Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: 6. The Man Preparing for Misfortune (2)
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Installing the signal line didn't take long.
Once they finished setting it up in a loop around the perimeter, Kang San slathered a generous amount of Golden Honey on a nearby rock.
From then on, it was a test of patience.
Jeong Chan-woo, hiding and waiting, felt frustrated by the lack of visibility.
'This could be dangerous.'
Kang San's strategy was solid.
It was the best call given their current situation, but the problem was they couldn't predict the enemy's numbers.
Beyond the fog.
If dozens of Black Ants appeared, the party might get wiped out on the spot without even spotting the threat. Like anyone else, Jeong Chan-woo hated variables. Normally, he'd abandon the raid and look for another party right away, but Kang San's thorough preparation had unwittingly won him over.
'Let's trust the leader's preparedness. If he's carrying Golden Honey to handle variables, he must have something in mind.'
That was when it happened.
They got the reaction they'd been waiting for.
Ding-a-ling.
The bell on the signal line rang out.
The sound came from the west.
All eyes turned that way.
Fortunately, no Black Ants were approaching from other directions—only one side was ringing.
Shh-shh-shh.
"They're here!"
A Black Ant finally entered their view.
Kang San stepped forward to block their path as the shadowy figure moved through the hazy fog. He counted about five of them. As Guardian's Will boosted his defense, one Black Ant launched itself at him.
Kyaaak!
Thwack!
Kang San smashed the flying Black Ant's face with his shield. As it tumbled away with a dull thud, the rest swarmed in simultaneously. Monsters filled his vision in an instant—a terrifying sight that would scare anyone without nerves of steel. But Kang San responded with calm precision.
'Right side.'
Whoosh!
He deflected the first attack.
Seizing the momentary opening in the Black Ant's guard, Kang San swung his sword like lightning. Green fluid sprayed out, but he was already stepping into his next move before he could even confirm it.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The Black Ants' attacks narrowly missed. Their vicious snaps at empty air were chilling, but his training-enhanced reflexes kept him just out of reach. And whenever he spotted an opening, Kang San counterattacked. His blade flashed, severing the head of the Black Ant he'd critically wounded moments ago.
Slice!
Thud, roll roll.
It all happened in a flash.
Before Jeong Chan-woo and Yeon Woo-bin could even react, Jo Han-byeol—who had some idea of Kang San's skill—responded swiftly.
Twang.
Thud thud thud!
A volley of arrows embedded into the Black Ant that was charging back in. Clean hits. Jo Han-byeol was undoubtedly skilled, landing precise shots despite the fog obscuring their vision.
But the real fight was just beginning.
Just as they'd nearly taken out the five Black Ants, signal lines blared from all directions.
Ding-a-ling!
"Damn."
Jeong Chan-woo's face hardened.
After finishing off a fallen Black Ant, he glanced at Kang San, unsure what to do.
But Kang San didn't falter.
A swarm of Black Ants reacting to the Golden Honey was within expectations.
Therefore...
'Trust the abilities I confirmed at the stat training center.'
His calculations were already done.
Kang San held the line against the Black Ants without retreating, just as planned.
The first time he faced a Black Ant, Kang San was certain.
'I can hold them off.'
At the stat training center.
He'd trained his reaction speed there.
In a space where sight was useless anyway, the fogged visibility was no issue at all.
Invisibility itself.
Most people would panic and lose focus, but Kang San didn't rely on his eyes at all—he heightened his other senses. That's how he casually blocked the Black Ants' blind-spot strikes. His body instinctively reacted whenever one lunged, showcasing the results of his rigorous training.
And then.
Shh-shh-shh—
Black Ants emerged from all sides.
Over ten would be a crisis for an E-Rank party, but numbers weren't purely a disadvantage for Kang San.
Defense boost.
That was why he'd chosen the Black Ant nest.
Black Ants weren't strong individually. They hunted in packs, overwhelming prey with numbers, so Kang San figured he could maximize his strengths here. Against a single powerful foe, he'd get just a 1% buff—but with hordes like this, the effect was massive.
Of course, numbers were still risky.
If he couldn't handle them alone, the party would be in deep trouble.
'Shield of Trials.'
Flash!
Kyaa kyaa kyak!
But that wouldn't happen.
The Shield of Trials drew the Black Ants past the others, straight to Kang San. They swarmed from every direction! Their writhing mass was repulsive just to look at, but Kang San calmly parried their assaults. His honed reflexes blocked blind-spot attacks effortlessly, and he even picked them off with counters.
It wasn't perfect.
Even Kang San couldn't block everything, but he'd faced such moments countless times in the stat training center.
Crunch!
'Iron Body.'
A Black Ant bit his arm.
Reinforcing that section's defense minimized the impact, even from its powerful jaws.
Kang San promptly decapitated it.
No groan of pain, no hesitation.
As Blood Demon Art empowered his blade, the Black Ant's head flew into the air and hit the ground.
He'd already taken down ten.
