Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: 4. Blood Demon Art (2)
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There are established protocols to follow when a Link phenomenon occurs.
1. Civilians evacuate to a safe location immediately.
2. Unless you're a Hunter of a higher rank than the Link's rating, prioritize your own safety.
Number one.
Due to frequent Link occurrences around the world, shelters for civilians have been installed everywhere. Encircled by sturdy barriers that most monsters can't breach, these shelters are true safe zones. As soon as disaster alert texts are sent out, civilians head straight for them. The scene Kang San had witnessed earlier—people fleeing en masse—was because the shelter in his village was in that direction.
And number two.
In truth, this rule was meant for Hunters who didn't grasp the gravity of the situation.
An E-Rank Link.
While monsters of D-Rank or higher typically don't appear based on the assigned rating, that doesn't mean an E-Rank Hunter is safe from the dangers of a same-rank Link. Rating assessments aren't foolproof to begin with. They're determined by temporary mana fluctuations, so while the chance of higher-rank monsters appearing is slim, it still exists. Moreover, there's no way to predict how many monsters will emerge from a Link. Even if it's the same rank, facing dozens of E-Rank monsters is inherently dangerous.
Thus, Kang San had no business stepping up.
A civilian Hunter.
They have no obligation to help others.
The government relies on high-rank Hunters, but few are willing to sacrifice themselves without compensation.
"Argh!"
Thud!
A middle-aged man who couldn't escape in time screamed as a Lizardman's attack tore his limbs apart. He collapsed to the ground and was devoured on the spot. Such scenes weren't isolated incidents. The sudden Link disaster had turned a peaceful village into a hellscape of wailing agony. Even though Kang San had only moved a short distance toward the epicenter, the piercing screams left his ears ringing.
'Too many to handle.'
Roughly dozens.
The rampaging monsters numbered in the scores.
Stepping up as a so-called Hunter in this situation would likely mean a dog's death with Kang San's current abilities.
However.
Kang San couldn't back down.
Something surged in his chest.
The fact that the Blood Demon—responsible for scenes like this—was his past life? Right now, he wanted to reject it with every fiber of his being.
'Let's do this. Government forces will arrive in five minutes anyway. I can't take them all out, but maybe I can hold their attention for that long.'
He gritted his teeth.
Throwing rational calculations aside, Kang San let his emotions take over.
'Shield of Trials.'
Shield of Trials
Aggro effect on nearby monsters activated
Fwoosh!
Krrrr rumble.
In an instant, the Lizardmen's gazes locked onto Kang San.
Shield of Trials was an extreme aggro skill that forced all monsters in a certain radius to target its user. Its effect was tremendous. Even a Lizardman that had been tearing into a fresh human corpse moments ago suppressed its hunger and charged at Kang San under the skill's influence. It was a spectacle. Dozens of Lizardmen surging forward at once was enough to make anyone's legs tremble just watching.
"......Fuck, did I step in for no reason?"
Too late for regrets.
Kang San raised his shield and blocked the first Lizardman to reach him.
Kyaak!
Thud!
No impact transmitted through the shield.
A perfectly expected outcome, really.
Shield of Trials granted a 20% defense boost.
And.
The effect of Guardian's Will.
It was spine-tinglingly powerful.
Even against higher-rank monsters, a 102% defense boost transcended rank differences entirely. Seizing the moment, Kang San counterattacked. With no fatigue or shock from blocking, he exploited the brief opening.
Slash!
Kieeeek!
The Lizardman shrieked.
Kang San pressed relentlessly without giving it a chance to recover, and after a few exchanges, he felled it.
Blood Demon Art effect triggered
Attack power temporarily increased by 2%.
Gurgle gurgle.
The sword thrummed.
Drenched in the Lizardman's blood, it exuded murderous intent like bared fangs. The 2% attack boost came from slaying two Lizardmen. A technique that grew stronger with every kill. This was why the Blood Demon could slaughter righteous faction forces despite being outnumbered.
Kyaak!
Kak!
Lizardmen charged from all sides.
The hopeful moment was fleeting.
Surrounded by dozens, Kang San's breath caught in his throat. Blocking a right-side attack left his left and legs exposed; a hasty backstep only brought more Lizardmen from behind. Wounds multiplied across his body in moments. Dizziness from their paralyzing venom set in, but Kang San bit the inside of his cheek and endured through sheer spite.
'I'm different.'
He repeated it inwardly.
The Blood Demon.
A devil of a man.
He wanted to prove he was different—even if it meant tightrope-walking on the edge of death.
"I'm different, you fucking bastards!"
Splat!
A Lizardman's head flew.
But one down barely registered amid the swarm that immediately swarmed him.
An endless battle.
Five minutes.
It felt far longer than expected.
Right after the E-Rank Link broke out, the situation was reported to the military unit overseeing Seoul's Seongdong-gu.
