Chapter 64 [Iron Spear]
Iron Spear
Interception Missile
Sealed Speed [900km/h]
Warhead: 160mm Surface-to-Air Missile
Maximum Intercept Altitude: [10km]
Propulsion Range [3km]
Detection Range: 200
Base Damage 23,000-31,000
Mana Cost 10,000
Max 24 per Minute
It was a skill he'd been sitting on, with no real use for it until now.
"Wonder if this'll do the trick."
Gerard responded immediately to his question.
Simulation complete. Intercept probability: 100%. Block probability: 50%.
"Fifty percent? That's all? This thing's packing nearly 30k damage."
Mana can be neutralized, but mass is the issue. The 50% figure assumes their speed isn't too high.
"Well, if it can at least offset the mana, it's worth a shot... Wait, why not just hit those bastards directly? Range seems plenty."
That could work. But it looks like they've already started.
No sooner had Gerard spoken than massive fireballs materialized around the enemy.
Lee Tae-ho, who'd been barking orders frantically, called out to him with a desperate look.
"Taejeong-ssi, we need to go now. If we drag this out any longer..."
His voice trailed off abruptly.
The dozen or so summoned fireballs had broken free from their magic circle, arcing through the sky.
"T-Too late."
"Let me give it a try."
"Pardon?"
Ignoring the stunned man, Taejeong immediately summoned Iron Spear.
The multiple rocket launcher above his head vanished, replaced by a bulkier 24-missile pod.
He issued a voice command at the same time.
"Track."
10 targets locked. Guidance set. 10 primary missiles, 4 spares. Engage?
"Fire."
Missiles rocketed from the launcher at his curt order.
Shwoooosh!Shwoosh!
Launched at a 75-degree angle, they surged skyward before banking sharply toward the fireballs.
As everyone watched with mouths agape, the missiles slammed into their targets, igniting blinding flashes in the sky.
Flash!
Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!
A deafening roar unlike anything they'd heard before shook the ground like it would shatter the heavens.
Subsequent missiles followed, colliding in rapid succession—over a dozen explosions in a heartbeat.
A massive plume of smoke bloomed like spilled paint across the sky. Lee Tae-ho and the hunters, holding their breath, erupted in cheers.
The neutralized rocks, stripped of magic, plummeted harmlessly to the earth.
Only then did Taejeong relax a fraction.
"Phew. All that worrying for nothing."
He turned his gaze to the hunters hovering in the opposite sky.
"They in range too?"
Affirmative.
"How many left?"
10 before cooldown.
"Good. Slam 'em all."
Tracking initiated. Fixed-target guidance set.
"Kill."
Missiles launched once more.
Meanwhile, Jo Han-cheol and his nine hunters—who'd been certain they'd shatter Baek Pro Castle—couldn't believe their eyes.
It was a full-drain spell nearing 50k mana, boosted by acceleration. Even equivalent magic couldn't fully counter it.
Yet the enemy's counter-spell, launched later, obliterated the Meteor Strike's mana entirely.
That meant their foes had hunters on par—or superior—in level stationed there.
And that spell? Jo Han-cheol, grizzled veteran, had never seen its like.
"What the hell? Mercenaries? Nah, why would that caliber work for hire? What do you think?"
"We... C-Captain! L-Look there!"
One hunter yelped, pointing ahead. Jo Han-cheol looked up, finally spotting the unidentified object bearing down.
'What is...'
Boom!
* * *
Thanks to Taejeong's heroics, Jenix repelled both invasions.
Not just repelled—they'd nearly annihilated the enemy's 10k-strong force.
It was like severing their limbs. No more attacks were coming.
Jenix HQ buzzed with festival vibes.
"Incredible. Truly incredible."
"I don't know your rank, but that was the best, sir."
"They call high-level hunters one-man armies, and seeing it firsthand... amazing! I'll never forget today."
"To think we had someone like this in our guild. How'd we miss it?"
"He actually stopped them. Who is that guy?"
Taejeong grinned sheepishly amid the praise, brushing it off as no big deal—but inside, he was thrilled.
The admiration felt good, but even he knew today's feat was extraordinary.
This class really is broken. And this is just now—what happens when I level up more?
The future excited him. Better skills, stronger weapons. He couldn't even imagine.
That unknown thrill fueled his drive—discovery beat predictability.
As everyone reveled in the overwhelming victory, more good news arrived: the Jenix main force had seized the eastern alliance's castle.
Jenix rocketed to 48th in rankings, securing World War eligibility—and a spot among the coveted Specialists.
Exactly 12 hours after the territory war began:
Territory War has ended.
Jenix Guild has ascended to Specialist rank.
50% Attack/Defense Buff activated.
Guild Points +100,000 acquired.
[Additional rewards...]
The auto-returned hunters cheered and congratulated each other.
"Congratulations!"
"Congrats!"
"Good work, everyone."
Taejeong, mingling in, grinned and shared the joy with Lee Tae-ho.
Time passed, and unit leaders directed folks out of the plaza.
With no unit, Taejeong waited for a ride with Lee Tae-ho when Yang Taesik approached.
"Heard about it. You saved our asses big time."
Taejeong scratched his head bashfully.
"Nah, just doing my part as a guild member."
"Modest much? We made Specialist today because of you. Losing the castle would've ended us. Right, Manager Lee Tae-ho?"
Lee Tae-ho nodded vigorously.
"Absolutely, Guild Master. Without Taejeong-ssi, none of this happens. You should've seen it—unbelievable, one after another. I was dying to brag."
"Wish I had. Heard the tales, but no visuals. As guild master, thank you. Now we're in the World War nationals— what every guild dreams of."
The praise flowed endlessly; his feats demanded it.
As the plaza cleared, Yang Taesik boarded his waiting car.
"Be at the banquet later. You have to come."
"Yes, sir. See you there."
With Yang Taesik gone, Taejeong spotted a familiar car approaching—his driver Kim Hyung-sik's.
And from the passenger seat stepped Park Se-ah, his secretary.
He chuckled at the sight.
"What're you doing here?"
"Picking up the boss."
"Should've stayed comfy. I told you to rest without me—you never do."
"You always look out for me. And I got plenty of rest."
"Anyway, Manager, ride with us."
Lee Tae-ho waved it off.
"My ride's here. Go ahead—I'll call later."
Taejeong boarded after a few more invites.
On the way to the lodging:
"How was it? Fun?"
"Regret not going? Pretty solid. Learned a ton."
"Didn't die?"
"Not once."
"As expected. Boss is amazing. Newbies die clueless all the time."
"I was careful. When you awaken as a hunter, go sometime. Great experience."
Chatting idly with Park Se-ah, Taejeong gazed out the window, lost in thought.
It was a good job, but I can't get complacent.
Today's achievement was unprecedented for Jenix—rare even elsewhere.
10k enemies, higher-leveled, solo-wiped. Monster-level record.
But 100% satisfaction? No.
The hunters at the main battlefield before reaching HQ—superhuman.
Casually hurling Meteor Strikes he barely blocked. Melee wiping dozens per swing, shattering gates effortlessly.
Seamless offense-defense shifts, linked attacks like art.
Compared to that, his battle felt like child's play.
Inevitable—Generals vs. Specialists was worlds apart.
But it stoked his greed. As a Specialist now, he'd face them soon.
And it was the bare minimum for Club entry.
To qualify, I need to match them. Han Seol-ah noona's way beyond.