Chapter 37
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Became the Last Giant Clan
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Two suns hung in the sky.
A resounding echo spread beneath the massive mountain range.
The ogres and orcs trudging through it were an unmistakable sight from another world, one you'd cross through gates to reach.
A laugh slipped out because of it.
'Coincidence? Fate? Or...'
Then his eyes gleamed.
'Luck. Or maybe... all three.'
He curled up the corner of his mouth.
'Doesn't matter. Now that things have turned out like this, I can achieve what I want much safer and faster than I thought.'
Meanwhile, the remaining four team members standing behind Kang Hyuk stared at the message floating before their eyes.
[Otherworld Clear Condition]
📍 Objective: Destroy the 3 monuments in the north, south, and east.
⏰ Rewards: Vary by contribution.
🎁 Reward: ???
It was the quest received upon entering the otherworld inside the gate.
And this message had appeared to every hunter who entered the gate, except for Kang Hyuk.
Among them, Supreme Commander Lee Hyun-wook wrinkled his nose.
The mission was tricky.
'Of all numbers, three—not two, not four.'
This expedition force was a joint effort of three organizations.
In other words, there were three different leaders, each with their own goals for this expedition.
'This will definitely cause a split. Sure, we're tied together on the surface, but they're still from different factions.'
And Lee Hyun-wook's concern hit the mark exactly.
Jeong Jae-hong, confirming the quest details, pushed up his sunglasses and spoke.
"Everyone saw the quest, right? Looks like we'll have to split up. Three monuments, and we're from three groups. For efficiency, each takes one."
Lee Hyun-wook let out a sigh and tried to dissuade him.
"Team Leader Jeong. Think it over. This isn't the present world—it's the otherworld. Didn't we form this expedition to survive it? Splitting up defeats the purpose."
But Jeong Jae-hong wasn't one to listen.
"Headquarters Chief Lee Hyun-wook. I respect you, but I can't agree this time. This C-rank red gate was something Tusinjeon could've handled alone. We got roped into this expedition because of the national directive, didn't we?"
"That's..."
"Are you... not confident? Say so now. We'll have the Association hold position here, and Tusinjeon will take both monuments. That way, rewards are clear-cut later."
At that arrogant display, Lee Hyun-wook's brows furrowed.
'Insolent punk.'
Unable to snap, he turned to Arena's commander.
Yoon Hee-na, team leader.
"......"
Under his gaze, Yoon Hee-na pondered.
Then slowly replied.
"Sorry, Supreme Commander... but I agree with Team Leader Jeong."
"What?"
"...Unlike the Association, we need results. For our record, splitting up makes sense."
With that, Lee Hyun-wook realized.
'Eternal Frost. It's because of him.'
Meanwhile, Yoon Hee-na made a genuinely apologetic face.
Because of it, Lee Hyun-wook backed down.
"...Fine. But keep mana comms on for contact anytime."
"Yes, sir. We'll head out first."
Jeong Jae-hong then led Tusinjeon's guild members away.
As he left, Yoon Hee-na approached and bowed once more.
"...Commander, I'm sorry."
"No need. You had your reasons."
Yoon Hee-na murmured in response.
"Yes... Still, if anything happens, we'll rush to support."
"Appreciated. Take care."
With farewells exchanged, Yoon Hee-na led Arena's guild members away.
Watching the expedition halved, Lee Hyun-wook muttered.
'Ten minutes in the otherworld, and the force already splits...'
He sighed.
'This won't be easy. Casualties might happen.'
Worry and concern.
That heaviness spread to the remaining Association expedition, darkening the mood.
But one man alone curled his lip.
"Not bad."
The biggest obstacle Kang Hyuk foresaw for this expedition wasn't the otherworld's ecosystem or its monsters.
It was the expedition itself.
'Guilds and the Association have fundamentally different goals. They want money.'
He'd expected a tough journey, but that worry dissolved in ten minutes.
Arena and Tusinjeon, tied to the same expedition, split off to hunt monuments independently.
'Not bad. This gives me more room to maneuver in the expedition.'
Muttering to himself, Kang Hyuk smirked.
The otherworld beyond Jeju Island's C-rank red gate was in the palm of his hand.
Over a hundred days here, he'd scouted every monster and trap.
'Leveraging that experience, I can rack up contributions without casualties.'
Satisfied, Kang Hyuk eyed the chaotic Association group.
"Wait... doesn't this put us in real danger?"
"Arena and Tusinjeon were our main firepower..."
"We have to smash a monument alone? Wouldn't it be better to just fortify and hold?"
Amid the murmurs, Kang Hyuk stroked his chin.
'The quest is to destroy three monuments in this otherworld.'
His eyes narrowed.
"......"
The otherworld entry quest visible to everyone hadn't appeared for him.
'Waited this long and nothing. Just as I thought.'
Arms crossed, he tapped his elbow.
Tap, tap.
'This is definitely the otherworld I crossed via the tube. I've already entered through it, so no quest triggers. That proves it.'
Not complete certainty, but the most likely scenario.
Kang Hyuk smirked again.
Over the past few days.
He'd achieved stunning growth through the tube's otherworld, but hadn't unraveled the tube's secrets.
Only that it acted as a gate to the otherworld.
'But if destroying monuments via this quest changes the otherworld...'
He might crack those secrets.
'Post-quest otherworld—what happens then? I need to find out. So this expedition succeeds, no matter what.'
Thoughts finished, Kang Hyuk strode toward Supreme Commander Lee Hyun-wook.
"Hm? 1st Team Leader? Something up?"
Lee Hyun-wook eyed the sudden approach with puzzlement.
Kang Hyuk pointed beyond the echoes.
"Something off, right, Chief?"
"...Off how?"
