Chapter 21
"Honestly, I was a little worried."
The man carrying a huge tower shield on his back scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he spoke.
His name was Jeong Woojin, a C-rank warrior who would be responsible for defense during this raid.
"Normally, you'd want at least five people before entering a place like this. So when I heard someone who had only just reached C-rank would be taking the front line..."
"Were you nervous?"
At Chaeho's calm question, Jeong Woojin gave a bitter smile.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. Being down even one person is already a big disadvantage. And if our front line collapses, a three-man party could be wiped out right there."
He looked Chaeho over before continuing.
"Still, now that I've met you in person, I strangely feel more at ease. Your eyes alone don't look like those of a rookie."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Chaeho gave a small nod.
The woman beside them, who had been checking her bow, joined the conversation.
She was Han Seoyun, a C-rank archer.
"We've got fewer people, but that also means the payout per person is almost twice as high. Since all of us came here because we want the money, we'd better make sure we pull our own weight."
She glanced at Chaeho with interest.
"Your name has been causing quite a stir on the message boards, Lee Chaeho Hunter. I've been looking forward to seeing what you're like in actual combat."
"It's nothing impressive enough to call a reputation. I was just lucky."
"Oh, come on. No need to be so modest."
As they exchanged light greetings, all three naturally turned toward the massive Gate rippling before them.
Damp air leaked from beyond its surface, where dark blue mana churned like a whirlpool.
The dungeon they had chosen this time was a swamp-type cave dungeon located on the outskirts of the metropolitan area.
Because of the muddy ground that swallowed people's feet and the fog that blocked visibility in every direction, large parties had difficulty maintaining formation here and usually avoided the place.
On the other hand, that made it an extremely efficient hunting ground for a small, elite party that could coordinate well.
"Then we'll stick to the formation we planned."
Jeong Woojin adjusted the heavy shield on his back.
"Lee Chaeho Hunter will take the lead and clear the path. I'll stay in the center and block attacks coming from outside our field of vision. Seoyun will provide support fire from the rear."
Chaeho lightly gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist and stepped forward.
"Let's go in."
With Chaeho taking the first step, the three of them entered the rippling Gate without hesitation.
His vision briefly went dark.
When it returned, a foul stench rushed straight into his nose.
It was a mixture of stagnant, rotting water and the fishy smell of damp moss.
Chaeho slowly inhaled as he examined his surroundings.
Strange stone pillars rose here and there from the sticky mud, disrupting his vision.
Thick drops of water continuously fell from the ceiling.
It really is difficult terrain for maintaining a formation.
He tested the thickness of the mud with the tip of his foot and drew his sword.
The cold sound of steel quietly cut through the humid cave.
Not long ago, Chaeho had been nothing more than a porter who followed other Hunters around and picked up mana stones.
The tension of standing at the front, where the survival of the entire party could be decided, had always been someone else's responsibility.
But now things were different.
He was the one who had to stare into the darkness first.
He was the one who had to receive the enemy's killing intent first.
That heavy responsibility only sharpened Chaeho's senses further.
He suddenly lowered his stance.
"Twenty meters ahead. Multiple enemies approaching."
Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, the sound of feet splashing through mud rapidly approached from beyond the thick fog.
Shhhrrriek!
Along with the bizarre cry of reptiles, enormous lizards the size of humans emerged through the fog.
They were monsters covered from head to toe in greenish-brown scales, each carrying a long spear.
A group of Lizardmen—the monsters commonly encountered in the early sections of a C-rank dungeon.
"Five of them! They're coming!"
Jeong Woojin shouted as he brought his shield forward.
The Lizardmen kicked off the ground and lunged toward Chaeho, thrusting their sharpened spearheads at him.
Their speed and strength were on a completely different level from ordinary D-rank monsters.
The force behind their attacks was heavy enough to send someone flying if they tried to meet them head-on.
But Chaeho didn't retreat.
He narrowed his eyes and followed the trajectories of the spears cutting through the air.
First one, shoulder.
Second one, thigh.
Just before the attacks reached him, Chaeho smoothly tilted his upper body to one side.
The first spear cut through the air, barely brushing past his shoulder.
At the same time, the tip of his foot slid across the mud as he twisted his center of gravity.
The second spear passed harmlessly beside his thigh.
The Lizardman had leaned too far forward.
Its exposed throat appeared before him.
Chaeho's sword drew a simple arc from below.
Slash!
With a sickening tearing sound, the tough scales split open.
Dark red blood sprayed into the air like a fountain.
The Lizardman collapsed into the mud without even managing to scream.
"Huh..."
Watching from behind, Jeong Woojin unconsciously let out a short gasp.
Chaeho didn't look anything like a Hunter who had only just been promoted.
Even when facing a C-rank monster, he showed no panic and made no attempt to overpower it through brute strength.
He simply redirected the attack as naturally as flowing water and struck through the opening.
His skill was no different from that of a veteran who had wielded a sword for years.
"Woojin, left!"
Chaeho's urgent voice snapped Jeong Woojin back to reality.
Two Lizardmen had circled around Chaeho and were bringing their spears down toward Woojin.
BOOM!
A rough metallic impact rang out.
Woojin's feet sank deeply into the mud.
However, as expected of a C-rank shield warrior, he stood his ground without moving an inch.
The instant the enemy weapons bounced off his shield—
Ping! Ping!
Two arrows flew in from the rear.
They buried themselves perfectly between the Lizardmen's brows and into one of their throats.
It was Han Seoyun's support fire.
