Chapter 7 Part3 (1/2)
<chapter 7.=”” three=”” way=”” -=”” 3=””>
A skeleton and a skeleton horse; both of them were heroes at that. They definitely had much to say to the other. 'What the h.e.l.l did you ask G.o.d for', or 'Were you perhaps a horse to start', etc...
However, it wasn't the best situation for them to introduce themselves. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo suppressed the urge to grab hold of and interrogate it, and he spoke simply to the Skeleton Horse, which (probably) looked at him as if it wanted something.
”Thanks for helping. Shall we talk about the rest after taking that b.a.s.t.a.r.d down?”
”Alright!”
The Skeleton Horse’s reply seemed slightly anxious, but he didn't have time to be concerned about that. Right now, the only thing Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was sure about was that the Skeleton Horse had equal strength to the Ghoul, such that it could ram into it and send it flying. There wasn't a more dependable ally than a level 4!
[Kugaaaaaah! Again, you're nothing but bones...!]
Meanwhile, the Ghoul, which had rolled onto the ground from the Skeleton Horse's kick, realized the ident.i.ty of its attacker, and seemed to become extremely angry.
However, the moment its temper flared, and it tried to upright its body, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo used his Catapult; his index finger flew and burrowed deep into the Ghoul's forearm. Right as the Ghoul opened its eyes wide, the finger exploded!
”Go now, attack!”
[Kahak...!]
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo aimed for the moment the Ghoul rolled onto the floor again, and activated his Combat Sprint, quickly advancing towards it. Through his Self-Destruct, about half of its forearm was severed, and he followed up by striking its other half with his Bone of Thunder Lasting.
It was a Power Slash backed by Bursting Thunder! It looked akin to a blue streak of lightning.
[Critical Hit!]
[Kuaaaaaaahk!]
No matter how far apart their levels, the Ghoul wouldn't come out unscathed after receiving a Catapult, Self-Destruct, and the following Power Slash. As soon as its tough and st.u.r.dy forearm rolled onto the floor, it screamed awfully.
”Eeek, Die!”
The Skeleton Horse rushed over, and kicked it once again. It didn't seem like it had used a skill, but since it had rushed over frighteningly quickly, despite the short distance, its attack power was considerable. Just...
'Why is it so clumsy?'
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had consumed countless skeleton and monster bones, leveled up, and gained their combat abilities, so from his point of view, the Skeleton Horse moved crudely, even when considering the difference in species. Moreover, after its preemptive attack, it looked distressed as the Acid Ghoul's blood splattered, which was mixed with Acid Poison; he definitely looked like a newbie.
'Wait, high leveled heroes could be newbies. Moreover, since there's no way that it used to be a horse, it may be natural that it hasn't gotten used to its body yet.'
He decided he would calmly talk this over after the battle's conclusion. In any case, toppling the Acid Ghoul was his top priority. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo yelled at the Skeleton Horse, which was going for another attack even while suffering from the Ghoul's Acid Poison.
”Stay back for now, unless you have a skill or equipment that repels Acid Poison!”
”But...”
”I'm not telling you to run away. When I ask you, attack him then!”
”...Got it!”
Fortunately, the Skeleton Horse meekly obeyed Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and retreated. He wouldn't have an answer if someone unskilled decided to be stubborn, but it seemed like he had avoided the worst case scenario.
[You ridiculous b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, I'll crush you into powder!]
Right then, the Ghoul stood up. It gripped its severed arm with its other hand and dangerously swung it. Whenever it swung it, a thicker Acid Poison spread out. It was mixed with the blazing flames on its entire body, so it gave off a smoky smell.
[You have been intensively exposed to the Acid Ghoul's strengthened Acid Poison. Though Low Rank Acid Resistance is lessening the damage, it seems like it is not very effective!]
”Ugh... Yeah, I'll cut off your other arm for you soon.”
[A mere feeble skeleton...!]
