Chapter 49. This Might Not Be Enough

Squeak—

"Hurry! Hurry up!"

The thick door of the shelter slowly opened. As soon as there was enough space for one person to slip in, Park Tae-Sang quickly squeezed inside. Then he closed the door.

With a loud thud

,

the door locked shut completely.

"

Phew

..."

Park Tae-Sang leaned against the door and sagged to the ground, exhaling deeply in relief.

"Leader?"

"Leader, Park Tae-Sang?"

People inside the shelter looked at him in confusion. Why was a Hunter who had been fighting outside so desperate to enter the shelter?

Those who were quick to catch on started to look grim. Why would a B-rank Hunter run like that unless there was a monster even he could not handle?

“No way...”

“Is there an A-rank monster outside?”

“But we're safe here, right...?”

Anxiety spread like wildfire. The shelter was already a breeding ground for fear. The murmuring among the people grew louder.

I'm alive...

However, Park Tae-Sang was immensely relieved.

At that moment, something heavy banged on the door, and the impact shook the entire shelter.

Thud—!

Park Tae-Sang jumped away from the door in shock.

Boom! Boom!

The sound kept coming, getting louder each time.

Bang! Crack!

Finally, the door twisted. A massive root, thick like that of the World Tree, was forcing its way into the shelter.

After there was a big enough hole, Eldora bent down and stepped inside.

"Why is everything so tough? That guy earlier was so stiff and now all these buildings are the same... Is this the Iron Age?"

Eldora grumbled as he entered.

His delicate, handsome appearance briefly rendered everyone speechless, especially the women. They stared at him, mesmerized. In contrast, Park Tae-Sang's face turned pale.

"How... How did you get through that door... Stay back! Stay back, I said!"

Park Tae-Sang retreated in a panic. Sensing something was off, the people began to snap out of their daze and moved back as well.

Eldora approached them with a peculiar smile.

Swoosh—!

However, a wall suddenly appeared between Eldora and the people.

"What is it this time?" Eldora frowned immediately.

Bang! Bang bang!

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He pounded his fist against the wall several times. However, the wall only trembled slightly and did not budge.

Eldora’s face soon twisted with anger. His beautiful features distorted into something monstrous. The stark contrast heightened the terror among the people, who now saw him as a handsome psychopath.

Damn it!

On the other hand, Eldora was losing his mind because things weren’t going his way. The human he fought earlier had a tough exterior, forcing him to summon Silaphe with almost all of his power.

But it didn’t end there. He had encountered the thick door, which he opened using a seed from the Hrebrukarita. And now, there was another barrier.

Are dwarves involved in this?

Eldora briefly suspected that, but quickly dismissed the thought due to the impossibility of it.

Boom!

Eldora pounded the wall in frustration one more time. People were terrified after seeing his strange-looking ears. They clung to the opposite side of the wall, not knowing what to do.

Scanning them with furious eyes, Eldora quickly narrowed his eyes. He noticed a woman emitting the same energy as the wall. It was Siwelin.

"Remove this," Eldora commanded, glaring at Siwelin with murderous intent.

However, Siwelin remained silent.

Eldora tried to calm his anger and spoke again. "If you remove it right now, I'll spare your life. How about that?"

“...”

However, Siwelin still did not respond and held Kim So-Eun tightly. With a determined look, she shielded the child from seeing him. She wasn’t fooled by his empty words. Well, even if he meant it, she didn’t intend on removing the barrier.

Siwelin’s face was filled with worry. What had happened to Kim Do-Joon outside? She knew he hadn’t died because if he did, she’d disappear as well.

She wondered if he stepped away for a moment, and this creature barged in during that time, but that was highly unlikely. Kim Do-Joon wouldn’t leave Kim So-Eun and Siwelin in the shelter without a word for so long.

Siwelin desperately wanted to leave this place and go check on him.

"Unnie..." Kim So-Eun said, clinging to her.

At the same time, Siwelin could not leave Kim So-Eun behind with such a dangerous person.

— If you ever find yourself in a situation where you can only save either me or my daughter, don't hesitate. Save my daughter first.

Kim Do-Joon’s words from long ago flashed through Siwelin’s mind. She had no choice but to wait, believing in his safety. Siwelin bit her lip in nervousness. Trusting someone was her specialty, but that didn’t make the situation any less painful.

"Damn it, do I have to summon it again...? It'll make a ruckus later, though..." Eldora grumbled, scratching his head as Siwelin showed no sign of removing the wall.

Siwelin watched his every move intently, trying not to miss anything. Eldora glared at her and placed his left hand on the wall.

"Silaphe."

Then, Eldora called upon the same name that had brought upon Kim Do-Joon’s defeat. Quickly, wind swirled around his hand, before transferring beyond the wall. Soon, the entire atmosphere of the shelter was under his control.

"...!"

Siwelin was the only one who sensed something was amiss. Despite the barrier she’d set up, Eldora's energy was infiltrating inside. Realizing that a barrier wasn’t enough, she began preparing for her next move.

