Chapter 50
The result drawn from the meeting was extremely simple.
Advance, proceeding straight to clearing the gate without wasting time in unnecessary places.
Of course, Kim Hye-young, who was somewhat cautious, and Lee Dong-ju, who was injured, opposed, but it didn't matter much.
This was because their opinions weren't important from the beginning.
Lee Seong-jun just disliked troublesome things.
As they were rookies from the 5 major guilds, if they died during the gate progression, it was clear that troublesome things would happen.
Therefore, the reason for holding the meeting was to instill vigilance in everyone to prevent accidents like before.
Naturally, the effect of this was considerable.
As everyone became quite tense, despite surprise attacks from dark elves during the clearing process, except for Lee Dong-ju who was injured first, not a single person suffered any significant wounds.
'It didn't make sense from the beginning.'
Although there were some with specific conditions, this was a party composed of rookies who could demonstrate S-rank combat ability if they exerted their full power.
No matter how powerful the dark elves were among the B+ elite monsters, it was normal to hunt them without much difficulty.
Of course, the clearing progressed smoothly, and thanks to this, 30 minutes after starting the gate clearing again, the group was able to face a door engraved with a curved silver crescent moon pattern.
"This is..."
The hunters, who were already showing cautious looks, audibly gulped.
"It seems to be inside."
"No doubt about it."
It wasn't just the four people ahead who felt the tension.
Lee Seong-jun's eyes narrowed.
'Boss monster.'
The energy flowing from inside was literally overwhelming.
It was a being so strong that it made all the monsters they had faced so far seem ridiculous.
It seemed like he could feel considerable thrill in clearing the gate, which he had thought would just be boring.
'This will be interesting.'
Just as a curve was being drawn on Lee Seong-jun's lips:
Kuung-!
With the sound of mechanical devices turning, the tightly closed door opens wide.
At the same time, the torches densely hung on the walls all blaze up at once, illuminating the interior.
Although it didn't directly convey words, it was enough to understand its meaning.
"It seems to be inviting us in."
"What should we do?"
Kim Hye-young threw out the question, but in fact, she already knew the answer herself.
It's a gate that needs to be cleared anyway.
Moreover, they have sufficient strength in this situation.
There was no reason to retreat.
Therefore, Lee Seong-jun steps forward without hesitation.
Following him, the other hunters move their feet.
Knowing that the appearing monster is a dark elf with stealthy movements, they were full of caution.
They walk carefully, looking around.
"This place is...?"
"It's like a royal palace."
It couldn't be denied.
Huge pillars were lined up on both sides, and at the edge of their vision, a silver chair presumed to be a high throne was placed.
It was while they were taking steps, checking the surrounding terrain.
Bang-!
With a loud noise, the open door closes.
Although it was a sudden situation, they didn't make a fuss or raise their voices.
This was because they had learned that unnecessary commotion creates gaps.
It was the moment when the hunters were about to take another step, nodding their heads:
Thud, thud.
From behind a pillar about 10 meters away, a single figure slowly walks out, blocking the path.
A curve is drawn on Lee Seong-jun's lips.
Just from the aura he felt, he could tell that this creature was the boss monster of this gate.
'Better than expected.'
Although it was wearing black armor all over its body, it didn't give the slightest impression of being dull.
Rather, it looked quite agile.
Moreover, instead of handling a sword and shield like ordinary knights, it was holding weapons similar to daggers in both hands.
It could be considered somewhat unusual attire, but above all, what caught Lee Seong-jun's eye was something else.
[Knight Commander, Eliorus.]
The name was floating above the monster's head.
Kim Hye-young bites her lower lip hard.
"A named monster... This is the worst."
Named, literally monsters with their own names.
Of course, she didn't use the expression "worst" just because it had a name.
There was no precedent for monsters below A+ grade having names.
This meant that Eliorus before their eyes was at least an A+ grade or higher boss monster.
Considering the characteristics of Green Gates where monsters below S grade appear, it meant that the most powerful individual among the boss monsters that could appear had shown up.
Naturally, Jung Yun-ho's expression hardens.
"This won't be easy."
Eliorus alone was already a headache-inducing situation.
But it wasn't just one Eliorus that revealed itself.
Thud-
Behind Eliorus, from inside the stretched-out pillars, up to 20 dark elves reveal themselves.
Not only were there many of them, but the weapons in their hands were also varied.
As it was impossible to know where and what kind of attack would come from, it was inevitably quite difficult to deal with.
"Damn it..."
As Lee Dong-ju was frowning and cursing, Eliorus stretches its hand forward.
At that moment.
Tak-!
The dark elves' bodies move all at once, and attacks including bows, daggers, and swords fly from all directions.
"I'll guard you, prepare your casting!"
At Jung Yun-ho's urgent words, Kim Hye-young, coming to her senses, immediately strikes her staff on the ground and concentrates.
As they were all on high alert, there was no panic.
They immediately respond.
However, that didn't mean it was a good situation.
Rather, as Kim Hye-young said earlier, the situation itself could be considered the worst.
"..."
The enemies in front of them now weren't just ordinary dark elves.
Eliorus, with cold pupils shining inside its black helmet, takes a step.
Whoosh-!
With the sound of wind, Eliorus's figure in their vision shoots forward.
The target was clear.
The most threatening existence to the dark elves right now!
The mage preparing to cast, Kim Hye-young.
"...!"
Lee Seong-jun and Song Seung-jun immediately move their feet, blocking Eliorus's path.
But at that moment, Eliorus's figure bends sharply.
It withdrew its attack aimed at Kim Hye-young due to the solid defense.
