Beyond The Control

Chapter 23

“If we can’t cut it off in one go, Lee Seong-min could be in danger.”

If attacked, it would thrash its branches wildly in a frenzy, and there was a high chance Seong-min could collide with the surrounding tree trunks. Although the combat suit would absorb some of the impact, if he were unlucky enough to hit his head or back, he could sustain serious injuries.

A veteran would know to cut the branch themselves, but Seong-min, still a novice, couldn’t be expected to think of that. Moreover, the foggy mist would prevent him from seeing where the branch was entwined around his ankle.

‘I need to clear the mist first.’

But before that, Song Ji-hyeok spoke up first.

“What if we cut the trunk?”

“What?”

I momentarily forgot about using my skill and looked at him.

“If we cut the trunk, won’t it die?”

“…It probably would.”

Unless you’re propagating it, any part cut off from the main body naturally loses its strength.

“But…”

There was no time to add that cutting just the branch would be enough.

Song Ji-hyeok was faster again. He manifested a huge spear with surging blue energy and mercilessly launched it at the tree trunk.

BOOM-!

The ground we were standing on shook as if an earthquake had struck. Instinctively, I covered my ears at the ground-shaking explosion sound, then quickly came to my senses and looked at where the tree had been.

Wow, it’s falling backward in one shot…

“Aaaaargh!”

Oh no. Hearing a scream from far up in the air, I tilted my head back to see Seong-min in free fall like a kite with its string cut.

“I’ll catch him!”

Shouting loudly, I finally used my skill. I shot up a whirlwind and at the right moment, changed it into a flat shape to safely catch Seong-min like a mattress. Of course, this shape was only perceptible to me, and to others, it would look like Seong-min was floating down slowly on his own.

Although I landed him safely with delicate control, Seong-min collapsed as soon as his feet touched the ground. Everyone rushed around him.

“Are you okay?” 

At Han Song-i’s question, Seong-min barely managed to answer with a pale face.

“I… I thought I was going to die.”

It was understandable, given how his body was suddenly lifted into the air. No matter how tough the training at boot camp was, training is just training after all. When faced with an unexpected situation like this, it’s common for one’s mind to go blank.

‘Though some might not.’

I glanced at Song Ji-hyeok. While everyone was kneeling to check on Seong-min’s well-being, he alone stood tall with his arms crossed, looking down at the gathered people. Am I imagining it, or does his expression seem to say, “As if I wouldn’t have known how to handle it”?

I couldn’t help but be amazed anew. While the Fortes’ branches are as soft as tentacles, its trunk is as hard as steel. Because of this, in the early days, people even processed the tree trunks for use as building materials.

How did he think to destroy the trunk of such a strange life form, one as thick as a thousand-year-old zelkova tree? I’ve run B-class and higher dungeons dozens of times as part of a team, but this guy in front of me was the first to shatter a Fortes’ trunk rather than its branches.

Looking back, I saw Seong-min barely getting up with Han Song-i’s help. Then something caught my eye. Small hives seemed to be appearing on his previously clear cheek.

“Wait a moment.”

This is why I always come prepared. The so-called all-purpose ointment. I took off my glove, squeezed some ointment onto my right index finger, and gently rubbed it on Seong-min’s cheek.

He might not feel it now due to the shock, but soon he’d feel a burning pain. That’s typically how toxic substances in dungeons work.

Seeing his confused expression, I briefly explained.

“Looks like you brushed against a leaf. It’ll be fine soon.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

Even in this chaotic situation, his manners were impeccable. I hope he maintains that attitude for a long time.

Han Song-i, standing nearby, giggled and made an unnecessary comment.

“As expected, Doraemon’s pocket. There’s nothing to worry about when oppa’s around.”

You think I enjoy carrying all this stuff around? It’s called being prepared.

“Do you have any chocolate bars?”

“Of course I do.”

Today too, I had stuffed my pockets full. I even sneaked a pack into the backpack carried by the F-class helper, so I generously handed one out to each person. It’s a good chance to catch our breath, after all.

I unwrapped one and put it in my mouth, chewing slowly, when I noticed Song Ji-hyeok staring at me intently.

‘Does he want more?’

Alright, I’ll be generous. I gave him one more, which he accepted and ate quickly, like someone retrieving a stored item. But even after that, his gaze didn’t leave me.

