Chapter 157 – A Warm Hug and An Accusation
Chapter 157
A Warm Hug and An Accusation
Date : Day 4 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren blinked. His dark eyes widened slightly at the clerk's dramatic response. Elise looked completely unsurprised, meanwhile, Jackey looked entertained.
Sherly inhaled deeply. Then exhaled. Then inhaled again.
"That is too much informatioooon!!! You can't just casually drop all of that at once!"
She pointed accusingly at Hyoren.
"Normal adventurers report things like 'we killed twenty goblins' or 'we found a dead end corridor'!"
Then she pointed at the Freedom Party.
"You three come back and casually say you killed over one thousand goblins, found secret areas, fully mapped the floor, and defeated the Guardian!"
Hyoren chuckled.
"Okay, Sherly."
He made a calming gesture. His hands moved in slow, deliberate patterns, the motion designed to encourage relaxation and composure.
"Take a deep breath. In. Out. In. Out."
To everyone's surprise, Sherly actually obeyed.
The clerk's shoulders rose and fell with exaggerated deliberation, her breathing following Hyoren's instructions.
"In… Out… In… Out…"
After several breaths, her shoulders finally relaxed.
"Okay…"
She adjusted her glasses.
"Okay…"
Another breath.
"I'm fine now…"
Then she immediately looked toward Elise.
Her eyes sought confirmation from the silver-haired elf, her expression carrying the desperate hope of someone who wanted to believe that Hyoren had been exaggerating.
Elise simply nodded silently and smiled.
Sherly closed her eyes.For a brief moment, she looked like someone reconsidering all of her life choices. Then she opened them again. The acceptance was visible.
"Okay..."
She started writing notes.
"Your party fully mapped Floor One."
Scribble.
"Found a hidden corridor."
Another line of text joined the first.
"Found a Monster Room."
The pen continued moving.
"And killed the Guardian."
Sherly slowly lowered her pen. The writing implement came to rest against the paper.
Then she looked at the three of them. Her gaze moved from Jackey. To Elise. Then finally to Hyoren.
She shook her head.
"You guys are…"
She paused, searching for the correct word. Her brow furrowed slightly as she considered various options, rejecting each in turn as insufficient to capture the magnitude of what she was trying to express.
Then finally found it.
"Absurd."
Jackey immediately raised both arms.
"YES!"
He pointed at himself proudly.
"Freedom Party is absurdly strong!"
Sherly groaned. Her free hand massaged her temple in circular motions. For some reason, that statement only made everything sound even more ridiculous.
Sherly coughed lightly, trying to regain her professional composure.
"Okay… Most of this information is outside my pay grade. I can only process your magic stones and loot earning."
She glanced at her notes again. Her eyes moved across the paper, scanning the written entries that documented their extraordinary report.
The notes themselves already looked absurd. Guardian. Monster Room. Hidden Corridor. Complete Floor Map. Each entry represented information that would typically require separate expeditions to acquire, yet here they were—all documented from a single party's five-day dive.
"For the other information… You will need to report directly to Senior Ina and Guild Master Fiona yourselves."
Hyoren smiled.
Honestly, he had expected that. He had planned to talk to Ina from the beginning anyway.
"Okay, Sherly."
He nodded.
"That's understandable. Could you process our magic stones first? I'll report everything to Ina later."
Sherly nodded immediately.
"Okay. Let me verify the kills first."
She took their guild cards and placed them into a guild verification device.
Sherly read through them carefully. Her eyes moved across the display with methodical attention, her lips moving slightly as she silently verified each entry against the verbal report they had provided.
"I confirmed it."
She glanced at the Freedom Party.
"1,256 total goblin kills. A mixture of Goblins and Goblin Archers."
Then she looked toward Elise.
"And one Goblin Berserker Guardian kill credited to Elise."
She slowly shook her head again.
"You guys truly weren't joking."
Her tone sounded halfway between disbelief and resignation.
"What an absurd number for a five-day dive."
***
Sherly straightened up. Her spine lengthened as she pulled herself into proper posture. She was trying to forget the absurdness by continuing to maintain her professional task.
"Now then… Please provide the magic stones."
Hyoren nodded toward Elise.
Elise stepped forward and opened her storage bag. Then she began taking out the loot and pouring the magic stones onto a counting tool. The stones spilled from the bag, each stone clicking against its neighbors as they settled into the device's collection basin.
