Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Gnoll Territory Ambush
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"Hey, Mr. Seo Chang-woo. Why do you keep handing out magic stones for free?"
"What's the problem? Just think of it as volunteer work."
"Of course there's a problem. What happens when those losers get used to freeloading without lifting a finger?"
"What did they do to deserve being called losers by someone who's perfectly fine?"
"Doing nothing is the problem! In this situation, anyone sitting on their ass isn't a loser—what is it then?"
I rubbed my ears at the noisy racket echoing from early morning.
Glancing over, two groups were in the middle of a heated clash, fully divided.
One side was led by Choi Seung-hyuk, who'd previously suggested forming a group with me.
The other was Seo Chang-woo, who'd just passed by without a word.
I scanned Seo Chang-woo up and down—he was glaring with fierce intensity.
Handsome guy straight out of a painting.
He had the build and face of a model; he could've graced any magazine cover without issue.
In stark contrast, Choi Seung-hyuk, standing opposite with bulging veins, was utterly ordinary.
It wasn't my imagination that he seemed extra pissed because of an inferiority complex.
As I observed the two, Yoon Ho-chan sidled up beside me and whispered.
"They're at it like this every day lately."
"Yeah. They should spend that energy hunting instead."
"It might not have escalated if one side was overwhelmingly stronger."
"I didn't expect it to split so cleanly, either."
Behind Choi Seung-hyuk stood six Pioneers; behind Seo Chang-woo, four.
Including the two leaders, that made twelve in total.
The remaining three, excluding Yoon Ho-chan, were our team—so it was pretty evenly matched.
Seo Chang-woo's side was slightly outnumbered, but not hopelessly outmatched.
"Let the ones who wanna fight duke it out. Let's prep for the hunt."
"Right, you're heading out to take down Gnolls starting today, yeah?"
"Yep. Your archery's improved, and we've got three at level 10 now. Should be plenty."
"Man, I've been waiting for this. Hobgoblins have gotten too weak lately—no thrill in killing 'em."
Park Sang-gu chuckled slyly during our chat, cracking his knuckles dramatically.
He brimmed with confidence now that he'd massacred enough Hobgoblins to level up substantially.
"Confidence is good, but don't get cocky against Gnolls and take a hit. Those things could snap bones."
"You think I'm a squishy mage like you, bro? A hyena's bite won't break me. Warriors and mages have totally different toughness baselines."
"Oh yeah? Want me to test that with a magic blast? See how tough you really are."
"No! Not that!"
Park Sang-gu recoiled in horror at my words.
Yoon Ho-chan stifled a laugh at the sight when...
"Jong-min, all prepped. Got the jerky."
Min Jae-yoon approached, shaking a small pouch in front of me.
It was jerky bought from the shop as field rations for the hunt.
The Gnoll hunting grounds were too far to return for meals, so we'd started packing food.
Park Sang-gu eyed the jerky wistfully and smacked his lips.
"Wish we had real food, even just a bit. Like burgers or sandwiches."
"Can't be helped. High calories, easy to eat, doesn't crumble when jostled—jerky's the only option."
There might be other foods that fit, but with our budget, jerky was the limit.
We finished prepping and stood to head out for the hunt.
Unfortunately, the feuding factions were blocking the entrance, forcing us to pass right between them.
"Excuse us, just passing through. Why block the gate at the crack of dawn for a shouting match? So damn noisy."
"Kim Jong-min!"
Both sides turned to us at once upon hearing me.
I shot a look at Choi Seung-hyuk, who'd yelled my name.
"Kim Jong-min? You my buddy or something? Dropping the honorifics now?"
"...Mr. Kim Jong-min."
"Bowing and scraping already. Whatever—move aside. Got a hunt to do."
Choi Seung-hyuk flushed with humiliation but stepped aside obediently.
Our team had the highest levels among the Pioneers, after all.
If we turned hostile here, it'd tip the scales against both factions.
Seo Chang-woo knew it too, wearing a complicated expression.
"Mr. Kim Jong-min, first time talking like this, but..."
"Not interested in factions, so save the recruitment."
"It's not just about factions! Ever heard of noblesse oblige?"
"Starting today, I'm a devout capitalist commoner."
He looked ready to launch into an inspiring speech, so I shut it down preemptively.
I didn't like Choi Seung-hyuk, but this guy wasn't my ally either.
