Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: A Few Loaches
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It started with nothing more than monsters at the caution level appearing.
Just like anywhere else, Ulleungdo had heroes on rotation duty.
In the midst of that, they heard news of monsters appearing on Dokdo and tried to head there immediately.
But while they were preparing, contact came from Gwaneumdo this time.
Caution-level monsters had suddenly appeared and were causing chaos.
A consecutive monster outbreak? This isn't good. They immediately requested support.
As they headed to Gwaneumdo with those thoughts, they sensed an ominous aura.
'Wait a minute. Why are the monsters so agitated? ...No. It's not agitation. That's...'
'They're covered in wounds and look like they've been chased here. These aren't locals from nearby!'
Monsters that had emerged from the sea and hadn't been eliminated yet had made it all the way here.
But why? Did they come looking for people? But in that state?
And soon enough, the heroes realized they were facing the worst-case scenario.
"Emergency! Monsters have appeared at Jeodong Pier too! They suddenly came ashore and are turning the area into a wasteland!"
"This is bad. It's not just a simple outbreak. It's a landing! They're being chased by something and fled from the sea all the way to Ulleungdo!"
Monsters rarely yield territory; they fight to the death.
But when they encounter an apex predator they can't handle, things change.
And the apex predator in question here is most likely...
"Shit!!"
After a fierce battle with the monsters trying to enter through Gwaneumdo Pier.
The heroes, with no time to catch their breath, headed toward Jeodong Pier.
But when new news came in, they let out despairing screams.
Just two concise sentences.
But that alone made the entire picture snap into place.
Why all the existing monsters were startled and heading inland.
Why they were charging in so frantically with extreme agitation.
They too had their territory taken and fled all the way here.
These frenzied monsters would turn Ulleungdo into a bloodbath!
"S-Support! When is the support coming?!"
"The center director immediately requested reinforcements from the Union branch, including S-Rank heroes! But from receiving the call to arriving back at Ulleungdo, at minimum..."
At minimum, it would take hours. And that's the shortest estimate.
By that time, disaster would have already struck several times over.
"B-But the Apocalypse-Class monster hasn't reached Ulleungdo yet..."
"Fuck! So what?! Aren't the monsters pouring in like crazy right now a problem?! What about the residents? The tourists! Monsters are still breaching the coastlines nonstop—what do we do about that?!"
The current manpower was woefully insufficient. Blocking them was impossible.
But what could they do? Even if it was impossible, they had to do everything they could.
That was the fate of those who swore the hero's oath and threw themselves into this line of work.
"Push them back! They absolutely cannot cross the coastline!"
"Urk!"
"Injured! We have injured!!"
"I'm fine! It's just a scratch! I can still fight!"
"Don't push yourself! If you get hurt worse..."
"I'll pull back when that happens, so don't worry!"
Never retreat in front of a monster.
Never show pity when facing a villain.
All of it was a desperate struggle for the citizens and the world.
If they chose to bear the name of hero.
Any battle. Even death itself was a trial they had to face.
"Uwaaaah!"
Despite being outnumbered, the heroes gave their all until the end.
When one battle ended, they rode vehicles to the next without rest.
If vehicles couldn't go, they ran on foot.
There was no time to rest. They had to buy evacuation time.
If these monsters got past them into Ulleungdo proper.
This island, with nowhere to flee, would become a massive slaughterhouse.
'It's a wave. This is definitely a wave.'
'No matter how many we kill, more keep coming. Is there even an end to this?'
Doubts arose about whether what they were doing even mattered.
The fear of death they'd pushed aside crept back in.
"...Monsters have landed at Jeodong Harbor."
And then the worst news arrived.
One of the ports people could use had fallen.
Images of residents living there flickered in their minds.
The bigger problem was that Dodong Harbor and Sadong Harbor were now at risk too.
If things went wrong, they could all be pushed inland before support arrived.
