Chapter 44: Team Play (2)
Middle Boss, Sportula.
A swordsman-type monster whirled a heavy greatsword, releasing powerful storms in all directions.
As it received an infinite supply of mana from the same spot, there was no worry of the storm ceasing.
Moreover, with a 2-second interval between attacks, there were hardly any gaps, and the strike range was quite broad.
In summary, it was impossible to avoid Sportulas sword wind from any direction.
But that didnt mean there were no alternatives.
Depending on the situation, it was possible to bypass the middle boss without fighting.
Unlike the main boss, conquering them wasnt mandatory.
It was just that defeating them yielded rewards.
Thats a shame.
But passing by just because Sportula was tricky to approach seemed wasteful, given the skills that could be plundered.
It had three skills:
Steel Storm.
Liquefaction.
Defensive Level 1.
Kang-hoo was interested in Defensive Level 1.
It was a passive skill specialized in protecting the body.
As the name suggested, it was a skill that could be upgraded in stages using magic stones.
I already had a plan to tackle Sportula.
But since Jung Yuris cooperation was crucial, I asked her.
Got any good ideas? I already have one in mind.
Somehow, I think your idea is the same as mine. Can I go first?
Ladies first.
Frontal assault seems difficult. Ill open a path, why not drop from above?
Jung Yuri pointed above Sportulas head with a cheerful expression.
Kang-hoo smiled upon seeing where her finger pointed.
He had the same idea.
Jung Yuri was a hunter with the ability to open spaces.
Although there were distance limitations, she could create a passage to significantly shorten the distance.
If she kept opening such passages in succession, moving above Sportulas head was possible.
The storms range was about 5 meters above the ground, so moving above that height would suffice.
My thoughts exactly.
Yeah, that guys attacks are fierce, but his defense seems pretty weak.
Then Im counting on you.
Right now?
Why delay?
Okay!
Jung Yuri quickly opened a dimensional gate in front of Kang-hoo as soon as she finished speaking.
Simultaneously, she opened an exit about seven meters diagonally.
That was their method of movement.
Hoo.
After a short, deep breath,
Paang!
Kang-hoo leaped and swiftly entered the dimensional gate.
The real challenge was starting now.
Since skill duplication was impossible, Jung Yuri opened the next dimensional gate as soon as Kang-hoo emerged from the exit.
Initially, three dimensional gates continued upward, apparently to increase Kang-hoos altitude significantly.
After repeating this three times, Kang-hoo was now about 15 meters above the ground.
Even as Kang-hoo looked down from a position that would typically evoke fear, his expression didnt change.
Paang!
In the meantime, the sword storm unleashed by Sportula viciously swept across the ground.
Each time, rocks turned to pebbles, and pebbles to dust, vanishing away.
It was a truly powerful attack.
Ill keep opening the doors!
Nows good!
Kang-hoo gave Jung Yuri a thumbs-up.
He knew she was intensely focused.
Quickly accumulating physical and mental strain, using spatial skills continuously demanded an immense toll.
It was like running 100 meters and then being asked to do it again immediately could the body bear it?
That was the situation.
But Jung Yuri, without showing it, instead offered a bright smile, easing any worries.
Knowing her true feelings, Kang-hoo put his all into the current situation.
Paat!
Another dimensional gate opened.
Thinking they had reached the apex, she started opening gates that gradually lowered in altitude.
With the ability to use leap skills even in mid-air, he actively jumped through the dimensional gates.
The approach was instantaneous.
Shortcuts continuously opened, closing the over 100-meter distance to Sportula in no time.
Before long, Kang-hoo positioned himself directly above Sportula, the top of its head clearly visible.
Just a gatekeeper concept.
He realized then.
The storm Sportula unleashed in all directions was a repetitive response to a set input.
Despite Kang-hoos positioning above, Sportula did not generate a storm targeting upward.
Swoosh!
Upon reaching the target point, Kang-hoo first threw a practice dagger toward Sportula.
It was a light toss, more of a minor check than an attack.
He had a reason.
To neutralize Sportulas protective passive skill, Defensive.
Sure enough.
Shaaa.
The moment the practice dagger made contact with Sportula, Defensive activated, nullifying the attack.
The defense was impressive, but it presented an opportunity.
Decapitation.
Without hesitation, Kang-hoo invoked the Decapitation skill, plunging straight down.
The position seemed so perfect that gravity alone appeared sufficient to pierce Sportulas skull.
