You were here too.
Thanks to me using [Ultrasonic Wave] in tandem, I had no blind spots.
I grabbed the spear shaft with my left hand without even looking at his direction.
I didn’t stop there and yanked hard on the spear shaft I had caught.
“Eu, eu-eu-eu?!”
The player holding the spear shaft was pulled along.
His staggering appearance was reminiscent of a fish that had taken the bait.
I clad my entire body in [Thorn Carapace].
Spiky thorns protruded from it.
It was possible for me to neutralize the player who wielded the spear without making any particular attack.
[Divine Shield]
Jjeong!
A milky-colored barrier was cast over the melee fighter’s body.
The Divine Shield, completed by a hair’s breadth, blocked the thorns that had sprouted on the carapace.
It was the work of the support-type player.
“It won’t end like this.”
Park Jongwon, who had been sent flying after being hit by [Monstrous Strength], also returned to the battlefield.
The team members quickly reformed their formation.
“It’s a relief that it won’t end so quickly.”
The corners of my lips curled upwards.
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The Hwarang rising stars weren’t an easy opponent.
All of them were armed with [Rare] grade or higher equipment, and their traits and skills were also powerful.
Although I had raised my stats with Predation, that gap was also filled to some extent by the difference in items.
But…
“Kkeu-eu-eu…….”
“Keolleok.”
After 5 minutes had passed, the only Hwarang rising star standing on their feet was Park Jongwon.
The magic-type players had been unconscious for quite a while already.
The two melee fighters were still conscious, but had been completely neutralized.
“H-how can you fight so well?”
The player who had been using a spear squeezed out as if he were letting out a scream.
His doubt made sense.
I was only like this because I was used to facing multiple opponents on my own.
The penalty of [Predation].
It was thanks(?) to having moved alone because of such a penalty that made the value of a monster’s corpse zero.
“It’s not over yet.”
The only player standing on his own two feet was Park Jongwon.
He swung his sword as if in a last struggle.
[Sharp Claws.]
The claws that had extended out in a hook shape caught the blade of Sorijangdo.
Seogeok-
The tips of my claws were slightly cut off.
As expected, unique items were different.
I endured it by imbuing mana into my claws.
Even if I strengthened my claws with mana, I would probably hold out against his sword for about 2 more seconds.
That much was enough.
At the same time, I stepped forward and dug into Park Jongwon’s range.
A range where it was difficult for both of us to swing our arms.
If it became like this, I, who was clad in [Thorn Carapace], could inflict damage to him one-sidedly.
“Have you played around in a club before?”
Just by shaking my body from side to side, Park Jongwon’s armor was slightly damaged.
“D-damn it.”
Park Jongwon had a look of clear panic.
This must be the first time he had been in a situation like this.
It was all an experience that would become your foundation later on.
“My mana has run out, so I can’t help Player Park Jongwon.”
The support-type player had a mournful face.
After using heal and shield a few times, his mana had run out, and he had let his hands drop a long time ago.
On the other hand, I was still full of energy.
Even without [Predation], my stamina and mana showed no signs of running out.
It was all thanks to the [Blessing of the Earth Mother Goddess].
The authority of a god that increased the recovery speed of my stamina and life force just by having my feet on the ground!
The skill I had gotten from the Dragon Tooth Warrior, [Dragon’s Heart], also played a part.
Even if I used several skills at the same time, my mana showed no signs of running out at all.
“Ee-eek!”
Park Jongwon struggled to push me away with clenched teeth.
When he used excessive force to push me away, I lowered my posture and tripped him.
“Huh?!”
Park Jongwon lost his balance and fell.
An opening, exposed defenselessly.
I placed my foot on the chest of Park Jongwon, who had become defenseless.
“If you want to have a physical conversation with me, you’ll have to build up some more skill.”
“Keu-eu-eu…….”
The corners of Park Jongwon’s eyes turned bright red.
The way his veins were bulging, he seemed incredibly furious.
I liked his grit.
But at this rate, it seemed like it would be difficult to break Park Jongwon’s stubbornness.
If I let him go here, he would charge at me again while aiming for 1st place, right?
Hmm, it couldn’t be helped.
Dying in the tutorial didn’t lead to actual death.
In the year 2025, that is.
Then why was I hesitating, you ask?
