WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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DAMNED 13TH REGRESSION

Chapter 12: Tail Attached

"A tail has attached itself."

Gong-hyeok noted as he observed the map provided by the Game Master. 200 meters behind him, a dot persistently followed his path.

Three days ago, ever since Gong-hyeok and Ha Yeon-si had visited the village, 'someone' had been relentlessly tailing Ha Yeon-si.

It was just one person.

At the entrance of the boss room on the eighth underground level of the 'Temple of Thoth,’ this lone figure had managed to follow them. This was no small feat even for Gong-hyeok, who had previously cleared the area.

"Is this the result of the groundwork I laid?"

Gong-hyeok had spread information about Igor, alone after killing Jacob, to the lower-ranked hunters. This was to foster unity and polarization within the ranker groups.

He had also set another plan in motion without directly intervening.

"I intended to enter this boss room alone, but..."

He gazed at the door of the ancient underground temple.

Inside awaited a 'Temple Guardian' skilled in area curses and close combat, along with 20 nimble and deadly temple jackals.

Even for someone as cunning as Gong-hyeok, handling 20 jackals while fighting a boss was impossible. Moreover, jackals tend to attack the rearguard first.

Although Ha Yeon-si had gained battle experience and learned the skill 'Telekinesis,’ her survival was uncertain until Gong-hyeok defeated the Temple Guardian.

"Oppa! Hurry and take care of it. We need to save people!"

Ha Yeon-si, unaware of the full situation, urged him on. Her recent visit to the village and the sight of people cornered had deeply affected her. She wanted to rescue them and pursue humane values.

"Right, let's go in."

He lifted a bone-white lance. The 'Temple Ceremonial Spear.' Despite being ceremonial, it had the added effect of dealing extra damage to the dungeon's monsters.

"This battle will be a guerrilla war. The boss, Temple Guardian, specializes in area debuffs and close combat but can't keep up if I run. I'll handle the jackals first and draw the boss's aggro. But I can't guarantee to manage their aggro, too. If you're coming in, protect yourself."

Gong-hyeok quietly opened the door.

Creeeak.

On the other side stood the Temple Guardian, dressed in white Egyptian garb, and 20 jackals, standing majestically.

-You who have entered the sanctum of the great Ra Djehuty[1]...

[Skill 'Throw (E)' activated]

A white lance flew like a streak, piercing the chest of the Temple Guardian.

The white blade, imbued with curses and deadly poison, reached its heart.

-Guwaaargh!

An unexpected groan escaped from the canine head of the Temple Guardian.

It wasn't actually dim-witted, despite its dog-like appearance.

If an opponent intended to throw a spear, it could sense it beforehand – the tension in the body, muscle movement, innate hostility. It was natural to defend against such.

It meant to warn the enemy, taking everything into account.

But the Gong-hyeok threw the spear effortlessly.

The Temple Guardian hadn't been careless or lost focus. It simply missed the powerful movement that crossed 20 meters in a flash – it wasn't so foolish a monster.

Joo Gong-hyeok didn't stab the heart but found an opening. He read the monster's breathing, posture, consciousness, and habits perfectly, striking at the hardest moment to react. Throwing the spear casually, as if stretching.

A master of weapons, a living hunter's encyclopedia, an SSS-grade martial art fused into one technique.

The Secret Technique of the Mouse God, Piercing Shadow Movement.

It seemed sloppy but was an astonishingly precise first strike.

[Due to movements surpassing physical limits...]

"It's walkies time, doggie."

-Gwaaaaaaah!

The Temple Guardian roared, its eyes blazing red as it charged, Egyptian garb fluttering.

Bark bark bark! Bark bark!

Simultaneously, the jackals, previously still as statues, scattered in all directions.

Joo Gong-hyeok drew the 'Thorn Fragment of Ratous King' and 'Giant Tiger Scimitar' from his inventory. Ha Yeon-si put on the 'Poison Worm's Mask' from behind.

Then he ran to the farthest corner. This raid was a marathon.

While running, he detonated poison-laden darts and smoke and tear gas bombs. They were specially made from sewer and field monster materials.

