011. The Simplest Path to Supremacy: Human Wave Tactics

The easiest way to gain an advantage in battle? Excellent weapons? Strategies and tactics? Efficient personnel placement? No. The simplest and most effective method was the human wave tactic.

Overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers was the easiest approach—and the hardest to counter.

'In the hunter world, this stands out even more.'

Even with varying skill levels, in the Hunters League where each individual wielded unique abilities, the advantage of numbers was amplified. Unknown skills or ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠powerful skill combos could easily topple you.

And it wasn't just that. When facing multiple opponents alone, blind spots inevitably formed in your vision. Factoring those in made the fight exponentially harder.

That's why what Lee Chang-hyun was doing now bordered on madness. Even with Ether in his arsenal, he was essentially solo—excluding the supporter enhancing gravity from the rear.

'No matter how you fly or crawl, you're still just one man. So... what're you gonna do, Lee Chang-hyun?'

The biggest threat—the one to watch most closely—was Yoon Han-gyeol right in front of him.

A close-range dealer who wielded a sword, yet capable of mid-range harassment with his ego sword. He commanded the Storm Sword.

'So he's the top ranker, huh?'

It made sense. Pre-regression, Yoon Han-gyeol had been overwhelmingly powerful. One of the rare Hunters League players who covered close to long range. He pressured foes with multiple ego swords.

But right now, he wielded just one.

'Still rookie level, then.'

Lee Chang-hyun glanced back at Yoon Han-gyeol with a lighter heart.

But he couldn't focus solely on Yoon Han-gyeol.

'...Behind!'

Lee Chang-hyun swiftly sidestepped. A spear flew right where he'd stood. Having seen the first two drop without resistance, they'd sniped what they deemed the biggest threat amid the chaos: Lee Chang-hyun.

"This vibe... been a while. First time for you, right?"

"...I don't know what trick you pulled, but that thing of yours... it's no ordinary weapon. That's all on you. Don't hold it against me."

With those words, the sword hovering before Yoon Han-gyeol shot forward again.

'Perfect.'

He didn't know about Yoon Han-gyeol with multiple swords, but with just one? No way to block a pistol shot.

Bang! Bang-bang!

He aimed during the landing gap again, but missed narrowly.

'Hiding behind the tree right after launching the sword... Even as a kid, he knows some tactical moves?'

Pre-regression, Yoon Han-gyeol had been all brute force, no finesse. Seemed youth changed that a bit.

Yoon Han-gyeol ducked behind the tree too. Unable to chase the obscured Lee Chang-hyun with his sword, a standoff ensued.

But the difference between Lee Chang-hyun and Yoon Han-gyeol? Piercing Eye.

Even in this vision-limited forest map, it pinpointed exactly who was where. That's why, even in the standoff, Lee Chang-hyun could multitask.

'While Yoon Han-gyeol plays it safe, take out the others first. Starting with... 3m back, tree base...'

Pretending to retreat ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠during the standoff, the moment the shadow at the tree base peeked out—eyes met. The supporter's face twisted in shock.

But for Lee Chang-hyun, it was all predicted. No hesitation.

Bang—another kill.

With Yoon Han-gyeol at a distance, easing the pressure, this was prime kill window. Same even against multiples.

Two in temporary truce behind cover in the clearing. One hiding in the cave pit behind rocks. And one boldly charging straight at him.

Kill. Kill. And kill.

Ether's absurd penetration and fire rate, paired with his talent—multi-man fights were hopelessly unbalanced from the start.

Surging to 7 kills in a flash, Yoon Han-gyeol—having caught his breath or devised a new plan—charged from the rear.

'He knows mid-range won't cut it...'

No top hunter charges blindly. Tense, Lee Chang-hyun fired suppressive shots... but Yoon Han-gyeol dashed without launching his short sword, deflecting Ether bullets barehanded.

'Mana shortage slows the bullets...'

Still, that reaction speed was inhuman. An ultimate technique pouring every ounce of focus.

...But.

Pre-regression memories resurfaced. Yoon Han-gyeol always bulldozed with raw power, flustering others.

But there was always someone faster above the runners. And he was the flyer.

