Chapter 16 - A Young Girl?
A Young Girl?
Translator : Elizabeth
Trade with the broker.
It proceeded mostly as expected.
I was able to infiltrate the enemy lines by digging a tunnel in advance, and delivered the magic stones to the inn at 10:00 PM. Storing the ground with the Inventory skill, digging a tunnel was no trouble at all. The problem was the broker's response.
[The counter staff knows the location of the money. Interrogate and find it yourself.]
He induced the interrogation of his own subordinate.
A slightly malicious method, but I gladly played along with that trap. Since it was all within the expected range.
This wasn't particularly difficult either.
Kidnapped the staff underground by digging a pit, looked at the back of the guy's head buried in the tunnel, and asked for the money's information, and he confessed everything on his own.
The staff seemed a little surprised by my thin voice, but it's not important so omit.
Interrogation result. Found out the broker's second strategy.
He had 5 A-Rank Hunters hide 100 million won each, and ordered them to protect it from me.
Truly a tricky trap.
As money is my goal, I cannot leave this place until I take their money, and I have to secretly settle things with them by 2 AM. Even the remaining 500 million is said to be with the broker. As expected, it was a board where fighting was the basic premise.
A design board driving me into trouble similar to when climbing Destruction Difficulty.
Can't complain either.
Because the one who provoked like this is me.
11:40 PM.
Agonized for about over an hour. How should I take money from A-Rank Hunters.
It's not that there isn't a way, but the scale is larger than expected and there are too many variables, so I'm reluctant. Then I should aim for a certain final move….
Was I too relaxed.
Felt the broker's subordinate discovering the tunnel and approaching. So after warning the broker, I buried those approaching. If I shoot Air Explosion, I could collapse the tunnel immediately at the desired point.
The problem is next.
Thud!!
The broker grasped my location and attacked using even the fact that his subordinates were buried. Judging by the large vibration hitting the ground from above, it seemed a high-grade Hunter was running wild above.
Probably A-Rank Hunters.
Driven into quite a crisis.
“Haa-”
Skilled as expected.
Broker bastard.
Ground his teeth firmly.
Must have set traps diligently to catch me for three days since setting the location.
Honestly a difficult fight. Didn't know the broker's power was this big. Originally thought he would be a big shot, but commanding 5 A-Rank Hunters is a bit too much.
Just how big of a shot is this guy.
Why did such a guy trade with me?
This is really unexpected….
Perhaps the broker's own martial power is significant too. If I go with an ordinary strategy, it is certain I will be caught unconditionally. Discard all. Then what should I do now.
Thump!!-
At this time, a nearby tunnel sank.
It was due to the vibration of hitting the ground from above to find me.
Thud, thud!!!
That vibration increases gradually.
Seems several A-Rank Hunters gathered, but due to strong shocks, the tunnel sank quite a lot. Right now, probably several pits formed above.
Being discovered is probably a matter of time.
If this tunnel sinks, eventually I have no choice but to come out too.
Phew~
Did special training for two days knowing this would happen, but trying to fight actually makes me nervous.
Still, let's fight slowly.
Because this isn't a fight of who is stronger.
Unlike the Tower, here I can touch the board too. That small difference is actually very big. If it's not an advantageous board, just overturn it.
I will show that from now on.
Whoosh, whir!!-
Former S-Rank Hunter. Code Name Noose.
He possesses powerful skills as well as very excellent basic stats. Since he has grown steadily from Season 5, his experience is overwhelming too.
“You must be similar to me too.”
Whoooosh!!
Just running creates wind pressure.
Thus, traversing the forest in an instant and reaching the destination.
Upon arrival, Noose immediately examined the situation ahead.
Thud!!
A-Rank Hunters were hitting the ground.
Because he said the culprit is underground, they are attacking blindly to drag him out.
Someone throwing a punch. Someone stomping. Someone exploding the ground.
At a glance, powerful attacks shake the earth.
Looking roughly, there were quite a few places where the ground sank deeply.
Since he had a subordinate draw a tunnel map, if they keep sinking the ground based on that, they will be able to drag the opponent out.
Then he should join in too-
“Uwah!!?”
Suddenly an A-Rank Hunter screamed.
He was a physical type Hunter who leaped high and landed heavily to sink the ground, but for some reason, the descending speed was absurdly fast.
Whoooosh!!-
Not a simple illusion.
Rough wind sucks everything around.
Vacuum.
At the place where the Hunter's toes pointed, a pseudo-black hole was accelerating his fall.
