Aerial Bombardment and Meteor Retaliation
'Not easy.'
Nix quietly clicked his tongue at the mounting frustration.
[It’s like staring at a swarm of ants!]
Kyaaah───
The left head roared ferociously, opening the third eye in the center of its forehead.
And as if they’d been waiting for it, dozens of hunters charged in.
The left head roared again, even more savagely.
[These bastards are really pissing me off!]
As the battle dragged on, information about Nix began leaking to the hunters one by one.
Which head wielded what attribute of magic, what kind of Magic Eye each used.
And the personality or traits of each head.
With that intel spreading, the hunters’ attacks grew even fiercer.
'The most annoying one, though…'
It was Nam-hoon, who had seamlessly taken command of the hunters in Wang Feng’s stead, watching for an opening from the rear.
“Don’t go too deep, everyone! Unless you want to get eaten alive!”
Nam-hoon directed them as if they’d always been under his command.
His commands were so precise and swift that even without Wang Feng—the one Nix found most irritating—it wasn’t easy to seize the advantage.
'Maximizing efficiency with minimal losses.'
A seasoned hunter worthy of proxying command of the Changcheon Raid Team in Wang Feng’s place.
'Should’ve finished him off back there…'
If only Wang Feng hadn’t interfered.
Nix clicked his tongue again in regret and quietly shifted his gaze.
The hunters who kept charging weren’t much of a problem, really.
Their sheer numbers were annoying, but few could pierce his durability.
And with Regeneration, he didn’t even need to worry unless it was Wang Feng or an SA-rank level attack.
But even so, Nix couldn’t act rashly because…
'Why did Wang Feng suddenly pull back?'
Despite his infamous title of Mad Dog, Wang Feng was a shrewd hunter who knew when to retreat.
So why had he abruptly ceased his assault?
From Wang Feng’s perspective, pressing the attack with the other hunters would’ve been wiser.
'Did he hold back because he was worried about hurting the other hunters if he went all out?'
No. Wang Feng, the Mad Dog, wouldn’t retreat for something so trivial.
If victory was clear, he’d strike regardless of collateral damage.
'Which means he has something better than fighting alongside the hunters.'
Something far more reliable than coordinating with them.
That’s where Nix’s thoughts led.
“Die──!”
[I’m hungry──….]
One charging hunter was instantly devoured by the right head.
Crunch crunch─
Nix impassively watched the right head mercilessly chew and swallow, then turned his gaze.
There was Wang Feng, retreated to a safe distance, glaring at him silently.
An opponent who showed what a true hunter’s battle looked like—different from Charlotte, but no less real.
Nix narrowed his eyes slightly at the man’s gaze, brimming with intent to hunt him down thoroughly.
'I don’t know what he’s planning, but I’d better stay on guard.'
He didn’t know Wang Feng’s hidden card, but he wasn’t worried—just cautious.
Whatever it was, he’d smash it outright.
He had the power for that.
'Even if mana runs low, no issue.'
‘Food’ to replenish it was overflowing here.
“Die, you monster──!!!”
Chomp─ Crunch─
Nix indifferently swallowed another charging hunter and worked his jaws with a crack.
The thick, metallic tang of blood filled his mouth.
“What a monster. Stronger than the Earth Dragon from a few years back, if anything. More than enough.”
Wang Feng quietly admired Nix’s figure, roaring savagely amid the encircling hunters without flinching.
The Earth Dragon had been a fitting SS-rank foe, but this hydra outshone it.
Though the Earth Dragon hunt had been meticulously planned with intel, while this was a sudden ambush with no prep—that difference aside, the hydra was clearly superior.
“In the end, I’ll have to borrow the party’s strength instead of finishing it with my own. Annoying.”
The losses would be heavy, but the gains from this wouldn’t be small.
“This’ll let me grow another step. I’ll craft armor from its scales and hide, a new spear from its bones and fangs.”
Just like his current Dragon Fang Spear and gear.
“Speaking of, there was that kumiho too.”
Wang Feng grinned pleasantly at the sudden recollection of another monster.
“Yang Hong. Any word on the kumiho?”
“No news yet, sir. No contact suggests they’re still locked in battle.”
“Hm. Who’d you send there?”
“Your sworn brothers Yeon Ga-un and Hwang Woo are in charge, sir.”
“Ah, those two? I can trust them. They’ll hold it at least until I wrap this up.”
Wang Feng nodded calmly, already certain of his victory.
No—defeat had never crossed his mind.
He was none other than the world’s greatest, the Divine Spear Wang Feng.
“More importantly, sir. It’s about time.”
“Already? Pretty quick.”
“Who’d dare dawdle on your orders, sir?”
Wang Feng smirked at Yang Hong’s timely flattery.
“Handled it as I said?”
“Yes, sir. Every available fighter jet mobilized. That persistent snake ends here.”
Wang Feng followed Yang Hong’s glance toward the distant hydra.
Gazing steadily at Nix, he spoke quietly.
“Considering its regeneration, might be a bit short.”
“Even that thing can’t withstand a barrage like this. If it survives, you finish it, sir.”
“Right. Then my spear will sever its last breath.”
Yang Hong bowed at Wang Feng’s confident tone.
