030 - Blazing Peak (3)
Regrettably, taking down even the flying Firewing Birds proved impossible.
Unless it was Thunderclap Finger, the standard Finger Wind didn't have that kind of range.
Still, Kim Sun-woo's feat of launching Finger Wind to neutralize the falling acidic spittle became quite the hot topic among the Night team members.
"Martial arts really are full of wonders. Snapping your fingers to unleash that much power."
"Does our guild have anyone who's trained in it?"
"The guild master's from that world, right? Not sure about the top hunters. Those sects are pretty insular."
"You won't find many martial artists in regular guilds or companies outside the sects. More like in the mercenary scene. Folks from the Central Plains have this... pride, I guess? They don't join up unless it's a proper sect."
"So what about Team Leader Kim Sun-woo?"
"He's not from the Central Plains. Heard he self-taught the martial arts from the start."
To hunters, Kim Sun-woo was an object of fascination.
After ten years scraping by as an F-rank, he picks up martial arts, discovers his talent, and skyrockets to C-rank in less than a month?
No connections, no backing—just pure skill.
Not even an awakening of special abilities, and it happened in the real world? Hard to believe, but seeing him in action right there made it undeniable.
While the hunters buzzed with heated talk about Kim Sun-woo,
the man himself was in a meeting with Robert.
"How was your first taste of combat?"
"Everyone fought well. I only caught glimpses of the main assault team's battles from afar, so I had no idea it was this intense."
"Truth be told, we got unlucky. Firewing Birds usually show up midway up the peak, but today they swarmed us right from the entrance. Still, thanks to you, Sun-woo, casualties were minimal."
Even in Robert's eyes, the sight of Finger Wind detonating the acidic spittle was impressive.
Martial arts truly offered broad versatility, handling variables better than most other fighting styles.
Of course, Kim Sun-woo's quick thinking played a big part too.
"That said, going solo like that isn't the best call."
"...Is that so?"
"Raids run on team dynamics. If the team leader—the strongest fighter—starts charging ahead alone, the others get swept up in it. It's fine now with me here, but when you're leading your own team, you need precise calculations to set up footholds. Instead of soloing like today, assign main and sub orders, then drill contingency responses until they're muscle memory. Soloing isn't always bad, of course. It's effective for dealing damage while minimizing losses."
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind."
"I get the frustration. Matching pace with lower-rank hunters means holding back a lot. But if they try to keep up with your tempo, they could get overwhelmed. A team leader always has to mind that gap and move cautiously."
Kim Sun-woo nodded deeply at the practical advice that sank right into his bones.
It's a far cry from my F-rank days, that's for sure.
Back then, he just had to follow orders.
He lacked the skill to showboat anyway, and strutting on weak foundations would've led to self-destruction in a month or two.
Right now, jumping in himself was the most efficient move, but Robert had pointed out a blind spot he hadn't considered.
"Then we'll get moving again. Everyone, prepare."
After a brief rest and regroup,
the Night team pressed onward toward the peak.
They repeated battles and breaks several times as they advanced.
"......"
Kim Sun-woo glanced around subtly.
True to their main assault team status, everyone pushed on silently, no complaints, doing their jobs without fail.
"Team leader, our pace is solid. At this rate, we could reach the top in three days."
"Good. It's been unusually quiet this time."
Robert nodded at the words of Sung Ha-rin, the vice team leader and second squad captain.
"No matter what, no complacency. Even if it's on the easier side for a C-rank, it's still dangerous."
Contrary to Robert's caution, the raid proceeded smoothly.
After about fourteen hours of advance on the first day, they cleared roughly 40%.
The Night team turned back, descended the peak, and returned to base camp for rest.
Tomorrow's goal: push past mid-peak to over 70%, right up to the upper entrance.
After showering in the base camp's makeshift facilities, Kim Sun-woo headed to his tent.
Unlike the 3- or 4-person tents for others, the team leader's was a premium 2-person setup.
His roommate was, naturally, Night team leader Robert.
"......"
Robert was already in pajamas, sporting a cute sleep mask, fast asleep.
His breathing was steady—he must've conked out the moment he lay down.
Kim Sun-woo quietly gathered his gear to avoid waking him and slipped out of the tent.
Click.
He dragged over a nearby chair, sat in front of the tent facing the bonfire, crossed his legs, and opened his notebook.
