Chapter 41
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: I Became the Last of the Giant Clan
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One day after breaking away from the association headquarters and forming the detachment team.
“Huff... Haah... Huff...”
Kang Na-eun wiped the sweat trickling down her jawline and heaved ragged breaths.
“Cough... Ugh... Ack...”
The other team members were in the same state.
Blood and sweat.
And chunks of green flesh stuck all over them. The six team leaders and First Team members rolled their fatigue-glazed eyes to barely glare at the red pattern orcs.
That made the pattern orcs flinch.
Chwik, chwiik?
They were clearly weaker humans, but those gazes were fiercely intimidating.
They hesitated to charge recklessly, but soon instinct overpowered reason.
Chwiiiik!
The instinct screaming that humans must not be left alive.
Chwiiiiiik!
Ten red pattern orcs charged with roars!
Kang Na-eun bellowed at their rush.
“Park Seo-jun, Third Team Leader, Sixth Team Leader!”
With her shout, the tank-class hunters formed ranks.
Confirming that, Kang Na-eun raised her spear and yelled again.
“Lee Hwan-seung, Lee Ye-sol! And the rest of you leaders, prepare to cover!”
At her words, Lee Hwan-seung and Lee Ye-sol began preparing their spells.
“...Uwaaaaaah!!”
Roaring, Lee Hwan-seung chanted with blood streaming from his nose.
It looked utterly precarious at a glance.
But Kang Hyuk, watching from behind, had eyes that gleamed.
He's gotten much more accustomed to it. His aversion to flames has definitely lessened.
Just a day ago, Lee Hwan-seung had feared his own power.
But after nonstop battles and unleashing his abilities without rest, not a trace of fear remained in him now.
“Cough, ack!”
Instead, he was wringing out his power to its limits, thrashing desperately.
Even if his casting was unstable because of it, he was improving.
Once his stamina recovered, that instability would vanish.
“...Hoo.”
Kang Hyuk shifted his gaze to Park Seo-jun.
The man, whose entire body was coated in diamond, swung a heavy fist.
Boom!
The pattern orc jerked its head in surprise from that punch.
Considering the gap between current Park Seo-jun and a red pattern orc, that dodge carried profound meaning.
It meant he was finally abandoning his old fighting style and advancing to a better one.
He still can't fully control his power, but the mere fact that he's attacking is a huge change.
Kang Hyuk's lips curved up. Then he turned to Kang Na-eun.
“Hiyaah!”
With a spirited shout, she thrust her spear.
Her movements were clean, no excess. She fully utilized her power, precisely finishing off orcs whose eyes were on the dealers and tanks.
[Absorbing Red Pattern Orc's Soul Stone!]
[Physical abilities rise dramatically!]
He had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Kang Na-eun's growth now far exceeded his expectations.
Experience, and the pragmatism gained from it.
But beyond that, she had uncovered hidden potential.
Kang Na-eun was called the Divine Archer in the future and wielded a bow. But... through hunting these red pattern orcs, she's grown not just in archery but spearmanship too. And...
Muttering to himself, she issued orders.
“Park Seo-jun! Third Team Leader, Sixth Team Leader! Fall back! Major spell incoming!”
The team members retreated smoothly at her command.
Simultaneously, a major spell rained down on the orcs as she announced.
Chwiiiiiik!!
The orcs endured with their signature regeneration and defense, but they couldn't escape damage.
Seizing that gap, Kang Na-eun darted in sharply and swung her spear.
[Absorbing Red Pattern Orc's Soul Stone!]
[Physical abilities rise dramatically!]
Sweat dripped down her jawline alongside the falling orc head.
Seeing that, Kang Hyuk finally broke into a smile.
Now she's leading the team and issuing orders in my place. This is a completely unexpected discovery.
The future's Divine Archer, Kang Na-eun, had been aloof.
Standing alone on the battlefield, annihilating foes with a single arrow as the ultimate damage dealer.
But now, she wielded both spear and bow while commanding the front lines.
The daughter of Association President Kang Cheol-woo. So she had talent as a commander too.
With that thought, Kang Hyuk nodded.
The team members collapsed, gasping for breath.
