Chapter 56
-Magic Arrow!
Hit by Magic Arrow, the rock chameleon was flung back. Magic Arrows differed in strength depending on the hunter. Antony’s Magic Arrow was certainly powerful. It could even kill a rock chameleon in one hit.
“Did you see that? That was my ability!” Antony smiled.
“I did.”
“As expected. I knew a hunter like you would recognize my skills. You have good eyes, Choi Yeonseung. Huhu.”
“Yes, yes.”
Choi Yeonseung swung his sword as he spoke, then executed bullet sword energy. The technique fired out sword energy and knocked down two rock chameleons. If martial artists had seen it and realized how great this simple move was, they would’ve shed tears.
However, the people here didn’t know how famous that technique was. Only Antony could vaguely guess its strength!
‘... This man is really amazing!’
Putting aside his confidence in himself, Antony could also discern how good his opponent was. If it were just a coincidence, it would’ve only happened once or twice. However, this person kept getting ahead of him, which was impossible without skills! However, he had another matter to nitpick over.
“Weren’t you going to let me kill it?!”
“I never said I would.”
“N-No. Didn’t you acknowledge my skills and yield the monster to me?”
“I gave way because I felt sorry for you.”
“......”
Antony blinked, then laughed. “Haha. It seems I didn’t hear you correctly. An auditory hallucination...”
“I yielded to you because you cried out so pathetically.”
“When did I do that?”
“Didn’t you beg me to stop?”
“I never did that!”
Smallwood, who arrived a little later, heard Antony’s denial and muttered, “You cried out, friend.”
“I didn’t cry out. I would never do that!”
“Well, if you say so.”
Choi Yeonseung waved his hand, seemingly annoyed. This attitude made Antony even angrier.
“Choi Yeonseung. I admit you’re amazing, but compared to me, you’re still lacking,” Antony said with a serious expression.
“You should just watch me for now. It’ll be helpful in honing yourself in the future...”
Choi Yeonseung ignored him and talked to Smallwood.
“There seem to be only rock chameleons here. Should we break through quickly?”
“That wouldn’t be bad, friend. Rock chameleons aren’t that tricky as long as you have a way to deal with them. Whittaker also has detoxifying magic.”
“He does? He’s surprisingly useful, isn’t he?”
“He is, friend.”
“I’m speaking here! Listen up!” Antony banged on his chest in anger.
Elisabeth had forgotten she was angry with Choi Yeonseung and admired him instead.
‘He turned that guy around! Amazing!’
This was the first time she had ever seen a hunter who could handle Antony like this. Hunters who could deal with Antony were divided into two types: those who learned and gave up their positions and those who managed to hold back and deal with him somehow. Elisabeth was the latter. She always tried to persuade Antony somehow, but that didn’t always work on him.
However, now Antony was at a loss! The sight was enough to make Elisabeth feel better.
“What are you so dissatisfied about? The one who attacks it first gets the kill.”
“Then you’ll unconditionally kill them all—”
Antony hesitated. That was an admission of defeat!
“Did you just say I’ll kill them all?”
“N-No. Doing this means competing against you, so I’ll make concessions instead—”
“Haha. I don’t need it.”
“I’ll give way! Take the concession!”
“No. It’s okay.”
Antony groaned at Choi Yeonseung’s attitude.
“... H-how about a compromise?”
“!!!!”
The people next to them were stunned. Compromise?
“Antony?”
“What compromise?”
“If I kill two, you can kill one...”
Smallwood listened from the side, dumbfounded. “What type of compromise is that, friend?”
“If I kill three, you can kill two?”
“No thanks.”
“I-If I kill one, you can kill one?”
“Hmm...”
“What more do you want?!”
“Aren’t compromises made only when you want something? I don’t really want anything.”
“How else would you be able to witness my spectacular raid? I’ll show you my secret magic.”
‘This bastard is really amazing.’
Choi Yeonseung was impressed. Antony’s shameless mentality was really great!
“That’s no good.”
“No, why?!”
“Well, I don’t want to be too hard on my fellow raid teammate.”
Choi Yeonseung’s words made Antony brighten up. Was it possible that this newcomer finally came to his senses and conceded?
“If you listen carefully, I’ll give you some concessions when it comes to monster kills.”
“No. Why should I... ”
“If you don’t like it, then don’t do it.”
“Who said I don’t like it?”
Antony grumbled but accepted. Elisabeth was once again surprised. Was Choi Yeonseung aiming for this? Hunters like Antony wouldn’t listen to words alone. Hence, it would be best to overwhelm them with skills first.
“A-Amazing!”
“?”
Elisabeth’s admiration puzzled Choi Yeonseung.
“So you acted like that earlier with this plan in mind!”
“Huh? No. He just acted as he pleased, so I wondered if I could do the same.”
“......”
Elisabeth retracted the impression she had of him.
***
Choi Yeonseung served as the vanguard, followed by Elisabeth. Antony was third in line. He grumbled, but he obeyed for now. They fought well even when it was just the two of them. With this formation, the raid gained even more momentum.