"An E-Rank Link has occurred near Wangsimni M Hotel. CCTV footage shows Lizardmen emerging from the Link, numbering around a hundred."
"Why the fuss over an E-Rank?"
Choi Sung-jae, Major and commander of the Capital Defense Force's 3rd Battalion, showed his irritation.
"Links happen every day. Dispatch a company to the M Hotel area ASAP and check if any nearby Ranger teams are available. Quick initial response minimizes casualties, right?"
"Yes, sir."
The subordinate dashed off to relay the orders.
Links.
In this changed world, they were as routine as disasters got.
With dozens or hundreds erupting globally every day, Major Choi Sung-jae didn't think much of it. To civilians, those incidents might feel distant, but for someone in charge of the Capital Defense Force, this was par for the course.
And it was just E-Rank.
Lucky, all things considered.
A-Rank or higher Links sometimes popped up, and no matter how fast the response, casualties were inevitable. A-Rank Hunters were precious resources. The world lacked enough of them to cover unpredictable outbreaks everywhere.
Major Choi Sung-jae headed to the emergency response center.
To check the Link site via CCTV. A soldier staring at the screens spoke up in surprise.
"Sir, take a look at this."
"What?"
He leaned in.
Major Choi Sung-jae's eyes widened.
"What the hell is this guy?"
"Not sure. He showed up on site and pulled all the Lizardmen's aggro by himself."
"Crazy bastard."
One man.
The CCTV captured his recklessness.
Dozens of Lizardmen was a threat even to a decent D-Rank Hunter.
Yet this guy—who didn't look higher than E-Rank—not only drew their aggro but held them off solo. It was impressive. For a low-rank Hunter to show that kind of guts without being high-rank? Admirable.
However.
"Captain Korea has arrived."
Major Choi Sung-jae quickly lost interest.
He wasn't fond of hero complexes in the powerless.
Standing alone against Lizardmen was noble, but the guy didn't seem capable enough.
Heroic last stands like that ended in tragedy.
Choi Sung-jae had seen plenty in his time.
"Still, gotta give him props. Save the footage. After the fight, get his contact for a brave citizen award or something. In this cutthroat world, people love naive, dumb heroes. No clue on his skills, but that recklessness? Top-tier."
He prayed inwardly.
Hoping the fool survived.
His head spun.
Just a few minutes.
Actual time barely passed, but to Kang San, it felt like eons.
Crunch!
"Ngh."
A Lizardman's foreclaw raked his shoulder. Grimacing at the spurting blood, Kang San clenched his teeth and jammed his sword into its eye. A chilling sensation raced up his arm to his brain. Holding a life in his hands, he shoved harder.
Krrrk.
The Lizardman foamed at the mouth.
It thrashed wildly at first, then its eyes glazed over and it went limp.
Blood Demon Art effect triggered
Attack power temporarily increased by 10%.
Ten.
The number Kang San had taken down.
Trading wounds for kills, he'd already dropped ten Lizardmen. His mouth was parched. His dizzy head could give out any second.
That was when it hit.
Click.
Something inside unlocked.
It was the Blood Demon Art's instinct.
Having absorbed blood from ten kills, the Blood Demon Art unleashed a new effect not listed in its 'skill info.'
Whoosh!
He dodged a Lizardman strike by a hair's breadth. His overheated body reacted faster than before, and his eyes sharpened in the instant. He saw the opening. His instincts screamed exactly where to strike for a one-shot kill.
The thick Blood Scent tickled his nose.
Kang San's sword cleaved the Lizardman's vitals.
Slash!
Splat!
Blood fountained out.
Staring at the falling Lizardman, Kang San's pupils trembled.
'......What is this.'
Blood Demon Art.
Unlike ordinary skills.
A technique that strengthened with absorbed blood.
The heinous demonic art that birthed the Blood Demon chilled Kang San even in part. A martial art specialized in killing. It mattered not if the target was a monster. To any creature with flowing blood and a beating heart, Blood Demon Art was lethally effective.
His throat burned.
He craved more blood.
The feral urge stimulated his brain further, demanding endless combat from Kang San.
Thud!
Slash!
From then on, instinct took the wheel.
No time for thought or judgment—he reacted purely to the threats before him. A chill on his right? Dodge instantly. Thick Blood Scent? Swing, and a Lizardman sprayed blood as it fell. Kill and kill again. Announcements of rising Blood Demon Art power echoed repeatedly. He'd started this death-defying stand to escape his past as the Blood Demon, but now? Motives forgotten, he was a blood-lusting monster.
Thud!
Blood Demon Art effect triggered
Attack power temporarily increased by 20%.
Twenty.
The Blood Demon Art's power swelled.
As his vision reddened, a brilliant light erupted from Kang San's body.