Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: 20. Showcase (3)
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This test.
Up front, a trio including Kang San. In the rear, another trio including Im Chan-young.
The six testers advanced slowly, keeping a sharp eye on their surroundings.
The B-Rank test had no time limit, so Nam Tae-ju, who was handling scout duty, saw no need to rush. Even the clearly visible stone bridge required testing before crossing. Amid this mounting tension, Im Chan-young alone couldn't focus on the situation like the others.
"......Hah."
He let out a sigh.
Gazing at Kang San's back, a wave of self-loathing crashed over him no matter how hard he tried to ignore it.
'How did I end up like this?'
It felt unreal.
Back when he was a young prodigy bathed in the world's spotlight, he'd truly believed he was a once-in-a-generation genius. Yet here he was, standing on the same level as an F-Rank arrow sponge. He'd suffered blows to his pride from repeated failures before, but nothing had hit him as hard as this.
This was reality.
He'd spat venom at Kang San to deny it, but that changed nothing about them taking the same test.
'He'll probably fail this one too, right?'
That was why he couldn't concentrate.
It was a test he'd failed even when his team had solid firepower. Relying on Kang San to cast spells freely seemed impossible.
Truth be told, if Im Chan-young had kept up with current events, he'd have known Kang San had completely transformed amid all the buzz about him. Unfortunately, he avoided media like the internet and TV entirely. Back in his glory days, he'd search his name on portals dozens of times a day. But after the failures piled up, he couldn't even bring himself to look.
People mocked Im Chan-young.
Has-been. Duped by Dae-yang. Once he saw comments like that, he lost all interest in public opinion.
Hell, the old him would've flipped Kang San off the moment he spotted him and quit the test on the spot.
Tests could be retaken anytime; no reason to team up with low-tier scrubs like Kang San. But the current Im Chan-young couldn't afford that. A tenth failure was practically a death sentence. Despite his negativity, he clung to the faint hope and stayed put.
His manager had said it.
They had to pass this time.
As he gnawed his lip recalling those words, a shout came from up front where Nam Tae-ju was scouting.
"Combat ready—!"
His thoughts cut off there.
Im Chan-young immediately drew up his mana.
Kyung!
Kyung kyung—!
The monsters' identity.
C-Rank hellhounds.
Nam Tae-ju drew his sword and stuck close to Kang San as over a dozen hellhounds charged, black fur whipping in the wind.
"I'll back you up."
This party.
The only tanker was Kang San.
Nam Tae-ju and the others were frontline warriors, but not true tanks. Per Im Chan-young's advice, one man couldn't hold off a dozen hellhounds. If the intel was accurate, it was a sound call. Kang San understood, but stepped forward anyway, as if there was no need.
"Hold the formation. Frontline's mine."
Whoosh.
No time to stop him.
Kang San faced the oncoming hellhounds head-on.
Flash.
Thud.
Crack.
Kang San struck first.
As he unleashed Blood Demon Sword Art, First Form: Blade Kill, the lead hellhound shrieked in agony.
Blood Demon Sword Art, First Form: Blade Kill
Critical strike on vanguard enemy
At the same time.
"Shield of Trials."
Shield of Trials ★★★
Absolute defense barrier deployed
Whoosh—
Boom boom boom.
Hellhounds lunged from all sides, snapping at Kang San.
They darted in with blinding speed, too fast for Nam Tae-ju to track easily. Yet Kang San's face showed no panic. He blocked a hound leaping over its kin with his shield, then stepped back, countering one by one.
C-Rank stats.
Defense boosted by Guardian's Will.
The hellhounds' attacks were no threat at all.
And amid the tangle of red lines, Kang San instantly grasped what needed doing.
Crunch—!
He held the line.
The black wave crashed against an unyielding breakwater.
'Huh, better than expected?'
Nam Tae-ju looked surprised.
Even giving the guy the benefit of the doubt, Im Chan-young's trash talk had tanked expectations. But the shocks didn't end there. As Nam Tae-ju moved to join, an unexpected voice rang out.
"......Huh?"
He was stunned.
A whopping 10% boost.
Incredible buff.
He first thought it was from the rear priest, but a glance back showed everyone else equally baffled. Only then did the truth dawn. A holy glow rose from Kang San like a halo, enveloping the entire team including Nam Tae-ju.
'No way.'
The facts were clear.
Kang San was the source.
This outclassed most priest buffs. Nam Tae-ju suddenly wondered.
'Why drag a guy like this?'
Im Chan-young's words.
They made no sense.
First fight just starting, but one glimpse told the tale—no need for hysterics. Either way, combat was on. Worries eased, now they had to pile in and clinch the win.
"I'll cover the rear!"
Swoosh.
Nam Tae-ju charged forward.
