Vol 1 Chapter 29

The path wasn't particularly rough, but as they entered deep into the forest where the cave was said to be, the sunlight gradually became obscured and the surroundings darkened, turning gloomy. Even the birds had stopped singing.

"That's the entrance to the cave over there. It looks like a natural cave, but it's different once you go inside. There will probably be some people gathered in front of it too."

True to his words, as they approached the cave entrance, they saw a few users huddled together, maintaining their equipment.

"Let's prepare too. We'll enter soon. Thief Alsina-nim, who can detect traps, will judge the path, the swordsmen will stand at the front and back, and we'll protect the priest and mage as we go."

It was a basic formation, but the most appropriate for this number of people. Seeing how naturally he attempted this, it seemed that the party leader Coolt was more skilled than expected. Soon, after seeing that all party members had taken out their weapons and were ready, they began to enter the cave. A cold chill hit them as soon as they entered.

This cave consisted of three underground floors, with mostly undead appearing and a boss monster called the Lord Skeleton of Wraiths appearing on the 3rd floor, so parties that just wanted to enjoy hunting usually only went up to the 2nd floor. However, since this party's goal was the boss on the 3rd floor, there was nothing to hold them back.

"Ugh... Uuuuu..."

"They're here! Zombies!"

"That's nothing... Hyah!"

Four or five zombies came stumbling out from inside with an indescribable gloomy sound, but they were soon cut down and fell with just a few sword strikes from party leader Coolt and Ashul, the swordsman aiming to be a mercenary, who were at the front. Zombies were troublesome monsters that would soon get up again unless thoroughly dismembered and their body fluids would stick to swords, but they were incredibly weak against weapons blessed by Rona, the priest. It seemed safe to say that this party wouldn't be slowed down unless about 10 or so monsters came out in a group. They all had quite decent skills.

Kapros followed the group from the very back along with Yu-wan, who was in charge of the rear. There seemed to be quite a bit of conversation going on at the front, but the two of them still didn't say a word. Even if Yu-wan had spoken to him, Kapros would have ignored him, but judging by his attitude, it seemed the feeling was mutual. As they were walking through the corridor on the 2nd floor like this, suddenly skeletons and zombies began to appear, squirming at the front. This time, the numbers were a bit larger.

"This time it's a horde!"

"Ashul-nim, let's go!"

"Yes!"

Immediately, the swordsmen rushed forward from the front, and Alsina, the thief, threw daggers from behind.

"God, bestow your merciful light upon these brave warriors. Holy Breath!"

The priest quickly began to cast blessings on them as well. White light shattered brightly, and while the undead hesitated at that subtle energy, Coolt and Ashul, who had rushed in, swung their swords. Feeling the different atmosphere from before, Kapros thought he should step in too, when someone grabbed his shoulder. He turned around in surprise to see Yu-wan's face.

"...They're coming from behind too."

True to his words, skeletal skeletons and disgusting zombies emitting a rotten smell were indeed squirming and gathering from behind. Kapros immediately imagined a Fireball. He could easily use 1st circle magic with just activation words now.

"I'll throw a big one, then handle the rest yourself."

After quickly spitting this out, he changed the image of the fist-sized Fireball he had imagined in his mind to about twice the size of a human head.

"Groooo-- Uuuuu..."

It seemed like it would work if he threw it right in the middle there. In an instant, the range setting quickly passed through his mind. He clenched his fist and then extended it forward, signaling the attack.

"Fireball!"

Bang! Bang!

"Kaaah...!"

As he cast two in succession and spewed them out, the Fireballs that hit among the clustered monsters exploded, dragging the surroundings in as sacrifices all at once. This result was possible because the Fireballs he was handling had already surpassed the power of simple 1st circle magic.

Yu-wan seemed a bit surprised at the sight, but he immediately rushed in at high speed before the monsters could regain their senses. Good footwork. While thinking this, Kapros saw him slice off a zombie's head and cut through the bones of the skeletons behind it. Even without using any special skills, his speed in dealing with the monsters was fast. Each of his movements was precise and powerful. Kapros noted that they all followed the basics of swordsmanship.

Horizontal slash, vertical slash, diagonal slash, turn and strike down, upward slash, chopping strike, and occasionally a clean kick. All the basic, textbook-like attacks for each type were coming out. Not only that, but his technique of reading the enemy's breathing and exploiting openings was uncanny. Even when several monsters rushed at him at once, he would pause briefly, and when he moved again, he would always clean them up in just one or two breaths.

Thinking he was getting a good show after a long time, Kapros sent a small spinning Fireball flying at a skeleton attempting to ambush Yu-wan from behind. Since confirming that a fiercely spinning Fireball had more than double the power of a regular Fireball of the same size, he had been using spinning Fireballs for most of his Fireball attacks.

With a thunderous sound and bones flying, Yu-wan finished off the zombies in front of him and turned around. Judging by the look in his eyes, he seemed to know that Kapros had dealt with the one rushing from behind, but he didn't seem to have any intention of thanking him. Kapros hadn't expected that either, so he silently turned around to see that the front group was also finishing up their cleanup.

With four people over there, including two swordsmen, and yet they were slower than this side...

In Kapros's opinion, even though Yu-wan didn't seem to be showing his full skills yet, there was a huge difference in ability compared to the others. Thinking that he was not someone to be taken lightly, Kapros glanced back to find Yu-wan looking at him as well, their eyes meeting.

"Magic..."

"What did you say?"

"You two over there! Have you already taken care of everything?"

Kapros thought he heard him mutter something and asked quietly, but a shout came from the front saying they had finished and should move on, and Yu-wan turned his head away nonchalantly first. Feeling a bit suspicious, Kapros silently followed behind Yu-wan as he walked ahead.