A picture formed of everyone massacred without chance to escape.
The monsters they had to stop were increasing by the minute.
But their own forces were limited. Actually dwindling.
What should they do? How the hell do you fight a wave like this?
"This is Dodong Harbor Pier! Seniors!"
It seemed the gods hadn't abandoned this place yet.
"We'll hold them back so the monsters can't come down!"
Around the time news of the Apocalypse-Class monster's appearance spread and the wave began.
The Hero Academy cadets received orders to evacuate.
Why pull out the cadets who could even act as sidekicks first?
Why weren't there orders to help the heroes here?
They were still tender sprouts among sprouts, not yet fully grown.
Precious human resources whose future growth was unknown.
This was entirely different from relatively safe sidekick experience.
Losing them pointlessly would vaporize future hero forces.
"All first-year cadets, gather immediately!"
"We'll head count and evacuate everyone via Dodong and Sadong Harbors! Escort heroes, once boarding is complete, prepare to join Ulleungdo defense duties right away!"
Fortunately, since the academy ship was between the two harbors, the cadets hadn't spread across all of Ulleungdo.
So they could gather almost all of them, but not quite everyone.
"There are a few cadets stuck at Dodong Harbor! What about them?!"
"Branch orders are to evacuate whoever we can first!"
Unlike the mainland where retreat was possible, an island offered nowhere to go.
Ulleungdo was especially narrow, the worst conditions imaginable.
The news had reached the mainland, but support was still far off.
Hesitating could trap everyone, so they evacuated who they could.
"Wait a second. We're not the only ones on Ulleungdo, right?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Heroes from other countries! There are quite a few here for tourism, so if we ask for help..."
A hero who'd recently joined as an instructor spoke up.
But the other escort instructors shook their heads.
"They'll probably refuse."
"Why?!"
"The Union prohibits heroes from intervening in other countries' affairs unless through official national channels."
There was a risk of diplomatic issues over responsibility if they stepped in unnecessarily.
They might mean well, but cause damage to that country during subjugation.
Or if the foreign hero got injured or killed outright.
It would put both nations in a massive headache.
That's why the Union ordered that heroes entering 'foreign' countries on 'personal' business.
Should not intervene even if monsters appear.
It was regrettable, but they respected their choice.
Their duty was to their own nation and citizens.
There was no right here to force them to fight.
It was fine. Even without them, they were here.
They were heroes too. Ones with a duty to protect this country and its citizens.
"Shall we get going?"
As the assigned cadets gathered roughly at the harbor, the instructors moved.
They'd handed escorts over to police and officials, so they themselves would now...
"Instructor!"
A booming voice rang out, accompanied by familiar faces appearing suddenly.
The instructors, seeing them, cried out in shock that it was absolutely not allowed.
"What are you doing?! Go back right now! Evacuation orders have already been issued for you!"
"No! We'll fight too!"
"This is hero work. You're not ready yet, cadets!"
There was nowhere to run. Only battle remained.
This path might lead to death.
That's why they tried to stop them, but why were they still coming closer?
"We came here dreaming of becoming heroes!"
Jin Seo-ah stepped forward as representative, speaking firmly.
"In a crisis like this, we can't turn our backs!"
Behind her stood Kang Yuna and Seo Ha-eun, Louise and Jung Ye-bin.
And the other cadets who'd followed.
Though not heroes yet, they yearned for it more than anyone.
"...Remember this one thing. You have to protect your own lives."
Even after the instructors' final warning, the cadets didn't waver.
That sight was heroic. More heroic than any hero.
"Alright then. Let's go."
To the places where those not yet evacuated were trapped.
The heroes charged into flames and smoke.
Dreaming impossible dreams.
Defeating invincible foes,
Enduring unbearable pain,
Dying for noble ideals.
Holding faith,
Reaching for the stars.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and move."
At his opponent's urging, the man closed his book.
Then he boarded the ship leaving Ulleungdo.