"We heard orc and ogre cries earlier. But once we entered the echoes, they cut off like they'd been waiting."
Lee Hyun-wook's face hardened.
True—monster cries that echoed till moments ago had vanished like a lie.
'My mistake. Arena and Tusinjeon distracted me from assessing.'
Snapping alert, he muttered cautiously.
"Echoes going silent means one thing. Right, Team Leader Kang?"
Kang Hyuk grinned.
"Textbook says stronger monsters hide their presence. So..."
Fighting spirit surged.
"This silence is their attack signal, no?"
Lee Hyun-wook smirked at the spirit.
"Spot on. Our move's obvious."
He raised a hand and bellowed.
"All hands, halt march!"
A massive barrier unfurled, shielding the Association members.
That instant, arrows darkened the sky!
Lee Hyun-wook barked orders roughly.
"Battle stations! Orc swarm incoming!"
Chwiiiiiik!!!
Orc cries echoed from all sides.
Fwaaah!
Arrow volleys rained down, freezing Association hunters in shock.
Thud!
But Supreme Commander Lee Hyun-wook's barrier, deployed ahead, protected the slower ones.
Hunters snapped to, looking to him.
"Shake it off and prepare! We'll wipe 'em out!"
Under the command, grim-faced hunters grouped with allies, forming ranks.
Chwiiiiiik!!!
They charged into battle against the onrushing red-marked orcs.
"Tanks forward!"
"Healers and mages, support!"
"DPS, preemptive strikes! Move!"
Furious shouts rang out everywhere!
As the metallic tang of blood rose, Kang Hyuk eyed his team.
"......Hoo."
Kang Na-eun was deep-breathing.
"Th-this is nuts. Straight to combat?"
Lee Hwan-seung and Park Seo-jun tensed up.
"......"
And Lee Ye-sol stared piercingly at him, for some reason.
Observing their varied reactions, Kang Hyuk pondered.
'This red-marked orc raid isn't a big threat.'
Unless the orc chieftain showed.
These were just scouts—around fifty.
Even without Tusinjeon and Arena, the Association could handle them unscathed.
'Perfect chance to test these four in their current state, starting with Kang Na-eun.'
Kang Hyuk saw this expedition as a springboard for greater leaps.
Not just his—his team's too.
This raid was an ideal trial to propel them.
Decision made, he issued orders.
"Park Seo-jun, Kang Na-eun—step up and draw aggro."
They moved forward.
"Meanwhile, Lee Hwan-seung—prep an AoE spell. Lee Ye-sol—disrupt with charms."
Kang Hyuk stood behind, facing the incoming orcs.
Chwiik!
Orc warriors pierced the Association's ranged fire.
Kang Na-eun and Park Seo-jun met them head-on in a clash of strength.
"Hup!"
Invincible Mount Tai Park Seo-jun's ability activated.
His body encased in radiant crystal light became 'Diamond'.
Kang Hyuk's eyes gleamed as he muttered.
'C-rank warrior ability judged so. Turns the whole body to diamond for top-tier defense and offense.'
His face hardened.
For some reason, Park Seo-jun used only fragments of that peak potential.
Focusing solely on defense with diamond arms against the orcs.
"Good! Hold their attention!"
Kang Na-eun hunted red-marked orcs meanwhile, painting a decent picture—but from Kang Hyuk's view, a regrettable choice.
'Future Park Seo-jun maxed diamond form, shrugging any attack and pulverizing foes. So... he hasn't grasped his ability's edge yet.'
He shifted gaze.
"Urhahaap!"
Great Flame Lee Hwan-seung.
With odd kiai, he prepped an AoE spell.
Roar!
A fireball ignited above his head.
The most common, most threatening flame magic formed.
Kang Hyuk frowned again.
Future's top fire mage showed subtle tremors using basic fire magic.
'...Not adapted yet? Or unused to combat?'
But closer look: tremors weren't from facing orcs' fear.
From the flame above his own head.
'Lack of confidence in his power. But mana control and finesse are outstanding for his level.'
Judging two of four instantly, Kang Hyuk murmured.
'Infinite potential, but like Kang Na-eun, hasn't realized his edge.'
He nodded after thought.
'Still... not bad. With a little advice as planned, big changes ahead.'
Finally, Nightmare Archmage Lee Ye-sol.
The villain who'd turned the world against her.
"......"
Unlike the others, calmly supporting Kang Na-eun and Park Seo-jun with spells.
'Given her current ability... impressive magical proficiency. No wonder she'll hit S-rank fastest of the four.'
As Kang Hyuk guided the team and observed more.
"...Ugh!"
Lee Ye-sol, shining brightest, suddenly groaned.
Kang Hyuk's gaze pierced the blood-splashed battlefield, through the brush.
Chwiiik-!
Sensing sinister energy, his eyes narrowed.
'Red-marked orc shaman?'
He turned to Lee Ye-sol.
"Wh-why... suddenly."
Lee Ye-sol shuddered under the shaman's evil aura.
At her shake, Kang Hyuk subtly pivoted.
Blocking her view巧妙ly—her eyes widened.
"...Team Leader?"
Ignoring the call, he held his breath.
That moment.
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[Gain Giant's Aura.]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan: 6%]
Ability triggered, aura spread.
...!!!!
The red-marked orc shaman, subtly illusion-tricking enemy mages, flinched in shock.
Chwi, chwiik?
Dropping his staff, he collapsed.
Surrounding orcs cried in alarm.
Chwichwichwiik! (What's wrong, shaman?!)
The red-marked orc shaman jaw-trembling pointed at the human staring him down.
Chwiiiiiik! (Everyone, run!)
And screamed.
Chwiiiiiik! (That human's here!)
Orcs' faces hardened.
Chwiiiiiik! (Raider! A giant's here!)