Chapter 68: Special Dungeon—4

"Got you!"

Perhaps it was because it was a named monster.

Even while being skewered, the attacker was desperately struggling to pull the spear out of its body.

Of course, Hyeon-jun wasn't about to let that happen.

To prevent it from pulling the spear free, he grabbed the shaft and twisted it with all his might.

He also channeled even more mana into it.

Keeeek!

Only then did the creature let out a single, sharp scream and collapsed in a heap.

The black blood that gushed from its body soaked the sandy ground.

[You have defeated the attacker.]

[You have acquired 250 Gold.]

The hologram floated before his eyes.

Hyeon-jun finally withdrew his spear.

'This thing was pretty strong for a level 5. Are all named monsters like this?'

It felt like fighting a boss monster.

If he hadn't used Fighting Spirit, it would have taken him much longer.

Still, the stronger the attacker, the greater the reward.

The experience and gold he gained were far more than what he'd get from monsters of the same level.

'40%. I can definitely feel it.'

It was a short time, but he could clearly sense it.

When he thrust the spear, when he moved, and when he channeled mana, everything felt stronger than usual.

And not just that.

As expected, there was no recoil on his body.

Usually, enhancement skills or traits like this come with a corresponding cost, but this one didn't.

It was a moment that made him truly appreciate just how good the Fighting Spirit trait was.

'Hmm… did I finish it too quickly?'

When he turned his gaze, the two platoon leaders were still engaged in combat with their attackers.

They were fighting, but they were also frequently glancing at their platoon members.

They were preparing for any unexpected situations.

'But it'll be over soon.'

As time passed, they were clearly gaining the upper hand. It probably wouldn't take more than five minutes.

Hyeon-jun decided to wait in place until further orders.

---

"Huh?"

"What was that just now?"

Meanwhile.

The eyes of the platoon members watching the battle from the defensive point widened.

Their gazes were fixed on Hyeon-jun, all because of the change that had appeared around his body.

"Sergeant Hyeon-jun's body… it looked like a black light was shimmering around him… Was I just seeing things?"

"No. I saw it clearly too. It felt completely different from mana…."

After that change appeared, the named monster was taken down in a single strike.

While the other two platoon leaders were still fighting, the Sergeant had defeated his target first.

Just what had happened?

As everyone was wondering, one soldier spoke up.

It was Corporal Park Ye-rin.

"It wasn't mana… it felt more like an aura was enveloping him… That's Fighting Spirit."

She also wore a surprised expression.

And for good reason.

The Fighting Spirit trait was something only top-tier Hunters possessed.

'I'm sure of it. That's the feeling I got when Dad used Fighting Spirit. The visible color is different, but….'

If asked how she recognized it, it was because her father also possessed that trait.

"Fighting Spirit? There's a trait like that?"

"I think I've heard of it. Wasn't it promoted as a trait held by Hunters from major guilds?"

"Sergeant Hyeon-jun has that too? Crazy… how?"

While they were whispering among themselves, the platoon leaders and Hyeon-jun, having finished their battles, returned to the defensive point.

Lieutenant Yu Chae-min and Lieutenant Kim Dong-woo had dark blood stains all over their bodies.

All of it was the attackers' blood.

Signs of a fierce battle.

In contrast, Hyeon-jun's combat uniform was relatively clean.

Even though he had been dragged around by the attacker, he had essentially defeated it in one strike.

"We have plenty of time until the next monster wave, so everyone can prepare for sleep. I'll announce the watch rotation later."

Even the platoon leaders were surprised by Hyeon-jun's skill, but they didn't show it outwardly.

The dungeon raid wasn't over yet.

---

Only after dealing with the third monster wave and the named monster did they finally get some free time.

Military tents were packed tightly near the angel statue.

The soldiers fell asleep almost as soon as they were given time to rest.

Having maintained tension all day inside the dungeon, it was only natural they were tired.

'Finally, I can catch my breath a little.'

Currently, Hyeon-jun was on watch duty.

