Eun-Young didn’t have much trouble after entering the Gate. Aside from the moment that she entered and got hit by mild dizziness, it wasn’t something to make a big deal about. She saw that Byung-Ho and Do-Yun completely shrugged off that effect, this was the difference of experience between them.
She started late but planned to get up to speed. So, when Do-Yun offered her to take the front, Eun-Young didn’t hesitate to agree. After she saw them deal with the first monster, she understood what to do. The pattern consisted of Byung-Ho defending in the front and Do-Yun circling around to kill. Now she took his position while he brought up the rear.
However, Eun-Young couldn’t get comfortable in her role. Not because she lacked the abilities, but the lack of monsters became the problem. They reached the Boss room in 10 minutes and only faced five monsters in the meantime.
“Is it normally like this?” Eun-Young asked. They were mining the Essence Stones, so it became a perfect time to ask questions.
“No… there are around 50 to 70 monsters in a single Yellow Gate.” Byung-Ho wasn’t sure either, so he turned towards Do-Yun, “Hyung… do you think that happened here?”
“Yes, the balance is skewed with this one.” His confirmation brought a serious look to Byung-Ho’s face.
“Keep me in the loop, will you?” Eun-Young had no idea what the two talked about. Thankfully, Byung-Ho decided to explain.
“Every Gate has a Total Magic Energy that is a result of adding up all the Monsters inside. Most Gates split that Magic Energy in a balance between the normal monsters, the Boss Monster, and the Essence Stones. But there are times when the scales tilt to one side, which is mostly the Boss Monster.”
Do-Yun explained this to him a few days ago when they entered a similar Green Gate. Although they dealt with that Gate without much problem, today it has become a bit more serious because of the big reduction.
“So basically, the Boss Monster here is stronger than the average Yellow Gate Boss Monster?” Eun-Young got the gist of it.
“Yes, after we finish this Gate, I will transfer the information file Hyung has complied to you, Miss Kim.” They cannot bring electronic devices inside the Gates. Neither of them expected such an incident to occur during her first raid. So, they left it for later.
“…Thanks.” Eun-Young nodded.
This would help her big time. After all, she didn’t like being the clueless one. The lack of information would lead to mistakes and put them in dangerous situations that could otherwise be avoided.
They spent the next hour mining the Essence Stones and gathered them near the entrance. The distance between the two points was much shorter than usual, so it didn’t take long before they were done with the most tedious task of the Raids.
‘The number of Essence Stones looks the same. But it is a shame that there were only a few of these Shadow Hyenas here.’ This time Do-Yun planned on taking the normal monster corpses with him. The leather of these beasts and other parts would come in handy.
And seeing them here, he had an idea about who the Boss Monster was.
“Any of you two need a rest?” Byung-Ho and Eun-Young shook their heads at Do-Yun’s question.
He didn’t expect them to get tired from this but asked that as a basic courtesy because facing the Boss would be harder for them. Not because of the increased power. But because of what he was going to do.
Oblivious, Byung-Ho walked into the Boss Room as Eun-Young followed close after. The moment they stepped in, the room lit up and their eyes landed on the Boss Monster at the far end.
An enormous serpent covered in purple scales slithered across the floor to coop up in the corner. The beautiful scales on its body produced sparks against the stone floor. In the cold silence, the vertically split yellow pupils stared at them. Watching them walk deeper in it moved it’s elevated head back in a slow motion.
‘It is observing us rather than attacking outright.’ Eun-Young thought of taking her position. Being huddled together would only make it harder for them. But, the moment she lifted her right leg to move, the serpent’s head shot forward.
Even if she kept her eyes on it the entire time that speed took her by surprise. However, she didn’t use too much speed to move. Killing her momentum she jumped back the best she could. The orange barrier covered her in time. The monster’s open mouth crashed onto the dome.
“This is way stronger than what we expected.” Byung-Ho gritted his teeth and increased the size of the dome. The dagger-like fangs slid down it and formed cracks. But, the barrier still held up as he used more Magic Energy to repair the damage.
A moment later yellow liquid exited the serpent’s fangs. It ran down the side of the barrier and landed on the floor. The barrier suffered no damage. But, the floor around the barrier vanished. Rather than venom, this looked like a concentrated acid that it reduced anything it touched into smoke.
Seeing this, they could not stay here sitting in a barrier for long. The only saving grace was that Byung-Ho increased the barrier's size before the monster's massive maw trapped them in place. But, this made the barrier more fragile and ate away at his reserves.
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“Open the Barrier from behind. I’ll distract him for a moment.” Eun-Young understood it too.
Byung-Ho nodded. A hole big enough for one person opened in the rear allowing her to step out. Seeing her escape to the left where less acid remained, the serpent turned towards her to shoot the powerful acid. However, before it could focus on her, it turned back to Byung-ho and started to attack the barrier in a wild flurry.
Byung-Ho used Aggravate to grab the monster’s attention and shrunk the barrier to cut the energy cost while reinforcing it. This created an opening for Eun-Young and cut down the chance of the barrier breaking.
"This wasn't in the plan..." But, he didn’t expect the monster to go on a rampage. The heavy body as long as a train crashed onto the floor. Tremors traveled throughout the room, almost like an earthquake hit them.
The tail whipped the barrier, and this time deep cracks formed. But, he could hold on. Even then, these chaotic movements didn’t create a proper chance for an attack.
‘It is fighting back for control over his body against the Skill. This has never happened before.’ Byung-Ho knew that such a situation would happen at some point. But he had no idea how to deal with it. The skill worked, but not completely. Do-Yun always finished such battles so quickly that he never got to think over them.
