Chapter 189 – Tarnhelm

[Attempting combination.]

[Using the Magic Core to awaken the power within the Legendary Helmet.]

[Analyzing user’s characteristics to convert into appropriate power.]

[Analysis is taking time due to the user’s numerous characteristics.]

Just like with the Legendary Weapon before, it took some time.

‘Since I have twice as many characteristics as back then.’

However, it didn’t take too long for the desired message to appear.

[Analysis complete. Found options befitting the user.]

[Combination successful!]

[Awakened the true power of the Legendary Helmet.]

[The Legendary Helmet’s name has been changed to ‘Tarnhelm’.]

‘Tarnhelm?’

Like Excalibur, it was an item he had never heard of before.

Min Do-jun immediately checked the helmet’s information.

[Tarnhelm]

-Classification: Helmet

-Grade: EX

-Defense: 24,000

-Effect: All Stats+200, Reflects 90% damage when receiving a fatal blow, Appearance Transformation

-Durability: Infinite

-Usage Restriction: Level 3,000 or higher (Bound)

-Description: A helmet born from enhancing a Legendary Helmet. Can perfectly transform the face, voice, and physique to match any desired target. Won’t be detected even by those with higher combat power. Transformation is canceled when attacking or being attacked.

Min Do-jun could guess why a helmet with transformation abilities had appeared.

‘It must be because I’ve frequently changed my appearance.’

For revenge.

Or to gain some advantage.

Min Do-jun had often impersonated others.

‘Having power alone doesn’t guarantee successful revenge.’

While strength was important for revenge, it was equally important to manipulate situations to his advantage by impersonating others.

‘Revenge without a plan is like being cast into the open sea without a compass.’

Unless he planned to take revenge just once and be done with it, he had to consider the aftermath.

‘In that sense, Tarnhelm is perfectly suited for me.’

Being able to change not just appearance but also voice and physique meant he could assassinate and escape at any time.

‘The fact that the transformation won’t be detected even by those with higher combat power is overpowered.’

Though the transformation would be canceled if he attacked or was attacked, by then he would have already achieved his purpose, so it didn’t matter.

‘Besides the transformation, the options are excellent.’

High defense, +200 to all stats, and damage reflection.

These were extraordinary options not found on any other helmet.

‘I’ve checked all the rewards.’

Although most of the rewards required reaching level 3,000 to use, their value was immeasurable, which was satisfying.

‘Now, shall I leave?’

Leaving the disappearing boss corpse behind, Min Do-jun exited the boss room.

* * *

Theodore, who had stayed behind alone to protect the unconscious party members, looked around anxiously.

‘I hope multiple monsters don’t appear.’

He could handle one or two somehow, but any more would be too much for him.

Theodore was well aware of his limitations.

‘I’m not Hunter Min Do-jun after all…’

That’s why it was natural for him to be on high alert like this.

‘Please, beasts, don’t appear. Or at least let the party members wake up quickly.’

Fortunately, his wish came true.

The unconscious party members began to regain consciousness one by one.

“Ughhh.”

“Ow, why is my whole body aching?”

Since Min Do-jun had struck each of them with the flat of his sword, none of them could get up without groaning.

Seeing this, Theodore shook his head.

‘Be grateful you’re not dead.’

If Min Do-jun hadn’t held back, none of them would have been able to get up like this.

“Townsend.”

As the leader, Gilbert, approached while turning his neck, Theodore raised his hammer defensively.

“Why, why are you being so cautious? Put your weapon down.”

Though Gilbert spoke in a rather gentle tone, Theodore, who had been sent rolling on the ground by Gilbert’s charge earlier, couldn’t help but be wary.

‘Is this really Gilbert?’

After observing Gilbert with narrowed eyes for a while, Theodore finally lowered his guard.

“Thankfully, you seem to have returned to normal.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you remember? You were growling like a beast and attacking…”

“Me?”

“Yes. Not just Gilbert, but all of you.”

Seeing Gilbert’s bewildered expression, Theodore felt the need to explain the situation.

“Everyone, gather around.”

Theodore gathered the eight party members and explained everything that had happened without omission.

“That’s absurd.”

“We attacked you while growling?”

“We’re not beasts…”

“You may not believe it, but it’s true. Does anyone here remember walking to this place? Raise your hand if you do.”

Naturally, no one raised their hand.

“Come to think of it, this is near the castle, right?”

“How did I get here from the entrance of the dungeon?”

“No matter how hard I try, I can’t remember…”

They were all confused as they belatedly grasped the situation.

“You all lost your intelligence due to a named boss called Bathory. I was even possessed for a short time.”

“Then how did we regain our senses?”

“And if you were possessed, how did you get your body back?”

Theodore, who had been about to explain anyway, smiled slightly.

“It was all thanks to Hunter Min Do-jun.”

“Hunter Min Do-jun?”

“Are you talking about that Asian hunter?”

“Yes. That hunter subdued all of you when you lost your intelligence. That’s why your bodies are aching.”

The party members couldn’t believe it.

That the Asian hunter was responsible for their current condition.

“Are you saying that everyone here is injured, and that hunter faced us all alone?”

“That’s right.”

“Lies.”