Ping! Ping-ping—bullets ricocheted one by one. Before long, Yoon Han-gyeol closed in.

Then, the game-changer. Ping—a shot toward a ricocheting bullet, ricochet itself.

A miraculous ricochet shot exploiting the deflection. The bullet slipped Yoon Han-gyeol's vision for a split second.

Impossible to react. Victory certain.

'Got him...!'

But luck wasn't his today.

After the Survival Game ended, the 20 survivors returned to the main hall. On the reopened stage appeared Jo Ah-ra, Jin Su-hyuk, and Lee Min-seok—the three judges.

Jo Ah-ra opened first.

"Congratulations. You get to savor victory's joy as true hunters. Considering hunters are a tiny fraction of all Awakeners, this is truly impressive."

Lee Min-seok took the baton, continuing the congratulations.

"What’s the core quality of a hunter? Some might say winning matches. But the hunters we—and you—dream of aren't that. They're those who protected humanity, standing at the forefront of crises, delving into dungeons. Like the 1st gen hunters, right? In that sense, your Survival Game showcased your hunter qualities and your future. I believe that."

"Next mission in one week, right here in the main hall. You likely spotted your weaknesses in this game, so prep hard. Unlimited access to dorm training facilities—give 'em a try. Good luck to our final 20."

With that, the judges left, leaving only the leaderboard on the screen.

'Only 5th place...'

Unforeseen variables left him with regrets. If he'd known, he'd have focused on kills from the start, risks be damned—probably topped the ranks.

'Not without gains, though...'

Pacing the waiting room in thought, Kim Do-jun approached Lee Chang-hyun.

"Yo! Lee Chang-hyun! 5th place, huh?!"

Come to think of it, he'd forgotten—this guy was participating too. Pre-regression top-tier dealer, but absent from rankings? Eliminated, then.

"You? Made it?"

"Me? ...Scraped by somehow. Waiting room's buzzing about some gun user—you?"

"They don't even issue guns—where'd you snag one?"

Always noisy when they met. Wished he'd buzz off...

Salvation arrived.

"Lee Chang-hyun-ssi, interview prep, please."

The PD and cameraman had arrived.

Broadcasting wasn't just filming people—it was capturing them.

How they were captured changed perceptions, viewer ratings swung wildly. PD Lee Jun-seok knew this well, pondering how to package each contestant based on traits, personality, performance.

First impression: total weirdo. Didn't expect him to pass.

He'd reviewed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the application docs for coverage. Conflict management? Leave all decisions to him unilaterally? Never faced real hardship 'cause life's easy? Zero sincerity—didn't even seem serious.

But in practicals? Different story.

'Document screening question 3...'

Lucky breaks, sure—but luck succeeding twice, thrice? That's skill. His Survival Game antics felt deliberate, substantial.

So, what concept sells? Overconfident boy hiding pro-level secrets? My-way-or-highway eccentric? Neither ordinary, but marketability iffy...

Lee Jun-seok mulled a fresh angle, probing with safe questions first.

In the waiting room waited PD Lee Jun-seok—mildly affable—and the cameraman.

First post-regression interview? A bit nerve-wracking. But with tons of experience, he'd manage.

"How'd you apply for Hunters Next ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Generation?"

"Felt like someone like me should."

Damn right. Hunters League champ Lee Chang-hyun applying? Be grateful.

Genuine thought.

"Congrats on passing, Hunter Lee Chang-hyun. One word on the first round?"

"Eh, worse than expected, but par for the course."

Honestly, first round was dicey. Docs caught him off-guard; interviews too. But his displayed prowess made it fair assessment.

"Met tons of applicants this round—any rivals stand out?"

"Nope."

"..."

"None."

Yoon Han-gyeol registered a bit, but rival? Nah. Pre-regression finals? Undefeated against him.

Arrogant? Maybe. But facts.

Lee Jun-seok was baffled. No touching backstory, just bland. Short answers, awkward probes.

So he went aggressive.

"No rivals, yet only 5th? Why?"

"Eh... killing everyone outright's no fun, right?"

Real constraints forced 5th, but with Bloom unleashed? Easy 1st. Arrogant? Sure. But all true.

Lee Jun-seok, oblivious, just thought:

'What a headache.'