Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Users of the detection-type ability are usually divided into two categories. And coincidentally, both types of detection-type ability users were present in this raid.
There are ability users like Hae Song-ha, who tame summons to detect, and ability users like Kang Soo-hyun, who detect by using their skills.
Ability users like Kang Soo-hyun are usually multiplayer. Sometimes, their mental skills are superior, and they are classified as mental hunters. They are usually multi-skill users who not only detect but also use attack and mental skills simultaneously.
In the novel, Kang Soo-hyun was given the protagonist buff, making him a multi-skilled player. He was also very versatile, and he often played a prominent role among the supporting characters.
However, this only occurs in the middle of the novel. In the beginning, he hadn't awakened his ability yet, and it wasn't until the middle part of the novel that the author seemed to suddenly remember, "Oh, right, he exists too," and hurriedly progressed his storyline and leveled up. After that, he became a character with a so-called ‘minor' role.
Anyway, Kang Soo-hyun's active role was in the middle of the novel, which doesn't align with the current timeline. Even though his awakening happened a bit earlier than in the novel, he was still at a low level right now. The reason why I wanted other hunters besides Kang Soo-hyun to be summoned was mainly due to his level and lower skill proficiency.
However, if Kang Soo-hyun receives my auxiliary skill, all of his stats increase. I don't know exactly how much, but if Kang Soo-hyun, who couldn't detect Area 2, was able to detect it after receiving my skill, then his stats must have improved quite a bit.
"It’s done."
“…!”
Kang Soo-hyun created a small black space in front of him, enough to fit one hand. As someone who has read the novel, I knew immediately what kind of skill this was.
It's called "Black Hole."
Although it's different from a real black hole, its appearance resembles one, because the protagonists in the novel called it that way.
This skill allowed Kang Soo-hyun to create a subspace near a specific target. Currently, he could only open up such a small space, but later on, he could create a space large enough for someone to enter. So it's almost like a teleportation ability. Right now, even with the enhancement of my auxiliary skill, it seems like this is the limit on how much space he can open.
However, even in the current situation, I didn't hesitate and immediately plunged my hand into the Black Hole.
"Ugh…!"
"Did you catch him?"
"Wa—wait.."
It felt a bit strange because the area beyond the subspace was underwater. Startled, I quickly moved my hand. Because Kang Soo-hyun can only maintain the sub-space for a very short time, I must act quickly.
Then my hand touched something. I unconsciously clutched it tightly as it gripped my hand, but then I felt a cold sensation on my palm.
It's… kinda weird, though? I thought it was bare skin, but what did I catch? I wonder how many areas of Kang Soo-hyun's skin are exposed? He always wears those black turtleneck-like shirts.
“…”
I felt a little uneasy, but I decided to use my skill first. After all, once I survive, I could always kneel and beg for forgiveness later. It was when I cast my skill until my palm felt so hot—
"Ugh!"
I felt a burning pain in my palm. I pulled back my palm in surprise, and something gripped my hand tightly. What was that? What grabbed me?
"Hyung, the connection will be disconnected soon.”
"What? Argh!"
What happens when the subspace disconnects like this? Will my arm be severed too?
Frightened, I vigorously shook my half-stuck hand. Then, fortunately, something that grabbed my hand relaxed. I quickly pulled my hand out of the subspace.
"Hok, hok…"
Water dripped from my hand. As I examined my palm, I saw faint bite marks. If it was a monster, my hand would be torn to pieces. So, it must be a human who bit me, right?
"…"
Wait, could it be that that bastard Kang Yoo-hyun bit my hand? He bit me because I touched his body? Isn't that bastard completely psycho?
As I was grumbling to myself, suddenly, the surroundings started shaking.
Crashhh.
"What, what is it?”
The surroundings shook like crazy as if there was an earthquake. I stumbled and Kang Soo-hyun grabbed me tightly. I looked at the surging stream of water in confusion.
"Kiaah!”
"Ugh…!”
I lowered my head, panicking by the violent spray of water around me. Luckily, the water didn't flood the area too badly.
It was obvious who did it. I forced my eyes open and looked up. I saw something huge stuck in the ceiling of the underwater cave.
"Kieeeek!"
The boss monster of the 4th Area, Akaros, let out a long shriek. Surprisingly, at that moment, I thought the boss monster was smaller than I had expected. However, it wasn't because the boss monster was far away; but it was something else.
Akaros' massive body had been split into two and was dripping green blood. The remaining half of the body wriggled as it clung to the ceiling of the underwater cave. Then, a dark aura penetrated Akaros' body.
"Keuaak…!!”
As the last shriek resounded, it finally ended. Akaros's blue body wriggled for a moment before plunging back into the water. There was a big splash around me like a wave.
