Three Minutes of Overwhelming Violence
Those three minutes were nothing short of overwhelming violence.
I pulled the trigger to smash the tiny golems, and for those that even Tommy couldn't break, I shattered them with my fist. If my fist felt like it might struggle a bit, I'd switch to the shotgun; if that wasn't enough, I'd follow up with an aura-infused punch.
I didn't sustain a single injury from them in the process.
The monsters raiding this place were called Black Tortoise Golems. They were a type that inhabited volcanic terrain, characterized by their pitch-black bodies and heavy-hitting attacks... but.
'Black Tortoise Golems are slow! Just watch out for each individual blow. That's not all? Most of their attacks are downward smashes, with only occasional swings. What does that mean!'
"They're the type you can read the next attack with just a slight movement."
Thanks to the forced muscle memory injected into me by Gwak Chunsik to prepare for battling multiple monsters, my movements linked together with incredible smoothness. On top of that, using the combat style I'd grown thoroughly familiar with from the game, I flanked them and struck—leaving them utterly defenseless as they crumbled.
By the time I swapped in the third magazine, the area around us was completely cleared.
"About two minutes and thirty seconds?"
If this were the real game Saber Cloud, it would've taken twenty seconds. I still had a long way to go.
"Uh... uh..."
As I holstered Tommy and turned around, I saw people staring at me with dazed expressions. Fortunately, no one seemed seriously hurt. Spotting the only one among them wearing a cross necklace—a priest—I approached and offered my hand.
"Hitman dispatched from Calione. Saber Cloud."
"Ah, a hitman from Calione... Yes, I've heard about you."
The flustered priest grabbed my hand and flashed a bright smile. Confirming the situation was under control, he lowered the gangplank from the ship and they began unloading the cargo one by one.
"Does a monster swarm like this happen every time the ship arrives?"
Even if it was for the children's education and daily necessities, constant raids like this had to be a burden on the cathedral side. Was it really worth risking it?
But the priest shook his head at my question.
"If anything, this is better than usual. When the shukharubang or villains show up, it gets even more intense."
"Ah."
This was the better scenario?
"You seemed to struggle quite a bit just now, so how do you normally handle it?"
"We fight until they drop us."
"......Pardon?"
"Since we can use holy magic, getting injured isn't that scary. We keep fighting until the enemies fall."
......Wait, was that light from earlier holy magic too? These people charged in like berserkers because they auto-heal their wounds?
That was...
"Efficient."
"Yes. Quite efficient."
It was a method only possible for them, overflowing with personnel who could wield holy magic.
"May I ask why you're so committed to sending these children to school?"
Hearing my question, the priest closed his eyes, pondering deeply. When he opened them again, he smiled warmly.
"I'm afraid that's not something I can answer. Let's head to the cathedral first. The bishop should be able to respond to our guest's questions. Ah, and it looks like the cargo's all loaded—shall we go together?"
......Yeah, that person could probably explain.
"Yes. Let's get going."
To meet Jeju Island's hidden monster.
* * *
"Father Marco! All cargo loaded!"
"Ah, good work. Father Yohan."
As he said, Father Yohan waved from afar, signaling that loading was complete.
One large bus, one 2.5-ton truck, and a van. These three vehicles would form our caravan to the cathedral.
With Awakeners mixed in among the group, the loading had finished in no time.
I followed the priest toward the caravan.
"Uncle's super strong!"
"Sister said so! Uncle went pow! and they all went boom!"
"Does Uncle get strong if he prays too?"
"Who wins if Uncle fights the bishop?"
I'd only approached the vehicles, but kids stuck their heads out the windows, shouting noisily.
"Everyone! No sticking your heads out the windows!"
"““Yeees~!”””
Of course, Sister Maria shut them down instantly.
The three vehicles prepared by the cathedral had all been modified for defense. The bus roof had a turret-like platform for a lookout, and both sides bore defensive runes etched for combat readiness—the same for the others.
"Should I ride the bus too?"
I asked Father Yohan, still preparing outside, and he nodded.
"Yes. With security worsening lately, something like before could happen again."
"Fair enough."
"We're recycling old gear, so we've been feeling the lack of proper defenses keenly. It'll be a relief having you help, Mr. Cloud."
That's what they called insufficient defenses? Jeju was truly a demon realm...
"Then I just need to handle any raids?"
"Yes. And if I may ask one more favor..."
He hesitated, then continued with a grave expression.
"If something happens, please protect the children. Don't worry about us—just the kids."
"Just the children?"
"Yes. At least the children."
I gave a light smile in response to his earnest face.
"Don't worry. Let's move out."
He nodded and boarded the bus. I sat in the center seat, positioned for quick access to the roof if needed.
"Ah, you came."
Sister Maria was in the seat next to mine. The kids behind me had gone quiet because she was playing suppressor.
"That was shocking just now. I never imagined you'd wipe out that many golems in an instant. Are all Calione hitmen as strong as you, sir?"
She must've seen the fight while moving cargo; her eyes sparkled as she asked.
"Ah, the others? Yeah. Not all like me, but some are stronger."
"......As expected! The outside world's scary."
"Have you never been outside, Sister Maria?"
"Pardon? Ahaha..."
She scratched her head with an awkward laugh at my question.
