"Skaaa!!!"
"Shi... bal!!!"
Mick and Pete shouted.
The Huntsman Clan members couldn't close their wide-open mouths.
It was simply too hard to accept this situation.
Because Ska was standing there with his arm around a Ghoul's shoulder.
No matter how tightly it was bound, it was still a monster. For a normal person, there was no reason whatsoever to be with a Ghoul.
Gazes filled with shock, bewilderment, and doubt turned toward Jung Yu-shin.
'Why is he bringing a monster along?'
'···Could it be?'
'A hole...? Keuk! Don't do it! Get out of my head!'
The Huntsman Clan members exchanged glances in confusion. Some held their heads and muttered something.
"Ska, are you in your right mind?"
Lumi stepped forward and asked.
Jung Yu-shin nodded.
"Of course. My mind is clearer than ever."
"..."
Hearing that, the Huntsman Clan members took a step back.
A fear of a different dimension crept up their spines.
They could understand the fly monster, but they couldn't figure out that half-Barbaroi at all.
Jung Yu-shin gripped the Zweihänder with both hands.
"That's enough talk. We have work to do, don't we?"
He had spent too much time with the boss mob still there.
The fly-head was apparently so bewildered that it wasn't moving.
'He's a bit of a ditz for a boss mob, isn't he?'
Or perhaps it had mistaken him for a monster because he was with the Ghoul.
Jung Yu-shin bumped his body against Johnson and pushed him back.
"Johnson, go over there. It's dangerous."
"Kkip!!! Kkipkkip!!!"
Johnson understood immediately and scurried away.
Jung Yu-shin lowered the Greatsword and took a stance.
"...!"
The fly monster noticed and tried to back away, but it was too late.
Jung Yu-shin twisted his waist with all his might and swung the sword.
From bottom to top.
A diagonal slash.
Huuuuuung!!!
The heavy Zweihänder tore through the air and struck the fly monster's tentacle leg directly. It sliced through flesh, muscle, and bone in one go.
The severed leg plunged into the swamp, and the fly monster lost its balance and collapsed.
The fallen fly monster let out a silent scream and flailed its tentacles haphazardly.
Paaaaang!!!
Paaaaang!!!
Paaaaang!!!
As the bundle of tentacles lashed the surface of the swamp, water splashed up everywhere.
Jung Yu-shin quickly retreated.
At that moment.
Paaaaaaaak!!!
Johnson, who was moving away, was hit by a tentacle and went flying through the air.
Jung Yu-shin's eyes widened.
"Johnson!!!"
The Ghoul flew far away and crashed into the swamp. There was no movement.
Jung Yu-shin turned his head and glared at the fly monster.
With one leg missing, it was barely maintaining its balance by half-kneeling in the swamp and propping itself up with one arm.
"You son of a bitch!!!"
Jung Yu-shin spat out a curse and ran toward the fly-head.
The journey he had shared with Johnson flashed through his mind.
Johnson getting flicked on the forehead for being poorly trained.
Johnson trying to run away while he was dozing off.
Johnson sending a triumphant eye-smile when a pack of Ghouls appeared.
But also Johnson trembling in fear before a strong monster.
They weren't exactly good memories, but he had been a stimulant that kept him awake in his dazed state, and a companion who shared the journey.
Kwang!!!
Kwang!!!
Revenge burned in his heart, but it wasn't easy to approach the fly monster with dozens of tentacles causing a ruckus.
"Fire!!!"
The Cat Beastman Lumi shouted from a distance.
The Huntsman Clan members took their positions and let fly their arrows.
In an instant, dozens of arrows flew and embedded themselves in the fly monster's body.
Peubeubeubuk!!!
The fly monster flinched, and its eyes turned red.
"Paralysis ray!!! Dodge!!!"
A few Vanguards who were fumbling around were hit by the red ray, and their bodies stiffened. Unluckily, they were immediately pierced by the spikes of the swinging tentacles and died.
Taking advantage of that gap, Jung Yu-shin dug in and swung the Greatsword again.
However, the fly monster seemed to be conscious of Jung Yu-shin and dodged by rolling its body away.
Puhaaaaak!!!
As the massive body rolled through the swamp, a huge wall of water rose up, obscuring the view.
Jung Yu-shin pushed forward through the wall of water.
The green Zweihänder in his hand shimmered.
The Zweihänder had two types of magic.
Mist Walk.
A magic that emits a cold Mist around the user, allowing them to hide within it.
Thanks to this magic, he was able to approach the fly monster secretly without being detected.
The other one was.
Jung Yu-shin lunged and thrust the Greatsword in.
Puuuuuuuk!!!
The broken Greatsword pierced through the fly monster's belly skin and became deeply embedded.
Green frost surged and flowed out from the wound.
The thrashing body of the fly monster stiffened.
Frost Chaser.
A magic that seals the opponent's movement. Of course, only if the attack connects.
'Just like right now.'
Jung Yu-shin let go of the sword and backed away, looking at Lumi.