Because if you received a death verdict in the tutorial, your player privileges would be revoked.
In terms of a lottery, it was like winning but seeing that the date on the ticket had already expired.
Well, it would be better to be thorough with my actions rather than leaving a half-assed future trouble.
Don’t feel wronged, since you just fell for your own scheme.
When I was about to aim for Park Jongwon’s head with [ Monstrous Strength]…
“Ppi-iiiiik-!!”
A sharp sound that seemed like it would tear my eardrums rang out on the mountain slope.
“Th-this sound?!”
“Why is a monster that should be staying at the summit of Mount Emirate……!?”
The Hwarang rising stars who were still conscious pointed at the sky with looks of panic.
They pointed with trembling fingers…
At their end was a red eagle that was looking down at us.
Talonflame.
It was a monster that reigned as the top predator of Mount Emirate.
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The Talonflame was a rare species like the Deep Slime or Wolf King Seorin.
In other words, it meant that if I defeated this fellow, I could get a complete essence!
“I was planning to hunt it anyway, so it’s a relief that it came to me on its own.”
I wet my lips with my tongue.
My hunger was starting to set in before this, and when the rare species revealed itself, my stomach churned.
“A-are you serious?”
“The Talonflame’s charge attack is powerful. It’s incomparable to a Thorn Boar.”
A dark shadow was cast over the faces of the Hwarang rising stars.
These guys, they had been so spirited a moment ago, but as soon as the Talonflame appeared, they made a fuss as if they were about to die.
“Is that birdbrain that strong?”
“Birdbrain? The Talonflame is one of the top player killers on Rainbow Island!”
“Its charge speed is as fast as a bullet, and there’s no way to stop it, so you can’t even run away.”
Was that fellow a monster that was rated that highly?
Before my regression, fighting against mythical enemies was a daily occurrence.
Was that why?
I didn’t feel afraid of something like this red bird at all.
I glanced at the Hwarang rising stars.
They were players who had already half-lost their fighting spirit.
When that birdbrain appeared, their spirits were completely broken.
I looked down at Park Jongwon.
“Do you think so too?”
“At our level, we won’t be able to withstand even a single blow.”
Park Jongwon’s complexion hardened.
Tch-
I clicked my tongue.
“The mood’s ruined.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s boring now.”
I passed by Park Jongwon and went up the mountain.
Ppiiik!
The Talonflame’s pupils glistened.
It seemed like it had marked me as its prey.
Park Jongwon raised his body and then followed behind me.
“P-Player Yoo Jinho! It’s impossible to face that monster alone.”
“Why, are you suggesting we join forces?”
“This might sound ridiculous… but I’ll help you.”
I glanced at Park Jongwon with a chilly gaze.
“That birdbrain is my food.”
“Y-yes?”
“Don’t interfere.”
Look at this guy…
He was trying to get a free ride on a boss raid without any fear?
After glaring at Park Jongwon, I shifted my gaze to the Talonflame.
At that moment, the Talonflame, which had been circling the sky, made a steep dive.
Blazing flames wreathed its wings.
The Talonflame descended at a speed several times that of a Horned Rabbit.
The words that it was as fast as a bullet weren’t an exaggeration.
At that speed, even Park Jongwon, who had the most outstanding skill among the Hwarang rising stars, wouldn’t even dare to block it.
But that won’t work on me.
When Talonflame flew in a straight course, I accurately matched the angle and then put strength into my legs.
[Agile Hind Legs.]
My body soared up diagonally.
My speed was a little slower than when I had kicked off the ground.
It didn’t matter.
The reason I had jumped was to take away the timing of the Talonflame’s charge.
[Thorn Carapace.]
[Monstrous Strength.]
A thorn carapace enveloped my right arm.
Its appearance was similar to a cast that fixed a forearm.
Almost at the same time, I punched my clenched fist forward.
At the end of its trajectory was the head of the Talonflame, which had been rapidly descending.
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T/N – Of course the author does this as soon as I decided not to put skill usage in system messages. Okay, I’ll put skill usage in system messages only when it has follow up descriptions like Howl or Iron Wall in this chapter. Otherwise, I’ll just leave them as is.
This Park Jongwon guy got lucky. Just when he was about to be done in by the MC, a boss monster shows up. I do hope he doesn’t stay this annoying in the future (if he still appears by then).
If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.
