Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: 15. The Tenth Trial (9)
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It was an astonishing sight.
The main force consisted of just one person.
Clad in pristine white armor with a fluttering red cape, he looked like something out of a fantasy if not for that vivid visual. People instinctively knew who this man was. One of the three S-Rank Hunters in Korea, the legendary figure affiliated with the government known as the White Knight.
It was Lee Han-sung.
A beam of white light plunged down, sweeping through the monsters, and at the same time, he activated his skill.
"Radiance."
Flash—
A burst of pure white light erupted.
Though Joo Seok-hoon possessed the same skill, Lee Han-sung's Radiance instantly restored the health of everyone around him in one go.
"Don't push yourselves. Hold your positions. I'll handle the rest."
Clank.
He drew his sword.
Lee Han-sung's position was tanker.
But uniquely, he didn't use a shield. Instead, he wielded a massive greatsword blending white and gold.
Lee Han-sung advanced.
The werewolves, afflicted with debuffs, couldn't regain their senses, and only the Werewolf Lord bellowed a roar before charging ferociously. An A-Rank monster. As people's eyes followed the clash between it—the beast that had driven an entire Ranger unit to the brink of death—and him,
Kyaaak—!
They collided.
The moment the Lord's powerful strike aimed to tear Lee Han-sung's body apart, the Lord suddenly widened its eyes.
Kwajik.
Papapap.
It wasn't a skill.
Lee Han-sung had simply swung his sword down, and under that overwhelming pressure, the Lord couldn't escape the attack range. It was crushed. Its wildly slashing claws and arms were ripped apart in reverse, blood spurting from every orifice. It was a spine-chilling sight. The red blood mingling with the pure white proved the immeasurable gap even between A-Rank and S-Rank.
Thwack—!
Its head flew off.
More precisely, it vanished.
As the Lord collapsed, people finally felt certain they could survive and return alive.
And perhaps because of that.
That sight was the last thing he saw.
'……I made it. I survived.'
Stagger.
Thud!
Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Kang San lost consciousness.
It was a stark, barren room.
Kim Myung-min, his body wrapped head to toe in bandages, met with an inspector from the Hunter Management Bureau's audit department.
"It was a dire situation, but you held out well. Without your sacrifice, Team Leader Kim Myung-min, the Ranger unit and all the rescue targets would have been wiped out."
"………I just did what I had to."
Right after the mission.
Kim Myung-min and his team had been rushed to the hospital.
Though Lee Han-sung's Radiance had restored their health, it didn't mean it perfectly healed internal injuries and all. So they'd spent the previous day in the hospital. Now somewhat mobile, he'd agreed to this meeting.
Ranger unit.
Kim Myung-min was more accurately under the Hunter Management Bureau than the Ministry of National Defense.
In the end, both the military and the Bureau stemmed from the government, but their systems were subtly different.
The inspector said,
"From our investigation, the exact process of the A-Rank Werewolf Lord's appearance remains unclear. No special signs appeared during repeated prior explorations, so we're conducting a thorough probe into this mysterious situation. If there's any new 'emergence' pattern different from before, the Hunter Management Bureau's designated dungeon ratings would become meaningless. That's the gist for now. The issue is……… is this testimony really true? That a D-Rank named Kang San held off the Lord."
This meeting.
Was due to Kim Myung-min's report.
Even with his injuries, he'd given a rough account, but it included shocking content that was hard to accept.
Kim Myung-min said,
"Everything is true. Of course, it doesn't mean he blocked the Werewolf Lord head-on, but as you know, there's roughly a tenfold stat difference between A-Rank and D-Rank. Yet Kang San bought time against the Lord. Dodging attacks and enduring—that alone is utterly unbelievable."
"I agree, but………."
Honestly, it was hard to believe.
If true, it was monumental.
But how on earth could a D-Rank hold out for minutes against an A-Rank?
This was the discovery of new talent.
Kang San's presence in this mission was remarkable enough to draw the Hunter Management Bureau's interest.
"Once Kang San wakes up, we'll verify the truth. Even if his feats in the report are somewhat exaggerated, he's clearly a talent the government should specially manage. As you know, capable tankers are extremely rare. And recognizing your achievements, rewards will be given to you, Team Leader Kim Myung-min, and your team. Look forward to it."
"Understood."
He didn't care about rewards.
Kim Myung-min thought of Kang San.
The sight Kang San had shown.
That intense performance still lingered in his mind.
At that moment.
Kim Chun-sik was in the barracks.
Having finished treatment and returned to his bunk, he was alone since he'd been ordered to rest.
His expression wasn't bright.
Rumors said commendations were in the works for this mission, but right now, Kim Chun-sik only cared about Kang San's well-being.
'I hope he's okay.'
With Lee Han-sung's arrival.
All problems were resolved.
But Kang San had collapsed, and from then until now, he hadn't woken up. The medics said they couldn't identify the cause. His body had been covered in wounds from the massive shock, true, but the medical team had treated every critical issue. Yet he still wouldn't wake, leading to speculation of mental trauma.
It was a frustrating situation.
