Regression Guidelines for the Supporting Character

Chapter 27

“Hunter Cha Seo-hu!”

“Blood…”

Just as Kwon Tae-hyuk and Ryu Sunghyun were about to support me, startled by my appearance of coughing up blood with each hack,

Kiaaaak! Kyaaaak!

Kiiiiik!

Kuwung, kung! Kung!

Sharp cries that felt like they would tear eardrums and heavy footsteps that shook the ground. A chill ran down my spine.

The monsters that had scattered and left this room were now swarming back. Kwon Tae-hyuk and Ryu Sunghyun also noticed the rapidly approaching monsters’ presence and their expressions hardened.

I bit my lip, spitting out the remaining blood in my mouth.

‘Is the “Villain’s Rage” still in effect regardless of quest failure?’

Villain’s Rage. Many monsters were being drawn to this place by the calamitous energy Cha Sahyun possessed.

I looked down at Cha Sahyun, who was clinging to my waist. Through my blurry vision, I could see the child’s frightened face.

Cha Sahyun seemed very startled by my sudden coughing up of blood. Feeling cold sweat trickling down my chin, I tightly closed my eyes.

‘Stay calm. Don’t waver and think. Think…’

There was nothing to gain by standing here blankly spilling blood.

The number of monsters I confirmed while fleeing earlier was roughly over 30. That included the ogre that should have been in the boss room.

In contrast, our forces consisted of me, Cha Sahyun, Kwon Tae-hyuk, and Ryu Sunghyun.

I had no intention of using my hidden skill in a place like this, and I didn’t want to involve Cha Sahyun in combat. That meant effectively only Kwon Tae-hyuk and Ryu Sunghyun could fight.

Since they were both S-rank, they could probably win against that many monsters, but the question was whether they could fight while protecting me and Cha Sahyun.

Fighting while protecting someone wasn’t an easy task. If we weren’t careful, Cha Sahyun and I might end up in more danger than the two fighting at the front.

‘Of course, we probably won’t die, but…’

Although Cha Sahyun was B-rank, he had skills, and I could use my hidden skill if absolutely necessary. But since that outcome wasn’t desirable, it would be better to have some insurance.

“Please give me your hands, both of you.”

Having made my decision, I opened my eyes and spoke. Kwon Tae-hyuk and Ryu Sunghyun, who were blocking our front and preparing for battle, turned to look at me upon hearing those words.

Ryu Sunghyun, who immediately understood why I asked for their hands, looked surprised, while Kwon Tae-hyuk had an expression that seemed to say ‘What nonsense are you talking about in this urgent situation?’

“Quickly.”

“You can’t. Your condition is already poor, if you recklessly use a buff skill… Hunter Cha Seo-hu!”

Feeling the monsters’ presence right in front of us, I ignored Ryu Sunghyun’s words and grabbed their hands, using my skill.

《Skill: Guardian’s Bond (S-rank) Activated!》

《Representative skill damage increases. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Base speed increases. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Stability effect applied. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

As soon as the status window appeared indicating the skill had been properly used, Ryu Sunghyun, whose hand I had forcibly grabbed, contorted his eyes and his cheeks flushed red.

There was no time to worry about Ryu Sunghyun’s reaction. I immediately grabbed Kwon Tae-hyuk’s hand, who was standing next to me.

“What…!”

Kwon Tae-hyuk, who was about to swat my hand away in shock, stiffened his shoulders as if he felt the energy flowing in.

《Skill: Guardian’s Bond (S-rank) Activated!》

《Representative skill damage increases. (Target: Kwon Tae-hyuk) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Base speed increases. (Target: Kwon Tae-hyuk) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Stability effect applied. (Target: Kwon Tae-hyuk) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

Kwon Tae-hyuk couldn’t hide his surprise at the excessively good effects for a B-rank and the clean, clear energy. I grinned, seeing Kwon Tae-hyuk’s eyes shake greatly as if flustered.

“I don’t want to die here.”

As soon as I let go of Kwon Tae-hyuk’s hand, dizziness washed over me again. As Ryu Sunghyun had worried, using a skill on top of already being in pain seemed to have worsened my condition.

No matter how tough it was, I couldn’t collapse here. Enduring with willpower, I forced a smile, pulling up the corners of my mouth.

“I’ll be counting on you two.”

Now that you’ve received S-rank support, it’s your turn to prove your worth.

* * *

Kuwung, kuwung!

The ground shook more violently as the ogre with its massive body covered in muscle approached step by step.

Feeling the killing intent of numerous monsters piercing his skin, Kwon Tae-hyuk quietly took a deep breath. The aggressive temperament of an S-rank dealer boiled up as he faced battle.

