"Mr. Taewon Song!"
I spoke while waving to Noah, and he lifted me up to take me where Taewon Song and others were.
"About your looting skill."
I spoke while observing the giant's condition, and Seokwon Choi opposed Riette without rushing things, probably due to what happened to his arm. Thorns waved in a threatening manner from the dragon's body.
"You can apply it to weapons, right? Can you do that when another person is holding a large spear?"
Soyoung Kang possessed a large spear as she had that Dragon Rider skill. While she had not used it because she had no beast to ride, I had heard her complain that an expensive A class weapon was rotting in her inventory.
"That would penetrate that armor if your skill is applied."
"That's not possible."
Taewon Song spoke firmly.
"My skill is effective on the weapon I apply it on. Since all stats of the weapon will decrease, it will break before piercing that armor. I use mid-class weapons because of that and consider durability rather than its performance."
He said that the weapons broke after a few times anyway. So, that skill was a double-edged sword and a reason for why Taewon Song used his fists rather than a weapon. If the skill worked both ways, even an S class spear may not last against that SS class armor, as the weapon would be burdened by the thrust. Then, where do I get a weapon more durable than an S class even when the looting skill is applied…?
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Yoohyun frowned as he saw me remove my bracelet.
"You shouldn't do that."
"I can be afloat with Mr. Noah. That giant does not have wings."
"But…"
"I'll get to safety quickly. Hello."
-Peep.
A bluebird appeared.
"You can be used as a simple weapon if excepting the damage nullifying skill, right?"
-Peep.
The bluebird sang in an answer. If others could not even hold it, the bracelet would not have been stolen from me. But I had several times.
"Change into the largest charging spear you can manage."
The bluebird went into the jewel, and the bracelet changed into something taller than me. I put it down on the ground because I could not manage the weight. A little bit later, a large spear that seemed at least three meters appeared. It was intricately carved in waves and translucent with clear blue light. While it seemed like a decorative spear that would break with a hit.
"It has an L class durability."
"…Yes?"
"It was said to be unbreakable, but that monster is only an SS class."
I spoke with certainty, as the bluebird would be one of the most durable in existence and would remain an S class even with that looting skill.
"Yoohyun, can you distract that giant? Don't strain yourself."
"It won't be a problem at that speed."
"Be careful since he seems to be getting faster."
The giant was an SS class, and while there were cases where S class monsters were slower than mid-class hunters due to focusing on protection, Seokwon Choi was the base for that monster. While it wore thick armor, it would not be slow since it was shaped like a human.
Yoohyun jumped in the air, and Irin whirled on his arm and changed to flames that swallowed up the blue willow leaves. Thousands of flame petals fluttered in the air.
'That was possible…'
I had never seen that sight when he used the black flames, and the petals flew to block the giant's sight. While the petals dissipated when touching the armor, the snow was a different matter, as the snowflakes evaporated when touching the petals.
The giant swung his arms, but it was impossible to block all of the leaves. Irin then jumped down and melted into the ground to burst out in fire at the giant's feet. The ground melted, and his heavy legs went down.
'Yerim could solidify that.'
Yoohyun was doing a good job and was using Irin well like it was ingrained in his body. I did not need to worry about that then and shouted to the black dragon.
"Riette, Ms. Soyoung!"
Riette jumped back and came to us at my call, and Soyoung Kang waved as she bent her head. Since Riette was quite big, Soyoung Kang was sitting on some sort of saddle on Riette's head instead of her back. It seemed durable as roped were tied on the thorns and was in the right position to charge with a spear.
"Attack with this spear."
"This? Won't it break?"
-It looks like it's going to shatter with a hit.
"It won't. While it does not have other abilities, it has an L class durability. Mr. Taewon Song will apply his skill on this spear. You saw the armor weaken."
"I did. It really has an L class durability?"
"Nothing else, though."
Since other weapons were durable, this spear was not useful except in special situations like this. Why use a weapon that only does not break when others increased your stats and had effective skills?
Taewon Song took the spear and jumped on Riette's head. Soyoung Kang handled it like it was a fishing rod and put it forth. She fixed the handle of the spear between the dragon's thorns. Taewon Song also took his position, and black shadows spread on the blue spear from where his hand touched it.
"Mr. Noah, you didn't use stat rental yet, right? Please do so for Ms. Soyung Kang. Cast as many supporting skills as possible."
-Right!
Noah returned to human form except for his wings.
"Since you don't have that bracelet, it will be safer like this."
