Chapter 62
Chapter 62
“Get ready!”
The werewolves weren’t visible yet, but the rapid tat-tat-tat! of their approaching footsteps grew louder by the second.
Elsewhere, the Gold-rank Slayers, including those from the Gangnam Style Guild, had also finished their preparations for battle. Their Guild Master, Kim Sangho, raised his voice to rally the team.
“Let’s show them we’re not any weaker than a Platinum Slayer!”
“Yes, sir!”
The Gold-rank Slayers shouted in unison, bracing themselves as the enhanced werewolves charged toward them.
In another area, the military had gone on full alert, a life-or-death defensive operation. Urgent commands and reports rang through the air.
“Werewolf signals detected ahead!”
“Everyone, double-check your armor and gear! The moment you spot one, concentrate all firepower on the designated points! Traps ready?”
“All traps are operational! Confirmed!”
Soldiers, armed with cutting-edge weapons and technology, stood ready to face the oncoming monsters.
“Just hold out for today! Stay sharp, everyone!”
“Yes, sir!”
Meanwhile, experts were analyzing the combat potential of Platinum Slayers versus Gold-rank Slayers. On the largest Slayer information forum, Saber, heated debates erupted among those who claimed to be specialists.
— Even if a Platinum Slayer’s strong, they’re still human, right?
— Nope, not true. A whole squad of Gold Slayers wouldn’t stand a chance against one Platinum Slayer.
— I’m a Slayer myself, and honestly, Gold-ranks have the advantage this time. The werewolves don’t have armor like the Giant Turtle, and they’re not as tanky as Cyclops. Against middle-tier monsters like these, numbers win every time.
Had they witnessed Hyunseok’s way of eradicating a Monster Wave, there would’ve been no such debate, but people argued passionately, almost as if their lives depended on it.
Meanwhile, the real soldiers risking their lives were forgotten amid the online chatter.
Most believed that while the Gold-rank Slayers would take some losses, they could still hunt enhanced werewolves more efficiently than a single Platinum Slayer.
And so, battles began simultaneously across different fronts.
❋ ❋ ❋
Hyunseok was the first to sense the werewolves’ presence.
They’re coming!
He instantly expanded the Combat Field.
“Wida!”
He spotted the first werewolf, and Hong Seyoung thrust her rapier toward it.
“Hah!”
With a sharp shout, her blade shot forward like lightning, piercing straight through the werewolf’s open maw. A clean critical hit. Hyunseok left that one to her and swung his fist at another.
In terms of precision, Seyoung was unmatched. But in speed, and especially in power, Hyunseok easily surpassed even Ha Jongwon.
Thud!
A massive impact rang out as his punch smashed into a werewolf’s side, instantly wiping out its shield gauge. Seyoung seized the opening, darting in.
Her skill activated in perfect sync, a special ability unique to her.
Slayers often called out their skill names aloud, both to focus their power and to signal their allies about the skill’s effect.
“Shining Shower!”
In an instant, Seyoung’s rapier seemed to split into seven. She struck seven times in rapid succession, so fast that afterimages made it look like dozens of blades flashing at once.
At that same moment, Jongwon roared.
“Urah-cha!”
He swung his massive war hammer down.
Shining Shower’s flurry disoriented the werewolf, locking down its movement. It wasn’t a full stun, but it was enough to create a decisive opening.
Then Jongwon followed through, calling out his own skill.
“Lightning Hammer!”
Golden sparks crackled along the head of the hammer.
Bzzzzzt!
Electricity exploded as the hammer slammed directly into the werewolf’s skull.
Boom!
By the time Hyunseok had stripped away the creature’s shield, Seyoung and Jongwon’s combo had finished the job.
“Nice! One down!”
Seyoung had been nicked by the werewolf’s claws, but Kang Pyeonghwa immediately cast an Advanced Heal, restoring her HP. From the backline, Minseo shouted out:
“Ratio Speed Up!”
Jongwon grinned. “That’s what I like to hear!”
It was his favorite type of buff. Normally, Minseo’s Ratio-type skills didn’t help much despite her growth, but Jongwon was a special case. Because of his extreme stat imbalance, his body had become sluggish and heavy. A high-grade Ratio buff could temporarily offset that penalty. Only the Inha Guild knew this secret.
Feeling his body lighten, Jongwon let out a satisfied shout.
“Alright! Here we go!”
Then, with his usual mischief, he yelled an absurd skill name:
“Super-Crazy Lightning Hammer Smash!”
From behind, Myunghoon groaned and shook his head.
“This is embarrassing…”
Even so, he continued scanning the area with his Detection Skill, ready for any ambush.
Jongwon and Seyoung’s teamwork was seamless.
When the Lightning Hammer caused a stun, Seyoung immediately followed up with her Shadow Ambush, striking the vital points. Once Jongwon’s attack cooldown ended, he hammered again, a perfect one-two rhythm that shredded enemy after enemy.
Jongwon laughed proudly.
“Man, I’m amazing.”
And he wasn’t wrong, they were practically slaying werewolves as a duo.
From the rear, Pyeonghwa cheered.
“That’s two down already!”
“Of course! I’m awesome!”
They had no idea people elsewhere would be shocked to see how effortlessly they were slaying enhanced werewolves, monsters that had wiped out squads of soldiers. Even taking down a Twin-Head Troll as a pair would’ve been headline-worthy.
