Chapter 42

Level Up Heretic Judge – Episode 42 (42/227)

Episode 42: Manners Make the Man (5)

KSHHHH!

Caught in the shockwave, Ail flew backward but quickly regained his balance mid-air, sliding along the ground as he was pushed back.

The one who sent him flying was Batora, the boss monster of Ingol Forest, executing its pattern.

By forcefully slamming both arms down, Batora created a shockwave that blew away everything nearby.

Though not extremely powerful in damage, its wide range made it hard to avoid. Worse yet, it completely disrupted any carefully set-up包围网 or positioning, making it quite troublesome.

Of course, since Ail was alone, as long as he maintained his focus, it wasn’t too much of an issue.

“Not bad.”

Having witnessed Batora’s final pattern with that last shockwave, Ail thought.

He’d already studied all of Batora’s patterns beforehand. This creature didn’t change phases based on health percentage or alter its patterns at all.

Meaning what Ail had just seen was all there was.

During the brief probing phase, Ail had used his dagger’s special effect to apply a slow debuff and inflicted burns with his Sacred Flame-empowered strike.

Though Batora’s patterns were few and simple, they packed considerable power. Plus, this was fundamentally a very tough opponent.

Most importantly, he was facing a boss recommended for at least three players solo, so trouble was inevitable.

But simultaneously, he was starting to get a rough idea of how to take the creature down.

If he kept the momentum going and maintained control of the situation, he could definitely defeat it.

GURRGGG!

Batora initiated his next move.

His first pattern, and the most dangerous one during the battle.

Crouching low, his dark body resembling a lump of malevolence, Batora charged straight at Ail with incredible speed.

KWAAANG!

The charging Batora smashed through five or six of Ingol Forest’s tall, massive trees.

Though straightforward, the attack was incredibly fast and powerful.

Getting hit even once would mean instant death for anyone not a dedicated tanker. Missing the timing to react to the pattern could easily result in game over.

However, such a powerful technique came with its own penalties.

“KIRLLRRK…”

The recoil from the sudden burst of force affected Batora as well.

Unable to stabilize himself, he wobbled helplessly in place.

And Ail, having anticipated the path and timing, didn’t miss his chance, dodging the charge to the side.

With his longsword raised high, Ail closed the distance with Batora.

This moment, when the enemy was defenseless, was crucial.

He needed to deal as much damage as possible now to break through Batora’s high defensive stats.

But right then…

WHOOSH!

An arrow suddenly shot out from behind, grazing Ail’s cheek.

Appearing out of nowhere, the arrow continued forward and embedded itself in Batora’s body.

Unlike his previous enthusiastic battle, Ail immediately frowned and turned around to see where the arrow came from. “Excuse me, can’t you see I’ve already burned this thing?”

Showing incredible patience, Ail asked accusingly.

Sure enough, in the direction he pointed, three users who appeared to be party members stood there.

As mentioned before, in Ingol Forest, whoever discovers the boss first has the right to kill it – a basic rule of etiquette and unspoken order.

These weren’t simply lost newcomers. They had formed a party specifically for boss hunting, so there was no way they wouldn’t know this.

Yet they still inserted themselves into this situation.

For a user in the middle of an important raid, this was about as unpleasant as it gets.

Other parties barging in without warning on an ongoing boss raid is considered extremely rude in Warode, regardless of region or circumstances.

Especially appearing at such a critical moment when the boss monster was immobilized by recoil, disrupting the flow, wasn’t something that could be excused as mere accident.

But their attitude exceeded even Ail’s expectations.

“What do you mean? We attacked first. Didn’t you see Batora running away from our arrow?”

“You should be the one apologizing for interfering with someone else’s mob. Just wait your turn.”

“Come on, it seems there was a misunderstanding. The other party might not have known better.”

Each member spoke while approaching.

“Huh, really…”

Ail let out a hollow laugh at the absurdity.

He had already scanned the monster thoroughly a long time ago, and there was no sign of any arrow wound. Moreover, Batora was the type of monster that would charge recklessly instead of running away when attacked.

