Chapter 133: Minotauros (6)

-BWOOOOOO!!

At the center of the Labyrinth’s second-floor. Minotauros, having torn through the heart of the God of Earth as an illusion, gained substance as he roared.

A massive sound fills the open center. The sheer intensity of the enmity contained within makes the body freeze for a moment. But.

“Get a grip! Everyone spread out and ready your weapons!”

“Don’t be scared! Haven’t we practiced this several times already?”

“Remember! Don’t get close, don’t stand in front, and watch out for friendly fire!”

At the shouts of the veteran adventurers accompanying them as protectors, they snapped out of it and began to scatter in perfect unison.

They hadn’t trained together, but with the strategy so clear, and Minotauros being so well-researched over the hundreds of years, their movements fell into place as if rehearsed.

Lydia also moved to the side, waving her hand.

“Jonah, you can do it.”

“Watch carefully!”

With a bright smile, I grabbed Rosemary by the nape as she was taking something out and distanced her from Minotauros.

“Ah! Wh-what! I have my own plans too! Isn’t it dangerous to move like this suddenly?”

“You remember that we need to always stay within Miss Lydia’s sight, right? We can’t stray too far.”

“Ugh!”

Rosemary made a hissing sound in frustration, but soon realized this wasn’t the time for that and pulled out a large bow from her Subspace Ring.

“Whew. Alright, now cast your magic quickly. We need to contribute.”

“Contribute, huh….”

Currently, Minotauros was being held by the ankles by half a dozen heavily armored tanks, while long-range attackers continued to deal damage from a distance.

Maybe it’s because I’m wearing Morgana’s robe, but they seem to have mistaken me for a mage who deals ranged damage.

Though I wasn’t one of course.

“No, I don’t have anything like that.”

“…What?”

“I mean, I can use magic, but the range is short for all of them. And I’m a melee fighter, so I plan to fight in the thick of it.”

“With that armor, you’ll die with a single hit!”

“It’d be the same even if I were to wear heavy armor, so what’s the difference?”

I recently gained the Aura Skill, Dormant Explosion, which greatly enhanced my physical endurance, but it’s still at the level of an ordinary adventurer.

It’s far inferior to those who have been raising their endurance while assuming the role of a tank for a long time.

But.

“In other words, as long as I don’t get hit, I’m fine!”

Rosemary looked dumbfounded. I patted her shoulder lightly.

“I won’t tell you to follow me. But as I said earlier, keep in mind the angle at which Miss Lydia can see both me and you at a glance… Got it?”

“Oh, okay?”

While Rosemary was still fumbling, I used the Sound-Eating Footsteps to conceal my presence.

“What?!”

Leaving behind the startled Rosemary, who was bewildered by the strange sight of a person who seemed to be there but not, I charged towards Minotauros.

I didn’t use the Invisibility Cloak. In such a chaotic battle, if the others can’t even see me, they might unknowingly launch an attack in my direction.

With each step closer, the distance shortened. The noise of battle grew louder accordingly.

-BWOOO!!

Minotauros let out a low but intense roar and swung its fist. Standing over 2 meters tall, its massive frame and muscles exuded explosive power.

Bang!

A loud explosion was heard from the large shield of the tank who had misreceived the attack.

“Urgh!”

The human woman who had just blocked the attack spewed blood and was flung to the side. The arm holding the shield was twisted in an impossible direction.

Still, since she wasn’t dead and was wriggling, the priests started healing her from a distance.

Though the priests were still at a low level, so their long-distance healing efficiency would be poor, it should suffice for first aid.

Up until now, she had skillfully deflected Minotauros’s punches, but just one mistake of sustaining a direct hit had led to this.

If I get grazed by it, I’m dead for sure.

I smirked and enveloped my entire body with greatly increased aura.

As vitality surged through my body, my sprinting speed accelerated even more.

Lately, I’ve been learning how to use aura from Lydia bit by bit, and my improved control made this possible.

In the stretched-out scenery like pulled clay, I instantly took position behind Minotauros.

Someone spat curses at me from behind, but who cares. Up close, it seemed like its leather was just slightly singed, but it was otherwise fine.

Dealers who lack damage don’t have human rights.

With a smirk, I caused a small explosion of aura near the soles of my feet and leaped.

A leap that utilized the full speed of my run. Only after confirming I had jumped to a height comparable to Minotauros’s did I twist my waist fully.

Just before hitting the back of Minotauros’s head, which was focused on the tanks in front.

“Hmph!”

I quickly restored my twisted waist and rotated once in midair.

The muscles of my whole body explode with a spring-like elasticity, creating an incredible speed. But I don’t stop there, I swing my arm wide, timing it perfectly.

