Orc Slayer
After finishing his checkup at the hospital, Nam Gyuil returned to the base. The military doctor nagged him for coming back despite not being injured. But the base was in chaos. Everyone was panicking in fear, milling about in confusion, and some were even shedding tears.
"Mom, Dad. I love you."
"I'll definitely come back alive."
Even national hunters were leaving last words for their families.
Nam Gyuil approached Hwang Ilsu.
"Ilsu, what's going on? Why is everyone freaking out like this?"
"Hyung!! What did the hospital say?"
"No big issues. Anyway, why's everyone in such a panic?"
"Orcs are heading this way. We either retreat or fight, but command decided to make a stand here."
"Yeah?"
Nam Gyuil nodded with an expressionless face. Hwang Ilsu's eyebrows shot up.
"Orcs are coming, and you're not scared at all, hyung?"
"Not really."
Nam Gyuil shrugged, exuding confidence. Orcs no longer frightened him. Instead, his heart pounded with excitement at the thought of testing his newfound strength. But there was one issue.
I'm fine, but the other national hunters are in danger, right?
If the orcs targeted someone other than him, things would get messy. A one-on-one duel would be far cleaner.
Nam Gyuil went to report his return to Park Heeryeong. But it wasn't the time. The commanders were bickering over how to fight the orcs. Then Park Heeryeong spotted him.
"Hey, Gyuil. Back from the hospital? How's your body? They say it's okay?"
"Yes, sir. That's correct."
"Good. We're swamped right now—talk later."
"Sir, Lieutenant Colonel Park."
"What?"
"Can I handle the incoming orcs alone?"
His bombshell statement made Park Heeryeong's eyes widen. Alone against an orc? He thought he'd misheard and asked again.
"What did you say?"
"I said I can take down the orc by myself."
Nam Gyuil answered more clearly. He could use magic now and wield a mana sword, so there was no need to hide his abilities anymore. He could reveal them without worry.
Now I have the power to overcome any interference from others.
Nam Gyuil brimmed with confidence. Park Heeryeong blinked repeatedly at the sight.
"Hey, Nam Gyuil."
"Yes, sir."
"What do you mean you can take down an orc alone? You got some method?"
"Yes, sir."
Park Heeryeong found it absurd. Guns and cannons didn't work—how could one man do it? But he chose to believe. It was the team leader of 01 Team, with their perfect no-incident record. His achievements alone were staggering. No way it was empty talk.
Park Heeryeong nodded. "Alright. Let me talk it over with everyone."
He immediately relayed Nam Gyuil's words to the other commanders. Normally, they'd oppose it. But this was the 01 Team leader from Seoul Hunter Agency. Nam Gyuil's name was famous even in regional agencies—the only team with a perfect safety record. Plus, he'd bought time against orcs to rescue civilians from shelters. That swayed them heavily.
In the end, Nam Gyuil's proposal was accepted.
Nam Gyuil slipped on his earpiece and dashed toward the orcs. A camera-equipped drone overhead captured his every move, streaming it live to command.
Everyone watching clung to a sliver of hope.
Command couldn't retreat. If Suwon fell, Seoul was next—and fast. With over half the population packed there, orcs rampaging would mean massive casualties. Seoul housed the presidential office, National Assembly, and key government ministries. Its fall meant Korea's administration grinding to a halt.
They had to hold. That's why they'd deliberately assembled at Wangsong Lake Park—a last stand with the vast lake at their backs. No escape, even if they wanted one. The situation was that dire.
The commanders prayed for a miracle from Nam Gyuil to break the deadlock.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Soon, Nam Gyuil encountered the striding orc. The commanders gripped their seats, palms sweating.
Nam Gyuil proudly drew the long sword from his back.
"Woooaaargh-!!"
The orc bellowed and charged. Nam Gyuil focused his mind, coating his blade in mana to form a mana sword.
The orc swung its axe at him, but Nam Gyuil parried it effortlessly.
"Woargh?!"
The orc's eyes bulged as its attack was blocked. It had underestimated the human—never expecting one this strong.
Nam Gyuil tensed his forearm. His blade shoved the axe aside.
Clang-!!
The orc's axe flew off, clattering to the ground. It was disarmed in an instant. A moment's carelessness created a fatal opening.
Slash-!!
Nam Gyuil severed its head cleanly from its body. The cut was pristine. Blood surged into the air before splattering down, staining the concrete road crimson.
A flawless victory.
The command room watched on monitors in stunned silence. Mana could only be destroyed by mana—a fact they didn't know. To them, Nam Gyuil looked like a cinematic superhero. Hadn't this thing smashed tanks with its axe like toys?
This was monumental.
Then, Nam Gyuil radioed command via earpiece.
"The orcs are scattering individually now. This is our chance to take them down."
Command snapped to attention.
