Chapter 41
Chapter 41
41.Discharge-type Gate (4)
Grendel is classified as being on par with Ogres, but from some perspectives, they are more difficult Monsters.
While their strength and physical durability are lower than Ogres, they possess correspondingly greater speed.
‘Unlike Ogres, which just charge in, they cleverly target the rear lines first.’
Even if each Guild takes on one, there will be one left over. There's a high probability that one will cause them to collapse one by one.
Aside from Leap, Recovery and we can't confidently guarantee that we can properly mark one Grendel.
‘I need to use my head a bit first.’
Being able to think calmly even in this urgent situation is an advantage of my ability. There's no reason not to use it.
First of all, we must assume that a conventional battle is impossible. We have to confront them in an unconventional way.
‘Chunbae, any ideas?’
-Negative. With the power I've assessed, it's impossible to catch four Grendels. Running away is the best option.
I asked Chunbae for advice, but I didn't get the answer I wanted. The situation was that difficult.
‘The problem is we can't run away.’
Since the other Guild's Hunters don't know me well, in the end, the only thing I can think about is our team.
The first thing that came to mind was Yong-yong.
‘Will Yong-yong's cry work?’
Last time, the Nolls ran away with their tails between their legs after hearing Yong-yong's cry. There's a possibility.
But I can't rely on that alone.
So far, that was the only time Yong-yong's cry worked. He growled during the Night of Despair, but it didn't seem like Dragon Fear.
Perhaps Yong-yong needs to feel serious discomfort, like the Noll's stench, for it to work.
‘And there's no guarantee that it will work on Ogre-level Monsters.’
Anyway, the problem now isn't the small fry, but the Grendels. I erased Yong-yong from my mind.
Min-jae's Magic also briefly came to mind, but I shook my head. Even with high destructive power, it took a while to beat the Ogre.
Grendel might not have as much Magic resistance as an Ogre, but we can't deal with four of them at once.
And unlike Ogres, they are fast.
‘Is there any way to use Subspace to deal with them?’
The first method that came to mind was the Elixir. When I'm in Subspace, time flows in Subspace, but it doesn't flow outside.
If I eat all the Elixirs here and go out, I'll definitely get a stat boost.
However, the problem was that there weren't many verified Elixirs. And it takes a very long time.
That's when it happened.
‘Wait a minute.’
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.
It's impossible to catch the Grendels right now anyway. But, I can attract their attention and endure it in Subspace.
If that's the case, I can be in charge of drawing their aggro. I just need to get them away from here somehow.
There were two problems caused by the Grendels.
‘The threat to life and the failure to defend the Gate.’
The first is that the Hunters, including our team, are in immediate danger, and the second is the safety of the citizens.
If all the Hunters fall, the Monsters will go looking for the citizens.
Even if there are shelters, they are just refuges. If Monsters rush in, they will collapse in an instant.
With this method, if I take a little risk, I can protect both the Hunters and the citizens.
‘The problem is how to draw aggro.’
I know information about Grendels, but I don't remember it in great detail.
Of course, the solution wasn't that difficult.
[Monster Compendium (Vol. 4)]
I didn't just leave supplies in Subspace. I prepared for various situations inside the Gate.
For example, how to survive in harsh environments or how to deal with Monsters.
[Grendel]
-A Monster in the form of a werewolf. About 2m 50cm tall...
-Treated as a Monster on par with Ogres and is very agile. Weaker than Ogres, but has sufficiently powerful strength...
-Has the intelligence to target the team's rear lines, the weaker ones first. The rear lines should always be careful when encountering Grendel...
-Prioritizes humans with its own or its kin's blood on them. Therefore, the front lines of the team must somehow get Grendel's blood on them during battle...
I was able to find the part I wanted in the Monster Compendium. The point was that I had to get the Monster's blood on my body. If I could do that, I could guide them in the direction I wanted.
It wasn't going to be easy.
The reason I was reluctant to approach the Ogre was because it was dangerous, as even a graze could be fatal.
