Chapter 229 - Solemnis Defense Bureau (1)

Every time an interference occurred in the dungeon, monsters appeared.

It wasn't just once or twice. Since the first time the rookie found me, there have been numerous cases, and high-level monsters have also appeared. Chirpie also seems like a baby of a high-level monster according to its stats.

[※ Be careful, as there is a possibility of monsters appearing due to external interferences when installing the disc!!]

Even this time, a warning message was included. It was written as a possibility, but in my honest opinion...

‘It's a hundred percent certain.’

Honestly, with a newcomer actively interfering in this world, connecting to the dungeon, there's no way nothing will happen.

I was confident that a monster would definitely appear, especially an SS-ranked or higher one.

And as expected.

"SS-ranked monsters, two entities!"

An urgent shout came from the S-ranked guard. Two of them appeared at once. It would be best to find two more people and install the disc afterward.

My heart sank from the overwhelming pressure covering my entire body. Suppressing the instinct to flee immediately, I stood firm. I hope it doesn't hurt too much.

It was a bit pointless to lose a life, but considering everything, this seemed like the best option. Instead of wasting time getting cooperation from the fake Sung Hyunjae, it's better to quickly install the disc and head to another city.

"They probably won't pursue me if I die in front of them."

Though my body trembled reflexively, I smiled. Anyway, I didn't have time to think about this.

Sorry to have made you waste your dime. This was probably a good experience for Sigma, even SS ranks occasionally lose money and get beaten up. Let's call it a valuable lesson.

When I felt a shadow looming over me and closed my eyes.

"Ugh!"

My body convulsed sharply.

Kwaang!

A thunderous sound resounded. Among the monster's roars, the smell of blood permeated the air. It wasn't mine. I was thrown to the ground and bounced like a puppet.

Even before I could open my eyes, I felt what was happening, but I didn't understand.

"Was your life so boring that you're willing to throw it away?!"

"What's at stake doesn't endanger my life, but I've lost an arm."

A careless response came. Sigma's intact arm caught my attention. It turned out I was the one who shot off the other arm.

"Is it okay for the person in charge of city defense to live like this?"

Ka-ga-ga,

The sound of claws digging into the ground was heard. The monster that briefly retreated from the lightning advanced again.

One was a monster that looked like a giant lion. But there were two long snake heads on each side of the lion's head. It had thick spikes along its back, and its tail was like that of a snake. A long-necked snake had three heads, so there shouldn't be any blind spots.

The other was a kind of dragon with bony wings. Its wings, devoid of skin or feathers, were simply sharp bony structures.

"What about the healer?"

"I don't get along with the Medical Association. There are no high-level healers willing to join the battle."

What are you talking about? Then at least you should use a potion. However, there's a problem: you have to take out the potion and apply it, and the monster won't give you the chance to do so.

Grrrr!

The lion attacked with a roar. The snake's hiss was also heard. Sigma moved his healthy arm. Suddenly, a golden chain appeared along with the sound of metal ringing.

'...Is it really someone else?’

Isn't that the seeker's chain? There may be chain weapons in this world, but it's all the same.

With a crunch, the lion bit the chain blocking its path. At the same time, the light shone so brightly that it hurt my eyes. The lion's body trembled, but it didn't cause much damage. I thought it was weak for an SS-ranked subject, but Sigma was beside me before I knew it.

For a moment, I thought this bastard was using his abilities weakly because he was afraid I would die. Ah, this damn thing. I immediately turned around and tried to flee, but the hand that grabbed my arm was faster than me. My body was dragged through the air with the sound of hitting the ground.

"It hurts!"

If I were an F-rank, my arm would have come off!

Kwang!

Meanwhile, the lion that broke through the chain attacked, covering the place where Sigma had stood.

The ground rose violently, and trees and grass sprouted. The lion's spiky body writhed beneath me.

When I tried to pull my captured arm back again, it surprisingly released smoothly.

'No, why release me here!'

It's an empty space, you damn bastard!

In the air, the sound of something sharply cutting sounded, and the lion covering Sigma's entrance collapsed.

I felt drops of venom falling on me, but I was fine. Apparently, the lion's poison ability wasn't strong enough to be a threat to an SS rank.

I threw away all the good equipment! But thanks to you, I'm all rank A. Feeling my body falling, I took a wire from my inventory. It's not a basic model, but an expensive one with special A-category features.

Turning, the flying wire coiled around the spikes on the lion's back like a snake. Clinging to the end, I entered amid the spine and landed on the back.

As soon as I removed the wire, a hiss was heard. A snake with a lion's tail looked at me with its head held high.

'Anyway, it's far from here.’