Even while saying that, the Ghoul seemed to regard Lee s.h.i.+n Woo as a much more dangerous opponent than his exterior appearance might suggest, and moved warily.
To the point that he felt as though its combat experience when it was alive was immense, especially because it swung its arm as a weapon, and stayed a reasonable distance away.
[Heh...]
However, thinking like that was a miscalculation. It aimed for that split second where Lee s.h.i.+n Woo couldn't move hastily, and shoved the arm in its hand into its gigantic mouth.
[Kuaaaaaah!]
”You crazy...”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, who realized at that moment that the Ghoul's mana had increased explosively, regretted that he hadn't already severed its other arm. Then again, he obviously couldn't afford to, nor did he have the time to do so before.
”You dirty b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
[I'm a Ghoul, you stupid skeleton!]
Just because it ate its arm didn't mean that another arm would grow in its place.
However, the moment it swallowed its own arm, the skin which had been blazing with the Flames of Revenge, immediately returned to its normal state, and not only that, his other remaining arm swelled fatly. It naturally felt as though the Ghoul's strength had increased a level.
”You a.s.shole, you're not even a boss, yet you're starting the second phase...!”
[Die!]
After it finished consuming its arm, the Ghoul charged at Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. It was astonis.h.i.+ngly fast, so much so that it was incomparable to before!
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo didn't act with reckless bravado, and immediately activated his Combat Sprint. However, when he thought he'd gotten far enough away, the Ghoul's arm strangely lengthened and smashed him!
”Urgh!”
[Kyahahak!]
This is where it seized the momentum. It pursued Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, who was rolling on the floor, and attacked him again.
[Die! Break!]
”Tch, keuhut...!”
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo trusted his intuition and rolled onto the floor, avoiding the Ghoul's arm, which it swung like a whip; though whenever its arm crashed into the ground, the wildly spurting Acid Poison was indirectly melting his body.
[Low Rank Acid Resistance has become Lv3.]
The fact that his Low Rank Acid Resistance, which had risen to low rank just a little while ago, was leveling up, proved just how extreme his environment was.
However, the situation wasn't great, so he couldn't be happy about the skill leveling up. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo regenerated his body while out of breath, and grit his teeth. Maintaining his Flames of Revenge was continuously taxing his mana, and now, he didn't really have much mana to spare.
'Should I call the Skeleton Horse now? No, he'll just get even more hurt. ...Then.'
It was time to use the method he had been saving to turn the situation around. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo mentally braced himself again and kicked off the floor, using his Combat Sprint. He leaped up into the air as the Acid Ghoul's arm came flying towards him! He activated Harden, applying it to both of his arms, and held tightly onto the arm.
[Heut!]
The Acid Ghoul seemed to think that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had given up his life, as it sported a wicked smile, and pulled him towards it.
Despite him activating his Harden skill, his arms started to gradually melt, but he didn't have any intention of using Regeneration. He calmly waited for the moment he got close. The moment the Ghoul was sure of its victory was the best time for a comeback! Good, in exchange for a life, he'll grab hold of victory...
”Ei... Eit!”
'This timing again!?'
However, when Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had resolved himself, someone else interfered. To be exact, a javelin quickly cut through the air, and pierced the Acid Ghoul's arm.
[Kuaaaaaahk!]
The effect was amazing! The spear burrowed deep into the Ghoul's arm, and when the Acid Ghoul contracted its arm, it was tormented by a horrific pain, due to the deep tear wound.
It was really impressive, especially when the sharp mana at the tip of the spear impacted the ghoul, and spread everywhere.
”Huhp!”
[Kuhwak!]
While Lee s.h.i.+n Woo stood in awe, another javelin holding mana flew and burrowed into the Ghoul's arm. It was a speed and accuracy that gave him gooseb.u.mps! When he figured out who had thrown the javelins, he laughed forcefully.
'Ye Jin Jin?'
It was none other than Ye Jin Jin. He thought she had run off on her own since he hadn't seen her, but she hadn't.
”Hoo, hoo...”