Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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Regardless, since the strategy team was assembled for the safety of the trainees, the resources prepared were sufficient. Treatment and first aid for the wounded proceeded without a hitch.

However, the expressions of the instructors were far from cheerful, even if they faked it.

“About half of the trainees still remain unaccounted for.”

“We’ve set up a search party, but it’s unclear when we’ll be able to find them…”

The current situation was already serious, but we needed to minimize any further damage at all costs.

The instructors engaged in a serious discussion.

“Honestly, wouldn’t it be better to launch an attack right now?”

“Clearing the dungeon as soon as possible should increase the survival rate.”

That wasn’t an incorrect statement.

We had no idea of the size of the underground cavern, and we didn’t know when we’d be able to locate all the dispersed trainees.

If we took on the boss room and destroyed the dungeon core, a portal leading outside would open, allowing everyone within the dungeon to be aware of their position.

The trainees scattered across the area would surely also recognize our location through it.

To be honest, that was the simplest solution. I thought it was close to the best outcome.

‘I want to go home…’

But there must have been a reason we were still waiting in front of the boss room.

“It’s clear that this is not a normal dungeon. I’m not sure if we can attack given that we’re split up.”

“Yet, we haven’t found any other abnormal elements, right? The monsters we’ve seen underground are just the Antwerp and small lizards. Even if it’s a boss, it doesn’t seem too powerful.”

“Above all, dragging this on any longer wouldn’t be wise.”

In the end, excluding those who had ventured out to search for the trainees, it was decided that only those present would attack the boss room.

Once the decision was made, preparations for action proceeded swiftly. The instructors collected the necessary equipment for the battle, leaving one leader behind, and started asking some of the trainees if they were willing to participate.

“I believe you all possess enough qualities to be active hunters. Given the circumstances, I would appreciate your assistance, if possible.”

There were four of us.

One unknown woman named Seo Yoon-ah, a male trainee with the title Guardian of the Earth, Seung-min Kim from Class 9, and me.

While I was crouched behind the Undead Antwerp, one of the instructors I saw frequently approached me.

“To be honest, I believe Ms. Eunha’s abilities have already surpassed those of regular active hunters. There aren’t many in D rank who can command a summon of this level.”

Those words sparked a tiny bit of motivation in me.

I’d appreciated the convenience it provided, so it seemed like my friend had a discerning eye.

“Given the many uncertainties in this situation, being able to attack the enemy with Undead without risk will be a great help. If we go outside, we’ll provide you with ample rewards.”

“…….”

That was quite the serious compliment.

With a proper reward being offered while genuinely requesting assistance, it was natural I’d feel uneasy.

To be honest, my motivation had already plummeted, but I had no choice but to accept it.

“…I’ll do it.”

But.

“Please, keep your distance and don’t cluster around me…”

“…Since we have the Undead, there’s no need for vanguard. Understood.”

With that, we finished our preparations and entered the boss room.

Well, we were about to enter.

Bang!

“Whoa?”

Ting.

“What the….”

However, something blocked our entrance. At that unexpected moment, everyone was caught off guard, and Kim Seung-min, who had been at the forefront, spoke up.

“It seems I can enter.”

“Do you know why?”

Responding to the middle-aged man’s words, Kim Seung-min pulled the so-called Guardian of the Earth, Choi Sung-cheol, next to him and sent him toward the entrance to the boss room.

“What the hell is this kid suddenly doing? Do you want to die?”

“…So that’s how it is.”

At that point, the majority who were present, including myself, could understand what Kim Seung-min was implying.

“Are you saying those who entered the fake boss room earlier are restricted from exiting?”

“Or perhaps only those who fell into the trap at that time can enter?”

“Regardless, this is a serious matter.”

In short, everyone present was now sidelined. I stared blankly at the sky, deep in thought.

‘…I need to run the raid tonight.’

Truly a bunch of fools. Completely useless pests.

I glared at them with a look of dissatisfaction from about fifteen meters away.

I wanted to go home as soon as possible, yet these so-called veteran hunters couldn’t even organize themselves.

Meanwhile, one fool, unable to suppress his hidden instincts any longer, began to freak out.

“What have you all been doing? I can’t stand this anymore. I’ll handle this; you can whine or just watch.”

The so-called Guardian of the Earth, Choi Sung-cheol, said those words and headed alone into the boss room.

Everyone was thrown into chaos at that unbelievable sight.

“Did he just go in?”

“W-what?”

“This is bad. No matter how highly regarded his talents are, going into this illogical dungeon…”

“It’s reckless. If we don’t rescue him quickly, he’ll die.”

But there was no answer.

The core forces, the instructors, couldn’t enter the boss room, and fundamentally, once you entered the boss room, there was no way out until the battle was over.

Just as the murmurs began to swell, Kim Seung-min stepped forward.

“…I’ll go in.”

Looking at his determined expression, it seemed he felt responsible for, perhaps inadvertently, provoking Choi Sung-cheol.

The situation didn’t stop there.

“I’ll go too. If we don’t resolve this, we won’t be able to get out of here!”

That was Seo Yoon-ah, who was included in the selected four trainees earlier.

