Chapter 40
Chapter 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: 9. The Presence of a Single Person (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Right after the message.
Kang San received a call from Yeon Woo-bin.
[...That's the situation.]
The long explanation came to an end.
She added extra details out of guilt, but in the end, it was a request to join her in a life-risking test.
[I know it's an unreasonable ask. Even if you take on the risk for this, there's no real gain for you. And yet... I couldn't think of any other way. I've finally started using magic properly, and I don't want to give up just because I can't pass one test.]
Her voice trembled faintly.
Her timid nature kept her from delivering the message with firm resolve.
[It was the same with the ant den, and now this test. After facing two life-threatening battles, I know for sure I have talent. You're a tanker, Mr. Kang San. I've heard that tankers truly shine when backed by overwhelming firepower. For the sake of your future, couldn't you invest in me? I'll become your reliable ally. O-of course, you could find amazing allies anytime, but I'll be the kind who never betrays you.]
She knew it sounded forced.
That made her plea all the more desperate.
The way she pushed through her trembling voice to finish speaking proved her sincerity.
But.
"That doesn't mean I can blindly take on the risk."
[...Of course. Even if you refuse, I won't hold it against you.]
"Got it. Do you have a video file of the test footage from back then?"
[I do, but why...?]
"I'll give you my email, so send it over. This doesn't mean I'm accepting your proposal. Unlike the ant den, I want to check for myself if she's really worth it—if there's been any change."
"And as I said before, teaming up with me means risking your life every time. Is that okay with you?"
For some reason.
Even though he hadn't agreed yet.
He could almost see Yeon Woo-bin's face lighting up through the phone.
[Yes! Of course it's okay!]
It was an unexpected proposal.
Though their meetings had been brief, Kang San sensed that Yeon Woo-bin hated being a burden on others. Sure, joining the party as a scaredy-cat had been a clear nuisance, but she'd shown genuine remorse by accepting reality and refusing the rewards. Both then and now. Even so, when desperation struck, she somehow mustered the courage.
'From a short-sighted view, it's not beneficial for me. If her father opposes it so fiercely, the test's difficulty must be immense, and I have the variable of trials to consider.'
He should refuse.
There was no reason to take the risk.
But.
'She's not wrong. A tanker can only fully utilize their potential with solid firepower support. If that talent she showed is real, finding a replacement mage won't be easy. And above all, I need allies who can embrace the variables. Only those who believe in me, knowing the thorny path ahead, can help build the future I envision.'
He thought it through realistically.
His relationship with Yeon Woo-bin, her skills.
If this was her lowest point, she was worth investing in.
Of course, the premise was that she'd performed well enough in the test, as she'd described over the phone.
He played the video.
The test scene appeared.
[Something's approaching from the front! Get ready!]
It started off smoothly.
The tanker spotted the goblins and held the line properly, while Yeon Woo-bin's magic struck home.
[Lightning Shock]
[Zzzt-zzt-zzt.]
'Her casting is faster this time?'
Smart choice.
Against low-rank hordes, opting for a quick 2-circle spell—and an electric one with area damage at that—was excellent. She was far better than before. Back then, she'd been too shaky even in safe spots to cast properly, but this timely spell showed real growth.
The battle continued.
Then the troll appeared.
The situation flipped.
Yeon Woo-bin faltered hard, and Kang San watched that part with keen interest.
[Everyone, just hold on somehow. If you can hold, I'll wipe them all out for sure.]
It was different from before.
She gritted her teeth.
No allies comforting her, no guarantee of her own safety.
Yet Yeon Woo-bin overcame her fear on her own and gathered her mana.
[Boom!]
[Roooar of flames!]
Salamander's breath exploded forth.
He'd seen it before, but enhanced by magic eyes and Elemental Blessing, its firepower was jaw-dropping. The fight essentially ended there. Just as it seemed her desperate push would wrap things up, the hobgoblin's dark magic cornered the humans. That's when he understood her regret—if the front line had held, her firepower could've turned the tide, but they crumpled like scarecrows too soon, leaving no room to act.
And so.
Click.
The video cut off.
Kang San pondered deeply.
'Does Yeon Woo-bin have enough value to make me risk my life?'
