Bukitai

Bukitai is a Mongolian tank assigned to the Kutan Desert party. His size, endurance, and enormous shield make him the formation's protective vanguard, while his concern for injured teammates reinforces his cooperative role. He survives the Basilisk with Igor's help but later dies when Igor and Munir deliberately refuse to assist him. (Chapters 34–38)

Appearance

Bukitai is an exceptionally large Mongolian man whose build is compared to that of a sumo wrestler. He carries an enormous shield and a mace, equipment that matches the High Level Guardian title and makes him the natural front-line member of the desert party. (Chapter 34)

Personality

Bukitai is protective, direct, and visibly concerned when anyone in the group is hurt. He accepts the most dangerous position, calls out approaching enemies, and repeatedly asks after teammates he cannot see while tanking. Although Igor's advice sometimes frustrates him, Bukitai follows the plan and responds with gratitude when Igor rescues him, never suspecting that the same leader will later withhold aid. (Chapters 35–38)

Biography

Kutan Desert

Bukitai takes the vanguard as the party crosses Kutan. He blocks a giant scorpion's claws, holds monster attention while the rear line attacks, and survives a Sandworm by grabbing Munir's turban as a rescue rope. Against the Basilisk, he follows Igor's instruction to watch its shadow rather than its petrifying eyes, enduring repeated kicks until the monster's tongue catches him. Igor severs the tongue and saves him from being swallowed. (Chapters 35–37)

The apparent trust fails after the boss battle. When two giant lizards attack during another Sandworm encounter, Bukitai holds both in place and expects Igor and Munir to rescue the targeted Ralph before supporting him. Instead, they allow Ralph to die and stand idle while the lizards tear through Bukitai's shield and body. He remains standing until the end, asking his former teammates why they abandoned him. (Chapter 38)

Relationships

• Igor: Bukitai accepts Igor's tactical leadership and is grateful when the soldier saves him from the Basilisk. That rescue makes the later abandonment especially effective: Bukitai continues trusting Igor to return until the lizards have already overwhelmed him. (Chapters 36–38)
• Munir: Munir warns Bukitai about attacks, slows enemies, and once pulls him from collapsing sand. Bukitai therefore has practical evidence of Munir's reliability before Munir joins Igor's scheme and lies about lacking mana. (Chapters 35 and 38)
• Ralph: The two occupy the party's front line and survive being struck together by a thrashing Sandworm. Bukitai expects the others to save Ralph during the final ambush and only realizes the betrayal after hearing his death cry. (Chapters 35 and 38)

Skills and abilities

Defensive tanking. Bukitai uses a giant shield to absorb claws, kicks, and direct charges that would threaten less durable Hunters. He can read a huge opponent's movement through shadows and keep attacking with his mace while wounded. Threats outside his field of view and simultaneous enemies still require reliable support from teammates. (Chapters 35–38)

Endurance. Bukitai withstands impacts that throw him across the sand and continues protecting the formation after repeated hits. His durability extends the party's survival but is not limitless; two giant lizards eventually disarm and kill him when Igor and Munir refuse to relieve the pressure. (Chapters 35–38)

Equipment

• Enormous shield: Bukitai's main defensive tool covers much of his body and absorbs attacks from giant desert monsters. Its name and grade are not stated. (Chapters 34–38)
• Mace: Bukitai uses a one-handed mace alongside the shield, striking monster limbs while maintaining the vanguard position. (Chapters 34–38)