Chapter 41
Not long after they passed the treasure chest, three large snails blocked their path.
"Kyuruk?"
Their pinkish hue suggested these "Large Snails with Hard Shells" were about 5 to 10 levels higher than Carpe.
"Finally showed up, huh?"
Carpe's voice was slightly excited.
It was time to debut the item he had been dying to try.
The legendary item "Dragon's Eye" obtained after defeating Mainades.
The moment Carpe decided to activate its ability, the necklace emitted a faint light.
Ding
[Target information identified.]
Immediately, the monster's information window appeared.
[Large Snail with Hard Shell]
[HP: 100% MP: 100%]
[Skills]
Armor Reinforcement (3-star)
Body Slam (2-star)
Stone Skin (2-star)
[Equipped Items]
None
'So it works like this. It's simpler than I thought.'
Of course, it's a monster. If you use it on a user, the skill and item information will pop up, making it really complicated.
'Should I try it?'
There was just the right person next to him.
However, when he activated the Dragon's Eye towards Hanzo, instead of the information window, a notification saying 'Cooldown in progress (10 minutes)' appeared.
'There's a cooldown.'
There are often items like that. Ten minutes isn't that long.
Cheonma said it was a short cooldown considering the item's fraudulent options.
"Hmph. This humble one will handle it."
While Carpe was testing the Dragon's Eye, Hanzo stepped forward.
"Haa! Hap! Hap!"
However, instead of rushing towards the monsters, Hanzo started making strange hand gestures with bizarre shouts.
After about 3 seconds, Carpe realized that the act was a 'hand seal' that often appeared in ninja comics.
"Summon Baekseol (白雪)!"
With a cute sound effect 'Pong!', white smoke rose, and a snow-white weasel appeared from within.
"How is it? This is my close friend, Baekseol."
A Wind Weasel. It's a rare Hero-grade pet, good find.
'But wait, is that really a pet that can only be summoned with those hand seals?'
No way. You can summon it normally. And for your information, the 'Pong!' sound effect is a paid custom skin, and the smoke that appears when summoned is also a custom skin.
'......At this point, I almost feel a sense of respect. If you're going to commit to a concept, you gotta go all the way like that.'
When Carpe made a genuinely impressed expression, Hanzo, mistaking it for admiration for Baekseol, said proudly,
"It won't take long."
Hanzo ran towards the giant snails, and at the same time, Baekseol's magic was activated.
"Kyaang!"
The air condensed in front of Baekseol's nose and shot towards the snails at high speed.
Air Cannon. It's a 3-star wind attribute skill.
The large snails' Armor Reinforcement and Stone Skin were both defensive skills that increased physical resistance and reduced physical damage.
Hanzo, being a second-timer, knew this and therefore chose a magical attack instead of a physical one.
Kaboom!
The air cannon exploded in the midst of the large snails, dealing area-of-effect damage.
At the same time, unable to withstand the air resistance, the snails flipped over, exposing their weak points.
The Air Cannon's status effect, 'Knockback,' was triggered.
"Hap!"
Hanzo didn't miss the opportunity.
He instantly dug between them and stabbed his dagger into their exposed insides.
Zzzt!
"Kyuruluk?!"
The giant snail stopped moving without any resistance.
It was a clean attack, the epitome of how to hunt giant snails.
"He fights well indeed."
Indeed. He made good use of magical damage and knockback.
"It was an excellent battle. Seeing the lightning energy surrounding the dagger, it seems he also has attribute countermeasures."
One user, one backing spirit, and one doll nodded their heads in evaluation, but Hanzo didn't stop.
"True Lightning Sword!"
There's no such skill in RASEE. He just arbitrarily named Enchant Lightning.
'Thanks for the kind and useless explanation.'
Before the knockback ended, Hanzo stabbed the remaining snails equally with his lightning-infused blade, and the other two snails soon turned gray.
"Phew."
"That's amazing!"
"Huhu. You flatter me. Then can I look forward to the God of War's battle after this?"
"Of course, I have to fight too... Wait, why do you keep calling me the God of War?"
"Weren't you called that in your past life?"
"Please speak in a way I can understand."
"I'm talking about Real Fantasia."
"Huh?"
Real Fantasia, the world's first virtual reality game before RASEE.
Surprised by the unexpected words, Carpe asked, slightly taken aback.
"You, you met me there?"
"That's right. Among the skilled players of Real Fantasia, there were few who didn't know you."
The God of the Arena. Shortened to God of War (鬪神).
A player who suddenly appeared in the arena and defeated all the rankers, reaching rank 2 in the shortest time.
He disappeared as suddenly as he appeared, becoming an urban legend, a master shrouded in mystery.
"I fought you twice, and lost both times. I also lost once here, so I've lost three times in total."
Huh. The nickname God of War wasn't something he made up, it actually existed?
"This is the first time I'm hearing about it..."