The momentum from running, the rotational force of my entire body, and the arm swing at just the right moment.

At this very moment. All my strength is focused on the Dagger.

Slash-!

The leather, known for its resistance to physical impact, is cut in an instant, and a chunk of flesh is torn away.

However, it’s a bit disappointing that the Unicorn Dagger isn’t enough to finish off such a large and tough creature.

-Roarrr?!

Minotauros, suddenly struck at the back of its neck, turns around with a painful scream.

It’s a pretty dangerous situation for me, as I’m still mid-air and unable to move. If it just swings at me now, I’d be done for. But.

“Burn! Intense Flame!”

Before that happens, I just need to hit it with a spell to its face.

Whoosh!

-Buuooook!!

Its burning gaze of fury is now engulfed in even larger flames.

Minotauros, who was about to strike at me, pats the fire off its face with its hand.

A 2-star magic. According to the Magic Tower’s standards, it belongs to the 3rd circle. Despite its short range, its firepower is undeniable.

As if to not betray my expectations, Minotauros’s face, which had not suffered much from numerous arrows and spells until now, is now blackened.

Not just the outer skin, as it exhales black smoke from its mouth.

However, Minotauros. The indomitable hero who once single-handedly defeated countless intruders wouldn’t die from just this.

Minotauros, which had its eyes closed from the intense flames, suddenly opened its eyelids wide.

One eye had turned white from the heat. The other eye, still intact, glared fiercely in this direction.

“Th-that last strike, what on earth…”

“Idiot! Is that the issue right now? You’ve drawn all the aggro!”

“Stick together and block! If the formation breaks, we’re all dead!”

The tankers, who witnessed everything up close, urgently rushed out to block Minotauros.

Simultaneously, small spells and arrows poured in from the sides.

While the tankers seemed to be on guard to prevent the frontline from collapsing and the subjugation from turning into a mess, the ranged dealers appeared anxious that Minotauros might fall before they could contribute enough.

However, it wasn’t an easy opponent just because it fell for my attack easily. It’s normally a monster that should be taken down slowly from a distance. Starting a reckless attack won’t end well.

The forcibly enhanced magic either missed its target or dissipated mid-air.

Attempts to imbue arrows with excessive aura ended in futility, breaking the bow or causing the user to falter from the rebound.

This created a gap in the briefly concentrated firepower, turning into a disaster for the tanks trying to manage the aggro.

-Roooar!

Minotauros, roaring, kicks the dwarf warrior at the front.

Normally, it wouldn’t inflict deep wounds, but the kick, which should have been restrained by movement-impairing spells, landed perfectly.

Crack!

The dwarf’s armor crumpled with the sound of metal folding. The others fared no better.

They were punched, trampled, and sometimes grabbed and thrown aside.

“Kyahhh!”

“You stupid bitches! Why has the attack stopped?”

“Senior! Help us, senior!!”

Utter chaos. Some stood up despite their severe injuries, refusing to give up, while others surrendered and pleaded for salvation.

No one had died yet, but the situation was a complete mess.

“No. What’s this…?”

Although I had drawn Minotauros’s attention by dealing significant damage, I didn’t expect things to fall apart just because of this one thing.

They would have smoothly cleared it without me, so I felt a bit sorry, yet seeing them self-destruct in a frenzy was absurd.

But well, it can’t be helped now.

As I struck with the Unicorn Dagger, I got a rough sense. I can cover this alone for a while.

Of course, I’ll have to give it my all, so avoiding attention will be difficult…

That part was already prepared for. The rumors spread to find Eve, the Power to show to high-ranking elves met through Rosemary.

Anyway, it’s only a matter of time before my existence is known.

So it’s okay to reveal a little bit in advance.

…If I want to play dumb against the Temple, I need to add some seasoning.

I chewed grape-flavored candy roughly as I passed through the helplessly collapsing adventurers.

With a solemn expression as if I were consuming some forbidden elixir.

I tapped my pocket and prayed softly towards the fully leveled Goddess statue.

‘Sanctuary deployment. Please make it as narrow as possible to stick closely to my body.’

Uwoong-

For some reason, the light emanating from the excitedly vibrating Goddess statue was more sinister than usual.

At the same time, I activated the newly acquired Dormant Explosion.

The divine power that should have radiated brightly like a halo began to flicker like flames, mixed with a transparent aura, as it had not yet been coated with conviction.

This image depicted Lydia’s aura manipulation. However, it was slightly more precarious, as if burning one’s life force, dazzlingly.

Those who were fleeing, those who barely stood up to fight, and even Minotauros that seemed ready to charge at any moment all paused to look this way.

Enjoying their gazes, I smirked and lifted the corners of my mouth.

