Chapter 63

Chapter 63

"In your positions!"

Song Cha-hyun's shout echoed around them, and at her words, the Valkyrie members moved in unison.

Thud.

Thud, thud.

"Ugh...!"

The 3rd Area of ​​Sæ Dungeon, the Mermaid's territory, is connected to the sea. While the 4th Area, the Naga's territory, has a long underwater cave, the 3rd Area does not. As they stepped out of the portal, the water that had been lapping at their feet suddenly rose up to their thighs.

This was not a problem, as the Valkyrie members had anticipated this and had changed their battle suits to waterproof materials before entering the portal, and they were also equipped with diving gear. The problem was ‘that'.

"Everyone, prepared for the impact! It's going to fire Breath!"

"Defenders, forward!"

"Healers, prepare to dispel poison!"

"Do we have any more items?"

Kang Yoo-hyun and Han Yi-jin had gone missing, and the dragon summon that had been left behind had gone on a rampage.

The cat-sized young dragon summon that had been flying around Han Yi Jin's side had suddenly turned into an adult, and began to run wild.

Fortunately, the silver lining was that the dragon, Yong-sik, didn't recognize the Valkyrie and the members of the raid team as enemies. However, he aggressively started sweeping the dungeon alone. As an S-class dragon in his adult form, he easily swept away the monsters that got in his way. Then, he charged at the boss monster of the 3rd area, the Mermaid Queen, ‘Cairen.'

"Grrk, grreuk..."

Between the black scales and protruding spikes, a deadly venomous energy began to coalesce. Yong-sik with his mouth wide open spewed out venomous poison breath.

Crash!

"Kieeek!"

Cairen, hit by the Breath, faltered and fell backwards. Area 3's boss monster, Cairen, is also an S-class monster like Yong-sik. However, Cairen has no resistance to poison, so Yong-sik's attacks are deadly. Likewise with the surroundings. The Valkyrie members who followed Yong-sik were more concerned with stopping the disastrous aftermath of the Poison Breath than helping him fight.

It wasn't that the space of the boss monsters was small, but their frantic fight had caused all sorts of impacts that ruined the surrounding area. For example, the boss monster swung its heavy tail, and destroyed the surroundings.

Kwareung, kwareureung.

“The walls are collapsing!”

"Get out of there!"

“...”

Sung Yoo-bin looked around in the middle of the dungeon that quickly became a mess.

The raid team was divided into the 3rd and 4th Areas, and the rampaging summon. She kept thinking this wasn't the only disaster. And Sung Yoo-bin had a sharp intuition.

[The rating adjustment is made due to the interference of...]

[The rating of Sæ-S76 will be adjusted to SS-rank]

“...!”

As the fight between Yong-sik and Cairen continues, the system notification rang loudly. Sung Yoo-bin looked at Song Cha-hyun in surprise.

"Unnie!"

"...Damn it."

In the end, Sæ Dungeon had escalated to SS-rank. It was the worst-case scenario they had feared. They now had to defeat an SS-rank boss monster with no auxiliary skill to rely on.

"Kahhh!"

Orbs made of water droplets floated around Cairen, which rapidly expanded to a size larger than a basketball. Then they launched randomly towards them.

Boom, boom, boom!

“Defenders...!"

"Argh!"

"Hunter Guseul!"

“...!”

Even the support team behind her was affected by the random attacks. Only then did Song Cha-hyun come to her senses. She immediately gave out orders with a stiff expression.

"Reinforce defenders around the support team! Protect the healers at all costs!"

"Kugh!"

"Kugh!"

Sung Yoo-bin, who had hesitated for a while, passed through the wind and approached Yong-sik. His purple eyes turned to Sung Yoo-bin, who was approaching him.

"Let's cooperate."

"Krr..."

Yong-sik narrowed his eyes at Sung Yoo-bin's unexpected words. He kept his eyes on Cairen.

“You can't win this alone."

"..."

"Don't you want to defeat it quickly and find Hunter Han Yi-jin? So do I."

Sung Yoo-bin's eyes blazed a bright crimson. Two beings who normally wouldn't even recognise each other, were now joining forces for a single reason.

"Krrrr...”

A low growl escapes Yong-sik's mouth. The passive skill, which was raging around him, became weaker around Sung Yoo-bin. Sung Yoo-bin smiled and climbed on top of Yong-sik's head.

"Let's get this over with."

Wild flames erupted from Sung Yoo-bin's body as she muttered quietly.

"Hey, Kang Yoo-hyun!"

I shouted, even though I knew he couldn't hear me underwater.

The change in dungeon rating must have turned S-rank Akaros into SS-rank. Kang Yoo-hyun wouldn't be able to defeat him alone. I tried to jump into the water, feeling nervous.

"Hyung, what are you doing?”

"Let go! I have to jump in!"

I have to go quickly and cast my skill on Kang Yoo-hyun. Only that thought filled my mind.

"Are you crazy hyung? You'll get yourself killed!"

"We’ll still die if we don't do anything!”

“...”

Kang Soo Hyun's face hardened as he stopped me from jumping into the water. Then his gaze also turned to the surface of the water.

"...You just need to touch my hyung a little bit?"

"Huh?"

For some reason, Kang Soo Hyun's words sounded serious and I quickly nodded.

"Yes."

Just a little body contact was enough to trigger the skill. Staring at my stern face, Kang Soo-hyun opened his lips.

“Then apply the skill on me first.”

"What?"

"I'll do something about it."

No, how?

I looked at him suspiciously, but Kang Soo-hyun's face remained serious, and at that moment, something burst up from the water.

Boom!

“...!”

As if an explosion had occurred underwater, a stream of water rose up and swirled around them. I had a strong feeling that I couldn't waste any more time.

"Fine, I got it."

For now, I just had to trust him. If I went in there, I could die in an instant.

I organised my thoughts and touched Kang Soo-hyun's neck. Then I concentrated. Instantly, I felt heat rush into my palms.

"...Are you done?"

“...”

Kang Soo-hyun, who was closing his eyes, slowly opened his eyes. His warm gaze turned to me.

"Yes."

And then, a faint but fierce energy flowed around Kang Soo-hyun.