Episode 140 Week 8 Mentoring, Strategy Battle (2)
Dungeon-dong.
Dang Gyu-yeong started explaining with the mentee net in front of him.
“You’ve probably heard everything else, so let’s just talk about the arbitrary rules and get started.”
MAP:[Cave]
RULE:[Crystal][Strong Enemy][2 People][Random Rule]
“First, the [close combat] rules. I’m not going to do it this time.”
It was originally intended to force close-range combat on aspiring all-rounder magicians.
Since they are all wizards, they are already familiar with long-range combat, and if they only stick to what they are familiar with, their close-range skills will not improve.
But the opponent is an ogre.
Even if you are not bound by rules, close combat is the main focus of the battle.
They will rush in at you in an instant with their superior physical abilities, so the distance will be shortened in no time.
Additionally, since you need to charge the crystal, you cannot go beyond a certain distance from the sanctuary.
In other words, the restrictions are already firmly in place.
“So the arbitrary rules will actually work in your favor.”
MAP:[Cave]
RULE:[Crystal][Strong Enemy][Weak][2 People]
As expected, instead of using the basic spec Ogre as is, the rank was lowered by one level using the [Weakness] rule.
Thanks to that, I was able to breathe at least, instead of being beaten to death by an ogre without being able to breathe.
“… … !”
The first-year chicks looked at Dang Gyu-yeong with new eyes.
Judging from my experience so far, Dang Gyu-young has maintained a strong parenting style, pushing them to their limits and making them adapt.
So I was worried that they wouldn’t give the ogre full plate mail this time, but instead, they made him weak by inflicting [Weakness] on him, so he looks like an angel.
‘Guys, you’re being fooled.’
Other mentors tend to give you two or three more advantageous rules, while still being weak.
For example, making the crystal recharge faster or expanding the range of the sanctuary.
We’re just at the end of our rope.
But now that I can’t compare myself to other mentors, I guess it will be later that I realize that fact and feel betrayed.
Dang Gyu-young continued his explanation.
“Let’s try a different combination. Kim Ho-rang and Kwak Ji-cheol. Song Cheon-hye and Hong Yeon-hwa.”
“… … .”
Uncomfortable glances were exchanged here and there.
During the mentoring period, my relationship with Hong Yeon-hwa improved a little, but other than that, it’s pretty much the same.
Song Cheon-hye and Hong Yeon-hwa have a rival-like relationship.
Kwak Ji-cheol has a history of getting beaten up pretty badly by me in duels.
So, I’m not very happy with whoever I pair up with.
Even leaving aside the emotional aspects, Song Cheon-hye asked if there was anything that bothered her.
“Isn’t this combination unbalanced?”
“So what? It’s not like you guys are competing with each other.”
Dang Gyu-yeong had a nonchalant attitude.
In fact, Dang Gyu-yeong is just following the manual.
It is also a requirement of the undergraduate department to allow mentees to experience practical evaluations in various combinations.
Song Cheon-hye was left speechless by the mentor’s invincible logic, ‘It’s my heart.’
“Then Kim Ho and Kwak Ji-cheol come in first.”
Dang Gyu-yeong disappeared into the dungeon through a teleportation portal.
Kwak Ji-cheol and I exchanged glances that were not even that friendly.
However, since they are tied together as a pair, there is no choice but to cooperate.
I approached the teleportation portal first.
“Let’s go in, us too.”
“… … Okay.”
[Kim Ho 100%]
[Kwak Ji-cheol 100%]
The next moment we were standing in the middle of the forest.
And in one corner of the field of vision, a large cave is waiting for us with its mouth wide open.
Just then a group of goblins came walking out of there and spotted us.
“Kerruk?”
“Keeruk!”
Some of them were so startled that they ran straight towards us, while others tried to go back into the cave.
I couldn’t let you go because if you went in, it would alert you that enemies had appeared.
Let’s cast Windforce,
-Whew-
“Keeek.”
The goblins were thrown across the ground like fallen leaves in the strong wind.
Then he gets hit by a barrage of mud bullets and falls down.
Before I had time to even drink a sip of water, I cleared out all the goblins.
“… … .”
We stared into the cave in silence.
There is no doubt that I have to go in there.
There will be goblins, ogres, and everything else inside.
However, the main rule of this strategy is crystals, so you must first find crystals to charge.
“Don’t you think it might be outside?”
“Well, that makes sense.”
Kwak Ji-cheol nodded his head slightly.
Given that the starting point is in the forest rather than inside the cave, the hypothesis that the crystal is outside lends a little more weight.
It’s actually outside.
But since I didn’t have time to search this vast forest, I pointed to a place where the crystal might be.
This is advice that comes from the experience of a veteran.
“I’ll go this way and take a look, you go over there and take a look.”
“I get it.”
As Kwak Ji-cheol and I split up and walked along, as expected, we found a makeshift altar set up not far away.
The goblin that had been ambushing jumped out, but I kicked it away lightly and retrieved the red crystal.
Let’s go back to the starting point and wait for a moment. Kwak Ji-cheol also came back from the direction he was sent.
Holding a blue crystal in one hand.
I was worried that he might wander around the wrong places instead of going where I told him to go due to his needless rebellion, but it seems he didn’t go that far.
[Kim Ho 100%]
[Crystal 0%]
[Kwak Ji-cheol 100%]
[Crystal 0%]
The numbers shown on the scoreboard are the two’s health and the charge level of the crystal.
The scoring criteria is how much stamina you can conserve until both crystals are charged.