Lumi immediately snapped out of it and urged the Huntsman Clan members.
"Fire!!!"
The Huntsman Clan members pulled their bowstrings again and rapidly fired arrows.
Arrows rained down and embedded themselves in the immobile fly monster's body.
Unable to move, the fly monster took all the magic-infused arrows.
"Tsk."
Jung Yu-shin clicked his tongue.
The Zweihänder embedded in the fly monster's belly was scattering like mist.
When he found it, it was already a used Greatsword with only two uses left.
He hadn't thought it was equipment that belonged on the 13th floor, but seeing the sword disappear, he thought it was a reasonable balance patch.
He wasn't disappointed. He had sufficiently 'understood' the Greatsword's magic.
If he had the energy, he could summon it again by granting the Sacred Weapon characteristic.
'I probably can't right now.'
He had used magic several times while wandering the swamp with Johnson.
It was a miracle he had broken through this far with a body worn out from frequent sleeping outdoors and depleted magic.
The fly's body twitched. It seemed it would move soon. Its eyes flashed red, as if it were considerably angry.
Just as Jung Yu-shin was about to lung at the fly monster once more.
"Ska!!!"
Someone called his name from behind.
A familiar voice.
Jung Yu-shin hurriedly turned his head.
He saw two people. Jung Yu-shin's body stiffened.
"Karin?! Mion-ssi?! How...?"
"Let's subjugate that monster first!"
Mion's Blonde Hair fluttered as she instantly chanted divine magic.
[Holy Barrier]
[Cure]
[Fast Heal]
[Strength]
[Blessing]
[Smite]
A brilliant flash of light erupted around Jung Yu-shin's body.
Jung Yu-shin looked down at his body.
"Crazy...!"
His fatigue vanished, and power overflowed. It wasn't quite like before. Because he had the half-Incubus Engraving, divine magic had a halved effect.
However, the High Priest's buff magic ignored the Incubus Engraving and completely restored Jung Yu-shin's body.
"Mion? What about me?"
Karin chimed in.
"Just stay there."
"Eh?"
While Karin stood there with an absurd expression.
Jung Yu-shin rushed toward the fly monster.
[Sacred Weapon]
Granting characteristic.
Gale.
Jung Yu-shin swung a golden single-edged blade and leapt upward.
Pang!!!
Water splashed, and Jung Yu-shin's body instantly flew over the fly monster's head.
Jung Yu-shin threw the glowing single-edged blade and raised his hand again.
[Sacred Weapon]
At his wish, a golden Zweihänder was reborn in his hand as a complete Greatsword.
Floating in the air, Jung Yu-shin fell toward the fly monster's neck and slammed the Greatsword down.
The fly monster raised its head and emitted a red light from its eyes.
Ting!!!
The paralysis ray hit Jung Yu-shin's body, but Karin's panties blocked it.
Kwajijijijik!!!
The Greatsword came down in a straight line, piercing the fly monster's neck and embedding itself deeply.
Granting characteristic.
Frost Chaser.
Golden mist bloomed in strands from where the Greatsword was stuck.
The fly monster's body stiffened.
The Huntsman Clan members couldn't even think of firing arrows and just stared blankly up at Jung Yu-shin.
The courage to rush headlong at a monster with the power to easily kill a person.
Not to mention summoning various weapons to the point where they couldn't even guess what kind of magic he was using.
And his skill in handling those weapons was also expert.
It was like watching a dance.
Jung Yu-shin balanced himself on the fly's neck, pulled out a crossbow, and aimed it at the fly's head.
Cheolkeok.
Point-blank range firing.
Tung!!! Tung!!! Tung!!!
The Bolts shattered the fly's eyes as they embedded themselves.
The fly monster trembled.
Jung Yu-shin skillfully pulled out a Bastard Sword and swung it, plunging it deep into the fly's eye.
Puuuuuuk!!!
Without stopping there, he stepped on the Bastard Sword and leapt up, landing on top of the fly's head.
"It's over."
Seureureung.
He pulled out a Longsword emitting a blue light, held it in a reverse grip, and plunged it into the fly monster's head.
Kwajik!!!
The Longsword's blade gouged through the fly's crown, digging deep inside and tearing its brain.
Instant death.
The fly monster trembled and slowly collapsed.
Kuuuuuuung!!!
With a heavy sound, the fly monster's massive body crashed into the swamp floor.
Jung Yu-shin leapt from the falling fly monster and landed on the swamp floor.
Fly Count.
Subjugation complete.
The Clan members stared at Jung Yu-shin with their mouths agape. It was a feat they couldn't believe even after seeing it with their own eyes.
No one moved, and no one spoke.
Mion broke the silence and hurriedly approached Jung Yu-shin.
"Ska-nim!!! Are you hurt anywhere?!"
Jung Yu-shin, coming to his senses, looked at Mion.
"Mion-ssi. How on earth did you...?"
"I heard news that you went missing in the swamp area."
Mion said, taking Jung Yu-shin's hand.
