Chapter 14 - Chapter 14

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: Dragon Palace Boss

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Krraaack!

With a deafening roar that tore at her ears, the electric ray unleashed a barrage of lightning downward. Shadows filled with crackling bolts turned into blinding white currents, like strikes of thunder.

If she had been even a second slower in dodging, she would've been fried on the spot—knocked out at best, but more likely dead. The earlier attack had churned up the sand, sending it floating in the water, which hid the other two from view.

"Kim Hee-young Hunter! Min A-seop Hunter!"

"We're fine! A-seop's got a minor leg injury, but he's self-healing right now!"

Hope it's nothing serious.

Raising her head toward the electric ray again, she saw its massive maw gaping hungrily. As an A-rank monster, it wasn't your average fodder—probably the mid-boss.

Bang!

She drew its attention toward her, luring it away from Kim Hee-young Hunter and Min A-seop Hunter.

Thud, thud.

The electric ray summoned lightning over its own shadow and charged at her with terrifying speed.

Now she could see its pattern: it released electricity every 10 seconds. With a fixed interval, her window to strike was right after it unleashed its blast.

Crackle.

The moment its shadow loomed over her, she rolled aside—just as the lightning crashed down.

Now!

Boom!

She pulled the trigger the instant it fired, while it was momentarily drained. The entire sea shuddered, and the electric ray's body burst apart in a spray of foam and vanished.

Splat, splat.

Chunks that looked like byproducts rained down onto the seafloor.

"Shin Ji-ui Hunter, you okay?!"

With the brief fight over, Kim Hee-young Hunter and Min A-seop Hunter rushed over from their hiding spot.

"Yeah, I'm good! What about Min A-seop Hunter?"

"I'm fine too. Sorry about that..."

"No need to apologize."

Min A-seop Hunter's pant leg was torn at the hem, revealing a slightly swollen ankle. Even with healing skills, it seemed effectiveness varied by rank.

Kim Hee-young Hunter glanced at where the electric ray had been and muttered softly.

"Never heard about a mid-boss like that..."

"Don't dungeon monsters change up sometimes?"

"Yeah, but... adding a new boss is pretty rare."

Kim Hee-young Hunter pulled out her phone from her inventory and jotted notes furiously. Peeking over, Shin Ji-ui saw: 'Hongcheon B-Rank Myth Dungeon, Dragon Palace, Mid-Boss: Electric Ray.' Below it, dense lists of similar dungeon intel.

Part of her professional diligence, huh.

Tearing her gaze from Kim Hee-young Hunter, she turned to Min A-seop Hunter.

"How's the ankle?"

"Huh? Oh, it's fine. Hospital later."

He answered with surprising grit.

But that limp was worrying.

"Overheard earlier—you study pretty hard, huh?"

"Huh? Nah, just... you know."

Aw, he's embarrassed.

"I was the opposite—hated studying. Korean and math? Total disasters."

"Really? Those are my favorites."

She kept the chat going, sharing her own study woes.

Earlier she'd seemed prickly, but maybe just shy.

Before long, they reached the Dragon Palace entrance. Far grander up close, its golden dragon coiled up marble pillars, blue tiles blooming with delicate ink flowers.

Scanning inside with her Authority, nothing unusual. No hidden monsters...

Squelch, squelch.

Plush carpets muffled their steps, but sand footprints marked their path.

"Ah, there's the gate!"

Min A-seop Hunter pointed to a massive throne fit for a historical drama, with a grand gate behind it. Kim Hee-young Hunter nodded at him, and he hustled behind a pillar.

"Got any defense skills? Mine only work on me."

"No dedicated defense skills, but..."

Visualizing a sturdy shield, she squeezed the trigger. Pfsh! A huge, gleaming white shield popped out—like something from medieval times, radiating brilliant light.

Went for max toughness. Nice result.

"Whoa, amazing!"

