The More the Healer Gets Hit the Stronger He Become

20 – Wait, what am I doing now?

[You are challenging the eleventh trial.]

The familiar sound of the system notification.

But today, the system’s voice felt strangely new to Kangwoo. Perhaps it was due to the presence of a new member in the party, a presence that hadn’t been there before.

[Mission: Subdue the Gnoll Tribe.]

[Upon completing the mission, the trial will end.]

Gnoll. A lower-level monster known for its savage and aggressive nature, possessing a hyena’s head on a human body.

After confirming the mission for this trial, Kangwoo glanced at his party members.

Gathering at 9 o’clock, the party decided on their formation for combat and shared their abilities.

First up was Yoo Seungah.

“Isn’t it fitting for a battle against Gnolls?”

As an archer, she took charge of the rear in the formation. Her ability was ‘Crisis Detection,’ a passive power that detected allies in danger within a 10-meter radius. However, this ability automatically restricted itself when her magical power was drained.

The most outstanding stat is agility, with a value of 10, making her one of the fastest in the party.

“Don’t let your guard down, Seung-ah. We were clearly tasked with eradicating the deficiencies.”

Next is Choi Seo-hee. Handling a bastard sword, she stood in the second row behind the tank, Lee Jung-min, who is also a dealer.

Seo-hee’s ability is ‘Strength Explosion,’ a skill that momentarily explodes her strength. With a strength stat of 11, excluding Kang Woo, it is the highest in the team.

“…”

Since the altercation in the safe zone, Jung-min’s ability has been ‘Swift Feet.’ It increases movement speed by 10%, and currently, it’s said that the limit with her current mana is two minutes. The highest stat is agility 10, same as Yoo Seung-ah.

“Th-there don’t seem to be any… monsters around…”

“Huh? What did Kyu-min say?”

Lastly, Jang Kyu-min. As the tank with a Kite Shield, he took charge of the front row along with Kang Woo.

His ability is ‘Tough Skin,’ but due to low mana, it currently only provides a minimal toughening effect on the skin.

The highest stats are stamina and intellect at 9, making him the lowest in stats among the party members.

[Total members: 5, the trial begins.]

As the start of the trial was announced, tension permeated the air.

“Unni, what should we do?”

“…For now, shall we move forward? Does anyone have a different opinion?”

Kang Woo, new to forming a party, observed the situation cautiously while maintaining silence.

However, the hastily formed party hit a snag from the very beginning.

“I think it’s better to wait for a moment.”

The conflicting gazes of Choi Seo-hee and Lee Jung-min met.

“The system clearly instructed us to eradicate. Shouldn’t we actively move then?”

“Has the system messed up once or twice? It’s not a big deal to wait here, and it’s better to move leisurely.”

“On the contrary, I think staying still might get us surrounded by who-knows-how-many trolls.”

“If we move unnecessarily, couldn’t we end up getting surrounded when the trolls gather?”

A relentless fight with no room for compromise, perhaps due to the tension in the safe zone. In the midst of a seemingly never-ending debate, Kangwoo sought out Yuseungah.

“What should we do?”

Although this team was hastily formed, there were two people who had known each other since before reaching the 10th floor. They were Yuseungah and Chwiseohee, who met on the 1st floor and ended up in the same party, climbing up to the 10th floor together.

The reason they ended up alone…

During the trial on the 10th floor, four teammates died, losing their enthusiasm, leading to a mid-game forfeit. The remaining seven formed a party and continued climbing, leaving only the two of them.

The most crucial point in this story was…

“Well… then, how about waiting for about 10 minutes?”

Chwiseohee, who had survived a life-threatening situation thanks to Yuseungah’s ‘crisis detection’ ability while climbing the tower, thought very, very highly and specially of Yuseungah.

“…… Okay.”

Chwiseohee yielded to Yuseungah’s gestures and coaxing gestures.

The narrowed-down party waited at the starting point, preparing for any unforeseen events in the tower.

So, after 3 minutes, 5 minutes… finally, exactly after 10 minutes.

Instead of information about the tower, what the awakened individuals waiting saw were seven trolls lurking around, scouting.

All of them held axes.

