Chapter 26
This time, Lee Yu-han also bravely stepped forward.
Small and agile movements.
He desperately swung his dagger while avoiding the monsters' attacks.
One of the monsters targeted Lee Yu-han again.
At the same time.
【Skill Activated: Heart Wall】
【Designated Protection Target: Lee Yu-han】
Boom!
A solid shield automatically appeared.
The shield completely blocked the monster's attack.
Lee Yu-han, whose life had just been saved, asked in surprise.
"What is this now? You're not a tank, so how can you use something like this too...?"
I smiled again and answered.
"I know, right? I didn't know it was such a useful skill either."
Hearing that, Lee Yu-han let out a deep breath.
"You really are incredible people."
I quietly nodded.
"Now, it's our turn. Are you ready?"
"O, of course!"
The three of us rushed forward at the same time.
Kang Jae-min's fierce attacks, Lee Yu-han's quick and persistent movements,
and my defense and support.
The monsters began falling one after another in an instant.
"We got them all!"
The remains of the monsters disappeared while giving off a faint light.
Sticky bodily fluids and broken pieces of bone were scattered across the floor.
"Haa... Haa...."
Lee Yu-han collapsed to the ground while breathing heavily.
There were clear claw wounds on his arm from the monsters.
But perhaps because he had achieved something, his expression looked quite bright.
Kang Jae-min carefully moved his injured arm and checked its condition.
"Hmm... My arm is a little... uncomfortable...."
It was not a serious injury, but it seemed difficult for him to fight at full strength for a while.
"But that barrier from earlier was amazing. I've never seen anything like it even among C-rank tank skills."
"Exactly. It activated right when we needed it. But... can you keep fighting? Are you really okay?"
"Yes. It feels a little uncomfortable, but I think I'll be fine."
"All right. I'll support you as much as I can."
Kim Gi-jeong and Jung Yong-bin.
The powers they had left behind were protecting him,
and protecting all of them.
'I won't let the feelings you two left behind go to waste.'
Hong Man-gi looked down at the 'Bloodline Sword' in his hand.
Then he adjusted his grip on the sword and smiled at Lee Yu-han.
"Don't push yourself too hard, Mr. Lee Yu-han."
Even as he said that,
'Things are definitely different now.'
Hong Man-gi smiled confidently.
A short rest followed.
The three silently checked their own conditions.
Kang Jae-min took out a dagger instead of his knuckles and seemed to be getting used to its feel, while Lee Yu-han moved his bandaged arm a few times.
Hong Man-gi quietly closed his eyes and tried to sense the energy coming from the next area.
He could clearly feel it.
It was much stronger and fiercer than before.
"Whew, let's get moving."
And so, they headed toward the next area.
"Something feels strange here."
Lee Yu-han whispered in a low voice.
Kang Jae-min adjusted his grip on his dagger and said,
"I think this is the boss area. Everyone, be careful."
"B, boss? Already?"
That was when it happened.
[Rumbleeeee!]
The enormous rock in the center began to shake.
With cracking sounds, fractures began spreading across its surface, and pieces of rock fell to the ground.
Crack!
The rock shattered as if it had exploded.
[Booooom!]
A gigantic figure burst out from inside it.
"W, what is that?!"
"What the hell?"
It was a gigantic monkey covered from head to toe in pitch black fur.
Bulging muscles, sharp claws, and above all, three tails twisting behind its back.
It looked completely different from an ordinary monkey, and in the center of its face was a single enormous red eye that gleamed ominously.
"W, what is that thing...?"
Lee Yu-han muttered with a trembling voice, and Kang Jae-min answered.
"B, Big Monkey."
"Big Monkey?"
"It's a boss-class monster. Even I've only heard stories about it...."
The pressure coming from the creature could not even be compared to the low-rank monsters they had fought before.
[Kraaaaaaaaagh!]
The Big Monkey roared.
"Ugh!"
Kang Jae-min staggered, while Lee Yu-han covered his ears and dropped to the ground.
Even Hong Man-gi lost his balance for a moment.
'Get a hold of yourself! I can't lose focus here....'
Hong Man-gi barely managed to steady himself and checked on the other two.
[Grrrk....]
The Big Monkey's gaze landed directly on Lee Yu-han.
It instinctively wanted to eliminate the weakest one first.
Then,
[Swoosh!]
The creature closed the distance in an instant.
Its speed did not match its enormous body.
Its fist came crashing down toward Lee Yu-han's head.
"No!"
Lee Yu-han seemed unable to even think about dodging and tightly shut his eyes.
At that moment, an image flashed through his mind.
Hong Man-gi creating a barrier for him and blocking an attack in his place.
'I can do it too! Let's try!'
Lee Yu-han moved on instinct.
Then he threw his old dagger at the creature.
[Crack!]
As expected, it was useless.
Lee Yu-han was struck by the counterattack.
"Guh!"
Lee Yu-han took the attack head-on, spat out blood, and collapsed.
"Mr. Lee Yu-han!!! Are you okay?!"
Kang Jae-min charged toward the Big Monkey's side.
But the Big Monkey did not even move.
Instead, with lightning-fast speed, it grabbed Kang Jae-min's wrist.
"What the hell is this...?!"
The Big Monkey gripped Kang Jae-min's arm as if it were trying to tear it off.
"Aaaagh!"
Kang Jae-min screamed and rolled across the floor.
His right arm was bent at an unnatural angle, as if it had been completely dislocated.
The Big Monkey raised its fist again toward the fallen Kang Jae-min.
Just as it was about to deliver the finishing blow,
"No!!"
This time, it was Lee Yu-han.
He struggled to his feet and stood in front of Kang Jae-min.
[Bang!]
The Big Monkey's fist slammed into Lee Yu-han's back.
With the sound of bones breaking, Lee Yu-han's body crashed forward.
