Beyond The Control

Chapter 13

“No, it’s not that. It’s just similar to regular chocolate bars.”

However, to avoid embarrassment by flatly denying it, I vaguely responded while continuing to distribute the chocolate bars.

But then, unexpectedly, a momentary shock appeared in their eyes.

There was one person left, and one chocolate bar remaining. But that chocolate bar was the one I had just unwrapped, and the remaining person was, of all people, Song Ji-hyeok.

Before I could even fall into confusion, Song Ji-hyeok held out his hand. As expected, he was quite perceptive.

“Just give me that one.”

“But I’ve opened the wrapper…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that it mattered to me, for the sake of appearances. As I reluctantly handed the chocolate bar to Song Ji-hyeok, Gitae turned around and raised his voice.

“Everyone gather up. Let’s go in right away.”

If only you had called out 10 seconds earlier, hyung. I could have saved one or two bars.

There was no time for complaints. Gitae, at the lead, entered the gate first, and I, the only experienced member among the remaining personnel, took up the rear.

The world went dark for a moment, then brightened again. The field that appeared before us was cave-like. A large cave entrance gaped like an alligator’s throat, and around it, fern-like vines grew thickly.

‘We’re going to sweat buckets.’

Just before entering, everyone did a final check of their combat uniforms and weapons at Gitae’s order. He’s being kind because it’s their first time, but in the future, they’ll have to do this on their own.

“The level is much lower than in virtual combat, so there’s no need to be scared. It probably won’t happen, but even if there’s a problem, Su-hyeon and I will cover for you.”

“Yes!”

“But don’t let your guard down. Remember everything you learned during training, and just do as I instruct.”

“Yes!”

Well, their spirit is passing for now. To be honest, Kang Ha-na looks a bit uneasy… But as I said, it’s understandable since it’s their first real combat. It’s common for people who were like this to later lead the charge and annihilate monsters.

Then the order to enter was given. As expected, standing at the rear and stepping into the cave, a characteristic humid air rushed in.

As we continued to move inward, I kept thinking without stopping.

Except for freezing skills, wide-range sniping in caves is practically suicide, so indirect attacks through weapons are necessary. The first ones are bound to be…

“How is it?” Gitae turned around and asked at the right moment. The question was obviously directed at me.

“Due to the high temperature inside the cave, there will be swarms of cave bats, and depending on the presence of a lake, there’s a 99.9% chance of encountering baby salamanders or stigophones.”

“The boss mob?”

“Cent-“

I stopped mid-sentence and naturally changed my words. I couldn’t give the newbies a sense of disgust from the start.

“I expect it to be a centipede.”

This is exactly why I read and memorize dungeon strategy reports every morning.

Until entering the dungeon, it’s impossible to predict the internal situation, and there are well over hundreds of reported monster species so far. However, there are patterns discovered through long experience, and knowing these is tremendously helpful in combat. My earlier guesses about the cave’s internal temperature just from seeing the vines, and predicting what monsters might appear, were all based on data.

Anyway, this was how I, a mere C-class, managed to increase my value somewhat. Thanks to this, I get to participate in higher-level dungeon raids once or twice more than other C-class espers, which directly translates to money in my bank account.

“Okay. Thank you.”

Gitae’s response contained implications that only I could understand. It probably meant he had finished calculating when, to whom, and how to give instructions.

We continued moving. After about 5 minutes, when we reached the transition area, the light completely disappeared.

Thanks to special goggles, there was no problem with visibility, but we had to see things we didn’t want to see. Hundreds of small red lights glowing like tiny bulbs on the impossibly high cave ceiling.

It would be nice if they were real lights, but those are the eyes of cave bats. In other words, it means that hundreds of bat monsters are currently looking down at us.

Normally, we would have passed by without paying attention to these creatures that remain calm if not provoked first, but as I said, the main purpose of this battle was to build real combat experience for the newbies. In other words, we couldn’t pass by even a single one.

Naturally thinking the same as me, Gitae called out to someone.

“Esper Lee Seong-min.”

“Yes.”

“Can you handle just the baby bats?”

“Yes.”

“You can break the ceiling to some extent, but don’t blast it with full power. Or you could try attacking with the thought of eliminating about a third of them.”