Then Elise calmly took out the largest magic stone of all. The Guardian magic stone. The magic stone landed heavily on the counter.
Sherly stared at it for a second. Her eyes remained fixed on the massive pile of magic stones. She silently activated the counting tool.
A few moments later, Sherly wrote the final numbers onto her report.
"Okay… I confirmed it. 1,256 Level 10 magic stones."
Her pen moved again.
"And one Level 15 Guardian magic stone."
She looked at the number. She inhaled and exhaled slowly. Then forced herself back into a professional tone.
"Okay… now… Do you have any other loot? At least rusted weapons?"
Elise nodded calmly.
"Yes, Sherly. We are meticulous. Fufu."
Jackey immediately gave a thumbs-up.
"Freedom Party didn't leave a stone unturned! HAHA!"
Hyoren smiled slightly at that.
Elise stepped forward again and opened her storage bag.
Then she began taking out the rest of their loot. Rusted daggers and short swords dropped onto another counting tool beside the counter.
Sherly stared at the loot for a moment before forcing herself to continue writing.
"Okay…"
Her pen moved quickly. The tip flew across the paper.
"410 rusted weapons total."
She paused slightly, then shook her head again. The motion had become so frequent during this report that it seemed almost involuntary, a reflexive response to the constant stream of extraordinary information.
"Not much compared to the magic stones… but still a massive amount."
She processed everything through the guild system.
"Your total earnings are as follows. The Level 10 magic stones are worth 12,560,000 Kres. And the Level 15 Guardian magic stone is worth 750,000 Kres."
Her pen tapped lightly against the paper. The sound was rhythmic and almost meditative, the motion serving as a brief pause before the final component of their earnings.
"And… 410 rusted weapons are worth 4,100,000 Kres."
She wrote the final number, then looked up at them. Her gaze moved across the three of them.
"Everything totals to 17,410,000 Kres."
Jackey froze. The Beastkin's body went rigid, his exuberant energy suddenly arrested by the magnitude of the number that had just been announced. Then slowly turned his head toward Hyoren.
"Big Bro…"
A wide grin spread across his face.
"We are REALLY rich."
Hyoren let out a small breath. Even he didn't expect the total to reach that high.
Elise smiled faintly beside him.
"Fufu… worth those five days of being claustrophobic."
Hyoren nodded slowly.
Sherly finished writing the final amount. She looked toward Hyoren.
"Oh… And with this, Hyoren has officially reached the level threshold."
Hyoren blinked. The announcement caught him off guard, his mind still processing the financial information when this new development demanded his attention.
Sherly smiled slightly.
"You are now eligible for promotion to Bronze Rank. I already updated the guild record. Please check your card."
Hyoren immediately looked down at his guild card. His dark eyes scanned the smooth surface, focusing on the updated information.
The party account balance had already been updated.
18,020,000 Kres.
He paused for a moment. That was a substantial amount. Especially after they had spent almost everything they had before—on their house, on equipment, on preparing for this dungeon dive.
Now, not only had they earned it back, they had more than they started with. His grip on the card tightened slightly.
But that was not the most important part. His gaze moved lower. To the line beneath his name. The designation that once read Copper had changed. Now it displayed as Bronze.
Hyoren stared at it for a few seconds longer than necessary. A small breath escaped his lips.
"Bronze Rank… Finally, I match Elise and Jackey's rank."
Elise smiled beside him. The expression was warm and genuine, her emerald eyes reflecting pride that seemed entirely sincere.
"Congratulations, Hyoren."
Jackey immediately gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"Big Bro, we are matching now! HAHA!"
Sherly smiled wryly.
"Actually, your progress is absurdly fast, Hyoren."
She looked through his registration record brieflybefore looking back at him.
"You registered less than two months ago. And now you're already Bronze Rank. Most adventurers take months. Some even take years."
Elise nodded. The gesture was thoughtful and considered, her agreement carrying the weight of personal experience.
"She is right."
Her silver hair swayed slightly with the motion, the strands catching the light from the magic lamps and shimmering with subtle luminescence.
"It took me almost ten years to go from Wood Rank to Bronze Rank."
She smiled softly. The expression carried nostalgia and contentment in equal measure.
"Though I never rushed. I enjoyed progressing at my own pace. Fufu."
Jackey crossed his arms proudly.
