Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Progenitor Ameris
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The starting coordinates for each club were marked on the map.
Entry into the Ghoul Field would begin from different zones for each club.
'We're in zone C-2, huh.'
Since it was a bit distant from the surrounding zones, there wouldn't be any friction with other clubs right at the start.
On top of that, club predation would take place in zone A. In other words, as long as we stayed cautious, even if Lee Seong-hyeon was dead set on interfering, it would be hard for him to approach our side.
'Well, we'll end up meeting eventually later.'
Still, having some leeway at the beginning wasn't bad.
The problem was that the terrain was just as complex and rugged as a result.
"I'm staaaarvinggg!"
"Are you insane?! I told you to ration it! What are you doing opening the canned food already?!"
I turned my head and saw Erina and Baek A-rin bickering.
'The question is whether those young ladies can hold up.'
Still, our club's strength lay in our abundant supplies. That made starting in zone C nothing short of lucky.
With that in mind, I spoke to the young ladies.
"Both of you, cut it out. Supplies sorting is fin—"
?
Behind Erina and Baek A-rin, a terribly—extremely—familiar face caught my eye.
A neat black suit, tall stature, and...
A handsome, upright appearance that felt different from the somehow shady Lee Seong-hyeon. It was like taking Lee Seong-hyeon, removing the shadiness, and adding ten spoonfuls of that jaded, society-worn uncle vibe.
Hunter Kim Do-hoon?
Inferno Clan's investigator, and someone I'd already met a few times. Why was this man here?
As I stared at Hunter Kim Do-hoon with eyes full of questions, he seemed to notice me and approached.
"You're Kim Si-woo, aren't you? Fancy meeting you again like this."
"Why are you here, mister?"
When I gave him a suspicious look, Hunter Kim Do-hoon fiddled with his chin as if utterly dumbfounded.
"Hey, why am I suddenly a 'mister' again? Is it the beard?"
Why was Hunter Kim Do-hoon here? There was no such description in the original story.
It might not have been mentioned because it was outside Lee Seong-hyeon's interest, or perhaps the academy had dispatched extra caution due to recent events.
'Or maybe he's here to monitor me... Nah, probably not.'
As I racked my brain in silence, Hunter Kim Do-hoon chuckled and spoke up.
"I didn't expect to run into you here again, Kim Si-woo."
"Is that so."
When I replied half-heartedly, he scratched the back of his head, looking awkward.
"We're not strangers, so why the guarded tone?"
"Haha, guarded? No way."
He'd been blatantly suspicious of me before. How could I not be on guard?
"I've been hearing bits about you now and then, given our connection. Club president, huh? You're full of surprises, Kim Si-woo. How'd you pull that off?"
"Pardon?"
"Haha, the guy with one skillbook starts a new club after years. That's not something you can hide. Even my old classmates know about it."
"I see."
I forced a smile in response, and Hunter Kim Do-hoon raised an eyebrow.
"You could stand to be a bit more confident. I'm mid-level management in Inferno myself. If not for the bosses breathing down my neck..."
He muttered under his breath, eyes shadowed with dark circles, then snapped back to his senses and continued.
"The news reaching my classmates' ears means more people are taking notice of you. For a hunter, where self-promotion matters, what could be better?"
"I see... Thank you."
"I was genuinely impressed. I knew you were hardworking, but this level? You must've poured everything into it."
"It's not that much."
His tone sounded like sincere praise, leaving me a bit flustered.
'Well, I have been working my ass off.'
"Or maybe you're hiding something."
"I'm not hiding anything. You still suspecting me or something?"
I shot back sharply at his musing.
No secrets here. Drop the suspicions.
"Relax. This time, I'm really here to protect the academy's top talents. Whether you were here or not, I'd have come. That junior of mine dumped this on me..."
Hunter Kim Do-hoon grimaced as if nursing a headache, then pressed on.
"And since I spotted a familiar face, I figured I'd say hi while I was at it."
"I see."
So he wasn't here specifically to suspect me.
Seems like it just wasn't mentioned in the original.
As I chatted with Hunter Kim Do-hoon, Professor Kang Geom-seon spotted us and walked over.
"Oh, already chatting like old pals? You like students more than I thought. Unexpected."