There were over twelve hours left until the next monster wave, but this was inside a dungeon.

You never knew what variables might arise, so vigilance was essential.

'So that's how they noticed the Fighting Spirit trait.'

Until just a moment ago, the soldiers had been asking about the Fighting Spirit trait, to the point of being bothersome.

He hadn't told anyone about it, so he wondered how they noticed… Apparently, it shows outwardly.

Maybe he was just too focused on the battle at the time.

He had to brush it off as an accidental manifestation, which was quite a hassle.

'Still, day one's harvest is pretty good.'

The early appearance of a named monster was unexpected, but thanks to that, he managed to gain a lot of experience and gold.

If things continue like this, he might even be able to aim for a level-up.

He already felt like his experience bar was approaching 70%.

"Hyeon-jun. Aren't you tired?"

A quiet atmosphere.

About ten minutes into his watch, Corporal Park Ye-rin, who had approached without him noticing, spoke to him.

She said she couldn't sleep, so she came over.

"You took down a named monster all by yourself. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. You need to sleep a little to have energy for tomorrow too. Go back inside and sleep."

Hyeon-jun wasn't particularly worried about his stamina.

Thanks to his once-a-day stamina recovery skill, the Spearman's Willpower.

He could handle even more battles than he'd had today.

'She doesn't seem particularly tired either. And she used the most magic, I think.'

The magic soldiers from the Black Magic unit had performed exceptionally well on the first day of the special dungeon raid.

Especially Corporal Park Ye-rin, who cast wide-area ice magic several times.

Even if the level and grade were low, freezing dozens of monsters at once is a difficult task.

She did it as if it were nothing.

And yet, she didn't drink any mana potions separately.

That probably meant she had plenty to spare.

"Trying to force myself to sleep is harder than just talking to you. It's more comforting."

He couldn't exactly force her to go back if she said that.

He was feeling a bit bored anyway, so Hyeon-jun talked with her for a while.

The conversation wasn't anything special.

Most of it was just everyday talk.

Corporal Park Ye-rin stayed by Hyeon-jun's side for about twenty minutes before returning to her tent.

"I want to eat a proper meal, not combat rations. I'm already sick of them."

"Yeah. I feel the same."

The two of them strongly agreed about the food.

---

The second day of the special dungeon raid passed, and now it was the third day.

Currently, the soldiers were facing the final monster wave.

"Wow… I'm not sure if this is how humans are supposed to live."

"This feels several times tougher than guerrilla training… I'm dying."

"I've been forcing down combat rations. Now even eating is a struggle."

"If I drink one more recovery potion, I think I'll really throw up. Ugh…"

Although the platoon members had successfully defended against up to the sixth monster wave without major issues, their stamina was now severely depleted.

It was because the monsters that appeared were getting progressively stronger.

Several times, the defensive lines they had set up were almost breached, but fortunately, such a disaster never occurred.

Thanks to a few soldiers who displayed outstanding skills.

"If Sergeant Hyeon-jun and Corporal Park Ye-rin hadn't been here, we would have been breached at least three times."

"Hey. Why are you leaving out the shield soldiers? They held the line well too."

Private Yoo Dong-ha, who was also Hyeon-jun's direct junior, used his Gigantification trait whenever the defensive line was about to be breached.

Yoo Dong-ha, whose size had multiplied several times, also saw his overall specs increase, and he powerfully pushed back hordes of monsters with his shield.

Corporal Park Ye-rin froze and eliminated monsters from a distance as a first line of defense.

Among the magic soldiers, she took down the highest number.

Hyeon-jun busily moved around the entire area, supporting the defensive line.

It was incredible how much reassurance a single soldier could provide.

"But we got tons of experience, right? Cheers to that."

"I'll admit that. I leveled up here and am now level 4."

"I heard some guys are secretly jealous they couldn't get into the special dungeon raid team."

Having fought many monsters, the soldiers had also accumulated a lot of experience.

So much so that soldiers leveling up during this dungeon raid were becoming common.

It was tough, but the gains were substantial.