"Big Bro is strong! So being fast is understandable!"
He laughed loudly. The sound boomed through the tent with characteristic volume, the Beastkin's irrepressible spirit asserting itself even in this moment of reflection.
"Even I took two years to reach this rank! HAHA!"
Hyoren scratched his cheek awkwardly. The praise still felt strange. The acknowledgment of his rapid progression sat uncomfortably against his natural modesty, the recognition seeming to exceed what he felt he deserved.
Sherly shook her head again.
"See?"
She pointed at Hyoren.
"Even they agree. Your progress is absurd."
For a moment, everyone looked at each other. The silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant sounds of the settlement continuing its ceaseless activity beyond the tent walls.
Then laughter broke out around the counter. The sound erupted simultaneously from multiple sources, the shared amusement creating a chorus that seemed to fill the entire tent with warmth. Even Sherly laughed this time. Her professional composure finally crumbled entirely, the sound escaping her lips with the freedom of someone who had surrendered to the inevitable.
***
They quickly bid farewell to Sherly and exited the guild tent. The transition from the enclosed space to the open air was immediate and refreshing, the cool breeze of late afternoon washing over them like a gentle caress after the stuffiness of the administrative interior.
Hyoren tilted his head slightly upward, his eyes catching the silver glow of Luna above. The pale celestial body had continued its descent since their earlier observation, its position now noticeably lower against the horizon.
"We have around two to three hours before sunset. Let's quickly depart and reach Akela before dark."
Jackey and Elise nodded without hesitation.
Then they moved. Their footsteps fell into a natural rhythm as they left the bustling dungeon town behind, the sounds of construction and commerce fading gradually as the distance between them and the frontier settlement grew. The journey to Akela was brief and uneventful. The road stretched before them like a familiar ribbon, its contours and curves already imprinted upon their memories.
But, the road beneath their feet felt different now. It was more compact, more worn. Signs of frequent travel were everywhere—wagon tracks pressed into the dirt, the deep ruts creating parallel lines that spoke of heavy loads and regular commerce. Footprints layered over one another in chaotic patterns. And small disturbances along the roadside where people had rested or passed by, the evidence of brief stops and casual passage scattered like breadcrumbs along the path.
This road, which once saw barely any traffic aside from a few villagers heading to the quarry for stones, had changed completely.
Now it was alive.
The connection between the Old Quarry—now turned Dungeon Town—and Akela City had become busy, almost bustling in its own way. The traffic flowed in both directions, adventurers heading toward the dungeon with hopeful expressions and returning with varying degrees of success or injury, merchants transporting supplies to the growing settlement, laborers seeking work in the construction that seemed never-ending.
After walking for about two hours, the familiar silhouette of Akela City came into view. The walls rose against the horizon like a promise of safety, their solid presence welcoming after the dangers they had faced underground. They quickly reported to the gatekeeper on the North Gate, the transaction brief and efficient as the guard verified their guild cards and waved them through.
And without slowing down, they entered and headed straight toward the Adventurer's Guild. Their footsteps carried them through streets that were noticeably emptier than usual, the absence of adventurers explained by the new attraction that had drawn so many toward the dungeon town.
The heavy ironwood doors creaked as they were pushed open. The three of them stepped inside.
Hyoren's gaze swept across the interior. It was noticeably quieter than usual.
The observation registered immediately, the absence of the typical crowd creating an atmosphere that felt almost strange after weeks of visiting during peak hours. The usual crowd of adventurers was missing, likely drawn toward the dungeon town to test their luck and strength.
Then his eyes landed on a familiar figure. The sight caught his attention like a hook, drawing his focus away from the empty tables and quiet atmosphere.
A cat-clan beastkin. Waving at them from her counter—Ina. Her small frame was unmistakable even at a distance, her brown hair and perked ears identifying her before her enthusiastic gesture completed the recognition.
She quickly stepped out from behind the counter and trotted toward them. Her footsteps were light and quick against the wooden floor, the sound carrying the urgency of someone who had been waiting for this moment and could no longer contain her anticipation.
"Hyoren! Elise, Jackey! Glad to see you returned safely."
Hyoren smiled and stepped forward, pulling her into a hug.
The motion was instinctive and immediate, his arms wrapping around her small frame with the desperation of someone who had been separated from something precious for far too long. The last time he saw this second lover of his was five days ago. The realization had been present in his mind throughout their expedition, but he had pushed it aside, focusing on the demands of survival and exploration instead.