"Kim Si-woo and I go way back, so we exchanged greetings."
Professor Kang Geom-seon joined the conversation naturally.
He grabbed Hunter Kim Do-hoon's shoulder and led him toward the students.
"You arrived earlier than expected, so let me introduce you! Eyes front, everyone."
At Professor Kang Geom-seon's words, the students planning their strategy turned their attention to Hunter Kim Do-hoon.
"For your safety during training, Hunter Kim Do-hoon has been dispatched from Inferno Clan. He's your senior, so no worries about his skills."
The students buzzed at that.
"Hunter Kim Do-hoon? Isn't he an upper-rank Inferno hunter?"
"Whoa, they actually put effort into this training."
"Idiot, that means it's that dangerous."
I hadn't realized, but he was pretty famous among the students.
Hunter Kim Do-hoon looked a tad embarrassed standing before them.
But seriously, why's that mister hiding his beard?
***
About an hour after entering zone C.
We were adjusting our pace as we headed toward the target point for now.
The kidnapping incident would mess things up later, but scores up until then were recorded and actually reflected.
A club's score could be used to buy club supplies, receive support, or even purchase an office.
'Club scores themselves could qualify you for a major clan.'
That was why clubs went out of their way to check rivals or even sabotage them for points.
In other words, it was the academy's system to naturally foster competition.
Competition-obsessed K-Academy. Impressive!
'For us, it's just nice to have, disappointing if not.'
I wasn't rushing for club points. There'd be other chances anytime.
My real goal was Ameris.
She kidnapped students because she was searching for someone to kill her.
'Well, precisely the Lee Seong-hyeon from the 5th round.'
In the novel, four clubs that reached the 'Ghoul Field center'—strongly influenced by Ameris—were kidnapped into the dungeon [Night of Ameris].
'No idea why she bothered with four clubs when just Lee Seong-hyeon's would've sufficed.'
Lee Seong-hyeon ripped out her heart on sight, so I had no clue about her circumstances.
Anyway, the point was we needed to place in the top four to reach the center.
So for me, it was about conserving energy to the destination while preparing for what came after entering [Night of Ameris].
'But how are things going south already.'
"KyaAAaAgh! Chew-Siwu! Do something about these bastards!!"
Erina was sprinting around like her feet were on fire, completely panicked.
I should've known since she toned down after seeing a ghost in the dorm. Who'd have thought she'd be this weak to creepy stuff.
The dirt underfoot was an unsettlingly alien black. The sky was dark even in daytime due to the towering trees.
Add in the chilling wind that sent shivers down your spine.
The eerie atmosphere was definitely playing a part.
"Whaaaat! Are you doiiiing, Chew-Siwu!!"
"It's fine. You can even pee here. Mother Nature's soil will take it all."
"Chew-Siwu, quit the bullshit and save meee!"
Erina's wails echoed.
She was diligently luring the ghouls, at least.
'That should be enough now.'
With that thought, I drew Psyche's Blade from its sheath.
Psyche's Blade's unique effect has activated.
'Corruption' has been applied to the Rusty Dagger.
Erina, who'd been running in circles at full speed, sniffled as she spoke.
"F-Finally helping? U-Use that sword to smack these bastards quick! Doesn't it knock 'em out on hit?!"
I chuckled at her words and replied.
"Huh? No can do. The effect won't work. They're already corrupted to hell and back, aren't they?"
"What the fu—?!"
Baek A-rin, who'd been listening to our exchange with pitying eyes, stepped forward.
"Sigh. Fine, I'll handle it."
With that, Baek A-rin prepared to cast a large-scale spell.
I stopped her.
"No, it'll draw too much attention."
Baek A-rin's skills were too flashy. If Kang Hwa-yeon, whose main skills were also fire-based, were here, it'd be even worse for drawing aggro.
Baek A-rin looked puzzled.
"What? We still gotta save Erina. Can't just leave her like that. Even you can't handle this with sword skills..."
Exactly.
Swords were mostly single-target skills.
So the common wisdom was to use wide-area magic skills against weak mobs.
But.
My grandma once said: A man must stand firm on his convictions when the time comes.
Grandma's gone now, but.
I'll shatter that notion with my sword right here.
Watch closely.
Here I go!
"Kiyooooook!"