Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 006
Chapter Title: The Tutorial Begins (5)
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Deep into the night, in the wee hours of the morning.
"......"
Lee Sang-hyun quietly opened his eyes. An ominous sensation was stabbing through his entire body.
Pushing aside the drowsiness that blanketed him like a quilt, he sat up. That's when an inexplicable sound drifted in from the forest.
Woo... woo... woo... ugh...
...A beast?
It was faint, but unmistakably the howl of some animal. And its intent felt wicked and insidious.
It's an attack.
A test—no, definitely an attack. Yet Lee Sang-hyun didn't wake the others. He simply observed.
Just like with the orcs, he wanted to watch how people moved.
What is this? This eerie chill? Don't tell me...?!
After Lee Sang-hyun, Kang Mu-hyuk was the next to sense it. He shot to his feet and roused the sleeping group.
"Attack!! It's an attack!! Everyone, wake up!! Get up and prepare!!"
His booming shout jolted the deeply sleeping people awake.
"Wha... what...?"
"What's... going on...?"
"Att... ack...?"
"Ugh... urk...?"
"Damn...!"
Irritation and confusion filled their groggy voices. A few spat curses and grumbled. But true to their chosen status, they instinctively grabbed their weapons first.
They were actually asleep? Do they think we're here on vacation? Bunch of idiots!
Kang Mu-hyuk inwardly cursed their pathetic reactions and urged them to group up.
"We need to stick together, fast!! Everyone, over here!! Hurry!! No time!!"
At his frantic call, the people finally snapped to and gathered.
And no sooner had they clustered than two massive beasts burst from the forest.
"Grraaawr!!"
"Kaaang!!"
Black Wolves.
Thanks to Kang Mu-hyuk's quick response, no casualties occurred the moment the attack hit.
But that didn't last. The two Black Wolves tore into a still-groggy Lee Bo-ra in an instant.
"Huh?"
Kwachak! Kwadruk!!
It was a moment of carelessness, her spear loosely aimed amid sticky sleepiness. And it led straight to death.
"Kya aa aak!!"
"Uwaaak?!"
Screams erupted at Lee Bo-ra's demise. Some were so terrified they tried to flee.
"Don't panic!!"
Right then, a thunderous roar exploded from behind. Kang Mu-hyuk.
He seized control of the chaos in a heartbeat, keeping everyone from scattering.
"Stay calm!! If we keep our cool, we can fight them!! Don't lose your nerve—aim those spears!! This is a test too!! Snap out of it!!"
The word "test" kickstarted their sluggish brains.
"R-right! It's a test! A test...!"
"Fuck! Can't they give us a heads-up at least!!"
"What the hell is this in the dead of night!!"
"Br-bring it! Come on, you bastards!!"
"I hate pop quizzes...!"
"Damn mutts!!"
Fear faded from their eyes. Some even burned with rage, vowing to kill the Black Wolves.
Not bad!
Fairy Alice watched it all from a treetop, appraising every detail.
Out of 10, I'd give it a 7! Would've been 8 if no one died. Too bad about that.
Considering 4.5 was "average," 7 was no low score. Quite high, in fact.
And Kang Mu-hyuk again! Spotting the unannounced Black Wolf ambush first—real talent! Impressive!
Alice chuckled contentedly, tracking Kang Mu-hyuk's every move.
Honestly, the others barely registered.
None of them had sensed the Black Wolves coming.
Well, Lee Sang-hyun had opened his eyes first, but that had nothing to do with the attack. If he'd noticed, he'd have shouted or done something. Instead, he just blinked blankly, like someone stirring from an uncomfortable sleep.
So Alice focused solely on Kang Mu-hyuk. The brightest among the ten.
If he keeps this up... he might make the Seven. One of the chosen Strongest 7!!
Grrr...
As the battle with the Black Wolves dragged on, the group realized the truth: either we die, or they do. One side had to perish for it to end.
If it ends in death... then I'll hunt you down instead!
Truth be told, Kang Mu-hyuk hadn't planned to go all-out against the Black Wolves. Constant vigilance was exhausting, and fighting beasts stronger than orcs wasn't easy. He'd intended to repel them.
But the situation wasn't that forgiving. It felt like one side had to die.
So Kang Mu-hyuk resolved to hunt them. He devised a simple plan.
"Split into two groups of four. My group with the three next to me takes one, your four take the other filthy beast."
No telling if it was a good plan. But it seemed the most reasonable now.
"Sounds solid."
"Any objections?"
"Let's just do it. Can't drag this out forever."