Pwook!
Kang-hoo landed precisely on target, striking down with the dagger.
Without a groan, he finished the situation with a single strike.
The dagger, buried deep with only the handle visible, completely cut off Sportulas life force.
[The following skills can be plundered from the activated target.]
[Steel Storm]
[Liquefaction]
[Defensive Level 1]
Defensive Level 1.
He disregarded the other skills.
Steel Storm, with its casting time, was unsuitable for Kang-hoo, who fought in split-second intervals.
As he had confirmed with Sportula, the Steel Storm skill had a delay of about 2 seconds.
For an assassin who needed to be swift, there was no room to spare 2 seconds.
In truth, Steel Storm was more of a flashy skill than a practical one for combat.
Unless one planned to launch Steel Storm from afar like a mage, it wasnt very useful.
And the skill Fluidization didnt seem appealing either, as its mechanics were almost identical to those of Acceleration.
Indeed, there would be synergy if used alongside Acceleration, but improving the efficiency of Acceleration would be preferable.
[Self-Defense - Level 1]
[Skill Proficiency: Lv. Max]
[A passive skill. Reactivates 1 hour after activation.]
[Once activated, Self-Defense nullifies an enemy's attack. However, selective nullification is not possible.]
[Upgradable to level 2 with a Spirit Stone.]
If I time it correctly, I can definitely avoid an attack. This skill is the most useful for me.
He felt quite satisfied.
Assassins, by the nature of their class, struggled to acquire defensive skills.
There wouldnt be any defensive skills among the basic ones to be added later.
After all, it was the opposite direction.
In this regard, the Self-Defense skill pilfered from Sportula appeared to hold great value for future use.
Furthermore, its upgrade potential promised limitless utility.
Sportula hadnt dropped any significant loot.
However, the experience gained was extremely substantial.
His experience, which had just edged into level 46, skyrocketed to nearly the end. It was akin to jumping from 46.0 to 46.9, almost a full level up.
Wow! We work together so well, right? Have you ever moved like this before?
No.
But to navigate the passage so smoothly? Honestly, I was really worried about backup.
If you cant take advantage of such a clear path, you might as well hand in your hunter license.
That final strike you delivered to the head, was that a skill? It looked like a weak spot, but I didnt expect you to take down a mid-level boss in one hit!
Its all thanks to your setup. Because of you, the strategy seemed effortless.
What are you saying! Its your skills that made it a perfect execution; anyone else would have botched it. I was a complete mess!
Kang-hoo consistently lauded Jung Yuris instinct, but she deflected the praise each time.
Are you not used to compliments?
Actually, yes.
Youll get used to it.
The impact of spatial abilities depended on how they were used.
A skill could be considered worthless or a game-changer that dramatically turned the tide of an unfavorable battle.
Jung Yuris use of her spatial skills was so clean and efficient that it belonged to the latter category.
With such skills, he could trust her at least 90%, if not 100%.
In team play, trust is essential to fully utilize spatial abilities.
Without trust, you cant see the full effect; youd always worry when entering a passage.
Interesting.
It was also fascinating.
It felt like the first time they were admiring each others skills purely and not based on mutual interests.
Since he woke up in this world, it seemed like the first time he had engaged in battle without any burden.
Probably because his partner, Jung Yuri, was so pure-hearted.
Thats what Kang-hoo thought.
He considered himself tainted, a crow-like existence.
Kang-hoo, together with Jung Yuri, effortlessly leveled up to 47 by defeating minor monsters.
The milestone of level 50, where basic skills could be acquired, was now within reach.
Once level 50 was reached, the next chance to acquire basic skills would be at level 100.
So, after level 50, the supply of basic skills would be interrupted for a while.
Thats why the importance of skill plundering had increased.
Without actively obtaining skills in dungeons, it was hard to add new skills by other means.
But why is that guy just sitting there?
On the other hand, Jung Yuri tilted her head in confusion after identifying the boss monsters location and identity.
The monsters name was Legant.
Legant, unarmed and without armor, was kneeling as if praying.
If it looks obviously vulnerable, its usually a trap.
Kang-hoo stopped Jung Yuri, who was about to advance, with his hand.
He had a bad feeling about it.
Though just a few leaps away, close enough to strike, it seemed too easy.
There were no freebies in dungeon conquests.
Then, Kang-hoo approached Jung Yuri and whispered in a low voice, audible only to her.
Run. As far back as you can.
He sensed that something was off.
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