Bab 49: Chapter 49: A-rank Dungeon
Together they walked toward the dungeon exit not thinking of fighting the boss. But Azaroth paused, turning to Mr. Song with a solemn expression.
"Please, keep what truly happened here a secret. Tell others that you and your companions fought off the B-rank assassin yourselves. Don't worry, I'll support your statement by providing proof of that Assassin's previous shady killings to the association, from the shadows of course"
Mr. Song understood - Azaroth must have his reasons to be in the shadows, and he had saved their lives- He nodded silently in agreement.
"T.. Thankyou" Joohee said in a low tone.
She had stopped shaking and was now somewhat embarrassed being carried like a child by Azaroth.
Soon they reached the gate and Azaroth carefully dropped Joohee, "No need to thank me, we are the hunters fighting for humanity. We all are in the same team after all"
Azaroth uttered whatever BS came to his mind with a beaming smile.
"Now I should go, I don't want anyone to know I was here."
With gratitude and new admiration, Mr. Song and Joohee watched as Azaroth disappeared after reaching the exit. Leaving them with an incredible debt, and more questions about the enigma called Azaroth.
Mr. Song decided to learn more about this righteous man from Cha Hae-in.
That's right.
Azaroth had not decided to go there just to save Lee Joohee... Ok, that was the first reason of course.
But the other reason was Mr. Song, the person who thought swordsmanship to our beautiful Cha Hae-in,
Hunter Cha still learns Swordsmanship under him, So saving him and making a good impression...
Kekeke... Azaroth will surely use this in the future.
♣
♣
♣
Now back to the present...
A red Mustang came racing followed by 5 black SUVs.
Azaroth and the second squad reached the site of the large A-Rank dungeon gate.
The imposing structure loomed before them, radiating an ominous energy.
Azaroth approached the Association representative in charge of the gate, a young woman with a stern expression.
"Everything seems to be in order, Miss Kwon," Azaroth said, his voice carrying an authoritative tone yet easygoing.
The Association girl nodded, a mix of respect and awe in her eyes.
"Yes Mr. Azaroth, we've confirmed the dungeon's stability. No further fluctuations and abnormalities. You have a green light for the raid," she replied, handing him a detailed report.
Azaroth glanced at the report, his eyes scanning the information quickly. Satisfied, he looked back at the assembled squad.
"Alright, everyone, gather around," Azaroth called out.
The elite hunters of the second squad formed a semi-circle around him, their eyes attentive.
"We're dealing with an A-Rank dungeon, I know this is not your 1st time but always stay sharp. Follow my lead, and we'll get through this smoothly," Azaroth instructed, his authoritative presence commanding their attention.
The squad members nodded, expressions ranging from coyness to determination to excitement.
"Oh, Miss Kwon, remind me of the current world record of an A-rank dungeon clearance"
He loudly asked the association girl.
"Eh? Why is he asking that all of a sudden.." Many squad members exchanged glances.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking!"
Gina smiled and asked the gauntlet girl beside her.
"Yeah, I think it's gonna be fun"
The shorty replied banging her gauntlets against each other.
Miss Kwon answered promptly, "The current record is held by the Scavengers Guild of the US, with a clearance time of 56 minutes and 19 seconds."
Azaroth smirked, eyes glinting with competitive spirit.
" I should go for a smooth raid with no casualties and no injuries plus breaking the world record. Heh heh, this should be a good debut of me as a team leader, right?'
A smooth operation with no casualties while breaking the record - it would be the perfect debut as squad leader.
He turned back to his eager hunters. "Well then, what do you say we go for that record as well?" Cheers and roars of assent greeted his proposal.
"A focused team effort is what it will take. I know you're all more than capable. So let's give it our all in there!" Azaroth continued, pumping their morale even higher.
This was the man their Guild Master had hyped to them, plus he had set a new record for the mana density in the hunter evaluation.
Not to mention that everybody here knows from Choi Jong that Azaroth had single-handedly cleared an abnormal B-rank dungeon border lining to an A-rank, alone.
All of them thought that he must be trained by the professionals from his childhood.
"Now let's get moving," Azaroth commanded.
Without further delay, he turned and strode towards the ominous gateway, squad marching determinedly at his heels.
Jin-woo was also excited to go inside an A-rank dungeon for the first time.
The squad took in their dreary surroundings as the portal's glow dissipated.
A damp, ominous swampland sprawled as far as the eye could see.
*Crii* *Grr* *hiss*
"Here they come"
As the group made their way forward, a sudden rustling in the bushes drew their attention.
Before long, scattered patrols of lizardmen appeared, their slitted eyes fixed on the intruders.
With reptilian hisses and snarls, they rushed to engage, their sharp talons glinting in the gloomy sunlight.
"Leave them to us!" shouted Gina, her voice ringing out with determination as she used her telekinesis to hurl a large boulder of rocks toward the approaching monsters.
The squad sprang into action like a well-oiled machine.
Kihoon blocked the incoming attacks with his shield and with his sword sliced through the lead lizards, slowing their charge as he expertly parried and struck with precision.
"Here you go monsters!"
Closing fast, the tanker hurled his massive axe with deadly accuracy, slicing through several lizard heads before they even had a chance to attack.
'Why are they running like crazy, have they done drugs or something?'
The short glasses-mage-girl next to him effortlessly conjured fire magic, engulfing multiple enemies in flames with pinpoint accuracy.
"Oh, that was easy," she said nonchalantly as she continued to rain down fiery blasts.
Not to be outdone, the warrior and gauntlet girl Dae-Yi charged forward, their powerful blows crushing armor and bone alike under their mighty strikes.
From the rear lines, Jinwoo watched the squad engage with awe and admiration. As their dedicated porter, it was his duty to support them with supplies from behind.
Beside him, Miss Lee, the A-rank healer monitored closely for any injuries, yet so far none occurred thanks to their deadly efficiency.
He had only seen D to C-rankers doing good before in his dirt-poor hunter days.
And after joining the Hunters guild, he was used to seeing many B-Ranked teams as a lower third squad porter, but this was another level entirely.
He'd never witnessed such flawless coordination and teamwork in action before. They moved together like a single multi-limbed entity, each hunter playing their role to perfection.
If the second team performed so magnificently, what heights must the fabled first squad scale, with hunters like Choi Jong and Cha Hae-in?
"And everyone looks extra motivated" He unconsciously voiced his thought looking at the combat.
"That's because they are excited because of someone's presence"
Miss Lee listening to Jinwoo's words slightly chuckled and then said while looking towards a tall red-haired guy who was leaning against a tree while looking at the ongoing battle with an easy expression.
'Not bad. Very good actually'
Within moments, the first wave lay defeated without inflicting a single wound. Azaroth observed calmly from the rear, impressed by their flawless teamwork requiring no orders.
♦♦♦♦
Give stones if you have any left.
Advance Chapters
Patreon.com/MilkLoverFanfics
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone