ATMOSPHERE [6]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 955

Atmosphere (6)

"The hidden boss, Gerk, is approximately 10 meters tall. It's presumed to be a roaming-type monster that roams around the entire Cozy Retreat of the Mole Saintess. The 6th Assault Unit encountered Gerk's ambush exactly 1 hour and 11 minutes ago... The 6th Assault Unit attempted to attack Gerk after regrouping, but the attempt was in vain. During the process of evacuating the unit members, Commander Elios sustained serious injuries. He is currently creating a safe zone for stability."

"Is Hye-jin safe?"

"Yes. Cho Hye-Jin is safe."

'Did Elios risk himself to save Hye-Jin?'

It seems like he might have gone overboard... I shouldn't let these thoughts come to mind, but needless doubts crept in.

And just as expected, the footage left by the 6th Assault Unit was showing unnecessary scenes.

-Everyone, evade! I'll handle this.

'Who are you to take charge there?'

-Elios, sir!

'Look at Hye-Jin's desperate expression.'

-Damn it!

A massive monster with a bulky body charges toward the entire assault unit as if it intends to crush them. Alongside cries of "Wowwaaaah!" a member of the expedition is pinned down by the creature.

Its appearance is as if various parts of previously encountered monsters were sewn together, making it generally grotesque. Judging from the limbs and appendages protruding from its body...

"It's estimated that it absorbed other monsters within the dungeon."

Plopherta's words are correct.

"Why haven't there been any significant battles up to now?"

"Yes. The location where the 6th Assault Unit encountered Gerk is on Dungeon Floor 2. Considering that the 1st Assault Unit has progressed to Dungeon Floor 5, it's possible that Gerk absorbed other monsters while moving from Floor 5 to Floor 2. Boss monsters as well..."

"If it consumed boss monsters, its specs would have increased."

"Why couldn't the rangers that went ahead find traces of Gerk? Concealing something of its size wouldn't have been easy..."

"It's confirmed that it possesses the ability to erase traces. After successfully escaping, when the Assault Unit's rangers attempted to locate it once again..."

"They couldn't find it."

"Yes. Not a single trace could be found."

It could be due to its own abilities or absorbing the abilities of other boss monsters in the depths.

[I have to convey it. I have to convey it...]

-Miss Cho Hye-Jin, evade! I'll take care of this!

[I have to convey it. I have to...]

Yaaah!!

[I have to convey it...]

After pushing Hye-Jin away, Elios chose to move out of the creature's reach. The ultimate pure-hearted man of this era. Elios.

-Elios!

But if Hye-Jin hadn't pulled that guy's arm, he would've also become part of the boss monster.

He may want to assume the position of a pure-hearted man, but his lack of ability makes his pure-heartedness appear pitiable.

'That's not purity. It's being a nuisance. Geez.'

Elio's unwanted situation comes to an end here.

"This is all the footage that has been confirmed. While Gerk's exact destination is unknown, by analyzing various actions, it's inferred that it's searching for a way to the surface. According to the report sent by the 6th Assault Unit..."

I think I'd feel the same way. Those who don't know the circumstances before and after the Mole Saintess's Cozy Retreat would find it difficult to accurately understand the situation. But, from the circumstances, it's likely that the Cozy Retreat wasn't the place where the Mole Saintess had her cozy moments in the past.

Taking into account the scale and nature of the temple, as well as the peculiar behaviors of the Benigore, it's plausible that this underground temple's purpose was to confine her.

Naturally, various types of people would have been tasked with various missions... It's likely that the key figures tasked with the missions transformed into boss monsters.

Gerk might have taken on a task of traveling between the surface and the underground.

It might have been that.

[I have to convey it. I have to.]

If they're fixated on past actions, possess the ability to erase traces, and are making their way to the surface, it's a rough estimate.

"Chances are high that they'll encounter the main force."

"Yes. If it's certain that they're searching for a path to the surface, the likelihood of encountering the main force is high."

"What about forming a separate squad to subdue it? Kiyoung."

'Kim Hyunseong's squad might be cursed. Did he contract some kind of disease where he dies whenever he encounters a monster?'

"The risk is too great, Hyunseong. We still haven't identified the exact nature of the dungeon, let alone the basic specs of the monsters. The probability is low, but I'd rather avoid casualties as much as possible."

"Ordering the 6th Assault Unit to subdue it once more..."

'Do you have something to do that might injure Hye-Jin?'

"I don't want to burden the 6th Assault Unit any further. It's not easy. Plus, even if we were to find it, it would be difficult to proceed with a normal attack. Hidden boss monster Gerk will face the main force. We'll set up ambushes and wait for it at the entrance."

"But..."

'What 'but'? This guy...'

"That's the best option. Don't lead a separate squad. Start preparing now. The main force will follow after we send the rangers ahead. We don't have much time left until the entrance."

'Hidden boss or not, it's just a punching bag anyway.'

If what's shown in the footage is all there is, I firmly believe that the moment it emerges from the dungeon entrance, it'll become a punching bag.

Given its characteristics, with its bulky body and massive weight, its strategy was centered around ambush attacks.

