Chapter 10: What Must Not Be Known, What Must Not Be Revealed

In this world, the term "S-Rank" carries a special meaning.

It is a title bestowed either upon the pinnacle of human achievement—those who have accomplished historic feats—or upon beings with the potential to destroy the world.

Given that the former usually refers to those who have saved the world, it stands to reason:

An S-Rank is a title for an existence capable of shaking the world itself.

So then, what is a "Quasi-S-Rank"?

In short, it refers to "an A-Rank monster with the potential to evolve into an S-Rank."

Normally, monsters do not evolve.

But among A-Ranks, there are a rare few with the potential to ascend to S-Rank.

Now, you might think it’s absurd to keep such beings hidden—but there’s a reason.

This world operates on game-like mechanics—stats, dungeons, and the like.

So, when an ultra-powerful monster like an S-Rank is slain, a reward is triggered.

An item drop.

And this drop remains the same whether the monster is killed as an A-Rank (before evolving) or as an S-Rank.

Now, imagine if this item were something so absurdly powerful it could tip the balance of power between nations.

That very knowledge is the foundation of a nation’s strength.

If anyone outside of us—who know the truth—were to slay a Quasi-S-Rank, it could spark a full-scale war.

That’s why we have to be the ones to kill it.

And that’s why I had to explain this to our leader.

Now, with that in mind—

The thing standing before us this time is <Nation Devourer>.

Literally, a freaking snake that could swallow an entire country if left unchecked.

That said, the reason it can evolve from A-Rank to S-Rank is obvious:

It grows larger the more it eats.

The bigger and stronger it gets, the closer it comes to becoming an S-Rank.

Luckily, it hasn’t consumed enough yet.

We should still be able to take it down as an A-Rank—but there’s one major problem.

This thing is one of the strongest A-Rank monsters in existence.

---

"Randall’s team, switch with Kaiser’s! Our team and Claude’s hold position! Misha’s team, swap from attackers to healers and support Randall’s team!"

The leader’s sharp, piercing voice cuts through the chaos.

She’s an outstanding adventurer, but her greatest talent?

Being loud and clear.

Even in the thick of battle, her orders always get through.

As a commander, you couldn’t ask for a better skill.

—Fighting a dungeon’s "Core Lord" is essentially a raid battle.

Multiple parties unite, each fulfilling their role as the battle progresses.

Our strategy?

Treating each team as a single adventurer.

We have five teams—Golem, Randall, Kaiser, Claude, and Misha—assigned as Attackers, Wizards, Healers, and Tanks.

Naturally, each team is balanced, allowing us to switch roles on the fly to prevent a wipe.

Honestly, there’s no one "right" way to fight—not even in raids.

Right now, role specialization is the norm, but history might shift things toward all-rounders someday.

But none of that matters right now.

All that matters is the fight.

Once the "Lord" enters combat, it spawns monsters around it.

We have to deal with those while chipping away at the boss itself—a brutal balancing act.

Thanks to the leader’s precise orders, we’ve managed to hold the line by constantly switching roles.

But if the "Lord" changes its attack pattern when cornered?

All bets are off.

Since <Nation Devourer> is classified as a Quasi-S-Rank in this country, there are records of past victories—but the details are lost.

The last time it was slain was centuries ago, so that’s no surprise.

The only thing we know for sure?

It changes tactics when pushed to the brink.

But how exactly?

Yeah… we have no damn clue.

"—Rina, look out!"

Suddenly, Solarya’s voice rings out.

At the same time, I sense movement behind me—I spin around, slashing with my sword while instantly chanting:

"‘Winds, rise!’"

My blade deflects the worst of the blow, and the gust puts distance between us—just as <Nation Devourer>’s tail whips through where I’d been standing.

"Dammit, that thing’s tail is way too nimble! And has it gotten longer?!"

"Must be part of its traits. Yousrid, stay sharp on the tail and keep attacking! Rina, cover him—focus support on Yousrid!"

"...Got it."

I wasn’t slacking off, but that attack came out of nowhere.

It’s been like this the whole fight.

This snake is scarily good at striking from blind spots.

Any party without tight coordination and experience would’ve been skewered instantly.

"Anna, how’s the chant coming?!"

"Almost… just a little longer!"

Yousrid leaps into the fray, checking on Anna’s progress.

Right now, our role is Wizards.

The key difference between Attackers and Wizards?

Wizards have higher burst damage, while Attackers have better sustained DPS.

Meaning, we have to hold the line while prepping a massive strike.

I’d switch to Wizard duty myself, but with the snake attacking unpredictably, that’s not an option.

Still, somehow, Anna finishes her chant—

And together with the Randall team, also on Wizard duty, we unleash a devastating blast straight into the serpent’s hide!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

The serpent's shriek echoed through the battlefield—and in an instant, the tide of battle shifted.

"Leader! The adds just shed their skin!"

"Looks like it! Pattern change! Misha’s team and Kaiser’s team—switch! Claude’s team, go full healers! Rinaria’s team and Randall’s—tank stance, NOW!"

The leader barked orders without hesitation, redistributing roles in a flash.

Two tanks, two healers, one attacker. A cautious formation.

But then—

The serpent’s maw lunged straight for the leader’s throat.

