Acquired the Scam Rune in the Academy

Chapter 69: Forest Covered by Snakes (3) (1)

Bonus chapter thanks to @ fayth_fugu subscribing to Legendary Tier on Buymeacoffee.

What are the ways for warrior-type Holders to deal with magical attacks?

The most basic and straightforward method is to increase the special attribute called ‘resistance.’

I possess three types of resistance: poison, water, and fire.

Among these, poison is not a result of magical manifestation, so it’s not relevant. However, water resistance and fire resistance are indeed effective against magical attacks or spells of the corresponding elements.

‘My fire resistance stat is currently at 8…’

Unlike base stats, 8 is quite high for a special attribute.

Most D-grade Holder’s magic attacks from fire-based creatures won’t even cause a scratch.

But to raise resistance stats, special methods are needed.

Obtaining runes related to the specific element, having innate talent, or…

Using special items.

Acquiring such special attributes is not an easy task for ordinary warrior-type individuals.

Furthermore, even I, with high resistance stats, don’t have ‘lightning resistance’.

‘The second method is using a shield.’

If the level of the [Shield] is high and the equipment is decent, Holders can fend off magical attacks solely with defensive techniques.

Warrior-type Holders who consider themselves tanks mostly utilize shields, and they prefer sword-and-shield combat.

However, neither Kwon Oh-jun nor Shin Yuna use shields.

Kwon Oh-jun is an offensive warrior specializing in using a spear as his main weapon, while Shin Yuna is an evasion-based warrior who employs agility.

Kwon Oh-jun’s extensive experience and A-grade status make this inconsequential, but for Shin Yuna, who is weak against magical attacks, this battle could be risky.

“Snap out of it, Shin Yuna! Since Do Jae-hyun and I will charge ahead, you lure the enemies by focusing on evasion!”

“Yes, understood!”

Fortunately, Kwon Oh-jun immediately sensed Shin Yuna’s unease.

He gave orders, signaling the start of the battle. Holding my shield firmly, I quickly charged forward as well.

Shoot ah-

Bang- Bang- Bang-!!

A total of 6 Electrophoruses.

They rushed towards us with remarkable speed, leaving ripples in the water.

Their speed was considerable, but within a range we could manage.

My shield, now prepared, deflected a charging attack from one of them.

As a precaution, I even employed the [Iron Wall Defense] skill without hesitation.

Crash-!!

Sparks flew, crackling!

“Ugh…!!”

Since it wasn’t a highly powerful monster, the impact was weak.

However, this creature used lightning-based magical attacks.

Upon impact, a surge of electricity coursed through my shield.

‘Ouch, that tingles.’

My mind jolted awake.

Even with [Iron Wall Defense], the result was still like this.

Thankfully, due to the stored magical energy in the [Goblin’s Bronze Shield], I managed to avoid getting shocked unconscious. If it were any other shield that couldn’t block magical attacks, I might have been electrocuted and stunned.

Bang- Bang- Bang-!!

There was no time to rest.

I blocked one Electrophorus’s attack with my shield, but another was aiming for my unprotected side.

Dividing the 6 monsters between us warriors, 2 per warrior.

I had to deal with at least two of them.

‘I can’t block with a sword.’

Blocking the first monster’s attack was possible because of the [Goblin’s Bronze Shield], which was a rare shield capable of blocking magical attacks. It was only possible due to this shield. It was too late to maneuver the shield for another block.

However, using a sword would increase the chance of being shocked by a lightning-based magical attack.

Now I was left vulnerable to another monster’s attack.

In this precarious situation, there was only one thing I could do.

“Halt!”

Ah, how embarrassing.

In my haste, these words slipped out unintentionally.

But it had an effect, that was for sure.

The Electrophorus that was about to swoop down from the right suddenly halted as if it had been electrocuted.

…It wasn’t because I told it to stop.

It was the effect of the derived skill from the [Oppression] rune, [Declaration of Domination].

‘It’s not working on the majority yet.’

My [Oppression] rune was only at level 2.

Perhaps that’s why the range of [Declaration of Domination] wasn’t very wide.

It didn’t affect the monsters headed toward Shin Yuna and Kwon Oh-jun, only the two monsters I was dealing with were momentarily frozen in ‘terror’.

And I wasn’t about to let it go.

‘Art of Weapon Exhange!’

Using the Art of Weapon Exchange, I stowed my shield in my bag and switched my weapon to a two-handed sword.

I immediately lunged at the Electroplorus on the right.

Swish-!

Bang- Bang-!!

Using the [Water Sword Technique] and its [Combo], followed by the thrusting motion unique to the [Wave Sword Technique].

Adding [Fiery Flame] that is up to level 7 was a bonus.

Monsters that focused on offense generally had weak defenses.

This was a sort of equation that applied to hunting monsters, a kind of formula.

The Electrophorus with relatively low toughness succumbed to a combination of my varied rune-enhanced sword strikes too easily.

It writhed in intense pain from the wounds.

“Ugh…!”

Of course, I wasn’t unscathed either.

This creature had a tremendous amount of bioelectricity.

Even without utilizing lightning-based magical attacks, it emitted a massive amount of natural electric discharge.

As a result, the electricity transferred to me through the sword I’d thrust into it.

‘It might be slightly dangerous.’

I nearly had a close call with the Electrophorus on the right.

In contrast, the left creature had shaken off the fear and could attack once again.

I lowered myself to the ground for a moment.

Swiftly using the Art of Weapon Exchange, I lifted my shield.

Just in case I needed to defend immediately.

While I couldn’t use [Iron Wall Defense] anymore, my shield wasn’t broken, so I could still engage in basic tanking.

“Huh…?”

But the danger I expected never came.

To be precise, the danger was entirely nullified.

Swoosh- Tss-tss-tss-

Bang- Bang-!!

A man appeared in front of me at lightning speed.

It was as if he’d teleported.

His speed exceeded any recorded velocity for human movement, bordering on the limits of physical capabilities and mastery of runic arts.

It was the assassin of the Party, Choi Dong-wook.

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