NOVEL NEXT Chapter 177
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[Consumed a Spotted Beast. Experience points and…]
The wolf was munching on all sorts of monsters without a care. And those were, without a doubt, the ones Hong Yu-ri had taken down. Leaving them behind would just turn them into food for other monsters. If they were going to be discarded anyway, eating them was the most useful option.
After taking care of all the monsters in the outskirts and the center, we finally reached the innermost part, where Hong Yu-ri’s magic power began to dwindle. She was holding on by sheer will, but the amount of magic power being drained by black magic was significant. The remaining power was only a fraction of what she once had.
In response, Hong Yu-ri bit her lips invisibly.
She was worried about whether she could defeat the boss waiting in that innermost chamber. Although she hadn’t seen its form yet, it had to be stronger than a high raptor at the very least. In a normal judgment, taking a rest would be the right call.
She thought about asking the black fog to clear momentarily and recovering her magic and stamina before facing the boss…
“Let’s take a break.”
But when the wolf spoke as if it could see right through her thoughts, Hong Yu-ri’s expression twisted in displeasure.
Of course, it wasn’t bad to take a break. No, it was the right judgment. But hearing that suggestion made her lose the desire to do so. More accurately, it was the fact that Alpha had said it that bothered her.
To suggest taking a break was to imply that she was at her limit. It was no different than concluding that she couldn’t defeat the boss. Despite that, Alpha had been the one to push hard during the Volcano Ceratops and when combating the Plague. The moment everyone but him took a seat without any objections, Hong Yu-ri’s eye twitched.
The insufficient stamina and magic. Not even having seen the boss yet. Yet, Hong Yu-ri opened her mouth.
“No need. Get up. We’re going right now.”
With her unilateral decision, she strode forward without looking back. Baek So-yul tried to dissuade her, but the wolf restrained her instead. Hong Yu-ri was so far ahead that she didn’t notice the wolf was smiling behind her.
***
When they reached the innermost part, a disgusting energy began to circulate. The stench of rotting corpses and the sound of crows echoed. Only the fairy seemed pleased. It was synonymous with everything being corrupt. When the wailing echo was heard, Baek So-yul unknowingly held her throat. Breathing was uncomfortable, but when the wolf created some wind, it made it easier to breathe.
“…Thank you.”
The wolf merely nodded at the thanks. By now, Hong Yu-ri had already been slicing through the messy forest and had gone far ahead. The wolf, looking around, scowled at the twisted trees dancing chaotically.
A tinkling sound came from beyond the thin mist. A chilling sense of dread washed over him. Unlike the cheerful fairy, Baek So-yul shivered at the sound of the bells, but when she realized she was holding the Alpha who had even defeated the Plague, she strengthened her embrace.
And Marang—the wolf’s eyes pierced through many obstacles to glimpse the presence beyond.
[Kreezyati (Naal Dulushi)]
[Height 2.21m] [Weight 281kg]
[Strength 231] [Agility 242] [Stamina 271] [Magic Power 554]
[Skills]
[Constraint’s Magic Eye (C)] [Servitude (C)] [Transformation (C)] [Poison Resistance (D)] [Dash (E)]
This guy mainly used magic power. Just by looking at him, you could tell that his primary strength was magic.
His emaciated, grotesque body looked somewhat human at first glance, but he was definitely not human. He wore a huge deer skull on his head, which was actually his head itself. Additionally, he adorned himself with creepy accessories made of bones and tendons all over his body. The stench coming from him and the pile of corpses behind him evoked a profound sense of disgust.
Looking at him rationally, he wasn’t that strong a monster. But for Hong Yu-ri in her current state, it wouldn’t be easy. Although her magic was superior, she couldn’t use it properly and was on the verge of exhaustion.
The wolf held Baek So-yul back for now. Of course, he had no intention of letting Hong Yu-ri die. But he wanted to see just how far she could go.
After all, to gain great magic power, she’d have to be pushed.
***
With the ominous fog and the forest behind her, Hong Yu-ri charged ahead. Getting lost was not something she would allow.
