Suddenly, Creatures of nightmare converged upon us from every compass point, their grotesque forms forming a living wall. Though these fiends lacked individual potency, their sheer multitude transformed our situation into a lethal conundrum. The wisdom behind Kim Hyunsung's prior misgivings about our inadequate numbers was suddenly crystal clear, especially now that Jinho had joined us.
In the face of this onslaught, the strength of Kim Hyunsung and Park Deokgu paled, for even their combined might was insufficient to stave off this relentless horde. The very countenances of Jung Jinho's group darkened as they grasped the gravity of our predicament. Inexplicably, only Jung Jinho appeared undaunted.
'I shall survive this.'
Survival alone became paramount. Confining my magical prowess for later use appeared prudent. I gripped my spear, incantations poised on my lips.
"Deokgu."
"Understood."
The vanguard was composed of Park Deokgu, Kim Hyunsung, and Jung Jinho. Park Deokgu took the central position, a living bulwark against the encroaching chaos. Our disjointed coalition began to coalesce in the face of our shared peril.
Though trepidation about potential betrayal tugged at me, Jinho's company realized the folly of attacking us amidst this maelstrom. Kim Hyunsung's cohort reached the same conclusion.
At this moment, survival eclipsed all thought. Weapons gripped tightly, we readied ourselves for the monsters' charge.
The impact reverberated.
"Scree-e-e-e-ech!"
"These abominations!"
Facing multiples at once was commonplace. Park Deokgu's stalwart shield deflected attacks and maintained the breach.
Precision was inconsequential; the monsters besieged from all angles. I felt the unpleasant tactile feedback of my spear colliding with flesh. I could only hope that Park Deokgu and Kim Hyunsung wouldn't succumb to exhaustion.
"Stand close! Rally!"
" Stand firm! The unknown awaits if we falter."
"Then forge ahead!"
"Scree-e-e-e-ech!"
A relentless tide of monsters overwhelmed us. We seemed destined to be crushed against an unyielding iron gate. Park Deokgu's shield carved space, offering a respite, while Kim Hyunsung and Jung Jinho repelled the assaulting creatures with their weapons.
'They're formidable.'
Unquestionably.
Jung Jin-ho, wielding his small shield and sword, frequently cast concerned glances toward us—toward Jung Hayan and me. Kim Hyunsung displayed a matching unease.
They worried for our safety.
'No need for concern, young ones.'
"Argh!"
"Argh!"
Jung Jinho's comrades fought valiantly, though precision suffered at such close quarters.
Teeth clenched, we thwarted the monsters' attempts to reach our throats. Blood sprayed our faces and weapons, mixing with the gruesome litter of internal organs, rendering the ground perilously slick.
The cacophony of raucous roars and fear-laden screams merged into a discordant symphony.
"Hey!"
Impact accompanied the exclamation.
Each swing of Deokgu's shield felled a monster.
"This pig's a force to reckon with!"
His potential might have been unexceptional, but Park Deokgu's tenacity proved impressive. His stamina, characteristic of a person in their 30s, was inexplicably unparalleled.
Certain attacks seemed to dissipate against his solid frame.
'I underestimated him.'
I'd appraised him solely on natural talent, failing to acknowledge his true capability.
Ironically, Park Deokgu seemed more imposing than Jung Jinho or Kim Hyunsung. His hulking form emitted an undeniable presence.
Devoid of magical prowess, he relied on sheer strength, gauging when to advance or retreat.
Despite the relentless assault, his visage betrayed no strain. Amid countless attacks, his expression remained steadfast.
'Is he human?'
I mused unknowingly.
Of course, fear coursed through Park Deokgu's veins. He was as terrified as on our initial hunt together.
Yet, he stood his ground. He didn't seek refuge behind me, as he'd done during our first encounter with the monsters outside. He didn't falter in pushing forward or maintaining formation. This mindset diverged from his brawny exterior.
While speculative, it seemed Park Deokgu's concern centered on safeguarding Jung Hayan's and my well-being.
"Stay upright, Hyung-nim! Stay strong."
"I'm right behind you, pig. Stay focused."
"You must endure."
"Agreed!"
His unwavering care was palpable through his incessant queries about my well-being.
'Young pig...'
Somewhat disconcerting was the monsters' disproportionately intense fixation on attacking Park Deokgu.
Though he'd escaped major wounds, he bore a tapestry of cuts.
Given what lay beyond this battle, this was less than ideal.