“Cough, cough...”
Some couldn't withstand the post-battle tension and fatigue, their breathing ragged as if they'd pass out.
Kang Hyuk stroked his chin.
It looks like their limit, but not yet. They have enough stamina left for one or two more fights.
Then he looked up.
Mew!
Black, flying overhead, soared off into the distance.
As Kang Hyuk's lips curved at that sight, the First Team members and leaders trembled.
...Surviving isn't living.
Coincidence? Or is the otherworld always like this?
How can orcs swarm right after one battle ends?
One day since leaving the association's main force.
They'd faced a whopping 100 orcs in that day.
So the First Team members and leaders had fought nonstop without rest.
...It's a miracle we're not dead.
Am I really alive?
Truthfully, it was less battle and more desperate survival thrashing.
Failing meant closing their eyes in this non-Earth place under orc fangs and fists.
That's why the First Team members and leaders gritted their teeth and won, and won again.
Limit...
It's over now...
Can't move anymore.
But even that desperation seemed at its end.
They'd slept enough, but fatigue lingered, bodies unbearably heavy.
A powerlessness never felt since becoming hunters kept closing their eyes.
As everyone teetered on unconsciousness, earth-shaking footsteps resounded.
“Damn it!”
The First Team members and leaders spat curses.
Kang Hyuk shouted simultaneously.
“Just a bit more! We'll reach the stele area soon!”
The leaders turned with aggrieved looks.
“Team Leader Kang. Isn't it time you stepped in? We're really gonna die here!”
Kang Hyuk made a troubled expression.
“...I'd love to, but what if the monster guarding the stele is a red pattern chieftain or an ogre? Then... all our efforts getting here go to waste.”
The leaders ground their teeth and looked away.
Ugh... He's right, but...
Why so infuriating?
Feels like we're being played. No idea how, but it does!
Then, as they mustered strength again from the massive presence beyond the bushes.
“...”
First Team members.
Kang Na-eun, Park Seo-jun, and Lee Hwan-seung felt a strange sensation.
...Tired, sure.
But not that bad.
Exhausted exactly as much as I can still move.
It defied words.
Bodies screamed exhaustion.
Yet somehow, they could still move.
But the anomaly didn't end there.
Going into battle like this... fatigue fades quick again.
Plus... feels like I've grown a bit getting here.
Moving as Team Leader Kang says... battles feel easier.
Midst the haze, Team Leader Kang's advice flowed.
Following it made grueling fights smoother.
And that ease grew with each battle.
...Weird.
Strange.
Park Seo-jun and Lee Hwan-seung tilted their heads, while Kang Na-eun glanced at arms-crossed Team Leader Kang.
She narrowed her eyes and muttered.
Something's up. Maybe his S-rank talent isn't physical... something else?
Then, the monster approaching from beyond the bushes revealed itself.
Krooooaaar!!!
A ferocious roar.
And a monster dwarfing any orc.
The Third Team Leader up front muttered in shock.
“Troll?”
An orc superior species.
The beast dubbed the undead god had appeared.
“A t-troll here?”
Anxiety spread among the leaders.
Trolls were top-tier among D-rank monsters.
In this state...
No way we catch it.
Even fully recovered, it's tough...
Anxious leaders glanced aside.
The still-unmoved Team Leader Kang.
But he'd be different.
Hasn't fought once...
Time to step up. Troll's no orc!
As they moved to ask for help, Kang Na-eun spoke.
“Leaders, what're you doing? Not prepping for battle?”
“...Kang Na-eun?”
“Monster's right in front, where you looking?”
They whipped around in panic.
Seeing the glaring troll, they yelled.
“W-wait! You saying we take it ourselves?”
“Make Team Leader Kang fight here? Troll showing up means something worse guards the stele!”
The leaders shut up at her retort.
It made sense.
Stronger monsters popped up deeper in.
Who knew what awaited at the stele's end.
B-but damn it!
How do we take a troll alone!
Still... if she's right, we save Team Leader Kang's strength...
As they wrestled internally, Kang Hyuk smiled.
Born leader. As expected of Kang Na-eun.