It sprayed an angry and venomous liquid. Yes, snakes are also poisonous. I quickly jumped back to avoid it, but a few drops fell on my body. But it's okay. It seems the lion's poison ability was below SS rank.

"Do you also have poison resistance?"

I'm surprised, I thought it was Sung Hyunjae. The voice has a playful touch, so it's actually the same. When I turned around, the blood flowing from my arm had stopped as if I had just used the potion. However, the wound only healed halfway.

"There aren't good potions... There's no way. Is this the effect of a monster's ability?”

"They say you should avoid Shalnath's first attack."

This is the name of the lion cub currently at your feet. Did you jump knowingly? Considering that the wound didn't heal well, and that person who seemed to have a good sense of battle even got injured while trying to save me, it seemed like the first attack itself was a special high-grade conditional ability.

Roaring, the lion trembled. Three snakes stared at us and hissed fiercely. Although the lion's back was wide, there was no place to avoid the attack of the snakes both in the front and the back.

Clash!

The snake headed towards my outstretched head, attacking with their bodies. The tail side also exposed sharp fangs, as if inviting me to try to dodge. Simultaneously, the lion's body stomped on the park. Thanks to the interference of the golden chain wrapping around its mouth and front legs, it hadn't left the park yet, but at this rate, it could launch itself into the city center at any moment.

'Dragon.'

It's likely that the SS ranks like Sigma were holding them down. *Thud!* Sigma kicked the attacking snake head. His hand touched under the raised jaw of the snake, and when the light shone, the snake's head exploded.

However, it didn't last long. The snake head regenerated shortly after.

"Don't worry about me and use your skills!"

If I was going to die anyway, damn it!

With a twitch, I quickly struck the snake's head towards its tail with the bullet I fired, then immediately hid behind a pillar-shaped spine without even looking, as the body made a crunch.

Thud!

The snake bit the spine of its own body, spraying poison. Meanwhile, I gathered magical power in the weapon and shot at the softer scales of the belly, albeit a bit shaky.

"Ah, what are you doing?"

If it bothers you so much, how about you let yourself die? Anyway, I thought about losing a life, and aimed the dagger at Sigma, who had saved me. Even though he was a backup C rank, he was too much.

I returned the weapon to my inventory and was about to jump onto the snake when Sigma saw me like a ghost and grabbed my back.

The lion's back was crushed by the force of the sudden recoil, causing it to roll.

Not only my stomach, but my whole body will be bruised!

I stepped back and threw a dagger at that bastard in frustration. Of course, I can't take it lightly, so I crushed it between my hands. It's a C-rank spare, but it's too much.

The long blade gleamed, and the snake heads were successively cut off. But Sigma still didn't seem to have any intention of making a proper attack. Is he conserving mana, or maybe...

"...If you're hit by a lion cub's first attack, does it affect your skills or statistics?"

"It seems you have quite the experience."

Golden An chuckled towards me. Laughing at a time like this!

"It won't be permanent, and how long will it take? Once the SS rank leaves the park, won't the damage increase?"

"Not far away is Shelter Number 5, but we can't do anything."

"You have no sense of responsibility!"

From a rational perspective, it was correct to prioritize the safety of the SS rank guard over potential damage to the citizens. It was better not to rush into reduced statistics than to wait for an appropriate opportunity.

However, the lion cub also had venom. It wasn't hard to imagine how tragic things could become if they got out of control.

"Why the hell did you save me? I'm not even from here!"

Even though I thought it was past information and didn't need attention, I still screamed out of frustration. Even if it's fake, it's right in front of me, so vivid.

Crack!

Suddenly, the snake's head fell again. Sigma responded with a monotonous voice, retracting his fist.

Sigma approached me with a determined expression, speaking casually.

"Then there would be no need to worry anymore."

"Hey, bastard!"

It's easier said than done! Yeah, don't worry about it. Even though I summoned a monster and that bastard got hurt trying to save me, this is a world made of past information. I know.

'Damn it, isn't it human to give love even to a story that we clearly know is made up beyond the screen?'

Moreover, I don't have much to lose if I help out here. Because the disc was installed.

"How much has your ability decreased? Is it worth dealing with that if the skill's attack effect doubles?"

"Of course."

The guy dealing with the snake raised an eyebrow as if he were a bit bored. It seems he was waiting for me to step up. He walked up behind the guy and spoke quietly.

"I have an enhancement ability. It can only be maintained on contact and cannot be used for long, so finish it off in one go."

He deliberately asked to finish it off in one go. Well, because it would be hard for me to endure it. Even if I died due to the aftermath of Sigma's ability, or survived by pretending to cooperate and then died at an opportune moment, it didn't matter. Sigma might try to pick up my body, but do you think a handsome SS rank officer would stay by the body for more than an hour?

