[Party member 'Kim Hana' activates her Awakening trait.]
[The Divine Archer, Dongmyeong the Strong materializes.]
[The Divine Archer, Dongmyeong the Strong initiates the 'First Strike of the Army's Banner' Awakening skill.]
Drenched in a radiant blue aura, Hana's pupils took on an enchanting cerulean hue. She gracefully ascended onto the stirrup of the ethereal crossbow that materialized before her, drawing the bowstring with determined finesse. A swirling vortex of blue energy coalesced before the pristine arrow. With a release, the arrow streaked through the air, its path unerring as it bore down upon Nightmare.
The arrow, charged with potent energy, found its mark, striking Nightmare's heart with pinpoint precision, driving right through its chest. A cavernous hole erupted in Nightmare's core, supplementing the previous damage Hana had inflicted to its abdomen. The once-intimidating creature now stood battered and broken.
✦ ✦ ✦
[Nightmare sustains a critical injury.]
The astounding part was that, despite enduring such a devastating blow, Nightmare clung to life tenaciously, a testament to its formidable S-class rating. It stood resolute, preparing for its next assault.
✦ ✦ ✦
[Nightmare activates the attack skill 'Lucid Dream.']
However, before Nightmare could fully unleash its nightmarish ability, Jehee, the astute leader of our party, took preemptive action.
✦ ✦ ✦
[Party Leader 'Lee Jehee' activates the support skill 'Levitation.']
[Party Leader 'Lee Jehee' employs a hidden skill to initiate a 'Stacked Skill.']
[Party Leader 'Lee Jehee' unleashes the secret technique 'Sword Qi.']
Jehee harnessed his hidden skill to concurrently wield two abilities. Suspended in the air by the power of magic, he retrieved two swords from Nightmare and allowed his shoulders to relax. With each deliberate breath, his shoulders rose and fell rhythmically. Then, he extended his arms and swiftly sliced the swords through the air.
Dark Sword Qi, manifesting itself in the form of ethereal blades, surged forward with incredible speed towards Nightmare. The formidable force of the Sword Qi, slicing through the atmosphere, expanded in size with each passing moment.
Before long, the Sword Qi had grown to a size equivalent to that of a full-grown person. It reverberated through the surrounding air, severing Nightmare's shoulders in a single, devastating strike. In an instant, the once-mighty creature found itself devoid of both its arms.
✦ ✦ ✦
[Nightmare sustains a critical injury.]
[The critically injured Nightmare fails to activate its attack skill 'Lucid Dream.']
[Nightmare becomes incapacitated due to the critical injuries.]
...Isn't it an unwritten rule not to attack during transformations or spellcasting? Thanks to Jehee's timely skill activation, Nightmare found itself incapacitated, denied the opportunity to retaliate.
It was an audacious tactic, no doubt, but what mattered most was that Jehee was on our side. While one might critique the underhandedness of such maneuvers when employed by our adversaries, cunning tactics from our side often paved the path to victory.
Undeniably, the tide of battle had swung dramatically in our favor. Could it be possible that we were teetering on the precipice of triumph? The question flitted through my mind as these extraordinary warriors orchestrated their attacks with seamless precision, driving the formidable S-class giant monster into a defensive stance.
Just then, Sora, having confirmed Nightmare's incapacitation, concluded her prayer and rose to her feet. As her invocation subsided, the golden shield dissipated, but her resplendent armor still enshrouded her. Triumph radiated from her countenance.
"Is it finally my turn? Alright, everyone, step back. Don't risk getting caught in the fray and injured. Those without faith are subject to my judgment!"
Upon hearing Sora's resolute words, Hana swiftly grasped my shoulder and pulled me away. I staggered behind her, my gaze transfixed by the unfolding spectacle. Particularly memorable was Jehee's persistent efforts to persuade Chorok to retreat.
✦ ✦ ✦
[Party member 'Han Chorok's' Enchanter issues a command.]
[The Berserker, Warrior of Fury, rejects the command.]
[Party member 'Han Chorok's' Enchanter issues a command.]
[The Berserker, Warrior of Fury, rejects the command.]
[(……)]
[Party member 'Han Chorok's' Enchanter issues a command.]
[The Berserker, Warrior of Fury, finally complies with the command.]
Amidst a series of commands and refusals, a final command took hold, and Jehee swiftly withdrew from the frontlines.
Chorok, with a rough growl, initially seemed to resist, shaking his head side to side, but he eventually took several steps back, retreating until his back pressed against the unforgiving cave walls.
After a momentary hesitation, he obediently knelt down. His slumped shoulders and bound arms appeared to be restrained by unseen forces, eerily reminiscent of something I had witnessed at Jehee's house.
With all the party members now safely distanced from the impending spectacle, Sora retrieved her shield from the ground. Her gaze remained unflinching as she fixed her eyes upon Nightmare.
"Be bold, for I have conquered the world!"
✦ ✦ ✦
[The Divine Apostle, Heretic Inquisitor, activates the Awakening skill 'Immediate Judgment.']
With this new notification illuminating our status window, Sora surged forward, ascending into the heavens until she nearly grazed the cavern ceiling. A brilliant burst of radiance erupted from her being, the telltale sign that the 'Immediate Judgment' skill was about to unfold. Beneath the towering form of Nightmare, a colossal cross-shaped formation manifested, signaling the onset of judgment.
✦ ✦ ✦
[The Heretic Inquisitor's plea awaits judgment.]
[The verdict is delivered: 'Heretic'.]
[Immediate Judgment target confirmed: Nightmare - the Monster.]
As Nightmare was declared a heretic and marked for annihilation, countless chains erupted from the golden cross structure, ensnaring the monstrosity and compelling its head downward. In that fateful instant, Sora, shield held high, descended with blistering speed and executed a swift, decisive decapitation of Nightmare.
✦ ✦ ✦
[You have successfully defeated Nightmare.]
[As a reward, you obtain the weapon item 'Superior Staff'.]
[As a reward, you obtain the special item 'Collector's Orb'.]
[As a reward, you obtain the high-grade crafting item 'Horn of Nightmare'.]
[As a reward, you obtain the high-grade crafting item 'Heart of Nightmare'.]
[Congratulations, Hunter Yeon Seonwoo! You have successfully leveled up!]
[Congratulations, Hunter Yeon Seonwoo! You have successfully leveled up!]
[(……)]
The status messages confirming the defeat of 'Nightmare' and the subsequent notifications about the rewards began to cascade. Among them, the messages celebrating my ascent in levels were particularly noteworthy. In that triumphant moment of vanquishing Nightmare, I had surged ahead by an astonishing five levels. My level had now soared to 58, and the dungeon stood unequivocally cleared.
✦ ✦ ✦
['The Disappearance of Nightmare' marks the conclusion of the 'Time of Nightmare'.]
[Special Clear Quest Completed! Check your rewards.]
It felt almost surreal, like a dream within a dream. The fact that we had defeated an S-class monster, the extraordinary abilities exhibited by my companions, and the abrupt leap of five levels in my status sheet—everything appeared as if it belonged to a different realm.
It was hard to wrap my mind around it all. Yet, I had to accept that this was my reality, the tangible world in which I now existed. There was no room for excuses or dismissals; it was the undeniable truth.
✦ ✦ ✦
Volume 1 End