The Hong Seyoung - Ha Jongwon combo was truly formidable.
Despite their usual bickering, Jongwon beamed.
“Nice one, Seyoung!”
Feeling satisfied, he scanned for the next target. Two down already, surely, the rest would be just as easy.
“Alright, next one is…”
He turned in every direction, but couldn’t find any more werewolves.
As he passed her, Seyoung muttered with her usual deadpan tone, “Idiot.”
The battle was already over.
[You have slain 10 Enhanced Werewolves within 10 minutes.]
[Participants: 7.]
[Evaluating Achievement Rank…]
[Recognized as a Difficult Achievement.]
While Seyoung and Jongwon were busy handling two werewolves, Hyunseok had wiped out the remaining eight, singlehandedly.
Ten enhanced werewolves had appeared.
And all ten were annihilated in under ten minutes.
Unbelievable. These same monsters had slaughtered thousands of soldiers nationwide, yet Inha Guild crushed them effortlessly.
Hyunseok approached with a grin.
“If you didn’t waste time shouting ridiculous skill names, we could’ve taken one more down.”
Jongwon replied proudly, “Showmanship matters, man. You gotta practice for when this gets broadcast later. Gotta look cool.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll look so cool.”
Hyunseok laughed and shook his head. Then something struck him.
“So it really was because of me that no items were dropping, huh?”
Earlier, he had deliberately not finished the werewolves himself, only lowering their HP and shield before letting Seyoung and Jongwon land the final blow.
This time, items dropped.
He’d been experimenting since the Training Dungeon Raid, whenever he dealt the finishing blow, only Monster Stones dropped, never items.
Seyoung picked up one of the drops.
“Advanced Martial Arts Skill Book…?”
Without hesitation, she handed it to Hyunseok.
Then, meeting his eyes briefly, she looked away and spoke curtly.
“I don’t need stuff like this. You take it.”
Of course, she did need it, the item was worth billions on the open market.
Still, before Hyunseok could say anything, the whole guild unanimously insisted he keep it.
Yeonsu scratched his head awkwardly.
“We… we earned another Difficult Achievement this time. Honestly, it was impossible without you, Hyunseok. Seriously… thanks. You’re the best.”
The honest sincerity made it even more awkward.
The air between them grew tense, until Minseo giggled.
“Oppa, that sounded like a love confession! Too bad, my brother likes women, you know.”
“Wh–what? Minseo! I’m married!”
Yeonsu turned beet red, stammering. Everyone burst into laughter.
(Later, Minseo got scolded by Hyunseok for being rude, in private.)
They’d accomplished a Difficult Achievement, gained stat bonuses, and collected five Yellow Stones, worth around ten billion won total, along with an Advanced Skill Book.
No one was hurt, and the mission was flawless.
The Inha Guild had successfully slain ten enhanced werewolves under the full moon, and earned tremendous rewards.
❋ ❋ ❋
At first, the media was filled with praise for the Platinum Slayer-led guild.
<Guild Led by Platinum Slayer — Zero Casualties!>
<As Expected of a Platinum Slayer — Ten Werewolves Eliminated!>
People were amazed.
No one knew exactly how Hyunseok had fought, but one thing was clear, a Platinum Slayer’s power was beyond comparison.
Four days later, new headlines followed:
<No More Werewolves Sighted Around Bukhansan!>
<Full Moon Werewolves Confirmed Not to Regenerate After Being Slain!>
The nation rejoiced.
No one could guarantee the werewolves would never reappear, but after six nights of peace, hope was returning.
Yet there was sorrow too.
Four Gold-rank Slayers, including members of the Gangnam Style Guild, had died during their attempt.
<The Gap Between Gold and Platinum Slayers — Just How Vast Is It?>
<100 Gold Slayers Challenge Enhanced Werewolves — 6 Slain Before Forced Retreat>
A hundred Gold Slayers had taken on the werewolves confidently.
But as the battle dragged on, the monsters’ attacks only grew fiercer.
Their HP dropped below 50%, Healers’ MP ran dry, and eventually they had to retreat.
Even the military suffered losses.
Despite tanks, traps, and modern defenses, over a thousand soldiers were injured or killed nationwide.
A few werewolves even broke through the lines and entered city streets, though, thankfully, civilian casualties remained around ten, as most people obeyed evacuation orders.
Public discussions turned everywhere toward one name, Platinum Slayer.
“So in the end, only Platinum Slayers can really deal with those enhanced werewolves.”
“Right. Even that famous Gangnam Style Guild barely took down six before retreating.”
Six wasn’t “barely” anything , taking down six Yellow Stone–dropping enhanced werewolves in a pack of ten was an incredible feat. It only looked small compared to Hyunseok’s result.
“Seoul’s lucky. Their Platinum Slayer’s stationed there, right?”
“I heard every regional government’s trying to recruit him.”
“Of course. Getting a Platinum Slayer now could even sway the next election.”
Indeed, local governments had started competing to invite Platinum Slayers to their regions.
Rumors even spread, Whoever recruits a Platinum Slayer could become the next President.
Meanwhile, Seoul’s already sky-high real estate prices… surged even higher.
(End of Chapter 62)
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— Translated by Prime Works —