Grinning sheepishly at Min A-seop Hunter's praise, she handed it over. He ducked behind it, flashing a satisfied smile. His grin made him look like any kid his age.

"If you take a critical hit, come to A-seop. Won't fully heal, but enough to move."

"Got it!"

Striding to the gate with Kim Hee-young Hunter, she took a deep breath and touched it.

Rumble...

The ground shook, and they scattered behind pillars to scout. A tiny turtle waddled onto the throne armrest, slid onto the seat, and flailed upside down. Suddenly, a massive water jet blasted it.

Groooar.

Through the spray emerged a huge foot, then a lumpy head, moss-crusted shell. Exhaling, it puffed white steam; cracked, drought-like skin twitched with each breath.

Dropping her Authority, she peeked out. The Turtle God's red eyes locked onto her.

Thud!!

Surprisingly agile legs for a turtle. It smashed her spot, cratering the floor. She dodged, then held Ego's trigger long.

Hummm.

The voice wave pierced it; the Turtle God stomped and thrashed, smashing a pillar and collapsing the second-floor railing.

She'd gone light to gauge it, but it powered through.

Time to crank it up.

'Cha— opportunity.'

'Connection's crap.'

Ego kept talking, but noise garbled it.

"Watch for mist around the Turtle God—it reflects attacks!"

"Got it!"

Acknowledging Kim Hee-young Hunter's warning, she aimed Ego again.

'A-seop, opportunity...!'

'Huh, what?'

Crackle.

While she bantered with Ego, Kim Hee-young Hunter dashed at the Turtle God. Same attribute dulled damage, and her daggers lacked raw power, but her storm of strikes pinned its leg.

'Give Min A-seop Hunter a shot?'

Humm, humm, humm.

Didn't see attack skills on him. How?

Whoosh.

Then its massive foot swung at Kim Hee-young Hunter.

Couldn't let that happen...

Bang!

A small round hit its foot dead-on, halting it.

Groan, grrrk.

It endured, groaning, but its shell swelled and popped.

Tiny round, big effect.

"Mist!"

White fog poured from its wrinkled skin, blanketing the palace. The Turtle God looked half-asleep but stayed vigilant.

"Won't clear unless it drops guard."

"Hide completely or play dead?"

"Usually hide till it relaxes. To A-seop first."

Kim Hee-young Hunter melted into water and swam to Min A-seop Hunter's pillar; Shin Ji-ui followed.

"What's this mist?"

"Harmless unless we attack first."

Kim Hee-young Hunter checked her watch, timing it.

'Could end it with one shot—doesn't hit allies.'

Humm, humm.

But Ego wanted Min A-seop Hunter's chance.

"Wait it out, its guard drops eventually."

"How long?"

"Theoretically... four hours?"

Min A-seop Hunter paled. Four hours inside meant double outside.

'Lower guard while giving him a shot...'

Her eyes met Min A-seop Hunter's. She recalled the purple text floating by him.

"If we could trick it into thinking we're gone..."

She muttered, glancing his way deliberately.

His disruption skill from Authority scan—nudge him to use it.

"U-um!"

"Yeah?"

"I think I can."

Perfect.

Min A-seop Hunter whispered intently.

"I have a disruption skill."

"What? Why not say so?!"

"Never used it..."

He peeked at the fog-shrouded Turtle God, tense, spooked by its bleeding form.

"Make a sound to fool it?"

"That'd work."

He stared at Kim Hee-young Hunter, then the boss.

"Can I do it?"

"You can!"

Huh?

The window that even Ego called unfamiliar.

She confirmed before it vanished.

Yes.

Locking eyes with Min A-seop Hunter through the window, she gripped his shoulder.

"You can do it, Min A-seop Hunter! It'll fool the Turtle God!"

The positive seed sparked determination in his eyes.

"Got it! Here goes!"

He closed his eyes, clenching the air with his fingers.

Whoosh.

A breeze through an open window. Familiar—

The eel swarm sound!

Calmer, but eel-like.