She could either set up another barrier closer to the people, or individually shield everyone. There were many options.

As she was about to cast her next protection spell to counter whatever Eldora was planning, her eyes widened.

Crackle!

A blue lightning spear pierced through the busted shelter door.

"What the hell!"

Eldora turned around in surprise. Although the lightning struck him squarely, it caused no damage. However, the attack momentarily blinded and deafened him, just as it had before.

In the next moment, his vision cleared to reveal Kim Do-Joon, who had blood trickling from his mouth.

“

Cough.

”

"

Ugh,

you... bastard..."

Eldora furiously gnashed his teeth.

***

"W-who is that?"

"Is he here to take that guy down?"

The appearance of Kim Do-Joon caused a stir among the people. His dramatic entrance made him look like a high-level Hunter.

Seeing Kim Do-Joon’s arrival, a glimmer of relief flitted across Siwelin's face. She was glad that he was safe. Kim Do-Joon looked badly injured, but as long as he was alive, she could manage the situation somehow. She knew she could.

Momentarily relaxing, Siwelin loosened her grip on Kim So-Eun, who turned around.

"Daddy!"

Kim So-Eun screamed in fright. She had seen Kim Do-Joon's bloodied, exhausted form. Besides, fresh blood still flowed from his mouth.

Kim So-Eun began to tear up. She struggled to run to her father, but a pair of arms held her back—Siwelin’s.

"Unnie! Daddy is..."

Siwelin shook her head and hugged Kim So-Eun tighter. She wriggled in Siwelin’s arms, unable to break free.

"Oh my, Mr. Do-Joon! What happened?”

Meanwhile, Kwon Soo-Young asked anxiously. The man in front of the wall made a B-rank Hunter like Park Tae-Sang ran away in fright. In that case, how was Kim Do-Joon, who was only an E-rank, supposed to deal with him?

Kwon Soo-Young and the others were protected by the strange barrier, whereas Kim Do-Joon wasn’t.

“R-run away! An E-rank Hunter can’t win against him!”

Kwon Soo-Young shouted toward Kim Do-Joon. Hearing his words, the surroundings began to panic.

“Wait, he’s only an E-rank Hunter?”

“So, he didn’t come to save us?”

Everyone had assumed Kim Do-Joon was a skilled Hunter. But upon hearing that he was only an E-rank Hunter, their expressions turned grim. They realized the crisis hadn’t been averted yet.

No matter how much the people buzzed, the two on the other side of the barrier paid no attention. Kim Do-Joon and Eldora were focused solely on each other.

“

Ugh...

You are stubborn... very stubborn. You’re still alive even after Silaphe tore through your insides? And you even chased after me?”

Eldora laughed in disbelief, but soon, a wild glint swirled in his eyes. Initially, Eldora had been careless, but after a few exchanges with Kim Do-Joon, he had grown wary of his opponent. Now, he was on high alert.

Swoosh—!

Suddenly, Kim Do-Joon pulled his spear closer and charged toward Eldora. He repeatedly launched attacks that seemed to be futile. Eldora clicked his tongue and raised his left hand. Silaphe, the spirit that only he could perceive, had been summoned into this space. All Eldora had to do was make contact.

However, the situation unfolded unexpectedly. Just as Eldora anticipated Kim Do-Joon’s spear strike, Kim Do-Joon thrusted his hand forward instead.

Smack! Crack!

Their hands clashed, as if testing each other’s strength.

Eldora’s eyes twitched. To finish Kim Do-Joon off, he needed to put his hand on the man’s chest. However, he quickly changed his mind, deciding to take his arm first.

Silaphe

.

The fierce spirit of wind twisted Kim Do-Joon’s arm.

Snap! Snap!

All the capillaries in Kim Do-Joon’s arm burst, turning his entire forearm blue with bruises.

“

Keugh!

”

Kim Do-Joon gritted his teeth so hard that they might shatter. But since his daughter was right in front of him, he couldn’t afford to show an unsightly screaming face. A father had to always be composed in front of his child.

Whoosh!

In the next moment, Kim Do-Joon withdrew his hand and leaped back. His arm dangled, bruised up to the shoulder.

— Are you alright?

I can... endure it.

—

Ugh,

you fool!

Despite the cold sweat, Kim Do-Joon managed to keep a faint smile. Somehow, Karlish’s scolding had become endearing to him.

I succeeded, though.

Obviously, Kim Do-Joon had not extended his arm without a plan.

[Eldora]

Compatibility

- 0%

[Additional Effect]

Speed Level - 31

During the moment their hands touched, Kim Do-Joon had pulled out a ring from his inventory. He then successfully transferred the ring’s negative effect to Eldora, which took place immediately.

"What have you done to me? Why does my body feel so heavy?" Eldora began to panic.

His reaction was to be expected. Anyone would be disoriented if their speed rune suddenly decreased so much. The change would feel like switching from a best sports car to a small rental car.

