LTTH C55

Chapter 55

Holy Light Lv.1

Summons a small orb that radiates sacred energy.

…So, at least it’s not a scam, huh?

The skill window I opened in faint hope did not betray me. At the very least, it wasn’t falsely advertised.

Suppressing his frustration, Hansol tested the glowing orb before him, nudging it to see if it would move. It did, but only within about a meter’s radius, and unfortunately, it could not reach Berthel floating high above. Clearly, this was not meant as an offensive skill.

“Hansol. This doesn’t seem like a simple ‘Light’ spell. What kind of skill is it?”

Kassie, curiosity sparkling in his gaze, tapped at the floating orb with a fingertip. I nearly snapped, Is this really the time? but swallowed the words. After all, this magician was a rare treasure who had surpassed level 100.

…Come to think of it.

He was the one who immediately grasped the effect of the small-scale sanctuary, and who could tell at a glance whether someone was purified—faster even than the system itself. Perhaps he could discern some hidden potential in this skill that I myself could not see.

“Mm. It feels somewhat similar to you, Hansol. If a mage’s ‘Light’ spell is cold and sterile, this one is warm, refreshing.”

What sort of feeling is that even supposed to be?

Kassie’s nonsensical description reminded me of something like “warm iced Americano.” Hansol worked hard to keep his expression composed. Calm, stay calm.

“I purchased it from the shop. But it doesn’t seem to be for combat, at least.”

“Hm. I doubt that’s its intended use.”

After studying the orb intently for some time, Kassie conjured a small current of wind in his palm and extended it toward me. As expected, Kassie was exceptional.

“Why not place it here?”

Skeptical, I followed his suggestion and set the Holy Light upon his palm. At once, as though finding its rightful place, the orb settled atop his hand—and seemed to blend with the breeze swirling there.

You have combined skills.

What now?

“This is interesting… Hansol, this—”

“I know nothing about it.”

“Liar.”

But I truly didn’t. My automatic protest sprang forth as Kassie’s eyes lit with sharp amusement. No matter how long I stared at the skill window, I had seen no such function.

“Fine, I’ll let it slide.” Smiling as though granting me unasked-for leniency, Kassie continued. “Hansol. You know each skill carries an attribute, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course—”

“Of course you do.”

The mirth faded from his face as Kassie studied the spell resting in his hand, his eyes suddenly grave. Lost in thought, he traced several patterns in the air with his finger before glancing back at me, a sly glimmer at his eyes’ edge.

“Would you like to see for yourself?”

Would you like to view the target’s system?

“……!”

What?

My eyes widened at the sudden system prompt. I looked from the translucent blue window to Kassie, who nodded with disarming nonchalance. Could it be that here, peering into another’s system was trivial?

Is the system of Korea—of the world—truly the same as this one?

A fundamental doubt stirred. Perhaps the chaos and inconsistency I had faced were not special favor, but simply that this system differed from Korea’s. The thought seemed far more plausible than believing the system smiled upon me alone.

Still, pondering twins or variants of the system could wait. Half wary, half awed, I pressed the accept button. A flood of azure light filled my vision.

You have combined skills.

Skill No. 22, Wind Magic, has gained the Holy attribute.

Skill power has increased by 1.5x.

Additional damage against Darkness attribute has been enhanced.

It was but a single skill. Neither heal nor buff—yet its potential impact felt greater than either.

Attributes in skills varied by the hunter’s traits, which is why even those of the same class wielded slightly different powers. Only spells inherently bound to elements carried fixed attributes.

And always, each skill bore only one attribute. Yet Holy Light had not overwritten but added the Holy element.

Unbelievable.

The greatest reason hunters dreaded the undead was this. Monsters that could be slain with ten points of strength might demand a hundred once tainted with undeath. Holy-imbued skills erased that disparity. This was why healers were called the nemeses of the undead.

So this is what it means…

Hansol’s gaze lingered on the small whirlwind roiling with new, luminous energy in Kassie’s palm. The memory of a holy knight cleaving skeletons like weeds at a new gate returned vividly. With this, any hunter might achieve the same.

“I don’t know how much stronger it is, but let’s test it.”

Still dazed by the implications, I watched as Kassie, eyes sparkling, hurled the empowered wind directly at Berthel.

Until now, all of Kassie’s magic had dissipated upon contact with the fiend, vanishing into nothingness. I expected the same. What chance had a mere wind spell, even bolstered by Holy, against such an abomination?

Tracing a pale arc, the magic struck Berthel. With a dull thud, the black smoke seemed to smirk, dismissive as ever. I thought, As expected. His form even swayed mockingly, almost gleeful. Damn wretch.

[Hm?]

But within mere seconds, that smugness faltered. Where Kassie’s spell had touched, black smoke splintered outward, scattering. The vaguely humanoid shape collapsed, dissolving beyond recognition.

“Yes!”

It worked. Kassie’s magic—it had worked. Or rather, Kassie’s magic combined with my skill.

A ray of light piercing despair itself—that must have been what it felt like.

We can do this. We can win.

The hunters battling at the border, striving to slay even one more foe. The villagers aiding them from within. Isaac, shouting hoarsely as he commanded. We could save them all. Now, time was on our side.

“Kassie, again—”

“No, wait. Hansol, just hold a moment.”

[You dare…!]

Even as I pulled at him, impatient with hope, the black smoke that had scattered quickly drew back together, reshaping in an instant.

…What?

“No damage…?”

“No, there is. But the effect is faint.”

“And worse, I think you’ve angered him,” Kassie added softly, stepping close to shield me. In the next heartbeat, Isaac, who had been bellowing at a distance, rushed to my other side.

Their bodies formed a living bulwark, blotting out my view, but it could not block his voice.

[Annoying. Intolerably so.]

The loathsome sound chilled me. Gone was the faint mocking lilt from before—this was a voice drenched in venom.

Rising high into the sky once more, Berthel’s gaze found me directly. Though unreadable, it carried not a shred of kindness, only naked hostility.

His black eyes brimmed with murderous intent.

[I shall demand the price. Here and now.]