The Blood Manticore's Toothache
“GRRRRR... KWAANG!”
The eardrum-shattering roar crumpled the asphalt like a sheet of paper. In the heart of Seoul's Gangdong-gu, an A-rank gate, the Red Mist Forest, had erupted. The peaceful evening street transformed into a hellscape in an instant.
The first raid team of Zeus Guild—one of Korea's big three guilds—scattered like leaves in a storm.
“Tankers! Hold the healer line! What the hell are you doing?!”
“We can't hold it! Defense is piercing right through!”
“Damn it, the intel's wrong! That's no A-rank! At least S-rank... no, quasi-disaster level!”
Raid leader Park Cheolwoo bit his lip. Before his eyes rampaged a monster straight out of hell: a lion's body, bat wings, scorpion tail. The Blood Manticore, its blood-red mane whipping wildly.
This wasn't just any manticore. Its eyes rolled back in madness, whites gleaming, while paralytic venom poured from its jaws like rain. Wherever the drool hit, road signs hissed and melted away.
Boss Monster 'Raging Blood Manticore' is in 'Frenzy' state.
All attack power increased by 200%.
Ambient terror levels maximized.
“KYAAAK!”
The main tanker's arm, shield of mithril raised at the front, flew into the air. No time to heal. The beast didn't see hunters as prey—it was destruction incarnate, smashing and shredding everything in sight.
It's over.
Park Cheolwoo despaired. Support would take at least 20 more minutes. By then, the raid would be wiped, Gangdong-gu a sea of flames. That's when it happened.
“Ah, come on. Let's keep it down. You're shaking the whole neighborhood.”
A lazy, irritated voice that clashed with the screams of battle. Park Cheolwoo whipped his head around, thinking he'd misheard. Amid the rubble of a collapsed convenience store, a man strolled out swinging a black plastic bag.
Spotless dress pants, no dust. Over them, not hunter armor but a crisp white doctor's coat. Right hand: weathered leather medical bag. Left: fresh chicken wings and cola.
He looked like an unemployed guy who'd popped out for late-night snacks and stumbled into trouble.
“W-what the—? Civilian? Get out! You wanna die?!”
Park Cheolwoo bellowed, veins bulging. But the man didn't even glance his way. Frowning deeply, he eyed the roaring manticore and muttered.
“Was just trying to unwind after work with some spicy chicken, and now this racket.”
The man's name was Kang Jinhyeok. His presence here was pure coincidence. Or, if you wanted to get technical, an occupational hazard kicking in.
To others, that roar was just a monster's terror. But to Jinhyeok's ears...
'It hurts! It hurts so bad! Uwaaaah!'
It wasn't rage—it was a patient's agonized cry.
“Guardians, no fussing in front of the patient. You're just exciting him more.”
“Guardians? Patient? You crazy—? Don't you get the situation?!”
“Not bullshit—this is treatment. Step aside. My chicken's getting cold.”
Jinhyeok closed to within 10 meters of the manticore. Its frenzied gaze locked on him.
“GRRR...!”
A killing roar laced with fear skill—enough to induce cardiac arrest in any civilian. But Jinhyeok just clicked his tongue.
“Whew, bad breath. Stinks from 300 meters out. How do you even manage yourself?”
In that instant, the manticore kicked off the ground, charging at near-sonic speed. Tank-crushing forepaw slashed for Jinhyeok's throat.
“Dodge—you idiot!”
Park Cheolwoo screamed, squeezing his eyes shut. But...
Patient Subjugation (S)
Target: Blood Manticore (S)
Weakness Identified: Cervical Nerve 3 (induces temporary paralysis)
Jinhyeok's eyes glowed blue. Time slowed; the manticore's charge broke into frames. Disaster to others, just a big patient's tantrum to him.
“Sedative administered.”
THUD!
A dull impact echoed. The leather bag's edge struck the manticore's nape dead-on.
Faster and more precise than any blunt skill. Not mere physics—Absolute Medical Authority, an irresistible subjugation.
Judgment: Critical Hit!
Forced anesthesia successful.
Like a lie, the colossal beast flopped to the ground with a splat. Wings flapped futilely—nerves already paralyzed.
“Kiiing...?”
A pitiful whine escaped, like a wronged pup. Every Zeus guild member gaped.
“Wha...?”
“Did he just... bag it?”
An S-rank beast downed by one swing of an old medical bag? Jinhyeok grabbed the manticore's mane and shook its head.
“Stay still. Doc's here—don't bite. Be good, and I'll give you treats.”
He snapped on latex gloves from his coat pocket. A translucent chart visible only to him materialized.
“Let's see.”
Jinhyeok activated Eyes of God (A). The manticore's massive body turned X-ray transparent: muscles, bones, mana circuits, organs—all in 3D detail burned into his mind.
“As I thought.”
He flicked the trembling manticore's snout.
“Open up.”
“Gr...”
“Tsk. Good boy? Ah, come on. Won't hurt, promise.”
