The number of sentient beings here, even including Peace, doesn’t reach thirty. My child’s skill adds a percentage to stats and skill effects equal to the number of people who hear the keyword. Thirty percent isn’t trivial, but it’s a bit disappointing. So.

‘Do not block me, do not block me.’

I linked into Seong Hyunjae’s system. Now that it’s an official match, unlike when farming, I couldn’t easily spy on the opponent’s status. Since my ability is weaker, if Seong Hyunjae tried to block me, forcing my way in would be nearly impossible.

Fortunately, Seong Hyunjae didn’t block my intrusion. His team also has almost thirty members, so combined we’re about sixty percent. That should be enough to handle an SS-rank monster—

[Koo-ggeug-geung—]

A heavy vibration pounded not only my ears but my heart itself. It wasn’t just a roaring sound; it was a resonance that sent chills through my entire body.

The midday sky was clear. Under that bright sky with barely a cloud, everything below was black and red.

[Kwa-reung!]

Thunder cracked in the parched air. Between the echoes—gu-woong, goong—light flashed brighter than the sun. For a moment, I thought the sky had gone dark.

The fortress opposite us was surrounded by sheer cliffs. Even high-rank monsters would choose to go around rather than climb or burrow such steep walls, which cast deep shadows over the entire castle. What should have been gray now ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) appeared jet black.

There, standing alone before the gate, a man turned to face me. Our eyes met, and a chill shot down my spine. Without any resistance to fear, it would have stopped my breath.

At the same time, I felt exhilarated. An opponent like that. I felt the urge to grab him by the throat and crash into him with all my strength. Of course I’d lose—but still.

Koo-reung, lightning struck again. No monster could survive that storm of light.

“...You really have no teamwork. You’re sweeping them all up by yourself?”

[I’m only getting auxiliary skills.]

Seong Hyunjae said in his flat voice.

[The rest would only get in the way.]

He was right. Even using Teacher’s Skill, it would be impossible to keep allies safe under that raging lightning. And monitoring dozens of hunters one by one would be too inefficient given Seong Hyunjae’s skill traits. If it were Director Song, he’d dodge and plunder to protect himself, but ordinary hunters—even S-ranks—would struggle.

Since injuries and deaths deduct points, it was advantageous to funnel support points into himself and go solo.

That must be why he surrounded the castle with cliffs. Ground monsters find valleys easier to cross, but this also fixes the invasion routes for both ground and flying monsters. There’s only the path down from the cliff. Because they must climb up and then descend, fewer monsters charge at once compared to a plain. Plus, many monsters would choose the open, noisy front over the shadowed cliff.

With that strategy, the hunters inside the fortress could hold off the monsters safely without Seong Hyunjae’s support or Teacher’s Skill.

‘It wouldn’t be impossible to command a sub-team to fight together.’

But there was no need. It’d be like a sheepdog saying, “Come on, sheep, let’s hunt the wolf together.” Though they’re high-rank hunters, Seong Hyunjae probably sees them as sheep.

The difference between pre-regression Seong Hyunjae and today’s S-ranks was that vast.

Anyway, Seong Hyunjae’s side looked set to finish this with minimal losses. I turned my gaze back to the system and cranked up the volume so everyone inside could hear...

“Shishio-ssi!”

I spoke boldly, but shame hit me immediately. Yuhyun was my little brother, so calling him “my child” felt okay. But Shishio... He’s older than me. Calling him “my child” felt humiliating—especially since I’d explained that I only got to use the skill because Shishio-ssi’s trust in me hit the thirty-year limit. Ugh.

People probably assumed Shishio thought of me as his reincarnated mother. Damn. Because it’s a kind of nurturing skill, they accepted it even more easily. Damn.

“Although at first we clashed over minor differences in opinion, I now trust you greatly, Shishio-ssi!”

Even facing the advancing SS-rank monster horde, Shishio’s lips curved into a broad smile. He proudly squared his shoulders. Well, at least Shishio-ssi’s pleased.

“Thank you so much for all your help! And, um...”

Praise, praise... Hmm. Anyway, the original condition was just to say the keyword! And I didn’t have time for a long speech.

“You are always amazing, wonderful, and magnificent, Shishio-ssi! I love you! Fighting!”

