Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Chaotic E-Rank Gate Subjugation Operation (4)
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Morning in the forest came accompanied by mist. Amid the humid vapors, the campfire glowed like a fog lamp. I gave a kick to the pile of firewood that had kept me warm through the night. It hissed like it was submerged in water and breathed its last. Ichie was packing up the tent, while Senior Yu-jeong roughly combed her hair and checked the boss's position.
The boss monster wasn't straying from its territory. Senior Yu-jeong said,
"It's the type that claims a territory and sticks to it. That means it's probably a Strong Boar, Gorvas, or Mushman. It'll depend on the terrain data for that spot."
I knew all three monsters. The Mushman was that mushroom that had cracked open a C-Rank Hunter's skull with a knuckle rap not long ago. The Strong Boar was the one Senior Yu-jeong and I had struggled like mad to take down. And Gorvas was the D-Rank monster from the safety training video that spewed poison and tormented Hunters.
"No avoiding a big one, huh."
"Mana Stones that sustain gates are huge, so boss monsters tend to be big bruisers. Even if a small fry ends up as boss, the Mana Stone makes it balloon in size. Ever seen a Jungle Cat as a boss? That tiny thing turns tiger-sized and charges."
"Ew."
A not-so-cute creature boasting a massive bulk and charging in—terrifying just to imagine. I shook my head vigorously, trying to banish the image from my mind. I'd had enough horrific visions from that army dream last night.
Ichie spoke up.
"Tent's all packed."
The neatly dried tent slipped into the bag like a kimbap lunch roll. Impressed by her tidy work, I flashed her a thumbs-up. Ichie responded with a V-sign. Suddenly, Senior Yu-jeong hooked her arm through mine and lifted the tracker.
"Cleanup's done, so shall we head out?"
"Yeah."
Following Senior Yu-jeong's urging, we set off toward the boss. As soon as we entered the woods, she peeled off from me to take the rear. With Ichie in the middle, I kept watch ahead as we moved slowly. The stretch from our campsite to the boss's area was unexplored territory. Not knowing what monsters might lurk, we proceeded with caution.
We jabbed suspicious grass clumps with my spear and advanced through dense underbrush with my shield out front. The search team's sweep must have wiped out every monster—there was no movement in the forest. But we couldn't let our guard down. Accidents always happen when you start feeling safe.
Clang!
A sudden crash rang out. Ichie drew her sword, and Senior Yu-jeong assumed a stance. I crouched low and raised my spear high. The upside of wielding spear and shield was that even if I startled like a little girl, it looked like a swift defensive maneuver. Clutching my pounding chest, I peered at the shape beyond the bushes.
In the dim forest shadows where light barely penetrated, a rough iron edge glinted.
I cautiously prodded it with my spear to confirm.
"A signboard?"
"It's a signboard."
Senior Yu-jeong nodded gravely. I couldn't fathom why it was here. It wasn't even from our country—some ad board with intricate script like from an Arab nation, plunged right into the heart of the gate. As if unable to withstand the impact, the bushes were flattened, kicking up acrid dust. Senior Yu-jeong said,
"This is a bad sign. It happens when a gate destabilizes."
"Does it happen often?"
"Not super common, but it's a phenomenon we've witnessed occasionally."
With that, Senior Yu-jeong pulled her gauntlets from her backpack. She slipped them on and reopened the tracker. The boss was practically within arm's reach now. She continued,
"When a gate destabilizes, it can suck in objects from other gate openings and spit them out, or drag in monsters from elsewhere. This is an E-Rank gate—if a C-Rank or B-Rank monster suddenly pops up, we're in deep trouble."
"Should we bail out now too?"
Ichie asked. Senior Yu-jeong shook her head.
"No. We report the anomaly and take down the boss as fast as possible to close the gate."
Senior Yu-jeong pulled a small radio from her belt. She'd never used it since we entered. She tapped it a couple times, and static crackled. Pressing it to her mouth, she spoke.
"Testing, this is the subjugation team. Gate team, respond."
