Episode 234 No. 490 Winterhalt (3)
[Main Quest 2-1]
▷Objective: Investigate the unidentified monster.
▷Reward: Random Box Reinforcement Order
The second main quest that greets you as you enter the world of this game.
Unlike the first one which was a one-off, this one is a series of linked quests.
Completing a large puzzle by following small clues one by one.
And it looks like ‘that’ has appeared,
‘It looks like things will go the same in the big picture.’
As a result of the EX-class reincarnation quest, all characters have changed, and there have also been slight changes to the events they will engage in.
However, it seems that things are not going completely differently from the original story.
I don’t know what will happen later, but at least for now.
For example, the person who appeared in the black market after being deceived by a fake password was someone I had no idea about.
However, the fact that he was a Blood Cult elder was the same, and the Blood Bomb incident occurred during the midterm exam on the uninhabited island.
I expect it will be the same this time too.
After thinking this far, I looked at ‘that’ again.
‘Dark Oobleck.’
A slime-type undead monster.
Ranks range from A to D.
Considering that this is a D-rank dungeon, they would have probably invested in something like a C, which is half a level higher.
It’s not a completely hopeless situation, but it’s not optimistic either.
So, we need to prepare from now on.
“Hong Yeon-hwa.”
“Uh, yeah… … ?”
“How much mana is left?”
“Not much… ….”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s complexion darkened slightly.
Entering a dungeon, repeatedly casting spells, recovering, and casting more spells for hours.
Since a considerable amount of fatigue has accumulated, mana recovery magic is now less effective.
Still, it’s better than not doing it.
“Fill it in, even if it’s just a little.”
“……okay.”
Hong Yeon-hwa immediately recited the spell, and the blue magic circles that appeared at her feet began supplying mana.
– … … !
Meanwhile, the Ice Monster Army stopped their siege and turned their attention to the rear.
I found a Dark Oobleck approaching.
It was only a matter of time before it would stand out, as its appearance was so unusual.
Dark Oobleck, who wriggles and charges at incredible speeds as soon as he is discovered.
Quickly close the distance to target the Ice Witch.
To stop him, groups of ice orcs and trolls blocked his path, while shamans and ice witches blasted freezing magic.
But the bastard slipped past them and let them slide by without taking any hits.
In an instant, the thing that approached the Ice Witch spread out wide and covered her.
There was a commotion as if someone was struggling inside, but it soon died down.
‘It worked.’
As if that wasn’t enough, Dark Oobleck quickly moved forward and devoured a nearby ice golem.
– Gulp, gulp.
Dark Oobleck’s enlarged body began to tremble violently, and then gradually hardened into a black filth that seemed to freeze.
It looks like a mix of an ice witch and an ice golem.
‘That’s why it’s tricky.’
Dark Oobleck feeds on his victims in this way, borrowing their appearance and strength.
And in cases where there are multiple victims, as there are now, the results can be a mix of their characteristics.
Dark Oobleck, who has become a giant ice witch golem.
The bastard’s head turned and he stared straight at the castle wall.
And then she let out a shrill scream, imitating the Ice Witch.
– ——!
The confused Ice Monster Army regained control and the siege resumed.
Dark Oobleck also took a few steps forward and began to charge at an incredible speed that did not match his large size.
– Thud, thud, thud!
I felt the ground shake a few times, then in an instant I reached the wall and was hit with my whole body.
– Kwaaaaang—!
Debris and dust flew everywhere, accompanied by a deafening noise.
After a while, the dust cleared, revealing a deeply caved in wall.
‘I don’t think I can hold out much longer.’
And if the wall is breached, the water battle has failed and the dungeon has been cleared.
I said to Hong Yeon-hwa.
“Let’s get moving now. Are you feeling better?”
“… … A little. I’ll try anyway.”
I didn’t have much time to recover much mana, but I had no choice for now.
Hong Yeon-hwa probably answered that way because she understood that fact.
“It’s going to be just like the midterms.”
“……huh.”
Just like when dealing with the Alpha Ogre, the vanguard ties it up while the rearguard deals damage.
It is more efficient and has a higher chance of success to divide up the roles rather than doing everything by myself.
In particular, since that guy is an undead and also has the ice attribute, Hong Yeon-hwa with Aqua Flame will be able to inflict even more fatal damage.
I finally checked with Hong Yeon-hwa.
