Damage that surpasses its physical level, huh. Looking at the deeply dented floor, it seems to have far surpassed the C-rank level. The Other Attributes being ‘A’ must be because it can use Stealth.
A tricky opponent in many ways. Flying-type, with Stealth, and even Ambush. If Yuk Cheol-wan had come here alone, he would have been toyed with until his last breath and died. -Kiiik.
The strange cry of the Arcanus Bat echoed from an unseen location. From left to right. From bottom to top.
As if to mock us as we looked around, the creature continuously changed its position.
“Hunter Cheon Hae-seon. What should we do?”
If we had a Stealth detection device, we could fight. But we don't have one in our possession. Because it's incredibly expensive equipment.
In Bi-soo's case, it knew nothing but Stealth, so Ppori caught it, but the Arcanus Bat has a pretty formidable physical level as well.
“……!!”
Once again, I felt a sharp sensation from behind. Just like before, I kicked Yuk Cheol-wan away and used Poison Step to leap to the ceiling.
Boom!!!
‘Now……!’
Flying types are vulnerable to attacks from above. Because they are flying in the sky, they don't think there is anything above them. The bat hadn't noticed me yet, and I took advantage of this psychological blind spot, swinging Exa the moment I landed.
Swoosh.
However, the Arcanus Bat noticed at the last second and activated its Stealth skill, making my attack cut through empty air.
“Damn it……”
It would be nice if I could fly. No, even if I could fly right now, it’s not like I could catch it. The only time the creature reveals its form is when it attacks.
“Hunter Cheon Hae-seon. I will be the bait.”
Yuk Cheol-wan proposed with a grim face.
“The moment its claws tear into my body, please attack. Your weapon’s power is no ordinary thing, so it will definitely work.”
“That’s not a very good idea. If you take an attack like that right after your healing is finished, the damage will be compounded.”
“But there is no other way, is there? Please use me as a shield.”
Tankers are mostly good-natured. To put it badly, should I say they’re soft? When a crisis arises, they always display a spirit of self-sacrifice.
Well, if they wanted to be heroes, they wouldn't have chosen to be Tankers in the first place.
“And, I think that would be better than being kicked like this every time.”
Yuk Cheol-wan added, rubbing his backside.
“……Ah.”
So there was that reason too. Under the pretext of protecting the dense Yuk Cheol-wan, I had already kicked his butt twice. What to do.
Should I use him as bait as he said and strike the moment it attacks? But if it uses Stealth right after attacking, there's no guarantee I can land an effective hit. If only I could tie up its feet for just one moment…….
‘Tie up its feet…….’
Suddenly, a brilliant idea came to mind. A way to tie up its feet.
“Let’s do that. It will hurt a lot, but please bear it for a moment.”
“Leave it to me!”
Yuk Cheol-wan huffed and spread his arms wide. He was volunteering to be the target, increasing his own hit range.
“Come on, you damn bat bastard!” -Kiiik!
Did Yuk Cheol-wan's provocation work? The shrill cry of the Arcanus Bat, filled with a metallic screech, was heard. Judging by the hostility in its voice, the next target was highly likely to be Yuk Cheol-wan.
Besides, I was standing right behind Yuk Cheol-wan, so my hit range was not wide.
“Local Reinforcement. You know how to do that, right?”
“Huh? Yes, a little……”
It probably wasn't just a little. Local Reinforcement, which hardens a specific area of the body by activating Ether. It was a skill one could learn around D-rank.
“Right after you are attacked, focus your mind and cast Local Reinforcement.”
“Wh-where?”
“Your ear.”
As I answered, a chilling energy shot down from the front.
Stab.
“Keuk!!”
Claws as hard as iron pierced Yuk Cheol-wan's chest. It was truly a lightning-fast attack. The movement itself was quick, but because it was fundamentally in a state of Stealth, it felt even faster.
“You rat-like bastard……!!”
I quickly drew Exa and moved to stand in front of Yuk Cheol-wan. As expected, the cunning Arcanus Bat was already in the process of turning invisible. I activated a newly learned ‘technique’ towards it.
[Don't you dare!!!!!] -Kiik?!
The Arcanus Bat’s disappearing act suddenly stopped. No, rather, its ongoing Stealth was being undone. A skill that is more effective on bat-type Monsters with sensitive hearing.
Lion’s Roar.
It was a Unique Skill I obtained after absorbing the Singing Harpy's Core. It's usually used to apply pressure during conversations between people, but the story changes when the target is a bat-type Monster. Since they are a species with extremely sensitive hearing, even Level 1 could inflict considerable damage.
Being hit directly at point-blank range with Lion’s Roar, to which it was already vulnerable, it wouldn't have a chance to endure.
“Now, Hunter Cheon Hae-seon!!”
Yuk Cheol-wan shouted at me while blood poured from his chest like a waterfall. I knew better than anyone. There was no better timing than now to subdue it.
I instantly caught up to the creature as it tried to distance itself and swung Exa like lightning.
Slice. -Kiiik!!!
Like a dragonfly that had lost one of its wings, the disoriented Arcanus Bat was struck by Exa’s white blade and fell.
Oh dear.
I'd love for it to die quickly, but not right now. I rushed over in a single bound and caught the falling Arcanus Bat.
“Safe!”
“Hunter Cheon Hae-seon……?”
