EP6. Amusement Park
Whoosh!
Slash!
Sizzle!
Jae-jun scanned the chaos between the monsters devouring people and the fleeing crowds, desperately searching for his sister Hye-seon.
There were too many people—it was impossible to pick her out.
"H-Hunter?"
"We're saved!
It's a hunter!"
The crowd erupted in cheers upon spotting Jae-jun.
Just moments ago, the monsters had been trampling humans mercilessly, but they fell pathetically easy to Jae-jun's blazing sword.
Shrieeek!
One surviving lizardman warrior lunged at Jae-jun from behind.
Jae-jun spun lightly and swung Michael's sword.
Both its arms sliced clean off in a spray of blood.
The lizardman stared dumbly at its hands—then with a crack, its head snapped backward.
Lizardman Warrior defeated.
Lizardman Warrior defeated.
Naga Warrior defeated.
.
.
Lizardman Warrior defeated.
The chimes rang endlessly in his head, but Jae-jun ignored them completely.
Every time he spotted a young woman's corpse, he flinched and checked—it wasn't Hye-seon. Thank God.
Damn it!
No matter how hard he looked, finding her like this was impossible.
Is there no other way?
Jae-jun decided to clear the monsters first.
But taking them all on solo would take too long.
'Legion Summon!'
Thud!
Thud!
Fifty stone golems poured out from subspace.
He started to call his subordinates too, then stopped—most were grotesque or massive monsters that might terrify the civilians more.
The stone golems gathered around Jae-jun and knelt like vassals swearing fealty to their lord.
"Protect the people and eliminate the monsters!"
As if understanding, the golems rose.
Thud!
Thud!
They lumbered forward, smashing into nearby lizardmen and naga with slow, deliberate swings.
Jae-jun shouted loud enough for everyone to hear—insurance in case anyone mistook the golems for more monsters like the lizardmen.
Due to the Blood Pact, experience points are shared with the user!
Shrieeek!
Jae-jun let the chime slide past one ear and out the other as he severed a nearby naga's neck.
Searching the ground level wasn't working.
"Hestia!"
Rawr!
Jae-jun leaped from the ticket booth at the main gate, landing atop Hestia before soaring into the sky for a bird's-eye view of the park.
Hestia circled swiftly, sweeping her gaze over every zone.
One full loop—no sign of Hye-seon.
Again!
Hestia looped back from the start, faster this time.
Still nothing in the open areas.
"S-Save us!"
A man and woman far off waved frantically upon spotting Jae-jun. They were hiding among garden sculptures.
I'm busy. Damn it!
The pair's shouts drew a nearby naga slithering over like a serpent, weapon raised.
Shrieeek!
It swung, cleaving part of the sculpture and exposing them.
The naga grinned viciously, menacing the couple.
Huh?
Jae-jun's eyes lit up at their uniforms.
'Blink!'
Blink cast.
Jae-jun's body flickered past the naga in an instant, slicing it mid-stride.
The 3-meter naga crumpled in two neat halves before it could even scream.
Slash!
"You two okay?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Thank you!
Thank you so much!"
The man bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
"Got a quick question for you guys."
"Sure!"
"Where's the nearest spot around here to make a park-wide announcement?"
Their faces went blank at Jae-jun's question.
They were wearing amusement park staff uniforms.
"...The guest service center, but..."
"Where's that?"
"...Near the ticket booth."
"Let's go!"
Jae-jun hopped onto Hestia's back.
Hestia shot him a grumpy snort.
Sorry. It's urgent. Tons of mana stones later, promise.
"...C-Can we come too?"
Jae-jun nodded.
But they kept slipping off Hestia—too weak to hold on.
He sighed and tucked one under each arm.
"Kyaaaaah!"
"Waaaah!"
They screamed the whole short flight to the service center.
The main gate area was mostly cleared now.
The stone golems were drenched in naga and lizardman blood.
Head inside the park and mop up the rest!
The golems bowed once, then marched into the park.
"This the place?"
"Y-Yeah!
Yes!"
Still dazed, he herded them inside.
The service center was empty.
One staffer grabbed the mic like a pro and looked to Jae-jun.
"What should I say?"
"If anyone's alive, tell them to stay hidden in a safe spot and wait for rescue."
The staffer nodded.
Attentio-attention, guests in the park: Please refrain from moving until all monsters have been subju-subjugated.
Repeating: Rescue is underway. Stay where you are and await help...
Jae-jun stepped out of the service center.
Then he spotted people approaching.
"Are you... the owner of that dragon?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Jae-jun's face hardened.
His heart raced for Hye-seon; he had no patience for delays.
"We're from the Hunter Association. Mind coming with us for a sec?"
"I asked why."
A man in the back scowled at Jae-jun.
"Quit yapping and just come."
Jae-jun's expression twisted.
As he advanced on the guy, someone approached from behind.
"Hunter Choi Jae-jun?"
The voice belonged to someone Jae-jun knew well—Hwang Dong-su, who was with Association President Jang Gil-san.
"What are you doing here?"
"My little sister's inside. So unless it's urgent, step aside?"
The back guy bristled again, but Hwang Dong-su stepped forward first with a nod.
"Understood. We'll provide support as best we can."
Jae-jun nodded and mounted Hestia.
Now it was time for battle.
―
"...Y-You think we'll really be safe here?"
"Safer than that crowd earlier, at least. No monsters around."
"Y-Yeah, true."
Hye-seon and her friends had pushed toward the hilly side as far as they could.
But barbed wire blocked further progress, so they'd looped back toward the park.
From up high, the monsters' positions were crystal clear.
And so was the slaughter at the gates.
"...Good call not going there."
Hye-seon figured they needed a hiding spot, stat.
With monsters out, the Association or someone would send hunters.
Just hold out till then.
Rumble.
Thunder growled low through the storm clouds.
"Hide there."
"There?"
Hye-seon pointed to the Viking ride.
Its halted swing had a small crawlspace underneath—for maintenance.
Clunk.
Hye-seon was last in, barricading the entrance tight.
"...They'll come rescue us, right?"
One friend sniffled.
"Yeah! They will! Don't worry."
Hye-seon's bright reply hid her trembling hands.
Then.
A voice crackled from the park's speakers.
Attentio-attention, guests in the park: Please refrain from moving until all monsters have been subju-subjugated.
Repeating: Rescue is underway. Stay where you are and await help...
"H-Hunters are here!"
"...We're saved."
The friends clutched hands in joy. Hye-seon, who'd been holding it together, felt relieved tears well up unbidden.
Thud. Thud.
"Huh? They're here!"
Hye-seon lunged for the door—then slammed it shut in terror.
"What?!"
Her horrified face made her friends clamp their mouths shut.
Thud. Thud.
Hiss!
The footsteps grew louder, closing in.
What the hell did I just see?
Hye-seon gripped the door white-knuckled.
Please pass by! Just pass by!
Thud. Thud!
Hiss!
Miraculously, the sounds faded away.
Then.
A cheery ringtone blared from one friend's bag.
Riiing!
They yanked out the phone and killed it in a frenzy.
Thump-thump.
Hye-seon's heart hammered wildly.
It was only a few seconds. Didn't hear it.
Yeah.
She tried to convince herself.
But.
Screeech.
The door to their hideout warped with an eerie groan.
Through the gap, a monster's eyes gleamed—dozens of them, peering through black fur.
Grrrrowl!
Foam bubbled from its maw.
Then the door ripped free, revealing the beast in full.
―Author's Note―