With a loud thud, the last SS-grade monster fell long on the ruins of the building. Property damage was inevitable, but there were no casualties. While the guards of Lanchea distracted the monsters, Yoohyun and Moon Hyuna quickly took care of one each.
Using the Chick Class Teacher skill and coordinating their attacks, even the SS-grade monster couldn't last long. Yoohyun and Yerim tied up the monster's feet, and as if they had been waiting, Moon Hyuna spear charged in, and that was the end.
"Your skill is really good," Moon Hyuna said, jumping off the monster's corpse.
"It's usually hard for combat classes to cooperate. Normally, I would have to prepare for burns, and it would be difficult for you to time your dodges."
As she said, it was not easy for Yoohyun and Moon Hyuna to cooperate. Especially since fire damage is so widespread. Even if Moon Hyuna's attack is concentrated in one place, it's likely to get caught up in it due to its power.
"Why don't you stop buying cookies and buy a skill instead? It seems like it would be convenient."
"I don't have any related traits, so it takes a lot of points. The price of skills varies depending on the buyer's abilities."
Yoohyun found this out by comparing it with the point shop. Equipment and consumables were the same points, but skills were different. In the case of fire attribute skills, the required points for me and Yoohyun were nearly a hundred times different.
"Really? No wonder you have such cheap skills. Still, if you have time, try collecting points by hunting with Moon, They say if you hunt with him, the points master can take them all, even double. They say there's grace, but it's difficult to take on the boss alone."
Moon hyuna smiled, saying, "What if you get lost in the wrong direction?"
But it's unlikely. Sharing resistance skills will become easier, not to mention doubling skills.
"Buying skills is tough, but they say you can get cookies generously. They offer a 20% discount for a set of 10, and a whopping 55% discount for a set of 100."
A box of a hundred costs 5 million points, but an S-grade miniaturization skill with the same effect as a cookie costs over 100 million points... Unfortunately, the S-grade exchange ticket excluded skills. There was also a point limit. Besides, it's better for the kids to use the exchange ticket.
"Are you going straight to Medsang?"
Yoohyun asked, pulling me out of his pocket.
"I guess so. What are you going to do, Hyuna?"
In my words, she scratched her red hair roughly. She looked thoughtful for a moment, but soon shook it off.
"Even if it's sincere, you have to distinguish. Guys!"
Moon Hyuna, who turned around, looked at the guards of Lanchea
"I have to leave to investigate the mana anomaly in Akates. So, I'll leave the city to you while I'm gone. Enter emergency mode and try to hold out with as little damage as possible. I hope we can see each other again, but don't wait too long, if you see a decent SS-grade Awakener, grab his ankle and sit him down. Got it?"
At her last words, a few guards chuckled. Although she said she would be away for a long time, the atmosphere wasn't too dark. There were worried expressions, but their faith in Lambda, Moon Hyuna, seemed stronger.
"Don't worry and go!"
"We'll keep waiting, but if we see an SS-grade Awakener, we'll grab his ankle."
"That's right, it's good to have one more person. It'll be easier for Lambda."
"I wonder if she'll go out of town every day if there's an SS-grade guard to leave behind."
While light jokes were exchanged, there were guards who ran to get her luggage. They even playfully argued about picking an escort, saying she wasn't going alone.
Lambda was a leader with high public trust, but I thought it was really amazing that Moon Hyuna continued that trust. There must have been a system effect that made them see her as Lambda, but that alone couldn't create such scenes.
"We received a response from the Medsang ship. They are approaching via the Lanchea-Paris road."
A guard who received the radio from the Lanchea Defense Bereau communication room said. They had agreed to meet at a place more than 20km away from the city because an SSS-grade monster was following them. Soon, military vehicles and Moon Hyuna's motorcycle, and a truck carrying luggage were prepared. To conserve power, only A to B grade Lanchea guards who also served as drivers agreed to accompany them.
The vehicles departed amidst the people's farewell. Moon Hyuna looked at them and the dark city with a hint of regret.
"It would be nice to rest for a day. Lanchea is a wonderful city. I couldn't even eat Bolognese, a traditional dish from the southern region in the past. It's in season and tastes amazing."
She's really become one of the people here.