"Oh…”
It's over so easily? Even if Akaros was a mid-level boss monster, unlike the Draugr King, it was still possible to kill it in one shot with my auxiliary skill like this…?
[You have successfully defeated the middle boss monster ‘Akaros’ of Sæ-S76. Item is claimed.]
"…"
I hear a system voice and see a notification that an item has entered my inventory. We have eliminated Akaros and cleared the 4th Area.
“…Han Yi-jin."
"Hok…!”
Kang Yoo Hyun whose whole body, no, only his face was wet because his clothes were waterproof, suddenly appeared in front of me. Whatever skill he had used on Akaros earlier, both of his eyes were black without white. However, only one of his eyes was shining with a blue light.
I was so shocked that I almost hiccupped. Kang Yoo-hyun's face contorted as he looked at me.
"Why, why?"
"You earlier…”
"Oh, I used my skill on you. What's wrong with that!"
I stood my ground. If I hadn't, we might all have been killed. Why should I be intimidated? If anything, he should be grateful to me. I risked losing one of my hands to use the auxiliary skill.
The face of a main character would be offended if I said that… but that's none of my business. I held my head high with confidence.
"You really…"
"Oh, well it was urgent. So, that's the way it goes…."
"Sigh…”
"Oh? You bit my hand, too!"
“…”
I shouted loudly while showing him my burning palm. But somehow, Kang Yoo-hyun's gaze on my open palm felt strange. I don't know what it was, but I had a bad feeling and subconsciously stepped back. Then Kang Yoo-hyun closed the distance and followed me.
"Come here."
“Hey, hey. Don't hit me too hard when you're pissed off. I'm dead just brushing against you."
“…”
In the original work, Han Yi-jin's death at the hands of Kang Yoo-hyun was not explicitly specified, but he died while causing a commotion and was probably hit like a scratch by Kang Yoo-hyun. It doesn't come out in detail in the novel, but that's probably how it happened. The difference in rank between him and me is that big. I'll die if he just brushes against me. That's how it feels.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but… Ugh."
"Huh?"
Kang Yoo-hyun, who was approaching me with a hideous energy, suddenly fell on one knee. I looked at him in bewilderment. He was breathing heavily, and frowned.
Could it be… is this a side effect? The other hunters seemed fine, so why was only Kang Yoo-hyun going through this?
"Are you okay?"
"Cough."
I looked at him worriedly, but Kang Yoo-hyun's gaze was still fierce, so I hesitated and just looked around.
"Hyung, there's a portal open over there."
"Oh, finally!"
A blue warp portal opened in front of us, probably because we defeated Akaros. We could use it to get to Area 5, where the final boss monster is.
I wonder how Yong-sik is doing after being separated from me? In the midst of the fight, I didn't have time to worry about him, but now it's weighing on my mind.
My Yong-sik… must be lonely without his dad. I wonder if he's crying. I hastened my steps.
"Let's go quickly!"
"Okay."
"Hey, you take care of your brother."
"…"
At my words, Kang Soo-hyun made a reluctant face and approached Kang Yoo-hyun. I looked at him and turned my head.
Yong-sik, dad's coming!
I passed through the portal with the thought of meeting Yong-sik quickly.
"Ugh…!”
I suppressed my nausea as I passed through the portal and looked up. Then I could see the scenery in front of me with acrid smoke.
"Kiaaa!"
A large monster with a woman on top of its body and a fish tail underneath collapsed with a long shriek. Its entire body was charred black and hideously melted. It was a pretty horrific end.
[Summoned ‘Yong-sik' has defeated the middle-boss monster ‘Cairen’ of Sæ-S76. Item is claimed.]
"…Yong-sik?"
Yong-sik defeated that monster? What does that mean?
Looking around with a surprised expression, I tried to find Yong-sik. However, he was so small that he wasn't easy to spot from here…
"Keuaaa!"
“…!”
The black dragon shouted a threatening roar around the area. It was the dragon that defeated the mid-boss monster earlier. I murmured in a small voice, wondering if that dragon could be—
“…Yong-sik?"
“…!”
Surprisingly, the dragon heard my voice from afar and quickly turned its face towards me. The eyes that met mine had a deep purple color. I called his name as if to confirm.
"Is it Yong-sik?"
“…”
The dragon remained completely still, stared at me for a while. Then, its body started shrinking gradually.
Shrinking… It can shrink? Well, considering how big it had become, I suppose it's possible to become small again.
"…Kkyau!"
Yong-sik, now back to his small size, flew over and sat in front of me. He looked at me with a face that said he knew nothing about it.
T/N: Hi guys, I'm picking up a new short story. Release is one chapter per week. Check it out if you guys are interested. Thank you 💖🙏
The Dog's Bride
Also two chapters have been unlocked for this one.
The Hole My Brothers Suck Every Night