‘My body feels light and comfortable.’

Kwon Tae-hyuk raised his hand and clenched his fist tightly. His heart raced with the desire to test his increased strength.

Ryu Sunghyun standing beside him probably felt similar. Although trying to suppress it, his restless demeanor was evident as he kept clenching and unclenching his fist.

Kwon Tae-hyuk slightly turned his head to look at Cha Seo-hu. Leaning against the wall, he had his eyes closed with a deathly pale complexion. The child who came with him was fidgeting, wiping Cha Seo-hu’s cold sweat with small hands.

‘A mere B-rank can provide this level of support?’

That couldn’t be. This was clearly S-rank. With such high-purity energy and buffs, it was a skill that would be counted among the best even among S-ranks.

Kwon Tae-hyuk narrowed his eyes, recalling that Cha Seo-hu’s documents he received from his secretary before entering the dungeon stated he was B-rank.

For some reason, Cha Seo-hu was hiding his skill rank.

Greueorok!

At that moment, the ogre that had finally arrived in the room appeared, noisily destroying all the walls blocking its way like a wild boar. Under the loudly howling ogre, other monsters poured in like the tide.

Kiing!

Eight blades appeared in mid-air, circling around. As he used his skill, Kwon Tae-hyuk kept thinking about Cha Seo-hu.

‘Since he’s hiding his rank, if I threaten him with that…’

Kwon Tae-hyuk frowned, feeling a pang of conscience.

In his desire to bring Cha Seo-hu to his guild, he had unconsciously thought of such an aggressive method.

As soon as he learned that the other was hiding something, he tried to use it. Was I always this petty?

Above all, Cha Seo-hu didn’t seem like the type to simply change guilds because of threats. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have started his own guild in the first place and would have just joined a decent one.

‘Did he create a guild with his brother to hide his rank?’

He’d have to look into it more closely after leaving the dungeon.

And if he could make a recruitment offer through moderate means… he wanted to bring him in somehow. Although there were a few suspicious points, it would be easier to monitor him if he brought him into the guild.

It was natural to covet a hunter with good skills and outstanding abilities. As someone responsible for leading a guild, Kwon Tae-hyuk knew very well how beneficial it was to recruit capable individuals.

Above all, being the rare S-rank supporter, not only he but others everywhere would covet him. Anticipating this, Kwon Tae-hyuk began moving the blades floating near him and came to a conclusion.

‘For now, I should help him hide his rank.’

If it became known that Cha Seo-hu was an S-rank, and one of the best supporters at that, the number of competitors would increase accordingly. It seemed much better to keep it hidden, at least until he uncovered why Cha Seo-hu created his own guild instead of joining one.

Having organized his thoughts in a short time, Kwon Tae-hyuk was the first to kick off the ground and leap. As Kwon Tae-hyuk stretched out his hand, shooting forward at an incredible speed like an arrow leaving the bow, one of the flying blades fit precisely into his grip.

Chaeng!

The blades spread out in a fan shape behind Kwon Tae-hyuk simultaneously shot forward. Chwak, blood spurted from the monster bodies pierced by the blades.

Kiiik, keok!

Seven blades flew rapidly around Kwon Tae-hyuk, piercing, slicing, and tearing apart monster bodies. The speed was so fast that monsters died without even managing a counterattack each time Kwon Tae-hyuk moved.

Kwon Tae-hyuk himself clearly felt the movement of the blades, sharper and faster than ever before.

Huwung, kwajik!

It was then. A brightly shining sphere brushed right past Kwon Tae-hyuk and exploded along with a monster.

Like meteors falling in the night sky, the light emanating from Ryu Sunghyun became dozens of spheres raining down on the monsters. Kwang, kwang! The seemingly soft light burst with a brutal sound upon contact with the monsters.

Unlike Kwon Tae-hyuk who used specially made blades, Ryu Sunghyun’s weapon was light itself from nature. Even in the darkest places, if there was even a fingernail-sized light, Ryu Sunghyun could amplify it to fight.

Ryu Sunghyun was a talent as desirable as Cha Seo-hu.

From the perspective of having seen Ryu Sunghyun fight many times, he was quite a decent hunter. He had high skill utilization, was strong, and had good combat sense.

To be honest, Kwon Tae-hyuk didn’t understand Ryu Sunghyun. Why was he in such a weak guild? And even taking on the ambiguous position of vice guild leader.

Knowing it would be difficult to recruit them given their firm resolve, he couldn’t help but feel bitter disappointment.

[Main Quest: Successfully clear a B-rank or higher dungeon with the villain. (Time remaining: 3 days 7 hours 16 minutes)]