“What is that?”
Powerful wind that feels like one could fly away if careless.
The broker observed the situation with frowning eyes.
Surprisingly, the moment the falling Hunter got close to the vacuum, a powerful explosion occurred.
Kaboooom!!!
Air Explosion.
Since the falling speed was fast, dodging was impossible.
“Kughhh!!!”
The A-Rank Hunter used a defensive skill wrapping his body, but it was insufficient to fully block the impact. Flew away with severe internal injuries and rolled on the ground.
Naturally, if A-Rank, they are absolutely not weak.
A relaxed grade that can easily climb dozens of floors in Hard Difficulty.
Surely should have been.
“What was that just now?”
“Is it an S-Rank skill?”
Other Hunters nearby also expressed doubt.
Incapacitation of an A-Rank martial arts Hunter. Everyone stopped acting at that shocking situation.
But that was brief too.
“Can't use something like that continuously. Attack now!!”
Everyone is a seasoned Hunter.
Knowing not to retreat because a strong technique was used, but to push harder.
Thud, thud!!
Attacks shaking the ground again.
Thump.
Sinking tunnel.
Indeed, can he endure without coming out.
However.
Whoooosh!!-
That wind felt again. No, a stronger wind than just now occurred.
“Damn, dodge!!!”
One Hunter shouted urgently, but it was late.
Because a huge sandstorm appeared before they knew it.
Swaaaaaah!!!-
“Kuaaaaa!!!!”
Thought the attack just now was a big technique too, but this time the scale was much larger.
Total six vacuums.
Radius 30m was wrapped in a sandstorm.
Hunters flew around here and there unable to escape in time, and only 2 Hunters barely unfolded defensive skills to escape or endure in place.
A situation reminiscent of a natural disaster.
Even though A-Rank, holding out seemed difficult.
“As expected… opponent was S-Rank too.”
The broker stroked his chin.
Was the opponent's confidence because of this.
S-Rank is National Power Class. Must have thought no one could touch him.
If so, this is a job for him to step up.
Because he is also a hidden S-Rank Hunter.
[I have stronger techniques, how about retreating obediently giving the money around here? If we do more here, really I can't handle it either.]
When the storm stopped, the opponent's message came.
Certainly a threatening warning. If he wasn't S-Rank, he might have retreated.
“You guys take the injured and retreat. Support me later when the opponent appears.”
Pulled back the A-Rank Hunters.
No intention to waste precious power vainly by putting them in the front. Better to entrust the rear to suppress surely when the opponent appears.
Next is.
[If it were you, would you give up after coming this far? Come out. Time to see the end now.]
Advanced after sending a refusal message.
Walked exactly to the center where the vacuum and sandstorm appeared just now.
The opponent is in a situation hidden underground.
Then the range of techniques is bound to be limited.
In other words, the opponent likely cast the technique right above. Now time to drag up the opponent hiding like a rat underground.
Thuck.
Stuck one dagger into the ground.
The opponent attacked feeling outside vibrations.
Then high possibility he won't notice the preparation of a technique that isn't loud.
Vrrrroom!!
The dagger vibrates.
Very fine and fast vibrations repeated countlessly becoming high potential energy.
Preparation complete with this.
Stepped back again and reached out hand.
“Forged Explosion Slash (Dan-Bok-Cham).”
Kaboooooom!!!-
Soil soared from a fierce explosion.
This is a technique sacrificing the sword to explode.
The higher the grade of the sword, the stronger it becomes, and just now was a high grade B+ item. Thanks to that, all surrounding tunnels sank deeply.
With this, the opponent won't be able to hide anymore either.
No choice but to wade out through the collapsed tunnel.
Now, come out.
Rustle.
Inside fluttering dust.
He observed the front in detail to confirm who the opponent who gave him trouble is.
However.
Poof!!!!
Suddenly dust spread more fiercely.
More sand appeared swallowing the surroundings like fog, forcibly blocking vision.
But couldn't block the trained broker's gaze.
“Ha, finally appeared.”
He confirmed a small silhouette climbing up from the pit in the dust.
First, take out 1 dagger and throw as a welcome greeting.
Whish!!-
Opponent is S-Rank Hunter anyway.
Will easily block a simple dagger throw with no skills-
Thuck.
“Ughhh!!?….”
Huh?
The dagger stuck in the silhouette's forearm.
Flustered because the attack worked too easily.
No, the really flustering thing is the voice. Clearly wasn't a man's scream.
“Uaaah… startled me. Really hurts…….”
