F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 66

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, there was still no one able to subdue Steel. Most people were lying on the ground, groaning in pain. Shin Sooah, who was nearby, coughed and then said, "It's even more terrifying up close."

The area around the toxic Steel had already turned into scorched earth. All the surrounding vegetation had withered away due to the searing heat emanating from its body. Steel itself was suffering from the intense flames coursing through its own body.

"Gangrim-ssi, what's your plan now?"

"I'd like to get up to Steel's face if possible..."

Steel's gigantic face was quite high up, making it difficult for Seo Gangrim to reach since he lacked any abilities related to flight. Linnie might have been able to ascend, but she hadn't grown enough to carry him.

At that moment, Shin Sooah approached Seo Gangrim and said, "I'll lift you up there. Hold on tightly."

"What?"

Before Seo Gangrim could react, Shin Sooah grabbed his waist tightly with one hand and hoisted his arm onto her shoulders with the other.

"Here we go!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the ground began to recede rapidly.

[Ability 'Air Leap' activated!]

With 'Air Leap' activated, Shin Sooah held onto Seo Gangrim and leaped through the air. The speed was quite fast, and sharp winds brushed against his face with each jump. With every leap, Steel's face became closer and closer.

"Ugh...!"

As we approached Steel, Shin Sooah contorted her forehead in apparent pain. The toxic fumes and scorching heat from Steel were causing her distress, and Seo Gangrim, too, felt the stinging sensation as he inhaled.

[Fire Resistance activated!]

[Toxic Resistance activated!]

Even with these abilities, each breath felt like inhaling searing pain. For Shin Sooah, who had a Wood attribute, the air here must have been even more oppressive.

"Don't push yourself too hard, Shin Sooah-ssi. You can go back if you want!"

"No, I can handle it."

She said that while continuing to approach Steel's face. As they ascended higher, the toxicity in the air grew stronger.

Steel's eyes turned towards them.

- Krrrk...!

For a moment, it seemed to have hesitated and looked at Seo Gangrim. 'Did it recognize me?' Its pupils dilated for a brief moment before narrowing into thin slits like needles. Then, a massive gust of wind emanated from it.

- Whoooosh!

Steel twisted its body and swung its tail, sending a scorching blast of hot air directly at the two. They felt like they were being struck by a red-hot cudgel, and they were swept away by the scorching gale.

"Ugh...! Hold on tight!"

Even as they plummeted, Shin Sooah held onto Seo Gangrim tightly, and her eyes glowed green.

[Ability 'Way of the Forest' activated!]

As the ability activated, trees below them started growing rapidly. She glanced at Seo Gangrim, and he immediately understood her intention. He drew his sword and thrust it into the growing tree.

- Crraaack!

With a loud tearing sound, his sword began to split the tree in half. They then slided for a while, and when they reached the lower part, their bodies finally came to a halt.

Due to the burns, Shin Sooah's entire body was red and inflamed. She said, "It seems difficult to approach head-on. If someone could divert its attention or weaken it a bit..."

- Krrraaaah!

At that moment, Steel began to roar loudly. Someone was firing arrows at it from a distance. Although the attacks were weak and did minimal damage, they were enough to irritate Steel.

Enraged, Steel opened its massive mouth wide, targeting the humans below.

- Grurrrruuuuuh!

It was preparing for a fiery breath attack. Earlier, its fire attack had flown towards the sky, so they were able to avoid it, but now it was clearly aimed downwards. Seo Gangrim grabbed Shin Sooah and rushed towards Father Yohan.

"Father! The barrier!"

"Yes, yes!"

Father Yohan clasped his hands tightly, assuming a praying posture. At the same time, Steel's mouth started to quiver due to the intense heat. Before them, red flames and a blue light spread simultaneously.

[The ability 'Barrier' is activated!]

As Steel's flames poured down, a bluish protective barrier surrounded them. The barrier took on a dome shape, sealing off all directions. They could see the heat being blocked by the barrier. But soon, the barrier began to weaken.

"Ugh...!"

Father Yohan did his best to withstand the flames, but we could hear cracking sounds as the barrier started to give way. It was an inevitable situation. Father Yohan's defensive shield was not designed to withstand the fiery attack of a dragon-class creature. Seo Gangrim shouted towards Linnie, "Linnie! Assist Father!"

"Urgh!"

The ability 'Harmony of the Five Elements' was activated. The blue light of the barrier intensified, and the speed at which it weakened began to slow down. With Linnie and Father Yohan, the barrier held until the flames finally subsided, just before it completely shattered.

"Whew...!"

Father Yohan knelt down, panting heavily, and Seo Gangrim hurriedly supported him.

"Father, thank you. Your help saved us."

"Oh, no. I'm just relieved that everyone is safe..."

Even though he said that, Seo Gangrim knew his magical power had been significantly depleted. As Seo Gangrim urgently took out a mana-restoration potion to give to him, they heard the astonished voices of the survivors.

