NOVEL WEB Chapter 134
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The wolf used detection to scan beneath the floor, tilting its head in confusion at the surprisingly low number of detected presences.
‘Did I really handle it this lightly?’
After all, back then, it had dealt with quite a bit, and when it fled from the Volcano Ceratops, it likely got caught up in all that too. So, it’s not entirely unreasonable.
‘Not a bad situation.’
Anyway, there isn’t much experience left until reaching the level cap of 19. First, it needs to wipe out these creatures. Shadow and Gale can’t slip through lava, and similarly, the Tentacle can’t consume it either; it’ll face the lava before that happens. But with the Void, it could swallow even lava whole.
The haze pierced through the ground, ravenously consuming the lava and starting to devour the monsters below.
[You have consumed Prominence Crocodile. Experience and satiety have increased.]
—Just as it devoured three or so of them, the lava sharks realized something was attacking them and thrashed about, only to be swallowed whole by the haze.
“―――!”
Feeling the commotion from the panicking monsters, the wolf prepared for the next move. In an instant, the lava beasts that burst through the ground were pierced through by shadows, devoured by the swirling black mist, vanishing without a trace.
This noise made the massive form of the Volcano Ceratops twitch. It was a sight like a mountain stirring—just a little movement altered the terrain, but the wolf’s stealth remained intact. The only thing visible was the rising lava. The Volcano Ceratops closed its eyes again.
‘I did worry a bit.’
[Proficient Stealth (C) Lv.9 has reached its maximum level. Proficient Stealth (C) Lv.9 → Proficient Stealth (C) Lv.10]
[Proficient Stealth (C) has reached its maximum level. Proficient Stealth (C) Lv.10 → Invisibility (B)]
The wolf, which had been silently retreating, couldn’t help but inwardly exclaim upon reaching the maximum level of its long-used stealth. Invisibility—not only did it enhance the previous stealth abilities, but it allowed complete concealment. If desired, it wouldn’t even show up on CCTV.
‘Only now…?’
That was a bit disappointing. Still, there would be plenty of opportunities to use it. After a moment, as the Volcano Ceratops and the lava calmed, the wolf unleashed the Void again.
***
“……!”
The wolf swallowed hard at the sight of the Volcano Ceratops opening its eyes. There was no way to maintain concentration now. Even though it moved from such a distance, the vibrations reached here. The creature’s territory was beyond comprehension; even as a monster, its size was unfathomable. It was likely the largest monster, aside from the sea’s disaster.
‘…How do I deal with something like that.’
Of course, it had heard methods. It was said to avoid attacks and prepare for Great Magic. However, even if the Great Magic landed, it had no confidence in killing that thing. That kind of monster—Alpha likely knew well about it too. Yet still, it was willing to fight… why?
‘……It said it would block the end, right?’
Indeed, humanity stood at the edge of ruin. But how does that relate to defeating the monsters of the fantasy world?… I don’t get it. Even now, there are hidden secrets with Alpha… but can I still trust him?
‘I don’t know.’
But I don’t want to doubt. Because…
“……”
“Teacher?”
As curious gazes gathered on Hong Yu-ri’s slightly dazed expression, she shot back with a sharp tone.
“What?”
“……It’s nothing.”
Even as she said this, the suspicious gazes made her eyes twitch. Just as she was about to say something, the Volcano Ceratops moved again, and without anyone needing to take the initiative, we all covered our mouths and held our breath. In this stillness—
When something pierced through the stealth barrier, Hong Yu-ri’s eyes widened.
“Show yourself.”
—Nothing could be seen. But surely something was there. If there hadn’t been a barrier, it wouldn’t be mistaken for breaking in. Just as she raised her hand to aim, something revealed itself.
“……Alpha?”
Seeing the large wolf nodding, she let out a sigh of relief. Now it was almost unrecognizable even up close. Without a doubt, the stealth it had was now of a new caliber… Hong Yu-ri shook her head internally.