Thinking it couldn’t be, I gave him another one, but it was the same. Only then did I sense something strange and spoke up.

“Do you have something to say?”

“…I was just thinking you’re really a dual.”

“Huh?”

What nonsense is this, after directly seeing me use my skill in the first raid?

“You’ve been staring because that’s surprising?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you keep accepting the chocolate bars?”

“Because you kept giving them to me.”

Oh geez, I wasted precious chocolate bars for nothing.

The rest period wasn’t very long. We needed to match our movement speed with A-team as we had to regroup with them at the end. Checking the dungeon-specific device map, I saw we were slightly behind A-team.

After moving for about an hour, I realized that similar terrain patterns seemed to be repeating. Dense forest would continue, then a circular clearing would appear as if to let us breathe – though that’s certainly not the case – and just when the greenery seemed noticeably thick and lush, a group of monsters would invariably appear.

Forest-type dungeons have another characteristic. Like real mammals moving in herds, monsters appear in groups, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on the situation. If we’re at a disadvantage, it’s perfect for getting ganged up on, but if our forces are superior, it’s easy to deal with them in one place.

With today’s team strength, it was definitely the latter. The newcomers showed off the skills they had honed, using various abilities as they engaged in battle.

BOOM-!

Song Ji-hyeok, in particular, was firing off skills left and right like a fish in water. Even though the monsters’ appearances were similar to animals we’re familiar with, which might make one hesitate, he was busy tearing them apart quickly and mercilessly, like someone without blood or tears.

His monstrous destructive power, befitting his rank, wasn’t limited to just the monsters. Seeing how areas were devastated wherever the blue energy he shot exploded like a bomb, I couldn’t help but be amazed.

Jealousy is something you feel towards people you can actually compete with. I didn’t feel that way towards this guy who was like a tree so tall you couldn’t see the top even if you tilted your head back. Instead, only one thought became firmly established.

I must never provoke him.

Thanks to my status as an experienced employee, I mostly observed the newcomers’ battles, but there were times when I stepped in. If Kang Ha-na seemed to be struggling and about to be counterattacked, I would lend a hand from the side.

As a result, our first day of movement was smoother than expected. As we continued to advance, engaging in individual combat and sometimes even attempting coordinated attacks under Han Song-i’s lead, albeit clumsily, darkness gradually began to fall. We had just passed about one-third of the way according to the map, so we decided to set up base camp for the day.

“No, you need to face it the other way.”

“Like this?”

“That’s right. Good job.”

Several tents were quickly set up in a circular formation. We placed lighting in the center and installed devices to alert us of monster approaches and simple traps around the edge of the tents. After circling around once, it looked quite impressive.

Making full use of the camping backpack provided by the guild is only done the first few times. As people gain more experience, they tend to pack only minimal items or even enter empty-handed.

They roughly solve meals through self-sufficiency within the dungeon and sleep briefly leaning against tree trunks. It’s much more efficient to clear quickly and exit, saving as much time as possible.

In other words, we might not see a base camp set up so properly like we’re on a camping trip again. If that’s the case, we should enjoy it properly.

Everyone gathered to have a simple meal, and the newcomers who were still fastidious about cleanliness went to wash up in a nearby stream.

Instead of accompanying them, I half-crawled into the nearest tent. Using my interlocked hands as a pillow, I lay down with my two legs outside the tent, loosely crossed, swinging my left foot idly.

I substituted toothbrushing with highly effective chewing gum, and as for my feet… well, it’s not like I’m going to sleep with my socks off, so is there really a need to wash them? It’s not like they smell or anything.

One thing I overlooked was the fact that I’m the type of person who can fall asleep anywhere as long as I close my eyes. Just as I was unknowingly drifting off to sleep…

“Excuse me.”

A voice at my feet startled me back to consciousness. I looked around quickly, then sat up abruptly as if nothing had happened. The person who called me from outside was Song Ji-hyeok.

“Were you sleeping?”

“No.”

I rubbed my face dry and tried to play it cool, but it was useless. Song Ji-hyeok mocked me, saying my double eyelids were really pronounced.

Come on, couldn’t you just pretend you didn’t notice?

Feeling embarrassed, I touched the area under my brow, when his voice continued.

“Can you give me some guiding?”

At those words, I paused and looked up at him.