But that Monster was faster than an Ogre.
‘I think I can do it somehow. I also have the Necklace of Protection as insurance.’
-It's dangerous, but if you can't back down, it's the best way.
-Of course, I recommend retreating. You have to live to see the future...
He talked a lot, but Chunbae agreed with me. Wasn't today the day we didn't train?
I immediately opened the Subspace Gate and went out. Uncle Cheolgi, who saw me, raised his eyebrows.
"Did you come up with something?"
"Yes."
I said calmly.
"I'm going to lure them away. In the meantime, defend the Gate."
Monsters are coming out besides the Grendels. Anyway, I'm enough to lure them away.
"Those Monsters? Is that possible?"
"I looked it up in the Compendium. You just need to get their blood on your body."
"How are you going to get it on you? It's too dangerous."
Uncle Cheolgi dissuaded me with a serious face. I shrugged.
"There's no other way. I have Leap and Subspace."
To be honest, it's dangerous for the team members, but it's also dangerous for me to fight like this.
I can't hide in Subspace alone, leaving the team members, especially Uncle Cheolgi, behind.
"It's safer for both of us if I move away."
"......"
Uncle Cheolgi didn't say anything, but he looked at me with worried eyes. I smiled faintly.
"Don't worry too much. Lee Shin-hee?"
Lee Shin-hee stared at me.
"Let's do what we practiced earlier. Protective Barrier and Leap."
"Ah. Yes."
Lee Shin-hee nodded as if she understood.
-Bishang buys time as much as possible! Dinosaur, Recovery, retreat! Retreat and prepare support Magic!
A rough transmission rang out from Bishang. The two front lines were moving forward with buffs. Their expressions were dark.
It was an expression filled with determination. Was it a determination to sacrifice themselves? I was grateful for that. I also grabbed the radio.
"This is Dinosaur Guild. Please maintain the front line. You don't have to retreat."
-What the hell are you talking about? Do you want to die? Get out of here!
A curse word came out from the other side. I understand. They don't know anything about my abilities.
And from the perspective of someone who is volunteering to sacrifice themselves, they have a right to be angry.
-Just because the media is promoting you doesn't mean you're anything special? Retreat!
The Recovery Guild was already retreating. Well, there's no need to explain it in detail.
The Grendels were also running over.
"I'm going to lure the Grendels away and get out of here. Please maintain the front line and take care of the rear."
I turned around and made eye contact with Lee Shin-hee. Lee Shin-hee nodded as if she was ready.
As I nodded back, she immediately chanted a spell. And a Protective Barrier was placed on my body.
"Hoo."
I took a short deep breath and kicked off the ground. I could feel the Bishang Guild Leader's gaze. It was the expression of someone looking at a crazy person.
I didn't care.
I swung my sword in the swaying Spatial Sense. I concentrated all my nerves. So I could cut as soon as I moved.
Swish-!
And the moment I succeeded in Leap, there was a Grendel 10cm in front of my sword. The part I was aiming for was the torso.
I could have cut off its neck, arms, or legs to incapacitate it.
But I refrained because it was also moving.
Because I might fail to adjust the distance of Leap, or the agile Grendel might dodge it.
"Kreu?"
"Huh?"
The Grendel, sensing something strange, flinched. I could also see the surprised faces of the two front lines who were waiting for the Grendel at the front.
Even with Leap, the rotational force of my arm was the same. Elegant Sword cut through the Grendel's side. However, I couldn't bisect it because the Monster's muscles and skin were thick.
Swoosh-.
Still, I was able to cut about half of its side. Grendel's blood splattered everywhere.
‘Now, Leap.’
But the Grendel was faster than I had imagined. Its arm was coming towards my torso.
Crack-. It was the moment the Monster's claws touched the Protective Barrier.
Swish-!
It would have been quite dangerous if I hadn't been thinking about continuous Leaps. Because the Protective Barrier was shattered in an instant.