However, that doesn't mean it didn't inflict any damage on the party.
Thud-!
Red blood bursts from Lee Dong-ju's mouth as his heart is pierced in an instant.
"Sa-save me..."
Thump-!
Standing over Lee Dong-ju's sprawled body, Eliorus shows a sardonic smile and makes a throat-slitting gesture towards the hunters.
"..."
As their relationship could be considered not good, Lee Dong-ju's death wasn't sad.
However, the fact that there was a casualty itself was unpleasant.
It meant that troublesome things had been created after all.
Just as Lee Seong-jun's expression was hardening naturally:
"Everyone, get out of the way!"
At last, Kim Hye-young finished her casting.
A huge red flame descends upon the heads of the dark elf group.
Kwagwang-!
It was the power of the Wave of Fire, an S+ rank skill and one of Kim Hye-young's representative abilities.
Eliorus, who immediately avoided the area, wasn't greatly damaged, but more than half of the dark elves suffered severe injuries.
Thanks to this, a path towards Eliorus opened up.
At that moment, Lee Seong-jun and Song Seung-jun, their eyes shining, rush towards Eliorus as if they had been waiting for this.
Tak-!
Jung Yun-ho, with an urgent expression, tried to quickly take a step, but it didn't go as planned.
Whoosh-!
The uninjured dark elves had already regrouped and blocked the way.
"Damn it!"
He couldn't participate in the battle with Eliorus, the boss monster, which could be considered the biggest contribution.
'I even got a dagger coated with Arachne's poison!'
He couldn't even use it properly now.
Jung Yun-ho's face contorts as irritation rises to the top of his head.
But if he ignored the dark elves blocking the front and passed through, dozens of arrows and weapons would be stuck in his back.
It meant he couldn't ignore the dark elves in front and head towards the boss monster, Eliorus.
'...I'll deal with the dark elves first.'
Jung Yun-ho, readjusting his posture, immediately prepared for the fight with the dark elves.
* * *
Crack-!
Lee Seong-jun's fist strikes Eliorus's shoulder, causing the black armor to cave in.
Eliorus, with cold eyes, immediately tries to thrust the dagger in its opposite hand.
But it doesn't go as planned.
Song Seung-jun's sword, which had already found a gap, blocked the path of the dagger.
Clang-!
Feeling threatened, Eliorus tried to hastily withdraw its body, but even this wasn't easy.
The moment it tried to create distance, Lee Seong-jun was already blocking its retreat path as if he had anticipated it.
"..."
At the moment Eliorus desperately glances around for another escape route, Lee Seong-jun's fist once again strikes the armor.
Bang-!
Due to the repeated situation and continuous attacks, the black armor that once boasted its majesty has now become a form that could be called rags without exaggeration.
At a glance, it could be said that the battle had already tilted.
In fact, even Song Seung-jun, who was continuing the fight, had a relaxed smile on his lips.
However, Lee Seong-jun's eyes were still narrowed.
'This is strange.'
In a fight with no visible chance of winning, even monsters would feel fear or terror.
But now, Eliorus's eyes were emitting an even colder aura than ever before.
'...This isn't the end.'
The energy of Eliorus felt from outside initially wasn't just this much.
'There must be hidden power.'
It was when Lee Seong-jun's brow was furrowing:
Woowoong-!
Black energy starts to flow out of Eliorus's body like an explosion.
"...!"
Just as Lee Seong-jun hastily creates a protective barrier by surrounding his entire body with blood energy:
Kwagwang-!
A huge explosion erupts, creating a small crater in the area.
At the same time, Song Seung-jun, who had been continuously swinging his sword, is pushed back and slams into a nearby pillar.
"Kuhub-!"
For the first time, a groan escapes from Song Seung-jun's mouth due to the dizzying impact shaking his insides.
'To make such an unbelievable mistake...!'
The raid had progressed too smoothly due to Lee Seong-jun's unexpectedly excellent skills.
In normal circumstances, this would have been considered fortunate.
However, the raid gate they were currently clearing was an arena of competition for the 5 major guilds.
This meant that Lee Seong-jun, fighting alongside him, wasn't simply a comrade but a competitor.
Therefore, to gain higher contribution points, he had no choice but to scheme to behead Eliorus with a single stroke.
And naturally, such greed tends to create gaps.
'...If I had been cautious as usual, I could have easily prepared for this attack.'
In fact, Lee Seong-jun, who suffered the same attack from a similar distance, was standing still in his place.
It was a situation that considerably hurt his pride, but now wasn't the time to be swayed by personal emotions.
'The boss monster is still alive.'
This meant the attack wasn't over.
Considering the previous explosion, the following attack would likely be extremely dangerous as well.
'Where is it?'
Song Seung-jun desperately rolls his eyes.
But as if the enormous power that exploded earlier was a lie, nothing happened.
Or more accurately, nothing could be seen.
The boss monster, Eliorus itself, had disappeared.
'What...?'
It was when a question was blooming in Song Seung-jun's mind.
Clang-! Clang-!
Every time Lee Seong-jun's hands and feet, surrounded by red energy, move, sparks fly and collision sounds are heard.
"What's this?"
But Eliorus's figure still isn't visible to his eyes.
Then there's only one hypothesis left.
'Stealth!'
It's not just a simple ability to make the body invisible.
Not only appearance but also sound and smell, things that could be called presence, are erased in an instant.
It could be said to be one of the most troublesome special abilities that boss monsters can have.
And of all things, this ability was being used by Eliorus, a named boss monster among the agile dark elves.
Naturally, Song Seung-jun's brow furrows.
'...This really is the worst.'