Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: 7. Threads of Fate (5)
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Kim Myung-min hadn't called in his entire team for this rescue operation.
They were barely D-Rank at best, but the team members who'd received his call gathered at the assembly point right on time.
The current time was 3:39 p.m.
The rescue operation was scheduled to begin precisely at 3:50.
"You sure about this? That the new guy's just E-Rank?"
"Heard it straight from the team leader. He's gonna make it official soon, but apparently this newbie—who's the first in years—passed the E-Rank promotion exam as a tanker. Does that even make sense? Not in a regular party, and especially not in a Ranger team where the tanker's role is crucial. What the hell are they planning to do with an E-Rank?"
A member of the Rangers.
C-Rank Hunter Gu Yeon-su spat out his irritated remark.
From a distance, team leader Kim Myung-min was scanning the surroundings. Watching him, B-Rank Hunter Yoon Ji-tae chimed in.
"Yeah. The team leader I know wouldn't do something like that."
It was definitely strange.
Kim Myung-min was professional to the point of being cold rather than friendly. When selecting raid team members, he always prioritized immediate needs over potential. It was the obvious choice. Rangers faced life-threatening situations every day—they couldn't afford to trust their backs to unreliable allies. Especially if that ally was a tanker; trying to nurture their skills could endanger not just the team but the rescue targets too.
It was an incomprehensible decision all around.
They accepted it only because it was Kim Myung-min's call, but deep down, doubts lingered.
Yoon Ji-tae spoke up.
"Not just the rank, but hiring a mercenary on top of that? He must think Rangers work is a joke. If he's not just potential but a total liability who'll drag us down... even if I have to take the blame, I'll make sure he's gone. I trust the team leader's judgment, but no one's perfect, right?"
"Agreed. Even if he has talent, we can't wait around for him to grow."
Yoon Ji-tae's eyes gleamed sharply.
For those living on the edge, never knowing when death might come, an incompetent teammate was utterly unforgivable.
Time ticked by.
Soon, it was the appointed time: 3:50.
Five minutes before the operation.
Kang San arrived at the site.
Including Kim Myung-min and Kang San, the team for this op totaled six. Kim Myung-min gathered them and spoke.
"This is our newest team member, Kang San. E-Rank, tanker position. You might think he's lacking as a Ranger for now, but I can assure you he possesses skills beyond his rank and all the fundamentals of a tanker. We need to get the op underway, so that's the intro. Kang San."
"Ah, yes. I'm Kang San. Looking forward to working with you all."
Clap clap clap.
A light round of applause followed.
Kang San wasn't thrilled, but no one voiced complaints with Kim Myung-min introducing him personally.
Their reaction proved the trust between them.
In a lesser team, voices would already be raised, chaos ensuing.
With introductions done.
Kim Myung-min continued.
"You've all seen the reports, but the incident site's a D-Rank orc camp. A five-man party entered, got pinned down by stronger-than-expected forces, and called for rescue. They're isolated for 50 minutes now. Good news is they're stable for the moment, so we'll minimize variables, scout their position, and extract. Questions?"
"None."
"Then prep up. We enter the Backside World in three minutes."
"Yes, sir."
The briefing was straightforward.
This was an easy hunt compared to their abilities, so no one felt much pressure.
"Kang San."
Kim Myung-min called him aside.
Once a bit away from the others, he spoke in a concerned tone.
"Sorry about the rocky atmosphere. Rangers are constantly in danger, so new members need vetting. On the surface, E-Rank doesn't sit well. I should've smoothed it over sooner—my apologies for the discomfort."
The team members' eyes.
Their expressions.
The vibe.
No one outright rebelled, but Kim Myung-min could tell they weren't pleased. He knew it himself: Kang San's uniqueness couldn't be grasped without seeing it firsthand. Kang San had picked up on the subtle unease too.
He understood.
He'd react the same way in their shoes.
"It's fine."
"If you don't want to proceed, just say so. No penalties, and I'd rather you integrate fully over time anyway."
"I'll do it."
This Ranger mission.
It was never a matter of choice.
If it was a trial from Azmun he had to face anyway, better to tackle it when the difficulty was manageable. The team members were a later issue. He didn't have the luxury to fuss over their feelings one by one.
Still.
"Why'd you recruit me, though? Even if you saw potential, I'm just E-Rank."
He was curious.
Kim Myung-min had said flattering things during the pitch, but the logic didn't fully click. In unpredictable variables like Azmun's trials, an E-Rank tanker wouldn't inspire trust from the start.
Kim Myung-min smiled.