Frowned at the opponent's voice.
Although it was a voice muttered quietly alone, it sounded quite clearly to him, an S-Rank Hunter.
‘A woman's voice?….’
It was a very thin and fragile voice.
And like a child at that.
Come to think of it, the figure glimpsed in the fog seems to have quite a small physique too….
Whoosh!!-
At this time, sand fog spread more fiercely.
As if saying won't be attacked like just now.
“Ugh. Now can't be helped huh.”
Muttered quietly spreading sand fog to hide appearance in her own way, but to his S-Rank senses, the small physique's outline was still visible.
Hearing the fragile voice continuously is a bonus.
‘Really a girl?….’
Felt a strong impact as if hit in the back of the head by something. The one he thought was his only rival who made him feel competitive spirit….
A young girl?
The opponent he just stuck a dagger in is a girl?
Just what on earth.
“World seems harsh as expected. Thought we'd at least share a word, but there's no way things go easily. If only I could meet people normally, life wouldn't be this difficult.”
Eyebrows twitched at the opponent's grumbling.
‘Thought we'd at least share a word.’ At this passage, some unknown conscience pricked his chest.
Words following behind are significant too.
Feeling as if ostracized by the world.
Clearly thought she was the same kind as him… was it a misunderstanding. The flame burning in his chest extinguished poof.
The moment he knew the opponent was a young girl, an unknown sense of futility rushed in. Did he do his best so much just to beat a mere girl.
Thought the opponent was enjoying it too.
Perhaps wasn't it the opposite.
‘Just what situation is this?’
Just confused.
But no matter how young, the opponent is a powerful ability user.
Catching her right away is correct. Anyway in this industry age and gender are for deceiving the opponent….
Wait, then why did she get hit by the attack just now?
Is that appearance really to deceive the opponent?
But the power shown until now?
No, in the first place since she tried to hide her appearance, isn't it correct she has no intention to deceive?
Let's organize simply.
Opponent failed to dodge a mere dagger despite having strong ability. And a young girl. Don't tell me….
Rumble.
At this time, vibration felt under feet.
Sensation of ground shaking.
“Really hard to earn money and live.”
Rumble rumble!!
Along with the child's monologue, the earth axis shook fiercely as if a volcano erupted.
“Suddenly what!….”
Rumble rumble rumble!!!!-
Not simple shaking, but really started shaking as if the entire mountain had an earthquake.
Why such an earthquake suddenly?
Perhaps that child?
No, that is too nonsensical a sound.
This is not power a mere human can produce.
Probably because they attacked the ground recklessly.
High probability that sunken tunnels and explosions influenced the mountain.
Then everyone is in danger. Soon, a landslide will occur.
Hunters would have some spare power to escape, but that child in front is….
“Egut!….”
Thump.
Just in time that child fell on her butt.
As expected.
Even if hidden by sand fog, could know immediately that physical ability is weak. In other words, a novice who just luckily awakened a strong technique. Not trained through various seasons like him.
That's why she hid her appearance. Because body is weak. Probably hard to survive here.
Definitely will die.
But, isn't that too much?
Even if enemy, she's a young girl?
Originally had no intention to kill either. But if endangered because of him….
‘Haa- Troubling.’
Hesitating.
Should he judge cool-headedly as the godfather of the industry, or follow the current conscience.
In this industry, conscience is usually not a good choice.
That's why the time of agony lengthened.
Naturally, he didn't know.
Landslide.
This is the opponent's planned move. A trap made by staying up all night.
In the first place, the wide tunnel maze prepared for a day was the foundation for causing a landslide from the start. And here is the center of the maze.
There is an underground space dug in advance about 20m below, if creating a vacuum there and collapsing the ground, all tunnel mazes sink like dominos. The earthquake just now was because of that reason.
Naturally the sloped mountain will be buried.
Rumble rumble rumble!!!!-
If all surrounding ground sinks deeply, naturally a landslide occurs above.
“Oh my god….”
“R-Run away!!!!”
“Crazy!… Go down immediately!!!!”
Sensation of ground to step on disappearing.
Landslide coming down to swallow this place.
Series of situations utterly incomprehensible.
Everyone started running away spitting curses at the crisis of being buried alive. However only one person.
“Going crazy. Of all things seems similar age… this isn't like me.”
Broker who finished agonizing walked towards the landslide. Putting away the old memory that brushed by briefly, took out daggers in both hands.
Dash!
Soon, he jumped into the disaster head-on.
It was the moment when every board prepared was overturned.