Whoosh, whoosh.

Three echoes, and the mist began clearing. The Turtle God's breaths steadied.

Swish.

Nice!

Fog gone without a trace.

Enough stalling—end it.

Click.

Leaping out, she fired Ego.

Bang!

A white orb bigger than her shot out, swallowing the Turtle God.

Clatter.

Clear items and byproducts rained down. Min A-seop Hunter yelled.

"We did it!!"

"Thanks, Min A-seop Hunter!"

"A-seop! Great job!"

Kim Hee-young Hunter ruffled his hair, beaming. He grinned back, no complaints.

"How'd you think of eel sounds? Cleared it fast!"

"Just did what Shin Ji-ui Hunter said. First skill success ever! Feels awesome!"

"Yeah, her idea was gold."

Patting his excited shoulder, he launched into how he recalled and mimicked the sound.

Classic kid energy.

Blossomed instantly?

Meaning he was 'inspired' by her cheer. Just a simple "You can do it!"

"Shin Ji-ui Hunter!"

"Y-yeah?"

He rushed over despite no audience, dismissing his status window hastily.

"Thanks for the cheer. Never considered using that skill."

"No biggie..."

Praise always felt awkward. His puppy-dog eyes shone gratefully.

Easily swayed meant he'd opened up to her.

Boosted his skill power and mission progress. Two birds, one stone.

Dismissing the window, she headed to the items. Thick cloth embedded with blue gems, gloves, and ribbon-like seaweed.

Item split time. Ownership shared; claim with team consent or sell to Association and divide profits.

Gasp!

Kim Hee-young Hunter touched the fabric and flinched, startling the others. Covering her mouth briefly, she asked cautiously.

"Anyone need the King's Fabric...?"

"I'm good! Looks amazing, though?"

"Perfect for me. Matching attribute doubles skill power."

She eyed Min A-seop Hunter; he nodded.

"Thank you! Wanted attribute gear so bad."

Her joy was contagious.

"Min A-seop Hunter, wha—huh."

Turning with the rest, he pointed straight at the seaweed, no hesitation.

Byproduct over gloves?

"Not the gloves...? This for sure?"

"Yes."

Handing it over, he bowed and stashed it swiftly.

Items divvied in a flash, they headed to the gate for exit.

She insisted on her limo despite their protests. Min A-seop Hunter conked out immediately; she and Kim Hee-young Hunter gazed out the window, relaxing.

'Skill— used well... amazing...'

'Amazed he used his skill well?'

Humm, humm.

Ego's words still choppy, but decipherable.

'Why give Min A-seop Hunter the shot? To trigger this linked skill?'

'Previous... did well, save, her—'

'Saved her before 'cause he did well?'

Humm, humm, humm.

Like her alter ego, she nailed Ego's intent.

Made sense—Ego mentioned the skill too. She'd hone it herself.

"Thanks again back there."

Kim Hee-young Hunter spoke up.

"I just kept telling A-seop to hide."

"Makes sense."

"Probably tanked his confidence more."

She sounded like a true teacher.

"You helped him regain it. Truly grateful."

"Nah... all him."

Glancing over, Shin Ji-ui saw her sad smile at the sleeping boy.

"A-seop fights hard. Grew up with an abusive dad; mom fled with him."

"God..."

Min A-seop Hunter slept innocently, worries erased.

"They scraped by till he awakened—then dad sued for custody."

"The nerve!"

"Desperation. Hunters mean money, too."

She sighed deeply.

"C-rank minor can't dungeon often. Barely scraping by, now lawyer fees."

"..."

"Rent and bills stretch them thin; that's why he hoards byproducts."

No choice but to need cash.

Impulse to pet his head rose. Kim Hee-young Hunter shrugged with a wry smile.

"Always wonder what more I can do as his teacher."

Her words felt lonely. Shin Ji-ui silently watched the city lights.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Read 352 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!

https://noveldex.io/series/ss-rank-scream-hunter

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━