"Yeeah... Truth is, I grew up at Hallasan Cathedral in the Jeju diocese too. That's why I care so much for the kids."
"Ah. I see."
"So sometimes I wonder what the outside's like. But... I can't leave my post for that, right? As you saw, the kids are always in danger."
She lightly made the sign of the cross over her chest as she spoke. As I listened quietly, I suddenly felt weight against my seatback.
"We'll protect Sister Maria!"
"Sister Maria! Don't worry!"
"We'll get as strong as the bishop!"
They'd been listening the whole time. She burst out laughing at the kids' reactions.
"Yes. You're all so reliable. But... you can't lean on our guest while he's resting, okay?"
"Eek! S-Sorry, Sister Maria!"
"I didn't do it!"
"Jacob did!"
The bus filled with kids' laughter and chatter again. Hard to believe these were the same people who'd just been in combat.
This must be their daily life.
"How long by car to the cathedral?"
"Ah, not long by car. About thirty minutes?"
"Pretty close, then."
"Yes. Once we reach near the cathedral, we don't worry about raids, so attacks en route are rare. The danger's always at the port—"
The priest's voice rang out from atop the bus. I quickly crossed to the other side and peered out the window, spotting crude vehicles cobbled from scrap metal pursuing us up the dry hillside.
Raiders.
One of Jeju's major factions: an armed gang of Awakeners, essentially bandits. Or, put differently, the dregs who couldn't even join the Villain Union.
"Be right back."
I told Maria, who was calming the huddled kids, then climbed to the roof for a closer look.
"Kiyaaahooo!!"
"We're back today!"
"Strip 'em clean!"
Four cars, six motorcycles. About sixteen in total. That's when I spotted one on a bike aiming an RPG at us.
"One shot first!"
Decision made in an instant. I leaped from the bus straight at him.
"There's a retard here!"
He fired the RPG at me mid-air. Not a normal warhead—mana emanated from its tip.
Direct hit would've hurt. So.
'The old man said these local punks stuff mana stones into everything because they've got plenty.'
And most are explosive types that deal damage even if blocked.
Of course, I knew that already, but the technique he taught was one even the game didn't show—pure experience.
I extended my foot toward the incoming projectile.
"Stupid bastard! Blow up and die!"
The raiders sneered at the sight. Just as it closed in.
"Reverse Flow."
I wrapped my instep in aura instantly, cushioning the warhead between my foot and ankle like a ball, then swung in a wide arc.
A perfect trap move. Normal aura would've detonated on contact, but the Oresik control made it soft enough to cradle without exploding.
Now, the new technique I'd learned.
A skill to fully reverse the projectile's trajectory.
Originally for defending tangerines thrown by the ghost tangerine tree... but techniques depend on how you use them.
Universal for any projectile—highly versatile.
'The old man mostly uses hands... but kicks are cooler.'
Spinning it back with red aura maximized centrifugal force, amplified by my own power for extra destruction.
"What the fu—!!"
The guy raised both arms as it flew back at him, but the warhead—boosted by my kick—was too fast to dodge.
BOOM!!
The explosion sent his motorcycle and the junk car beside it flying helplessly, crashing and tumbling.
I rolled into a ball on impact, then used the momentum to spring forward, grabbing a nearby raider.
"Urk?!"
"Borrow you for a sec."
I hurled him aside, hijacked the bike, gunned the throttle, and charged the pursuing raiders.
Come to think of it, first time riding one here?
But my body handled it fluidly, like muscle memory.
"Beat that damn punk!"
One in a scrap jeep aimed at me and yelled. He kept firing, but with one hand on the grip, he couldn't control the recoil.
Just powerful bullets. Nothing to catch me with.
SCREECH!
I whipped the handlebars left and right, weaving through the bullet rain.
RAT-TAT-TAT!
Stray shots grazed rocks behind me.
"Aaaah! What're you idiots doing?! Think bullets grow from the dirt? Can't even handle one guy properly!?"
"Kek!"
The apparent leader raged. While they focused on me, the distance grew.
"Mr. Cloud! Stick to the bus!"
As Father Yohan shouted urgently from the window, I pulled the bike tight alongside.
"Chase 'em! Snag their stuff and we feast for a week!"
"Sell the kids alone for a fortune! Go!"
Excited by their comrades' demise, they tailed us blindly, ignoring surroundings.
A tense moment calling for countermeasures. But.
"Idiots. Don't even know where they've stepped."
I muttered, and—
THUD!
"Ack...!"
One pursuing jeep exploded from something dropped from above.
The raiders looked baffled, glancing back at the passed wreck.
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!
The disaster had begun.
"H-Hiiik! N-No way!"
The frantic one scanned around, spotting craters everywhere, then whipped his bike around.
"S-Sorry! I'll be back soon, please—"
But it was futile hope.
THUD!
The last raider fell silent. Only engine roars echoed.
It took about ten seconds to wipe the rest. I could only stick out my tongue at the absurd sight I'd witnessed firsthand.
Clean sweep.
"Seeing it in person... it's ridiculous. This is Jeju's—"
"Mr. Cloud, watch out!"
"Hm?"
Sister Maria's urgent cry hit as massive pressure bore down from above.
A huge orb of light plummeting toward us from the sky.
......Huh?