[Ghost Dance]
▷ Moves quickly over a set distance.
▷ While moving, evasion rate and stealth are significantly increased.
Ghost Dance was a hybrid skill that combined movement, evasion, and stealth.
Usually, the effects of hybrid skills tend to be somewhat mediocre when examined individually, but this one was exceptional in all three aspects, much like Spiral Explosion.
It delivers outstanding power no matter which class uses it, but it pairs especially well with thieves or assassins who benefit from the element of surprise.
Its drawbacks were that it couldn’t be ranked up, so growth was impossible, and it had a 5-minute cooldown.
This meant it could only be used at most twice per battle, so it was best to use it strategically.
As for its actual performance, I would test it out when the opportunity arises.
Now it’s time for the next person.
The usual method is to send the second participant back into the trial when you return to the clearing where the party members were fighting.
After the second person completes the Illusion Demon’s trial and acquires Ghost Dance, then the third person enters, and so on.
But I didn’t find this approach all that appealing.
It’s inefficient.
I may have passed the trial in a single attempt since I’ve completed it so many times I could practically do it with my eyes closed, but it’s impossible to predict how long it will take others.
With their talent, they’ll likely get the hang of it in two or three tries, but if all four have to go through it—
It will take far too long.
During this time, we would have to withstand the relentless attacks of the masked men in black, which would take a heavy toll on our stamina.
I think it would be far more efficient to save my time and stamina for gathering other hidden items and to leave learning Ghost Dance for later.
The question remained, though. How could we delay the Illusion Demon’s trial?
There was a very simple answer.
Just take it with me.
It sounded ridiculous but I could do it.
To be exact, I had a cheat item that could make it possible.
It was the statue of Dharma, which I’d been keeping temporarily in my inventory.
When I took it out and brought it close to the goblin statue—
Srrrkk...
The large statue that was once bigger than a person began to shrink rapidly. It deflated like a balloon until it was no larger than the palm of my hand.
This is its true size.
It had only appeared larger due to the illusion formation, but now that the Dharma statue had partially dispelled the effect, its real form was revealed.
I placed the miniature goblin statue into my inventory, then repeated the process, shrinking and collecting the other statues in the same way.
Before long, only the marble floor remained in the hall.
These statues weren’t just decorative. They were key components of the illusion formation.
If you set them up properly, you can recreate the Illusion Demon’s formation and take the trial.
In other words, the others could access the trial and acquire Ghost Dance even outside the bamboo forest, or even beyond the dungeon itself.
Though there’s still a limit on how many times it can be used.
After all, they had durability.
But at least I could take them with me. That was something.
With that thought in mind, I retraced my steps back along the side path.
When I arrived at the clearing, the battle was already in full swing.
The masked men in black attacked like well-trained elite warriors, and each member of the group responded in their own way.
Dang Gyu-young positioned herself protectively around Chae Da-bin and took on most of the combat herself.
Shadow arms rose from the ground, wielding a variety of shadow weapons to bring down the enemies.
Chae Da-bin focused less on attacking directly and more on supporting her allies; small drones flew around, casting shields or buffs here and there.
As expected, she’s a support type.
Go Hyeon-woo’s skills had been improving noticeably by the day, and recently, he’d been practicing his movement technique through the three-in-one training method.
He slipped between the masked figures with smooth, flowing movements, and weaved his way through them as he swung his sword.
Jang Moo-geuk focused mainly on evasion and defense, but at decisive moments, he would land a single fatal strike to the masked figures’ necks or chests.
During this intense exchange, Dang Gyu-young noticed me stepping out from the side path and called out to me.
“Is it done?”
“Yes, I’ve got it.”
I pulled out one of the goblin statues and continued,
“Let’s head out now.”
“Okay.”
With a smooth wave of Dang Gyu-young’s hand, the shadow arms collapsed all at once and rippled forward like a wave to push back the enemies.
Boom—!
A gap instantly opened in the encirclement.
Seizing that moment, we swiftly escaped from the clearing.
As we ran, Chae Da-bin paused to look back and remarked in amazement,
“...It’s all gone.”
The clearing had already been completely cleared out.
It was as if the intense battle we’d just fought had been nothing but a lie.
That was because it had all been an illusion, crafted by the formation.