"...Because it's dangerous. For those of us who carry our wills like last testaments, having a teammate who'd throw themselves in harm's way for us just felt right."
He turned to leave.
Three minutes had passed.
Kim Myung-min raised his voice.
"Everyone, to positions!"
Whoosh—
A brilliant light flared.
They passed through the gate into the Backside World, the scent of grass assaulting their noses.
"Yeon-su."
"Yes."
No further orders needed.
His name called, Gu Yeon-su understood his role and stepped forward.
"Hide."
Shh shh—
His form blended into the surroundings.
Hide wasn't perfect invisibility like the spell Invisible, but it merged him with the grass colors, making him hard to spot with the naked eye. While Gu Yeon-su scouted, they held positions under Kim Myung-min's control—for instant response if a signal came or monsters attacked.
Soon.
Gu Yeon-su reported back from his scan.
"No major threats nearby. Orcs patrolling in groups of three to five, six at most. Past the grass is a terraced drop to their habitat. Rescue targets are inside; we can get a signal and pinpoint when we close in."
"Then let's move."
Gu Yeon-su's role.
Sub-dealer and scout.
A job for the nimble, suiting his slender build perfectly.
Scouting done.
Kim Myung-min led them into the grass.
He'd drawn a sword, scanning thoroughly but moving faster than usual.
D-Rank hunting ground.
He was confident against most variables.
That's when it happened.
Squeak.
Squeak, squeak—
Monsters spotted in the distance.
Six in total.
Four E-Rank orcs and two D-Rank orc warriors, bulkier than the regulars. Kang San readied for battle at once. Shield to body, sword in hand, he stepped up beside Kim Myung-min, prepared to meet the foes.
But.
"Hey, what're you doing? Get back!"
A snappy voice from behind.
Hunters kept talk short in hunts for clear comms, but this dripped hostility.
It was Yoon Ji-tae.
Kang San turned, and Yoon Ji-tae yelled.
"E-Rank trying to tank D-Rank orc warriors? Just watch. See how dangerous the front line gets from a safe spot."
The foreseen issue.
Distrust spiked like a thorn.
Battle began.
The Rangers were indeed different.
No signals needed; they seamlessly took positions and fought in perfect sync.
Up front: Kim Myung-min and C-Rank sub-tanker Kang Ki-dong.
They pinned the orcs.
The orcs charged wildly upon spotting humans, but before dealer support, Kim Myung-min's sword tore limbs apart.
'Dash.'
Whoosh—
Slash slash slash.
Kreeeek.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
Kim Myung-min decapitated the lead orc, then cleaved the next's chest in a blur. Kang Ki-dong a step behind, ready for leaks. As Kim Myung-min looked up for the next, a dagger embedded in an orc's forehead.
Thunk!
Gu Yeon-su.
The six orcs were cleared in seconds.
Matching their confidence, the orcs dropped lifeless before eyes could blink.
Over in a flash.
The group pressed on.
Then Yoon Ji-tae approached.
"Sorry for the attitude earlier—situation got me snappy. But seriously, don't step up unless necessary. Heard you handled a blood orc in your promo exam, but charging into a group like that? No telling what happens. And since it came up..."
He glanced at Kim Myung-min.
Far enough.
Thinking he couldn't hear, Yoon Ji-tae's face hardened.
He despised overconfident hacks.
"If this doesn't feel like your place, think it over and make a smart call. Won't oppose the team leader outright, but if you bow out yourself, no choice."
He turned away sharply.
Open hostility.
One-sided talk, but Kang San didn't stop him.
'That's the natural view.'
E-Rank.
Years as an arrow sponge.
Even Castle Management Heavenly Firmament nixed recruitment over it—his profile screamed mediocrity.
So he didn't take Yoon Ji-tae's words negatively.
The world they lived in was hell where yesterday's laughing friends turned cold corpses, ruled by strength. No room for generous welcomes amid the risks. For Yoon Ji-tae, not flipping out was maximum restraint.
And anyway.
His snappy 'stay back' stemmed from worry Kang San might get hurt.
He could've grabbed him, explained.
His gritty survival as arrow sponge, returning alive from ant caves—proof his tanking defied ranks. Sure, lacking for C-Rank+ Ranger grounds, but confident here amid E-Rank orcs.
But.
He stayed silent.
He wanted to observe.
Tormented by unanswerable questions, he craved firsthand how those bearing trials by choice lived. That was the goal from the start. Proving himself to Rangers or plotting futures came second; first, establishing how Kang San would live day to day.
"Move fast."
Kim Myung-min picked up speed.
Kang San followed wordlessly.
Ignoring him entirely, the Rangers swiftly cut through the grass.