Respite After the Hunt
Having successfully completed their first hunt and returned, the hunters finished checking their numbers and levels before heading to the bathhouse to wash off the grime. This bathhouse, the result of the hunters' tireless efforts and ingenuity, was large enough to accommodate up to 50 people at once.
Built with frames from trees felled in the dungeon and walls of stone, the bath was heated by thermal energy from a salamander heart, keeping the water warm around the clock. Small pumps—eight in total—drew water from the nearby lake, and sloped pipes allowed them to drain and refill it anytime. Of course, men and women couldn't bathe together, so a smaller bathhouse for the women had been prepared some distance away.
"Ahh, this hits the spot."
O O
"Haa. Phew."
Surrendering their bodies to the hot water amid the open-air bath in nature, the hunters couldn't help thinking this place was like a paradise on earth. When they'd first arrived, survival had seemed utterly daunting, but now that most facilities were complete, they no longer missed city life and were quite content with their setup here.
Taemin, propping himself up in one corner to wash away his fatigue, mentally reviewed the day's hunt. It had been satisfying enough, but something felt about 2% off.
We cleared the whole thing, but the speed was too slow. Did we spend too much time in the field? Ignoring them and just charging ahead would be advantageous in a lot of ways... but the problem was the pace.
They only had one run per day anyway, but long hunts were boring as hell. Still, he couldn't just bolt for the castle while dragging along hunters who couldn't even protect themselves. A-rank hunters like him could ignore the monsters and run, but anyone below that would get tripped up 100 times out of 100 if they tried to push through.
Can't equip the whole group with speed gear either... No good solutions come to mind. For now, just get them up to A-rank. Things should sort themselves out then.
After his bath, Taemin headed to the kitchen for a late dinner. He was running behind, and the line outside stretched long enough that it wasn't visible anymore. Skipping past them, he entered and, thanks to the hunters yielding, got served first. The menu was bibim guksu, fragrant with sesame oil. Taemin, tasting the rare treat after so long, wolfed down two bowls in one go.
With a satisfied expression after finishing, he had a brief discussion with the executives about tomorrow's hunt before heading to Yoon Ji-young's quarters.
"Planning to crash here again tonight?"
"What, you don't like it?"
"Nah, not at all. I love it."
Taemin flopped onto the spot with exaggerated whining at her words.
"Ughhh, I'm beat. How was today? The exp was good, right?"
She paused to think at his question before replying.
"Yeah, but you seemed to be working too hard. We were just spectators."
"I'm fine. It's not tough so much as boring. At this rate, we'll grow fast. We can't hide forever. We need to build our power quick."
"Still, don't push yourself too hard. Here, lie face down for a sec."
"Huh? Why?"
"Just do it."
At Yoon Ji-young's urging, Taemin rolled over onto his stomach while lying down. Then, her soft hands settled on his shoulders.
"Oh, a massage?"
"Yeah. You worked hard today, babe."
At her loving voice, Taemin felt utter bliss. It was like even nonexistent fatigue was melting away. Once more, he thanked the heavens for reuniting him with her.
Turns out happiness is simple. This is it.
"Ahh, that's the spot. Get the lower back too."
"Here?"
Cheonan's Red Knight and Chungcheong Alliance Frontline. Forward Outpost 21.
A group of patrolling hunters came into view.
"Man, I'm starving. Hey, Big Shot. Got any snacks?"
"Dude, we'll eat when dawn breaks. And stop calling me Big Shot. You might jinx yourself."
"If not Big Shot, what? Anyway, I'm gonna die of hunger."
"If you're that hungry, you should've stocked up. What were you doing yesterday?"
"Playing volleyball with the Red Knights. I crashed right after without dinner. You got any chocolate or something?"
"Nope, jack squat."
"You're one cold bastard. Anyway, guess winter's here for real. This wind's like a knife. Might need to grab some thermal underwear."
The man huddled into his collar, shivering. His companion muttered as if telling him to quit whining.
"It's only December, quit your bitching. Hey, Kim Dong-su. Hurry up."
"Got it, coming. Damn, that Park Woo-jin lives for duty."
Bickering as they patrolled their sector, they spotted the Red Knight Guild outpost in the distance. Their Chungcheong Alliance and the Red Knights were allied, with outposts set up in a one-to-one ratio along the front.