And the maximum achievement level for the sub-quest is not mentioned, but the average stamina of both people is over 90%.
Of course, it’s practice mode now, so it’s okay to think about it later.
“Then let’s go in.”
“Okay.”
I walked into the cave with Kwak Ji-cheol.
The interior was not that dark because the stalactites were giving off a soft glow.
However, having a clear view is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
“Keeruk.”
“Ugh! Ugh!”
Because the goblins can see us very well too.
They came out in droves to welcome us.
From the front, they charge with short weapons like rusty daggers or chipped hatchets, while from the rear, they throw anything they can get their hands on at us.
A variety of projectiles, including short-cut wooden spears and rocks, fly out like flies.
I slowly leaned over to avoid it,
– Exactly,
A stone hit Kwak Ji-cheol’s head and bounced off.
[Kwak Ji-cheol 99%]
“Is that right?”
“… … It’s noisy.”
“It was loud, but does it hurt?”
“This kind of thing tickles.”
But contrary to what he said, Kwak Ji-cheol looked very agitated.
As he extended his staff forward, the emerald emitted an intense green light.
– Kururur… … .
Soon the entire cave began to tremble, and the ceiling collapsed, showering down stalactites.
Most of the goblins that came out were crushed there,
“Is this something we should avoid as well?”
“… … It’s noisy.”
Gwak Ji-cheol and I also had to retreat for a long time to avoid the pouring stalactites.
I was so angry that I screamed, but I couldn’t control it.
When the trembling in the cave stopped, I said a word to Kwak Ji-cheol.
“Let’s just not use that.”
“… … Be careful.”
Still, it became easier to move forward since I was able to clear out a bunch of goblins at once.
Surviving goblins emerged from all over the place,
“Keeruk!”
“Keeruk.”
– Doo doo doo doo!
Kwak Ji-cheol fired a mud bullet, and I hit my enemies by deflecting the rolling stalactite chunks with Windforce.
He continues to advance, striking nearby goblins with his roots and stabbing them with the dagger at the end to knock them down.
As a result,
– Thud, thud,
Heavy footsteps echoed from deeper into the cave.
I exchanged glances with Kwak Ji-cheol.
“Doesn’t it look like he’s coming?”
“It looks like that.”
Needless to say, the owner of those footsteps is an ogre.
It usually stays near the sanctuary, but it seems like it came here directly after Gwak Ji-cheol shook the cave with local magic.
We went into a brief operational meeting.
“Running while torn in two?”
“Who is more attracted to aggro?”
“You have to run away as much as you can. But you have to keep a close eye on the side you’re not attracted to.”
“Okay. Let’s try it.”
– Thud, thud,
Even while we were having our operational meeting, the sound of footsteps kept getting closer.
The ogre finally appeared.
“Kuuuuu… … .”
He had a huge body that almost reached the cave ceiling, and in one hand he held a club as thick as a person’s torso.
We glanced at each other for the last time, then immediately split up and started running.
“Huh?”
Then the ogre looked left and right for a moment, thought about it, then turned around and chased me.
“I’m out of luck.”
Kwak Ji-cheol should have been caught.
I was running so hard that my hair stood on end and I jumped to the side.
– Boom!
A club just came crashing down on the path I was running along.
The ogre immediately retrieves his club and gives chase.
As expected from a monster specializing in physical abilities, its speed increases in an instant and the distance between you and me decreases.
– Kookookookook,
A thick mud wall suddenly rose up near the ogre’s legs.
This was used by Kwak Ji-cheol as a deterrent.
As the bastard kicked the mud wall with the same momentum he was running at, the mud wall shattered with a loud bang!
But because of that, he lost his balance and staggered, and his speed also dropped.
“Great check.”
The decision to trip the running opponent’s leg was very good.
Originally, the more vulgar the check, the higher the score.
“Kuuu… … !”
The ogre continued his pursuit, becoming even more enraged, thinking that I was the one who built the mud wall.
A thumping sound follows from behind at a frightening speed.
And when the sound of the crashing waves rings,
“Jump lightly to avoid damage.”
As he jumped up, the club swept across the floor.
It lands lightly and continues to run.
“Keeruk.”
“Keep going!”
Goblins popping out from all over the cave and stabbing you with daggers.
I dodged them slightly, grabbed them, and threw them at the ogre.
When the guy waves his hands lightly as if he’s annoyed, it bounces off and hits the ceiling or wall.
“Ugh… … .”
On the other hand, Gwak Ji-cheol seemed to be busy trying to keep up with the pace, keep the ogres in check, and deal with the goblins that were popping out.
Still, he seems to think that he should help, so he casts a spell towards me with great difficulty.
– Kukukukuku… … .
Once again, a wall of mud rises beneath the ogre’s feet.
The bastard kicked the mud wall again, shattering it, but this time he seemed to maintain his balance quite well.
The speed didn’t slow down that much either.
‘Still, we’re almost there.’
It was certain as the front was getting brighter and brighter.
– Boom!
After dodging the club swing that guy was swinging at me again, I kept running, and finally the sanctuary came into view.
The light from the large stone pillars makes the inside of the hall as bright as day.
And let’s get a little closer,
– Wheein—
A pillar of light emanated from the stone pillar and focused on me.
The red crystal is gradually filled with light.
[Kim Ho 100%]
[Crystal 1%]
“Kuuuuu… … .”
The ogre that followed.
He shows strong hostility when he sees me in the spotlight of the sanctuary.
I stopped for a moment and looked at the bastard.
Now that we’ve connected to the sanctuary, from now on… … .
“I need to start running away more seriously.”