If we know exactly where it'll emerge and its destination, preparing in advance is a piece of cake.

'Especially if Ha-Yan is with us.'

The Blue Guild has solid fundamentals.

Tank lines including Park Deok-gu block its path, while mages support with spells. If their durable shields can withstand, the creature's massive size becomes a weakness, not a strength.

'If we could set traps in advance, it would be even better.'

Their specs are overflowing, not perfect. Originally, with this number of personnel and setup, it's absurd that they can't handle a giant fool like this.

Moreover, we can secure samples.

As it absorbed other monsters from Dungeon Floor 5 and upwards, how many samples could it contain?

Not just samples from regular monsters, but samples from boss monsters as well.

It was an opportunity to set up a plan, a golden chance to take down Jincheong.

Just the fact that we can hunt down the monsters that this incapable guy failed to discover on our side will allow us to make a big deal out of it.

If there's a variable, it's that our side will get caught.

'How many special abilities does it possess?'

At least five. If it can use the abilities of other boss monsters, accumulated damage might drive it into a safety zone like the 6th Assault Unit.

Something to take comfort in is that it's relatively composed of lower layers. Even after the meeting, I've continued to think about the variables, but there's more to gain than risk due to the variables.

"Lee Kiyoung, it seems we'll be reaching the entrance soon."

"Yes."

Opening the window stealthily reveals the giant door seen through the telescope.

Seeing it up close, it feels even more overwhelming, like a work of art—a huge door that seems even grander in person.

And the sight of the troops forming up there could turn into a spectacle.

Several field commanders were controlling the situation, and a massive shield wall was created.

The magicians and priests who had moved to predetermined positions were waiting in the safest spots. Since it was a simple spell, there's no margin for error.

"All assault unit members remain in a state of constant combat readiness, even during rest."

"All assault unit members are to remain in a state of constant combat readiness during rest!"

"Any personnel not receiving potions?"

"The Assault Unit Commander mentioned visiting each camp. To ensure there are no disruptions in preparations."

'I wonder if those damn bastards did well. They're all pros, but did they really need to go this far?'

Shall I personally visit and make the kids uncomfortable?

No one would welcome the Commander's visit. The desire for perfection is understood, but the members of the main expedition are not inexperienced newcomers.

The feeling that the public sentiment barely captured earlier was swaying again, and the sense that the ground was trembling slightly became a welcome moment.

"Prepare for combat!"

"Everyone, prepare for combat!"

"Prepare for combat!"

The Rangers signaled that monsters were approaching the control tower. At the control tower, each field commander relayed the situation.

"Kiyoung, it might be safer for you to be a bit further back."

'I'm already far enough back.'

Magicians like Jung Hayan began to recite spells slowly. At the moment the massive door opened.

[I have to convey...] [[T/N: This means that either the monster Gerk is speaking or the system]]

Huge flames and magic engulfed it.

[Encountered hidden boss Gerk.]

Quaaaaaang!!

[I have to... convey...]

Quaaaaaang!!

The firepower was strong but primarily targeted away from the allied forces, like magic arrows.

Occasionally, powerful lethal magic would rain down, but even that was sent away by auxiliary mages casting wind spells.

Archers drew arrows ceaselessly, and special long-range job roles poured in their firepower as well.

[I... have to...]

'What do you have to convey? This weakling...'

[I have to...]

"Spread it further! Keep spreading it! Don't give it a chance to rest!"

Thump!!!

Quaaaaaang!!

[Aah... Aah... Aah!!]

The creature advanced slowly, swinging its giant arm. Close-range troops who didn't want it getting too close blocked its way.

Park Deokgu, the main defender, stood firm against the massive space and bulky monster on his own, and even from my perspective, he looked dependable.

"Don't get complacent. Keep your distance, pig."

"Yeah, yeah, I know!"

Just be mindful not to get sucked into its range.

Various holy magics were cast upon Park Deokgu, along with traps and spells to immobilize Gerk's feet, including a specially-prepared large monster-exclusive ballista. I didn't even need to step in; the battle was proceeding smoothly.

Of course, there were variables. Shockwaves erupted as the creature rolled its feet, and it seemed that spells being chanted by mages were being canceled.

"Magicians, fall back!"

"Magicians, fall back!"

[I have to... I have to...]

'Why do you keep saying that? This bastard...'

[The Mole Saintess... closing her eyes... on the surface...]

"...."

[The Mole Saintess... closed her eyes... she... took her last breath...]

"What?"

[The Mole Saintess... took her last... breath... after sacrificing herself… coerced only to... a pitiable and pitiful sacrifice...]

"Cease fire."

[Forced to crawl into the Iron Maiden... a pitiable end... Ahh... oh... Continent... radiant... dazzling Continent... now...]

"Cease fire!"

For now, I had to speak.

"Messenger, Gerk obey the command of the Honorary Cardinal."

Typically, in such cases, revealing the information was not a mistake.

----

So that was what happened in this chapter!!! When I read the Mtl I thought this was another person's POV, turns out that it's Ki-youngs!!!

BENIGORES PAST arc incoming~~~~