Chapter 5

We advanced through a narrow, dark passageway hidden inside the cave.

With the light from the middle-aged Magic Type Female Hunter illuminating our path.

The Leader stood at the very front of the group, and the auntie hung back at the rear.

Me and Han-gyeol were in the center.

I clearly explained to everyone that the Paladin class is basically a Tanker.

So when I said I should take the front line, I was instantly rejected.

Claiming that as a D-Rank Hunter, Han-gyeol would reliably guard the front… or something like that.

Meh, do whatever.

“Han-gyeol, what rare Dungeons have you experienced?”

“Eh, uh… I haven’t actually faced any directly.”

Han-gyeol scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.

Then the Leader, who had been walking ahead, spoke up.

“I’ve faced one before.”

“What was it like?”

“…”

Han-gyeol answered, and the Leader alternated glances between me and Han-gyeol.

Heaving a heavy sigh before continuing.

“Goblins were hiding in a corner. As soon as we entered the clearing, we got ambushed from both sides.”

“Hooh… Even though we learned some patterns at the Academy, they’re still nasty.”

“You’re an Academy graduate?”

“Yeees. Though I just graduated not too long ago.”

Hidden monsters…

Since I don’t sense anything around here, this time might be different.

My curiosity was somewhat satisfied, but it wasn’t immediately helpful information.

“Anyway, since I’m the experienced one, all you need to do is follow my instructions.”

“Understood.”

“Hmph…”

Suddenly, a loud breathing sound came from behind.

Turning my head, I saw the auntie looking at me.

Frowning deeply.

“?”

“Just ignore her and keep walking forward.”

Why’s she always so angry? It’s bad for her health.

I nodded indifferently and looked forward again.

Not even remotely curious about why she’s mad.

* * *

The Magic Type Female Hunter glared at the person in front of her.

Her dazzling white hair shone red in the firelight.

Like a beautiful painting.

The more she looked at her opponent, the stronger her jealousy grew.

She should be the one getting special treatment in the party as a Magic Type hunter.

She should be the one getting all the male attention.

But look at the situation now?

Both men can’t take their eyes off that girl right in front of them.

Even during battle!

They’re blatantly guarding her, ready to help if anything happens.

If only that girl were incompetent…

Then she could openly harass her.

This newbie hunter, who doesn’t even fully understand the Status Window yet…

No matter how many monsters attack, her posture never wavers.

Is this even normal?

I thought she was crazy coming to a dungeon in a skirt.

But surprisingly, it hasn’t even fluttered once.

While it’s true she’s only doing what could be considered “one person’s share”…

It’s questionable whether that’s really accurate.

“There’s a clearing ahead!”

“Phew, finally.”

The woman let out a sigh of relief.

Her mana was almost depleted and she wanted to finish quickly.

The group surveyed the clearing.

About the size of a small auditorium.

There didn’t seem to be anything special, except for a box on the opposite side.

“A treasure room!”

“Wait!”

Before the Leader could stop her, the woman had already run toward the box.

As she reached out to touch it,

An invisible wall blocked her.

Right then!

A magic circle formed in the center of the clearing, emitting a bright light.

“Shit, get over here quickly!”

“Kyaa!”

The woman hurriedly ran back to the group.

Panting heavily while catching her breath.

Meanwhile, the others prepared for battle and kept watch.

And then…

“Kerck!”

“Ki ki ki!”

The familiar laughter of goblins.

Those weak monsters that usually get ignored because of their small size and strength.

They started appearing from the darkness.

“Aren’t there a bit too many?”

“This is bad.”

It wasn’t just one or two.

From all directions – front, back, left, and right – groups of over ten started approaching.

Even for a D-Rank Hunter, there’s a limit to how many you can handle at once.

Especially when surrounded like this, movement becomes restricted.

The Leader quickly made a decision.

“There are a lot, but they’re all goblins. We can handle it! Stay calm and clear them all!”

Moving forward before being surrounded, he initiated combat.

Keeping the Magic Type Hunter in the center, Han-gyeol and Si-hyun also began fighting.

Han-gyeol continuously used skills without pause.

There was no time to conserve mana today.

Fortunately, he felt in great condition.

His body felt lighter than usual and he was full of energy.

Like he could accomplish anything.

With renewed vigor, he mercilessly slashed through the goblins.

“Kiieeeek!”

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Another goblin charged from the front.

He slightly stepped back to dodge, then countered immediately.

At the same time, clubs swung from both sides.

‘I have to take one hit. I can endure it!’