Then, as soon as I revive, I can use the stealth skill and escape.

Well, there's nothing wrong with seeking help. Until we defeat the monsters, it seems he'll continue to protect me from dying. There's no need to drag this out.

- Damn!

With a quick motion, the snake's head was cut off. Sigma took something out of his inventory and handed it to me. A long beige coat...

SS rank!

"It's specialized in defense, so put it on."

Wow, SS rank! I put it on reflexively, but the thought of taking it off and putting it in my inventory crossed my mind. Can I take this? If I quickly store it before dying, he won't be able to snatch it away. Please let me take it outside! Novice, novice! If you help me, I'll forgive all the mistakes you've made so far!

‘Now that I think about it, there are probably many more high-quality items in this world than on our side!’

Considering that Awakening users have existed for a long time and their average rank is higher, Sigma might have been flooded with SS rank equipment. Maybe he even has SSS rank weapons like Hwaryeongsi.

Oh, wait a minute. If I can really endure it, it might be okay to work for Sigma for a few days. Since the time difference is at least five times, let's trust the novice and estimate at ten times. Even if it takes about a week stealing from Sigma?

My heart trembled with excitement.

However, he likely won't make it easy.

Even though the chances of having to leave are high, even if I manage to wrench it away. Still, it's thrilling.

"Although I won't give it to you easily."

Even if I took the trouble to snatch it, there was a high chance I would have to leave it behind. Still, I'm excited.

"Thank you, Sigma."

Unable to hide my excitement, I smiled broadly, and Sigma raised his eyebrow slightly.

It may seem like I'm a materialistic person, but honestly, items are the best in this world. Things you can't get even if you pay for them. If he gives me a little, isn't it okay to give something back?

"Well then, double benefit it is~."

With my words, Sigma wrapped me with an arm. With the defense options and the skill attached to the coat, combined with Sigma's attribute electric resistance, there's no way I can die. Sigma likely has at least an SS or higher resistance.

After sharing the double effect of the attack skill, Sigma moved. He lightly jumped over the lion's head while the two snakes attacked fiercely, but once again, they were easily cut off.

- Roar!

The lion roared and the intertwined chains around it emitted light. Unable to withstand the sight's light, I closed my eyes. With a sound of breaking and dragging, a pressure that moved quickly was felt.

When I opened my eyes again, the sinister-looking dragon head, not the lion, was right in front of me.

It was the dragon species that the SS ranks had tied up. The large jaws dripping with saliva revealed sharp teeth. However, that sight disappeared from my view in an instant.

Before I knew it, the perspective changed, and below, a lion bound by chains was seen struggling.

The dragon species also had its two right legs cut off. The huge jaws that had been open in front of me also broke in half.

What happened? Even though the Skill Enhanced Vision improved the field of view, it was still difficult to keep up with the movements of the SS rank.

"Close your eyes again."

It was scary to follow Sigma's words.

Quurrrrrng!

With a terrifying sound, the air vibrated. I was told to cover my ears. Weak monster cries were heard in my ears.

When I opened my eyes again, only two pieces of the monster that had been there remained. I saw a floating point next to that mass.

‘How much is that?’

It was more than a million points. It seems they valued my contribution highly. If a rank SS monster gives more than a million points, capturing ten of them would make it possible to exchange them for S-rank items. Since the exchangeable items in the point shop can be taken outside, apparently.

As expected, instead of staying by Sigma's side, I should gather with the kids and go hunting. If you're going to invest time, do it in a safe place.

I quickly collected the points and grabbed the hem of the coat. I tried to take it off to put it in the inventory.

"... Huff!"

My whole body tingled. The coat, which I couldn't put away in time, fell from my hand to the ground. Footsteps approached. My body, stiff as if shocked, slowly turned backward, not of my own will.

"What is this...?"

Sigma chuckled quietly. Well, maybe I was too obvious trying to grab it. That's what he means.

"You're not exempt from a sense of responsibility, rank C."

"What, huff!"

I just tried to lift my arm a little, but I was surprised again and my body froze.

"You have an unknown past and special abilities that don't match your rank. And."

His gaze turned toward the corpses of the monsters.

"External interference. Do you relate to beings from the outside?"

Beings from outside. It was clear he was talking about the Fallen and the Devotion Addicts. Does he know them? Sigma has been in contact with S-ranks like Yoohyun and Sung Hyunjae, so it's very likely he has experienced something similar to Sigma in this place.

Was it thanks to them that he saved me even though he was injured?

"I...want to ask."

If it's information about them, I want it too.

"...You hit hard!"

"Let's find out little by little."

A tingling sensation ran down my spine to my head and neck. I tried to open my eyes again, but everything turned dark. My body slumped forward without strength, and soon I lost consciousness.