Chapter 234: An Unexpected Family Reunion (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 234: An Unexpected Family Reunion (2)
The role of the Haenam Surveillance Team had changed.
From a watchtower monitoring the sea, it had become an operations headquarters where high-ranking Hunters planned their strategies.
Now that a tall defensive barrier had been erected, this was the only place from which to safely observe the state of the ocean.
Four people were gathered around a table that the team members sometimes used for games of poker or Seotda.
“We’re short on time, so let’s start the meeting right away.”
S-rank Hunter, ‘Scarlet Witch’ Han Ju-hee.
“Hah… Look who it is. A rare sight indeed. Did the sun rise in the east today?”
“The sun always rises in the east.”
“…Ahem, anyway.”
With damp, dull blond hair and coppery, muscular skin, the man whose every word revealed an empty brain and a flippant attitude was named Kim Tae-yang.
He was one of only five S-rank Hunters in South Korea.
His title was ‘The Big One.’
Don’t get the wrong idea.
It was merely related to his Trait, with no other intention whatsoever.
…Of course, the many women who had shared his bed knew it could be used in another sense as well.
“If Scarlet Witch is here… does that mean Brother Son won’t be attending?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm… A shame.”
With shimmering long black hair and an expression and demeanor that were the very definition of serious, the man with a hero’s headband tied around his forehead, dressed in martial arts attire completely out of place in this era, was Namgung Hyeok.
He was once a member of the ‘Namgung Clan,’ one of China’s most prominent martial arts families, but for certain reasons, he left on his own, naturalized in Korea, and rose to the rank of S-rank Hunter—a true martial artist.
The public called him Slayer.
It was a title given to him because, whenever the sword in his grasp was swung, everything around him was said to be cut down.
Among netizens, he was sometimes called "Captain Serious" or "Brother Namgung."
"Captain Serious" was because, true to the name, he was endlessly serious about everything.
The title "Brother Namgung" started when the national Hunter, Son Si-woo, began calling him that.
“Well, now that everyone who’s coming has gathered… let’s begin the meeting.”
The last person was Kim Seong-tae, the head of the Hunter Association’s General Affairs Department.
Normally, to preside over a meeting with several S-rank Hunters, at least a director-level executive should have been present.
‘But there’s no way those old foxes would come to a dangerous place like this.’
At the appearance of a disaster-class monster, the association’s board of directors had tucked their heads in and gone into hiding.
So, was Kim Seong-tae forced into this position, biting the bullet?
No.
He had volunteered for this role.
Because he saw an opportunity here.
If they succeeded in taking down the Kraken without significant losses.
And if, on top of that, he could maintain a good relationship with the S-rank and A-rank Hunters gathered here.
‘It wouldn’t be impossible to become a real powerhouse in the association.’
It wouldn’t be impossible for him to drag down the old men who occupied their seats with their heavy asses, relying solely on past glory, and rise to the top himself.
‘I’m going to give it a shot.’
Standing up confidently, he began to lead the meeting, displaying the Kraken’s current status on a screen on one wall and a meticulously prepared PowerPoint presentation on another.
“As you know, our target for this raid is the Kraken. It’s the same disaster-class monster that once drove Japan into a state of terror. Most of the information is consistent with what was gathered in Japan, but… there is one key difference.”
Kim Tae-yang, who had been listening with a bored expression, asked, “What’s different?”
His tone was flippant and rude.
Nevertheless, Kim Seong-tae answered with a smile, unfazed.
“Its size.”
“Size…”
“The Kraken that appeared in Japan was approximately 300 meters, but the one that has appeared this time is…”
“…At least over 400 meters, I’d say.”
“Correct. Our calculations put it at roughly 430 meters, making it about 1.5 times larger than the previous Kraken.”
A massive body meant massive power.
If a 100-meter tentacle and a 150-meter tentacle were to strike something, it was painfully obvious which one would hit harder and from farther away.
“And as you all know, the Kraken has a particular habit.”
At this, Han Ju-hee furrowed one of her eyebrows and replied.
“…Spawning.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The Kraken absorbs the ocean’s energy and lays eggs from the countless suckers on its tentacles.
And from those eggs, offspring that look like miniature versions of the Kraken are born.
They’re called Kraken Juniors.
Their size is about twice that of an adult man.
They are tricky B+ rank monsters whose main attacks consist of ten tentacles that move freely and powerfully, ink spewed from their mouths, and high-pressure water cannons that are shot so fast they are difficult to track with the naked eye unless one is prepared.
“This Kraken is larger, so its tentacles are longer. And that means it has more suckers.”
“Hmm… So you’re saying more Kraken Juniors will be born than during the Japan incident.”
“Precisely. That’s why we’ve requested support from not only A-rank Hunters but B-rank Hunters as well.”