They had not yet discovered the humans trespassing into their territory. However, staying like this was only a matter of time before they were exposed!

“….”

The appearance of the enemy hushed the first and second rows, eagerly awaiting the signal.

The one entrusted with the start signal for the battle at this party was….

Whizz-!

Yoo Seung-a, the party’s sole long-range dealer.

Fwoosh!!

An arrow flew fiercely and lodged into the thigh of the troll.

Krr?

The assassination failed as it wasn’t a critical hit, but that was not a problem.

It was a paralyzing poison arrow from the goblin.

“Capture!!”

Awakened individuals who incapacitated one monster with a surprise attack and trolls infuriated by such human attacks charged at each other.

Krrraaahh-!!

“Eyaaa-!!”

Kang Woo, advancing with a shield, calculated his estimate with a stern gaze.

‘Easy, isn’t it?’

Trolls, monsters known for being similar to goblins but possessing a rougher wild nature, had superior combat abilities, but that was about it.

‘It’s nothing compared to the sick orc I saw on the 10th floor.’

Moreover, Kang Woo was in a much stronger state than when he last dealt with the goblin on the 7th floor.

Although he carried an axe that seemed quite sturdy, he was confident that he could annihilate about seven of them in an instant if he jumped in alone.

‘With four colleagues by your side, this trial should end quickly, right?’

It was the moment when Kang Woo’s mouth curved upward.

‘Huh?’

No one was visible who should be running at the forefront with him.

Feeling strange, Kang Woo turned around, only to see Jang Gyu-min lifting a large kite shield with difficulty and running towards them at a sluggish pace.

“Uh, aaah-!”

As the tank fell behind, Lee Jeong-min, who was supposed to be the rear guard, also fell behind.

The meticulously formed frontline of the team collapsed miserably.

‘Can’t the tank handle running with a shield?’

Although his head was dizzy from the unexpected problem, there was no time to think anymore.

Kraaash-!!

The performers hit hard by the surprise attack were approaching dangerously close. Six in total.

Kang Woo dashed vigorously towards the two he saw in front of him.

“Come here, you bastards-!!”

Kwaaang-!

The clash of a sturdy axe and a steel kite shield created a terrifying sound that echoed around.

The noise was so loud that Choi Seo-hee, who was preparing for a follow-up attack from behind, had to cower!

It was a battle with two axes and one shield, but the winner was clear.

Cough-!!

The two playful attackers who confidently launched the assault missed their axes and were thrown back just like that.

“The conclusion will be done by that senior.”

Having comrades was a good thing in situations like this. He didn’t have to worry about what happened behind while freely dashing forward.

Kang Woo, who was about to rush toward the next target, noticed Choi Seo-hee standing still in a daze and halted his steps.

“Don’t kill her?”

If the tanker blocks, then the dealer in the second row finishes it. Wasn’t that the core of this strategy?

However, even with Kang Woo’s words, Choi Seo-hee couldn’t pull herself together.

“Unbelievable… What kind of power…!”

Two insignificant beings becoming combat ineffective with just one collision!

She couldn’t believe the situation unfolding before her eyes, but Kang Woo, reading astonishment in Choi Seo-hee’s eyes, realized that something was wrong.

“No way… Or not…?”

Is he surprised now? Did he pull back his power? Wasn’t everyone supposed to handle this much?

The perplexed Kang Woo noticed the surrounding situation in his eyes. The first thing that caught his eye was Jang Gyu-min.

Grrr-!!

“aaahhh!!”

As one insignificant being let out a rough roar, Jang Gyu-min on the opposite side screamed.

“A scream?”

But it was too late to be surprised.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

As the axe of the insignificant being clashed against Jang Gyu-min’s kite shield, a fierce struggle began.

“What on earth is happening now?”

Blocking the playful axe with great effort, Jang Kyumin’s expression showed no signs of ease.

As he continued his attacks with a frenzied demeanor, wiping off the cold sweat that streamed down, he wore an expression that said, ‘Human, quite impressive.’

“Did you secretly train with a camera on?” Kang Woo’s confusion didn’t end there.

Clang! Kaga-gang-!

The dull axe clashed with the sharp twin swords, creating a loud friction sound.