The manticore hesitantly gaped wide. Fetid blood and rot wafted out. Onlookers retched and backed away. Jinhyeok didn't flinch, shoving his upper body inside.
“Oh dear. Gums are all collapsed. No wonder you're pissed.”
Right molar gum swollen crimson, pus-filled from infection. Deep inside, something glinted.
“Hey! That's dangerous! You'll lose your arm!”
Park Cheolwoo yelled desperately. Subdued or not, S-rank jaws could chew titanium. But Jinhyeok waved irritably.
“Told you to quiet down. Can't focus? Mess up the extraction and poke a nerve—you taking responsibility?”
“No, your hand's in its—!”
“Prepping extraction. Anesthesia going in.”
Local Anesthesia (B)
Bluish light pulsed from his fingertips—mana blocking pain nerves in the site.
He probed the gum. The beast twitched but didn't thrash. Pain gone, its eyes half-closed in relief.
“Now, remove the cause.”
From the bag: plier-like tool. Adamantium dental forceps, dwarf-forged—could pry dragon scales.
“Might sting a bit. One, two...!”
CRUNCH!
Horrid sound. Jinhyeok yanked. Jaw muscles spasmed. His grip outmatched S-rank strength. Veins bulged on his forehead.
“Out with you, you bastard!”
CRACK!
Finally, the foreign object pulled free. Black pus and dead blood fountained, soaking his coat.
“Pah. Splattered everywhere. Gonna bill for dry cleaning.”
Half-rusted, broken mithril sword shard in the forceps.
“This your guild's sword?”
He held it up to Park Cheolwoo, who nodded dumbly. Zeus emblem clear on the hilt.
“Th-that's... Team 3 leader's sword, missing last month...”
“Guess he jabbed, it snapped and lodged. Poked the nerve, rotted the tooth. Couldn't eat, must've been agony. Tsk tsk.”
Jinhyeok tossed the shard clang. From his pocket: premium recovery potion, poured into the gum.
Patient 'Blood Manticore' status changed to 'Stable'.
Affinity massively increased. Current: Blind Trust.
“Huuung...”
The manticore sighed deeply. Endless tooth pain gone, red madness vanished from its eyes. Replaced by sparkling pupils.
Lick.
Its rough tongue lapped Jinhyeok's bloody coat—thanks. Unbelievable from the beast that had been ripping people apart moments ago.
“Got it, got it. No more pain, right? Brush properly from now on, no chewing bones.”
Jinhyeok scratched its jaw like a giant cat. Purring rumbled across the battlefield.
Situation over. In the most absurd way.
Zeus members stood frozen, weapons limp.
Does this... make sense?What the hell is that guy? Tamer? No tamer could...
Jinhyeok stood, brushed his bloodied coat, approached dazed Park Cheolwoo.
“Uh... who are you?”
Park Cheolwoo's voice shook. Overwhelming power, bizarre medicine. No such ranker in Korea.
From his pocket, gold-embossed business card into Park Cheolwoo's chest pocket.
Arcana Animal Medical Center
Director: Kang Jinhyeok
Specialties: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Psychiatry (Humans declined; Magical Beasts welcome)
“This counts as workers' comp, right?”
“Huh?”
“Ruined my coat treating him, chicken's cold. Oh, and that guy.”
Jinhyeok nodded at the now-docile manticore, belly-up, paws twitching happily.
“He's all better, heading home. Don't rile him up and make another patient. Withdraw. He's tired too. Touch him again, it's a real malpractice case.”
“Ah... y-yes...”
Park Cheolwoo stammered, cowed. Jinhyeok grabbed bag and chicken, strode to gate exit without looking back.
“Invoice to the guild—pay up quick. Night surcharge, premium fee, hazard pay. It'll be pricey.”
Park Cheolwoo alternated stares: receding back, card in pocket.
This was the legend's beginning.
Same time. Korea Hunter Association ops room.
“Director! Zeus raid failed—...no, situation terminated!”
“What? Support hasn't even arrived!”
“Uh... see the drone footage.”
Monitor showed white-coated man extracting S-rank beast's tooth, petting its head. Director's glasses hit the floor.
“Who the hell is that lunatic?”
“ID confirmed. Kang Jinhyeok, F-rank retired three years ago. Runs a small animal clinic on the outskirts.”
“F-rank? F-rank handles manticore like a pup? If that's F, am I a damn mitochondria?!”
Director zoomed with trembling hand. Jinhyeok left leisurely, no loot taken, bored expression.
“Find him now! Before Zeus, Ares, or anyone snags him—we secure first!”
“B-but he refused hunter work...”
“Lure him however! He's humanity's hope—no, a walking goldmine! National budget, whatever—bring him in!”
The director's roar filled the room.
But they didn't know. Jinhyeok couldn't care less about goldmines. He wanted one thing.
“Sigh. Cold chicken tastes like crap.”
Exiting the dungeon, he eyed the chilled bag. Tonight, microwave it was.