What should he do in such a situation? He had to figure this out right now. Casting the skill again wouldn’t help. It would overwrite it and not stack it. That wouldn't help much. The barrier would not hold up for long with such damage either. If the Barrier came down he would be in the middle of this rampage.
‘We need to push it on the defense.’ Eun-Young tried to rush in but fell back before the tail whipped her. From the wind she felt on her face, she knew that it would be better to not get hit by that.
A few more tries later, the result remained the same. She could at most divide the monster’s attention further. Someone else will have to take on the role of attacking. And they had someone to fill in that role.
“Do-Yun, do you have a plan?” With her eyes keeping track of the Serpent, Eun-young let out a shout.
She had a plan, but reckless. If he had a better plan they would use that. However, Do-Yun had no such thing as a plan for this raid.
“The plan is to smash your way through that monster. Byung-Ho doesn’t have attack skills so it will be on Eun-Young-Ah to protect little ol’ me.” Do-Yun had no plan to participate in the battle at all, but he stood in the middle of the battle.
“Also if an attack hits me, that’s a 200,000 won reduction from the total cut for both of you.” He smiled as the tail that could smash a bus aimed to smack him. It didn't target him. Rather, he stood in the way on purpose.
‘He can’t be serious, right?’ Eun-Young’s mind was behind as her body rushed forward.
The tail closed in on him at incredible speed. But, Do-Yun didn’t move an inch. Before she covered half of the distance the tail struck him head-on. The sound of bones cracking entered her ears. He flew across the room and slammed into the stone wall before landing flat.
Stunned Byung-Ho's focus shifted to the scene. His face paled when he saw him lying on the ground with blood rushing down his face.
“That’s... a 200,000 Won deduction~.” But, the person in question showed the least amount of care for what happened to him.
“You hafta be fucking kidding me!” Veins popped up on Eun-Young’s neck.
Because of Byung-Ho’s shock, he couldn’t counter the serpent’s resistance. The monster broke out of the skill that bounded the majority of his mind. And knowing how problematic that skill was. The serpent aimed for him in a heartbeat.
‘If Byung-Ho gets injured now, then we are done for. But, it hasn’t noticed me yet, so If I attack it now…… No that’s risky, what if it turns on me? Saving him would be better…’ Right now, she had to make a choice. It was between saving Byung-ho or going on the offensive.
If she saved him they would be back to square one. No, they’d be in the negative because it would take some time before he could come back to his senses. And if the serpent attacks Do-Yun again they wouldn’t be able to do anything. Yes, Do-Yun… all this happened because of the stunt Do-Yun pulled.
He was serious enough to take that attack head-on. Why? He didn’t tell them. Why would he make a dumb move like this? What was he trying to do? The questions arose in her head, but they were soon drowned. Her eyes shone red. Anger bubbled inside of her like lava.
[The Main Skill Rage Counter (S) is activated, progress 30%...34%... 36%... 38%... 40%...... All stats increased by 20 temporarily.]
[You are under the status effect Madness (C). Intelligence -30, Strength +10, Vitality +10, Magic Energy +10.]
Her ears started to hear hundreds of anguished cries. Voices filled with frustration tried to cling onto her. The voices tried to pull her deeper within. It wanted to seep into her mind and claw at her head. But, it soon drowned out.
[The Extra Skill Locked Emotions (B) has suppressed the effects of Status effect Madness (C)…… Intelligence Stat returned to normal. Buff received from Madness (C) will remain for the next Ten Minutes.]
‘I have to attack before the second attack happens.’ Eun-Young made her choice as her head went blank. There was no need to think further.
The perfect opportunity to land an attack waited for her. Byung-Ho’s shield should hold up for one clash. With the serpent's focus on him, it would try to finish him with a second attack. And she had to attack in that window. Just an eye. Even if she smashed one of it’s eyes, this would be a success.
However, she underestimated the increase in her stats. The strength in her legs shot her forward at a speed she never knew existed. But still, she managed to control herself and stayed on target.
In an instant, she was before the unsuspecting Serpent. It’s eyes still focused on Byung-Ho. With all her might, she threw a straight punch. But, instead of the head, the attack landed a few meters below the jaw. The part where the head connects to the body. The steel-like scales shattered under her fist. Then the remaining force tore through the flesh and bones. In one attack she split the Serpent in two.
The head landed on the floor with a dull thud. The remaining body convulsed and twisted. The sporadic movements coupled with the weight flattened the ground. They didn’t have to retreat as the body moved in the opposite direction from them.
“That was the perfect timing Byung-Ho,” Eun-Young said.
“It… was nothing.” With the Serpent’s focus on him, Byung-Ho used Aggravate again. At that moment, if the serpent tried to resist, it would create a buffer that would allow Eun-Young’s attack to land.
However, the Serpent could not resist the skill because of how obsessed it became with killing him. That is why the skill worked this time. That is why it ignored Eun-Young even with her rushing in a straight line. If not for that, this attack would not have landed on the proper spot, or worst case the serpent would have dodged with it’s high agility.
“No, you did great.” Things would become tougher if the fight dragged on. But, thanks to Byung-Ho’s quick thinking, it ended early.
She wasn’t done yet. Ignoring the rain of blood that soaked the surrounding area. Eun-Young arrived in front of the one who caused this complication. Leaning against the wall he sat there with a bloody smile like nothing had happened.
“Why?” Her eyes burned in a crimson hue