Seong Hyunjae tilted his head. The human members of his sub-team began whispering. Chohwaun frowned as if wondering what I was doing. I cut the connection at once. Damn it—anyway, that should do it!

“Yes, Chief Han! I am the greatest hunter!”

Shishio balled his fists and shouted. Then he thrust one arm high into the sky.

“Flame Horn Lion Peace, grant me the power of fire!”

[-Grrreung]

Peace exhaled as if sighing. Hot flames surged forth and wrapped around Shishio. It might look like a team-kill, but.

‘Sprout in the Ashes.’

Shishio’s S-rank title earned from achievements. The weak who survived violent flames. While engulfed in fire, his wounds regenerate, his defense rises, and the stronger the flames, the stronger his attacks become. One must survive three fatal hits from fire attributes far beyond their ability to earn that title.

Because the opponent must have genuine murderous intent, it’s almost impossible to obtain without incredible luck—and it seems Shishio nearly died two more times besides Yuhyun’s attempt.

‘That brat Yuhyun really meant to kill Shishio back then.’

Anyway, it turned out well—Shishio got that title.

“Come at me!”

Shishio, wreathed in flames, charged forward. His hair and clothing edges were slightly singed but otherwise unharmed. His overall stats and skill effects were boosted by sixty percent, plus area-skill defense increase, Shishio’s own S-rank defense skill, and title defense bonus. Even the auxiliary hunters’ skills stacked on him, pushing his defense beyond SS-rank to almost SSS-rank.

[Thud!]

His body may be smaller than the monsters’, but it was unbreakably solid as he rammed the lead giant bear.

[-Gwooah!]

The bear yawned wide and bit down on Shishio’s head. Between its fangs, Shishio bared his teeth and grinned.

“It doesn’t even tickle!”

Shishio gripped the bear’s neck hide. Harder than iron plate and as sharp as fangs, its hide crumpled like paper under his palm. Then he yanked the bear and threw it away. Thud! A spear impaled the bear’s neck as it tumbled.

“Keep them from approaching the castle!”

Meanwhile, the remaining hunters drew melee and ranged weapons to prevent the SS-rank monsters from reaching the fortress. They couldn’t inflict fatal wounds, but the stinging attacks slowed the monsters’ charge considerably.

“Where do you think you’re running off to!”

With increased strength and a body frighteningly solid, Shishio bounced through the monster horde like a rogue bowling ball. Thud, thud—bones cracked and scales shattered around.

His fists, tougher than any SS-rank weapon, crushed monster skulls in a single blow. Even fast SS-rank monsters couldn’t escape, thanks to the area slowdown skill and the Mud Playground effect boosted by sixty percent.

[Gu-gu-gu-gu-gu—]

Then, with an earth-shaking rumble, an enormous monster appeared. A toad the size of a small mountain moved slowly. The hunters shooting arrows froze and stared at the colossal creature. This must be their first time seeing it.

‘Grade-1 Giant Toad Species, Babar.’

Long time no see. I’d encountered it soon after my regression. Back then, we needed a team to take it down.

‘I wonder if Yuhyun could hunt it solo now.’

He’d melt Babar’s shell with flames. Pushing aside the nostalgia, I shouted into the mic.

“The nape is its weakest point! Peace, relocate Shishio-ssi!”

[-Kya-reung]

Peace snatched Shishio in an instant and soared into the sky. Shishio shouted.

“Higher! Higher! I’m fine! Drop me on its nape!”

[-Keuhng]

Peace glanced down at Shishio, then shot up to a dizzying height. Then he let him go.

“Hya-aap!”

With a mighty battle cry, Shishio began his descent. His punch concentrated all his defense. Thanks to the Small Boulder (S) skill, his body was far heavier than its size suggested.

[Kwa-ang!]

He struck Babar’s nape dead-on. A tremendous blast echoed as the giant toad staggered forward.

[-Gu-oh-oh!]

Shaking the ground, Babar collapsed and could not rise. Like a meteor strike, a crater formed at its nape, and Shishio jumped out unscathed.

“...Wow.”

“Crazy, that was amazing!”

The hunters, mouths agape, cheered. Shishio gave a slightly sheepish grin. Well, it was pretty satisfying.

“There’s a time limit. Don’t go too far, Shishio-ssi!”

