Chapter 179 (1/2)
Act 2
At a casual glance, the spear looked rather ordinary. But, compared to the two Su-hyeun threw earlier, it looked different.
Where the previous two had cracks akin to the lines on a turtle’s shell running in their shafts, so that they could split apart and fall like raindrops, this one was smooth and straight like a line.
<< Was I mistaken? >>
Chernov wondered if he should blame his over sensitivity on not getting a good enough look. He soon took his gaze away from Su-hyeun’s spear and issued another command to the raiding party, “From now on, all of you will get to the distance of at least three kilometers away from that stone monkey thing! Hurry up!”
“Excuse me?”
“You want us to run away?”
“Stop making noise and be quick about it! Explanations later.”
The raiding party hesitated slightly at the Russian S-Rank’s order, but soon began distancing themselves. And, like that, the only two people remaining in the spot were Su-hyeun and Chernov, all alone.
Su-hyeun observed the Roc-key in the distance looking back at the two humans with its stony eyes.
Chernov gulped nervously.
<< That thing must’ve spotted us by now, so why…. >>
It had already been several minutes since the giant Roc-key had discovered the humans’ presence. Yet the monster was quietly, patiently waiting. That sight sent an even bigger wave of chills down the Russian’s back.
<< That monster is different from the others. >>
The majority of monsters were uncontrollably aggressive. They always attacked as soon as they spotted humans, and, at times, even attacked their fellow monsters as well.
A calm monster like that? He couldn’t even imagine it.
The air it gave off wasn’t that of a monster, but maybe the god of all apes.
Gulp-
Chernov gulped back his dry saliva at the sense of presence the Roc-key gave off, which felt much larger than what his eyes were seeing.
“There’s no need to get nervous like that. I’d like you to focus on hitting it properly just one time please,” said Su-hyeun as he stepped forward while carrying a sword in one hand while the spear in the other. “I’ll take care of the rest afterward.”
“…Understood.”
Chernov sucked in his breath and pulled out his bow. He nocked three arrows. As magical energies of differing attributes permeated the individual arrows, he narrowed his eyes to slits.
Then, he slowly took aim. Those three arrows were basically all he had done during this raid.
<< Patience. >>
The tautly-stretched bow was now pointed in the Roc-key’s direction.
Step-
Meanwhile, Su-hyeun left Chernov behind and walked over to the giant stone monkey.
The Roc-key’s gaze lowered to the ground. The figure of the stone monster as it stared at the approaching Su-hyeun looked slow and dull-witted to match its huge physique.
But…
“Hey, you piece of rock.”
Su-hyeun was well aware of the thing’s true nature.
“Hurry up and come at me already.”
Keu-geuk, creeeak-
When Su-hyeun beckoned at it with his finger, the Roc-key slowly began rising up. Its bent knees and back straightened. The stone monster stood fully upright to reveal its full height, well over ten meters.
And then…
Gu-uh-uhhhhhk-!
BOOM-!
With a roar, the Roc-key leaped up high into the air.
Swooooosh-
KWA-BOOOOM-!
The jumping Roc-key landed back on the ground. It was thinking of using the momentum from its fall to crush Su-hyeun with its two hard feet in one go.
Unfortunately, it was all in vain.
Pahk, pa-pahk-
Swiiiish-
Su-hyeun easily dodged the attack and he leaped up several times in a row.
His movements with the ‘Leap’ skill were truly agile. But the Roc-key was just as agile as he was.
Thud-
Swiiiing-
The Roc-key climbed up using the surrounding trees and its tail viciously whipped toward Su-hyeun.
CRACK-!
He swung his sword powerfully while twisting his back. The sword and the stone monster’s tail clashed loudly. The appendage and the weapon bounced away in opposite directions.
A crimson light exploded out from the Roc-key’s eyes as it let out yet another roar.
Gu-uh-uhhhhhk-!
Boom, bang-
Crack-!
Su-hyeun followed suit and stood on the tree’s branch and, soon afterward, a flurry of attacks and defenses unfolded. The punches of the Roc-key shattered the giant trees like pieces of toothpicks, while the ground was deeply gouged out.
Su-hyeun’s ability to defend against such heavy punches with just his sword was indeed remarkable, but Chernov was feeling even more spooked after seeing what the Roc-key could do.
<< That… is the boss of a blue-colored dungeon? >>
To think that such a big physique could be so agile in its movements, too.
Not only that, the monster even climbed and darted around these humongous trees and engaged in an aerial dog fight, too. If such a monster managed to dig in among the raiding party, then even if the awakeners maintained a defensive formation, a dozen-plus would’ve lost their lives in one breath.
<< It’s not easy to aim at all. >>
Cold sweat trickled down Chernov as he aimed the sharp arrow tips at the Roc-key.
What would happen if this one shot missed, and the Roc-key turned its attention on him, instead? Just imagining it sent chills down his back. Moreover, if he made a mistake and the arrows ended up flying toward Su-hyeun, that would be even worse.
<< No. I will hit my target. I must. >>
Chernov’s arrows now pointed above the tall trees, where there was nothing but air. His view widened and he took in everything in his surroundings. And then, the moment he let go of the tautly-stretched string…
Paaaang-
Whoooosh-!
Three arrows powerfully pierced the air and flew forward.
Stab, staaab-!
Giii-aaaahk-!
The Roc-key jumped in the way at the perfect moment—two arrows pierced the monster’s legs, while the last one stabbed the thick branch the creature stepped on.
After arrows struck both of its legs, the Roc-key momentarily lost its balance, before it spun its head towards the Russian S-Rank.
Shudder-
Chernov met the Roc-key’s crimson glare and felt another round of chills run down his spine.
But, in that brief window of opportunity….
Pah-shuk, shu-shushushu-
Su-hyeun rose above the Roc-key’s head and got into a position to throw the spear.
“Now this is perfect.”
His back bent greatly, and magical energy began gathering at the end of the spear.