With him leading, the team dropped their guards against Kang San.
All but one.
Im Chan-young.
This situation.
Im Chan-young was just as thrown.
As Kang San stepped up, he'd prepped a shield spell first—then stifled a groan.
'What the hell?'
Kang San vs. hellhounds.
Nothing like expected.
The Kang San in his memory risked his life against F-Rank mobs. Yet here he held steady against over a dozen. Cognitive dissonance hit hard. Then the Aura of Glory announcement—ignored truths resurfaced.
'......So that's why he signed up for B-Rank.'
Made perfect sense.
Korea's promotion system wasn't lenient.
No one short of C-Rank could even attempt B-Rank. Meaning Kang San had long outgrown his F-Rank days. With things stabilizing better than thought, Im Chan-young canceled his shield and fired an attack spell.
"Fire Wave."
"Fire Wave"
⟨ Flame Surge ⟩
Roar.
Roooar.
Flames erupted.
In the explosive blaze, Im Chan-young caught Kang San herding space for it.
'......!?'
No prior coordination.
Kang San constantly checked rear, and the instant Im Chan-young finished casting, he funneled the hellhounds into a kill zone. Im Chan-young got the intent immediately. Perfect setup for AoE. Instinctively, he slammed the spell right where intended.
Boom!
Roooar.
Kieeeek.
Hellhounds screamed.
Eerie feeling.
Basic competence for any B-Rank hopeful, yet Kang San pulling it off flustered him. And it continued. Kang San fed him ideal setups. Secured space, rock-solid frontline with no gaps.
Stable.
Cleaning up in seconds.
Im Chan-young couldn't tell if he should laugh or cry.
Kang San exceeding expectations was great for passing, but the disconnect wouldn't settle.
An F-Ranker.
Had perfectly caught up to him.
'......This pisses me off.'
Instead of accepting reality, Im Chan-young just ignored Kang San's existence.
The test progressed smoothly.
Right after the first fight, Nam Tae-ju approached.
"That was solid. Keep it up."
One skirmish.
Enough for anyone not blinded by bias like Im Chan-young to acknowledge Kang San's skill.
As everyone gathered to praise him, Im Chan-young clamped his lips, pride stung. His age showed. For his own success, cozying up to Kang San made sense, but he weighed ego against reality and lost his head.
Kang San didn't care.
What Im Chan-young thought meant nothing; he'd achieved too much to mind.
Just.
'Way too easy.'
Ongoing fights since.
Nothing tough.
That was the issue.
Trial active, yet smoother than ever before.
'Per trial intel, twelfth trial's goal isn't passing. Even failing the test works if I get Im Chan-young out safe. So something should target him blatantly. This smoothness is baiting complacency.'
Logical theory.
Vampires lurked here—that's why it was B-Rank turf.
Vampires: poster children for B-Rank.
Especially enslaving via blood drain, losing reason. Slaves obeyed masters absolutely. The hellhounds proved it—eyes bloodshot red, assaulting intruders on orders.
Yet.
Patterns too basic.
As fresh hellhounds appeared, Kang San blocked while scanning surroundings.
Kyung.
Kyung kyung!
Foul stench wafted.
Kang San raised his shield; the beast shoved its filthy maw, thrashing to bite.
"Kang San!"
Thud—!
Nam Tae-ju.
He lunged, jamming his sword into the hellhound's skull. Kang San tossed the limp corpse aside and met the next rush. Sync building now. Kang San held firm; frontliners struck openings. Rear DPS played safe.
Fights on repeat.
Situations repeating.
Team relaxed.
Smooth like before, but Kang San's senses sharpened beyond ever.
That instant.
Rumble rumble.
'Vibration?'
Echoes hit.
Simultaneously, his vision tinged red—the ground.
Unmistakable killing intent.
Super-senses shifting from red lines to ground-sourced malice.
No oversight.
Something there.
Crisis honed a million times screamed the possibility.
'Something underground.'
Swoosh.
Kicked off.
Split-second call.
And sure enough.
Crash.
Roooarumble.
Ground collapsed.
Targeted straight at Im Chan-young. Kang San dove with him into the depths.
Thud—!
"Urk."
Im Chan-young's face twisted in panic.
No time for talk.
Man-made chamber? Undead swarmed every shadow, red eyes aglow.
'Consistent pattern, huh.'
Ant nest before.
Now too.
Azmun forcing isolation trial again.
If Kang San weren't a learner, hadn't foreseen cave-in via super-senses.
Im Chan-young's fall would've failed it.
Chill prickled.
Voices from above.
"You okay?"
Team.
Kang San yelled.
"Clear above first. Down here......"
Gripped shield tighter.
Fine tremors from Im Chan-young pressed close.
"I'll handle it."