The Blood Demon Art's buffs kicked in, making Kang San even more aggressive.
"He's insane."
Right behind him.
Jeong Chan-woo let out an exclamation.
He'd thought Kang San was decent, but this exceeded expectations.
'Bit in the arm and doesn't even flinch.'
Kang San was awe-inspiring.
No backing down against dozens, shrugging off pain like it was nothing—an iron will.
Hard to believe he was E-Rank.
Jeong Chan-woo had seen plenty of high-rankers, but Kang San's quality didn't match his grade.
'That's why he insisted on pushing the hunt.'
Golden Honey.
It solved timing and luring issues but risked swarms. Yet Kang San accepted it. Initially suspicious, Jeong Chan-woo now saw the confidence backed by skill—no room for complaints.
Trust him.
Follow a tanker like that.
"I'll join the damage dealing."
Thud.
Jeong Chan-woo kicked off the ground.
While Kang San held attention, his sword cleaved a Black Ant. From the rear, Jo Han-byeol loosed endless arrows.
The situation cleared faster than expected.
Despite his grumbling, Jeong Chan-woo had solid fundamentals, and Jo Han-byeol was proven in his promotion exam. Their attacks whittled down the Black Ants. Even amid the dozen-plus foes, Kang San occasionally sniped kills with counters.
Finally.
Thwack!
An arrow lodged in the last Black Ant's head.
It collapsed.
The first battle ended successfully.
After the fight.
Jeong Chan-woo approached Kang San immediately.
"You're really E-Rank? Handling over ten Black Ants solo—you could pass the D-Rank promotion exam in one go."
Sincere praise.
Complaints stem from lack of respect.
Kang San had proven his worth, so no more gripes from Jeong Chan-woo.
Truth be told, he hadn't formed this party.
Jeong Chan-woo had been rated E-Rank at 20, talented enough for a major management agency via connections. Agencies must provide suitable hunting grounds for their hunters. Among countless postings, Kang San's stood out due to his unusual history.
'Cleared hundreds of raids over six years as a hunter.'
Mostly as an F-Rank arrow sponge, but surviving six years meant something special about Kang San.
The agency believed it.
A leader like him would handle issues with veteran savvy.
The prediction was spot-on.
No—beyond it.
Kang San had experience and skill.
"I'm still lacking."
"Aw, humility. Anyway..."
Jeong Chan-woo's gaze flicked to one person.
Yeon Woo-bin.
Amid the post-victory cheer, he looked guilty.
Everyone knew why.
While others fought desperately, Yeon Woo-bin barely used his magic.
Jeong Chan-woo said sharply,
"Mage, why'd you just watch?"
"I-I..."
Yeon Woo-bin stammered.
Jo Han-byeol stepped forward at his flustered expression.
"May I explain?"
Yeon Woo-bin's flaw.
As the one who'd brought him, Jo Han-byeol knew it well.
Jo Han-byeol said,
"Truth is, Woo-bin awakened with innate talent. He's not 20—he's 18 this year. Got rated D-Rank instantly, so his magic aptitude is incredible, but he's chicken-hearted and freezes up in real combat."
"What? Why bring someone like that on a raid?"
Jeong Chan-woo's face twisted.
Fair point.
Kang San silently observed as the valid criticism flew, despite the snappish tone.
"Woo-bin's fear comes from trauma. The anxiety of maybe dying to monsters makes him panic and botch his casting. That's why I recommended Kang San. In the promotion exam with you, your self-sacrificing plays were impressive. I thought you'd shield him up front and he'd snap out of it, but trauma doesn't vanish overnight. Sorry for not saying sooner."
"...I'm truly sorry."
Jo Han-byeol bowed his head.
Seeing his friend take the blame, Yeon Woo-bin looked on the verge of tears as he apologized.
The bad feeling had come true.
That initial vibe from meeting Yeon Woo-bin.
D-Rank status and Jo Han-byeol's vouch eased concerns, but he'd dragged the party down.
"Han-byeol."
"...Yes."
"I get your intentions, but warn us next time. We need to know teammates' weaknesses to handle variables, right?"
"Sorry."
"Sigh."
Kang San sighed.
Finishing the raid with a mage like this.
Fog was bad enough—now another misfortune.
At least Jo Han-byeol and Jeong Chan-woo were strong enough for this dungeon alone.
They could clear it as a duo.
But Yeon Woo-bin's issue needed addressing.
"Woo-bin."
"Y-Yes?"
Even now, Yeon Woo-bin stuttered.
No grit, clearly.
"Once we're in a party and enter the Backside World, as leader, I'm responsible for your safe return. To do that, I need to gauge your abilities accurately. Cast a spell for me? That way, I can see if you're worth buying time for, even if it takes long."
Kang San's demand.
No choice here.
Refuse, and he'd boot the party liability without hesitation.
Sensing that intent.
After exchanging glances with Jo Han-byeol, he nodded tensely at Kang San.
"Got it. I'll try."