He gauged the team and troll's power.
Tough foe, but catchable.
Troll's terror was 90% immunity regen to any attack.
But blazing flames pierced that.
Lee Hwan-seung's fire, with proper combos... doable. So...
Tough fight, but winnable.
And the payoff sweet.
Leaders and members grow more. Experience from harsh battles... priceless.
Kang Hyuk then sharpened his senses.
[Power of the Last Giant Clan activates.]
[Gain Giant's Sense.]
[Power of the Last Giant Clan: 6%]
His senses transcended limits, feeding environmental info.
Using it, he checked terrain, all lifeforms nearby, and nodded.
Last monster Black can lure. Beat it, training ends.
As he watched the team without intent to join.
“...?”
A strange sensation pierced his body.
Blood stench and screams assaulted him.
A chilling full-body shiver made Kang Hyuk's eyes widen.
Slowly turning north.
Kwaaaaak!!!!
An indescribable monster voice drilled into his ears.
“Hunted!”
“Defeated red pattern orc shaman!”
Yoon Hee-na nodded at the hunters' reports.
She drew her pure white sword and stepped forward.
Krooooaaar!!!
The wounded red pattern orc chieftain roared at her movement.
Kwaaak!
But it posed no threat.
Korea's guild rank 2.
Arena raid party, repeatedly struck.
C-rank red pattern orc chieftain was dying.
Fwaah!
B-rank hunter Yoon Hee-na had no need to fear the dying orc chieftain.
With a kick off, frost gathered on her blade.
Near absolute zero. Her flashing sword severed the orc's head, eyes wide open.
“...Waaaaah!!!”
“Finally over!”
“Cleared the expedition without casualties!”
Arena guild members cheered, and a message appeared.
[Quest: Otherworld Clear Conditions]
[Destroy 3 steles: North, South, East]
[Rewards vary by contribution]
[First stele destroyed: Jung Jae-hong and 281 others]
[Second stele destroyed: Yoon Hee-na and 311 others]
[Contribution 1st: Jung Jae-hong]
[Contribution 2nd: Yoon Hee-na]
[Reward: ???]
Yoon Hee-na sighed lightly at the message, and Park Chan approached with a towel ready.
“Good work, Raid Leader.”
“Yeah. Casualties?”
“Five injured. Zero fatalities! Huge success!”
Yoon Hee-na nodded again.
Staring at the message, she muttered.
“...Second place, though. Thought we were fast.”
“Tusinjeon beat us to it. But no deaths? That's a win.”
She hesitated at his reply.
Then Eternal Frost Yoon Han, her father's order surfaced, but she shook her head.
People first.
Erasing Yoon Han from mind, she spoke.
“We're heading back! Regroup at camp, then support the association!”
Arena guild cheered in response, heading out the cave to their camp—
“...!”
Sensing something ominous, Yoon Hee-na's eyes flashed.
She leaped forward, blocking the rear with her ability 'Absolute Zero' activated.
Bang!!!
The ice wall shattered on impact.
As stunned Arena members gaped, she yelled.
“Everyone, fall back!!!”
Regaining senses, they retreated as eerie laughter echoed.
Kuhahahahaha!
With the laugh, a massive something from the darkness lowered its head.
That instant.
[Not bad.]
Clear Korean drilled into their ears. Arena members and Yoon Hee-na's eyes widened.
“What?”
Crude mechanical voice.
But unmistakable Korean.
A shocked mutter.
“M-monster... spoke?”
Yoon Hee-na snapped to.
Yelled.
“Dodge!!!”
The cave collapsed with her shout.
Chwiiiiiik!!!
Sky-dominating wails followed.
Arena guild froze at the scene.
Chwiiiiiik!!!
Over a thousand orcs stared, howling.
As Yoon Hee-na bit her lip at their morale, the dark figure moved.
[Are you the invaders?]
Yoon Hee-na involuntarily stepped back.
[Answer me!]
[Are you the invaders?!]
A massive greatsword smashed down toward Yoon Hee-na's neck.
And.
“...”
Kang Hyuk, watching from dozens of kilometers away, had eyes that flashed.
“I see. So that's how it went.”