Static buzzed, then a thick voice replied.
"Gate team here. Send your report."
"Observed gate instability inside. Request civilian evacuation nearby."
"Received loud and clear. Your side spot any C-Rank or higher monsters?"
"Negative. Early-stage instability—objects from other areas are teleporting in."
"Road in front of gate site jammed with rush-hour traffic. Can't control from our end. Standing by for high-rank Hunters per instability protocol."
"Copy."
Senior Yu-jeong let out a deep sigh and holstered the radio. I said to her,
"You have a radio too."
"They always issue one to the team leader in gates like this. For coordinating emergencies or outside crises. Normally goes unused. Soldiers don't radio unless it's dire, and we don't from inside either."
In other words, things were pretty urgent now. Ichie and I nodded with tense faces.
"We need to clear it quick and get out. Let's hustle."
Just thirty minutes on foot to the boss now. We hunkered down even lower, advancing with utmost care. Rushing now could provoke it and drag things out.
I hadn't expected my first subjugation to be this spectacular. Ichie's face was taut with tension as she gripped her hilt. I carefully pushed aside branches as I walked. Bright light filtered through the trees. Senior Yu-jeong whispered,
"Right ahead. There it is."
We crouched low in the underbrush and peered out. A Strong Boar—the brute that churned the earth on sturdy legs—roamed with a purple aura cloaking its body. It looked ominously poisonous, and I grimaced involuntarily.
Its muscles seemed even more swollen, its tusks sharper. Even Ichie furrowed her brow at the sight. Only Senior Yu-jeong stayed calm.
"Boss monsters are always tougher than regulars. Lucky it's a Strong Boar, though—huge weak points and simple patterns. With this, we can end it in one shot."
She held up her gauntlet. It felt more reliable than ever today. Senior Yu-jeong gathered us and lowered her voice. Whether sensing our assassination plot or not, the Strong Boar snorted, unashamed of its savage presence.
"First, Su-hyeon heads out to grab aggro. From my experience, subjugation Strong Boars aren't any faster, and their straightforward moves make them easy to dodge."
Then to Ichie:
"Ichie, that... killer move you can use? Ha-yeon unnie mentioned you have a one-shot."
"I can."
Ichie nodded, her eyes glowing red. Senior Yu-jeong nodded back and assigned her position.
"You take the opposite side from me and target its leg. You're good at ranged intercepts. Hit the leg once to pull aggro again. Meanwhile, I'll smash it home with the gauntlet."
Senior Yu-jeong stroked the gauntlet's vicious tip and nodded. The plan was solid, but her weapon looked utterly dependable. Thrilled at finally wrapping up the mission, we exchanged faint smiles and eye contact. Senior Yu-jeong and Ichie crept to their positions.
The Strong Boar patrolled the clearing's center. Occasionally pawing the ground or stamping, it seemed to be amusing itself. I observed its behavior, waiting for the signal. Diagonally across, Senior Yu-jeong raised her hand. Glancing the other way, Ichie waved her drawn sword at me.
I nodded, burst through the bushes, and slammed my spear against my shield.
"Hey, you son of a—!"
Boom!
Dirt exploded skyward. The spot where the Strong Boar had stood moments ago erupted massively. Had Senior Yu-jeong done something? I shot her a bewildered look. She stared back with the exact same expression. We both shook our heads.
Our eyes turned to Ichie. She shook her head at the dust cloud, equally stunned.
What the hell? What just happened?
Soil rained down from on high, like a waterfall in midair.
"Squeeee! Squeeee!"
A pig-slaughtering screech echoed. Instinct screaming danger, I backpedaled into the bushes. Amid the dust, pale white arms and legs emerged. A Strong Boar floated in the air.
Slim tentacles clutched it tight. Covered in fresh dirt like it'd just burrowed up, its huge eyes and maw gaped. A grub-like monstrosity I'd never seen was devouring the Strong Boar's head.
Senior Yu-jeong, face drained of color, was frantically radioing.