11. Special Grade Request
In the depths of a remote mountain hollow lay the ruins of a colossal ancient site. These remnants whispered of a brilliant civilization from ages long past, now eroded by wind and worn by nature into a mere den for monsters.
Thousands—perhaps nearing ten thousand—monsters had gathered there. Orcs led the pack, mingled with predators and prey that would normally devour each other in a brutal hierarchy of the wild. What bound them together was their Monster Lord.
A protruding snout. Ears perked sharply atop its head. Fur cloaking its body, razor-sharp fangs, and claws. The creature known as a werewolf—or Werewolf—ruled as king and master over this horde.
Grrrrr...
A low, rumbling howl. The Monster Lord's mood was foul. He snarled at the orc pack eyeing him warily before him.
"You stupid fucks... I told you to watch 'em close, and you let a single human slip away? Ruining everything? I trusted you dimwitted shits had half a brain, even if you're weak as hell—and the chief gets offed by a human, giving 'em the perfect excuse?"
The Monster Lord glared with murderous fury, eyes bulging. His claws flexed, itching to rend the orcs apart. The pack, bereft of their leader, could only huddle together, trembling.
Squeal! Squeak!
"U-ugh... P-please, spare us."
"S-sorry! Forgive us!"
The orcs begged in their piggish squeals. The lord stared them down until his boiling rage overflowed. With a roar, he slashed.
"You goddamn bastards!"
Shriiik!
Orcs flew in a spray of blood. Dozens shredded into chunks, pattering to the ground. The surrounding monsters watched tensely, fearing the backlash.
Blood dripping from his claws, the Monster Lord scanned his minions. Impressive numbers. A bit more, and it'd be perfect—but those idiot orcs had botched it. Adventurers were marching to subjugate him now. Their numbers were solid, but so were his.
His red eyes gleamed coldly. Baring fangs, he growled at his underlings.
"Go block those humans climbing up! If even one shows in front of me, you'll end up like these worthless orc fucks!"
Monsters surged toward one direction. Even a child could guess what lay that way.
The main force to subjugate the Monster Lord had set out. We'd gotten Hopkins's signal and were scaling the mountain base. Our target: ruins in the valley ahead. Scout adventurers had tracked monster signs over the three days of prep.
Our party took point. I checked the map as we went. Back before nav apps ruled, I'd learned reading them helping Dad on highway drives. Handy skill—proves you use what you learn eventually.
As I scanned the path, Cheong-ah sidled up.
"Darling, you can read maps too?"
"Yeah, picked it up as a kid."
She nodded, then tilted her head.
"Darling, why insist on being an adventurer? With skills like this..."
"...Uh, well."
No good comeback. Why did I stick to it? I shrugged with a sly grin.
"Dunno. Fate to meet you, maybe?"
Her face twisted oddly—like biting into sweet-and-sour pork expecting meat, but getting mushroom. She rubbed her goosebumped arms.
"Eek. That's kinda weird, darling."
Weird? Romance novels loved that line... I scratched my head awkwardly.
"Uh, sorry. Not great at this stuff."
Seeing me deflate, she waved frantically.
"N-no! Not that I hate it... Um, sorry."
"Nah, my bad more."
"No, darling, mine..."
"No, mine..."
We bickered pointless apologies uphill until we reached a spot overlooking the ruins—close enough to jump down if we dashed. We hunkered to wait.
Guild branches' united main force would climb; monsters would react. Even if they ignored us en route, the horde would stir when the bulk arrived. We'd strike the lord then. That was our mission.
"Let's hold here and watch the ruins."
I told the two accompanying party leaders to halt and observe. Herald asked,
"Sure, but scouting from here?"
"I'll handle it. No worries."
Easy with my crossbow's scope. Bought top-tier with all bells—gotta use it. Cheong-ah's gift, anyway.
I hefted it; Herald whistled.
"Whoa, magic stone scope on that crossbow?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
He stroked his beard.
"Dad's a hunter. Seen gear like it. Pricey, though..."
"Wife's got skills."
"Heh, lucky man."
Men bond over tactical toys. I thanked Cheong-ah inwardly, got his nod, and peered through.
"Be right back."
"Sorry, go ahead."
Huge horde. Hundreds? Thousands. Ruins crawling. No low-tier goblins—odd, since they'd swarm normally. Orcs aplenty, plus armored bears, charge boars, beast swarms. Even some ogres.
"Which one's the lord?"
I squinted through the scope. Footsteps behind.
"See anything? Monster Lord?"
Bella. I shook my head.
"Tons of monsters. Eyes hurt."
"Wanna switch?"
"Nah."
As I leaned in again, a bipedal wolf roared. I zoomed.
Werewolf bellowing mid-horde. Minions moved in sync. I'd never fought one—Iron rank trash like me—but knew the specs: steel-rending fangs, claws tougher than iron, ox strength, ghostly agility. Wolf body, human smarts, savage temper. Packs like roaches—one means dozens nearby.
Even ogres obeyed the roar. That sealed it: Monster Lord.
"Found it."
"Yeah? What?"
"Werewolf."
"Werewolf? Ugh..."
"What?"
"Hate their twitchy bullshit. Annoying to fight."
"You losing?"
She eyed me, smirked.
"Pfft, as if. I'll win."