And now, finally seeing her again—only then did he realize how much he had missed her. Her small frame pressed against his chest, the sensation familiar and comforting in ways that defied easy description. The faint scent of her perfume. The soft warmth of her body.
Her ears perked slightly, brushing lightly against him.
Elise smiled warmly at the sight, her emerald eyes reflecting the quiet pleasure of someone who understood exactly what Hyoren was feeling. While Jackey grinned widely, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement at the display of affection.
Ina was a bit flustered.
She clearly also missed him too, her arms were slowly tracing the back of him. Her fingers moved across his shoulders and down his spine with tentative exploration.
She returned his hug with her own hug. The gesture was brief but genuine, her arms tightening around him for a moment before relaxing into the embrace. Though she understood their situation more than him, the awareness of their surroundings creating a tension between her desire and her professional dignity.
Her tail swished energetically behind her as she tapped his back lightly.
"Hey, Hyoren… This is in public! Everyone could see this!"
Hyoren quickly released her and flushed slightly. The heat rose to his cheeks with immediate intensity.
"Sorry… I just couldn't help it… Not seeing you for five days…"
Jackey burst into laughter. The sound boomed through the relatively quiet guild hall with characteristic volume, the Beastkin's amusement impossible to contain.
"HAHAHA! Now Big Bro can't live without Big Sis anymore!"
Elise chuckled softly. The sound was quiet and melodic, carrying the knowing amusement of someone who had observed Hyoren's emotional journey.
"Look at you now, Hyoren. You used to be in denial about Ina. And now the second you saw her after five days, you basically pounced on her. Fufufu."
Hyoren could only smile awkwardly and scratch his cheek.
He glanced around. His dark eyes swept across the guild hall with renewed attention, assessing the audience that had witnessed his impulsive display. It was fortunate that there were barely any adventurers inside.
But the guild staff had definitely noticed.
Several clerks—Fern, Rinne, and others—were already whispering among themselves, their voices carrying the excited undertones of people who had just observed something entertaining. Some covering their mouths while giggling at the scene, their hands doing little to conceal the amusement that danced in their eyes.
Hyoren coughed lightly, trying to shift the focus and change the topic.
"Ina. We actually have many things to report after five days of dungeon diving. Is Guild Master Fiona present?"
Ina's expression shifted smoothly back into a more professional one.
The transformation was quick but noticeable, the flustered warmth of moments ago giving way to the composed competence that characterized her role as Vice Guild Master. Her amber eyes sharpened slightly, and her ears perked with the attentiveness of someone who had just been presented with important business.
"I heard from Sherly that you guys were camping inside the dungeon, unlike other adventurers."
She smiled faintly. The expression carried quiet confidence.
"I wasn't worried like she was, but I figured you had your reasons… and now, it seems you have a lot to report."
She glanced toward the second floor. Her eyes moved toward the staircase that led to the administrative offices above, the direction of her gaze indicating where they would need to go.
"Talk about good timing. Guild Master Fiona just finished her meeting, so she should be in her office."
Ina turned and gestured for them to follow. Her hand swept toward the staircase with the practiced motion of someone who had guided countless visitors through these halls.
"Let's go."
She then led them toward the second floor, guiding them toward the Guild Master's office. Their footsteps echoed against the wooden stairs as they ascended, the sound carrying them upward toward the meeting that would officially document their extraordinary achievements.
***
The Guild Master's office door opened with a heavy creak. The sound was deep and resonant, the ancient hinges protesting the motion with a groan that seemed to echo through the hallway behind them. The thick ironwood swung inward slowly.
Inside stood a large table made from polished dark wood. The room itself was spacious, yet surprisingly plain.
Behind the desk rested Fiona's two-meter-tall greatsword, meticulously mounted on the wall. The weapon dominated the space behind the Guild Master's chair. It was secured firmly in place, but positioned so she could grab it at a moment's notice without leaving her chair.
Other than a few shelves filled with neatly organized documents and ledgers, the office lacked decoration. No paintings adorned the walls. No trophies displayed past victories. No personal mementos suggested a life outside the demands of leadership. It reflected exactly who Fiona was. Practical.
When the Freedom Party and Ina entered, the fiery red-haired Guild Master looked up from the documents she had been reading. Her crimson eyes tracked their movement. The papers in her hands crinkled slightly as she set them down.
