Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 371 – Craspio vs. Lee Han-Yeol (7)

Han-Yeol discovered that these herbivores were better suited as sorcerers rather than being on the frontlines as warriors. Their calm personalities made them more adept at casting spells from the backlines, as opposed to engaging in combat with the bloodlust and fervor exhibited by other carnivorous Bastrolings.

‘Stop attacking and focus on keeping that thing busy!’ Han-Yeol commanded.

[Okay!]

Han-Yeol formulated a new strategy to distract Craspio and buy as much time as possible, instead of attempting to directly engage it. The entire plan relied on the monster failing to notice the sealing spell they were preparing before its completion. It would be disastrous if Craspio sensed the spell and escaped before it was fully executed.

Sealing spells were generally high-level, where even a slight mistake or movement could ruin the entire incantation. This was especially true in the current situation, as the ten Bastro Sorcerers needed to remain rooted in their positions and in sync while channeling the spell.

Therefore, any movement from Craspio during the spellcasting process would prove detrimental, as the Bastro Sorcerers wouldn't be able to pursue it.

Chwaaaak!

“Camelot!”

[What is it, boss?!]

The Oxen Warrior, attacking Craspio from within the shadows, emerged beside Han-Yeol at his call. Typically, assassins had a weak constitution, making them reluctant to engage in prolonged fights with their enemies. However, Camelot was far hardier than the average assassin, enabling him to fight on the frontlines against Craspio.

While he didn't confront the enemy head-on like Kandir and the others, Camelot's racial traits as an Oxen Warrior proved invaluable in contesting Craspio.

"Do you have any restraining skills?" Han-Yeol inquired.

[Of course! Restraining skills are the basics for assassins! How could I call myself an assassin without one?] came the confident response.

Han-Yeol nodded in agreement with a smirk. He completely understood Camelot's perspective, knowing from personal experience how versatile the Restrain skill was. It was undoubtedly a skill he would prefer to have if he were an assassin-type class.

Restraining skills were neither rare nor common, as many support-type or assassin-type Hunters possessed at least one type of such skill, known as CC or crowd control skills, upon awakening. These skills were extremely useful in hunting grounds as they could easily control and restrict the movement of monsters.

"Good, then wait for my signal. We are going to use our skills together and restrain that thing," Han-Yeol directed.

[Hmm... Well, if you say so, boss... but do you think such skills will work against that ridiculously strong monster?] Camelot questioned.

"I'm not trying to completely immobilize it. We just need to stop its movement for a few seconds. I'm confident we can do it together," Han-Yeol reassured.

[Haha! If you say so, boss!]

With an eager expression, Camelot seemed excited about binding the colossal monster. He enthusiastically replied to Han-Yeol's command and blended into the shadows to await further instructions.

“Mavros!”

[You called, master?]

Chwak!

Mavros instantly reacted and flew to Han-Yeol’s side the moment he called. While the battle against Craspio demanded their full concentration, Mavros always kept one ear attuned to Han-Yeol, regardless of the opponent.

"Wow! Your reaction is still as fast as ever, Mavros! Anyway, I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to give me a lift again, just like old times," Han-Yeol apologetically said.

[Oh! I have been waiting for this!]

Han-Yeol felt a twinge of guilt for having to mount Mavros. The mini-dragon now looked charismatic and majestic like a real dragon, and Han-Yeol was concerned that Mavros might be offended by the request. However, Mavros’ enthusiasm indicated he had been eagerly anticipating this moment. Despite growing stronger and larger after awakening and obtaining Transform II, allowing him to assume his second form, Mavros still preferred fighting with Han-Yeol on his back, just like they did before.

In truth, he felt somewhat lonely when fighting alone without Han-Yeol on his back—a sentiment that seemed ironic, considering dragons were typically depicted as solitary creatures living in their lairs. Despite the romanticized image of dragons preferring solitude, Mavros disagreed. He didn't like the loneliness he felt fighting without Han-Yeol, so he readily agreed to the request to fight alongside him.

Tak!

Han-Yeol hopped onto Mavros’ long neck but noticed something amiss.

‘Hmm?’

The dragon saddle he had purchased from Delchant for Mavros was nowhere to be seen. He searched all over Mavros’ back, but the only thing he could see was the brand new scales majestically shining all over his back.

“Hey, Mavros.”

[Yes, master?]

“Where’s the dragon saddle I got for you?”

[Hmm?]

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Mavros turned and looked at his back before he grimaced.

[Ah, I think I can only use that in my first form. I am not wearing anything in my second form.]

"But the saddle is still there, right?" Han-Yeol inquired.

[Yes!]

“Good.”

[Good!]

Mavros sounded extremely delighted for some reason.

Others might find it awkward that a majestic creature like Mavros was acting all cute and innocent, but Han-Yeol did not mind it at all, as he enjoyed this side of Mavros. After all, it was precisely this aspect of Mavros’ personality that Han-Yeol couldn't get enough of.

“Let’s go.”

[Okay!]

Chwak!

Mavros spread out his long wings and shot up into the air with Han-Yeol on his neck. Needless to say, Han-Yeol did not forget to cancel his wings.

Pshwooo!

“Kieeeeng!” Craspio cried out and switched focus to Han-Yeol and Mavros after identifying them as the biggest threat.

Technically, the Bastro Warrior trio was much stronger than Han-Yeol and Mavros, but they were no match against Craspio due to their limitations. While they possessed bodies with physical capabilities enhanced by mana, that alone was not enough to defeat Craspio.

It was common knowledge that nothing could pierce through vibrations, and this was the reason Craspio’s vibration waves were not just a potent weapon but also a formidable defensive mechanism.

