Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer

Chapter 103

Occasionally, there are monsters that camouflage themselves as other monsters. Even monster species that don't naturally have the ability to camouflage can sometimes be born with the special ability of "camouflage". Many of them camouflage themselves as monsters with lower grades and quietly wait inside their shells for the right moment. Then they attack explorers who think they are weak, and twist them to their death.

Monsters with camouflage abilities are uniformly cunning and intelligent.

"What!? Camouflage? And a first-grade monster!?" Mina's voice echoed in this quiet square.

"Groooooooar..."

Standing calmly in front of them is a monster that is world-famous and sometimes is compared to a devil. Its jet-black fur bristles and its three heads each catch sight of a different student. Its eyes are a beautiful red color that seems to suck people in, which is also a characteristic of a first-grade monster.

For Tenji, it brings back bitter memories.

"It's Black Keroberos."

Tenji surprisingly spoke those words calmly.

Although he wasn't familiar with it, he might have hoped to reunite with Black Keroberos someday, somewhere deep in his heart.

At that time, he defeated Black Keroberos with an unknown power. However, it was not his own power, but the result of an unknown power.

["Was it me?..."]

Tenji wanted to say, "I'll fight."

He didn't know if he could win at his current level, but in this situation where he could call for help from the people around him at any time, he wanted to test his precise grade and how much power he had gained.

It had been almost half a year since the day when he had neither power nor calling.

However, he didn't give up immediately.

[Frustrating, but I'll leave it to the three of them here...]

Tenji thought so and took a few steps back.

Chaewon and Mina, who had caught sight of his actions in the corner of their eyes, stepped forward in front of Tenji and directed a strong hostile gaze at Black Keroberos.

They were serious too. For the two of them, Black Keroberos was the most threatening enemy they could face, even if they went all out.

"Chaewon, I'm going all out."

"I know. You're not scared, are you, Mina?"

"Of course not. We've worked hard to protect someone we can protect for times like this... If we're not going to show our strength here, then are we going to show it?"

"I understand!"

Chaewon and Mina started to run in earnest.

Watching their reliable backs, Tenji recalled a nostalgic memory.

[It's completely different from back then... There are three explorers who have the power to become first-grade explorers around me. And... I'm different from back then too. I am not weak and alone.]

At that time, when Tenji first met Black Keroberos, he was just a young man without even a calling. No, he wasn't just a young man, he was a weak young man with nothing.

Compared to that situation, this current situation was much more well-prepared.

Black Keroberos, which had disguised itself from within the black cocoon, appeared. Even the President, Limey, probably didn't expect this. However, since none of the teachers had appeared, the exam must continue.

Pyne, Chaewon, and Mina, who are here, are all students with the potential to defeat Black Keroberos.

Mina was the first to move. "----'Sanctuary Deployment'!" She struck her battle axe handle on the ground, transforming the surrounding air into a divine and fresh atmosphere.

Yu Mina is a hybrid explorer who appears pure but is far from it. She can perform both pure attack and shield roles. By deploying a sanctuary, her stats increase by 1.45 times, and the stats of trusted allies are elevated by 1.1 times.

Behind Mina was Chaewon, who followed her lead. Chaewon was muttering something while dragging her stainless-steel rod-like weapon on the ground.

"----'Kaiju Senrei'!"

The moment Chaewon uttered the skill name, numerous roots of trees emerged from the ground around Black Keroberos's feet, moving in a chaotic and unpredictable manner to restrain its huge body.

Song Chaewon is a novice with a beautiful appearance like a Korean idol, but she is an explorer skilled in tree-based magic as first grade explorer "Forestan Magic ''. She borrows power from nature and fights monsters with her rod-like weapon.

"Here it comes, 'Holy Gravity Edge'"

Their attack speed was beyond Black Keroberos's imagination, and it showed some signs of panic. Then, Mina unleashed her ultimate move, "Holy Gravity Edge," taking advantage of the effects of the sanctuary and moving at high speed to stand in front of Black Keroberos. In her hand was a heavy battle axe with the effects of her skill applied to it, ready to strike down on Black Keroberos. At that moment, Black Keroberos finally made its move.

"GORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

It emitted a roar so loud that it made air rings, instantly vaporizing Chaewon's tree-based attack that was moving around it. Black Keroberos then jumped up and tried to bite Mina. However, the attack did not reach her.

Suddenly, Black Keroberos stiffened, as if it had been struck by lightning all over its body, and began to crouch down, trying to jump. Chaewon and Mina quickly retreated, wondering what had just happened. Pyne appeared as if the mist had cleared. Her stealth Voltecker was embedded in Black Keroberos's flank, unleashing an electric shock attack like a muddy stream.

Mohammed Pyne.

Her calling is a first-grade called "Lavender Hitman." Amongst the assassination types, she possesses several unique abilities that allow her to completely disappear from sight. Her Stealth Voltacker, obtained as a special bonus, also maximizes her stealth abilities in combination with her calling. Pyne also withdrew from the area after considering her MP consumption, abandoning her electric shock attack.

"Groooooo!" The Black Keroberos showed its anger in response to Pyne's surprise attack. A large amount of black mist poured from its mouth, increasing the amount of wavering, flame-like mist enveloping its entire body.

[Is it in an angry state?]

Electric shock attacks have considerable attack power. With just one blow, it had pushed the Black Keroberos to the brink of its anger state.

At that moment, Chaewon and Mina began to plan their strategy slowly.

"Direct confrontation won't work...I'm no match for it."

"Indeed, Mina has a bad match-up. Good or bad, direct confrontation is fundamental. Well then, leave it to me."

"Got it. I'll take care of all the defense up to that point."

Mina took a position to protect Chaewon and Tenji, holding her battle axe at a mid-level. Seeing that, Chaewon also readied his prideful rod. At that moment, Pyne had already disappeared from the perception range of the three. At the same time, George, who was supposed to be lying around somewhere, was visible in the distant shade of the trees, leaning against a tree with an expression of concern on his eyes.

[Amazing, Pyne. When did she manage to organize the battlefield?]

It was probably because of Pyne's expertise in stealth that she was able to organize the battlefield and create a place where it was easy to fight. There are not many stealth-type explorers who can do this in the world. She had accomplished something so amazing in just a moment.

[As expected, the students from Mallorca are too talented. Everyone...is the world's highest level of talent.]

While watching their battle and actions again, Tenji realized this.

"Mina, leave everything in front of me to me."

"Okay, I'll dodge all the attacks."

Chaewon and Mina trust each other. That's why Chaewon may be able to use a high-risk technique with many openings. Suddenly, Chaewon's presence grew many times stronger. A torrent of MP that could make one feel overwhelmed was raging around her.

"Amazing..."

Tenji could not help but praise.

And at that moment, the Black Keroberos, sensing an ominous trend, opened its big mouth even wider to launch an attack. A lump of black mist swirled inside its mouth.