“I’ll give it a try!”

“And Esper Kang Ha-na.”

“Y-yes?”

“When Esper Lee Seong-min starts attacking, immediately create a wind barrier as if you’re guarding. About 3 minutes should do.”

Kang Ha-na had an expression that seemed to understand but not quite. As a junior with the same skill category, I quickly added a few words in a somewhat friendly tone.

“When the attack starts, something like hail will fall from the sky. Think of it as blocking that.”

“Ah, okay.”

As if passing a baton, Gitae gave another order to Lee Seong-min.

“Begin. Don’t get excited, stay calm.”

“Yes!”

I was a bit worried because his voice was too energetic, but Lee Seong-min wasn’t a B-class for nothing. Along with his energetic shout, the energy that spread out vigorously instantly froze the bats hanging all over the ceiling.

Almost simultaneously, I shouted:

“Esper Kang Ha-na!”

“Y-yes.”

“Quickly…”

Before I could finish speaking, an unpleasant cracking sound came from the ceiling. It was the sound of the rapidly frozen bat monsters breaking apart, unable to withstand the shock.

“Hurry!”

Only then did Kang Ha-na seem to come to her senses and hurriedly create wind. But the speed at which bat carcasses fell from the sky was faster.

I had no choice but to lend my strength secretly from the side.

It’s not because the finely shattered bats are disgusting. Bursting and killing more hideous monsters or getting covered in fishy bodily fluids is commonplace, so this level is nothing in comparison.

The reason for defending is… because it hurts like hell, really like hell, if you get hit.

These creatures’ bodies are already like iron, and with gravity added, the fragments become weapons in themselves. If newbies who don’t know this get distracted watching others’ skills and take a hit to the head, it could easily be fatal.

The noise was equally intense. Parts of the cracked cave walls also came crashing down, hitting our eardrums like a downpour.

Glancing to the side, I saw Kang Ha-na, pale-faced and biting her lip hard, but still diligently using her skill. She seemed to have more guts than others, even if she was more scared.

Impressive.

Giving her a mental thumbs up, I inconspicuously started to withdraw my skill bit by bit. This was possible because although I lacked absolute power, I had mastered skill control.

A moment later, the loud noise completely stopped. Gitae, who had been standing with his arms crossed as if spectating, finally spoke to Kang Ha-na again.

“It’s over. Good job.”

“Th-thank you!”

“I should be thanking you. Let’s move on.”

Kang Ha-na wiped her sweat-drenched face and responded with an energetic “Yes!” Her expression alone conveyed how much sense of achievement she was feeling right now. The same went for Lee Seong-min.

Thanks to them, we cleared the first stage without incident and continued moving inward. The formation was the same as before. As I was walking at the rear, Song Ji-hyeok, who had been walking steadily ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around. Soon, I reached where he was standing.

“Aren’t you going?”

I urged him, but he remained motionless. He glanced at the group gradually moving ahead, then looked back at me and spoke softly through his teeth, almost growling:

“Weren’t you a guide?”

“That’s right.”

“Then what was that just now?”

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb. I saw you using a skill.”

I almost hiccupped. I did it inconspicuously, and even Kang Ha-na didn’t seem to notice. He saw it?

“Your dynamic visual acuity…”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

I can’t even pull a fast one on this guy. Though it’s questionable if there’s anyone bold enough to try to deceive an S-class esper.

“You used a skill, didn’t you?”

“…Yes. Believe it or not, I’m a dual awakened.”

Even Song Ji-hyeok seemed quite surprised at this. And that’s not all. For the first time, I saw a spark of interest in his eyes as he looked at me. Then he threw a merciless question.

“What’s your esper rank?”

Seeing me hesitate for a moment, Song Ji-hyeok displayed his unnecessarily sharp perception again.

“Don’t tell me you’re C-class as an esper too?”

Lay out a mat, will you?

“Really?”

I nodded.

“Well… hang in there.”

For some reason, I felt like crying at his sincere encouragement. But just then, Gitae’s call from up ahead interrupted the moment.

“Su-hyeon!”

“Yes, hyung.”

As I hurried over, I could guess why he called me. A long path split into two could be seen ahead.