“I’ve got this, Chief Han!”

I caught my breath and checked the points window. Having taken down consecutive SS-rank monsters, my points had skyrocketed. It really is almost time.

[-Kra-aah!]

[-Kya-aah!]

“Dragons!”

After the SS-rank horde vanished and the sun tilted, dragons appeared. Even among S-ranks, dragons are stronger than other monsters. Thankfully, no SS-rank dragons were visible. But various S-rank dragons began covering sky and land.

Even my child’s skill time had ended. Shishio returned to the fortress front, and a tense hush fell among the hunters.

‘...Please don’t let an SS-rank dragon spawn.’

I reflexively thought of Rautchitas, that miserable lizard kid. He’s Grade-1, so he wouldn’t appear. Comet is Grade-3—a weak wyvern species among dragons.

“Poison dragon!”

“Ice resistance here!”

A black poison dragon thundered in, belching toxic breath. An ice dragon clung to the wall above and below, exhaling frigid breath. I emptied a mana potion and focused harder. With such diverse dragons—

“Healers, east wall just above!”

Sure enough, one dragon used stealth. Peace immediately rammed the wall.

[Thud!]

[-Kiek!]

The dragon, hidden, had been targeting a healer. Peace’s fangs pierced its neck. As the dragon’s body swung through the air, blood rained down.

“Left Tower 2 antidote! Central gate low on mana!”

Potions were running out. I called out quickly, keeping an eye on the healers and support hunters so they could move swiftly.

[Kruk!]

A dragon’s claw grazed a hunter’s forearm. A heavy battle axe ripped through a dragon’s wing, and an arrow struck another in the head. There was no time to retrieve arrows, so ranged hunters drew swords and spears.

Fatigue and wounds mounted. Potions and fortress repairs could be supported by points. But just a little more—three more, then two, then one!

[U-oo-oo-oo!]

Roars of a new monster horde echoed. Unlike before, another wave arrived before the previous monsters were all slain. The hunters’ faces darkened. Then—

[Kwa-deuk!]

A wyvern’s struggling head exploded, and the points I needed filled up. I immediately pressed the purchase button in the support window.

[Reinforce Team]

Add one member to the main team. Yuhyun, Yerim, and Liet were strong enough, but now—

“Noah Luhir.”

Under the crimson sunset sky, a light appeared. Golden feathered wings unfurled, and Noah’s skill descended onto the battlefield.

Nest of Light (SSS)

Like a new dawn rising within the setting sun, a faint glow spread outward. Thousands of small orbs of light floated up, each containing random buffs and healing effects.

[-Kreuk?]

Within the area, SS-rank and below skills are disabled. It lasts thirty minutes, but since it applies the moment each entity enters the area, newly arriving monsters also cannot use skills.

“What is this?”

“Mana regen is almost doubled!”

Within the area, allied mana regen rate, defense, and speed increase. In addition—

Conductor of Mana (SS)

Smoother mana usage for allies. Noah’s body was wreathed in a translucent veil that fluttered in the breeze. Originally, Noah could only maintain Nest of Light for at most an hour due to inexperience. But thanks to the Lightfolk veil enhancing draconic skills, its duration more than doubled.

We could hold out until the sun fully set.

“...Noah-ssi is truly overpowered.”

Orbs of light fluttered around me like fireflies. When they touched me, breathing became easier.

The exhausted hunters all recovered. They now fought more vigorously than when the sun first rose. If it were simply mowing down monsters, calling Yuhyun would’ve been better, but now keeping the sub-team from dying was what mattered.

Noah-ssi is a cheat code under these conditions.

Unlike the fortress, the sky darkened rapidly. The sun dipped further. I rested my head against the throne’s back. Blurry potion bottles lay scattered around.

“......”

My voice wouldn’t come out. Thankfully, I think I can stop worrying now, but I need to keep Teacher’s Skill active until the end.

‘I’m dead tired.’

My eyes fluttered shut. I’d overexerted myself. A few more orbs touched me, but they only roused me briefly before sleep overtook me again. I just wanted five minutes. How much time was left? Would pricking my palm count as an injury? Forcing my heavy eyelids open—

“They’re wilting.”

A low voice sounded right beside me. I almost jumped.