Scribble, scribble.
He was jotting down insights from today's raid and lessons from Robert.
He'd stumbled into the team leader role, but Kim Sun-woo had no intention of half-assing it.
It was unprecedented treatment in other guilds.
They trusted him and didn't want to lose him—he'd repay that faith with his best effort.
As he wrote intently, a long shadow fell in front of him.
"Su-ah?"
"Not sleeping?"
"Studying. You?"
Kim Sun-woo looked around.
The hunters who'd been eating or milling about had all retired to their tents.
Save for a few on watch, it was dead quiet.
"Just showered. Only bonfire here's yours—mind if I hang till my hair dries?"
"Sure, whatever."
She dragged a chair over and plopped down right beside him with a nod.
"Watch duty okay? Thought it was mandatory for team members."
"I'm on horse watch, so it's fine. Rookies get leeway."
"Everyone's good people."
"Totally. Was a bit worried, but they treat the baby like gold."
After some light chit-chat, Kim Sun-woo resumed his notes, while Han Su-ah sat beside him, swinging her legs and humming softly.
She wanted to talk more, but didn't want to interrupt.
For now, just being there felt nice.
Finishing up, Kim Sun-woo closed his notebook and looked up.
She'd waited quietly and met his gaze with a soft smile.
"How was the raid?"
"Tough, but rewarding. Cradle was a joke compared to this. They call it 'field trip'?"
"Yeah. That's why I joined lightly—didn't expect that."
"Without your trapped-in-there-with-you experience, we'd have floundered more. Life-or-death stuff's still new."
"You're starting to look like a real hunter now."
Kim Sun-woo gave a small smile.
No more of the tense, green rookie vibe from their first Cradle encounter.
Holding off dozens of undead solo had been a game-changer.
"Ahh, great view. Not something you see every day outside."
"True."
Lava flows down the peak and volcanic zone.
Toxic gas and searing heat would've kept anyone away normally.
When else would they get this chance?
They sat side by side, soaking in nature's spectacle.
...Thud.
Suddenly, Han Su-ah's head dropped onto Kim Sun-woo's shoulder.
A glance showed her asleep, breathing softly.
...Talked big, but she's beat.
Kim Sun-woo looked troubled, then decided to let her rest a bit.
Some time later,
"Su-ah."
"...Huh."
Han Su-ah lifted her head, disheveled.
Realizing the situation, she brushed hair from her mouth, face flushing, and bowed her head.
"S-sorry. Dozed off."
Her hair had dried ages ago.
Kim Sun-woo chuckled softly and stood.
"Time to head in. Even horse watch needs sleep."
"Yeah, going now. Night, oppa."
"Night."
They parted with goodbyes, heading to their tents.
But Han Su-ah stole a lingering glance at his retreating back.
Right, gotta get some shut-eye.
Raid resumes right after watch.
No rest means burdening the team.
As she turned to her tent,
—BOOM.
A heavy tremor shook the ground.
Han Su-ah froze; Kim Sun-woo, entering his tent, snapped his head up.
"...What was that?"
"You felt the shake too, right?"
Hunters stirred from rest, emerging one by one.
Robert poked his head from the team leader tent, sleep band pulled down to his neck.
"Watchmen, anything in sight?"
"...Nothing right now. No detections."
"Gear up, everyone. Vice leader Sung Ha-rin, take one team member and scout nearby."
"Got it."
No coincidences in dungeons.
They tensed, preparing—
—BOOM.
Another fierce quake rippled from below.
This one clear enough for everyone to pinpoint the direction.
"......"
Hunters halted, eyes turning to the peak.
The empty ridgeline lay silent, as if the tremor was imagined.
Only nearby breaths roared like thunder—
—KABOOOOOM!!
A massive vibration erupted as something enormous crested the upper peak.
"Sh-shit...!"
"Red Drake!"
"No way! No trigger alert!"
Hunters screamed in frenzy.
The calamity appeared at the worst possible time.
-Grrrrr...
The Red Drake fixed its glaring yellow eyes on the tiny hunters.
As if enraged at intruders in its domain, it bared its fangs in a gaping maw.
"...Breath attack! Scatter!!!"
FWOOOOOSH!!!
Before they could react, crimson flames erupted from the drake's jaws, engulfing the base camp.