“I’ve taken care of most of the monsters in the lava.”
So soon? With hardly any time passing? As incredulous looks came her way, the wolf awkwardly turned away. It had left some behind to maintain the Tentacle and Fullness effects before fighting the Volcano Ceratops, but what was left should be manageable by Baek So-yul alone. Even if a worst-case scenario occurred, there shouldn’t be an issue.
“…Now I just need to absorb magic power.”
Preparation for battle with the Volcano Ceratops was at hand.
***
Hong Yu-ri, gnawing on some gentle water and remaining ginseng roots, looked like she was eating squid legs with soju.
“……It’s almost time.”
At Baek So-yul’s words, I nodded. It had already been four days since we cleared the lava monsters. It took two days in the Frost Valley, but it seemed the volcanic region took far longer. However, that was now over. I had absorbed enough magic power to handle a dungeon collapse without an issue.
‘More than I expected.’
Not long ago, Baek So-yul’s magic was barely over 300, but now it was skyrocketing toward 400. That insane growth made me chuckle, though it seemed to be slowing down gradually. Apparently, there’s a limit to absorbing the magic of the fantasy world.
‘Just like Baek Rok doesn’t bother absorbing magic.’
—It was okay for now, but eventually, to increase Baek So-yul’s magic, a new source of energy would be necessary. I gazed at Baek Rok, who was also munching on ginseng.
“……What’s up?”
Looking quizzically, I realized it was the first time I had seen Baek Rok eat something. At the same time, upon using Insight, I confirmed that its magic was on the rise too.
“Nothing.”
I shook my head. Before fighting the Volcano Ceratops, we were taking one last rest. It was also time to gather the magic of the fantasy world.
Soon, watching them close their eyes and concentrate, the wolf awaited the coming moment.
***
“Oh, you’re back?”
“Yes. It’s been a while.”
The old hunter welcomed Woo Taek enthusiastically. After obtaining Weak Regeneration, he merely had to wait for his wounds to heal. As he scanned the surroundings, he noticed someone was missing.
“Where’s the Vice Team Leader?”
“Not sure. I heard he had some work outside… but I don’t know where he went. It’d be nice if he’s not around.”
His comment wasn’t wrong, so Woo Taek nodded. Then he noticed Euna in a corner and tilted his head.
“…Your magic has increased?”
In response to that question, the old hunter blew on his earwax.
“She took an Elixir.”
“…An Elixir? Out of nowhere.”
It’s not like Elixir is a person’s name. No matter how you slice it, it wouldn’t make sense for even a clan member like Euna to be supplied an Elixir. Buying one would be even more ridiculous…
“You didn’t hear anything?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
As Woo Taek questioned, the old hunter clicked his tongue.
“It was chaos not long ago. That rascal Alpha was casually hanging out in the clan.”
“Are you talking about that Alpha I know?”
The old hunter nodded, but Woo Taek took it as a joke and chuckled. The Alpha known as Marang hung out with Euna? How could that even make sense?
“Hey, this isn’t a joke, you punk. Look at this.”
The old hunter rummaged through his cellphone and opened a photo album, showing a picture of an adorably fluffy black puppy. Woo Taek’s expression questioned what on earth this was, and the old hunter spoke seriously.
“This is Alpha.”
“……Are you serious, do you have dementia?”
With his still serious expression—when he asked a nearby hunter, he nodded as if it were true. If this wasn’t a setup, it meant that this was genuinely the case… Woo Taek’s expression morphed strangely.
“So you’re saying Alpha came and gave Euna an Elixir? Seriously?”
“That’s what I heard. I don’t know the detailed circumstances…”
Just then, the door swung open, and a giant walked in, draping an arm over Woo Taek’s shoulder.
“Team Leader?”
With both the team leader and vice team leader absent, why was the second team here? Wo Taek gave a questioning look, and Kang Tae-ho raised the corners of his mouth. His face looked like he had something itching to be said.