"Alright. Everyone has done well so far. We just have to hold out one more time, so let's give it our all until the very end."

"When we get back, you'll get combat leave, so don't hold back, pour on the strength!"

The two platoon leaders also moved around the defensive point, encouraging the soldiers.

In truth, their real role was to protect the angel statue if the defensive line formed by the soldiers was breached.

They never had to step forward themselves.

Partly because the soldiers maintained their formation well, but also because of Hyeon-jun.

He miraculously reinforced the soldiers' formations whenever they were about to collapse.

The principle was to hold one's own position, but an exception was made for Hyeon-jun.

The skill and results he had accumulated up to now proved it.

"Lieutenant Kim Dong-woo. Shouldn't Sergeant Hyeon-jun be wearing lieutenant bars?"

"Haha. Hyeon-jun has been doing very well lately."

He seemed to like that style quite a bit, to the point that Lieutenant Yu Chae-min, from a different unit, jokingly brought it up.

'Delicious.'

Meanwhile.

Hyeon-jun wore a satisfied expression.

It was because he had gained the most experience during this dungeon raid.

It was only natural, as he had been busily moving between the four defensive points since the first day of the raid.

'But even hunting this diligently, it's still not enough to reach level 6.'

It made him realize anew just how difficult it was to level up even once from level 5.

He had hunted hundreds of monsters so far, even a named monster, and yet his experience bar was only around 90%.

If he were clearing regular dungeons as part of his usual routine….

He'd probably have to smash over ten C-rank dungeons by himself to make similar progress.

'Still, this pace isn't bad.'

If he defends against the final wave, he might be able to reach level 6.

If he achieves level 6 through this dungeon raid….

'That would be a new record.'

There wouldn't be a single Sergeant in the entire Hunter Army who had reached level 6.

You could find Sergeants at level 5 if you looked hard enough, but they weren't that common.

Because ordinary Hunters start hitting a wall from level 4.

'Since it's the last one, come out in big numbers. Let me level up cleanly and leave.'

He waited with that expectation for a moment.

Ding.

As the monster wave commenced, a hologram appeared before the soldiers,

"What is this?"

"...What's going on?"

Everyone couldn't help but be bewildered.

And for good reason.

The monster horde that was supposed to appear was nowhere to be seen.

[You have perfectly defended the angel statue.]

[A special condition has been met, halting the final monster wave.]

[The monster wave has been replaced by the angel statue.]

[If you defeat the angel statue, you can obtain a great reward.]

On top of that, a message they had never seen before appeared.

"Defeat the angel statue? What does this mean…."

Even the platoon leaders were taken aback.

They had experience clearing special dungeons a few times, but this phenomenon was something they were witnessing for the first time.

Thud thud thud.

Almost as soon as the message appeared, the angel statue began to vibrate.

Crack. Crack.

Furthermore, cracks slowly began to form on the statue's body.

The cracks spread like ink, covering the entire statue.

"Everyone, get down from here!"

"The platoon leaders will keep watch, so descend in an orderly manner by platoon, slowly!"

"Yes, sir!"

The platoon leaders' response was swift.

They quickly had the soldiers descend below.

"There's still time, so take it slow! If you fall, it'll be a disaster!"

The soldiers began to descend the stairs in an orderly line.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Yu Chae-min and Lieutenant Kim Dong-woo kept their eyes fixed on the angel statue.

They were on guard, not knowing what kind of monster would emerge.

'This… is an opportunity.'

In this unexpected situation, Hyeon-jun's eyes gleamed.

Checking the message, it seemed like a monster stronger than the monster waves would appear.

But the important part was that defeating the angel statue would yield a great reward.

"Lieutenant!"

Hyeon-jun made eye contact with Lieutenant Kim Dong-woo.

"...If it gets dangerous, don't worry about us and retreat immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

Permission was granted without difficulty.

Hyeon-jun took up a position near the platoon leaders.

Of course, even if it was dangerous, he had no intention of leaving the platoon leaders behind and running away.