The Tracking Magic Eye began to trace the footprints and remnants. No matter how carefully they tried to conceal themselves, no one could escape her gaze.
In front of her, Hong Yu-ri paused for a moment. Ahead lay an even thicker mist. She could tell right away that it was filled with magic energy. However, nothing came through to invade her territory beyond the black fog.
The black fog that stifled Hong Yu-ri’s magic was also eroding any external magic. At that moment, Hong Yu-ri’s eyes glinted.
From the atmosphere of the mist and the forest, it was highly likely that the boss of the forest was also a magic-user. Although the odds seemed slim, if she cleverly utilized Alpha’s black fog, she might be able to win.
The surroundings grew chillier. The eerie atmosphere combined with unwanted noises disoriented her ears. But something that could break Hong Yu-ri’s concentration was out of the question. As she listened intently, the sensitive sound of footsteps made her jerk her head around, and she began to feel a gaze from beyond the mist.
There was no malice—just a gaze that observed her, but ironically, that emotionless, inorganic stare, those empty eyes felt most unsettling.
Should I turn back here? While pondering, Hong Yu-ri decided to proceed a little further and finally caught sight of its form. Pale skin, excessively long limbs that looked grotesque. It resembled a human but was wearing a deer skull… no, that skull was its head.
A monster she had never heard of before. Yet, she instinctively knew it was the master of this dungeon. The magic power she sensed from it was extraordinary. As expected, it seemed close to being a mage… Hong Yu-ri swallowed hard. It wouldn’t be easy, but if it primarily used magic, it might be worth a shot… Just as she was approaching,
In an instant, the creature flinched and turned its head.
As if it had seen something. It trembled with fear before finally letting its throat pass. In that fleeting moment, when its gaze was diverted, Hong Yu-ri seized the opportunity without hesitation.
Hong Yu-ri’s fist lunged toward the mage’s skull as if to crush it, but it was caught in the mage’s hand.
She was caught. But even while caught, by utilizing her magic to push herself forward, she caused the mage’s wrist to bend at an unnatural angle. Hong Yu-ri felt a pang of regret as she kicked, but the creature retreated. Fortunately, it seemed her physical abilities were a cut above. But there wasn’t a significant gap.
As the distance grew, the mage threw something, and Hong Yu-ri didn’t even blink.
It was a magic pellet. No, calling it a pellet was questionable. It was merely the mage lumping together its magic power and throwing it. As expected, it vanished into the black fog.
Indeed, magic was ineffective against it. So Hong Yu-ri decided to keep pressing forward until her magic ran out. Stalling would be disadvantageous, she thought, and charged in.
***
On the surface, it appeared evenly matched. Hong Yu-ri’s fists landed several times, and her kicks made the mage writhe in pain. Conversely, while the frequency was low, she was also taking some hits. In that back-and-forth fight, the wolf observed with calmness.
“Sensei… will you be okay?”
Baek So-yul asked anxiously. All she could see were the dense fog and desolate forest scenery. She didn’t possess the ability like the wolf to peer beyond. Disturbed by noises heard from time to time, the wolf reassured her.
“I have no intention of letting her die.”
This was merely rolling about to gain great magic power. He had sought cooperation from the Butterfly of Covenant but didn’t expect too much from it.
In the end, there was no choice but for her to overcome this herself. That was why he was making her fight like this.
“……”
Baek So-yul said no more. She simply held on to the wolf, as if to say she would trust him.
***
The female before him was strange. No magic power of her own seemed to be penetrating at all. The ominous black fog made the mage’s chest feel a chill. But he knew. This power did not belong to the female.
The fleeting sense of a malignant gaze— the fragment of power emanating from that fearsome and mysterious entity. He wondered if this female was being favored, so he tried to test it, but the entity remained still.
Then… He could kill this female before him. As the mage caught her incoming fist with a slack hand, he realized his shoulder had dislocated.
She was really sticking on stubbornly. Gritting his teeth, the mage swung the arm of his dislocated shoulder, but Hong Yu-ri did not let go. Instead, she took a step closer, smashing the mage’s dislocated shoulder with a gleam in her eyes. She had to end this quickly. Her magic was truly running low now. Time was of the essence.