"It's not a time to rest leisurely, but I want to return to the ship as soon as possible because I left the two of them behind. I wonder how they are."
"That's true. Little Moon and Noah's compatibility isn't great, right? He can't use attack skills, might be getting bullied."
Would Noah really do that? ...Even though he tried to abandon him. Soon, a barrier appeared and they ascended onto the rough road through a large gate. In the meantime, the effect of the cookie had ended and Yoohyun sat in the passenger seat. The moonlight pouring down was unusually intense.
"The installation location for the 5th disc was confirmed by Noah to be in Medsang City, but there is no matching location in Drosia City for the last 1st disc."
The installation location for the 1st disc was written as the central lake of the Libenua Forest. However, there was no Libenua Forest in Drosia. The already cold northern land had frozen over due to the gathering of water and ice spirits, turning all the areas that were once forests into snowfields. So, they said they would look through the records as it could be one of the disappeared forests outside the city.
"It's here."
Yoohyun spoke first, and little Moon Hyuna also looked up at the sky. I could faintly feel the movement of mana as well.
After engraving the mark, I couldn't adapt to the suddenly changed senses and wore an item that lowered my mana response rate. It was because both my mind and body became tired if I left it as it was. Now, I had about a D-class level of mana sense.
With a low hum, the air vibrated and a huge ship appeared in the air. It approached us at almost teleportation speed, wrapped in various auxiliary skills. The wind hit our faces fiercely as if a storm was rushing in due to the recoil.
A part of the bottom of the ship opened and a large elevator big enough for a few cars to ascend came down. As we went inside the ship, Noah was there to meet us.
"We will head straight to Medsang City. The SSS-grade monster is still following without any sudden movements. Although most monsters regard humans as enemies and attack cities, there has never been a case as persistent as this. It must be targeting him."
They said that usually, if they get a certain distance away, they don't actively follow. In addition, the Akates mana hole has also calmed down. It seems that the anomaly of the mana hole was indeed due to Sigma.
"And, creatures below SS-grade have also joined, forming a group of about a hundred."
"A group?"
"Yes. The number decreases occasionally as they eat each other, but it continues to increase."
"...How many SS-grade are there?"
"We've confirmed five so far."
I was momentarily at a loss for words at Noah's answer.
The plan was simple. After installing the disc up to Medsang, we would head straight to Drosia with the SSS-grade monster. According to Sung Hyun Je, we planned to deal with the monster by joining up with Yerim, the strongest guard in this world, but would it be okay? I hope no more SSS-grade monsters pop out.
"What about little Moon?"
Since Sigma was processed as dead, we decided to temporarily use a different nickname in front of the people of this world. The party in question seemed reluctant. Yoohyun and Noah referred to him as "that guy", "that person", "that one", and only Hyuna and I called him "little moon".
Doesn't it suit him somewhat?
"I'm sleeping. It's nighttime."
Noah said with a smile. Well, the guards in this neighborhood are usually active at night. They must have forced him to sleep. It's better than getting into fights. Yoohyun looked at Noah with an expression that seemed to say he did well. Thanks to Sigma, Yoohyun and Noah seemed to have become closer. It would be nice if all three of them could get along well... but that would be too much to ask for.
"It will take about a day to reach the Medsang City. Rest well during that time."
Noah really needs to rest. He has been supplying mana to the guards in the Sanctuary and using support skills as well. Noah laughed and reassured me that he was fine. With his SS-grade stats and healing skills, he has excellent self-recovery abilities.
As he prepared to move, he gave instructions to the guards in a mature and reliable manner. Riette should have seen that.
As I headed towards the quarters, I released the mana suppression item. At the same time, I felt a slight dizziness.
"Don't overdo it, Hyung."
"It's fine as long as there's no one around using skills. Yoohyun, you've always been sensitive to mana, so it must have been tough, right?"
"I've been feeling it faintly even before I became an Awakened. Mana wasn't completely absent before that. It was just a level where I could feel it and become slightly physically stronger. There wasn't a big difference."
Yoohyun was generally healthy since he was young. He was also good at physical education.
"You were first or second place in the sports festival. Even in the relay race, you caught up even though there was a big gap and almost won."
"I did that on purpose. It would be troublesome if I did too well. I didn't have any intention of going into the sports field."