Yuk Cheol-wan stared at me with wide eyes. It was understandable, considering I was brandishing my sword as if to kill it one moment, and now I was saving it. But I can't kill it right now.
No, it must not die.
Glint.
It was a similar brown color, but a distinctly shiny object was hanging over there.
“It hurts, but bear with it.”
Yuk Cheol-wan wasn't about to die right now. But that thing hanging over there needed to be retrieved as soon as possible. A rare herb that loses its power as the boss Monster's condition worsens.
The thing hanging there was none other than the Copper Eternal Flower.
Fwoosh.
I focused the maximum amount of Black Ether into my legs and leaped. It would be easier if I changed Exa into its Booster form, but right now, I didn't even have time to transform it. I ran along the wall, harvested the Copper Eternal Flower, and barely managed to return to my original spot.
“Phew. Look at all this blood. I’ll heal you quickly.”
“Hunter Cheon Hae-seon…… that…… is……?”
Yuk Cheol-wan’s entire body was trembling. It wasn't because he was poisoned like before. It wasn't because he had lost a lot of blood either.
An immense passion was surging through him, making it impossible to keep his body still. The object he had been searching for for over ten years. A rare herb.
The emotion of finding a clue to it was something I couldn't even begin to fathom.
“That’s right. A rare herb.”
“My goodness……”
As if he had completely forgotten the sharp pain in his chest, Yuk Cheol-wan knelt down, his face filled with emotion.
“I’ll be going first then!!”
After his healing was complete, Yuk Cheol-wan dashed through the dungeon cave, his eyebrows fluttering. There was only one reason he was leaving the cave first. Because of the Copper Eternal Flower in his hand.
Yuk Cheol-wan cradled the Copper Eternal Flower in his arms as if it were a sacred object and ran at full speed. I had warned him that if he didn't exit the dungeon right now, the Copper Eternal Flower would wither. Of course, it was a lie.
As long as the dungeon's boss Monster was alive, the Copper Eternal Flower would not wither. There was still a significant amount of time before the bat would wake up, but I sent Yuk Cheol-wan ahead. Because there was something I needed to check alone.
Thud.
Leaving the Arcanus Bat sleeping like a log, I leaped to the cave wall where I had picked the Copper Eternal Flower. I had to grab onto a nearby protruding rock to hang on, but for a reinforced body of D-rank level, it wasn't much of a burden.
“Sniff, sniff.”
When I reached the dungeon entrance, I could feel two energies. The fishy and unpleasant smell of Monster Poison, and the special fragrance emanating from the rare herb. I was half in doubt at first, but seeing the spot where the Copper Eternal Flower grew, I was certain.
A special fragrance that only rare herbs could emit. I could now accurately distinguish that scent.
‘This is an unexpected gain.’
Being able to confirm the existence of a rare herb holds significant meaning. It allows me to decide whether to prolong this dungeon or to end it right away. How much time had I wasted searching for rare herbs that didn't even exist in the first place.
But now, from the moment I enter a Poison Dungeon, I could clearly establish a strategy. If I smell the scent of a rare herb, I search for it; if not, I eliminate the boss Monster immediately.
“In a way, I guess you could say things got easier because of this guy……”
A bitter smile escaped my lips as I looked at the sleeping Arcanus Bat. As I searched high and low for the stealthed creature, the location of the Copper Eternal Flower naturally came into view.
If it had been a normal combat-type, I would have been busy fending off its attacks, and finding the Copper Eternal Flower would have taken much more time.
“Farewell.”
By now, Yuk Cheol-wan must have already exited the dungeon. Exa’s blade had already turned the color of Black Ether.
Slice.
The creature’s already ashen complexion instantly turned deathly pale. The Arcanus Bat had met its end while in a deep slumber. I sliced through the spot where Exa’s blade was embedded in its chest.
Soon, the Black Core of the 5-star (★★★★★) boss Monster revealed itself.
Gleam.
Belying its name, 'Black' Core, its surface held a glossy sheen. Felt like I was looking at a large black pearl? I wasn't sure if it was because it was a boss Monster guarding the dungeon or because it was a high-rank creature.
What was certain was that this Core would now become a part of me.
Ssshhh…….
It felt as if all the fatigue accumulated from clearing the dungeon was disappearing at once. Indeed, a boss-rank Core was very effective. After the Core's absorption was complete, I was back in top condition, just like when I entered the dungeon.
My Black Ether level surpassed 3,000. And a new psychic power stat appeared where there was none before. An ‘F’ rank was a negligible amount that couldn't even be registered as an Esper, but considering there wasn't even a notation for it before, it was definite growth. Was it because it was a boss Monster that used Stealth?
Its type was clearly ‘flying/combat-type’, but after absorbing its Core, my psychic power seemed to have increased.
“Hunter Cheon Hae-seon. You've worked hard.”
As I passed through the dungeon entrance, Yuk Cheol-wan approached me with an emotional face. For him, this was likely his first time clearing a 4-star Poison Dungeon and discovering a rare herb. His hand holding the Copper Eternal Flower trembled slightly.
It wasn't the rare herb that could cure his wife, but just finding the same type of plant would be a great source of hope.
“Prepare yourself, Clan Leader.”
“Pardon?”
“From now on, we’re going to keep raising the Poison Dungeon difficulty.”
“What does that……”
Toward Yuk Cheol-wan’s bewildered face, I grinned, baring my teeth.
“Gold Eternal Flower. We are going to find it.”