Trying hard to conceal her ragged breathing, Hong Yu-ri punched the side of the mage. As he fell back in an effort to block, Hong Yu-ri’s hand snapped his wrist, causing him to panic and kick. However, it was as if Hong Yu-ri had already anticipated this and dodged while closing the distance again.
Just a bit more. Just a little more time was all she needed, but she couldn’t find that time. The mage, trying to retreat, ended up falling to the ground. By now, Hong Yu-ri’s foot had been planted on the mage’s instep.
“―――!”
This female was not strong. But she could read several moves ahead of him. The mage realized that Hong Yu-ri’s skill was far above his own since coming here. But when it came to capability, that was a different matter.
As the mage’s jaw dropped, everything he had been controlling poured forth. Snakes and centipedes. And all kinds of insects. As the horde of corruption spilled from the skull of the deer he’d been mounted on, Hong Yu-ri hurriedly dropped back only to be a beat too late.
A tiny insect had bitten her. She quickly swatted it away, but she began feeling dizziness as a sign of mental exhaustion. The focus of her gaze wavered slightly. If she hadn’t lacked poison resistance, it wouldn’t have ended up like this.
During that time, the mage distanced himself and rushed toward a corpse behind him, grabbing it and throwing it.
With her vision slightly rattled, Hong Yu-ri instinctively sensed the threat and widened her eyes to back away. The flying corpse splintered, scattering flesh and bones everywhere. Watching the corpse explode before her eyes, Hong Yu-ri gritted her teeth.
Magic itself might not work, but she could blow up corpses with magic. When a bit of blood splattered on her skin, Hong Yu-ri frowned.
With this, approaching easily would become quite difficult— that thought turned out to be wrong. The mage swiftly closed the distance and swung its bulky arm.
“……!”
That bulky arm. The coarse brown fur sprouting haphazardly did not belong to the grotesque mage anymore. It was clearly that of a beast. Even though thick fur covered it, the sinews bulged out like worms.
As Hong Yu-ri rolled on the ground, she realized a thick tree was smashed to pieces, and the fragments lodged into a rock, causing her to swallow nervously.
Brute strength. If she took even one proper hit, she questioned whether she could survive. Although it was indeed magic-focused, the creature’s specialty lay in transformation and servitude. This meant its type differed slightly from that of a traditional mage.
“―――.”
A chill breeze escaped from the deer skull.
Now, the mage had clearly transformed into a hybrid beast. Its formerly emaciated body puffed up, hard muscles bulging. As if it wouldn’t give her even a second to think, the howling monster charged at her, and Hong Yu-ri grit her teeth.
When the foolish beast’s long arms swung wildly, Hong Yu-ri retreated and retreated, only to notice something.
It was that it was only using one arm. No, it wasn’t that it couldn’t use it; it was that it couldn’t use it at all. Although its form had changed, the mage’s wrist was broken, and its shoulder had dislocated.
With insufficient stamina and magic. No guarantees, but she had no choice. As the beast’s arms swung, Hong Yu-ri bent over and burrowed inside. The pressure from the foolish strength felt chilling. She felt a momentary chill but managed to use even her small stature as an advantage to plunge into safety.
The second attack never came. The creature couldn’t use one arm. The deer skull’s hollow eye sockets glowed, but Hong Yu-ri only frowned.
She wasn’t sure what kind of magic eye it was, but her Tracking Magic Eye had negated the lesser-ranked magic at play. Rather, the recoil had paralyzed the creature. As she strained her magic to the limit and punched, her fist nearly connected perfectly with the skull.
—If only she hadn’t heard that whisper.
As the creature snapped back from its rigidity, it flinched at the punch that had stopped just inches away. But realizing it wasn’t moving, it quickly reached out and grasped her delicate neck.
“……!”
The beast’s grip tightened, choking her. Despite the painful groans escaping Hong Yu-ri’s throat, her senses were not on the beast. The back of her neck was burning hot. It felt as if it were blazing.
Hong Yu-ri’s pupils began to darken.
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