“I saw it with my own eyes. He subdued eight people by himself.”

“What nonsense!”

“How could a level 2,600 hunter subdue us?”

Though the party members didn’t believe him, Theodore understood their feelings.

‘I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it myself.’

Knowing that further explanation would be futile, Theodore ignored their murmurs and continued.

“Currently, Hunter Min Do-jun has entered the castle to deal with the named boss who’s the root of all this. If all goes well, we might be able to break the curse of the Russian dungeon.”

“He went to face a named boss alone?”

“Isn’t that excessive confidence?”

“He’s going to get himself killed. Tsk tsk.”

Seeing the party members shaking their heads and speaking negatively, Theodore felt indignant.

“These people…!”

He was about to say something, but someone else stepped forward first.

It was Gilbert.

Thud-!

Gilbert stamped his shield on the ground and looked at the party members with sharp eyes.

“Let’s not speak carelessly about someone who isn’t present. Instead of supporting someone who went to face a boss alone.”

“Listen, Leader. Do you really believe that Asian can defeat a named boss?”

“Regardless of whether he can defeat the boss or not, he’s someone who entered a dangerous place to resolve the situation. There’s no reason not to support him.”

“Do you believe all this outrageous stuff you’ve heard?”

“What if it’s true? What if Hunter Min Do-jun really did subdue us to bring us back to our senses and is now facing the boss? Wouldn’t we owe him our lives?”

“That may be true, but nothing is certain yet…”

“Then keep your mouth shut until the situation becomes clear. Don’t be an idiot who disparages someone who might be your lifesaver by running your mouth unnecessarily.”

“……”

The party member closed his mouth at Gilbert’s harsh words.

He had no rebuttal.

The other party members also remained silent.

“Townsend.”

“Yes, Gilbert.”

“You left the entrance of the dungeon to find Hunter Min Do-jun and ended up partying with him, right? What do you think? From your perspective, is Hunter Min Do-jun strong enough to face a boss alone?”

“Hunter Min Do-jun is…”

Theodore’s lips moved.

When it came to actually speaking, he found himself pondering how to express it.

“…incredibly strong. More than all of us combined.”

Gilbert and the party members were surprised.

It was too generous an assessment for a hunter who wasn’t even S-rank yet.

Unlike the party members who looked at him with disbelief, Gilbert nodded in agreement.

“Then it would only be a hindrance if we tried to help him.”

He had considered entering the castle to help Min Do-jun, but it seemed better to wait quietly.

A moment later, Gilbert realized his choice was correct.

Because he could see Min Do-jun walking towards them from a distance.

“Hunter Min Do-jun!”

Theodore brightened and ran towards him.

“How did it go? What about the named boss?”

It was what he had been most curious about while waiting.

“I handled it safely.”

“Oh!”

While Theodore clenched his fist in excitement, the other party members’ reactions were lukewarm.

It was hard to believe.

“You really defeated the named boss?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any proof?”

Not knowing Min Do-jun’s abilities, they had to ask for evidence.

“Proof…”

Would showing the items obtained from Bathory serve as evidence?

Some might not even know what a named boss is.

After pondering, Min Do-jun shrugged.

“I don’t have immediate proof.”

“……”

“However, from now on, there won’t be regular deaths in the Russian dungeon. That’s the proof I can offer.”

“Is it true that those deaths were caused by that named boss?”

There were still party members who didn’t believe him, but Min Do-jun didn’t mind.

‘Believe it or not, it doesn’t matter.’

There was no reason to prove anything to them.

“We’ll see in time, won’t we?”

“That’s not enough to be certain…”

At that moment, one party member approached boldly.

It was the one who had been reprimanded by Gilbert earlier.

“Hey. I heard you’re strong enough to face all of us, but I find that hard to believe.”

“And?”

The party member raised his one-handed sword.

“Let’s fight. Show me how strong you are.”

“You’ll get hurt…”

“Don’t just talk, show me.”

While the party member’s fighting spirit was commendable, Min Do-jun shook his head.

There was nothing to gain from fighting allies.

‘It would only create bad feelings.’

When Min Do-jun refused, the party member wore an expression that seemed to say, ‘I knew it.’

“Seeing you back down, I guess your claim about defeating the boss was a lie after all…”

“Is there really a need to fight? How about watching me hunt monsters instead? That should give you some idea of my abilities.”

“Yes, that would be better.”

When Gilbert answered on behalf of the party member, the latter didn’t object.

‘This way I can monopolize more monsters.’

Satisfied with at least gaining experience points, Min Do-jun soon went hunting with the party members.

Growl- Slash-!

Growl- Slash-!

Werewolves that appeared were quickly converted into experience points for Min Do-jun.

“……”

The party members’ expressions changed as they watched him decapitate monsters with a single strike at a speed that was difficult to follow with the eyes.

Seeing this, Theodore secretly smiled.

‘Hehe, they look just like me when I first saw Hunter Min Do-jun.’

Min Do-jun, who had been handling more than five werewolves simultaneously—monsters that were supposedly challenging even one-on-one—approached the party member who had challenged him.

“Well? Do you still want to fight me?”

At those words, the party member hastily shook his head.

He could tell without fighting.

That he wouldn’t last even a single exchange.