episode_0009

“Genesis Archive Life” is a game that essentially follows the common tropes and clichés of hunter-themed works.

At its core lies the Gate.

Tearing through dimensions, positioned between spaces, it serves as a calamity connecting to a completely different realm, referred to as a ‘dungeon,’ where awakened hunters utilize their abilities to subdue monsters, seize loot, and prevent chaos in the world.

“…You might ask why I’m saying this all of a sudden.”

“Gosla” is a collectible RPG game.

Hence, each ‘gate’ features probabilistic mechanics, merging with dungeon characteristics to produce unique ‘events.’

While most events unfold as predetermined, occasionally, unexpected occurrences take place.

“Just like now.”

Due to irregular ‘gate clearances,’ there is an increase in monster distribution, leading to heightened magical density within dungeons, causing both the monsters infused with this magic and the monsters themselves to evolve and grow stronger.

This phenomenon marks the onset of the “Breakout” event.

The “Breakout” event is considered one of the most challenging events.

Dungeon levels rise by at least one to two tiers, unleashing rare monsters akin to street boulders.

Moreover, naturally, entirely new ‘bosses’ emerge, like the creature before them.

“The formidable force of nature roars, revealing the predator of the Forest of Shadows.”

“The predator of the forest blocks your path.”

“The alpha Silverback appears.”

“A specially spawned mid-boss.”

“…Alpha Silverback.”

A rare sight in “Gosla.”

Its sudden appearance, especially as a mid-boss, was a clear indication of the current dungeon’s chaotic state.

“Rrraaargh!”

In an instant, Mahana, who had been vigorously defending against Silverback’s attacks, let out a short cry.

A surge of power accompanied by a momentary display of strength.

The subtle blue glow, possibly triggered by the ‘Guardian’ class’s unique ‘defense boost,’ surrounded her.

Thud!

She pushed Silverback back.

“…Unbelievable. Why is that beast here?”

Munbora muttered in disbelief.

But the astonishment only went so far.

True to her role as the leader, she quickly regained her composure within three seconds, her eyes turning cold and resolute.

“Mahana! Yuseha! I will take command from now on!”

“…Yes!”

“Understood!”

“Raaaawr!”

However, before Munbora could finish speaking, Silverback acted faster.

Leveraging its unique physical abilities, it jumped based on its agility.

Immediately after, it clenched both hands like clubs and slammed them down on the ground.

“The alpha Silverback casts .”

“Enemies within range receive , .”

Amidst the scream-like tremors, a sudden heaviness filled the air.

It was the manifestation of debuffs, abnormal conditions affecting their performance.

“…It’s hard to maintain balance!”

Despite their willpower, one knee buckled involuntarily.

Feeling nauseous, it seemed like vomiting was imminent.

“Mahana! It’s coming from the right!”

While I was still flustered, Munbora calmly directed operations.

Anticipating Silverback’s attack faster than Mahana, Munbora assessed the trajectory of the erratic punches and guided her towards minimizing damage.

“Rraaah!”

Responding, Mahana gripped the shield handle with both hands.

Though likely affected by the debuff like me, she defended with the endurance befitting a main tank.

Thud!

Thud!

Amidst the thunderous noise and impact, she held her ground, defending herself admirably.

“…Phew! Get up!”

The man couldn’t just stand by and watch as the girls fought fiercely.

I clenched my fist and brought it down hard on his calf.

As soon as my paralyzed body loosened up, I forced myself to get up.

Then I stepped one foot back.

Naturally, I bent my waist.

With my left hand gripping the scabbard and my right hand tightly squeezing the hilt.

“Focus.”

I’m aiming for an opportunity to land a blow on that ignorant bastard, the lure.

*

Meanwhile, Moon Bora, who was working hard to respond to Silverback’s attacks while perched on Mahana’s shoulders, thought to herself.

“…This isn’t good.”

Not good.

Not good at all.

The opponent wasn’t good at all.

“…Leader Silverback.”

Ranked between D and C grade, he was a formidable opponent with a perceived defense capability reaching up to B grade.

“The reason lies in the unique leather covering his upper body.”

Rough and rugged skin resembling rock.

It was a characteristic known as [Stone Skin].

Thanks to this alone, he boasted resilience that couldn’t be easily overcome with mediocre firepower.

“Ice Pillar!”