Boom!

Keeang, Kaang!

Jackals are canines. Inhaling tear gas made in the sewers, their respiratory systems collapsed, causing convulsions. These monster-specific items had potent blinding and foul odor effects.

-Kuoooorrrrrr!

[Roar of Khepri (D) activated. Mobility...]

[Brutal Strike (E-) activated]

The Temple Guardian's debuff activated. But Gong-hyeok slammed the Thorn Fragment into its tail, not bothering to read the message.

It was a sneak attack amidst the smoke.

-Gwaaaaaaah!

[The Temple Guardian is poisoned with Hell Maggot's venom!]

"Trash dog. Don't bark if you're just going to bite the dust. Come at me."

The sudden first strike, smoke, tear gas, and now an injured tail and taunts.

The Temple Guardian bared its sharp teeth and charged again.

Pew pew pew!

Several darts poisoned its front paws.

[The Temple Guardian is poisoned with Black Barbat's...]

White lance, Thorn Fragment, tear gas, poisoned darts.

Black Barbat, Red Star, Ratous Warrior, Hell Maggot’s venom.

Four overlapping toxins.

Normally, such overlap would be unlikely. However, Gong-hyeok specifically chose compatible and interacting poisons. Despite the adrenaline, the more it raged, the faster the poison spread. The Temple Guardian likely had 20 minutes left, and its high poison resistance was the only thing keeping it upright. A named monster would have collapsed by now.

Gong-hyeok, burdened by debuffs, forced his heavy body to sprint. He jabbed the Thorn Fragment into a nearby jackal's soft belly. The spikes wouldn't come out.

He discarded it and drew a shovel. Suddenly, the Temple Guardian was upon him.

-Gwaraaraara!

It slammed down a golden mace-like staff. Unable to hit so easily, Gong-hyeok crossed the scimitar and shovel, aiming at its wrist.

COUNTER ATTACK!!

[An extraordinary...]

Pshush!

Blood spurted but didn't sever. Instead, the shovel broke. Gong-hyeok's knee buckled, his foot stuck to the stone floor.

Only his strength and endurance exceeding E-grade saved him. Days earlier, his spine would have snapped, spinal fluid spraying.

-Gwaaaat!

The temple mutt, too, fell into shock from the counterattack and injuries. Poison, bleeding, its condition was dire.

Gong-hyeok considered rushing in. Piercing its heart with the lance while thrusting the scimitar into its neck? How long could this bipedal mutt last?

But caution was key. Dying in such a reckless gamble would be a waste of 13 lifetimes.

He chewed a Heal-Flower of Growing Flesh from his inventory.

Made by Ha Yeon-si using the 'Skill Itemization' from the hidden shop. Discounted to 20 blue coins, its effectiveness dropped below 80%. But it was invaluable in Babel, where no proper healing items existed.

Stepping back to maintain distance, the boss sniffed around for Gong-hyeok. Gong-hyeok stayed silent, lifting a Ratmen Archer's crossbow.

Five bolts would hit cleanly. But then, a shrill scream pierced the air.

"Aaaaah!"

Ha Yeon-si was bitten on her arms and legs by jackals.

Several jackals, crushed by her telekinesis and pierced by arrows, lay around, but she couldn't fend them all off.

"Ugh, augh!! Aaaaaaah!"

Yeon-si bit down, trying to stifle her screams against the real pain, but human will has limits. Accustomed to safe hunting behind Gong-hyeok, she was now being torn apart by wild beasts. Even attempting to endure was admirable.

The enraged jackals shook their heads violently. Ha Yeon-si, bitten, was dragged like a ragdoll by two frenzied jackals. It resembled a scene where angry dogs tore apart a stuffed toy.

Instead of cotton, muscle fibers, and blood spurted in this life-threatening moment.

[Hunter 'Soma Sanggai' requests to join.]

[Hunter 'Soma Sanggai' requests to join.]

[Hunter 'Soma Sanggai' requests to join.]

Gong-hyeok's vision flooded with incessant messages.

Footnotes:

[1] Djehuty is another name of the Egyptian God ‘Thoth’.

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