episode_0083

The plan is similar to what I described earlier.

We’ll hit the Grey Wolves massed in the middle layer first.

Naturally, the attacked beasts will instinctively focus on us.

Using that opening, the Ranger duo will swiftly advance inward.

Since they couldn’t report on the situation of the safe zone at the end of the middle layer, we’ll assume they’re not fully effective.

After sending those adventurers back with return stones, they’ll immediately rejoin and create a two-pronged attack to establish the front line.

Anyway, considering the current situation, finding the cause of the dungeon break is pointless.

Even if we capture a few Grey Wolves to investigate, we won’t find anything.

Exterminating them all and then sending a follow-up team for investigation is the more rational decision.

This operation has two key aspects.

One is how quickly we can return the isolated adventurers.

The other is how much damage we can minimize in the upcoming melee.

Eve isn’t quite suited for this kind of covert operation, but Rif is just right.

For her, who can move through shadows, evading the beasts is a piece of cake.

On top of that, that [Shadow Movement] isn’t limited to herself.

“Depending on the affinity… if it causes a mana rejection reaction, there might be difficulties in moving ‘together’.”

In other words, it’s not impossible.

When Eve immediately tested it, it was quite successful.

The two of them formed a special unit and moved to the outer perimeter.

Then, what’s left is the melee… honestly, I found it a bit funny.

It’s too much like my area of expertise.

The [Wuyeonggab] that even Eve’s magic sword couldn’t pierce? There’s no way a mere beast’s teeth and claws would get through it.

As long as my mana pool holds, I’m practically invincible in close combat.

“Are you really sure…? Taking the bait like this.”

“I said I’m fine with it.”

Terrance looked a little uneasy with his arms crossed.

Instead of replying verbally, I offered my fist.

“You have a crucial role too. If even one or two break through to the main force, you’ll need to be the shield.”

“…That’s something I do every day, what.”

Thud-

The leaders bumped fists, solidifying their determination for this operation.

“…Where does his confidence come from?”

“Instead of words, watch me show you.”

Thump-

Joy looked a little displeased, but everyone was now ready.

We left the base camp and went outside the safe zone.

. . .

A strong smell of blood.

Darkness swallowing the entire vast cavern.

In that pitch black, where we couldn’t see an inch in front of us, we clearly sensed two things.

“Krrrrrr…”

One was the Grey Wolves’ breathing…

Glint-

And the other was their burning gaze.

The beasts of this world… defying human common sense.

It was a sight that made us understand their incomprehensible nature a little better.

A fierce instinct focused solely on slaughter.

Kill or be killed.

“Haap…”

I began to draw in the mana of the entire middle layer.

『Trait, [One Who Transcended Nature’s Order] is activated.』 『The Miraculous Body absorbs mana.』

Whoosh-

Mana flowing in on my breath surged within me.

Thump- thump-

An inexplicable excitement washed over me, allowing me to clearly perceive everything around me.

My heartbeat quickened, my breath grew hot.

『Player has entered an ‘Excited’ state.』 『Trait, [Mana-Loving One] is activated.』 『Player’s magic power sharply increases.』

A feeling of conquest, as if everything was in my grasp.

‘I might be able to wipe out all these beasts by myself…’

『Trait, [Reborn One] is activated.』 『Maintaining composure.』

But that’s a last resort.

Now is the time to coordinate with everyone and eliminate them efficiently.

Turning around, everyone showed different reactions.

Yuri, seeing my fully buffed form for the first time in a while, smiled faintly.

Nix and Eve, having somewhat understood my nature, nodded silently.

But the staff-wielders of the Four Saints’ Assembly, completely unable to grasp what was happening to me, had their jaws drop.

“…Is that even human?”

“…”

Terrance and Rif, however, sensed the situation instinctively.

I enveloped my body with the wind attribute [Wuyeonggab].

“Then, let’s go.”

My muscles were already heated beyond a certain level, so there was no need to warm up further.

I simply crouched down, bending my legs.

Whoosh—!!

I dashed forward tearing through the darkness.

Grrr- Krrrrt—!!

First strike needs to be light but also sharp and powerful, I thought.

To swiftly strike down the Grey Wolves’ necks, making the threat clear.

To draw the whole pack to this direction.

Daggers are fast but weak.

Long swords are strong but heavy.

A cutlass would be just right.

I immediately extended my right hand, releasing a moderate amount of mana.