He carried me in the air, as riding a dragon solo will probably deeply injure me. Velare raised her head as she had been with Noah.
-Shh.
"I'm sorry you have to go through this."
I had planned only a light walk.
"I'm ready!"
Soyoung Kang shouted, and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. She had an S class stat and had Noah's strength added, so she would feel charged now, especially with Riette. The black dragon also growled in joy and gathered strength in her four legs.
The giant was still distracted by Yoohyun and was the perfect target. Black shadows swirled at the end of the spear as the dragon's legs stomped. The muscles slowly trembled under the scales, and the dragon charged like an arrow and rushed to the giant.
Yoohyun let the flames die out, and I saw Soyoung Kang clench her teeth. The moment the spear touched the giant, Taewon Song increased the spear's weight.
With a giant crashing noise, the world seemed to shake like multiple explosions had occurred. The end of the spear knocked against the giant's chest, and as the armor crushed, it ripped apart from the looting skill's effect. The blue spear went through the armor, and a large hole appeared as the giant's body was cut in half.
The aftermath crushed the buildings in its path.
"Mr. Noah, your healing skills!"
The recoil would be massive, and both of Soyoung Kang's arms had been broken. Riette's thorn had been crushed, and Taewon Song's hand was a pulp. Since Soyoung Kang could not even take out a potion, Noah flew to her and used his healing skills.
The giant's body broke down, and Soyoung Kang let out a bright smile.
"That was amazing! I could die like this after fifty years!"
…Fifty years? It may be short for an A class hunter, but…
-Sweetie. You have no greed.
She had announced that she would have all the dragons that existed. The bracelet turned to a spear again as I landed on Riette's head. I took out a mana potion as I wore the bracelet again to drink. I felt worn out and turned off my teacher's skill. Too many S classes, including Soyoung Kang in her present state.
I wanted to go home and lie down. Where was Hyunjae Sung? He was completely late, and I should message him to go back.
'How can I get Yoohyun's memories back?'
I wish they returned on their own and turned my head to look at him when a loud sound rang in my years. I flew in the air and did not understand what was going on even when I sank to the ground. I forced myself to raise my head and smelled blood everywhere. I saw someone standing afar where the giant had fallen. I used my skill to see who it was.
[Awakened: Seokwon Choi (A member of the Vacant Sea
Current Stat Class: SSS
Class Capacity A~S]
I could not believe what I was seeing, and his stat class had increased from when he had been a giant. I saw the fear resistant message window in front of me and felt like the smell of blood clawed at my brains. Since I did not see any other messages, I was safe for now.
"…Seokwon Choi!"
I shouted as I raised my body, and he also looked at me. I clenched my teeth while I looked around. The first thing I saw was the fallen black dragon, and she was deeply bleeding from a shoulder. She had not lost consciousness, but Riette only glared and showed her teeth that showed she could not get up. I also saw Soyoung Kang, who was lying on the ground, unconscious. Taewon Song had barely managed to raise his upper body, and I saw blood.
Noah was lying down amidst the ruins, and his golden wings lay limp. While he did not move, since the last grace had not been activated, he would be alive.
"You would have not gotten that kind of power without a price."
I moved towards Seokwon Choi, and he was wearing armor similar to the giant. His skin, where I could see it, was pale like a corpse. His hair was murky blue like the fog, and I could see that his eyes were not human.
"Tell me what you gave up."
I took a deep breath and looked sideways to see my brother. He was conscious and was watching us with a pale face. I saw blood having spread nearby. While I grew cold inside, he was still all right. I smiled at Seokwon Choi again.
"It must be something big, and I can help."
"You can?"
Seokwon Choi finally opened his mouth, and his voice was dry and rough.
"How can you?"
"I know that jellyfish you made the contract with since we tend to meet now and then. Since you're not your normal self, will you become a monster? Or is that your last flame before going out?"
Seokwon Choi sneered at my words.
"First, it was half of my remaining life. Now, I have a day left. The first was a trap."
"Come on, normal people will just be laughed at when they shout that they want to become powerful in exchange for their lives."
It would never happen for an F class. I spoke as I watched Seokwon Choi's scowl.
"Do you want me to tell you how you can live?"
He moved and grabbed my collar to drag me towards him.
"Hey!"
I heard Yoohyun's rough voice. Please remain still.
"Elixers and curse removal will be useless. That woman has the rest of my life span."
"Then, it will be easier. That jellyfish wants me."
I tapped his hand to sign that he should let me go.
"Much more than you're wanted, so negotiate using me."
Beg for your life.