Yharnam Hunter: Invader

Sometimes, adding a short cutscene that lasts only a few seconds can instantly elevate the storyline.

The animation of the Fortress Gate that appears after the beacon fire is extinguished is very simple; it only shows that the gate is slightly loose and the fire platform has changed, unlike the long and dramatic animation of the campfire.

Yet, it still instilled a sense of "destiny" in the adventurers, making them even more eager to see what would happen after the gate opened.

In short, it means getting into character.

Using various small details to enhance anticipation and immersion is a technique that Gong Qiying has recently learned. After building up anticipation, a big, powerful response is necessary at the end.

The Farron Undead Legion will surely deliver an amazing response to everyone's expectations.

However, on the other hand, is there really anyone in Bede City who can defeat the Undead Legion? Even if there is only one Undead Legion member in Farron Keep, he is a genuine B-rank.

Perhaps the newly unlocked privilege [Strength Balance] of Gong Qiying will come in handy.

In short, this permission is Dynamic Difficulty, which adjusts the strength of the monsters based on the strongest adventurer among those who enter the dungeon at the same time, keeping the difficulty at a level that might result in missing limbs, but with a little effort, one can clear the dungeon even with severe injuries.

The key question is: Why did Gong Qiying allow so many people to complete the game?

Too many people clearing the dungeon will not only diminish the final boss's prestige but also shorten the dungeon's lifespan, ultimately requiring frequent modifications.

This permission is unavailable, at least not now.

Only after a certain amount of time has passed and the contents of the dungeon have been explored can we consider allowing a few people to complete the dungeon.

So for now, Malu and the others are experiencing the authentic Zane Dungeon.

"Pfft."

The adventurers trudged through the Swamp, their steps uneven, making it difficult to even maintain their balance.

The monsters that inhabit this place are adept at taking advantage of the terrain.

The Ghrū stood on the shore and threw spears at the people in the Swamp. Once they got close, they switched to Shield Poke. At this point, you had to use magic to disrupt their formation before you could get ashore.

The slugs that can spit poison often pop out of the Swamp unexpectedly, spraying a person with a foul stench with their breath.

The people's old friend, the Curse Frog, sometimes makes an appearance. And let me tell you, in the Swamp where the speed is reduced, dodging the Curse Frog's spray is quite a difficult task.

Those werewolf-like creatures nailed to wooden frames would occasionally attack people, their ferocity putting even Mad Dog to shame.

During the exploration, the adventurers lost another member.

If it weren't for the exceptional skills of the Strategy Team, who were always able to save people from danger, many more would probably be dead by now.

These unfamiliar adventurers who formed a team didn't really play a big role; the only one who could keep up with the pace of the Strategy Team was the swordsman named Da Er.

Although his cold and aloof personality is not likable, he has a beast-like ferocity when he fights, which reminds people of Te Er when he turned into a green-skinned creature.

However, when Da Er gets really into the fight, he likes to imitate wild animals by howling. He says he's imitating a wolf, but no matter how you look at it, it sounds more like a wolf's relative, the kind that wags its tail.

"I must pass the Undead Legion's entrance test and extinguish the three flames of war!"

As the adventurers headed to the second beacon tower, they suddenly heard a hoarse sound. After searching carefully, they found a spirit behind the hill.

It was a gaunt man, kneeling on the ground, muttering to himself whenever someone approached, "Fran's Undead Legion, please let me join you. Destroy the Abyss."

Other dungeons don't have spirits like Sien, and no one understands why.

They tried to communicate with the spirit, but it was like a broken record, repeating the same few phrases: to join the Undead Legion and destroy the Abyss.

"Extinguishing the flames is a test for joining the Undead Legion?" Delu looked at Luo Jieer and asked, "Did we inadvertently perform some kind of magical ritual?"

He imagined the induction test as something like a ritual to be performed when joining a mysterious group, a ritual that is usually related to something unspeakable and that normal people should never try.

Luo Jieer pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No, it shouldn't be. I haven't sensed any external forces watching me."

"I hope there won't be any problems."

A strange feeling arose in everyone's heart: if they really completed the test, did that mean they could consider themselves members of the Undead Legion?

Members of a mysterious organization from ancient times. How impressive!

"What exactly is the Abyss?" Malu asked.

Everyone shook their heads.

All they know now is that the Abyss is evil and will destroy the world after the Initial Flame is extinguished; the Undead Legion was formed to fight against the Abyss.

If we were to make a conversion, let's temporarily consider the Abyss to be something like the Demon Race.

The adventurers advanced through the Farron Keep amidst both thrills and dangers, and when they extinguished the second beacon tower, a sudden change occurred.

[Invaded by soul-devouring "hunters"!!!]