Immediately after defending, she attacked the inevitable opening.

The magical power sucking moisture from the air instantly turned into cold frost, forming sharp ice pillars.

Crack!

“Kwaaaah!”

But that was it.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite penetrate him.

The effect of [Stone Skin] was ‘damage reduction.’

Due to this ability to reduce damage itself without distinguishing between physical and magical, the attacks weren’t landing effectively.

“…If only it wasn’t in backup mode.”

If it had been in its original form, not this shoddy secondary SD state.

If it had been at full power.

I would have turned this guy into an ice sculpture in no time!

Unconsciously, Moon Bora bit her lower lip.

In reality, the lack of firepower could be compensated for after several attacks.

If she hit the same spot with [Ice Pillar] more than 10 times, she could inflict significant damage.

“But right now, even that won’t work.”

The reason is simple.

“Pant, pant!”

Mahana’s limits in defense were gradually becoming apparent.

There wasn’t much damage yet, but the rough groans in her ears and the struggling limbs indicated that her limits were nearing.

“Mahana! It’s coming from the left!”

“…!”

Thud!

Mahana barely managed to block according to her command.

“…Strange.”

Yeah. Strange.

This person, Mahana, whom I met for the first time today.

“Why is she so… weak?”

Moon Bora recalled Mahana’s status window before entering this place.

Certainly lacking in many aspects.

“But it’s not like she should be exhausted after exchanging blows with such a weak opponent…?”

Even if calculated and derived mentally, it just didn’t make sense.

Especially since Mahana is a main tank in the Guardian class, adept at withstanding enemy attacks from the front lines.

It was absurd that she struggled with a simple punch rather than a skill.

At that moment, one thought flashed through her mind like lightning.

“…Dark Circles!”

The abnormal condition that Mahana had lightly passed off.

Only then did Moon Bora realize how far Mahana’s condition had deteriorated from normal.

For a Hunter, proper body maintenance is a crucial rule to follow.

No matter how strong a Hunter is, without proper rest and nutrition, they can die even at the hands of an F-rank monster.

“Ice Pillar!”

Crack!

“Kwaaaah!”

“…I was careless.”

Moon Bora chastised herself, biting her lower lip.

Foolish.

She should have returned immediately after dealing with the Transparent-Tailed Monkey (D).

“…Arrogant.”

She had judged that it would be fine even after seeing signs of abnormalities in the dungeon.

She had recklessly assessed

Being a man, it’s not about having the right power.

Not properly managing your body or falling far behind in that regard is a secondary issue.

The most crucial thing in a dungeon is the leader’s judgment.

That judgment naturally includes assessing the situation and making bold decisions.

Therefore, all of this is his own mistake.

“Stay calm, Moon Bora.”

One second wasted.

While he regrets, his party members are dying.

If you’re sorry, do your best.

It’s the responsibility of the one who has taken on the position of ‘leader,’ whether you want it or not.

“The weight of the business card labeled ‘Hunter.’”

First, they decided to send Yuseha to a safe place.

Even if he is one of the strongest classes, a 【Swordsman】, in the end, he is still a man.

He is even a complete newbie, revealing his ‘class’ for the first time today.

He must be trembling in fear at the sudden appearance of Silverback.

“…Maybe he ran away first.”

Since he has been invisible until now.

Then it’s actually better.

“…Hana, listen carefully. In a little while, even if I have to overexert myself, I will launch a powerful attack. I might be able to freeze at least the lower half of that guy for a moment.”

Hana, swallowing dry spit amidst panting.

“When I give the signal, don’t look back and run away. Got it?”

“…Yes!”

After finishing speaking, Moon Bora urgently looked back.

“Yuseha! If you’re still there, run away right now…?”

She stared blankly at the rear for a second, letting her words slip.

Doubt.

Confusion.

Embarrassment.

A complex mix of emotions swirled within Moon Bora.

“What…is this?”

Yuseha did not run away.

Nor was he trembling in fear from a distance.

Instead, he stood close by, assuming a poised stance with a calm gaze fixed in their direction.

And that distinctive posture.

“…Swordsmanship?”

It was unmistakable.

Why he would use something like ‘Iaido,’ used by classes such as Samurai or Swordsman, was unknown, but it was undoubtedly a prepared stance.

“…Foolish!”