“Bring it on!”

,

-BWOOOOOO!!

At the center of the Labyrinth’s second-floor. Minotauros, having torn through the heart of the God of Earth as an illusion, gained substance as he roared.

A massive sound fills the open center. The sheer intensity of the enmity contained within makes the body freeze for a moment. But.

“Get a grip! Everyone spread out and ready your weapons!”

“Don’t be scared! Haven’t we practiced this several times already?”

“Remember! Don’t get close, don’t stand in front, and watch out for friendly fire!”

At the shouts of the veteran adventurers accompanying them as protectors, they snapped out of it and began to scatter in perfect unison.

They hadn’t trained together, but with the strategy so clear, and Minotauros being so well-researched over the hundreds of years, their movements fell into place as if rehearsed.

Lydia also moved to the side, waving her hand.

“Jonah, you can do it.”

“Watch carefully!”

With a bright smile, I grabbed Rosemary by the nape as she was taking something out and distanced her from Minotauros.

“Ah! Wh-what! I have my own plans too! Isn’t it dangerous to move like this suddenly?”

“You remember that we need to always stay within Miss Lydia’s sight, right? We can’t stray too far.”

“Ugh!”

Rosemary made a hissing sound in frustration, but soon realized this wasn’t the time for that and pulled out a large bow from her Subspace Ring.

“Whew. Alright, now cast your magic quickly. We need to contribute.”

“Contribute, huh….”

Currently, Minotauros was being held by the ankles by half a dozen heavily armored tanks, while long-range attackers continued to deal damage from a distance.

Maybe it’s because I’m wearing Morgana’s robe, but they seem to have mistaken me for a mage who deals ranged damage.

Though I wasn’t one of course.

“No, I don’t have anything like that.”

“…What?”

“I mean, I can use magic, but the range is short for all of them. And I’m a melee fighter, so I plan to fight in the thick of it.”

“With that armor, you’ll die with a single hit!”

“It’d be the same even if I were to wear heavy armor, so what’s the difference?”

I recently gained the Aura Skill, Dormant Explosion, which greatly enhanced my physical endurance, but it’s still at the level of an ordinary adventurer.

It’s far inferior to those who have been raising their endurance while assuming the role of a tank for a long time.

But.

“In other words, as long as I don’t get hit, I’m fine!”

Rosemary looked dumbfounded. I patted her shoulder lightly.

“I won’t tell you to follow me. But as I said earlier, keep in mind the angle at which Miss Lydia can see both me and you at a glance… Got it?”

“Oh, okay?”

While Rosemary was still fumbling, I used the Sound-Eating Footsteps to conceal my presence.

“What?!”

Leaving behind the startled Rosemary, who was bewildered by the strange sight of a person who seemed to be there but not, I charged towards Minotauros.

I didn’t use the Invisibility Cloak. In such a chaotic battle, if the others can’t even see me, they might unknowingly launch an attack in my direction.

With each step closer, the distance shortened. The noise of battle grew louder accordingly.

-BWOOO!!

Minotauros let out a low but intense roar and swung its fist. Standing over 2 meters tall, its massive frame and muscles exuded explosive power.

Bang!

A loud explosion was heard from the large shield of the tank who had misreceived the attack.

“Urgh!”

The human woman who had just blocked the attack spewed blood and was flung to the side. The arm holding the shield was twisted in an impossible direction.

Still, since she wasn’t dead and was wriggling, the priests started healing her from a distance.

Though the priests were still at a low level, so their long-distance healing efficiency would be poor, it should suffice for first aid.

Up until now, she had skillfully deflected Minotauros’s punches, but just one mistake of sustaining a direct hit had led to this.

If I get grazed by it, I’m dead for sure.

I smirked and enveloped my entire body with greatly increased aura.

As vitality surged through my body, my sprinting speed accelerated even more.

Lately, I’ve been learning how to use aura from Lydia bit by bit, and my improved control made this possible.

In the stretched-out scenery like pulled clay, I instantly took position behind Minotauros.

Someone spat curses at me from behind, but who cares. Up close, it seemed like its leather was just slightly singed, but it was otherwise fine.

Dealers who lack damage don’t have human rights.

With a smirk, I caused a small explosion of aura near the soles of my feet and leaped.

A leap that utilized the full speed of my run. Only after confirming I had jumped to a height comparable to Minotauros’s did I twist my waist fully.

Just before hitting the back of Minotauros’s head, which was focused on the tanks in front.

“Hmph!”

I quickly restored my twisted waist and rotated once in midair.

The muscles of my whole body explode with a spring-like elasticity, creating an incredible speed. But I don’t stop there, I swing my arm wide, timing it perfectly.