"In middle school, you said you wanted to go to medical school."
"I thought it would be advantageous in many ways."
"Being a doctor is a good profession... Did you really not have anything you wanted to do, Yoohyun?"
"If you're asking about a profession, then no."
My younger brother opened the door to the quarters and spoke.
"At that time, I just wanted to make it easier for you, Hyung. Move to a better house, not do difficult work. That's all, why is it strange?"
"No, not at all. That's usually the case. It would be nice to do something great enough to be remembered in history, but most people just want to live comfortably. Without worrying about money, having a harmonious family and understanding friends. If you add good health to that, what more could you ask for?"
Having big dreams is good. But living a stable and happy life is also a good thing. And it's not easy.
"Besides, we have to save the world in order to live in peace. It's not a small dream. If you think about it, even people who live for the sake of the world are trying to create an environment where other people can live comfortably and happily. If every ordinary person becomes happy, that would eventually be world peace, right? Then wouldn't cherishing oneself be the cornerstone of world peace?"
I'm not sure if it makes sense, but anyway. I just hope that Yoohyun and the people who like me will all be happy. I don't care about the people who dislike me.
"Since there's nothing to do until we arrive at the Medsang city, can you help me adapt to my mana senses?"
"Of course, I can help, but my skills are dangerous for you to use, Hyung. It would be better to ask Noah Hunter for healing or support skills."
"Trying out skills is good, but using them directly is the fastest way. And among them, the most useful would be resistance skills, right? I want to practice fear resistance."
Poison and curses are too dangerous, and since I've been downgraded to S-grade, it's perfect.
"Go ahead, threaten me."
I sat in the chair and looked up at Yoohyun. He hesitated for a moment and then drew his sword. The sharp edge of the blade was pointed at my neck. It almost touched my throat, sending a chilling sensation across my skin.
'...Is it because I'm used to being threatened that I don't feel anything special?'
-"I bet even an A-class awakened would be scared and run away!"
Irin interjected. But I really didn't know. Yoo Hyun has never been good at sensing intimidation, but now he seems even more unaffected.
"Well, how about this?"
His Yoohyun turned the sword in the opposite direction. As I watched the metallic trail draw a semicircle, I suddenly stood up.
"Han Yoohyun!"
The blade thinly sliced across the nape of the neck. Though only the skin was grazed and blood droplets formed slightly, the heat rose. Fear resistance activated, and the movement of mana, which hadn't been properly felt before, spread throughout the body. It was a high S-grade skill compared to my stats, causing a creepy sensation to run through my whole body. It felt like my pulse was racing, but I suppressed it and approached Yoohyun.
"Hey! Even if you're like that, do you have to hurt yourself? It's not real, but still!"
When I flicked my little brother's neck, Irin complained, "It would hurt more if you hit me like that, hyung!" Right now, my stats feel like they're at a C-class.
"Knowing this level of injury means nothing to you, but still, you can't do that!"
"Yeah."
"Don't smile!"
"Yeah."
Feeling sorry for bothering busy Noah directly, I should ask for just a relaxed support guard, even if the skill grade is lower.
Only after the day brightened and it became morning did Sigma, instead of rushing at Noah, confidently declared in front of him that I should be released and fulfill the duty of a guardian.
"Protest to Mu, C-class ren't you supposed to be my guardian?"
Without trying to surpressed their voices and hiding behind me, Yoohyun and Noah's expressions twisted, and Moon Hyuna is dying of amusement.
"Our little Moon, you're doing great! Keep it up! It's even funnier with Sung Hyunjae's face! When will the guild master Sesung come here?"
"Even though you're not being faithful to the contract, you're turning your back on me?"
"No, hey. You started it first."
"... Yoojin-ssi if you leave it to me, I'll keep him quiet until the job is done."
"That's right, hyung Just handed him over to Hunter Noah"
"Now you're trying to starve me all day long. I won't just sit idly by, C-class."
Our little Moon, you've become even more wishy-washy. If you wait another 3 or 40 years instead of a hundred, you'll become like Sung Hyunjae. Still, we have to feed you.
In the midst of trivial bickering, the ship approached closer to the Medsang city. In the meantime, the number of monster groups had exceeded 300.
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