Chapter 50: Contaminated Orc Garrison (4)

As Yoo Seh-Eun was running toward the Orc stronghold, she suddenly recalled what was shown on her skill window.

[

Mana Blade (B)

]

Description: Creates a mana blade with high cutting power and mana penetration

Effect 1: 30% increase in cutting power

Effect 2: 30% increase in mana penetration

Her first skill was Mana Blade, which she had acquired when she awakened.

[

The Aura of a Liege (C)

]

Description: Boosts the abilities of oneself and one's party members with the aura of a commander on the battlefield

Effect: 10% increase in abilities

On top of that was her new skill, The Aura of a Liege, which was obtained through Emergence.

Yoo Seh-Eun extended her sword and used Mana Blade. Although the skill was difficult to utilize in prolonged battles due to its continuous mana consumption, she now had an increased maximum mana capacity through her new mana-breathing technique.

Not only was she equipped with various artifacts that reduced mana consumption and increased mana efficiency, using The Aura of a Liege would also give her an additional 10% increase in Magic.

Yoo Seh-Eun suddenly skidded to a stop from her headlong charge and swung wide with her sword.

The crescent-shaped Mana Blade created by the movement of her longsword shot forward.

Boooom!

With a massive explosion, it blasted an enormous hole in the wooden fortifications.

"Yeaaaah!!!"

Unlike the orcs flailing in panic, the guild members' morale soared.

Facing her fellow guild members who were now charging in with high spirits, Yoo Seh-Eun shouted, "Let's get this over with quickly as our Guildmaster instructed and get home."

"LET'S GOOOOOO!"

***

Blood-soaked battles were never good for a child's emotional well-being. Hence, Lim Yun-Ju waited with Kim Ji-Hee a little further back from the battlefront. Though she was well-behaved, Kim Ji-Hee was still a child with sudden, impulsive thoughts. So, to keep her from getting bored and moving around, Lim Yun-Ju handed her a smartphone that was playing a cartoon.

"Is it a coincidence? Or fate?" Kim Ki-Rok muttered to himself from a distance, watching the battle.

"What?" Cha Min-Ji and Kang Woo-Hyuk asked, clearly puzzled by his words.

Watching Yoo Seh-Eun fire her Mana Blade in all directions, Kim Ki-Rok nodded in approval. "Let's see... Yoo Seh-Eun has unleashed the ability called The Aura of a Liege. It enhances her abilities and those of her party members."

"Right."

"Mr. Seh-Hyuk has awakened the ability called Mana Defense. As everyone knows, the skill allows the user to use mana to reduce damage inflicted onto them. And the ability he gained from Emergence is Shout of the Vanguard." Kim Ki-Rok continued to explain.

It was a taunt skill that drew the enemy's attention to the one who used it.

Right on cue, Kang Seh-Hyuk used Shout of the Vanguard to draw the orcs' aggro. "You pork-faced bastards!"

"As for Lee Ji-Ah who awakened Ice Control, she unleashed the skill, Frostbloom's Embrace, which heals wounds and replenishes Vitality."

Taking advantage of the aggro created by Kim Jin-Hyuk, Lee Ji-Ah healed a Hunter who had been injured. A healing skill is incredibly rare, so Lee Ji-Ah's value was astronomical. In reality, several large guilds had tried to recruit her, but all were turned down. One guild had even offered to recruit the entire Mapogu team at a high price, only to be kicked out before negotiations could even begin.

"Nam Dong-Wook, who awakened the ability to create arrows out of mana, obtained Fly through his Emergence, allowing him to fly freely in the air or even hover. Of course, the downside was its short skill duration because of how high the mana consumption was at a low skill level."

Nam Dong-Wook rained down arrows from his vantage point in the air and started to collapse the Orcs' formation. Ignoring the enemy's counterattacks while pouring out unilateral firepower was practically cheating.

In ranged combat, simply controlling the high ground would cover half the battle. Wars in olden times often saw fierce and strategic struggles over positioning for a reason. Having such a marksman who dominated the skies gave DG Guild an overwhelming advantage.

"And last but not least, there's our Big Eater." Kim Ki-Rok said.

"

Hehe.

"

People turned their heads toward Jeong Man-Kook, the eldest and ace of the Five Siblings of Mapogu.

Despite Kang Seh-Hyuk drawing aggro, an Orc charged Lee Ji-Ah.

"

Huff!

"

Swish!

Boom!

Jeong Man-Kook skillfully intercepted the rushing Orc.

"He does not have any sealed abilities. His existing abilities that grant him permanent stat boosts are so good that there's no need for it. These five have been together since childhood, whether by chance or fate," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

Yoo Seh-Eun was able to buff the stats of her allies, while Lee Ji-Ah could heal them. Kang Seh-Hyuk was the protector of the group, while Nam Dong-Wook supported them from the sky with a wide field of vision.

"Hmm! It seems like Jeong Man-Kook's abilities don't quite fit in," One of the guild members commented.

"Well, unlike other team members' abilities, Calorie Buff itself doesn't reinforce the capabilities of others. However, having him maximizes synergy within the team."