"You still had another trick up your sleeve despite how worn out you are?" Eldora said, gritting his teeth.

Kim Do-Joon could sense that his wariness was increasing.

In truth, Kim Do-Joon had no more tricks left. His copy-paste ability could only be used once a day, and this was the last negative effect he could inflict on Eldora.

He dodged the attack while in mid-air. This means his abilities don’t work well in the air.

Thus, Kim Do-Joon concluded he didn’t need to reduce Eldora’s defense power or regeneration. If Eldora had a regeneration effect similar to that of a troll’s, he wouldn’t have twisted his body so much to avoid the mid-air attack.

There’s a chance that his mid-air evasion is a feint...

In that case, Kim Do-Joon had no way to counter it. Therefore, he had to bet everything on his hypothesis that Eldora’s abnormal defense power didn’t activate in mid-air.

The next moment, Kim Do-Joon grasped the spear with his remaining arm. Eldora smirked when he saw it.

"

Hah

, what can you even do with that broken arm? You may have succeeded in cursing me or whatever, but the outcome won’t change."

"Are you sure about that?" Kim Do-Joon’s voice carried an odd confidence.

The next moment, Eldora’s eyebrow twitched and his eyes widened. Kim Do-Joon’s blue-tinged arm, full of bruises, was healing rapidly. The blood dripping from the corner of his mouth had also stopped.

Wait a second... This energy is...

Eldora whipped his head around. Beyond the wall, the woman with strange energy from earlier stared at them. This time, a white flower bloomed in one of her eyes.

While Eldora generally appreciated plants, this flower evoked a peculiar, unsettling feeling. He felt an urge to rip it out.

"Damn it... She was a Healer, after all."

Clicking his tongue, Eldora turned back to Kim Do-Joon.

In that short time, Kim Do-Joon’s condition had significantly improved.

Boom!

Eldora charged toward Kim Do-Joon, but his body just slipped in front of Kim Do-Joon. Eldora thought his speed was impressive, but to Kim Do-Joon, he was very slow.

Wow... How slow...

Eldora’s movements were now sluggish. Compared to before, it felt like watching a slug crawl.

The next moment, Kim Do-Joon thrust his spear straight at Eldora’s forehead.

Thunk!

However, even when the spear hit Eldora's forehead, it failed to pierce his skin. It only grazed him.

Without trying to defend himself, Eldora reached out to grab Kim Do-Joon. However, Kim Do-Joon dodged. Even with Siwelin’s healing, he needed to avoid danger.

"

Argh!

"

The unarmed Eldora swung his hands wildly. However, his speed had been reduced, while Kim Do-Joon had received another blessing from Siwelin. There was a significant speed difference between them.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Eldora’s hands continuously hovered through the empty air. Kim Do-Joon evaded each attack, occasionally jabbing with his spear, though none of his hits were effective.

The two found themselves in another stalemate, much like before.

Suddenly, Eldora shouted.

"That way!"

He grinned triumphantly as extended his arm.

He wasn’t targeting Kim Do-Joon, but the barrier where Kim So-Eun, the people, and Siwelin were hiding.

“...!”

"Silaphe! Kill that woman!" Eldora cried out.

In battles, the Healer was always the primary target. From the beginning, Eldora's real target had been Siwelin.

Reaching for the wall, he summoned the spirit.

However, Kim Do-Joon had anticipated Eldora’s move, knowing it was only logical to target the healer first.

"Got you," Kim Do-Joon muttered.

[Thorn of Searshader]

Suddenly, black spike shot out from Eldora’s shadow, piercing his chest. Eldora, with his hand still outstretched and his back turned to Kim Do-Joon, froze in place.

Baam—!

Kim Do-Joon swung his spear powerfully, sending Eldora flying off into the air.

"Damn you!"

In the air, Eldora was vulnerable. If he wasn’t on the ground, Eldora was practically defenseless. Still, as if a renowned knight like Eldora would leave such a weakness unaddressed!

He was most confident in controlling his posture mid-air. With a quick twist of his body, he would land safely, just like before.

But something was a bit different...

"

Ugh!

"

Previously, thinking it was a waste of mana, Kim Do-Joon had dispelled the thorns as soon as he launched Eldora into the air.

But now, Kim Do-Joon was poured even more mana into keeping the thorns in place.

— Good! Now's the time!

Karlish shouted excitedly. Then, Kim Do-Joon lowered his stance, gripping his spear tightly. Streams of icy mana unfurled from his body, splitting into two, then three, and eventually ten threads. Thin, thread-like mana strands surged around him.

— Just do as I said! Finish it in one strike!

Karish was fired up, as if it were his own battle. Kim Do-Joon agreed that this needed to end in one decisive move, because there might not be another opportunity.

This might not be enough...

Kim Do-Joon’s current limit was ten strands of mana. However, he tore his mana once more.

Snap.

Blood vessels in Kim Do-Joon’s eyes began to rupture.