Determined, he slashed through the goblin on the right.

Then braced for impact from the other side.

But…

“Huh?”

What? I don’t feel any pain.

Checking, I see the goblin clutching its forehead in agony.

Though confused, the battle continues.

Han-gyeol quickly cut down the enemy with his sword.

Having dealt with three goblins in an instant gave him a brief reprieve.

Han-gyeol glanced behind him.

He saw Si-hyun surrounded by countless goblins.

She moved gracefully, dodging all attacks like some kind of magic trick.

Every time she counterattacked, the number of goblins steadily decreased.

Is this how Paladins normally fight…?

Isn’t this more like how Fighters or similar classes fight?

The image is a bit different, but at least she seems safe, which is fortunate.

The Magic Type Hunter appears to be assisting the Leader.

As long as I do my part, everything should be fine.

Meanwhile, the Leader.

Though he didn’t show it, cold sweat ran down his back.

In this single space, the total number of goblins from an E-Rank dungeon appeared.

If Si-hyun hadn’t drawn nearly half the goblin aggro…

The party would have definitely collapsed, with numerous injuries.

There might have even been casualties.

Since the Magic Type Hunter was basically serving as a human totem for light.

‘Is this really a newly awakened E-Rank Hunter…?’

Is this what raw talent looks like?

The Leader felt an aura radiating from Si-hyun.

“Finishing blow!”

“Keek!”

After an intense battle, dozens of goblins finally fell.

The hunters let out sighs of relief.

Just as Si-hyun was about to say something…

“Keh heh heh!”

“Ki ki ki!”

More goblins started appearing from the darkness.

And there were just as many as before.

At that moment,

The Leader involuntarily took a step back.

He could feel death approaching.

They had used up all their mana fighting the first wave.

And now another wave of this size was coming without giving them any rest?

Their stamina and mental fortitude were already pushed to the limit.

It’s impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

Even if they managed to clear this wave,

Would there be another one waiting?

They shouldn’t have come here in the first place.

It was greed.

A mistake in judgment that could cost them all their lives.

If it’s come to this, at least

Let’s go out making a manly impression in our final moments.

The Leader made his decision.

“Si-hyun!”

“…?”

Keeping his eyes on the goblins,

The Leader shouted with false bravado.

“I’ll break through the monsters near the exit! You should be able to escape!”

“Hey! What are you saying!”

The Magic Type Hunter screeched in disbelief.

What nonsense is this crazy guy spouting?

We live together, or we die together.

Already thinking about giving up and trying to save just one person?

And not even herself, but that girl?

He’s lost his mind. Definitely insane.

She glared at him with murderous intent.

But the Leader paid no attention.

That brilliant talent visible now shouldn’t be wasted here.

It was a mistake bringing her along to score points in such a dangerous place.

Let’s at least leave a solid impression here.

“If even one person needs to survive, it has to be you, Si-hyun!”

“I’ll help too!”

“No way, shitheads!”

The Leader’s declaration caused the Human Totem to curse loudly.

Again being ignored.

Watching all this, Si-hyun tilted her head curiously.

Why’s he suddenly putting on this heroic act?

Like they’re about to meet their end any second now?

“Kerck… kek!”

She kicked an approaching monster away.

Thinking carefully about the current situation.

She originally planned to just do her “one person’s share” to avoid standing out.

But it seems nobody noticed anything strange yet.

Though these appear to be ordinary goblins,

They’re actually fake monsters.

When killed, they disappear without leaving corpses and don’t drop any crystals.

Considering she didn’t notice anything unusual when entering the clearing,

This means they’ve appeared out of nowhere from a state of “non-existence” from the start.

“Hurry up before it’s too late!”

“While we’re still holding them off!”

“Shut up and focus on fighting, damn it!”

Nobody noticed the gimmick.

Si-hyun shook her head.

She has no intention of joining in this ridiculous farce.

If left alone, it’ll just waste time.

Even if she draws a little attention,

It’s better to just quickly resolve things within reasonable limits.

Wants to go home and eat something delicious with her younger sister.

“…I’ll take care of it. Just hold on.”

“Eh?!”

“Now’s not the time for that!”

“Damn it, has that girl gone crazy too?”

You guys are so noisy.

Seems like everyone’s full of energy and will hold out fine on their own.

She could wipe them all out at once,

But that would draw too much attention.

If rumors start spreading, it’ll be troublesome.

Guess she’ll have to move her body despite the hassle.

Si-hyun cast a buff on herself far beyond what she’d used until now.