Chapter 15
From the second floor of the commercial building, Junhyeok observed the battle while monitoring TrueDecker's stats through his M7 device.
TrueDecker
HP: 100% | SP: 100% | Shield: 98.9%
Junhyeok knew TrueDecker possessed 30,000 HP and an overwhelming 150,000 shield capacity. While 30,000 HP was already high compared to average monsters, the 150,000 shield was downright tyrannical. Though not displayed on M7, its formidable defense made it a multilayered nightmare to confront.
150,000 shield... I nearly lost my mind breaking through that last time. Tch, Cheolmin's swearing might as well be echoing here. This'll take ages to chip through.
As Junhyeok studied the hunt, Hyesu's voice interrupted from beside him.
"Haah... Not needing to heal much is nice, but if this goes wrong, today's hunt ends here. Ugh, why does this always happen to us?"
Most hunts required at least two kills to turn profit, but TrueDecker's defenses often forced parties to settle for one. No wonder hunters found it infuriating.
"Does this occur frequently?"
TrueDecker and Mantis were legendary rarities - monsters hunters might encounter once a year if lucky. Yet Hyesu spoke like old acquaintances.
"No. TrueDecker isn't common. You'd need cursed luck to see it twice annually. That's why it's so maddening." Hyesu shook her head. "Our party's met that 'rare' bastard three times in five months. Are we hexed...?"
Sangjin's team had indeed hunted TrueDecker thrice recently - partly due to their veteran status attracting unwanted assignments, but mainly due to its absurd spawn frequency.
"I see."
Junhyeok's distracted reply while analyzing Sangjin's tanking form drew a smirk from Hyesu.
"Huh, quite the dedicated student."
Without shifting focus, Junhyeok answered:
"My Awakener license means immediate field deployment. As a tank absorbing attacks with my body, I must learn everything to survive."
His words masked true vigilance - every nerve taut for Mantis' potential ambush.
Three and a half hours into the hunt, progress remained steady. TrueDecker's shield had dropped below 50%, allowing dealers to escalate attacks through skill combinations.
Then chaos struck.
Uh? B-boss! We've got an issue!
Mapper Jang Daejin's panicked voice crackled through comms.
"What issue? Explain!"
-Four life signals vanished on the map! And... Mantis is en route!
Life signals extinguished meant deaths - and their failed hunt now stalked them.
"Mantis? HERE?" Sangjin barked.
-Someone's luring it toward us!
Four casualties implied at least four survivors remained in the 8-10 member party. Yet Mantis abandoning prey made no sense... unless fixated on specific prey.
"How long?!"
-Two minutes max! Maybe sooner!
They needed two more hours for TrueDecker. Mantis' arrival meant annihilation.
"Tch! Cheolmin, Wonjin - fall back! Yejin, Yongwuk - regroup with Donghyuk at base! Jicheol - prep binding traps!"
Retreat proved impossible with under a minute's warning. Their only hope: endure.
-The lure's life signal just died!
Human speed couldn't outpace Mantis. Expected outcome. The real threat began now.
"Mantis' trajectory?!"
-Still closing in! Drawn by the combat noise!
"Damn it! EVERYONE SCATTER!"
Too late.
Kreeeek!
Mantis arrived early, smashing buildings with frenzy.
Crash! Boom!
Cheolmin and Wonjin stumbled from collapsing structures, only to face their executioner.
Kreeeeee!
Mantis' sawblade forelimbs flashed.
Whooosh!
"Ghk!"
"Fucking hell!"
Dodging bought seconds, not salvation. Trapped between TrueDecker and Mantis with escape routes destroyed, they faced certain doom.
Until-
"Kang Jicheol! Bind TrueDecker NOW!"
Roar!
Sangjin abandoned tanking, darting through debris to flank the monster. Simultaneously, Jicheol slid a curling stone-like trap across the floor.
Shuuunk!
Chains erupted, ensnaring TrueDecker's legs.
Clang! Clang!
"Five-minute duration!"
Five minutes to prevent two frontlines from becoming corpses.
Hyesu froze at the second-floor window, healing staff trembling.
"Wh-what...?"
She'd heard of dual monster wipes, never imagining herself starring in one.
"Wh-what do I do?"
Nail-biting panic consumed her.
Meanwhile, Junhyeok moved.
Thud!
He descended like a comet, ignoring Hyesu's shouts.
"Junhyeok! Are you insane?" Jicheol yelled as the unlicensed tank charged TrueDecker.
Roar!
The monster struggled against chains while Junhyeok's shield smashed its flank.
Shield Attack!
Thwump!
His bracelet amplified aggro gain by 50%, yet one strike proved insufficient.
"Crush!"
Swish!
TrueDecker ignored him, fixated on breaking free.
Hmm... Even with enhanced aggro, Sangjin's threat level's too entrenched.
One minute remaining!
Junhyeok's mind raced. Normal attacks couldn't surpass hours of built aggro.
Screw it.
"Skill Load: Destructive Body! Critical Strike! Power Smash!"
He activated copied dealer skills, unleashing a flurry of blows.
Thud! Crack! Thud!
Each strike chipped at TrueDecker's focus until finally -
Snap!
The beast's crimson eyes locked onto him.
Gotcha.