Intrusion!?

The adventurers looked on in horror, exchanging bewildered glances, all asking the same question—

What is intrusion?

They only know about the Sun Warrior's cooperation mechanism, but they are unaware of the existence of invasion.

The Strategy Team was aware of this, as they had been invaded by the Left Bow's Avatar and others before, but they didn't understand the underlying principles. They simply regarded it as some kind of mechanism of the dungeon and considered the invaders to be monsters of the dungeon.

"Da da da"

Footsteps came from the foot of the hill, and everyone stared nervously at the road. Delu was already preparing to chant a spell.

They've arrived, the intruders have arrived.

It was a dark purple spirit wearing a tricorn hat with the sides turned up, and a long trench coat that billowed as it ran. This outfit was completely different from the aesthetics of the other world.

Or perhaps such a style of clothing simply doesn't exist in this world.

The hunter's weapon was also quite strange. In his left hand was a bent iron rod? The rod was hollow, and it looked short and flimsy. Could it really be used for fighting? It would probably be broken in the first round of close combat.

Malu and the others wouldn't understand that this strangely shaped weapon is called a "pistol".

Malu recognized the weapon the hunter was holding in his right hand immediately – it was Saw Cleaver!

When Leon cleared the Zane Dungeon, he obtained a Saw Cleaver, but unfortunately, the weapon was too incompatible with his fighting style, so he had to leave it unused.

"Sir, please stop and state your purpose!"

Faced with the adventurer's rebuke, the hunter's response was—"Go for it!"

"The evil invader!" The battle is about to begin. Seven people against one invader, the advantage is on my side!

Various spells and Weapon Skill were unleashed upon the hunter.

Delu's eyes flickered as he kept a close eye on the hunter's movements.

He had fought against four incarnations of invaders, so he was quite experienced. From those battles, he observed a pattern:

These intruders often choose to roll when trying to avoid an attack.

Their rolls are different from normal rolls. Sometimes, even when an attack is about to land on them, they can dodge it by rolling.

Rather than describing their movements, their rolls should be viewed as Weapon Skill with unique effects.

So what Delu had to do was to use magic to suddenly control the hunter while he was rolling!

Here it comes! Under the intense onslaught of the crowd, the hunter finally has to take cover!

Delu brandished his staff and shouted, "[Earthly Tentacles]!"

In an instant, several tentacles emerged from the ground beneath the hunter's feet and reached out to grab him. If he chose to roll over, his entire body would be grabbed!

However.

The hunter lightly touched the ground with his toes, his figure flashing to the side with ghostly elegance.

". ah?"

Delu was stunned.

He slapped himself, realizing how ridiculous his previous thoughts were—how could he use old experiences to speculate about a new enemy?

But his attack wasn't entirely ineffective; the hunter's dodge gave Te Er an opening.

"Waaaagh!"

With his enormous size, he spread his arms and pounced on the hunter.

The hunter was surrounded by Te Er and had a rock wall behind him; there was nowhere to hide.

This is a fatal blow!

But the hunter's unusually quiet demeanor was unsettling.

He raised the weapon in his left hand.

"Bang!"

Like a thunderclap, the nearby adventurers instinctively covered their ears. Was the effect of that strange short stick to make a loud noise?

No, absolutely not.

Because Te Er's chest was instantly blown to pieces, an irresistible force forced him to his knees, unable to move.

This is a technique originating from Bloodborne — Gun Parry!

Firing at the exact moment the enemy attacks will put them into execution mode!

"Puff!"

The hunter plunged the Saw Cleaver into Te Er's chest, and a large amount of blood, unsuitable for children, gushed out explosively!

Internal organ damage!

Before people could even react, Te Er turned to ashes and disappeared from the field.

I got up and killed him in one hit.

The change came too suddenly, but the hunter continued to charge forward and attack without stopping.

He swung the Saw Cleaver wildly, each strike aimed at taking lives.

Everyone who fought him felt like livestock to be slaughtered; this intruder truly lived up to his name as a hunter.

His battle was fair and square, a clash of blood, completely crushing the despicable Soul Five incarnation.

"Pfft!"

Da Er was accidentally Saw Cleaver, and a shocking wound immediately appeared on his chest.

He quickly retreated outside the battlefield and drank a lot of Healing Potion.

"This guy is very strong, but he's starting to show signs of fatigue. We're not without hope of winning, but..."

He quickly analyzed the situation. Defeating the hunter was certain, but everyone would pay a heavy price. The opponent's unfamiliar fighting style always brought unexpected trouble.

If we had more helpers...

"Huh?"

Da Er looked surprised as a golden summoning mark suddenly appeared at his feet.

[Summon the helper "Patch"?]