It required careful judgment.
His conclusion.
'She does.'
Yeon Woo-bin in the first battle.
Yeon Woo-bin in the second.
Night and day.
As she'd explained, there'd been no special training between them, yet her growth was leaps and bounds. She hadn't seemed like the same person. She'd started as a total scaredy-cat who did nothing, but in the second fight, she coordinated the party and plugged gaps with the right spells—despite barely any raid experience. With proper experience and support, she'd surely show even greater potential.
No more hesitation needed.
Kang San called Yeon Woo-bin.
As if she'd been waiting, the call connected before the first ring.
"So, what do I need to do from here?"
The appointed day arrived.
Yeon Woo-bin brought three companions besides herself, two of whom Yeon Gyu-seong recognized.
'Jo Han-byeol.'
His friend's son.
He'd watched him grow up and once found him endearing, but lately, he'd been whispering nonsense into Yeon Woo-bin's ear, which grated on him. During the ant den incident, confirming Jo Han-byeol's involvement had made him rage at his friend, begging him to rein in Yeon Woo-bin as an elder next time.
But now.
'We're both the same, huh.'
Neither could handle their kids.
Glancing aside, he spotted someone he'd heard about but never met.
'Kang San.'
The benefactor who protected his son.
He knew Kang San had saved Yeon Woo-bin, but this meeting wasn't exactly welcome.
The last one was unknown.
Just a slippery-looking guy, that was the impression.
Yeon Gyu-seong spoke.
"As Woo-bin told you, I have no intention of providing a safety net just because I'm her father. I'd rather collect my son's body with my own hands than let him be torn apart by monsters with no corpse left to find. I absolutely won't allow that. So if you're thinking of backing out, do it now. I don't want others risking their lives over my family business."
He was dead serious.
His stern, humorless face made it more than a mere warning.
It was intimidating enough.
The unfamiliar young man glanced nervously, but Kang San responded calmly.
"Yes, I understand."
"...Understood."
Nothing more to say.
If the warning fell on deaf ears.
They'd pay the price themselves.
"Then we'll proceed with the test in 30 minutes."
Without a shred of reluctance, Yeon Gyu-seong turned coldly and walked away.
30 minutes.
Time for a strategy huddle.
In the loose gathering, Jeong Chan-woo—the slippery one Yeon Gyu-seong had pegged—spoke up with flushed excitement.
"Woo-bin's dad is seriously intimidating, huh?"
"...Yeah, a bit."
"Anyway, I'm pumped. Ever since then, I've dreamed of us teaming up like this every day. You tanking up front, us supporting—that vibe. Kyaa—! It's romantic, pure romance. It was freaking awesome."
He realized belatedly.
Jeong Chan-woo turned into quite the chatterbox once friendly.
He seemed thrilled just to be invited.
Kang San said,
"To cut to the chase, I called you all because I think we should form a party going forward. As you know, assembling a team this solid at E-Rank is tough. We've gauged each other's skills and built trust in the ant den, giving us good reason to step up together. If it's not for you, feel free to leave. I'm treating this test as a rehearsal to solidify our party."
"I'm in."
"Me too."
"Obviously agree. No reason to refuse."
All approved.
Having hinted beforehand, their presence alone was consent. A party didn't mean daily hunts—just raiding together or when needed. A fixed team with synced breathing was ideal. Sure, better players existed, but grouping by rank made growth smoother. Imbalances in strength only hindered progress.
With intentions reconfirmed.
Now, focus on the test.
Kang San said,
"I'll explain the strategy now. It's simple. The moment we enter the Backside World, positions are locked. I'll lead and tank everything. Chan-woo, sub-tank the rear dealers—never step forward, even if it feels idle; stick to your spot. Woo-bin, pure firepower spells only. Monsters hitting spots I can't cover, Chan-woo blocks first—if it's too much, Han-byeol joins in. That's our base strategy. No matter how dangerous, trust and follow me, and nothing will go wrong."
They nodded.
They trusted him.
One meeting in the ant den had forged that blind faith.
Kang San stood.
No need for all 30 minutes.
Once prepped.
"Let's go."
From here on, just like always, they wouldn't shy from the challenges ahead.