With that, everyone who had agreed to help in the attack, excluding me, had united.

I sighed at the indescribable atmosphere, wriggling my hands.

‘This is definitely a situation where everyone is going together…’

Automated peer pressure unique to popular kids.

This was truly a cunning and vile act.

Sure enough, the first to declare his intent, Kim Seung-min, cast a long glance in my direction.

Naturally, I knew what would happen next.

With the weight of unspoken pressure looming, I, who felt I couldn’t handle it, ultimately gave in.

“…Okay, I’ll go.”

Thus, the hastily formed four-man strategy team disappeared into the boss room.

#

Whoooosh.

Thud.

Once we entered the boss room, a very different atmosphere than outside the cavern greeted us.

And in the center was…

For some reason, Choi Sung-cheol was dancing wildly by himself.

Whoosh!

BAM!

“Ha ha! You don’t stand a chance!”

Wielding his signature battle axe, he was energetically dancing, but there was no one there, as he was just battling a figment of his imagination.

“…What is he doing?”

“It seems he’s under some kind of hallucination.”

Kim Seung-min’s judgment was spot on.

Behind Choi Sung-cheol, a structure resembling a stone tower.

From between them, waves of magical energy mixed with malice could be felt.

“Kiiih!”

Jump!

What revealed itself was a peculiar little creature, wielding an unusual staff.

Its head was like a bizarre mix of a lizard and a fox, and its body, wrapped in strange clothing, was hardly different from that of a human, except for its small size.

“I’m not sure, but it looks like it’s part of the shaman or magical user class. It’s best to be careful.”

“If melee combat isn’t its specialty, that could be an opportunity.”

Seo Yoon-ah clearly had the title of an assassin class.

Then, we shouldn’t have any real disadvantage in terms of compatibility.

“Since it doesn’t know our specialties yet, I’ll try to ambush it when the time is right.”

At those words, Kim Seung-min nodded, drawing his sword and shield to draw its attention and stepping forward.

Of course, it wasn’t a wrong thought. However, I had a slightly different opinion.

“Ah, I don’t think you should go…”

Unlike them, whose vision was blurred by tension, I could clearly see that the boss’s gaze was directed toward our equipment. It definitely would have identified our battle types from our weapons.

Why had it chosen to hide behind the stone tower only to pop out now?

The answer was simple.

At that moment, the enemy aimed to assess us. And had determined that it could kill us.

Honestly, even putting that aside, it was painfully obvious through the sheer pressure of magical energy.

The enemy was strong. At least, stronger than us.

“We don’t have time to waste. What’s your basis?”

At Seo Yoon-ah’s words, I awkwardly called for the Antwerp to perform a body slam against Choi Sung-cheol.

BAM!

Thud!

“Ugh! What the…!”

As suspected, it seemed the hallucination wasn’t that profound, as the impact brought him back to his senses immediately.

If it was indeed that powerful a spell, it would have already killed Choi Sung-cheol without any hindrance.

“Seems like it. This little brat…”

Choi Sung-cheol, upon regaining his composure, charged at the boss without delay.

“…I’ll kill you!”

Naturally, that wouldn’t work.

The moment Choi Sung-cheol approached the boss, the stone tower behind it started to glow, and strange patterns began to spread across the ground centered on him.

‘A totem.’

In that familiar scene, I focused and began to assess it. After all, since we had entered, I needed to take that down to return home.

With a flash!

Crackle!

“AAAH!”

Boom!

Choi Sung-cheol, who had been bringing down his axe with gusto, was struck by a swiftly cast lightning spell, sending him crashing back outside.

The smell of burnt flesh and the odor of toasted armor filled the air. It was a critical hit.

“C-can’t be…”

“Is that the boss of a genuine D5 Rank Dungeon?!”

A one-sided fight.

Accordingly, voices filled with shock emerged from both sides.

‘…….’

Unlike these useless debuff totems, that totem over there was quite advantageous.

For the boss, it was practically home ground.

‘But……’

I also finished my rough assessment with that. In the end, it was merely a trash dungeon of that rank. It certainly was not the opponent of the great Lord of Death and master of the Underworld.

I walked forth, grinning confidently.

Thud.

“You bastard! You sent me in knowing what would happen!”

In the midst of it all, for some inexplicable reason, Choi Sung-cheol grabbed me by the collar and began to rant.

Was the title of Guardian of the Earth not just for show? He had a sturdier physique than I imagined.

I responded to Choi Sung-cheol without feeling the slightest intimidated.

“W-well, when you don’t have a head, you have to use the body for a full round…”

“What did you say?”

“Yikes.”

That was overboard.

Facing him as he shouted at me, I became completely dazed from the side effects.

“How dare you challenge the Lord of Death…”

“Huh?”

“Uegh.”

Just as I was about to retch from reaching my limit, a startled Kim Seung-min stepped in to rescue me.

“What’s going on? I came to save you, and this is what you’re doing?”

Freed from his grip, I rushed to curl up behind the Antwerp in the corner of the boss room.

“Keeek.”

“…….”

I vowed never to participate in a fight again until that blockhead was dead.