episode_0007

[Entering the dungeon through the gate.]

[Location: Goblin Stronghold (D)]

[Entry Requirement: of 1 or more]

[All striker skills of party member ‘Moon Bora’ are sealed. Some attributes are locked. Stats significantly decrease. Backup-exclusive skill is unlocked.]

As soon as I entered, a translucent window appeared before my eyes.

It felt quite extraordinary in many ways.

To think that what I only saw in ‘Ghost Ra’ could manifest with such vivid three-dimensionality.

‘…The sensation that feels as sensitive as brushing against my skin the moment I enter.’

So this is magic.

Hot yet cold.

An indescribable vast energy filled this place.

Power surged from within my body.

How should I put it?

It’s like injecting energy drinks into every pore of my skin.

Seeing Mahana beside me and Moon Bora perched on her shoulder, calmly regulating their breaths, it seemed like this was the norm.

‘…So this is the dungeon.’

Inside the gate, a completely different world unfolded.

The tall buildings that were just there, along with the ‘hunters’ employed for surveillance and response, all vanished, replaced by a dense forest-like wilderness stretching endlessly.

With no proper path, thick grass up to my waist and giant trees densely packed, I could easily understand why this place, ‘Goblin Stronghold (D),’ wasn’t popular.

‘It was probably a place where beast-type monsters appeared at random, right?’

Although goblins mainly appeared here, the average difficulty wasn’t high, but occasionally beast-type monsters would emerge and launch surprise attacks.

Just walking around here could accumulate fatigue, so one had to be prepared for any unexpected ‘ambush.’

It could indeed become a target to avoid.

‘That’s probably why we’ve been tasked with subjugation.’

“Alright, you two. Focus.”

Leading the way, Moon Bora, the SD version of the second-ranked King Doodoo, led the briefing from atop my shoulder.

Despite her adorable appearance, she exuded a strange charisma, characteristic of an experienced individual.

Woong―!

Oddly enough, a blue flame-like flicker emanated from Moon Bora and Mahana on her shoulder.

It might be bewildering at first sight, but having been briefed on it before entering here, I showed no particular reaction.

‘[Wave of Concentration].’

It was Moon Bora’s passive skill in ‘backup’ status, continuously restoring the mana, or MP, of the affiliated ‘striker.’

Thanks to this passive skill, Moon Bora, even when rejected as a dealer, could be applied in various combinations.

“First, we’ll organize the formation. Mahana will take the vanguard. Yuseha, you’ll handle the mid and rear positions. If you notice anything unusual, report it immediately.”

She paused momentarily, as if lost in thought.

“And now, if you have any [traits] that could be helpful in this situation, please activate them promptly.”

At her words, Mahana squinted his eyes shut and then opened them again.

His ordinary irises turned yellow, with a cross-shaped pattern engraved in the center.

[Night Vision].

One of the basic traits in the ‘vision’ category.

Though it was only of Normal grade.

It allowed clear vision at night and increased the maximum visual range, making it a useful trait.

But it didn’t end there.

As his body trembled, his fur bristled and started to rise.

A behavior akin to puffing up against an opponent.

[Mahana uses .]

‘…Seems like he’s learning all the basics.’

An uncommon trait derived from the Normal-grade [Intuition], honed by Mahana’s feline nature, enhancing his ability to cope to the point where ambushes were practically impossible.

It’s definitely a good trait, but it only becomes meaningful once you reach a certain level.

For now, it was easier to think of it as just a nice level to have.

Anyway, analysis of her ends here.

“I should activate my traits too.”

[Activating .]

[An Epic-grade trait.]

[Combines with the user’s talents to exert even greater power.]

Whoa―!

“……!!!”

Suddenly, a sense of unfamiliarity overwhelmed me upon activation.

Unconsciously, I bent one knee.

“Seha?”

“Miss Seha!”

I raised my hand to reassure the two worried individuals.

Slowly, I stood up.

Wow, this.

‘…It’s stronger than I thought?’

Red.

Everything was red.

The lush greenery filled with verdant hues danced in the wind, now dyed a fiery red like fluttering flames.

Instinctively, I knew.

That red energy.

The concept of ‘crisis’ considering all circumstances.

‘…Just by seeing rocks painted red right in front of me, it seems even stumbling is considered a crisis.’

This won’t do.

Due to my own inadequacy and a mental stat of [6], I couldn’t fully unleash this trait at 100%.

Taking deep breaths, I gradually narrowed down the range.

‘I can do this…’

Although it was my first time, it felt as natural as handling limbs.

[Temporarily restricting the function of .]

[Significantly reduces the burden and mana consumption on the caster.]