Then he subtly signaled Nam-hoon.
The moment approached.
Nam-hoon caught the covert signal and nodded.
He watched the hunters swarm Nix like moths to flame, then quietly withdrew.
The Changcheon Raid Team and a few high-rankers fighting among them peeled off too.
Caught in the battle’s fever, the other hunters noticed nothing.
Nix sensed the anomaly first—not the hunters.
'The formation’s suddenly a mess.'
Cracks appeared in the hunters’ tight lines.
Their fierce momentum faltered too.
'What’s going on?'
[What do you mean? They’re finally tiring out! Let’s kill ‘em all!]
[Hungry──….]
Nix’s longtime partners—the right and left heads—charged excitedly at the hesitating hunters.
The other heads joined the slaughter gleefully.
Watching impassively, Nix quickly scanned around.
Nam-hoon and the Changcheon hunters had retreated far back.
'…No way?!'
[Main body, something’s up.]
Nix wasn’t the only one who noticed.
The ninth head, ever vigilant, spoke up.
[Wang Feng’s about to play his card. 99.99% chance.]
'What card?'
[Unknown yet. But…]
The ninth head trailed off, then continued gravely.
[70% chance it won’t be a pushover.]
Nix looked up at the low voice.
Something hurtled toward them between the skyscrapers.
It was.
'…Fighter jets? No…!'
Shiii───!
Guessing Wang Feng’s intent, Nix let out a screech.
The seven heads slaughtering hunters whipped around at the piercing cry echoing nearby.
[What the hell is that?!]
[…Hungry─]
The heads’ thoughts rang chaotically at the sight of approaching jets and bombers.
'Quiet, all of you! Not the time!'
Nix silenced them and pressed on.
'Can’t just take it! Intercept them now—!'
[Too late, main body.]
A whoosh cut the air with the ninth head’s calm words.
'Damn…!'
Whoooosh─ Boom!
The first explosion, followed by missiles raining down.
“Shaaah──!!!”
One, two, three, four.
Missiles multiplied, and bombs began plummeting from the sky.
Like rain.
Boom! Boom! KABOOM─!
Flames erupted, dust billowed.
Nix vanished into the inferno.
“Dropping a lot.”
Wang Feng remarked impassively at the rising fire pillars and dust.
Innocent hunters perished in the blasts, but he didn’t care.
Sacrificing pawns for the greater good was natural.
Especially when the continent teemed with replacements.
A few deaths meant nothing.
He watched the screaming hunters in the explosions with boredom.
“Even that thing can’t survive this, sir.”
“The vile snake’s done for.”
“Congratulations on another SS-rank subjugation.”
Wang Feng nodded solemnly at the praise from Yang Hong and others.
“I won’t forget your contributions. Great rewards await—look forward to it.”
“Thank you, sir!”
He smiled in satisfaction at his bowing subordinates.
“Yang Hong.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Still no word from the kumiho?”
“…Seems they’re struggling. I’ll check other channels.”
“Hm. If Yeon Ga-un and Hwang Woo can’t handle it, it must be comparable… Might mean back-to-back SS-rank fights.”
“No way! SS-ranks haven’t appeared in years—two in a row?”
“I hope it’s just paranoia, but my gut says otherwise. Steel yourselves.”
“Yes, sir!”
Wang Feng nodded lightly at their bows.
Then continued.
“Yang Hong, contact the party now. Mobilize hunters just in case. Our Chongqing forces might not suffice.”
“Yes. Should I alert the other brothers too?”
“Good idea. Even if it’s nothing, we’ve bagged an SS-rank—perfect for a brothers’ reunion. Tell them all to come.”
“Right away!”
Yang Hong bowed and hurried off.
Wang Feng glanced after him, then shifted his gaze.
“How long will that bombing go on?”
Still, bombs poured relentlessly; he clicked his tongue briefly.
“They’re all eager to impress you, sir. Signaling their efforts.”
“Hmph. Expecting fat rewards. Greedy bureaucrats… Still, they helped, so pay them well. Who pulled strings this time?”
“Brother Hwang Chun-seok. Party high-rank, your eighty-fifth brother…”
“Ah, him. I remember. Easy catch thanks to him—time to reward properly…”
Wang Feng trailed off, squinting.
He’d sensed mana amid the dying blasts.
The Changcheon team and others felt it too.
“No way…!”
“Still alive in that?!”
“Prepare for attack! Stay sharp!”
Ignoring the sudden clamor, Wang Feng glared.
Toward Nix beyond the settling dust.
As the dust cleared.
Wang Feng’s eyes snapped skyward.
A disbelieving exclamation escaped him.
“Ha! Gonna pay us back in kind?!”
Others followed his gaze upward.
Screams erupted from all.
“M-Meteors!”
“Meteor…!”
Dozens of meteors hurtling from the heavens.
Chaos dwarfed even realizing Nix survived.
“Dodge!”
“Where?!”
“Shut up and run! Anywhere!”
“Fuck!”
Amid the panicking hunters, Wang Feng stared skyward calmly, then turned.
Nine pairs of eyes glared from the dust.
Locking eyes briefly, Wang Feng laughed savagely.
“Damn monster…! Fine, let’s go all the way!”
“Shiii───”