Mental issues, especially involving the brain, offered no clear prognosis.
'He'll wake up. The Kang San I know wouldn't break mentally.'
Drip, drip.
He bit his nails.
Anxiety gnawed at him for no reason.
He tried to think positively, but ominous thoughts flooded back, and he clutched his face with both hands.
"Haa— Seriously, take better care of yourself."
Kim Myung-min's report.
Had leaked to the military too.
About how, when both main and sub tankers had fallen, a mere D-Rank Kang San had desperately held the line. Hearing that, Kim Chun-sik felt like crying. Just like when he'd saved him back in his F-Rank Arrow Sponge days, Kang San hadn't ignored others' peril this time either.
He was too selfless.
He should've played it safer, more realistically, but as a D-Rank, he'd faced the Lord sacrificially.
'God, Buddha, all transcendent beings beyond. I earnestly pray. Kang San isn't one to be taken like this. If justice exists in this world, if good deeds are rewarded. Please let Kang San wake safely. I'll die in his place. If you appear before me now and weigh our two lives, I'll gladly offer mine.'
He prayed fervently.
In the barracks, filled only with the ticking clock, Kim Chun-sik couldn't rest even once.
Then.
The door opened, and the 2nd Company Commander appeared.
"Kim Chun-sik."
"Corporal Kim Chun-sik reporting."
"Come with me. There's somewhere you need to go now."
He glanced at Kim Chun-sik's state.
Adding to his casual attire,
"And change into A-Rank combat gear. You're meeting some very important people."
Entering the unfamiliar place.
Kim Chun-sik felt his breath catch.
Everywhere his eyes fell, stars gazed down at him—figures a mere soldier could scarcely meet.
"Have a seat."
"Corporal Kim Chun-sik."
At the head seat among them.
Sat a middle-aged man.
With a buzz cut, tanned skin, and the quintessential soldier's look, he was a face Kim Chun-sik knew well.
Capital Defense Command.
The parent organization of the Capital Defense Force, the core military group guarding Seoul, Korea's capital.
It was their commander.
Led by Major General Lee Cheol-woo with three stars, flanked by one- and two-star deputy commanders and chiefs of staff. Even Battalion Commander Choi Sung-jae looked modest. Kim Chun-sik sat rigidly, and Commander Lee Cheol-woo eyed the equally tense 1st Company Commander at the foot of the table.
"So, what feats did our Corporal Kim Chun-sik accomplish?"
"Upon entering the operational area, we judged it impossible to proceed further with the Werewolf Lord's appearance. At that point, Corporal Kim Chun-sik suggested taking scout role himself, considering the full moon might prevent the main force from locating the Ranger unit quickly. I deemed it highly dangerous, but given his prior merit saving civilians from dozens of monsters, and with sufficient weapons, I trusted him and proceeded."
"And in that process, he took down one werewolf and drew aggro to let the Rangers hold?"
"Yes, sir."
Clap, clap, clap—
"Impressive. Truly impressive."
As Lee Cheol-woo clapped, everyone around joined in contagiously.
Lee Cheol-woo said,
"You can't imagine how happy I was hearing this. People always say Korea's safety is the Hunter Management Bureau's domain, not National Defense. No matter how tirelessly we soldiers sweat to protect Korea daily, they focus only on the flashy skills of Hunters. Even this incident is credited to Lee Han-sung, but no one can deny Corporal Kim Chun-sik's achievements. Without your help, those Hunters would've all died."
"………Thank you, sir."
National Defense and Hunter Management Bureau.
Just as their systems differed, so did the subtle sentiments between them.
Actually, it was one-sided from National Defense.
Resentful of the perception that failed Hunters joined the military, Major General Lee Cheol-woo harbored much dissatisfaction. Not entirely denying it—figures like S-Rank Lee Han-sung were Bureau-affiliated—but it was soldiers grinding at the bottom every day.
Lee Cheol-woo couldn't hide his delight.
"What I value most in our Corporal Kim Chun-sik is stepping up boldly without forgetting a soldier's duty amid the operation. Not easy. Even for soldiers, risking life to complete missions isn't for everyone. Plus, you rescued civilians before."
Kim Chun-sik glanced at the 2nd Company Commander.
Major General Lee Cheol-woo.
He didn't know the backstory.
That he hadn't upheld soldierly duty but jumped into peril for Kang San.
Yet the 2nd Company Commander, battalion commander, even 1st Company Commander avoided mentioning it.
Regardless of intent, properly framed, Kim Chun-sik's actions could earn commendations for all. Interests intertwined. Superiors needing to recognize his merits, and a commander thrilled by it.
Lee Cheol-woo gave a sly look.
"So, here's the thing. In times like these, our military needs talents like you, Corporal Kim Chun-sik. On that note, a proposal. Ever thought of rising higher?"
"………What do you mean, sir?"
Sharp gazes stabbed from all sides.
Shocked at the audacity to question back.
But still.
He had to ask.
He couldn't comprehend.
Major General Lee Cheol-woo's smile deepened.
"Straight to the point. Not as a regular soldier. But leading a unit, devoting to the military. Can you do that?"