LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 15
Chapter 15: The Difference
“Don’t attack! Eun-ho, just go and draw aggro. Healer, keep checking in regularly. If things get dangerous, heal us.”
The experienced C-rank Hunter, the Black Tiger Guild Leader, swiftly assessed the situation and gave orders.
Realizing that the traitor was a far more dangerous opponent than the Hellhound, he decided to stick most of the party onto Bayan.
Attacking the Hellhound aimlessly could lead to aggro transferring to another Hunter, only causing more chaos.
Here, they could only trust in Eun-ho, the C-rank tanker’s swift feet and agility.
It was regrettable that they had to utilize one of the two C-rank Hunters, including himself, but there was no other choice.
If they brought a D-rank, they wouldn’t even last long enough to buy time.
“Everyone, don’t hold back on items! That bastard’s incredibly strong! Holding back could turn deadly!”
Since they made a living traveling through Gates, Hunters were carrying at least a couple of items for survival.
Things like healing potions or magic scrolls.
Even the guild leader himself, while uttering such words, immediately pulled out and tore two scrolls containing Strength and Haste Magic without hesitation.
He recognized that this opponent was one they could never endure under normal circumstances.
Other Hunters ripped up scrolls cast with auxiliary magic or drank potions to enhance their strength or agility.
“Ku-huh, go on, give it your all. It’ll make killing you all the more entertaining.”
With a relaxed expression, Bayan approached the Hunters.
It was the majority of the Hunters who seemed tense.
Si-hyun gripped his longsword tightly, his face stiff. Just to be sure, he checked his stats from earlier but saw that there were no changes; it was still the prisoner.
He contemplated pulling out the legendary Acureruts, but decided against it for now.
There was no guarantee that drawing it would lead to victory, and wielding such a prominently fine sword would definitely place him at the top of the priority targets.
That would be utterly unbearable.
It seemed wise to keep that hidden and save it as a trump card for a truly dangerous moment.
“Oppa, be careful.”
Eun-hye said in a calm voice.
A voice drenched in tension can make the listener tense up as well.
That’s why she showed no outward signs of worry.
“Yeah, you too, Eun-hye.”
Si-hyun replied as calmly as possible.
“Ice Bolt!”
“Fire Arrow!”
The wizard Hunter of the Black Tiger Guild was the first to cast, sending a sharp chunk of ice flying.
Eun-hye quickly followed up, casting and firing a Fire Arrow.
Simultaneously, a rogue Hunter released a dagger.
“Nice effort.”
Bayan dodged the attacks with a casual, almost playful gesture.
“Incoming!”
Someone shouted.
They had caught sight of Bayan’s instant burst of speed.
The Black Tiger Guild Leader, wielding his sword, stepped in front to absorb Bayan’s assault.
He thought that as the strongest ally, he had to block the enemy’s advance to maintain morale.
Clang!
“Ugh….”
As their weapons clashed, the Black Tiger Guild Leader groaned.
The attack was far too heavy and quick.
Had he not cast Strength and Haste Magic, he might not have been able to take it.
Taking advantage of the split-second pause in Bayan’s movements, the other Hunters lunged in from both sides simultaneously.
However, Bayan’s body was no longer there.
In a heartbeat, he leapt into the air, aiming for the back of the Black Tiger Guild Leader’s neck, swinging his dagger.
Clang!
Just as Bayan was about to slice clean through, the sound of metal echoed.
Si-hyun, who had been watching Bayan’s movements, barely managed to block it with his longsword.
“Everyone, watch out for the neck, heart, and eyes!”
Active attack skills like Masterful Beheading, Masterful Heart Stabbing, and Masterful Eye Gouging.
Having read all about the opponent’s skills from the info pane, Si-hyun warned.
“Huh?”
Bayan’s eyes glinted with interest for the first time as he fell back.
He felt as if something was read.
But after tilting his head slightly, he soon returned to his original expression.
‘No way.’
As far as he knew, Awakened Beings capable of reading others’ info panes were exceedingly rare in the world.
Plus, they often lacked combat ability, making their personal details top secrets.
Had he not had connections with a significant high-ranking person, he wouldn’t have even known such Awakened existed.
Such an incredibly rare and precious Awakened could not possibly be in a place like this.
He imagined he might have fought a similar type of Awakened before.
“Did you turn into a thousand-tailed bastard after clashing once?”
Thinking they must decide the outcome before the magic duration expired, the Black Tiger Guild Leader provoked him.
Fortunately, the opponent took the bait willingly.
“I dunno… heh heh.”
With a laugh that implied absurdity, Bayan charged forward with heightened intensity.
Clang!
Once again, the Black Tiger Guild Leader managed to take the hit.
But at the same time, Bayan’s dagger in his left hand was also on the move.
“Huh!”
Swish!
A nearby D-rank Hunter stared in horror, barely managing to block the attack. Had he hesitated even a moment longer, he would’ve been pierced through the heart.
Si-hyun’s warning about watching the heart proved useful.
“That bastard, he’s ambidextrous!”
Si-hyun shouted, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
The passive skill, Ambidextrous.
He’d already figured that out too.
“I think so, Guild Leader! His left attack is incredibly sharp too.”
The D-rank Hunter, who nearly died, chimed in.
Even wielding dual swords, the off-hand would usually be weaker than the dominant one.
But the minimal difference hinted that he was indeed ambidextrous.
“Hmph.”
Bayan scoffed as if he couldn’t care less.
He swiftly alternated between left and right, hammering through the Hunters’ position.
The Hunters were barely managing to defend themselves.
The significant disparity in stats, paired with being ambidextrous, made everything that much tougher.
After battering them for a while, he seemed to finally find a weak point and began to focus his attack on one side.
It was the spot where the E-rank Hunter stood.
Even though the Guild Leader had placed him at his side to cover when forming the battle line, there simply wasn’t enough power there.
“Uh-oh?”
“Shield!”
The E-rank Hunter, unable to defend against the attack, dropped to the ground clutching his neck, which was bleeding like a fountain.
“Healer! Heal quickly!”
“It’s already too late! Don’t worry about that, just focus on the fight!”
The Black Tiger Guild Leader yelled.
But the formation was already in disarray.
“Ugh!”
Clang!
Another Hunter dropped as his wrist was severed, his weapon clattering to the ground.
‘Damn it, I guess I have no choice.’
Si-hyun bit down on his lip.
If the Hellfire misses, it’s game over.
But unless one is a fool, just glancing at the engraved sword blade would reveal it was a magically inscribed weapon, which was the issue.
The moment they realized this, the chance of hitting would plummet dramatically.
There must be some optimal timing to catch the enemy off guard, but now it felt too risky to even think about it.
Indeed, it seemed like it was time to bring it out.
‘Acurer…’
Just as Si-hyun reluctantly prepared to draw out Acureruts…
“What the hell are you doing, you madman!”
A sharp female voice rang out.