“Wanna know why that rascal Alpha visited?”
As the second-in-command of the Fantasy Dweller, he would surely know—Woo Taek nodded seriously, and Kang Tae-ho urged him to definitely tell your team leader about this. Of course, he would inform the team leader about such an important matter. Woo Taek nodded earnestly, and when the conversation ended, Kang Tae-ho was laughing as if relieved, while Woo Taek’s expression turned sour. Moreover, it was the moment when one more person learned of what was initially known only by three, or rather, four people.
***
“Ah, damn, my ears are itching… Ascunde.”
Hong Yu-ri frowned as she spread the concealment barrier again.
“Honestly, that previous dungeon was way better.”
It was a complaint when they were in the Frost Valley, yet now it felt like a different story. The people in that dungeon were me, Hong Yu-ri, and Fairy. Now that the magic had been absorbed, Baek So-yul didn’t need to come in. After devouring the remaining lava monsters with the Void, we received the effects of Tentacle and Fullness.
‘Now…’
All that remained was the Volcano Ceratops. For the past four days, Hong Yu-ri had been practicing riding me. Honestly, that was the main issue, but her pride and stubbornness had become the driving force that made her succeed in the end. Throughout the week spent in the fantasy world, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she had almost overcome her phobia.
“…….”
Still, her words and actions were careful, though—at least for Hong Yu-ri.
“Anyway, that means I should start with Great Magic, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn… Do I really have to fight something like that? Elixir costs a fortune.”
Complaining, Hong Yu-ri began to chant. After all, I brought her to this fantasy domain, so she had to put in some effort.
‘Against the Volcano Ceratops, ginseng should suffice…’
Anyway, if one thinks about it, this wouldn’t spread far and wide. Gazing again at the Volcano Ceratops, resembling a rocky mountain, I couldn’t help but swallow hard. The stunning status and massive size remained impressive, along with remarkable skills. Among them, damage reduction and weak regeneration meant starting with solid damage was crucial. …It’d be nice if this ended here, but wishing for such would be a bit greedy.
“―Acoperit în foc negru.”
At that moment, when the great magic materialized and culminated into a colossal entity in the sky, the Volcano Ceratops couldn’t have missed it and rose its body. Just the act of that massive creature rising made the ground rumble, yet we were already airborne on the solid ground beneath us. Hong Yu-ri’s crimson eyes gleamed with intensity.
“Arzând în abis și transformându-se în cenușă―!”
With the final chant, black flames erupted reminiscent of the sun’s spots. They wouldn’t stop until turning everything into ash, a fire blazing in the abyss—the Volcano Ceratops, witnessing the Great Magic chanted by the number one mage of dawn, opened its mouth wide to roar. That roar alone staggered the wolf, and the platform beneath us crumbled, but there was no way it could disrupt the Great Magic. The wolf tightly wrapped its Tentacle around Hong Yu-ri’s waist to prevent her from falling while the plummeting black spot exploded.
“――――――!”
The Volcano Ceratops let out a scream. Whether it was due to pain or rage, who could tell…
‘…Was one hit really too much?’
Even though it was magic capable of burning an entire island, the Volcano Ceratops endured. Its body, even with lava enveloping it, showed no signs of distress—proving its strong resistance to fire; this was apparent just by the fact it bore the A-tier skill Embodiment. Having Dragon Blood and Dragon Lin also marked it as a true dragon breed. Of course, its vitality would be on a different level compared to regular monsters, so it was expected.
“Well, it’s so big that hitting it is easy.”
Regaining her breath, Hong Yu-ri began another chant.
“Arzând în abis și transformându-se în cenușă―!”
Previously prepared Great Magic, the reemergent entity in the sky made the Volcano Ceratops open its mouth wide again, and from it, magic began to boil and gather. As a dragon breed, it would naturally possess a breath attack. And before it could react, the black spot exploded once more.
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