“There are three monsters up front and one waiting by the side. Take care of the one on the side, Gutierrez. I’ll tie up the three in front. Antony, feel free to attack—”
“Leave it to me!” Antony said, then coughed, seemingly embarrassed.
“Hum hum. Leave it to me.”
“... A-alright. You look great when you’re motivated. Prepare for combat. Three. Two. One. Now.”
Choi Yeonseung used Origin of the Celestial Step and rushed forward. Upon noticing him, the monsters howled fiercely and tried to attack Choi Yeonseung, but he easily reflected their attacks. He could even focus his attention on the other monsters.
-Kyaaaack!
Since the three monsters only aimed for Choi Yeonseung instead of rushing forward, they were naturally tied up. Elisabeth only had to deal with the one monster hiding next to her.
Meanwhile, Antony had finished casting his magic. This method was easier than just blindly rushing forward and firing away. The magic bullets tore through the monsters. Its power was formidable enough to end the fight.
The battle was supposed to be tense, but it ended in an instant.
‘This is easy…!’
The formation deeply impressed Elisabeth. In fact, while she was a melee combatant, she wasn’t suitable to be in the front. She could slowly deal heavy damage to monsters, but her ability to detect and respond to monster attacks was a bit weak. She was a damage dealer, not a tanker! Nevertheless, she was forced to take over the frontline. However, now that Choi Yeonseung filled up that role, the raid became much easier.
First of all, Choi Yeonseung had a great sense for energy. While other hunters had to stop and use search magic to check for monsters, looking around was enough for Choi Yeonseung to determine whether there was a monster or not. If it wasn’t for him, the monster hiding next to her would’ve dug into the formation and put them in danger.
He wasn’t just capable of preparing for ambushes, either. The moment the battle started, he pounced on the three monsters in front of him and completely focused their aggro on him. Not everyone could do that. Who would risk their own lives to buy some time? Hunters who fought in such a way were rare. Such a combat style only ever garnered losses.
What he casually did alone usually required an entire group working and fighting together. That was mainly because martial artists had always fought like that! He’d play multiple roles alone no matter what, resulting in the people behind him naturally finding it easier to attack.
While Choi Yeonseung kept the monsters occupied, Antony was able to unleash even more powerful magic. The difference one person could make was so huge! Smallwood, Richard, and Whittaker, who were in the reserve group, didn’t even have to join the fight.
‘I never imagined a raid could be so stable with this formation!’
The performance Choi Yeonseung showed made it seem strange for martial artists to be ignored! Even if they couldn’t kill the monsters in a single blow, any skilled hunter would feel they had achieved something here.
Antony smiled as if he felt it too.
“As expected, Choi Yeonseung also thought it would be better to leave the middle to me!”
“... I’m glad you’re having an easy time, at least,” Elisabeth murmured in disbelief. How could he speak like that in this situation?
The group swept away the monsters, came out of the narrow passage, and entered an empty space.
“Let’s take a break. We need to recover our magic power.”
“Okay, friend. Whittaker and I will serve as sentries—”
Smallwood stopped abruptly when Choi Yeonseung reached out.
“?”
“There are enemies everywhere! Prepare for battle!”
“? ”
“Nonsense…”
The empty space was connected to several paths, but they were so narrow and dark that it was difficult to see inside them. It wasn’t like dozens of people were walking around and attracting aggro, yet he claimed there were monsters coming from all directions. Such a situation was rare.
What did the monsters see and discover? Unable to make sense of what he was saying, everyone hesitated. Antony was the first to react.
“Move! The enemies are coming!”
“?!”
The most disobedient person being the first to trust Choi Yeonseung’s words and move accordingly surprised them.
No, what is this? He listens to him.
Despite what was happening around him, Antony looked at Choi Yeonseung.
“Look!”
“What?”
“It’s time I show you my skills!”
“......”
Choi Yeonseung was speechless. It was nice not to panic or feel doubts in this situation, but...
‘Seriously, what is up with this man?’
Choi Yeonseung was at a loss for words, which Antony seemingly misunderstood.
‘My superior abilities probably overwhelmed him.’
“You’re not as amazing as I am, but you’re also great, Choi Yeonseung—Kuaack!”
Antony dodged to the side with a groan.
“!”
A boulder passed by where Antony’s head had just been. It packed so much force it was as if it had been hurled by a catapult!
Choi Yeonseung was slightly impressed.
‘Managing to avoid that is impressive.’
“What?!” Elisabeth exclaimed in surprise. Monsters hadn’t even appeared yet, so where did that attack come from?
“This dungeon is a bit tricky.”
Choi Yeonseung kicked the flying rock with his foot.
[The skill, ‘Covert Attack Reversal’...]
[......]
The rock that flew with great force changed directions and returned the way it came.
“Do you know where they’re attacking from?!”
“?”
Choi Yeonseung looked at Elisabeth as if asking what she was talking about.
“Don’t you know what rock gargoyles are?”
“Is there such a thing? Wait. Let's talk about this later. Countermeasures! Give me instructions!”
Choi Yeonseung, who was about to tell them what happened in the Abyss, nodded in response.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om