Since he only played in the arena without any contact with other users, he didn't know such rumors existed.
"Therefore, it's not strange for me to call you the God of War. I'll change it if it makes you uncomfortable."
"No, it's not uncomfortable, but... Hmm?"
While they were talking, new monsters appeared.
Three mermen intoxicated by magic. Excitement filled Hanzo's eyes.
'Finally, I can see his skills!'
The person in question was calm, but the name God of War was not to be taken lightly.
His beast-like reflexes, contrasting delicate control, and machine-like play were objects of awe for many rankers, something they dared not challenge.
To be able to see that again... How could he not be excited?
Hanzo widened his eyes as if he couldn't miss a single moment.
However.
"Hyang-ah."
"Kyuu!"
At Carpe's call, Mukhyang suddenly rose from the shadows.
"Hmm? A Magic Squirrel? You also have a companion."
Hanzo's voice was tinged with surprise, as if he hadn't expected Carpe to have a pet.
But that was a trivial emotion compared to what was about to happen.
"Hyang-ah. Calling Thunder."
"Kyuuuut!"
Mukhyang waved her front paws, and dark clouds formed on the cave ceiling.
Kwaaang!
A bolt of lightning struck down towards the mermen.
[Your familiar, Mukhyang, has defeated x3 Mermen Intoxicated by Magic.]
[Level up! Bonus points have been awarded.]
[Familiar 'Mukhyang's level has increased.]
[Familiar 'Tistania of Radiance's level has increased.]
"Oh?"
Is it because it's a 9-star skill? They're leveling up fast.
RASEE was a game where the experience tables for players and familiars were set differently.
Even if they hunted the same monsters, the familiar's level-up speed was overwhelmingly slower.
With an additional 150% experience... their level-up speed will be similar to or slightly slower than the player's.
'Even with 150% increase, it's only that much? That's really harsh.'
There's a reason why people say the maintenance cost of a single pet is on par with an E-class raid.
Because the level-up was so slow, things like 'pet-only experience buff potions' were almost mandatory.
The problem was that these potions were quite expensive.
Therefore, users with poor income often had to sell pet eggs they found with tears in their eyes.
Of course, this was a story that had absolutely nothing to do with Carpe.
"...God of War! What in the world is going on?!"
Hanzo shouted in a voice filled with bewilderment, no, beyond bewilderment, shock.
"Huh? What?"
"That just now!"
"Does that need an explanation?"
Carpe genuinely thought so.
He just summoned his pet and used magic, what was there to explain?
"......"
Hanzo was a second-time player.
And not just any player, he was a top-tier ranker who had reached the Top 100 among 500 million users.
Therefore, he knew what kind of pet the Magic Squirrel was, and he knew very well what kind of magic Calling Thunder was.
But in Hanzo's common sense, there was no way that combination could produce such damage!
"Kyuu! Kyuu!"
Whether Hanzo was panicking or not, the party involved was excited.
Baekseol, the snow-white weasel, a fellow kind she had encountered for the first time.
Mukhyang happily approached Baekseol, but...
"Keeek!"
Baekseol was terrified and ran far away from Mukhyang.
She was so startled that she was visibly trembling.
"Kyuu?!"
As if shocked by the sight, Mukhyang's ears, which had been perked up, drooped.
'Why are they acting like that?'
I don't know.
'Perhaps it is frightened by Hyang's high status, my lord. Considering the gap between them, it is only natural.'
"Ah."
That's right.
Mukhyang was probably the first Epic-grade pet in RASEE, if not the only one.
The abnormal magic damage and the fear of a Hero-grade pet were all due to her Epic grade.
"Kyuuu..."
"Damn."
Those drooping ears were so pitiful. It seemed like tears were welling up a little...
'Then can she never become friends with other pets?'
'No. If they see each other often, they will adapt to the energy. Besides, considering Hyang's kind nature, I'm sure that Baekseol will soon fall for Hyang's charm.'
'...Fall for her charm?'
'Hmm. But it's outrageous. My lord, please let me out. I will definitely make that one kneel before Hyang.'
'...Hyang's guardian, calm down. That's how kids usually play.'
The rest of the dungeon progression was very easy.
"Hyang-ah. Calling Thunder!"
Kwaaang!!
"Lightning Arrow!"
"Gyaaaak!"
One shot, one kill.
There were no monsters in a mere Rare-grade dungeon that could withstand the lightning magic of the Myth and Epic duo.
"This... This isn't right."
Hanzo grabbed his head. This was definitely not the picture he had wanted.
He wanted to see a skillful battle that was close to art, not this kind of overwhelming damage...
Ding
[You have acquired a Magic-Imbued Hard Carapace.]
"Oh! It came out again."
I wasn't sure where to find it, but to think it would drop here.
Unlike Hanzo, Carpe was having a happy RASEE time.
Mobs were melting, experience was plentiful, and even room upgrade materials were dropping.