The momentum from running, the rotational force of my entire body, and the arm swing at just the right moment.

At this very moment. All my strength is focused on the Dagger.

Slash-!

The leather, known for its resistance to physical impact, is cut in an instant, and a chunk of flesh is torn away.

However, it’s a bit disappointing that the Unicorn Dagger isn’t enough to finish off such a large and tough creature.

-Roarrr?!

Minotauros, suddenly struck at the back of its neck, turns around with a painful scream.

It’s a pretty dangerous situation for me, as I’m still mid-air and unable to move. If it just swings at me now, I’d be done for. But.

“Burn! Intense Flame!”

Before that happens, I just need to hit it with a spell to its face.

Whoosh!

-Buuooook!!

Its burning gaze of fury is now engulfed in even larger flames.

Minotauros, who was about to strike at me, pats the fire off its face with its hand.

A 2-star magic. According to the Magic Tower’s standards, it belongs to the 3rd circle. Despite its short range, its firepower is undeniable.

As if to not betray my expectations, Minotauros’s face, which had not suffered much from numerous arrows and spells until now, is now blackened.

Not just the outer skin, as it exhales black smoke from its mouth.

However, Minotauros. The indomitable hero who once single-handedly defeated countless intruders wouldn’t die from just this.

Minotauros, which had its eyes closed from the intense flames, suddenly opened its eyelids wide.

One eye had turned white from the heat. The other eye, still intact, glared fiercely in this direction.

“Th-that last strike, what on earth…”

“Idiot! Is that the issue right now? You’ve drawn all the aggro!”

“Stick together and block! If the formation breaks, we’re all dead!”

The tankers, who witnessed everything up close, urgently rushed out to block Minotauros.

Simultaneously, small spells and arrows poured in from the sides.

While the tankers seemed to be on guard to prevent the frontline from collapsing and the subjugation from turning into a mess, the ranged dealers appeared anxious that Minotauros might fall before they could contribute enough.

However, it wasn’t an easy opponent just because it fell for my attack easily. It’s normally a monster that should be taken down slowly from a distance. Starting a reckless attack won’t end well.

The forcibly enhanced magic either missed its target or dissipated mid-air.

Attempts to imbue arrows with excessive aura ended in futility, breaking the bow or causing the user to falter from the rebound.

This created a gap in the briefly concentrated firepower, turning into a disaster for the tanks trying to manage the aggro.

-Roooar!

Minotauros, roaring, kicks the dwarf warrior at the front.

Normally, it wouldn’t inflict deep wounds, but the kick, which should have been restrained by movement-impairing spells, landed perfectly.

Crack!

The dwarf’s armor crumpled with the sound of metal folding. The others fared no better.

They were punched, trampled, and sometimes grabbed and thrown aside.

“Kyahhh!”

“You stupid bitches! Why has the attack stopped?”

“Senior! Help us, senior!!”

Utter chaos. Some stood up despite their severe injuries, refusing to give up, while others surrendered and pleaded for salvation.

No one had died yet, but the situation was a complete mess.

“No. What’s this…?”

Although I had drawn Minotauros’s attention by dealing significant damage, I didn’t expect things to fall apart just because of this one thing.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

They would have smoothly cleared it without me, so I felt a bit sorry, yet seeing them self-destruct in a frenzy was absurd.

But well, it can’t be helped now.

As I struck with the Unicorn Dagger, I got a rough sense. I can cover this alone for a while.

Of course, I’ll have to give it my all, so avoiding attention will be difficult…

That part was already prepared for. The rumors spread to find Eve, the Power to show to high-ranking elves met through Rosemary.

Anyway, it’s only a matter of time before my existence is known.

So it’s okay to reveal a little bit in advance.

…If I want to play dumb against the Temple, I need to add some seasoning.

I chewed grape-flavored candy roughly as I passed through the helplessly collapsing adventurers.

With a solemn expression as if I were consuming some forbidden elixir.

I tapped my pocket and prayed softly towards the fully leveled Goddess statue.

‘Sanctuary deployment. Please make it as narrow as possible to stick closely to my body.’

Uwoong-

For some reason, the light emanating from the excitedly vibrating Goddess statue was more sinister than usual.

At the same time, I activated the newly acquired Dormant Explosion.

The divine power that should have radiated brightly like a halo began to flicker like flames, mixed with a transparent aura, as it had not yet been coated with conviction.

This image depicted Lydia’s aura manipulation. However, it was slightly more precarious, as if burning one’s life force, dazzlingly.

Those who were fleeing, those who barely stood up to fight, and even Minotauros that seemed ready to charge at any moment all paused to look this way.

Enjoying their gazes, I smirked and lifted the corners of my mouth.

“Bring it on!”