Chapter 59
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: I Became the Last of the Giant Clan
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19 years old.
Han Hee-jin's world was narrow.
No, it had no choice but to be.
The world of a high school student in South Korea was, as always, just a desk and a classroom.
That was why everything Han Hee-jin knew came from books.
Was that the reason?
The scene unfolding before her eyes was something her common sense couldn't accept.
Boom!
A barrage of countless arrows raining down.
At the same time, magic that put any war movie CG to shame.
All those countless traps poured toward a single man.
Kaboom!
But nothing could touch the man's skin.
The cloak with its bizarre patterns tied to the man's back.
As the cloak fluttered, all those traps were effortlessly blocked.
But Han Hee-jin wasn't surprised by the cloak that blocked the traps.
Ku-ku-ku-ku...
The muscles writhing like the Greek statues she'd seen in textbooks.
Even compared to those perfect statues, they were flawless—and in that instant, the traps vanished in one fell swoop.
"Whoa..."
Blazing flames rising.
Lightning striking down.
Monsters blocking the path with eerie cries, endlessly appearing, but it was all for naught.
Traps, monsters—everything vanished equally before that fist.
No knowledge from science, math, or any school subject could make Han Hee-jin accept that bizarre scene.
Because of that, as she gaped, the citizens around her muttered the same reaction.
"...Is that a human?"
"Whoa..."
"This is nothing like the videos... It's not even comparable!"
In truth, following Kang Hyuk—for them, who weren't hunters—was an act of tremendous courage.
Ku-ku-boom!
Countless traps blocking the path ahead.
And monsters that could pop out from anywhere at any time.
Heading into a space teeming with such threats was practically suicide.
Boom!
But the man before their eyes.
The moment Kang Hyuk took the lead, their worries proved unfounded.
Kwa-kwa-boom!
True to his word, he protected them without flinching from any threat.
No.
Boom!
It wasn't just protection—he showed scenes beyond imagination, delivering results far greater.
No matter what came, he crushed it all and pressed forward relentlessly, exceeding the expectations of those following him.
Because of that, as the citizens forgot this was a 'gate' where death could lurk anywhere and blankly watched the battle,
"I'm Kang Hyuk, 1st Team Leader of the Association. I've come to rescue you all."
They encountered other people trapped in Seoul Station.
Trembling in fear, at a loss, they spotted Kang Hyuk and their eyes widened.
"...What?"
And let out gasps just like the others.
"What...? What am I seeing?"
Seeing that, the citizens who'd followed Kang Hyuk first felt an inexplicable sense of superiority.
Even a strange joy at having shared a brief moment with that man before them.
So they meddled unnecessarily.
"Our job is super simple."
"Just stick to the line and follow behind him!"
"Come on! No need to rush ahead. Kang Hyuk will clear the path anyway."
At those words, the latecomers followed with reluctant expressions.
In their midst, the labyrinth's darkness gradually faded.
[Sudden Quest: Entry Restriction]
[Labyrinth Progress: 30%]
[Contribution Rank 1: Kang Hyuk]
As if proving it wasn't mere illusion, the gate's progress appeared as a message.
'...We can escape like this!'
'Already 30%!'
'The media hype wasn't bullshit! That guy's the real deal!'
Because of that, as everyone gazed at the hero before them with eyes full of hope,
'...Is this even possible?'
Among the rescued citizens were hunters.
Instead of looking at Kang Hyuk with admiration, they stared with shock, awe,
and fear.
'H-Heard he's just a C-rank hunter now?'
'This... is C-rank hunter power?'
As active players on site, they knew well.
Mutant gates.
Among them, 'labyrinthification' was trickier than any other.
Endless traps appearing.
And monsters—even seasoned hunters couldn't avoid getting hit.
Boom!
But that man ignored the traps and monsters alike.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-boom!
He kept thrusting out his fists, advancing ceaselessly.
In that process, neither monsters nor labyrinth traps could block his path.
Thud!
So they couldn't believe it.
No matter how much S-rank talent that man had, he was a fresh C-rank hunter, wasn't he?
Yet a C-rank hunter smashing a D-rank labyrinth this easily?
It made no sense—it completely shattered their preconceptions.
At the same time, they realized.
'The news hype... wasn't exaggeration.'
'That guy's real. So... the Jeju Red Gate rumor—he really cleared it solo?'
'Heard he one-punched the orc king... Warlord... That was true too?'
The S-rank talent Kang Hyuk—they'd thought some hype was involved.
But his feats showed not a shred of fluff.
On the contrary.
'...Feels downplayed.'
'No way a hunter like that is just C-rank.'
'At least top C-rank, or B-rank!'
Some even thought the media leaks were wrong.
As they watched Kang Hyuk stride ahead, each with different gazes and emotions,
'The magic communicator's working.'
Kang Hyuk's relentless steps paused briefly.
He confirmed the magic communicator by his ear had powered on and muttered.
"Who's there?"
[...Team Leader?]
"Kang Na-eun, right? Yes, Team Leader Kang speaking."
[A-Are you nearby?]
"Yes. Seems the barriers over the labyrinth weakened as I got closer."
A sigh came from the magic communicator by his ear.
[Phew... Good. As you said, Team Leader, we're holding position, protecting the rescued citizens. About a thousand of them...]
Listening, Kang Hyuk's eyes gleamed.
'Perfect. Numbers were growing anyway; time to split off some personnel.'
Until now, he'd managed well, but with over 1,000 followers, issues arose.
'Maze is straight-line, luckily no big risks if we push forward, but I can't cover 1,000 in my field of vision.'
So he needed to stash them in a safe zone at the right time.
'Meeting Kang Na-eun is timely. Hand her the group, and I keep clearing the labyrinth.'