The blue ‘wind attribute’ mana gathered in mid-air.

Becoming a short sword with a blade about the length of my forearm.

Thud—!

Using [Wuyeongbobeop], I stomped on the air once, sharply changing my charge trajectory.

Well, there won’t be anything that fast amongst the beasts they’ve hunted before.

The two Grey Wolves in front of me instinctively cowered in fear, and since they were only watching forward…

I darted past that blind spot.

Rough breaths in shock.

Shaking pupils.

Hesitant forelegs.

Every strand of fur on the blood-matted Grey Wolves was visible to me.

It’s not always good to have total sensory awareness, though.

Without omnipotence to accompany it, one is only dominated by helplessness.

But for me, who isn’t omnipotent, there was a good way.

From the storm of incoming information, I just had to focus on what I needed.

I focused only on the nape of the Grey Wolves’ necks.

A part not yet covered in blood clots.

I thrust the short sword’s blade straight into it.

In slow motion, very slowly.

Pressing down on the skin, tearing through muscles, crushing the vertebra.

I never shut my eyes, until the blade became submerged in the fountain of blood, and tore through the opposite leather, before emerging.

Swoosh—! Thud-

As soon as I severed one’s head, the other retreated.

Krrrrrr…!

Keeping its guard up, it kept watching for my next attack before turning to run.

I didn’t pursue anymore.

To effectively provoke the whole pack, and to prevent unnecessary waste of energy.

And that judgment was successful.

Howwwwww—

A deafening howl erupted from the direction where it escaped.

The cry, infused with mana from the beasts resonated along the cavern walls of the middle layer.

What came back was not an echo, but a pack of Grey Wolves multiplied tenfold.

Krrr- Krrrrraaagh—!!

I immediately reached out.

“Now—!”

The special unit for rescue, the Ranger duo, nodded slightly at my signal and immediately hid in the shadows.

They moved in perfect camouflage that was difficult for me to detect heading towards inwards at full speed.

The engagement has ended.

Now, the real fight beings.

I removed my short sword and armor, instructing the other members to prepare for battle.

“Everyone, stay focused.”

And I smoothly changed the attribute of my mana.

This time I don’t need wind-like speed, the priority is flow control to hit the Grey Wolves with the casters’ area-of-effect magic.

For crowd control, it’s still ice magic.

I changed into Water attribute Wuyeonggab.

“Terrance—! The ground might get a bit messy, is that alright?”

He didn’t answer but drew his greatsword from his back.

He understood what I meant without leaving his spot.

That’s enough.

Then I looked at Yuri.

“Yuri—! Remember? That training ground where you and Eve sparred.”

“Yes—!”

She immediately realized what I wanted and started receiving magical enhancement from Lily.

Nix, who tilted her head, I’ll leave for the next round.

Lastly, I turned to Joy.

“Still doubtful?”

“…Fine. What am I supposed to do?”

Indeed, showing is better than telling.

See? That super-smart magician who wouldn’t stop doubting until the end became meek as a lamb once she experienced it firsthand.

I smirked.

“If you can freeze the ones rushing in, please unleash something powerful. I won’t worry about that aspect.”

We’re prepared now.

It’s finally time to recreate the Ice and Fire Festival.

Krrr- Kyaaaarrr—!!

The endless horizon of the middle level cavern.

A countless number of Grey Wolves rushing from atop it.

Eve could freeze all of them alone, but Yuri would struggle.

I myself am not skilled in ice magic either, making it a bit difficult on my own.

But a memory resurfaced.

The successful hunt we once went on, and the jubilant Yuri thereafter.

She couldn’t do it alone, she said, but because of the wet fur of the Grizzly Bear, she succeeded in freezing it completely.

Therefore, I will scatter a lot of water.

Even if it’s a freezing magic inferior to Eve’s [Absolute Zero], if used against a wet target with Lily’s magical enhancement, it will be complemented.

There are 52 Grey Wolves in front of us.

I raised my hand and matched it with Yuri’s.

Thump- thump-

Not yet.

Thump-thump- Krrr-

A little more.

Thump- thud-thud-thud— Kwaaak—!!

“Let’s go—!”

After shouting a signal, I released the surging water attribute mana.

[Tidal Stream]!

The mana pouring down along my outstretched arms swept the beasts’ feet like rough waves,

A bone-chilling cold descended upon them.

“Frost Nova—!!”