“We don’t have many chances. Once, at most twice. Can we do it?”
“I can do it. I will do it.”
Hong Yeon-hwa answered me while looking straight at me, which was rare.
A look of fear, but still determination.
That was enough.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
– Kwaaaaang—!
Once again the ground shook violently.
This is the second time Dark Oobleck has crashed through the walls.
‘It has to be finished in an instant.’
As I told Hong Yeon-hwa, there aren’t many opportunities.
It is not possible to wage a protracted war when the walls appear likely to collapse at any moment.
I don’t have much stamina or mana left.
So the way I chose to do it was,
‘Overwhelmingly, it’s a snap to the press.’
[Use ‘octopus legs’.]
[Use ‘amplify’.]
The combination of octopus legs and amplification.
The cooldown is originally 30 minutes, but you can cast it multiple times at the same time if you are willing to accept the penalty.
First, I amplified Hong Yeon-hwa’s main skills and characteristics.
[‘Fire Pillar’ grade increases. (C+->A+)]
[‘Aqua Flame’ rank increases. (C+->A+)]
“… … !”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened.
It’s surprising that the rank suddenly jumped two levels.
I have a lot of questions I want to ask, but I’ll leave them for later.
I even amplified my skills.
[‘Wind Barrier’ grade increases. (C+->A+)]
[‘Overheat’ level increases. (C->A)]
[‘Windforce’ grade increases. (C+->A+)]
[‘Spiral Explosion’ grade increases (C+->A+)]
[Duration 00:04:58]
[Reuse Wait Time 17:59:58]
Because the 30-minute cooldown was used 6 times in a row with the octopus legs, the penalty was a whopping 36 times.
Cooldown increased to 18 hours.
‘It’s a shame I can’t use it anymore.’
It would be nice to raise everything else as well, but then the cooldown would become unmanageably long.
On Friday, if you can’t use amplification in the B-rank dungeon, the damage will be severe, so you have no choice but to stop here.
‘This is more than enough.’
It’s only 5 minutes, but it’s specs far surpass Dark Oobleck.
I flew straight over the wall.
The snow-covered ground quickly approaches, then slows down abruptly.
It was a light landing using wind force.
[Inferno Fist]
[Overheat]
– Hwaruk,
The flames in his fist were absorbed, and strength flowed through his entire body.
Even before, absorbing Inferno Fist would increase one’s physical abilities, but now even overheating is at A-class.
Every time you kick the floor, your view changes dramatically.
– Pot, pot!
Then, he summons dark clouds to surround the saplings and surrounds them with a wind barrier that has been amplified to Grade A.
Let’s clash with the Ice Monster Army in that state,
– Boom!
Ice orcs and trolls alike were thrown out and rolled around on the ground.
For the five minutes that the amplification lasts, I am a true destroyer.
Nothing in this dungeon can stop me.
I approached my target, cutting straight through the Ice Legion, just like Dark Oobleck had done.
The bastard had briefly distanced himself from the wall, but then seemed ready to pick up speed again and slam me into the body.
But just as he was about to charge,
[Windforce]
– Phew!
A blast of compressed air from the bastard’s side suddenly changed its course.
Dark Oobleck staggered for a moment, but quickly regained his composure and glared at me.
‘I’ve already drawn the aggro.’
Looking around, I saw a large circle carved into the floor.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s Fire Pillar magic circle.
It’s my job to get him into that range and tie him up.
“——!”
Dark Oobleck let out a shrill sound similar to the scream of an Ice Witch, then extended one of his fists at a terrifying speed.
I swung my sword at the sapling without dodging it.
– Boom!
Dark Oobleck is being pushed out with a slurp.
The dark clouds wrapped around the sapling cancel out its physical force, and my wind force is the result of applying physical force.
I didn’t stop there, I dug deeper and struck the bastard’s torso.
– Boom!
Even though it was heavier and faster than the Alpha Ogre, it was pushed back without a fight.
Currently Dark Oobleck’s rank is at best a C+, while I was painting it at an A, so it was a natural result.
‘This neighborhood is full of gangsters.’
– Boom! Boom!
After clashing several times and only sustaining losses and being pushed back, it seemed like he decided that he couldn’t go on like this.
A blizzard raging all around.
It’s about unleashing the magic of the Ice Witch.
And when he stretched one hand forward,
-Wheww—
The blizzard was focused on me.