Just then, Hayan invoked a spell.
"Wind bomb."
The explosion echoed her words.
The gust flung some monsters to the ground and others to the ceiling, though its impact was modest.
'Preserve strength...'
Hayan and I decided to conserve magical resources. Despite her superior magical acumen, an endless well of magic eluded us.
Our endurance mustn't wane before Jung Jinho's company faltered. Conservation was essential as we defended ourselves.
As I pondered, a smile crept upon my lips, surveying the battlefield.
'Sly, aren't we?'
Perhaps this was deliberate.
What heartened me was that Hayan's magic struck the monsters already engaging Park Deokgu and Kim Hyunsung.
Ergo, Jung Jinho's group, defending the unshielded left side, endured the brunt of the monster's onslaught. These comrades exerted themselves to their limit while guarding against the creatures.
Observing their struggle stirred sympathy.
In contrast, Hayan's magic had appreciably diminished the number of assailants converging on us. This fleeting respite allowed us to catch our breath.
'Well done, Hayan.'
Doubts about my capabilities sometimes gnawed, convincing me that Hayan's intelligence exceeded appearances.
Shielded beneath Hayan's magic, Park Deokgu and Kim Hyunsung exhibited no inclination to redirect their attention leftward.
"We must hold firm!"
However, sustaining this configuration proved untenable as a new wave surged from the left.
"Let us aid them, Deokgu-ssi."
"Impossible. I owe you my life, Hayan-ssi."
At this juncture, Jung Jinho found himself the busiest. Though he wielded magic, he concealed his Battle Mage abilities from his comrades.
Ultimately, the anguished cries of Jung Jinho's comrades echoed in our ears, their resonance oddly discordant against the chaos. They battled with a frenzied determination, yet an observant eye might notice subtle inconsistencies in their movements, a disjointed rhythm beneath the facade.
Within this maelstrom, a surge of determination coursed through us—a unity fostered by the realization that survival rested on collective effort. A shared glance between Kim Hyunsung, Park Deokgu, and myself conveyed unspoken solidarity. We were intertwined in this struggle.
The battlefield seemed to pulse, the rhythm of combat ebbing and flowing like a heartbeat. The monsters advanced relentlessly, driven by a primal hunger. But we pushed back with unwavering resolve, a bulwark against their onslaught.
Jung Hayan's magic, though controlled, emanated power. Her incantations whispered through the fray, manifesting as bursts of wind and light. The creatures that dared to approach were met with forceful counterattacks, sent reeling in confusion.
Jung Jinho, his leadership a facade of stoicism, wielded his sword with calculated precision. Every swing carved a deliberate path, a dance of strategy and restraint. It was evident he held back, masking the true depth of his magical prowess. Yet, even his calculated strikes held a significant impact.
Time flowed in a blur, a paradox of drawn-out moments and fleeting instances. Exhaustion gnawed at our limbs, but determination burned hotter. We would not falter; the resolve within us had ignited a fierce determination.
Park Deokgu's shield absorbed the onslaught, each impact a testament to his unyielding spirit. Kim Hyunsung's movements were fluid and lethal, his weapon an extension of his being. My spear and spells wove a dance of offense and defense, a symphony of magic and steel.
The monsters faltered, their numbers thinning against our unwavering resilience. Their enraged screeches morphed into cries of desperation. Our cohesion was impenetrable, our will unbreakable.
Then, as if in answer to our resolve, the sky ruptured in blinding light. It was as if the heavens themselves responded to our call. The monsters hesitated, their advance momentarily arrested.
Jung Hayan's magic surged forth, a tempest of energy and wind. The monsters were thrown into disarray, and their ranks shattered. In the aftermath of this arcane storm, Jung Jinho's voice cut through the chaos.
"Press on!"
With renewed vigor, we surged forward, seizing the moment. The creatures, weakened and disoriented, couldn't withstand our united assault. We struck relentlessly until the last foe lay vanquished.
Amid the echoes of battle, a hushed quiet settled, punctuated only by our ragged breaths. Standing amidst the aftermath of our hard-fought victory, we surveyed the scene. The monsters that had once appeared insurmountable now lay defeated.
In a final shared glance, Jung Jinho's eyes met mine, a mutual understanding of the tribulations we had overcome. Yet, beneath the surface, doubt lingered—doubt not just about the monsters we had conquered, but about the inconsistencies we had observed within our ranks.
"By the heavens!" exclaimed a voice, brimming with disbelief.