Most decisively, Ail had encountered Batora right after it spawned. Their claim was completely baseless.

What’s more, upon closer inspection, these weren’t even strangers.

They were people he had encountered once before while waiting for bosses in Ingol Forest.

They merely exchanged nods and passed by without much conversation, but this was blatant audacity bordering on insulting.

“Are you seriously going to insist on that story?”

“Are we lying now?”

“Besides, what are you trying to hunt alone… Just step aside and give up. You’ll just waste time and fail, causing inconvenience to others.”

“…”

Though their tone was infuriating enough to make anyone explode, Ail calmly observed his surroundings.

Due to his earlier attacks, the boss monster’s aggro was firmly locked onto him.

Picking a fight with three people here would essentially be gambling with his life.

Drip.

A thin trail of red blood flowed down from where the arrow grazed his cheek.

The warm droplet of blood, yet his head felt cold and clear.

Ail quickly scanned the three men and women standing before him.

Their equipment and levels were all similarly matched, with gear specs above average.

Ail opened the information window of the man standing at the front.

<User Info>

Name: Beken

Faction: White Fang

Level: 21

Class: Swordsman

Partially disclosed info. But all the information Ail needed right now was included.

The first thing that caught Ail’s eye was undoubtedly the name ‘White Fang’ written in the affiliation section.

White Fang was a mid-level guild that had established itself in this area with a fairly solid position.

Though they hadn’t reached the level of owning territory yet, they managed to secure some influence within the Esmaier region without being under the Nightmere Guild, which dominated the area.

At first, Ail doubted that the man in front of him was really from White Fang, but seeing the white wolf emblem guild mark on his armor confirmed it.

However, White Fang wasn’t a guild that usually recruited such low-level players, making this case rather unusual.

‘They must have recruited him as a rookie with potential… No, more likely a parachutist.’

This was obvious.

The guy named Beken in front of him probably got his name on the White Fang roster through connections with someone in the upper management.

‘This complicates things.’

Excluding him, the other two companions didn’t belong to any specific guild. However, the biggest problem was that if he messed with this guy, White Fang wouldn’t sit idly by.

Even if he wasn’t officially recognized as a full member, attacking someone bearing the White Fang name was not something the guild would overlook.

Beken’s confidence while standing there with his head held high probably stemmed from this fact.

And if White Fang targeted him, there was no way Ail, who had just reached level 18, could handle a mid-level guild whose lowest members were easily over level 120.

But there was one thing…

“Excuse me, what are you doing?”

While Ail was deep in thought, they urged him.

“Are you going to keep disturbing us here? The recoil effect on Batora will wear off soon. Are you going to take responsibility if you interfere with our raid?”

“Make a wise choice. Without any guild backing, causing trouble here will be more than you can handle. We’re giving you advice because it seems you don’t know much about Warode.”

“…Understood. I’ll look for another opportunity then.”

Ail shrugged and replied.

Without lingering unnecessarily, he smoothly turned around and stepped back.

Then the female archer smiled and waved her arm.

“Yes, please proceed~”

“Told you to step aside sooner.”

Beken clicked his tongue loudly enough for Ail to hear.

Despite that, Ail showed no reaction and quietly disappeared from the spot.

The heavily armored man standing to Beken’s left spoke in surprise.

“Hmm? I thought he’d at least say something, but he just obediently moved aside?”

“Hahaha, what can one guy do against three of us? And did you not see this insignia on my left arm? It’s not some random emblem, it’s the mark of White Fang. That guy’s eyes widened when he saw it earlier, his face went pale. I almost died laughing trying to hold it in.”

Beken chuckled.

The man nodded in agreement.

“Well, who around here would dare challenge someone with the White Fang name? No matter how high-level they are at only around level 20.”

“Without a guild, and with no consequences for us, it’s perfect. All thanks to having good friends, you understand?”

“Hehe, let’s hope some good items drop this time.”