Chapter 39
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: I Became the Last of the Giant Clan
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The first night camping in the otherworld, where two moons lit up the night sky.
Under that moonlight, the Hunter Association's hunters chatted amiably, buzzing with excitement over their first victory of the day.
An unexpectedly fierce battle.
But they had achieved greater results than anticipated.
However, under the command of Headquarters Chief Lee Hyun-wook, the ten team leaders held a serious meeting.
"This is troubling, very troubling."
They had felt the gap between themselves and the orcs in that battle.
"To be honest... At our current level, we can handle the red-patterned orcs, but dealing with those higher specimens would be a burden."
"If we keep advancing like this, we'll run into even stronger monsters. That could lead to casualties."
"Why don't we contact those two guilds right now, Chief?"
On the surface, it had been a perfect victory, but beneath it lay the orcs' inexplicable 'retreat' that made it possible.
In other words, it was luck.
And if they faced the red-patterned orcs again, that luck wouldn't strike twice.
As heated debate raged over how to tackle the quest, Kang Hyuk thought to himself,
'Nice atmosphere. If they're like this, it'll be much easier to bring up the agenda.'
Kang Hyuk, a smirk tugging at his lips, spoke up amid the discussion.
"May I say something?"
The debate halted, and all eyes turned to Kang Hyuk.
"Go ahead, Team Leader Kang."
With Lee Hyun-wook's permission, Kang Hyuk bowed his head slightly and spoke again.
The team leaders, listening intently, gradually gaped in astonishment.
"According to the manual, press small groups with masses and masses with small groups. Today, we used our mass against a small group of red-patterned orcs. But we didn't achieve much. In short, the association's current forces make this expedition risky."
He had uttered the bold words no one else dared to.
"With that in mind, I don't think the main force needs to stick together unnecessarily for the quest. Our goal isn't monster extermination—it's destroying the stele. For efficiency, we should avoid unnecessary fights and send a small elite unit to smash it."
Some team leaders glanced nervously.
At Lee Hyun-wook.
"So, Team Leader Kang means the association falls short?"
Lee Hyun-wook's expression hardened under those gazes.
Considering his usually mild temperament, the mood was far from ordinary.
But Kang Hyuk, who had stirred it, showed no sign of stopping.
"No, Chief. It's not that the association falls short—it's that this otherworld's level is higher than expected."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"No. If we'd known the otherworld was this tough, the association would have prepared more. We failed in our predictions, so we need to act proactively now."
He even pressed further, touching on Lee Hyun-wook's pride.
"Pointless pride won't do in this situation. With the two guilds unwilling to cooperate, we need bold decisions."
"And that bold decision is a small elite detachment?"
"Yes. Moving the entire main force risks detection by monsters. But a small infiltration team lowers that chance. Considering that, a detachment is better than the whole."
Silence descended.
Everyone glanced uncertainly between Lee Hyun-wook and Team Leader Kang.
Amid it, Lee Hyun-wook admired how Team Leader Kang met his gaze unflinchingly.
'...Damn, how does he think exactly like me?'
This admiration surpassed even the superhuman strength Kang Hyuk had shown in battle.
In truth, Lee Hyun-wook had been thinking the same.
The recent battle had revealed it:
This otherworld outclassed the association's gathered hunters.
And numbers meant little in balanced fights against monsters.
'So the best is an elite team to destroy the stele. But...'
As expedition leader, he couldn't say it himself.
'It ties directly to morale. Low morale would doom the main force, elite team or not.'
He'd been pondering how to convey it when Kang Hyuk scratched exactly that itch.
A bit more radical than his own thoughts, but from the hunter who'd shone brightest today, the prideful team leaders stayed quiet.
Kang Hyuk's immense halo helped too.
'S-grade talent, so it's fine.'
'Yeah, even same D-rank feels worlds apart.'
A subtle sense of defeat and humiliation.
But unavoidable conviction.
Seeing it in the others pained Lee Hyun-wook as chief, but he seized the chance.
"Can you take responsibility?"
Kang Hyuk's eyes gleamed as if he'd waited for it.
"If I grant you authority over that elite team, can you bear all consequences?"
He nodded without hesitation.
"I'll do my utmost, though I'm lacking."
Lee Hyun-wook declared,
"From this moment, I promote Team Leader Kang to operations advisor."
"...!"
"And full authority over the new detachment's composition. Of course."
Lee Hyun-wook smirked.
"If you fail, you'll bear all blame. How about it, Team Leader Kang? Can you handle that weight...?"
Kang Hyuk mirrored the smile.
"I'll deliver results worthy of your faith."
The meeting dispersed, and Lee Hyun-wook called Kang Hyuk aside.
"Team Leader Kang."
"Yes."
"What you said today... you did it for me, right?"
Instead of answering the sharp remark, Kang Hyuk wore a sly smile.
Lee Hyun-wook clicked his tongue at the cunning look.
"Never thought I'd live to rely on a hunter awakened less than a year ago..."
He turned to hide his twitching lips.
"Still, it was radical. The team leaders will view you with fear and awe, not respect. Hasty, considering future relations."