By quickly clearing the dungeon, Carpe and his familiars were able to level up one more time.
This brought Carpe's level to 19.
With just one level left until the next skill pack, the end was near.
"Huh? A fork in the road?"
"We're almost there. Here, we need to go to the right."
"What's down the left path?"
"That's where the boss of this dungeon is."
"Huh? Then shouldn't we go that way?"
It was a natural question, but Hanzo shook his head.
"Our goal is to retrieve the pendant, isn't it? The pendant is at the end of the right path, so there's no need to fight the boss."
There were no particular obstacles to get there from here.
It was just a matter of walking like taking a stroll and retrieving the pendant.
As a quest designed to provide skill packs to early-game users, the difficulty was not high in the first place.
However.
"No way. It's a boss monster, we have to catch it."
If they were to attack the boss monster, the story would be different. The difficulty would skyrocket.
"...I object. The boss here is a very vicious one."
According to statistics, 98% of users who undertake the Sea Cave quest skip the boss monster.
That meant it was a monster that users avoided.
'Why? Are the rewards not good compared to its strength?'
No, it's the opposite. The rewards are better than other boss monsters.
'Then why?'
...It's a pain in the ass. Even if I started over, I wouldn't fight that boss.
It was strange.
The Cheonma that Carpe knew was not the kind of person who would avoid a boss just because it was annoying.
He was the kind of person who would jump into anything as long as it was efficient...
Let's just pass quietly this time. Ugh. Just thinking about it...
"God of War. I respect you, but I must object this time. That is not something to be dealt with."
"That makes me even more curious."
Now he wanted to go in even more out of spite.
"Hunting a boss monster requires thorough preparation. Coincidentally, both of us are backline classes, are we not?"
Hanzo was right.
Of course, both of them were skilled in close combat, but whether they could professionally manage aggro was another story.
Without a tank or knight class, the party's stability would inevitably decrease.
However, that was only the general case...
"I have a knight though?"
"What do you..."
Before Hanzo could finish speaking, Tina jumped out of Carpe's chest.
Flash!
With a brief flash of light, Tina returned to her original dignified appearance.
"This... a doll?!"
As expected of a former ranker, Hanzo recognized Tina's identity at a glance.
"A doll! God of War, have you changed your class to a Puppeteer?"
"Something like that. Anyway, this solves the problem, right? She's super strong."
"She certainly looks that way..."
Even at a glance, she seemed extraordinary.
Her noble bearing, as if the word 'knight' had been brought to life, was breathtaking.
This was 'real'.
Not a concept, but a 'real' knight!
"So enviable...!"
"Then let the boss raid begin. You don't have to follow if you don't want to. I can catch it alone. I'll go first."
"W-wait! Hey, God of War!"
Hanzo stomped his foot as he watched Carpe walk towards the left without hesitation.
But then he sighed deeply and followed behind Carpe.
"Ugh..."
Ugh, damn it. I knew it. You damn casual gamer.
"What kind of bastard is it..."
Cheonma was one thing, but it was hard to understand why Hanzo, who was a battle maniac like himself, was also shuddering.
Rustle, rustle.
"Hmm?"
"Hieek!"
As they went deeper into the left path, strange sounds started to be heard.
It was like... something crawling.
And the identity of that sound was soon revealed.
When they reached the end of the cave, a huge hollow appeared, and the boss monster was there.
"...Wow."
Aaagh! Look at that. This is why I didn't want to come!
As Cheonma said, the boss monster was a pain in the ass.
To be more specific, its appearance was horrifyingly gruesome.
A bug.
A giant 3-meter bug with countless legs.
A giant bug with a flat, hard-looking shell was crawling on the floor, sticking to it.
"...Is that the one that lives near rocks on the beach, the super fast one?"
Shut up. I closed my eyes, so don't describe it.
Cheonma, whose appearance was the only manly thing about him, trembled with his delicate sensitivity.
Rustle, rustle.
The sound of it brushing against the ground every time the giant bug moved was horrifying.
...Perhaps the word grotesque was meant for times like this.
Please, it's not too late. Let's go back...
That's when it happened.
The moment its antennae twitched and stopped.
[Boss monster 'Giant Slatter' recognizes the player!]
An enclosed space.
Even seeing a cockroach the size of a thumb would freeze a human.
Tension caused him to gulp.
'Please stay still, please,' he prayed as he stealthily moved to find something to grab.
What if the cockroach suddenly charged at him with insane speed?
And what if it was 3 meters in size?
The human reaction is obvious.
The brain shuts down and lets out a scream.
"Aaaargh!"
Carpe screamed.
Kyaaah!!!
Cheonma screamed too.
"Kyaaaaaaah!!"
A woman's terrified scream also rang out.
When everyone panicked in unison.
Kaboom!
There was one knight who took the Giant Slatter's charge head-on.
"As long as I am here, no one shall take a step closer to my lord!"
Tina's silver sword flashed, and the boss raid began.
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