"Huh. What is it, Ina? And what's with these fuckers doing here?"
It was the same Fiona as always. Sharp tongue. Blunt attitude. And not the slightest bit remorseful about either.
Ina stepped forward with an exhausted sigh. The exhale carried the weight of someone who had delivered this same correction countless times, the familiarity of the exchange doing nothing to diminish her commitment to maintaining proper standards.
"Language, Guildmas."
Hyoren tried to suppress a chuckle.
The same exchange again. By now, it almost felt like a daily routine between them. Ina reminded Fiona out of habit, while fully knowing the Guild Master would never actually change. The dynamic had become so established that witnessing it was almost comforting.
Fiona merely clicked her tongue in response.
Ina then gestured toward Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey. Her small hand swept across the three adventurers.
"Freedom Party has something to report."
Fiona's crimson eyes immediately locked onto Hyoren. The gaze was intense and penetrating..
"Reports, huh?"
She leaned back slightly in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Now it'd better be worth my time. If not, I'll beat you fuckers myself."
Ina gave up reminding her about the language this time. The decision was visible in the slight droop of her shoulders.
Instead, she quietly pulled four wooden chairs from the side of the room and placed them in front of Fiona's desk. The furniture scraped softly against the wooden floor.
Everyone took their seats. The wooden frames creaked slightly beneath their weight, the sound varying depending on who settled into which chair. Jackey's seat protested the most, the furniture groaning under the Beastkin's muscular frame.
Once they settled down, Ina gently touched Hyoren's shoulder, silently gesturing for him to begin. The contact was brief but reassuring.
Hyoren straightened his back. He took a slow breath before speaking.
"This report will definitely be worth your time, Guild Master."
He paused briefly, organizing the events of the past five days inside his head.
"We just finished a five-day dungeon dive in the newly opened Akela Dungeon."
His voice remained calm.
"We camped inside the dungeon for five days, fully mapped the entire first floor, found a hidden chamber, and defeated the first floor Guardian."
The room suddenly became very quiet.
The absence of sound seemed almost physical. Fiona simply stared at him. Her crimson eyes remained fixed on his face. Her expression didn't change. The features remained frozen in their default state of mild irritation.
It looked less like disbelief—and more like her brain refusing to process what it had just heard. Perhaps she was waiting for someone to laugh. Or say it was a joke.
Then—Fiona slammed both hands onto the desk.
The impact was thunderous, the sound exploding through the office with enough force to make everyone flinch. The force rattled the entire room. Ink bottles, papers, and a metal cup clattered loudly across the tabletop.
"What the fuck did you just say?"
She stood up so abruptly that her chair slid backward. The furniture scraped against the floor with a shriek of wood against wood.
"Don't just walk into my office and feed me information that reeks this much of bullshit!"
Her sharp crimson eyes glared at the three adventurers. The gaze swept across them with the intensity of someone searching for signs of deception, her attention moving from Hyoren to Elise to Jackey as if assessing each of them for guilt.
"All reports say the dungeon is harder than expected!"
She jabbed a finger toward them.
"The first floor is huge, and while the goblins are weak, they spawn like fucking crazy!"
Her voice echoed through the office.
"Everyone's saying that even though the dungeon is profitable, advancing deeper is going to be difficult!"
Ina smiled helplessly.
"Guildmas."
She waited until Fiona looked toward her. The pause was brief but deliberate, the silence serving as a momentary reset that allowed the Guild Master's attention to shift from accusation to listening.
"They're telling the truth. We already received an urgent report from Sherly this afternoon via communication tool. She verified everything they told us."
Ina's calm voice contrasted sharply with Fiona's agitation.
"They brought back over twelve hundred magic stones. And one Guardian magic stone."
She looked toward the Freedom Party briefly before facing Fiona again.
"And their guild card tally matched perfectly. They defeated a Level 15 Floor Guardian. The Goblin Berserker."
Fiona processed the information for a while before slowly sitting back down in her chair. The motion was gradual and almost reluctant.
The office became quiet again.
Even the air seemed heavier as she rested both elbows on the desk, her fingers interlocked in front of her mouth. Her crimson eyes never left Hyoren.
"So you fuckers were telling the truth, huh…"
The disbelief in her voice had disappeared. Instead, there was excitement. The shift was subtle but unmistakable.
