Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: 9. The Presence of a Single Person (1)
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The test preparation time was 30 minutes.
Though it was their first meeting, Yeon Woo-bin took the initiative to gather the team members.
"Since time is short, let's keep the introductions brief. I'm D-Rank, and I use magic as a dealer."
She turned her head.
At the signal to continue, the burly man spoke up.
"I'm D-Rank too, position tanker."
"I'm E-Rank, sub-tanker."
"I'm E-Rank, dealer using assassin-type weapons."
"I'm D-Rank, all-rounder. Warrior class, so I can handle any role."
They introduced themselves one by one.
Three D-Ranks and two E-Ranks.
As Yeon Gyu-seong had said, it was more than enough firepower to pass the D-Rank test.
Moreover, the balance between dealers and tanks was solid. If they planned their strategy well, there shouldn't be any major issues.
'This test is my chance to prove myself to Father. If I panic and show fear like I did in the ant cave, no matter the outcome, he'll never allow it. I can't let that happen. And I made a promise to Mr. Kang San. Next time we meet, I'll have fixed my chronic cowardice for good.'
She steeled her resolve.
She absolutely could not repeat the mistakes of the past.
She had reviewed her hunt with Kang San countless times, checking what she did wrong and what she did right.
Yeon Woo-bin spoke.
"Our team's strength is weighted more toward defense than offense. Even if we go aggressive, it's hard to suppress with raw firepower, so how about we build a solid defensive line and sweep the enemies based on my magic? I don't have much raid experience, but if you buy me time, I can deliver."
"If you put it that way..."
"I agree. With three melee positions, that's the textbook strategy."
It was a confident statement, unlike her usual self.
No one among the mercenaries objected to the orthodox judgment.
Preparations were essentially complete.
Yeon Woo-bin took a deep breath, her eyes filled with determination.
"Then, let's do our best."
Monster training grounds came in various forms.
Most involved selecting captured monsters to fight, but places like the promotion exam grounds used specific Backside Worlds as arenas. The one Yeon Woo-bin entered was the latter. They deliberately left the connection to the Backside World intact without fully clearing the monsters, releasing desired ones into the training area.
Whoosh.
They crossed dimensions.
A musty smell assaulted their noses.
Before they could look around, the tanker spotted unusual movement.
"Something's approaching from the front! Get ready!"
Swish.
As he said, the bushes rustled.
The tanker quickly took the front, backed by the warrior and sub-tanker.
The sub-tanker was in a slightly ambiguous position, stepping in to protect the dealers as a secondary role depending on the situation.
A tense standoff.
Pop.
The monsters finally appeared.
Small creatures burst from the bushes, charging forward. Doubt crossed the tanker's face.
"Goblins?"
Kyaa!
Kyaak!
Goblins weren't strong monsters.
Merely F-Rank, so for this place to be rated D-Rank, there had to be a Hobgoblin. The Hobgoblin was the king of goblins, possessing intelligence. Usually E-Rank, but depending on its intellect, it could be classified up to D-Rank. That meant the one sending goblins right after intruders appeared was a Hobgoblin with human-level or higher intelligence.
'Guardian Shield.'
Clang.
The tanker drew aggro.
The goblins' eyes turned red, attacking him all at once.
Kyaang!
Kekeke!
They slammed into him.
The tanker raised his shield to block the first assault, and the warrior immediately exploited the gap, slicing goblin heads. The assassin dealer's reaction was swift too. Daggers whistled through the air, embedding in vitals. Amid the chaos, Yeon Woo-bin was already casting.
Kiek.
Kek kek kek.
The goblins screeched.
As they scattered to target Yeon Woo-bin, the tanker bellowed.
"Protect the mage!"
"Got it!"
Perfectly in sync.
The sub-tanker fell back to block the scattering goblins, and even as more emerged from the bushes, the tanker kept aggro focused without panic. For a party mostly D-Ranks, this difficulty was a breeze. No matter a Hobgoblin's presence, if they couldn't handle goblin swarm tactics, they wouldn't deserve the D-Rank title.
The numbers were certainly impressive.
Soon, goblins filled their vision, some even aiming from range.
But.
"Lightning Shock."
Zzzt.
Zzzzt.
Yeon Woo-bin channeled her mana.
Since they were individually weak monsters, she used a quick-casting 2-circle spell, amplified by her special ability, Elemental Bless, boosting elemental magic power. The intense lightning was beyond 2-circle level. Bolts erupted around her, sweeping the goblin horde.
Bzzzt zzzt.
Kreeeek!
"Whoa."
The tanker let out an exclamation.
He'd initially doubted her frail appearance, but one spell proved her worth completely. With that level of power, how could she lack raid experience? She must have been scouted by guilds right after awakening, yet here was an unknown powerhouse at the same rank—it was baffling. One thing was clear: they'd pass the test.
