Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: 23. Those Who Have Lost Hope (1)
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It was truly a spectacle.
A massive wave of monsters crashed against the enormous wall known as the Kitakyushu Barrier, locked in fierce combat with the hunters. The battles took all forms. One party focused on ranged attacks from atop the wall, while another charged aggressively into close quarters below it. Their style hardly resembled a typical siege defense.
It was a hallmark of Kitakyushu.
Those who had set up shop here with the goal of protecting the city would never venture beyond the walls.
But the people drawn by the fame of the Monster Fields sought personal gain over the city's safety. They couldn't afford to stick to the safe, stationary fights from the walltops. In the heat of competition, most threw open the gates and poured out.
"Kill-!"
"Fire Lance."
Boom-
Roarrrrr.
It was individual combat.
Though humans formed massive groups, each cluster fought back-to-back, taking down monsters without relying on others. Monsters swarmed every inch of sight. The monster wave seemed incredibly dangerous, but support fire from the safety-first folks on the walls kept it from being overwhelming. If things got too tight, you could always retreat to the wall's base for safety.
That scene.
Sucked into Kang San's view.
Before he could decide how to handle the unfamiliar chaos, one figure caught his eye.
Whoosh.
Thud-
Nakamura Genji.
The man who'd been wearily handling paperwork now leaped from the towering wall.
No companions in sight, like the foreign hunters.
Landing below, he pushed through the crowd and swung his sword at the teeming monsters without hesitation.
"One-Sword Style: Sever."
Flash.
Splat-!
The lead monster's head flew.
He dove into the fray without slowing, parrying or slicing incoming strikes. His tightly bound hair whipped in the speed. His fatigued eyes sharpened, gleaming as they tracked monster movements. From glimpses alone, at least B-Rank skill. No ordinary civil servant—this guy was the real deal.
Impressive from day one.
But admiration was brief.
Kang San stuck to his purpose.
Like the other foreign hunters, he had clear reasons for traveling to this distant land.
"Let's head down."
Not atop the wall, but below.
Kang San's group pushed to the front lines.
Looking down from the lofty wall was worlds apart from facing the swarming chaos head-on.
"Watch out-!"
Boom-
Right beside them.
A hunter smashed into by a troll's attack.
Kang San stared ahead calmly, shield tight to his body, blocking the oncoming monsters.
"Stick to our formation."
"I'll cover the rear."
Four members.
Kang San up front, Jeong Chan-woo right behind, Jo Han-byeol and Yeon Woo-bin holding the back—a standard setup. They ignored the hunters milling around. Everyone chased their own goals; no guarantee of rescue in a pinch.
Lives were your own responsibility.
Trust in yourself—that was Kang San's call as he met the monster rush.
Grrr.
Bang-!
A massive axe slammed his shield.
C-Rank Blood Orc warrior—not one or two, but a pack linking attacks. Nothing too tough. He'd handled dozens of peer Werewolves before, and Jeong Chan-woo timely covered the gaps.
Swoosh.
Clang-!
Attack from a blind spot.
Kang San was ready to react, but Jeong Chan-woo's defense beat him to it.
Rear defense was solid.
Jeong Chan-woo wasn't just parked back there passively; he efficiently covered Kang San's zones. In the past, Kang San might've reined him in—stay back, block surprises. But not now. No need to tell the new Jeong Chan-woo.
He trusted him.
The growing skill gave solid reason to entrust the back.
And.
Whish, thunk-!
Thunk, thunk-!
Jo Han-byeol's arrows nailed vitals.
Blood Orc raising an arm to strike? Arrow hit the linked muscle, killing the power. Turning orc's Achilles? Instantly collapsing orc's head? Arrows flew true every time. Breathless firing, yet flawless—precise attacks exactly when needed.
Time bought that way.
"Inferno."
Fwoosh.
Roarrrrr.
Yeon Woo-bin's spotlight.
Blazing inferno swept the front monsters.
Grazed alone, they screamed; firepower way beyond what Kang San remembered. B-Rank test passage? Salamander contract boosting fire magic? Unknown. But from minutes of exchange, one fact crystalized.
'They've all grown.'
Not like before.
Post-seclusion, only Project B training honed teamwork—no real combat till now. Seeing it firsthand hit harder. No trials like his, yet rapid progress; their brilliance felt skin-deep.
Reliable comrades.
First meetings felt ancient.
Average leader Jo Han-byeol, immature kid Jeong Chan-woo, terrified do-nothing Yeon Woo-bin.
Gone now.
As Kang San grew, so had they.
They cleared monsters swiftly.
With this teamwork, no need to hug the wall safely—they could push deeper.
Then.
Stab.
Grrrk.
A woman popped up abruptly.
Red bob haircut, Western-looking, daggered a downed Blood Orc warrior's throat. Dying groan as life faded. Eyes met hers; she smirked.
"First time here?"
"...?"
"You gotta finish 'em clean, or you lose out. Looks like you didn't know—word of advice."
Incomprehensible.
Kang San just stared; she finished a few more, vanished into the crowd.
Meaning dawned soon enough.
Sun dipped low.
Battle wrapped; officials tallied with hunters.
"Kang San and three others. C-Rank monsters: 12. D-Rank: 20. E and F-Rank: 28 each."
Nakamura Genji.
Bound hair loosened, sharp eyes fatigued again. Monster blood splattered face and clothes.
Jarring contrast.
Hard to get used to, but Kang San had bigger concerns.
"I remember more than that. No errors in the A.I. system?"
Local system.
Chaotic multi-fighter brawls made merit hard to track. Drones' A.I. calculated it. Who killed what for bulk settlement. Fewer than expected sparked doubt.
Not exact count, but sure more than stated.
Nakamura Genji replied.
"Did you finish the monsters off clean?"
That hit.
Foreign woman's face flashed.
Slitting throats of 'dead' monsters, her words.
Meaning clear now.
"...Got it. That's the system."
"Yes. Merit here means confirmed kills, not just downed. Throat slit counts full. Common newbie mistake—watch it next time."
"Understood."
Scribble scribble.
Tableted notes.
Businesslike wrap-up.
"Rewards at Hunter HQ. Thanks for fighting for Kitakyushu."
First day in Kitakyushu.
Unique experience.
Later learned: redhead was Jessica, infamous monster stealer. No point confronting—her theft from ignorance, no gripes.
One month later.
Another wave; group adapted fast.
Thunk-!
Gurgle.
Blood Orc warrior down.
Foaming collapse; Kang San caught breath.
"Short break."
"Hoo-."
All slumped.
Month here.
Nonstop breathless fights.
Green Zone sounded safe per Nakamura, but teeming monsters day-night. Endless action if willed—growth heaven.
Kang San spoke.
"Thoughts on what I mentioned last time?"
"Yellow Zone? Risky, but prepped? Solid."
"For growth goals, gotta. Few B-Ranks here."
As siblings said.
Green had occasional B-Ranks.
Plenty stats stones, byproducts viable, but B-Rank duo party needed risks for progress. Green vs. Yellow gap huge—one step, worlds apart danger.
Rumors: many entered Yellow, never returned.
'Five months left. Can't settle here.'
Time shrank fast.
Five months minus Korea prep: barely four.
Adapted—time to advance.
No reckless rushes.
Purpose drove him, but couldn't sacrifice siblings to uninsurable trials. Moved within manageable risks. Else, no month acclimating Green.
"Then..."
That moment.
About to voice plans.
Sudden trial.
Kang San's face twisted viciously.