The speed was inhuman.

The only one who might’ve reacted in time was Yousrid—but even he was too far to intercept. And even if he had, it would’ve been suicide.

Before anyone could shout a warning—

The leader was swallowed whole.

"L-Leader?!"

"Shit—SPIT HIM OUT!!"

Panic erupted.

This was the true horror of fighting a "Core Lord."

Occasionally, they’d pull off moves beyond human comprehension—attacks so brutal they could one-shot even A-Rank adventurers.

No matter how skilled we were, there was always a gap.

Losing our commander? Worst-case scenario. Even with all our past raids, we’d never faced this before.

But then—

"—Rina!"

Yousrid’s voice cut through the chaos.

I didn’t just hear it—I understood.

My body moved before my mind could catch up.

"‘Winds, RISE!’"

Magic surged—

"EVERYONE, STAY CALM!!"

Yousrid’s voice boomed, amplified by magic.

It wasn’t like the leader’s—her sheer volume was a gift. Most commanders needed spells to project their voice.

"The. Leader. Isn’t. DEAD. Stick to the plan—roles UNCHANGED!"

Yousrid had seen it.

The leader’s last signal.

His job now? Make sure we followed it.

I was already moving, casting amplification magic mid-stride.

Our team’s role: Tank.

With the leader gone, that duty fell to me.

I slashed at the serpent, drawing aggro from the newly shed monsters—

And just like that, the party snapped back into formation.

"Yous, Rina—thank you!"

"...Saved us."

The Graf couple’s gratitude barely registered as Yousrid and I darted across the battlefield.

Unlike other parties, we were down a member.

The strain was brutal.

The serpent’s attacks grew fiercer, but the real threat?

The flying adds.

Their shed skins had given them wings.

Three-dimensional combat in a raid? Pure chaos.

This snake—no, this thing—was smart. It had targeted the leader with precision.

And yet—

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

A roar shattered the battlefield.

Not the serpent’s.

A voice like thunder—from inside the beast itself.

"LEADER!!"

Cheers erupted—then were drowned out as the serpent’s jaws wrenched open, its throat convulsing—

And out she came.

The leader, bathed in golden light.

—Same as always, a scene ripped straight from a legend.

There was a trick to it, of course.

No—

A trick that defied tricks.

Monsters in this world were strong enough to end civilizations.

But humanity?

We had our own miracles.

Sometimes, people appeared who wielded powers beyond magic or swordsmanship.

Abilities that defied logic—

"Alternate Skills."

And the leader’s was—

"‘VAJRAaaaaaaaa! YAKSHAAAAAAAAAA!!’"

"‘VAJRA! YAKSHA!’"

(Note: The "aaaaa" and "!" are part of the skill name. The number of "a"s scales with her hype.)

"The Basics of Alternate Skills: One per person, once per day."

The effect was obvious—a golden glow, hardening her body.

Enhanced strength. A voice that boomed louder.

A damn good skill.

But right now—

"Yous! Rina!!"

The leader’s shout cut through the chaos.

—This was our chance.

The serpent had frozen—shocked.

Its intelligence had backfired. Swallowing the leader whole? A miscalculation.

The tide had turned.

Morale soared with the leader’s survival. Her Alternate Skill locked the serpent’s jaws, crippling its attacks.

The adds were thinning. The snake writhed, desperate to shake her off—and failing.

And then—the order came.

I knew instantly what she wanted.

"The finisher."

"Yous, let’s go!"

"Tch!—Yeah, no shit!"

I sprinted to his side, skidding into position.

Yousrid’s eyes widened—but that didn’t matter.

I rolled my wrist, spinning my blade, falling into perfect sync beside him.

He exhaled sharply, adjusting his grip.

And then—

I saw it.

…………Huh?

"...Rina?"

——He looked… cool.

Wait, since when was this guy so damn handsome?!

I mean, sure, he was famous for it among adventurers, but—

Since when did it hit me like this?!

Hold up. Hold the hell up.

Since when did I notice him like this?!

Am I going through puberty again?! Some kinda love-at-first-battlefield awakening?!

Shut up, brain—I was literally a dude once! (Sorta! Maybe! Gender’s still a work in progress!)

Oh god.

Oh god oh god.

We slept together.

I don’t remember—thanks, alcohol—but it happened.

And then it hit me.

——What about him?

I forgot. But did he?

"...Hey, Yous."

Time elapsed: 0.2 seconds.

My hyper-trained internal clock mocked me as my brain overheated.

What kinda hormonal meltdown is this?!

But now that I’d noticed—I had to know.

In the middle of battle? Didn’t matter.

—The fight was already over.

"W-What? Why the serious face all of a sudden?"

"Doing this… makes me remember stuff."

Our blades aligned, pointed at the serpent.

The height difference meant mine was lower, but—

Someone once said we looked like "twin wings."

"The first time we fought side by side like this."

Moonlit flower fields.

Platinum-bright light.

Never thought I’d be the one bringing this up.

—Guess things changed after that night.

But saying it out loud, so boldly…

Maybe I’ve finally figured some things out.

"We do this all the time. C’mon—let’s move."

Whatever.

Together, we activated our Alternate Skill.

And deep down—

I remembered the first time we’d ever used it.