Decision made, Kang Hyuk sped up.
Boom!
Even stronger labyrinth traps and monsters emerged, but it didn't matter.
Stronger, sure—but still a D-rank labyrinth.
His fists, rivaling top B-rank hunters in raw power, couldn't be stopped.
In the end.
Boom!
The moment he hunted the Big Salamander blocking the path, a message appeared again, and part of the labyrinth shifted.
[Sudden Quest: Entry Restriction]
[Labyrinth Progress: 40%]
[Contribution Rank 1: Kang Hyuk]
[Certain progress achieved—part of the labyrinth disappears!]
Clear rate rising, reclaiming original areas.
People shouted in shock.
"Wh-What!?"
"S-Seoul Station... It's Seoul Station!"
"It's reverting to normal?"
Locking eyes, they hugged and cheered wildly.
"Wooooaaah—!!"
"We can live! We can survive!"
"It's over!! This hellhole is ending!"
As Kang Hyuk let out a light sigh amid the cheers,
"...?"
A fishy blood scent tickled his nose.
And a familiar smell.
"What?"
Startled, Kang Hyuk looked up.
Gazing beyond the lingering darkness of the labyrinth, he muttered.
"...Why do I smell Kang Na-eun's blood?"
It could have been an illusion.
But the persistent blood scent and familiar fragrance proved it wasn't.
Kang Hyuk had to admit it.
'Blood scent... mixed with her unique scent... faintly.'
Beyond the darkness now.
Something had happened to Kang Na-eun nearby.
But it might be illusion—he quickly called her via the magic communicator.
"Kang Na-eun?"
Incredibly, the device that had worked moments ago gave no response.
Face hardening, Kang Hyuk thought.
'She'd held out fine until now. No... she had to.'
D-rank labyrinthification, but Kang Na-eun's power had objectively reached C-rank.
Traps were an issue, but staying put neutralized even them.
So his expression darkened.
Some variable outside his predictions had made her bleed.
Thus, Kang Hyuk advanced faster than before.
"H-Hey?"
"Y-You're going too fast, aren't you?"
The followers panicked at the changed pace but soon adapted and ran.
Soon, they spotted another group trapped in the labyrinthification.
'Matches the citizen count Kang Na-eun mentioned.'
But among the thousand, Kang Na-eun—the one he sought—was missing.
Kang Hyuk strode forward quickly, weaving through the gathered citizens in the plaza toward a bleeding man.
"Y-You are...?"
"I'm Kang Hyuk, 1st Team Leader of the Association."
At the introduction, the bleeding man's eyes widened.
'The S-rank she mentioned!'
He tried to stand hastily, but his severe waist wound buckled him.
Kang Hyuk shouted.
"Any doctors or nurses!? Or hunters with healing abilities!"
Several from his followers stepped up.
"I'm a doctor! Patient?"
"Yes. Looks critical! Emergency treatment, please!"
The suited man grimaced, examined the wound.
"...Huh?"
Staring at the half-torn waist, he couldn't hide his shock.
'Beast? Mauled by a monster?'
But he soon composed himself and began treatment.
Kang Hyuk questioned the man.
"Are you a hunter?"
"...Embarrassing, but yes. Park Jun-seo of Cheonghwa Guild."
Kang Hyuk gripped the man's hand to keep him conscious.
"A brief explanation?"
The man's lips trembled as he spoke.
"A bizarre entity... No, a dog appeared. Not a salamander... It lunged suddenly, tore through other hunters in seconds, even went for citizens. So..."
Rambling explanation.
Kang Hyuk should have been confused, but his face hardened.
"Association hunter Kang Na-eun lured it away to protect the citizens. Sh-She left about 5 minutes ago... Around now."
And inwardly, he recalled.
'Monster in dog form... Don't tell me.'
But too soon to conclude—he stood.
"Thank you. Rest now."
Park Jun-seo of Cheonghwa Guild closed his eyes.
Kang Hyuk rose, addressed the hunters who'd followed him.
"I need to act separately now."
The hunters asked in surprise.
"Wh-What happened?"
"One of my team members guarding this area was attacked by something unknown. She's fighting alone now. I need to provide support."
The hunters exchanged glances.
'...'
They were hunters too, and knew.
'If Kang Hyuk leaves...'
'What about here?'
'Who's protecting us?'
Surviving unscathed so far wasn't luck or chance—it was this man before them.
If he left, no guarantee the miracle continued.
Hesitating, Kang Hyuk spoke firmly.
"Nothing changes. Think of it as a short break—hold here. I'll assess and return quickly. Most monsters cleared en route, so minimal risk."
One hunter stepped forward after thought.
"Na Jae-min, 13th Team Leader of Tusinjeon. D-rank."
Kang Hyuk turned to him.
"We've relied on you, Kang Hyuk. Now our turn. Go worry-free. Salamanders? I can handle solo."
Kang Hyuk smiled faintly.
"Thanks, then."
As he turned toward where Kang Na-eun vanished,
"Where do you think you're going!"
Someone yelled.
"Protect us! Where are you off to!"
"Aren't you Association hunter?"
The yelling startled the conversing hunters and citizens who'd followed Kang Hyuk.
"Th-That's Kang Hyuk, right?"
"The S-rank talent!"
Whispers spread among citizens Kang Na-eun had guarded.
"Wait, Association staff—where you going?"
"Protect us, man!"
"Isn't hunter duty protecting citizens!? Ditching that where?!"
Kang Hyuk halted, turned.
That instant.
"...!"
A chilling aura rose.
"Wh-What?"
Shocked citizens shut up; hunters froze.
Kang Hyuk turned his head.
Gazing at those who'd yelled moments ago, he muttered.
"Looks like there are idiots mistaking duty for rights."