"Mr. Seo Chang-woo, you didn't come to me when you first formed your group, right?"
"I regret that."
"Not looking for an apology. Means your judgment was spot-on. I'd have refused anyway. Not into unpaid charity."
Even before the world fell, I'd dealt with every kind of jerk in service jobs.
Now they want me to give away what I earn? Ridiculous.
"I'm not aiming to be a saint or a moral paragon. So drop the guilt trips. Power? That might tempt me."
"..."
Seo Chang-woo shut his mouth as I bluntly admitted my desires.
No point arguing morals when self-interest trumps all.
"Anyway, we're off. Good luck with your squabbles."
My team strode past them without a care.
Complicated stares poured in from all sides, but I ignored them.
Growth mattered to me, not power plays.
We reached the Gnoll habitat quickly.
A few Hobgoblin encounters en route, but they were barely post-meal exercise now.
Crossing the forest edge into the fields, we crouched low and scanned around.
"There."
My eyes lit up at the shadows flickering in the distance.
Bipedal monsters blending hyena and human features—Gnolls.
They prowled with tongues lolling, sniffing for hidden prey.
"Ho-chan, can you hit it?"
"Plenty."
"For real? It's a bit far."
"Too far for a running shot, but it's moving slow right now."
Yoon Ho-chan calmly replied, nocking an arrow.
Lowest-grade arrows: ten per magic stone bundle.
Even those pierced monster hide easily enough.
Non-reusable one-shots were the downside.
Shwick! Thunk!
"Kyaaack!"
Yoon Ho-chan's arrow nailed the Gnoll's throat perfectly.
It didn't drop instantly, thrashing and screeching as it clutched its neck.
"...Not dead?"
"Good enough. Can't fight like that."
Eliminating one via ambush was a solid start.
The wounded Gnoll collapsed gurgling; the other five whipped around in alarm.
"Grrrowl!"
"Kyarrk!"
Snarling, they charged as one.
I casually pointed at them.
"Black Missile. Black Missile. Black Missile."
Splat! Thud!
"Kyak!"
"Keeek!"
Three hit square in the heads tumbled back.
One died outright; the other two wailed on, skulls unbreached.
Yoon Ho-chan finished them with follow-up arrows.
Figures. At this point, one-shots won't kill.
Monster stats had risen sharply, as expected.
But our team's had surged even more.
The charging pack dwindled from five to two in seconds.
Our frontline duo handled the rest.
"Hah!"
Crack!
"Grk...!"
A full-power mace swing pulverized one Gnoll's skull.
The last lunged at Min Jae-yoon but bounced off his shield.
Min Jae-yoon thrust his sword into its throat; it foamed and fell.
We finished the last gurgling from the arrow.
The new skill from recently meant no digging through hearts anymore.
Tactics were similar despite tougher foes.
But our expressions were graver than before.
I turned to my teammates.
"Thoughts on facing Gnolls?"
"Stronger than expected."
"Underestimated 'em—way tougher."
Hobgoblins were playthings now.
So bigger Gnolls seemed no big deal.
Reality hit harder.
"Smashed its head full force, and it held shape. Hobgoblin? Head would've flown off."
"Size means power. Shield took the hit, but shock was no joke. Lower levels, and we'd be toast."
I nodded at their takes.
Even I was surprised my Black Missiles left skulls intact.
If we'd rushed here per original plan, we'd have fled back.
The unexpected difficulty made me smile.
"Good that it's tough."
"Huh?"
"Think about it. We're the strongest Pioneer team here."
"True."
"If we're struggling this much, what about the others?"
"...!"
They exchanged glances.
Other groups lagged in levels already.
Could they hunt Gnolls to catch up?
We were cautious despite overleveling.
No chance. Stick to Hobgoblins unless they wanna die.
While they farmed Hobgoblins, we'd monopolize Gnolls.
Snowball effect widening the gap.
Teammates' eyes sparkled, but I wasn't done.
"Snowball aside, rewards are juicy."
I grinned, opening inventory and pulling a magic stone.
Unlike Hobgoblin's plain ones, this gleamed deep purple.
〈Purple Magic Stone〉
"Five regular stones per?!"
They gawked at the purple stone.
I chuckled at their faces.
"Six down, so six purples. All of 'em."
"Holy crap! One fight nets us 30 magic stones?!"
Goblins took six-plus fights for that.