"D-damn. What the hell was that just now?"

"The forest went up in flames!"

Except for the area protected by the barrier, everything else had been reduced to ashes due to the fire. Not even embers remained; the entire forest had been incinerated.

"Let's just get out of here! We can win if we hold out for today!"

"Yeah, let's run. We can hide the snakes underwater and head to the lobby!"

The trainees from Zone Two began to hesitate and step back. No matter how good the additional rewards might be, they weren't worth more than their lives. Seo Gangrim turned to Father Yohan and Shin Sooah.

"You two should also head to the lobby. There's no need for you to get involved because of me."

Seo Gangrim's mission was important, but it was pointless if others died or their mission failed along the way. However, Shin Sooah shook her head.

"No. We came prepared for this."

"I'll help as long as I can... Steel seems pretty exhausted too."

After finishing the fire attack, Steel was in a weakened state. Seeing this, people started to flee one by one, but there were few who hesitated. But suddenly, someone blocked their way.

"Wow, I'm a bit late, huh? Missed the fun part."

Standing in front of them was Dokgo Jun, looking as casual as if he had arrived late for an appointment. Dokgo Jun looked at Steel, which seemed like he was just enjoying the spectacle, and asked casually, "So, where is everyone going now?"

"D-Dokgo Jun, please move! We need to run!"

It was an unpredictable situation, and they couldn't be sure when Steel would regain its senses. As a few people ignored Dokgo Jun and tried to pass by, a sharp sound cut through the air.

Snick!

Dokgo Jun's sword blocked their path. The person's clothing was sliced, and they stumbled backward. Dokgo Jun chuckled and said, "Seems like you all lack cooperation. This is a boss raid. It would be more fun with extras like you."

At the mention of 'extras,' someone angrily protested, "What are you talking about? Just move out of the way! We're going back!"

But Dokgo Jun was not swayed by such words. He walked casually towards the person. And then, he grabbed the opponent's throat forcefully. Unrecognizable madness flickered in his pupils.

"How boring. Just one more day, and it's mission complete? Well, then, I'll give you a new mission."

"What on earth..."

Suddenly, Dokgo Jun was holding an orb in his hand, seemingly taken from the opponent's chest. It was an orb with a sleeping snake inside.

Shatter!

Dokgo Jun threw the orb to the ground, and with that, the orb shattered, releasing a bewildered snake. Dokgo Jun lifted the snake by its neck, and its owner shouted in confusion, "What the hell...!"

Swish!

In an instant, blood spurted out, staining Dokgo Jun's hands and the ground. Dokgo Jun had torn the snake in half. The snake, still twitching as if it didn't know it was dead, lay in two pieces.

"Now you have no choice but to deal with Steel."

Dokgo Jun threw the snake's remains to the ground and smiled at the man.

"You... You're insane! Why are you doing this?"

The man shouted in frustration and anger, and then charged at Dokgo Jun. Unfortunately for the deceased snake owner, the outcome was already decided

Thud!

"Kuaah...!"

Dokgo Jun grabbed the man's head with his bloody hands and slammed it onto the ground. The man's body writhed like the mangled snake.

"Why are you doing this?"

At the question, Dokgo Jun wore a puzzled expression.

"Because you guys were making the story less interesting."

After saying that, Dokgo Jun looked at the remaining people. Some were still holding their snakes. Dokgo Jun released the grip on the man's head and stood up slowly.

"I guess I should give you guys a new mission too."

"R-Run away...!"

People tried to escape from Dokgo Jun, but he didn't allow it. Amidst Steel's roaring, the snake's blood splashed, and the scattered pieces of the snakes' corpse were everywhere.

"Extras, but you should help a bit too, right? Stay here and assist the main characters."

"Main characters...?"

The people had faces that showed they didn't understand what was being said. It was chaos.

Seo Gangrim sighed softly and spoke to Dokgo Jun, "Dokgo Jun, calm down."

Hearing Seo Gangrim's voice, Dokgo Jun turned to look at him. Dokgo Jun's eyes were filled with an indiscernible emotion.

Excitement? Pleasure? Interest?

"I said calm down."

Seo Gangrim said it again, and Dokgo Jun calmed down slightly. Dokgo Jun looked at the people and smiled.

"Well, since Sang Gangrim said so, I guess I can't help it. Anyway, don't run away. Stay here and fight."

The people who lost their snakes glared at Dokgo Jun. One of them said with a sense of injustice, "Coward. You're the only one who kept your snake safe. Just us..."

"Huh? Oh, my snake?"

Dokgo Jun took out an orb from his pocket as if it was no big deal. Then, the orb shattered, and the snake came out.

- Soggy!

He casually threw the snake out without any hesitation. Along with the snake, the proof of friendship was also cut off. With his bloodied face, Dokgo Jun laughed heartily.

"Now it's settled, right? I have no choice but to kill Steel now, so let's fight together."

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