Solid defensive line.
Explosive magic.
No better combination.
As Yeon Woo-bin said, block variables defensively, and they'd soon take down the Hobgoblin.
And that thought.
Crack.
Kwachak!
"Argh!"
Shattered miserably less than 10 minutes later against a suddenly appearing troll.
At that moment.
Yeon Gyu-seong watched from outside the Backside World.
The situation had been smooth so far, so he turned to his secretary with cold eyes.
"What's the probability Woo-bin passes the test?"
"Zero, without a doubt."
"Basis?"
Another screen.
Trolls were approaching rapidly.
The secretary glanced at their movements, then continued.
"The young lady's party looks well-balanced on paper, but it's actually severely lacking in firepower. Tanks, sub-tank, warrior—they don't excel against hordes. Same for the assassin dealer. All specialized in one-on-one, so everything hinges on her firepower. That's why we deployed trolls deliberately. Among D-Rank monsters, trolls are top predators, especially lethal counters to magic dealers with their overwhelming regeneration."
"Her magic seems stronger than expected."
"Correct. Tests show her magic exceeds same-rank standards. Which makes the trolls even more crucial. Trolls have low intelligence relative to physical prowess, underutilizing their stats. But commanded by a Hobgoblin's brain, no D-Rank party can handle them. And using only D-Rank monsters gives us justification."
"Good work. I'll reward you separately for this."
"Thank you."
Yeon Gyu-seong smiled.
Layer upon layer.
He'd prepared meticulously for this test.
Yeon Woo-bin thought it was a sudden offer, but that was another trap he'd set.
The moment she stepped up to prove herself.
A pitfall designed to crush her utterly.
'She won't claim to live as a hunter anymore.'
Right on cue.
Trolls burst from the bushes, injecting chaos into the battlefield.
It unfolded exactly as expected.
The moment trolls entered, the situation turned dire.
"...Fuck."
Kwaang!
A troll's forehand smashed the shield.
While the tanker struggled against two trolls, goblins slipped through, charging madly.
Kiiek!
Kekeke!
"Block them!"
"Don't let them through!"
The sub-tanker fought desperately.
He activated Guardian Shield to draw goblin eyes, but the problem was attackers weren't just goblins. A troll appeared from another direction. The Hobgoblin had intentionally pinned the main tanker, separated the sub-tanker, then struck individually.
A strategy beyond troll intellect.
But with the Hobgoblin, the sub-tanker faced a massive forehand crashing down.
Kwajik!
"Urk."
Chaos reigned.
They'd induced pandemonium deliberately.
With positions collapsing and monsters swarming from all sides, a stable defense was impossible. A brutal melee of kill or be killed. As ranked hunters, they didn't crumble easily, but for a low-firepower party, facing trolls was a huge hurdle.
Flash.
The warrior's sword gleamed.
The troll's chest split open, but cells knit back instantly, its gaze locking on him.
"Damn."
Thwoong!
It flew at him with a forehand.
Hot flames struck the approaching troll.
Kwaang!
Roarrrrr.
2-circle magic.
Fire Ball.
No time for 3-circle or higher, so she resorted to her strongest quick spell.
But.
Crackle.
Crackle crackle.
Grrowl.
The troll didn't fall.
True to its reputation as a mage killer, despite melting skin, it turned precisely toward Yeon Woo-bin and charged. Even as the assassin dealer hurled daggers frantically, the troll ignored them, fixated on her. Hobgoblin's orders. The sole command burned into its mind: kill the mage, and it's over.
That instant.
Yeon Woo-bin's pupils dilated.
Her breath caught.
She'd shown regained confidence, but facing real chaos, fear gripped her instantly.
[Kyaaak!]
A scream echoed from somewhere.
Not real sound.
Her mother's voice.
Her body trembled.
She thought she might die here.
Her reflection in the troll's eyes looked so fragile, limbs ready to tear apart in an instant.
'...Father planned this from the start.'
Balanced party.
A trap to eliminate complaints.
Deliberately weak firepower, countered by natural enemies. And mental fragility too. Father must have warned the mercenaries of 'dangers,' making them lose will quickly.
It was over.
Surrender, and Father's guards would save her.
But.
'No. I've survived worse.'
She gritted her teeth.
Kang San's image flashed.
Under his protection, she'd proven her brilliant talent.
Yeon Woo-bin's eyes changed.
She surged her mana, shouting fiercely.
"Everyone, just hold on! If you buy time..."
Her mana eyes gleamed.
A memorized spell activated, her presence exploding outward.
"I'll wipe them all out."
Fwoosh.
Roarrrrr.