A fiery gleam burned inside her red eyes as she stared directly at Hyoren.
"You guys already gave me a heart attack during that Goblin Settlement report. Servant of Gidol and new dungeon… And now this…"
She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward slightly.
"I know you're not a normal person, Hyoren… Who you really are…"
Hyoren felt cold sweat running down his back. Beside him, Elise's body also became rigid. The tension was visible in the set of her shoulders and the sudden stillness of her posture, her emerald eyes widening slightly as the implications of Fiona's question registered upon her consciousness.
The room suddenly felt much smaller.
I couldn't possibly tell Fiona the truth…
That he was someone transported from another world. Or that he had received blessings from two goddesses.
Before either of them could think of an answer, someone suddenly stood up. Jackey. The motion was abrupt and energetic, the Beastkin's muscular frame rising from his chair. The cat-clan beastkin raised his fist high into the air with his usual bright grin.
"Because Big Bro is not normal!"
He puffed out his chest proudly.
"He is the strongest Bro! WOHOO!"
Silence. A brief pause filled the office. Then Ina laughed first.
"Hahaha!"
The sound was genuine and warm, her amusement breaking through the tension that had been building since Fiona's pointed question.
Hyoren couldn't help smiling. Even Elise let out a quiet laugh. Finally, Fiona also burst into laughter. The Guild Master's amusement filling the office with a voice that seemed to dispel the oppressive atmosphere.
The fiery look in her eyes disappeared as she leaned back in her chair, shaking her head. The motion caused her long red hair to sway slightly, almost resembling dancing flames.
"Fine. I won't pry too much. "
She let out a long breath.
"For now..."
Then her expression became serious again. She looked directly at Hyoren. Her crimson eyes locked onto his dark ones with an intensity that demanded his full attention.
"Now. Before you tell me the whole story… I'm going to ask you something."
She folded her arms.
"Do you really want to tell us everything? All this information is worth a fortune."
She tapped the wooden desk once.
"Many parties would gladly pay for it. You could even monopolize it yourselves."
Hyoren shook his head without hesitation.
"We already discussed it."
He glanced briefly toward Elise and Jackey before looking back at Fiona.
"Advancing deeper into the dungeon and getting stronger is our priority. We won't monopolize the information. Especially the hidden chamber."
Fiona quietly studied Hyoren's expression.
Her crimson eyes moved across his face with careful attention. Several seconds passed. The silence stretched between them.
She had met enough adventurers to recognize greed when she saw it.
But Hyoren's eyes never wavered. His dark irises remained steady and clear—the look of someone who was speaking truthfully because anything else would be a betrayal of his own principles. Eventually, Fiona nodded slightly. She believed him.
Her gaze briefly shifted toward Ina. The look was quick but communicative.
"And Ina. Write everything down. This is going to be important."
Ina immediately nodded, pulled out a fresh stack of paper and pen.
"Yes, Guildmas."
Fiona's attention returned to Hyoren. Her crimson eyes settled upon him with renewed focus.
"Now. Tell me."
Hyoren glanced briefly toward Jackey and Elise.
His dark eyes moved from one to the other. Both of them gave a small nod, silently leaving the report to their party leader.
Hyoren nodded back.
"Okay, Guild Master."
He organized his thoughts before beginning. The memories of the past five days cascaded through his consciousness.
"Firstly, we successfully defeated the First Floor Guardian."
Ina's pen immediately started moving.
Hyoren then retold the battle inside the Guardian Chamber.
His words painted a picture of the space where they had fought. The Guardian was a Level 15 Goblin Berserker. A goblin variant that did not exist outside the dungeon.
He explained its fighting style—wielding two massive crimson axes with overwhelming physical strength.
Then he described its greatest threat. It’s Regeneration. If they couldn't deal damage faster than it healed, the battle would eventually become a losing battle of attrition.
Finally, Hyoren described the Guardian's final phase. It entered a last resort state. It traded its regeneration for a massive increase in offensive power.
Even Fiona frowned slightly while listening.
Hyoren continued his explanation.
"It was quite a hard fight… If we didn't have Jackey's unique axe, my stacking debuffs, and Elise's newly acquired poison..."
He shook his head.
"We definitely would have been in trouble."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Even with all of those advantages… The fight lasted a long time. And it definitely wasn't easy."
Hyoren concluded his first report.