The Huntsman Clan members and Mick's party ran over.
"Ska, that was truly amazing!"
"Crazy. To have this kind of skill!"
Lumi also approached.
"Looks like the news reached them just in time. Let's get out of here for now. We might attract the attention of other monsters."
The Huntsman Clan members began the cleanup.
They carved up the fly monster's body and put the necessary parts into sacks.
Jung Yu-shin hurriedly went over to Johnson.
Johnson was already dead. His eyes were wide open as if he felt wronged.
"Huu. Goodbye, Johnson."
Jung Yu-shin let out a sigh and closed Johnson's staring eyes.
The Huntsman Clan members finished the cleanup and headed to the Shelter.
The Shelter was nearby. It looked similar to others. A small hut on a dry hill.
Jung Yu-shin and the party members sat around a campfire in front of the hut.
"···So I came all the way here at Karin-nim's request."
Mion explained the whole situation.
Jung Yu-shin organized the story in his head while struggling to stay awake.
"Lumi pulled one Explorer to inform Karin of my disappearance, and Karin asked Mion-ssi to accompany her?"
"Yes. That's right."
Mion nodded.
"What happened to that receptionist? The guy who sold me the bracelet of binding."
"He's dead."
Karin answered instead of Mion.
Jung Yu-shin looked down and stared at the campfire.
"..."
The people were silent. They couldn't even guess what the half-Barbaroi was thinking.
After keeping his mouth shut for a long time, Jung Yu-shin raised his head.
"Let's talk more once we're outside."
"Sure."
The Clan members shared miscellaneous stories in front of the campfire before going into the hut to rest.
A few hours later.
The Clan members, having woken up, packed their bags and headed for the Teleportation Stone.
Being Huntsman Clan members, their pathfinding skills were excellent.
Jung Yu-shin and the Clan members pushed forward for several hours and stood before the Teleportation Stone.
Jung Yu-shin was the first to place his hand on the Teleportation Stone.
No one said a word, but they all seemed to acknowledge who the leader was.
Huaaaaang.
A red Portal and a blue Portal appeared.
The party members stepped into the blue Portal one by one.
"Mion-ssi."
Jung Yu-shin looked at Mion.
Mion was a High Priest. In other words, she was an already retired high-ranking Explorer.
Mion read the look in Jung Yu-shin's eyes and smiled.
"Ska-nim, no matter what kind of Engraving I receive, I won't resent you."
"Is that so?"
His heart was heavy at the fact that Mion had rushed here for him.
Jung Yu-shin, Mion, and Karin were the last to step into the blue Portal.
After a brief sensation of floating, they landed on the ground.
A cool autumn breeze brushed past Jung Yu-shin.
When he opened his eyes, the evening sunset was sinking beyond the castle walls.
And he felt a sense of liberation.
'I've obtained an Engraving.'
Karin's red ears twitched as if she had also obtained an Engraving, and Mion likewise gave a bitter smile.
It turned out all three of them had obtained Engravings.
"Ska-nim? Are you going to check your Engraving first?"
At Mion's question, Jung Yu-shin shook his head.
"I'll visit you separately tomorrow. I'm too tired today."
"Yes. Please get some rest and then come find me."
Lumi approached with an exhausted expression.
"Leave the rewards and miscellaneous calculations to our Clan and just rest comfortably. I'll visit the Inn later."
"Understood."
Finally, Mick's party approached and used Sign Language.
'We should have a drink, right? We have stories to finish.'
Jung Yu-shin chuckled.
"Give me a few days."
Jung Yu-shin walked slowly with Karin and arrived at the Inn.
At the Inn, Eru, wearing a skirt, and Ingrid were waiting.
"I'm back."
Jung Yu-shin bowed his head slightly with a tired face. Ingrid placed her hand on Jung Yu-shin's shoulder.
"Ska, you came back alive."
"I did. I'm going to rest first."
"Alright."
Jung Yu-shin parted with the others, washed up briefly, went up to the second floor, and lay down on the bed.
As soon as he felt the soft sensation, he fell straight into a deep sleep.
* * *
At the same time.
Temple of the Earth Mother Goddess.
The priestess who checked Mion's Engraving had a worried expression.
"This Engraving...?!"
"What kind of Engraving is it?"
Mion had prepared herself. Since she had entered the Labyrinth for Ska-nim, she had no regrets.
But she couldn't help being curious.
"Huu. To think you've obtained such an evil Engraving."
The priestess kept sighing and hesitating.
"What kind of Engraving is it?"
Mion asked, but the priestess closed her eyes tightly and placed a hand on her forehead.
"For the kind-hearted Mion-ssi to obtain such a gloomy Engraving, ah. Earth Mother Goddess! Why such a trial!!!"
"..."
Mion puffed out her cheeks. Because there was a faint hint of playfulness in the priestess's voice.
The priestess approached Mion and whispered.
"Mion-nim's Engraving is···."
When the whisper ended, Mion's eyes widened.
"Re-really?!"