The rebuke landed.
But Kang Hyuk felt the chief's sincerity and murmured,
'As always, a warm man.'
He wasn't disheartened.
The concern was valid; even he thought it crossed a line.
But no regrets.
"Consideration is good. But if it leads to life-or-death risks, I'll cut it away boldly."
Lee Hyun-wook flinched.
"From grade-9 civil servant to hunter, I've felt it much. This flashy, amazing job... is walking a tightrope over death daily."
He turned to face Kang Hyuk.
"So I always resolve: to achieve in such situations, know when to decide boldly and give up. Right now, any distance from fellow leaders saves the whole association."
"...Saves all our lives?"
"Yes. The expedition may succeed, but with casualties. I don't want that."
With conviction, Kang Hyuk concluded,
"For that, I count this as trivial. Nothing ranks above lives."
Lee Hyun-wook swallowed dryly.
And unwittingly acknowledged the man before him.
'Can a hunter with less than a year really say that?'
As he pondered, Kang Hyuk's feats flashed by.
While others struggled with one red-patterned orc warrior, he crushed heads with throws—not even his specialty.
'And judgment that surprised even me.'
Now, an unexpected character too.
The right hunter's character he'd longed for.
He let out a hollow laugh.
'...Where did this monster come from?'
Then he weighed it.
'Normally, no detachment for him. But based on what I've seen, it'd be a loss not to. Natural hunters—predators—grow strongest in such trials.'
He shook his head.
'Just a week since we met... making me agonize like this.'
Then he bowed to Kang Hyuk.
Startled, Kang Hyuk stepped closer, but Lee Hyun-wook raised a hand.
"Your resolve today makes my bow cheap."
"...Chief."
"Odd to say to a first-time otherworld hunter, but... your actions and judgment inspire unprecedented trust. Forget backlash or responsibility—focus on the mission. I'll shield you."
Kang Hyuk's eyes shone as he nodded.
"I'll prove my best and succeed."
Lee Hyun-wook straightened with a bright smile.
And offered something.
"...What's this?"
"A gift from my predecessor when I took chief. Not vital to me now, so borrow it."
A bracelet with an iridescent pearl.
Its extraordinary sheen made Kang Hyuk swallow as a message appeared.
[Bracelet of the Grand Marshal]
[Grade: Unique]
[An accessory imbued with the soul of a famed grand marshal who once led ten million troops. Wearing it alone draws all men's respect.]
[Special Stat: Command +20]
He held his breath confirming it.
The bracelet was Unique-grade.
"I-I can't accept this..."
"Who said give? I said lend."
Lee Hyun-wook grinned playfully.
"But who knows. Exceed my expectations again, and it might become yours."
After parting with Lee Hyun-wook, Kang Hyuk headed to a quiet clearing before sleep.
Shooo!
A strange wind whistled past his ear.
A massive something landed before him, flicking its tongue.
Meooow!!
Black, released secretly upon otherworld arrival.
"How is it, Black?"
Meooow!
"Nothing but nobodies?"
Meooow!
"And those nobodies are orcs and ogres?"
Black shook its head.
With odd gestures, it conveyed something.
Watching closely, Kang Hyuk pictured something between orc and ogre.
"Troll?"
Meooow!
"We haven't encountered trolls, right?"
Meooow!
"Good. Other intel?"
Black's gestures continued.
Interpreting them, Kang Hyuk stroked his chin.
'I don't get quest directional guidance.'
The stele the association targeted was north.
Quest receivers knew the direction instinctively.
Without it, he'd sent Black.
'Air-mobile Black gets better intel than guidance.'
The judgment paid off.
Black's info outclassed association rumors.
'Deeper in the forest, it resembles the otherworld I knew.'
No need for detection magic; geography was clear.
He could take the shortest path north if desired.
But no.
His goal wasn't mere 'success'.
'With full detachment authority, destroying the stele smoothly means all merits mine upon return.'
He sought 'great success' for future foundations.
'That grants position and access for high gates. No growth stall.'
But not solo.
'To grow Kang Na-eun, Lee Hwan-seung, Park Seo-jun, Lee Ye-sol—brush death in battle, gain experience.'
Future pillars of Korea's team.
Plan: accelerate via this expedition.
Thus, choose the hardest route.
'Handled right, all hit D-rank here. Half-step ahead of original growth.'
Training plan ready.
Smirking, Kang Hyuk murmured,
"Black, keep it up."
Meooow!
Black soared skyward.
Kang Hyuk toyed with the bracelet, murmuring,
"This expedition might yield more than expected."
With a satisfied smile, he slept for tomorrow's grueling march.
"Look, everyone!"
Tusinjeon, split from the association.
"The monster before us is a red-patterned orc shaman! A vile black magic user! But before my flames..."
Leader Jung Jae-hong chanted, tone mismatched to peril.
Flames erupted; the shaman screamed.
"Even black magic shamans are no match! The holy blaze that burns all—isn't this 'Inferno'?"
Victory piled, they finally faced it.
Kroooar!!
This expedition's quest.
The stele.