"Let's head back now."
"Wait, hold up. Nothing to do back there anyway. Let's chat with those guys over some dried squid."
His companion shot him a look like he'd lost his mind.
"What the hell? What if we get caught?"
"Dude, it's 4 a.m. Nobody's coming at this hour. C'mon, looks like they've got food too. I'm seriously starving."
"Sigh. Can't believe you're my friend... If we get busted, it's on you."
"Deal, don't worry."
As the men approached the outpost, Red Knight guards checked their insignia and came out to greet them.
"Hey, tough shift, huh? How'd you get all the way here?"
"Bored. Mind if we come in?"
"Sure... but nothing much here either."
Inside, Kim Dong-su's eyes locked onto a box of snacks in the corner.
"Those for real? Snacks."
"Oh, yeah. Want some?"
"I'd be grateful. Was dying of hunger anyway."
Park Woo-jin gaped at Kim Dong-su's shamelessness. Not only barging into their outpost but mooching food too—this guy had nerves of steel.
Munch munch.
"Hey, Big Shot. Want one?"
"Pass. Eat yours."
"Hah, you bastard. I can hear your throat gulping from here—don't regret it later."
"You're insane. Keep yapping and I'm out."
"Okay, okay, kidding. So when do you guys rotate?"
One hunter answered Kim Dong-su's question.
"Same as you, probably? Six a.m. for us."
"Same here. How long's this alert gonna last? Haven't hunted in ages..."
"Dunno? High-level guys sneak off sometimes. Yesterday? Heard some execs from your side and ours went to that upper dungeon down below."
"Lucky bastards. Some of us can't sleep standing guard while they leisurely hunt. Level's everything in this game, right?"
"That's the biz. Speaking of, lowbies man all the portal watches. Gap's only gonna widen. We'll be stuck on duty forever."
"Exactly. Execs got no vision. Guild thrives when everyone's growing. Once I level up, I'm out—starting my own clean guild, no corruption or favoritism."
"Hey, same wavelength. Good luck. Hope we knock back soju someday reminiscing 'bout the old days."
Park Woo-jin shook his head watching them hit it off.
Guild? We barely got in here. Smooth talker as always.
Fearing contagion, he stepped outside.
"Hey, where you going?"
"Not far. Need some air, it's stuffy."
"Don't bail on me."
"Who said anything about bailing?"
Grumbling, he stepped out and gazed at the pitch-black sky. Suddenly, he felt the urge to pee.
"Cold makes you piss more... Huh? What's that?"
Scanning for a spot, his eyes caught a faint light at the mountain base. Looking closer, it wasn't one light—a dense, long procession snaked upward.
"What the...? Wait, there's more up there too?"
The lights climbed higher, and similar glows approached their own outpost. Moments later, countless lights twinkled like stars across the mountainside below.
That's when Kim Dong-su burst from the outpost, yelling.
"Hey! Big Shot! Park Woo-jin! Where are you?"
"Here. What?"
"Fuck, big trouble. Just got radioed—full combat alert. Enemies infiltrated somewhere. Shit, not here, right?"
"What? Look over there."
He pointed instinctively. Kim Dong-su followed and his face twisted like he'd eaten shit.
Civilian access was strictly controlled beyond patrols, so that many people appearing at once meant enemies, nine times out of ten. Even sneaking in, who climbs at 4:30 a.m.?
Quick on the uptake, Kim Dong-su yelled.
"Fuck, now what?"
"Stay calm."
"Calm my ass. We might die."
"Hey! Shut up. Phone? Did you call HQ?"
"Troops incoming soon."
"Then wait. We don't know details yet."
"What don't you know, idiot? Combat alert's on."
As they argued, portals began spawning between outposts. Red Knight guildmates and hundreds of allied hunters poured out.
"Real war, huh. C'mon, let's go."
"Where?"
"Our sector, duh. See? Ours are crossing too."
"Fuck, why during my shift..."
"Hurry."
Kim Dong-su watched Park Woo-jin head to the outpost, tempted to bolt. He'd heard of war but never seen it. But his hometown was here, and ditching his only friend went against his code.
"With this many people, we won't die, right?"
Hardening his resolve, he followed Park Woo-jin.