[Decreases the range and frequency of .]

[Current output: 10%]

‘Alright.’

Now, I feel somewhat better.

As if indicating that I was fine, Moonbora, who had been watching me, nodded silently and opened her mouth.

“…Then let’s depart.”

Everyone, focus.

* * *

Trudging along—

Twenty minutes later, we were progressing smoothly without encountering any significant crises.

Of course, the scenery appeared peaceful on the surface.

But to my eyes, to my senses, it was not so.

‘…Are they watching us?’

A faint murky energy rose beyond the bushes.

Simultaneously, two circles that seemed to be eyes tracked us like lasers.

It meant something was watching over this place.

‘Is that a monster… or just a wild animal?’

Today being my first time activating this, I couldn’t grasp the feeling.

Well, I’ll probably get used to it with time.

“You probably know, but the main monsters appearing here are goblins.”

While walking, Moonbora briefed us with various information under the guise of a briefing.

“Usually, they’re common types. In other words… most of them are just a disorganized bunch without proper command, but occasionally, higher-tier ones appear.”

Higher-tier.

Evolutionary lineage changed through specific experiences, triggers, and the purity of magical power within dungeons.

“If it’s a higher-tier?”

“Goblin Archers.”

Their stats don’t change significantly from regular goblins, but they wield bows, posing a threatening presence.

Coated with a special venom, these creatures can cause troublesome conditions.

“Some experienced ones possess the [Precision Shot] trait, making them extremely difficult to dodge in surprise attacks.”

Finishing her words, Moonbora patted her waist.

In her hand was a large glass bottle.

The shimmering red liquid was presumed to be a type of ‘healing potion.’

“At the moment, we lack proper healing support. We’ve brought emergency potions, but please aim to end all battles unharmed without unnecessary consumption.”

“Yes!”

“Understood.”

As expected, just like in-game, Moonbora was a reliable leader.

Wasn’t it because I hadn’t utilized her in the past for no reason?

Pause.

That’s when it happened.

My steps involuntarily halted.

Naturally, my head turned.

Beyond the bushes.

Several humanoid figures resembling blobs of heavily squeezed red paint came into view.

“…A total of 4.”

Are those goblins?

“No.”

They were much smaller and had a different shape compared to the goblins I knew.

Moreover, these guys.

Even though they were sticking their heads out and clearly revealing themselves, their forms weren’t properly visible.

There was only one thing this meant.

“Skill.”

And unmistakably, it was a skill from the [Concealment] category.

Tap. Tap.

I lightly tapped Moon Bora’s back and spoke in a low voice.

“To the side rear. There are monsters activating [Concealment].”

“…Exactly where?”

Although Moon Bora showed a bewildered expression, she accepted my words as if to hear me out.

“About 80 meters to the side. Do you see the bush with red fruits growing? They are clustered inside. Total of 4. Seems like they are holding weapons… From their appearance, they look like clubs.”

“…”

Precise distance and location description.

Along with an analysis of their numbers and the equipment they are carrying.

Beyond being bewildered, Moon Bora looked at me with eyes that were clearly close to disbelief.

Well, I understand.

It’s the norm here not to think a man could be this competent, especially since she’s not a female hunter.

“…But will you get hurt even just a little?”

“…Understood.”

Moon Bora sighed lightly as if it was a pointless endeavor.

Yet, the respect was probably because it was a word spoken by a fellow party member.

She glanced briefly at where I had taught her, clasping her hands like ferns.

With a secretive gesture, a blue magical power enveloped her.

The magical powers gathered in the air collided, generating energy to activate.

Categorized as a [Skill], but distinctly alien in feeling.

It was precisely ‘magic’.

In [Backup] status, the character’s skills and attributes are sealed, and instead, exclusive [Backup] skills are unlocked.

Except for a very few exceptions, there are only two types: passive and active.

“And now, this must be Moon Bora’s active skill.”

However, something felt off.

More precisely, the magical waves were much stronger than my prediction, and the magic circle was more intricate.

“…Could this be a derivative skill?”

A higher-level skill that naturally opens up when the base skill is honed to a certain extent.

Sure enough.

I felt my prediction hit the mark as the scene unfolded before me.

“Haaap!”

Moon Bora shouted a short battle cry, precisely moving her hand towards where I had indicated.

Crack!

As a result, three to four ice pillars the size of a man’s thigh shot up, freezing the area.

[Frozen Pillars]

It was a rare-grade skill that a somewhat developed Moon Bora could learn.

Whooosh!

Immediately after, piercing screams echoed.

Startled by the attack she had just made, Moon Bora muttered in a dazed tone.

“…Why is this…”

Is this… real?