Now that we were outside its range, it couldn’t affect us anymore.
Of course, there were also formations set along the exit path, so I extended my hand to Dang Gyu-young.
“So, you’re a cautious bunch. I wondered why you stopped pursuing us, only to find you lying in wait here.”
When I heard that, I quickly pieced the situation together.
It seemed Pang Mi-ryeong’s party had gained the upper hand in battle, but for some reason, they withdrew during the pursuit. This was probably to regroup and conserve their strength.
The Paracorrosive Twin Demons must have thought they’d escaped successfully, but after spotting us, they decided they needed to shake off any pursuers and approached.
I wondered if there was any room for negotiation and asked,
“Should we just let you go?”
“Heh, you think we’d fall for such a shallow trick? Pretend to let us go so you can stab us in the back, is that it?”
I had genuinely meant to let them pass.
But it looked like fighting was inevitable.
If that were the case, then it made sense to block their escape route so we wouldn’t end up empty-handed as well.
So I changed my approach slightly and began to subtly provoke the Twin Demons.
“Wow, just a moment ago you two were running like your lives depended on it, so why the sudden urge to fight? Not like it matters; you’ll probably just flee again if things get tough.”
“...Don’t worry about that. We’ll settle things with you to the end.”
Judging by their reaction, it seemed my taunt had been successful; the Paracorrosive Twin Demons’ lips curled into a murderous smile.
As they raised their auras at the same time, the surrounding plants darkened and withered under the oppressive energy.
“Since you’ve entertained me with those little remarks, I’ll leave you for last. I’ll play with you a bit before you die.”
I slipped behind Dang Gyu-young.
“Did you hear that? They’re going to ‘play with me’ before killing me.”
“That’s not going to happen. You’re playing with me.”
Dang Gyu-young lightly brushed a hand over my head.
Then, her expression turned serious as she carefully shifted to the side.
Sensing that the fight was about to break out, she positioned herself in the optimal spot.
It’s only just starting...
I still didn’t know how Pang Mi-ryeong’s party had ended up dealing with the Paracorrosive Twin Demons, but I remembered the strategy guide advising to avoid fighting them if possible.
Unlike most demons who roamed individually, these two stuck together which made them especially difficult to face.
On top of that, they were experts in poison technique which made them even trickier to handle.
But, of course, that was based on the general strategy guide recommendation.
For me, they’re manageable.
After all, those two had already gone through a fierce battle, so they weren’t in peak condition.
If they had a health gauge, I’d guess it was around 70 percent.
And most importantly—
They’re masters of poison techniques.
Which made it all the more manageable for me.
I first linked [Octopus Limbs] and [Enchantment].
[You have granted the skill “Poison Resistance (S)” to the target.]
[You have granted the skill “Poison Resistance (S)” to the target.]
[You have granted....]
[The rank of the granted “Poison Resistance”: B]
[Duration 00:14:58]
[Cooldown 09:19:58]
I granted [Poison Resistance] to four people.
However, that alone left the rank a bit lacking,
So I’ll have to amplify it.
[Activated ‘Octopus Limbs’]
[Activated ‘Amplification’]
[The rank of ‘Poison Resistance’ has been increased. (B→S)]
[The rank of ‘Poison Resistance’......]
After I amplified the poison resistance granted to the four people, I also amplified my own skills.
[The rank of ‘Wind Barrier’ has been increased. (C+→A+)]
[The rank of ‘Overheat’ has been increased. (C→A)]
[The rank of ‘Wind Force’ has been increased. (C+→A+)]
[The rank of ‘Spiral Explosion’ has been increased. (C+→A+)]
[The rank of ‘Chillwind’ has been increased. (E+→C+)]
[Duration 00:04:58]
[Cooldown 40:29:58]
Casting back-to-back with [Octopus Limbs] triggered a huge penalty. The cooldown of [Enchantment] was increased by 16 times and the cooldown of [Amplification] was increased by a staggering 81 times.
Both skills were effectively sealed for the next few days.
Still, it had been worth it.
“.......”
“.......”
The corners of everyone’s lips subtly lifted.
Just a moment ago, there had been a tangible tension in their gaze toward the Twin Demons. Now, though, they wore expressions that seemed to ponder how best to handle these enemies.
I also snickered and said,
“Let’s finish this in five minutes.”