"We respawn anyway...! Let's go for it!"
"I'll hunt you down, you damn mutts!"
Fired up, they split into groups. Then someone noticed a headcount short.
"Speaking of, what about that sword guy? Already dead?"
A sword wasn't as helpful as a spear, but better than nothing. 8-vs-2 beat 9-vs-2.
"Now that you mention... anyone seen him?"
"Nope!"
"Me neither!"
"Maybe he got hit before we grouped?"
"Or bolted!"
"Dead or ditched—either way! Forget him! Useless anyway!"
"He did get an orc, though..."
"Luck. Pure luck. Like stepping on a rat while backing up."
"Yeah, if that was skill, he wouldn't be dead last!"
"Ignore him. Focus on the beasts!"
No one believed Lee Sang-hyun had killed an orc through skill. Pure fluke, dumb luck—that was the consensus.
So they assumed he'd died or fled in fear.
Of course, they were wrong.
"......"
Lee Sang-hyun had watched the whole thing from start to finish. From behind the Black Wolves, no less.
Kang Mu-hyuk didn't hide behind the group. He led the charge against the Black Wolf.
"Stick close!!"
Obviously, to rack up points. Higher than his rivals!
He held nothing back, thrusting his spear at the Black Wolf, ready to sacrifice his life if needed.
Whoosh!
The spear tip grazed its shoulder. Solid timing. But the Black Wolf was faster than an orc.
Swish! Thwack!
It effortlessly dodged Kang Mu-hyuk's strike and the other three's attacks.
"How's it so fast?!"
Choi Tae-seong couldn't keep up with its movements. Forget hunting—he could barely chase.
The others struggled too. But they didn't cower.
It was 4-on-1.
"Pile on! It's still a quadruped!"
"Right! Surround it—we can win!"
"No armor either!"
Unlike the orc fight, this was night and day.
Buoyed by their comrades, they pressed the Black Wolf.
"Graaang!!"
The Black Wolf snarled in disgust at these "toys" banding together.
But it couldn't close in easily. Their response was quicker than expected.
Taat!
"Where you aiming?!"
Target Choi Tae-seong? Bae Jin-cheol flanks from the side. Him? Yeo Han-seol cuts in. Her? Kang Mu-hyuk blocks.
"Block it!!"
They'd never fought together before. Yet their coordination was seamless.
"Die!!"
Puk!
"Khaak?!"
No dodging every spear from all sides. Choi Tae-seong's blade pierced its flank...
And Kang Mu-hyuk's follow-up took its left eye.
Puuk!!
"Rush it!!"
Kang Mu-hyuk seized the moment. He attacked with reckless abandon.
The others matched him, especially rival-conscious Choi Tae-seong, who charged headlong.
"Drop dead!!"
Choi Tae-seong dove in boldly, daring it to kill him.
"?!!"
Objectively, suicidal gamble. 1% success odds, 99% death. Incredibly, it paid off.
Sslash!!
Its swiping claw sheared off his left arm halfway. But head and right arm held.
Now!!
Choi Tae-seong poured every ounce into stabbing the Black Wolf's throat.
Puuk!!
A fatal blow that could end it. Exactly the scenario Kang Mu-hyuk craved.
That bastard?!
Kang Mu-hyuk's face twisted in fury.
Having his spotlight stolen by Choi Tae-seong of all people, Kang Mu-hyuk felt urgency.
But he didn't act rashly. Coolly, calmly, he finished off the Black Wolf.
Puuk!!
"Once more!!"
He couldn't lose leadership too after the glory.
So he shed obsession, acting as "leader."
Hoo! Hooo!
"Looks good."
Confirming the Black Wolf's last breath, he addressed the group.
"It's dead."
Relief washed over their faces.
"Finally over!"
"Damn, I'm exhausted."
"Me too! Beat."
"Urgh... I feel like dying..."
The last whiner was Choi Tae-seong. His condition was obviously dire. Blood gushed from his dangling left arm, face ashen. Hypervolemic shock anytime.
Kang Mu-hyuk sidelined him. Not just useless—he needed watching.
"Rest here. It's not done till the last one's down."
"Urk! G-got it... Hurry, please! Don't wanna die again!"
Clueless to the subtext, Choi Tae-seong just prayed for the third test's end.
"...Won't take long."
Leaving him, Kang Mu-hyuk went with Bae Jin-cheol and Yeo Han-seol to hunt the second Black Wolf.
And soon...
He personally snuffed out its life.
"Ka... a... ak...!!"