Chapter 21
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Became the Last of the Giant Clan
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“He’s a born genius and warrior, even without his abilities.”
Kang Cheol-woo’s eyes gleamed.
“And as proof, just moments ago in that spar, the 1st Team Leader perfectly read my daughter’s movements and abilities, then turned them against her. That’s the instinct only natural-born fighters possess, irrespective of any skills.”
Without hiding the thrilling anticipation that set his heart pounding, he posed the question.
“So, for a talent who has the potential and the gifts—all of it—what do you think he needs now?”
Secretary General Lee Ye-jin hesitated before mumbling her reply.
“Experience... isn’t it?”
“Exactly. Experience. Stack up enough breaks and failures, and you’ll rise to the top. With that in mind...”
Kang Cheol-woo trailed off, a sly grin spreading across his face.
“The 1st Team Leader needs to fail. The lessons etched from failure are unforgettable. It’ll give him the foundation to grow even stronger, and this debut raid is perfect for delivering just the right kind of setback.”
Lee Ye-jin swallowed hard at the sight.
She’d never seen Hunter Association President Kang Cheol-woo praise anyone like this, let alone declare it with such certainty.
“This is going to be fun... I can’t wait to see his reaction to failure. And how he bounces back from it... Truly exciting.”
With that, Kang Cheol-woo burst into laughter once more.
Imagining Kang Hyuk slumped over in agony.
But he had overlooked one crucial detail.
“From now on, our 1st Team is splitting up.”
Kang Hyuk.
The newly appointed 1st Team Leader possessed more experience than any hunter in this world.
“The gate that burst open at ㅁ High School is spawning Red Fur Goblins and Goblin Shamans. True to their E-Rank nature, these aren’t your average goblins—they’re intelligent and cunning as hell.”
Kang Hyuk pointed at the map as he explained.
“They’ve taken over the entire high school and are holding hostages. Luckily, most students and teachers evacuated to the gym before anyone got hurt, but thirty goblins are blocking the entrance, trapping them inside.”
“So our target is the gym?”
“Yes. But here’s the problem: this isn’t the only hotspot. There’s a group in the main school building with students who didn’t make it out, and on the sports field, a Goblin Shaman leading six more is holding hostages.”
He gestured toward the team members listening intently.
“That’s why we’re splitting up. Kang Na-eun, you lead three to clear the goblins at the gym. I’ll handle the Goblin Shaman and rescue the rest. Any questions?”
One team member jumped in immediately, as if he’d been waiting.
Lee Hwan-seung, the Great Flame.
The man who would one day become the ultimate fire mage.
“I object, Team Leader. Not because of the risk...”
Kang Hyuk replied without missing a beat, as if anticipating it.
“You’re worried about my inexperience?”
“...Frankly, yes. Civilian safety matters, but so does yours.”
Kang Hyuk nodded.
The concern was perfectly valid and rational.
No matter how S-Rank his talent, a D-Rank hunter on his first raid going solo? It didn’t add up.
So he didn’t bother persuading them.
Instead, he pulled out an item and showed it to them.
Steel Beak Goblin's Mask
Grade: Magic
Mask worn by the Steel Goblin chieftain. The moment you don this mask, all goblins feel instinctive fear.
“Th-that’s...?”
Lee Hwan-seung’s eyes widened as he muttered.
Kang Hyuk had produced an artifact—an artifact perfectly suited to the situation.
Before he could press further, Kang Hyuk raised a hand.
“Questions later. I’m showing this not to brag, but to prove I have the perfect tool for this.”
Lee Hwan-seung clamped his mouth shut.
After a moment’s thought, he replied.
“Even so, shouldn’t you head to the gym, Team Leader? One of us wears the mask and stalls the Red Fur Goblins holding hostages. We sweep the gym fast, then move to back you up...”
His words didn’t finish.
Kang Na-eun, who’d been silent, spoke up.
“I think the Team Leader should go.”
“...What? What are you saying?”
“Think about it logically. Who among us can smash a Goblin Shaman’s barrier—and end a hostage standoff—in seconds?”
Lee Hwan-seung fell silent.
“I could break it, sure. But it’d take time, and that delay could be fatal for the hostages. You, Team Leader... we saw it earlier. You rattled a barrier effortlessly. A D-Rank mage’s barrier, no less.”
The rest of the team recalled it too.
A single punch.
The sparring arena’s barrier shaking violently from that blow.
No mana, no magic power—just a bare fist rattling it.
They didn’t know how, but right now, that fist’s capability mattered.
‘Shaking a D-Rank mage’s barrier like that...’
‘Means an E-Rank Goblin Shaman’s barrier shatters easy.’
‘And with that item...’
Ironically, Kang Hyuk was the most qualified for the hostage rescue.
As silence hung heavy, Kang Hyuk looked at Kang Na-eun.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Kang Na-eun.”
“It’s only natural, isn’t it? During operations, the team leader’s call is absolute. Even if it’s wrong, we follow it. Besides...”
Kang Na-eun pursed her lips and abruptly turned away.