As he spoke with a confident attitude, as if asking for praise for his strategy, Kim Tae-yang snorted.
“Hmph… I doubt adding a few B-rank riffraff will make much of a difference.”
His tone was insolent, but he wasn’t wrong.
Kraken Juniors were B+ rank monsters.
Based on rank alone, it might seem like a B-rank Hunter could handle them, but one fact couldn’t be forgotten.
Their mother was none other than the disaster-class monster, the Kraken, and they were its miniature versions.
In effect, they shouldn’t be treated as ordinary B+ rank monsters, but as named or boss monsters.
Unfazed, Kim Seong-tae displayed another image for them to see.
“So, I’ve adjusted the team composition. We’ll be assigning three B-rank Hunters to each A-rank Hunter.”
Kim Tae-yang’s sullen gaze softened slightly as he looked at it.
“Well… I guess they won’t all get wiped out in a group with that setup.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“…Hmph.”
The meeting continued after that.
They discussed the deployment of forces to handle the Kraken Juniors, the choice of battlefield, and the strategy for taking down the Kraken itself.
By the time they finished, the sun visible through the window was beginning to set.
“…You’ve all worked hard. We will finish our preparations by tomorrow, and the day after, at dawn, we will commence the Kraken raid, starting with a magical assault led by Hunter Han Ju-hee.”
* * *
“Thank you all for your hard work listening to the briefing. Please get some rest in your designated lodgings.”
The briefing for all the B-rank Hunters finally ended late at night.
The topic of the briefing was strategic information on the Kraken Juniors, which they would be primarily facing.
It covered which parts to target, what to watch out for, and so on.
“This was pretty substantial, huh.”
After listening to the briefing, I understood.
The association had prepared far more thoroughly than I had expected.
I don’t know who’s in charge, but this was more than enough to earn a passing grade.
“Alright, now let’s see…”
Night had already fallen.
I wanted to go straight back to my room and rest, but there was something I had to do first.
Confirming if someone was dead or alive.
I had to find out if my dear father-in-law and love rival was still alive or if he had passed on.
Honestly, I wouldn’t care either way, but…
“Sigh, what can you do?”
Isn’t it human nature to worry when you hear something might have happened to your husband, even if you’ve already fallen out of love with him?
For the sake of Yu-jeong and Jeong-hee, who must be worrying at home, it would be better to confirm his status as soon as possible.
“He said they were in the shelter…”
I had gathered the basic information when I arrived here during the day.
Things like the local residents and the members of the surveillance team were all living in an emergency shelter.
I’d find out if I went there.
The way to the shelter wasn’t hard to find.
After all, it was mandated by law to have signs posted at regular intervals so people could evacuate quickly in a crisis.
At the entrance to the underground shelter, soldiers holding rifles were maintaining a strict guard.
As I approached, they signaled for me to stop.
“Halt, halt. Please state your identity.”
“B-rank Hunter, Kim Do-jin.”
“We will verify your identity.”
One of the soldiers shone something like a flashlight in my face.
It wasn’t a real flashlight, but a portable scanner that identified a person by comparing the light projected onto their face with their mana wavelength.
“…B-rank Hunter Kim Do-jin, identity confirmed. What is your business at this shelter?”
“Ah, I heard that members of the surveillance team are staying here.”
“The team members should be in Shelter Building A. Shall I guide you there?”
“No, that’s alright.”
Leaving the helpful soldiers behind, I walked into the shelter.
Following the neatly organized map inside, I arrived at Building A.
Just then, I saw a young man walking down the corridor, presumably heading back to his room.
“Excuse me, are you a member of the surveillance team?”
The young man turned to look at me.
“Yes, I am. But who are you…?”
“I’m a Hunter participating in the upcoming raid.”
“Ah, I see! What brings you here…?”
“I’m looking for someone. A Mr. Shin Hyo-seop. Is he here by any chance?”
“Oh! Hyo-seop-hyungnim is in Room 9.”
“Ah… is he?”
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, it seemed the old man had managed to survive that dangerous situation.
After thanking the young man, I went straight to Room 9 of Building A and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock!
A voice came from within.
“Who is it?”
But it was a woman’s voice, completely unfamiliar.
Did that guy tell me the wrong room number…?
Click.
The door opened while I was momentarily speechless with confusion.
The face of a woman in a red silk dress peeked through the gap.
She was a stunning beauty, the kind you wouldn’t easily find even in Seoul, let alone in a remote town like this.
Figuring I had the wrong room, I was about to apologize when…
“Hey, who’s at the door?”
A familiar voice and face appeared behind her.
Our eyes met.
“Huh? Who are you…?”
I gave a wide smile to the man who didn’t recognize me at all, Shin Hyo-seop, and offered a greeting.
“Hello there, Ajeossi. It’s me, Do-jin.”
It seemed I had unexpectedly been dealt a pretty good hand.