Although the effect is minimal due to S-rank elemental resistance, the slowdown in movement is noticeable.
‘That’s a pretty good skill too.’
Chillwind.
It is a magic skill with half cold and half wind properties.
It is a high-level magic and is quite rare.
That was also the reason why I chose this one among the many ice-themed dungeons.
Originally, it was a spell that the Ice Witch could only cast under certain conditions, but I almost thought I wouldn’t be able to take it because it was eaten by Oobleck.
‘Thank you for writing it.’
[Use ‘Copy-Skill’.]
[Register the target’s skill ‘Chillwind (F)’ in the slot.]
▷Copy – Skill [3/3]
1. Thief’s Step (B+)
2. Overheat (A) (amplification ↑)
3. Chillwind (F)
Dark Oobleck swung his arm again, thinking that he had slowed my movements, but that was no use.
He swings his sword at the saplings without any hesitation.
– Boom!
The guy who had been taking a step back again this time linked black magic to Chilwind.
Black crystals are flying in, mixed with the snowstorm.
‘But that doesn’t work.’
[Wind Barrier]
The wind shield wrapped around my body tightly, repelling all the black crystals.
In that state, he approaches the bastard again and hits him.
– Boom!
Dark Oobleck, who had been pushed back repeatedly, finally stood with both feet on the magic circle.
The magic circle, which was simply a wide circle, is now being filled with elaborate magic.
“Stay there. Don’t go anywhere else.”
“——!”
Dark Oobleck responded with a sharp scream of rebellion, then twisted his body and took a step to the side.
But before he could even take another step, I appeared in front of him.
“When.”
– Boom!
“——!”
It was frustrating for Dark Oobleck.
The army of ice monsters fell in a single stroke of my hand,
Close combat is always overwhelming,
Magic doesn’t work,
Even if you try to avoid me, I block your escape route like a ghost.
Since neither of these worked, he ended up choosing a last resort.
The solid giant ice witch golem collapsed and returned to its original, slimy state of filth.
But in that state, he was trying to scatter in all directions.
“I told you not to.”
-Wheww!
The wind blew from all sides and tossed him around in a whirlwind.
A spiral explosion amplified to A+ level.
An entire army of ice monsters were dragged into the giant tornado.
Soon, the magic circle took on a vivid red color and erupted into a huge pillar of fire.
– Kwaaaaaaa—!
A swirling, ever-rising fire pillar.
It seems as if it will go beyond the walls and reach the sky.
Then, the compressed air is released by the spiral explosion,
– Kwaaaaang—!
It caused an even larger fire explosion.
In the aftermath, not only Dark Oobleck, but even the entire army of ice monsters were evaporated.
‘It’s over.’
I went back the way I came and climbed the wall.
By jumping up the wall and using Windforce a few times, I was able to quickly get to the top.
“You finished it in one go without any mistakes. That was great.”
“… … .”
Although I complimented her, Hong Yeon-hwa’s response was very dry.
I was so exhausted that I just sat there, but as the tension released, all the accumulated fatigue came rushing back to me.
In addition, I wasted my remaining mana.
The core’s grade remains at C-rank, but I only raised the fire pillar to A, and even used it at maximum output, so my mana must be hitting rock bottom by now.
But the dungeon will close soon, so even if you rest, you should go outside and rest for a while.
I reached out to Hong Yeon-hwa.
“It’s finished. Let’s go.”
“… … .”
Hong Yeon-hwa looked at my hand in a half-dazed state, then placed her hand on it.
… … and it stayed like that for a long time.
I guess I don’t have the strength in my hands.
“Can’t you get up?”
“……huh.”
I had no choice but to approach Hong Yeon-hwa, bend my knees, and turn my back.
“Get up.”
“… … .”
Normally, I would have been on guard or cowered, but Hong Yeon-hwa obediently stretched out her arms and put them around my neck.
It seems like things aren’t going as they should.
As I was walking towards the exit, Hong Yeon-hwa, who had her face buried in my back, mumbled like a drunk person.
“Sister… … liar… … .”
Why is my sister suddenly here?
Could it be said that the thoughts that had been in my head just popped out unconsciously?
Then it is more likely to be close to the truth.
So I threw in a word.
“why?”
“You know. The effect… … .”
“… … .”
“Like this… … warm… … .”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s words became blurred.
Soon, only the sound of steady, deep breathing could be heard behind me.