Moon Bora gritted her teeth at the unexpected variable.

The opponent is a ‘Silverback’ with the ‘Rock Skin’ trait.

He is not an opponent that can be defeated with mediocre skills.

“You’ll end up being counterattacked instead!”

The ‘Iaido’ skill has high attack power, but after most activations, it inevitably finishes with a vulnerable posture, leaving Yuseha’s life at risk.

“Yuseha!! Stop fooling around and run-”

-Slurp.

That was the moment.

When Yuseha’s old iron sword slightly slipped out of its sheath.

Unintentionally, Moon Bora widened her eyes.

Chilling!

“…!”

“….!”

“…What!?”

The atmosphere changed in an instant.

The heated battle that had been intense just moments ago suddenly cooled down, bringing a chilling air.

“…What…is this?”

Sweat trickled down Moon Bora’s forehead, bewildering herself.

It was merely the blade peeking out a bit.

But why did it create such pressure?

It wasn’t just her who felt it; even Hana and the Silverback attacking her froze in place.

Three ‘Hunters’ and a ‘Mid-Boss’ simultaneously halted as if by agreement.

It was an action that should never be taken in a life-or-death struggle, but it was unavoidable.

The sensation these three were experiencing at the moment transcended the realm of patience—it was something ‘unfathomable.’

“B-Bora-nim! C-Could it be, another boss has appeared behind us!?”

Hana, resisting the urge to turn around, shouted.

It was to uphold his duty as a tank, shaking with resistance.

“N-No…th-that’s not it…”

“T-Then what is it!?”

Moon Bora pondered for a moment.

What exactly should she say to explain this?

“…Goodness. I can’t control it well.”

After a long time, I held the sword, feeling somewhat strange.

The boiling sensation of flesh flows as if it were overflowing.

“Focus.”

Didn’t that damned author always say not to put life force into weapons?

Are you some kind of beast cub?

*Sighs*

I take a deep breath.

Forcibly grabbing the rising feeling within me by the scruff of its neck, I push it down.

As a result, I could concentrate on the ‘power’ I was about to wield.

“This is magic.”

A faint blue light blazes up along with a subtle vibration through my palm.

The unique flames harmoniously integrate beyond the hilt of the sword, past the blade, encompassing the scabbard, forming a perfect unity like interlocking gears.

“This is a skill.”

Preparations are complete.

Now all that remains is hitting the enemy.

“Mnyangah!!! Trust me and run this way!!!”

“…!”

Startled by Yuseha’s shout, Mahana leaped backward like lightning.

Without further explanation, she knew Yuseha needed her.

That fact alone was enough for her not to hesitate.

“…!? Grrraaah!”

Reacting to the sudden escape, Silverback charged forward like a beast once again.

Having forgotten the previous fear, he was now filled only with thoughts of tearing apart this foolish prey fleeing before him.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

Silverback thought to himself.

The distance was closing in. He would quickly rip apart this girl who was no bigger than a mouse and emerge victorious!

However, as soon as he saw a man blocking his path, he flinched.

Once again, he realized that same unidentified something he had felt earlier emanating from this man.

But it was too late.

Stepping forcefully towards the approaching Silverback, Yuseha crushed the ground beneath him.

“[Flowing Slash Lv.1] is activated.”

“[Song of the Sword] is activated. Final power of the Battōjutsu skill increased by 100%.”

Shoo―!

A flash of light.

Followed by a chilling sound of a clean cut echoing through the air.

Yuseha’s sword was not an ideal weapon for ‘Battōjutsu.’

It was a typical Western-style longsword.

Designed not for swift drawing and striking like a flash but specialized solely for displaying swordsmanship.

Yet, when held in Yuseha’s hands, it became a medium for Battōjutsu.

Thud―!

Wiping off the small amount of blood on the blade, Yuseha carefully sheathed her sword.

A quiet silence enveloped the scene as Silverback’s head turned away.

It was over.

In an instant, Silverback felt his vision flipping upside down.

Although nothing more than a mere monster with strong physicality and lacking proper intelligence, Silverback could sense it.

This too was magnificent.

There was no other way, was there?

Who could directly see behind themselves?

Especially when everything was turned upside down.

Thud. Degrururu.

His head rolled off, hitting the ground.

Thump―!

Simultaneously, a massive body collapsed to the ground, kicking up dust.