"Come to think of it, you're right. You have the tank, Seh-Hyuk, the melee damage dealer, Man-Kook, damage-style support, Seh-Eun, healer and ranged damage dealer, Ji-Ah, and finally, a ranged damage dealer, Dong-Wook."

***

It wasn't like they were completely free of danger. However, at this moment in time, half of the guild's Hunters already unlocked their sealed abilities. On top of that, the support team provided sturdy equipment and consumables were replenished promptly. The DG Guild steadily advanced in clearing the Contaminated Orc Garrison.

"The Greater Orcs are on the move!" Nam Dong-Wook shouted as he observed from a high altitude and fired support shots.

They had engaged in guerrilla warfare to deal with the regular Orcs quickly. But if the Greater Orcs were advancing, they needed to be prepared appropriately.

"Let's fall back and regroup!" At Yoo Seh-Eun's command, the Hunters retreated and regrouped with their back line.

What about the Orcs that sustained fatal injuries? Hunters didn't bother finishing them off. The long-range damage dealers would seal the deal in their place.

"

Grr. Grr.

"

Even the surviving Orcs were not unscathed.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Injured in their battle with the Hunters, the Orcs parted to the sides at the sound of heavy footsteps behind them. The Contaminated Greater Orcs were making their entrance.

—It's an Orc Magician, an Orc that uses magic. However, they also possess the typical muscular physique of an Orc, making them skilled in close combat as well, which is problematic.

Kim Ki-Rok informed everyone on the radio after confirming the appearance of the Greater Orcs.

Although the Hunters could see the Orc Magician wielding something that resembled more of a wooden staff meant for bludgeoning, the guild members weren't distraught by the sight of this Orc. It wasn't an easy opponent, but not impossible to handle.

However, the appearance of the giant Orc that followed made everyone involuntarily gulp. Ogre seemed to be a better word to describe the monstrous Orc that towered at least two heads higher than even the tallest Orcs.

Even without Kim Ki-Rok's explanation, one could anticipate the identity of this Orc.

—That's the Orc Lord. It is estimated to be at Level 60, but it's closer to Level 65 now after absorbing dark mana. It possesses exceptional physical abilities, high elemental resistances, and strong immunity to venom.

"Is it invincible...?" someone murmured as they listened to the description, summing up everyone's thoughts.

—Because of this, I've sent reinforcements.

At that moment, two spirits descended from the skies. The elder of the Magic Tower, Kan Cho-Woo and the guardian of the forest, Mandong, appeared almost solid after borrowing mana from Kim Ji-Hee.

The Hunters sighed in relief at their arrival, but Kim Ki-Rok wasn't finished.

—However!

The Hunters stopped in their tracks and involuntarily looked back at Kim Ki-Rok, breaking out in a cold sweat at the ominous feeling that this word gave them.

—As you all know, I have put much effort into fostering your growth.

They did know. Thanks to him, they'd never been allowed to use the powerful gear Kang Woo-Hyuk had reinforced, nor the treasure troves Kim Ki-Rok sometimes brought back from his travels, when it came to actually tackling Gates.

If they had used that equipment, this battle wouldn't have been half as grueling. However, before entering the Gate, all their gear had been confiscated.

"Bullshit," a Hunter expressed his frustrations under his breath.

Several of his comrades quietly agreed, also muttering under their breaths.

"What's that dog barking about?"

"

Grrr

."

"Our Guildmaster enjoys watching guild members suffer."

Despite purchasing A-Class or B-Class artifacts, DG Guild's Hunters were only allowed to use them for training rather than in actual combat.

—Once again, although it pains me greatly, I have decided to give you another trial!

And sure enough, the sinking feeling they had became a reality.

"Fuuuck..." The DG Guild members groaned.

—Kan Cho-Woo and Mandong will not participate in the battle. The two spirits will not move unless they notice that someone is at risk of losing a limb.

Then why did they bother coming down here and cause unnecessary distress?

—Although my heart aches with pain, this is all for your own good.

The bottom line was: figure it out and fight on your own.

Of course, the Hunters understood the logic behind this. They had grown rapidly after joining the DG Guild. Many felt proud when they realized how far they had come.

But still, wasn't this a bit too much?!

The saying goes, "Train like it's real combat, fight like it's training." But this was literally real combat. Who in their right mind does this?

Although the guild members gnashed their teeth in unison, they still took some comfort in the fact they did have backup.

—Oh, by the way, Kan Cho-Woo and Mandong will only take action if you lose a limb.

"Huh?"

"What is he talking about?"

The DG Guild members were confused by Kim Ki-Rok's statement.

—Any injury that can be healed is not considered fatal. For example, if your bones get smashed or your organs rupture. If a healing skill, healing potion, or extended medical care can fix you up but you still have all four limbs intact, then we do not consider that a critical injury. Thus, those two spirits won't move. Well then, we look forward to your efforts. Good luck!

As soon as Kim Ki-Rok's announcement ended, Yoo Seh-Eun gritted her teeth. "Before my retirement, I will punch our Guildmaster in the face. I swear by it."

"And I'll be right by your side when that happens."

"I'll curse you if you do it on your own."

Those present in the area also joined Yoo Seh-Eun's oath.

The members rallied their determination through a growing resentment toward their Guildmaster.