I was chilled to the bone.
-Awooooo!
Anyway, the plan was successful. Because the blood fell on my body as the Protective Barrier was shattered.
The four Grendels that were running towards the Hunters howled as they looked at me.
It meant that I had properly drawn their aggro.
"You mutts. Follow me."
Now all I have to do is run.
* * *
"Hoo."
Kim Jeong-do, a national broadcasting Hunter specialist reporter, took a deep breath. He was on his way to the site of the medium-sized Gate that had opened, aboard a coverage helicopter.
A medium-sized Gate with Ogre-level Monsters appearing was quite dangerous for the helicopter as well.
If it was hit by a thrown rock or if a flying Monster appeared, there was a risk of crashing.
Nevertheless, Kim Jeong-do volunteered to cover the story himself.
-I really want to go!
There was one reason why he took this risk.
‘Dinosaur Guild.’
It was a Guild with an S+ class Awakened and a Dragon Knight with a Dragon.
Despite the enormous interest from the public, they had not been exposed to the media except for an interview with the Association at the time of the contract.
It was to capture the scene of their first external battle, as they had recently achieved the feat of defeating an Ogre.
At that moment, the helicopter arrived at Seoul National University Station.
"Can you see it? A medium-sized Gate has opened at Seoul National University Station! Monsters are pouring out!"
At first, there were no major problems. Monsters poured out, and explosions erupted, with flames soaring.
Among the Monsters that came out in the beginning, the non-Awakened were annihilated.
After that, the Hunters poured Magic on the Awakened Monsters that were advancing. Of course, there were also noticeable parts.
Seo Min-jae's Magic was one of them.
"It's an incredible explosion! Dinosaur! It's the Magician of the Dinosaur Guild! Destructive power that is no less than that of the Bishang Guild's Magician, who is about to reach B-class..."
However, he couldn't finish his sentence because a Grendel had rushed out of the Gate.
Not just one, but four.
"G, Grendel has appeared. Four of them! The situation is not good. The Hunters are preparing to retreat. Recovery Guild and Dinosaur... Huh?"
At that moment, Kim Jeong-do, who was looking at the Dinosaur Guild, was surprised. It was because a Subspace had appeared and someone had entered it.
And as soon as the Subspace closed, they rushed out. It was a bizarre scene because time doesn't flow outside.
"Grendel is coming!"
However, he couldn't focus more on Han Hye because the four Grendels were starting to rush in.
Kim Jeong-do, who turned his gaze to the Grendel, opened his mouth once again.
"What is this...?"
Even though it was a live broadcast, he couldn't hide his bewilderment. It was because a Spatialist had appeared behind the Grendel that was rushing in.
And he deeply cut the side of one of the Grendels.
It was an event that happened in an instant. Dark red blood splattered greatly, and the Grendel swung its arm.
"Danger...!"
And the Spatialist disappeared before his eyes. Only then could Kim Jeong-do grasp the situation.
"It's Spatial Leap!"
The S+ class Awakened that had been rumored.
It was the moment when it was first revealed to the public that the Spatialist Han Hye could use Spatial Leap.
"W, where are they going?"
He could hear the Grendel's cry, and Han Hye started running backwards. It was the opposite direction from where the Hunters were.
Kim Jeong-do immediately inferred the intention.
"Spatialist! The Spatialist is luring the Grendel! They made the judgment that it is impossible to defend with the Hunters who are currently guarding and are luring the Grendel!"
As a Hunter specialist reporter, he was also well-versed in this industry. That's why he immediately understood what Han Hye had done.
"Grendel knows the habit of chasing those with the blood of their kin on them, a very wise action! However..."
The problem was that four Grendels were too dangerous for the D-class Hunter, the Spatialist.
"It's also very dangerous! Spatialist Han Hye is now risking her life for the Hunters and the citizens!"
Kim Jeong-do hurriedly gestured to the helicopter pilot. It meant to follow Han Hye.
It was the moment when a chase in the city center began.