Chapter 97

Hua and Yan were left behind in this place.

Facing them was a powerful monster, the Treant, which even Kuatong's magic, exceeding level 6000, could not defeat.

In such a desperate situation, Yan uttered words that were hard to believe.

"Do you want to borrow the power of Skill Imitation...?"

To be honest, I didn't understand what he meant.

Hua's unique skill, Skill Imitation, could only copy skills of level 1 or lower from others at this point.

Moreover, the power of the skill was determined by Hua's own stats.

Even if she borrowed a powerful skill, it would be difficult to be of any use.

Furthermore, there was something even more incomprehensible.

How did Yan know about the existence of Skill Imitation, which Hua had been hiding?

Perhaps sensing Hua's confusion, Yan wore an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry, but during the dungeon practice the other day, I used the Skill Enhancement to monitor the participants to ensure their safety in case of an emergency. I overheard that you obtained a unique skill, and I also knew that you used a concealment skill afterward. However, since you didn't seem to be using it for evil, and it was my fault for eavesdropping, I decided to overlook it at the time."

"――――"

Hearing that she had been eavesdropped on, Hua didn't feel good.

However, considering their safety and the fact that they were obligated to report their obtained stats accurately, she couldn't blame him too harshly.

If they had lied about their stats, they would be the ones acting unfairly.

In any case, the right and wrong of that matter could be put aside for now.

There was another question that needed to be resolved.

"I understand that you know about my skill. However, Skill Imitation can't replicate the power of the person I borrow the skill from. I don't think it will be of any help."

"Indeed, that's the case. But it's not a problem."

"Eh?"

"I'll explain in detail later. For now, can you copy the skill [Explosive Bullet] from me?"

"Y-Yes!"

It seemed that Yan had a plan to solve this problem.

Despite her doubts, she followed his instructions and touched Yan's hand.

"――Skill Imitation"

Then, the information of the skill entered her mind.

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

Explosive Bullet LV1: Releases a magic orb with the power of annihilation. The power is determined by the MP consumption rate.

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

"MP consumption rate?"

Tilting her head at the unfamiliar term, Yan explained.

"This skill is a special one where the power is determined regardless of the user's stats. The power is determined by the percentage of the user's total MP that is consumed."

Hua suddenly remembered something Rin had said before.

There were skills that dealt fixed damage regardless of stats, based on the skill level.

This Explosive Bullet was likely one of those skills.

"Please use all your MP to activate Explosive Bullet when I create an opening. From the feel of the battle, the Treant's level is around 8000. With 100% power, it should be possible to defeat this monster."

"But, shouldn't you activate it yourself then?"

"Unfortunately, I've already consumed more than 20% of my MP to stop the Treant's attacks. Using it now would be less effective than if Hua used it."

"……!"

Hua had only fought with her sword until now, so her MP was indeed completely unspent.

She thought it was correct for her to take on the attack as Yan suggested.

But, could she really handle such a big responsibility?

No, if she couldn't, they would die.

――There's no other choice!

"I understand. I'll try."

"Thank you. The Treant seems to be about to move. Please wait for my signal!"

As if waiting for the end of Yan's explanation, the Treant launched another fierce attack.

Hard branches and vines rushed at them with great force.

"Haahaaa!"

Yan held short swords in both hands and deflected the attacks at an incredible speed.

Unlike before when he was only dodging, it seemed much more difficult now.

He must be trying to protect Hua from the attacks.

(I have to do this, I have to)

When she copied the skill, the usage method naturally came to her mind.

Hua focused, keeping her hands pointed at the Treant.

Then, the moment finally arrived.

Dozens of branches and vines extended from the Treant's body, attacking Yan.

Yan dodged them with quick movements, and the branches and vines pierced the ground.

The Treant paused for a moment as it tried to pull them out.

"Yazato, now!"

"――Explosive Bullet!"

A sinister black magic orb shot straight at the Treant from her hands.

"――――!"

The Treant couldn't dodge the attack.

The part touched by the black magic vanished, and its body collapsed to the ground.

Then, a system sound echoed in her mind.

"Experience gained, level increased by 452."

"…Did we… defeat it?"

The level increase meant that was the case.

However, the Treant's sudden death and the fact that the power was borrowed made it hard for her to feel that she had defeated it.

(That's right, Yan… )

Hua looked for Yan.

If he was happy, she could feel the victory too.

She quickly found him, looking at the Treant's corpse with a smile.

Hua felt relieved seeing him.

"You did it, Yan… "

"―It's real. All the effort to set up the situation was worth it."

"…Yan?"

Hua felt a hint of madness in Yan's smile and called his name hesitantly.

Yan seemed to snap back to reality and smiled softly.

"Yes, Yazato. Did you call me?"

"N-no, it's just that… I'm glad we managed to defeat it."

"Yes, it's all thanks to you, Yazato."

His response was no different from before.

(…Was it just my imagination?)

Hua thought.

Yan continued to smile as he approached her.

A sense of unease.

Just as he was about to get close,

"…Are you two safe!?"

A voice that wasn't Hua's or Yan's echoed in the area.

Turning to look, she saw Kuatong there.

Yan's gaze shifted from Hua to Kuatong.

For a moment, his smile seemed to disappear.

A sense of unease.

"Kuatong, you're back. What about the others?"

"They're waiting above. But I noticed one person was missing and rushed back."

That one person was Hua.

It seemed they only realized she was left behind after reaching the surface.

"However, it seems Yan was protecting you. That's a relief. By the way, how did you defeat the Treant? My magic couldn't even scratch it."

"Yazato helped me, and we managed to defeat it."

"What? She's a new recruit without an adventurer's license. I can't imagine her being much help."

"That's not true. She has an excellent unique skill."

(…What?)

Yan casually revealed Hua's secret.

Confused, Hua listened to their conversation.

"A unique skill!? But there was no such report last time."

"It seems she was hiding it."

"What!?"

Kuatong was dramatically surprised by Yan's words.

But Hua was the one who wanted to be surprised.

They hadn't made any such agreement, but for some reason, Hua had assumed Yan would keep it a secret.

"Y-Yan! What you just said…"

"I'm sorry. I should have gotten your permission before telling Kuatong. I just got carried away."

"Got carried away…?"

Yan scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed, and said to Hua.

"Yes, I got carried away. Because―"

Then, he said, with a harmless smile, as if continuing a casual conversation,

"―I'm going to kill this person right here."

And the tip of the dagger Yan swung pierced Kuatong's chest deeply.

"…Huh?"

"…Eh?"

Kuatong, who had been stabbed, and Hua, who was watching, spoke in unison.

What had just happened in front of her eyes—

"Y-Yan, what are you doing—"

"Oops, I forgot. The most powerful skill Kuatong has is advanced magic, right? I don't really want to, but I'll take it since it's a good opportunity."

"What…? What is this! Chosen as the target of a plunderer—"

Kuatong couldn't finish his sentence.

The life left his eyes as he collapsed.

Right in front of her.

Someone had died so easily.

(Lie, it's a lie… This can't be real—)

Hua couldn't believe what had just happened.

The one who created this abnormal situation sighed as if bored.

"Ah, if he had just waited patiently above, he wouldn't have died. What a foolish man. Well, I'll process it as a death in the line of duty—Oops, I almost forgot the main target."

Yan turned his gaze to Hua.

She felt as if she was paralyzed and couldn't move.

Then, Yan said to her,

"So, it's your turn to die now."