Gnolls? One skirmish.
Packs always four-plus, so minimum twenty per fight.
"Worth the effort? Motivation up?"
No words, but their faces said it all.
Weapons gripped tight, eyes blazing with greed.
I held back a laugh and yelled.
"Alright! Time to make bank!"
We hit six more packs after.
All five-to-six strong, no issues.
Most sniped before closing; survivors no match one-on-one for our frontliners.
Splat!
"Bro! How many purples now!?"
Park Sang-gu smashed another Gnoll and asked.
Hooked on the loot grind.
I Energy Drained a near-dead one while answering.
"Forty total so far."
"Two hundred regulars equivalent...!"
"Fifty each after split!"
Grins spread wide.
Plotting purchases already.
Past earnings vanished on food post-split.
This haul? Eat lavish and still surplus.
"Save or spend? Tough call."
"Fix the house first. Parents stressed about it."
"Save more for a shield? Mace-and-board looks solid."
Team bantered happily post-fight when...
Rustle. Sassasa...
What?
Something slithering from the grass below.
Only then noticed unusually tall grass here.
Hide a human? Easy. Even bulkier Gnoll? No sweat.
I gripped my staff, scanning sharply.
"Everyone, brace for ambush. Something's coming."
"Ambush!?"
Panic from behind.
Monsters had always been the ambushed, not us.
But in-game, they often struck first.
Hyena-like cunning Gnolls? Obvious.
"Shit, real ambush?"
"Dunno. Better safe than sorry."
"Yeah, hearing weird noises around..."
Sassasa!
Tension peaked, eyes on grass—the sounds amplified.
They'd ditched stealth once we braced.
Moments later, a massive shape rose ahead.
"What the hell is that?!"
"Huge!"
Park Sang-gu and Yoon Ho-chan gaped.
Gnoll-like, but double the size.
Nearly 2.5m tall, looming with bared fangs.
"Grrrowl!"
"Gnoll Warrior...!"
Min Jae-yoon gulped, muttering.
Elite Gnoll, field boss-tier.
Here. Now.
"Raaargh!"
Whoosh!
It roared, swinging a fist at Min Jae-yoon.
He raised his shield in panic.
Boom!
"Guh!"
Air whooshed from his lungs; he flew back.
Shield couldn't fully absorb it.
Park Sang-gu filled the gap instantly.
"You bastard!"
Full-force mace swing at the Gnoll Warrior.
It blocked with arm; mace connected solidly.
Clang!
"Hah!?"
"Kyaaak!"
Mace ricocheted off arm; Park Sang-gu's eyes bulged.
Enraged, Gnoll Warrior punched again.
Kaboom!
"Urk!"
Park Sang-gu barely parried with mace, but shockwave launched him.
He tumbled beside groaning Min Jae-yoon.
Gnoll Warrior just scratched the spot casually.
Like a bruise at worst—no fracture.
"Kekeke!"
"Kyahaha!"
"B-bro! All around!"
Yoon Ho-chan, nocking an arrow, despaired.
Ten more Gnolls emerged around us.
Sneering like predators toying with trapped prey.
Min Jae-yoon staggered up amid doom.
"Ho-chan, run...! Hurry...!"
"B-but what about you guys!?"
"We're fine! Just go!"
"I can't! How?!"
"Cough! Hack!"
Park Sang-gu hacked nonstop, speech stolen by shock.
Snickering Gnolls closed in.
Min Jae-yoon gripped shield and sword, whispering beside me.
"Jong-min, please. Save Ho-chan. Buy time here...!"
Double Enhancement - Black Missile
Skill [Black Missile] has Double Enhancement applied.
Power doubled for this single use.
"Double Enhancement—Black Missile."
I cast before he finished, aiming at the Gnoll Warrior's head.
Then muttered shortly, as always.
"Black Missile."
Spluuurt!
"...?"
Flesh-piercing sound halted everyone.
Too fast to track what left my hand.
Seconds later, Gnoll Warrior's eyes lost focus; massive body swayed.
Thud.
Head hole gaping, it collapsed lifeless.
Gnolls blinked at their dead leader; teammates stared silently at me.
In the hush, I turned to Min Jae-yoon.
"Who needs saving? Missed it—say again."
"..."
"Speak up. Gotta hear it to risk my neck buying time."
"..."
Min Jae-yoon flushed crimson, averting his gaze.