“W-we had a deal, remember? I promised absolute obedience to orders!”
Kang Hyuk’s lips curved into a smile.
Her words swayed the team into silent acceptance.
‘Even Na-eun, who hated Team Leader Kang the most, says that...’
‘Must’ve felt something in the spar.’
‘Yeah, beating her that decisively... maybe our worries were overblown.’
The van screeched to a halt, and Kang Hyuk opened the door.
“...Pushing back now would look bad. Just... stay safe out there, Team Leader.”
Kang Hyuk nodded to Lee Hwan-seung’s concern.
As the team headed for the gym, someone approached him.
“Kang Hyuk!”
Gangnam District Office [Hunter Management Office]
It was his old mentor, Lee Yeon-hee.
“N-no way... You’re the one going in...?”
He bowed his head to her shocked expression.
Startled, Lee Yeon-hee cut herself off and instinctively stepped back.
Seizing the moment, Kang Hyuk spoke quickly.
“I know what you’re worried about, Mentor. But given the situation, I have to stick to the briefing.”
His firm tone left her speechless.
She nodded and turned.
“...Fine. Come with me.”
Kang Hyuk followed as she rapidly briefed him.
“Tusinjeon Guild is pulling out of this gate. They’re short-staffed—overseas deployment and a C-Rank raid in Jeonju. And...”
She trailed off, bowing to the military personnel controlling the scene before entering.
“On the sports field, a Goblin Shaman and six Red Fur Goblins are holding hostages. The students are still alive... but they don’t look good.”
Kang Hyuk narrowed his eyes, following behind.
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
You gain Giant's Vision.
Power of the Last Giant Clan: 3%
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
You gain Giant's Ear.
Power of the Last Giant Clan: 3%
With the dual powers activating, the distant sports field came into sharp focus despite the distance.
‘Just like Mentor said: one Goblin Shaman, six Red Goblins.’
Five students bound to desks, groaning in pain.
But Kang Hyuk’s enhanced sight and hearing peered deeper into the school.
‘More inside. Eight hidden students. Eight Red Fur Goblins.’
He nodded, having sized it up.
‘Good, all hostages alive. Rough shape, but alive.’
A soldier from the on-site command approached.
“Lieutenant Lee Uk, site commander.”
His crisp combat gear marked him as a fresh transfer.
“You’re the hunter from the Association...!! W-wait, that S-Rank talent D-Rank hunter... Kang Hyuk!?”
Recognizing him, the young officer gaped like he’d spotted a celebrity.
Kang Hyuk furrowed his brow at the dumbfounded stare, then spoke sharply.
“Greetings later. I’ve got the full briefing—pull all troops back now.”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t you hear? Site commander’s orders: withdraw all soldiers.”
The lieutenant snapped to attention under the authoritative tone and barked orders.
“Everyone fall back! Hunter’s here!”
The troops, frustrated by the barrier, retreated in unison.
Kang Hyuk surveyed the scene.
‘Not good.’
The captive students trembled in terror.
If this dragged on, they’d survive but carry deep scars.
And no one knew the cost of trauma better than Kang Hyuk.
He shrugged off his suit jacket.
“K-Kang Hyuk?”
As Lee Yeon-hee’s eyes widened at the sudden move, he stripped off his dress shirt too and handed them over.
“Hold these for me, Mentor.”
With the area secured, he strode boldly through the front gate.
Kiruruk?
The goblins—holding students hostage, claws and blades at their throats—tilted their heads.
An intruder, brazenly walking in.
Stunned for a beat, they snapped to and screeched.
Kirururuk!!!
A warning.
Come closer, and the hostages die.
To prove it wasn’t bluffing, they raised their claws.
Kang Hyuk smirked and muttered.
“Filthy scum.”
Then he donned the mask.
Steel Beak Goblin's Mask
Grade: Magic
Mask worn by the Steel Goblin chieftain. The moment you don this mask, all goblins feel instinctive fear.
...!!!
The goblins froze, weapons clattering from their grips.
K-Kiruk?
Panicked cries erupted.
The man in the mask radiated the aura of kin—a chieftain, a ruler.
“Wh-what?”
“Why are the goblins...?”
Lieutenant Lee and Mentor Lee Yeon-hee gawked.
These goblins, who’d threatened throats at the slightest move, now dropped weapons and shivered.
“...”
With hostages safe, Kang Hyuk gathered his power.
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
Partial Giantization activates!
Giantization Synchronization: 1%
Duration: 20 seconds
Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.
You gain Giant's Vision.
Power of the Last Giant Clan: 5%
No half-measures now—the students’ condition demanded swift, total safety.
Pzzt-crack!
His right fist ballooned to the size of a mountain.
Onlookers—civilians, soldiers—gaped at the grotesque swell.
And simultaneously.
‘N-no way, that guy...’
Nutuber Lee Hyun-min.
His phone camera locked on the fist.
‘The D-Rank with S-Rank talent... Kang Hyuk?’
In that instant.
“...!”
The fist that would shake the world made its public debut.