Despite Craspio's tough skin, Master Rank Hunters' skills could penetrate it. However, the monster’s ability to form a vibration barrier around its body was the secret behind emerging unscathed even after simultaneous attacks by six Japanese Master Rank Hunters.

Han-Yeol gathered his mana to attract Craspio’s attention while flying on Mavros’ back.

“Mana Explosion!”

Kaboom!

He utilized his newly upgraded shoulder cannons developed by Yoo-Bi, and their firepower was significantly stronger compared to before.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of explosions covered Craspio.

“Kieeee!”

However, Craspio remained unscathed by the series of explosions.

Mana Explosion was indeed a powerful offensive skill, but it was an area-of-effect skill and did not have the capability to pinpoint a single area. Every shot fired by Han-Yeol was blocked by Craspio’s vibration barrier, and the only result was the thick black smoke that hindered the monster’s vision.

Heh.

‘Gotcha!’

But this was what Han-Yeol had been after from the start.

“Camelot!”

[Okay!]

Chwaaaaaak!

Camelot emerged from the shadows once again after being called and threw the chain in his hand to restrain Craspio. However, his chain did not extend infinitely like Han-Yeol’s, so he was unable to wrap it around Craspio’s colossal body. Instead, he aimed for the weakness of all gigantic creatures.

[Eat this!]

Chwaak! Tak!

Camelot’s chain wrapped itself around Craspio’s right leg.

“Kieng?”

Craspio noticed the chain binding its right leg and tried to shake it off. The monster dropped its guard in the process, presenting an opening for Han-Yeol.

‘Eat this! Restrain!’

Chwaaaak!

[Leave it to me!] Karvis intervened.

Han-Yeol’s chain was different from an ordinary chain like the one Camelot was using. His Ego system residing in his chain, Karvis, had the ability to infinitely extend his chain. Thus, he was able to restrain Craspio’s entire body, unlike Camelot, who only managed to restrain the monster’s right leg.

‘This monster used its arms to summon that strange rift shooting out destructive vibration waves. I can stop it from using that absurd attack if I tie its arms up,’ Han-Yeol thought.

He had no plans to tie Craspio down for a long time, as he lacked the strength to do so, and neither was Restrain an absolute skill.

Chwaaak! Tak!

Han-Yeol’s chain successfully restrained Craspio’s arms and body without a hitch, thanks to the monster’s vision being hindered by the smoke and Camelot distracting it.

“Kieeeeng!” Craspio cried out after having its arms restrained.

Kwachik!

It tried to use its absurd monstrous strength to free itself from the chain.

‘Hap! This guy’s strength is insane!’ Han-Yeol knew his chain was going to snap at this rate.

Heh.

But he was smiling.

‘I still have another card up my sleeve!’

“Bears!”

“Gwuu Oooh!”

Whoosh!

Five Bear Warriors gathered their strength together and catapulted something toward Craspio the moment Han-Yeol gave the signal. The Bear Warriors were known to possess the greatest strength among the Bastro Warriors, and their combined force managed to launch the object dozens of meters into the sky in a split second.

“Oh~ This is fun~!”

The object the Bear Warriors launched into the sky was none other than the Arachnid, Tia. But why was she launched into the sky all of a sudden? Tia could use her highly tensile webs, far more durable than steel, to bind her enemies, which was precisely what they needed right now.

“Hoho~ Restrain!”

Chwak! Chwak!

She spat out spider webs directly at Craspio’s face. The monster was unable to react to the incoming webs as its vision was still hindered by the thick black smoke caused by the explosion.

“Kieeeeng?!” Craspio made a completely different sound, indicating it was flustered.

“Hoho~ I still have more presents for you, Mr. Monster~” Tia said with a grin.

‘Poison Web!’

Tia felt it was anticlimactic to just shoot normal spider webs, so she decided to shoot another set of spider webs, this time laced with her potent toxin.

Pshhh!

The spider webs slowly dug through the monster’s barrier and burned its face.

“Kieeeeeeng!

Whoosh! Tak!

Tia crashed to the ground after successfully completing the tasks Han-Yeol entrusted to her. She could not fly like Han-Yeol or Mavros, and neither could she jump in mid-air like the Bastro Warriors. Fortunately, the Bear Warriors were there to safely catch her.

“Hoho~ Thank you, my cute bear friends~”

[You are welcome.]

They might be unable to understand each other verbally, but they could tell what the other was trying to convey through their actions. Tia’s attack proved highly effective against Craspio, and this was the moment Han-Yeol had been waiting for.

‘Now! Cast the spell!’

[Yes, sir!]

The ten Bastro Sorcerers had already surrounded Craspio and completed their preparations to cast the spell.

Woooong!

[Sealing Spell! Soul Sealing!]

Woooooong!

A gigantic magic circle appeared on the ground around the Bastro Sorcerers. Han-Yeol nervously watched the spell unfold, but his expression suddenly darkened.

‘Damn it!’

The spell turned out weaker than he expected, and this was a huge problem.

‘I forgot this wasn’t the second dimension!’

There was more to the second dimension than stronger monsters and second awakenings. The mana density and capacity a second dimension possessed were far greater than what a first dimension could possess, which was the precise reason why Han-Yeol and the others had their second awakening after crossing over.

In other words, the mana on Earth was nowhere close to what the Bastro Dimension held, causing Han-Yeol to miscalculate the power of the spell he instructed the Bastro Sorcerers to use.

‘N-No! At this rate, we will...!’ Han-Yeol cried out in despair after seeing the weak magic circle glowing on the ground.

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