The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

Chapter 32: Plague

“Huup!”

In the game, the hero plays the role of both a tank and a melee damage dealer. While their tanking ability is weaker than that of knights, they can surpass knights depending on their control. Skills like Sword Wind for crowd control, defensive abilities such as Roar of Crying and Stone Skin, and other techniques allowed heros to become better tanks when used skillfully.

Of course, as a veteran player well-adapted to this world, I was fully capable of taking on a hero’s role—even if I couldn’t use ultimate skills.

“Muscle!!”

After using Sword Wind via Moonlight to suppress an Ice Elemental, I planted Moonlight firmly into the ground and struck a pose.

This was Muscle Barrier, a skill perfectly aligned with the hero archetype that reveres strength.

“Haaap! Hup! Haaaaap!”

Each of the three poses I struck formed a protective barrier. An Ice Wolf lunging toward me bounced off and tumbled to the ground. The Ice Elemental’s subsequent frost projectiles shattered two of the barriers, but the last one held firm.

“Let the light take root here!!”

While I drew aggro and took the brunt of the enemies’ attacks, Veronica’s strike pierced through the Ice Elemental. The holy light imbued in her spear caused the creature to writhe and shriek unnaturally.

“Fire Field!!”

The cluster of enemies was engulfed in a blaze.

Oh, that’s an advanced spell. It seems Lucille has a talent for fire magic.

“Hah… Hah… Hah…”

Was it too much for her? Lucille, still at the intermediate level, had overexerted herself to cast an advanced spell. As the enemies melted away, she collapsed to her knees, her face pale.

She must’ve exhausted her mana. After confirming with my detection skill that there were no enemies nearby, I spoke to Veronica.

“Let’s take a break.”

“Already?”

In the game system, stress increased with prolonged combat, and managing both mental and physical well-being was essential.

While high-level characters could push through dungeons without resting by relying on potions, that wasn’t the case for Lucille, who lacked experience. Both Veronica and I were used to combat and could handle dungeons without issue, but we needed to adjust to Lucille’s pace.

“Tsk.”

Veronica clicked her tongue briefly, perhaps viewing Lucille as a burden. Still, she didn’t argue with me, and we settled down in a safe spot to rest.

“I-I’m fine, really…” Lucille murmured.

“There’s no need to push yourself.”

The purpose of coming to this dungeon was to help Lucille improve her abilities. Overexerting herself to the point of retirement or creating unnecessary risks would be counterproductive.

I gently placed my hand on her head.

“Let’s see…”

“What are you doing?” Veronica asked, raising a brow.

“Mana Redistribution.”

Mana Redistribution, an alchemist skill, allows the user to transfer their mana to a target. It’s the only skill in the game that restores mana.

Although I could’ve given her a mana recovery potion crafted by alchemists, consuming one increased stress levels. If someone wasn’t accustomed to the stress penalties, this method was better.

“B-but, master, you…”

“I’m fine.”

While the Sage’s overpowered stats were far superior to most other characters, even I had limits. Lucille seemed flustered by the idea of me sharing my mana with her.

“Just stay still.”

I activated the skill as my hand rested on Lucille’s head. Her silky hair brushed against my fingers as mana flowed into her. Gradually, her complexion regained its color.

“What’s with that look?” I asked Veronica.

“…Nothing.”

She narrowed her eyes, wearing a displeased expression.

“Are you running low on mana too?”

If the healer was short on mana, that was a top priority. Supporting the healer was vital in a dungeon.

“master?!” Lucille exclaimed.

“Yes?”

“What… are you drinking?”

“Oh, this?”

I pulled out a potion emitting a blue glow from my bag and showed it to her.

“A mana recovery potion.”

Removing the stopper, I downed the potion. Immediately, it’s disgusting taste overwhelmed my senses, and the excruciating side effects made my entire body feel like it was twisting in agony.

“Hyun Woo?!”

“Guhhh…”

But I was used to pain of this level.

My mental fortitude and stress levels spiked significantly, but this was no big deal for me.

“Hoo… All good.”

“It’s not good!!”

“master! Are you okay?” Lucille cried, gripping my arm in alarm.

I reassured the two, still visibly distressed, that I was fine.

“Now then, Veronica, shall I transfer some mana to you too—”

“I’m fine!!”

This was nothing compared to the grueling journey of hunting the Demon King. The penalties of mana recovery potion consumption were an acceptable price to pay compared to the failure of our mission.

“…Just how bad was it?” Lucille murmured.

“I heard it was quite severe. The journey to defeat the Demon King,” Veronica muttered.

Lucille stared at me for a moment before lowering her head.

“I’m sorry…”

“Pardon?”

“I’m sorry I’m not good enough… If I were better with ice magic, the master wouldn’t have to go through this.”

“Princess.”

I chuckled at her despondent expression.

“It’s natural for a disciple to rely on their master until they grow.”

“B-but…”

“When you grow as a mage, a princess, and my disciple, that will be the greatest joy for me.”

“That…”

“That’s all I ask for.”

“Yes, that’s all I hope for from Lucille—to grow properly and help me achieve the ‘S-Rank master’ achievement.”

Holding Lucille’s hand, I spoke seriously. She stared at me blankly before nodding slightly.

“I’ll work hard.”

“Good.”

With her determination reaffirmed, her growth should progress even faster now. Satisfied, I turned my attention to Veronica.

“Hey, about your mana—”

“…I don’t need it. I’ll handle my own recovery.”