“Uh, aaah-!”

Blocking the downward strike aimed at his neck with two swords, Lee Jungmin pushed away Jang Kyumin’s axe, shouting with a roar.

Kraaash-!!

The one pushing away and the one striking down. The moment passed, making the onlookers’ hands sweaty. Lee Jungmin emerged victorious in the strength battle.

Whoosh-!

Lee Jungmin’s sword, having pushed away the axe, swiftly surged forward, delving into the heart of the playful.

In the struggle of strength, Nol’s defeat was sealed as he weakly sank with the sword lodged in his chest.

Gruuu……

With the sword piercing his chest, Nol helplessly sat down, blood trickling from his mouth.

Perhaps it was a gesture of respect towards the enemy.

After a brief moment of silence, Lee Jungmin retrieved the sword embedded in Nol’s heart.

Thud.

Nol’s body, now without support, slowly tilted and collapsed to the ground.

‘So, this is… This is the level of their skills, isn’t it? Not a joke? Seriously?’

Directly witnessing the breathtaking spectacle, Kangwoo swung his shield without even turning his head at the monstrous roar coming from the nearby monster.

Kwaang-!

Kuhuhuk-!!

The loud noise that accompanied the attempt to make a sharp surprise attack with an axe quickly disappeared.

Confirming Kangwoo’s desperate rush towards Janggyumin, who was still engaged in a confrontation with Nol, Jeongmin, he lifted his head blankly on the battlefield and caught sight of the sunny sky.

‘… Damn.’

With a heavy determination to quickly climb the tower to prevent destruction, Kangwoo, who faced the ordeal, suddenly felt like crying.

***

The first battle was fierce.

Of course, only for Jeongmin and Janggyumin.

Choi Seo-hee, who had been overwhelmed by Kangwoo’s advance, regained her senses only when two Nols lying on the ground, hit by shields, tried to get up, and she promptly cut their throats.

After firing arrows at one Nol, confirming paralysis, Yoo Seung-ah assisted in defeating him. Spotting the Nol, who was hit by the first arrow from a distance, crawling with all his might, she ran over and cut off his breath.

It took 10 minutes for the five awakened individuals to defeat seven Nols!

‘This is insane.’

A battle that would have been cleared in 5 minutes if fought alone.

Not only was he not alone, but there were four more people, and it took 10 minutes.

‘Did I form a party for nothing….’

Having a teammate didn’t make the clearance faster; it seemed to have even delayed it.

He knew his strength was nearly twice theirs, but he never expected the difference to be this severe.

Dealing with things that can be solved with a single blow.

‘It’s perfect for improving strength if you catch and handle one well. But it’s not easy because you need a discerning eye.’

The party formed with the thought that five heads are better than one was ironically hindering progress.

‘…No. The system also commands us to eradicate the shortage of play. Delving deeper, who knows how many plays might emerge, challenging such trials alone is arrogance.’

Yeah. Forming a party was an excellent choice.

Kangwoo was trying to soothe his chaotic thoughts with all his might.

“Wow. Is everyone okay? It’s tough from the beginning.”

Yooseungah wiped the sweat off her forehead and checked on her party members. Fortunately, no one seemed to be injured.

At that moment, Lee Jungmin, taking a break, sighed.

“I didn’t expect seven plays to come out from the start.”

“Yeah. Seeing seven of them, I was so surprised that I almost missed the aim.”

“Uh, when should we take a break…?”

“I think everything is ready. Shall we take a short break before going? What do you think, Unni, Oppa? Oh, Kyumin, what did you say?”

“I agree.”

With Lee Jungmin’s approval, Yooseungah turned to Choi Seohee.

Choi Seohee, who was gazing at Kangwoo with a somewhat absent expression, slowly nodded at her beloved brother’s gaze.

“…Alright.”

Since the conversation about the break, Jang Kyumin’s bright demeanor didn’t need to be asked to understand. Yooseungah’s gaze finally reached Kangwoo.

“Kangwoo, are you okay?”

Smiling back at Yooseungah’s cheerful smile, Kangwoo made a resolution.

‘I ascend alone from the 12th floor.’

There was no glimpse of the future for this team.