-Hold on! Sending coordinates now!!
Park Heeryeong shouted. Using drones, they pinpointed the orcs' positions and relayed them.
Nam Gyuil bolted that way. His speed drew gasps of awe.
"That's human speed?"
"He's practically a car!"
The commanders blinked at the drone feed.
Then one yelled, "If we play this right, we could wipe out all the orcs!"
All eyes turned to him. Excitement buzzed as they conferred.
"Incredible, right? A national hunter soloing an orc..."
"Yeah. Who knew he was hiding that power."
"If possible, I'd love to keep him on long-term duty. No chance, huh?"
"Tell me about it. A talent like that will start his own guild."
The commanders looked regretful. Park Heeryeong showed it most, sighing deeply over and over.
I thought 01 Team stayed incident-free because Nam Gyuil handled brains and Han Kangsu the brawn...
But no. Today made it clear.
Nam Gyuil did it all himself!
His discharge was right around the corner. He'd even told Park about founding a guild. With the new system swapping Hunter Agency service for guild time, holding onto him was impossible.
Should've pushed harder for long-term service.
Park Heeryeong's regret lingered.
The president kept holding emergency meetings nonstop. He wouldn't end them until the orcs were exterminated. The crisis was that severe. Jindogae alert level 1 was already issued, and a national disaster declared.
Flights and ships leaving Korea were mobbed. Major guilds remained unmoved. The Ministry of Economy and Finance sweated bullets raising taxes for their subsidies.
Then, welcome news arrived.
"Mr. President, a national hunter took down an orc."
The defense minister reported. The cabinet smiled in relief.
"How?"
The prime minister asked.
"One national hunter slew it in a single blow."
"Just one?"
"He used some ability—anyway, he's dropping them one by one. It's even on the news."
The president, who'd been listening quietly, spoke.
"Who is this national hunter?"
"Nam Gyuil."
The president clenched his fist. He couldn't let this chance slip.
"Give full support to National Hunter Nam Gyuil immediately. That's a presidential order."
"Understood."
The ministers bowed and got to work with renewed vigor now that hope pierced the desperation.
The president slyly curled his lip.
I remember first meeting Nam Gyuil. At the morning banquet.
Back then, he'd taken down the Free People crime group no one else could, boosting his image. The president had tried leveraging that for approval ratings—only to get played instead.
He achieved his goal right there at my banquet. Swapping Hunter Agency service for guild activity time.
He hadn't liked it then. Bold kid. When the orc chaos hit, Nam Gyuil came to mind. In utter hopelessness, he'd bet everything on him—a desperate gamble. Even he knew ordering Hunter Agency to take down orcs was reckless. A plan centered solely on Nam Gyuil.
But it worked.
Truly an amazing guy.
The president had to acknowledge him. Then—
"Mr. President, contact from Hunter Association... and the major guilds."
"What do they say?"
"They'll accept the offered support funds and help take down the orcs."
"Now??"
The president scowled in irritation. When the country was flipping out over orcs, they'd sat on the sidelines demanding money. Now that Nam Gyuil shone, they flipped.
Disgusting.
Scared of losing the subsidies.
Plain as day. He considered vetoing. He'd planned to trust only Nam Gyuil. But the defense minister advised.
"How about accepting the guilds' terms?"
"What? Why?"
"Too risky pinning everything on one man. Plus, now we need to think about closing the gate the orcs came from."
"Hm..."
The president pondered. The minister had a point. Success needed dual strategies, not one.
Better to be safe.
The president nodded. "Fine. Accept the guilds' proposal."
Nam Gyuil wiped out every orc from the gate. In less than half a day, no less.
The national hunters assembled at Wangsong Lake Park moved to the gate site.
Lee Chanu spotted Nam Gyuil and bounced excitedly. "Hyung, how'd you do it? Take down an orc!!"
Han Kangsu grinned. "Must be possible 'cause he has the skills."
Hong Shinu gazed at him with admiration. Hwang Ilsu gave a thumbs-up for a job well done.
Nam Gyuil flashed a faint smile at his teammates and thumped his chest. "What'd I tell you? I'd get you all discharged safe. Just trust your hyung here."
Lee Chanu slung an arm around him. "Hah, we always have! Who in our team would doubt you?"
Nam Gyuil eyed the gate. Close that, and the orc crisis ends.
Then, vehicles approached from afar.
"What's that?"
Nam Gyuil stared blankly. The vehicles halted before the gate, disgorging major guild hunters. They shouted,
"The guilds are cooperating on orc extermination. Looking forward to working with you."
Nam Gyuil frowned at the words. The president had promised rewards to the top contributor in this orc purge. The major guilds were gunning for it.
He clicked his tongue.
Annoying rivals just showed up.
Whatever. It was fine. He'd claim top merit anyway.
Because they don't know what traits the orcs show inside the gate.