Chapter 15

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 15

Chapter Title: Tail (2)

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Seo Yu-ju finished speaking and instantly dashed toward the rear.

A moment later, shouts from people and the clashing of weapons suddenly erupted from behind us. Right away, people started popping out in front of us and on both sides.

Three up front, four on the sides.

'... These crazy bastards. Total of 13?'

Seo Yu-ju had said there seemed to be about six in the rear, so assuming that was right, that made 13 in total.

It didn't make sense how only Seo Yu-ju had noticed if this many people were tailing us.

'With numbers like this... how could we not have noticed?'

One guy stepped forward from the front and started talking. He seemed to be the leader of the group.

"... How the hell did you spot the tail? There was no way you should've known."

I immediately pulled up his status window.

'So that's why we didn't notice.'

His trait stood out. His stats weren't incredibly high except for the low Mana, but the Shadow Barrier trait must've hidden their presence from us.

That was probably why Seo Yu-ju had only detected the six in the rear.

The party's expressions hardened upon realizing there were seven more besides the ones in the back. Without being able to see their status windows, they figured it'd be a tough fight.

Kim Ho-won thrust his shield forward and called out to us behind him.

"... Everyone, be careful. I-seo, get ready to shoot."

"... Already am, old man."

The good news was that none of the seven in front of us seemed to have bows.

But one question lingered after learning there were 13 of them.

Thirteen people tailing us meant they knew about us and had planned it. Not some spur-of-the-moment thing.

'... Our info leaked.'

If they'd been tailing us regularly, we would've noticed by now. No way Seo Yu-ju wouldn't have.

This was their first time tailing us.

There had to be some other reason they'd gotten our information.

I started prying the front guy's mouth open for answers.

"... Planned tail, huh. How'd you know about us?"

The leader looked slightly surprised.

"... Sharp one, aren't you. Good instincts."

The rest of the party looked baffled, not grasping what I was getting at.

"... This is your first time tailing us, right?"

Their leader nodded.

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

"If you'd tailed us other days, no way we wouldn't have noticed."

"Hmph... That woman who ran back there? We gathered extra numbers to catch her, but she blew our cover. Shame."

'They know Seo Yu-ju's strong.'

"Even so, isn't she way too cocky going solo against six? Idiot. Her subordinates must love it, though. That looks killer."

"... How'd you get info on us?"

"Didn't have info on you guys. Just knew that woman who ran back. Few days ago, some guys from your camp went out?"

His words clicked—where the leak came from.

'The ones An Tae-woo mentioned who got jobs and went scouting.'

"We grabbed 'em and killed 'em. Before they croaked, they spilled about a camp with people, led by one woman. Lots of food too. Kill you, head to the camp. Easy."

Those scouts from camp never came back 'cause these assholes got 'em. Makes sense—their status windows showed only two with jobs, and the leader's trait let them get jumped clueless.

"Curiosity satisfied before you die? Surrender and join me, I'll spare you with my generosity. I'm a nice guy."

The leader grinned like he'd already won.

I could guess why he was so cocky. Three women on our side, plus two kids.

One less on their side, but we looked like easier pickings.

The captives probably didn't know much about us—just that Seo Yu-ju was strong enough to hunt monsters.

But everyone here, from Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon to the trio, had classed up. More battle-hardened than these smug scrubs fresh off weaklings.

"... Pfft..."

His stupidity cracked me up.

I burst out laughing like a maniac, and my party stared like I was nuts.

Their leader's face soured at my laugh.

"Why're you laughing? Losing it 'cause death's coming?"

"Heh... Dumbass."

"What?"

"Listen, moron—this ain't Earth. Think women and kids are weaker than you? Huh?"

"What..."

"Couldn't even bring a mage or archer. Dragging a bunch of scruffy melee trash and acting tough?"

All the pent-up stress since arriving here boiled over.

He stood stunned a beat, then his face flushed red and purple as he screamed.

"Kill these bastards!"

'Idiot.'

They charged. I triggered my prepared spell.

The lead charger burst into flames, screaming wildly.

"Gaaahhhh!"

His buddy hesitated seeing my magic, and an arrow from Kang I-seo nailed his head.

Their sloppy charge confirmed it—they weren't battle-tested.

Probably just scared off weaklings till now.

The killer difference? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ranged attacks. No archers or mages, yet this confidence—what the hell?

The leader realized something wrong after two dropped fast and thrust his spear at me.

But Kim Ho-won wasn't letting that slide. The spear clanged off his shield before reaching me.

Clang!

"Shit!"

As the leader attacked and Ho-won blocked, Song Ha-eun finally shone post-class-up.

The flying spirit hurled wind, severing one's arm.

"Aaaagh! My arm!"

They panicked at first sight of magic or spirits.

Watching a Spirit Summoner in action up close made me crave it bad.

Cha Hyun-jin stabbed the armless guy like he'd been through this before, just like Ho-won said about him and I-seo.

Stab—

"Gaaahhh!"

He'd killed before, it seemed. Not fully numb to it, but his hands were steady for a first.

Of the remaining four, two faced Kang I-seo and An Tae-woo. The other two eyed Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon as easy marks, swinging axe and sword down.

Ting—

Sword and axe bounced off a transparent barrier before hitting Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon.

"Wh-what the hell?!"

With attacks blocked by Yu-hyeon's shield, Yu-rim slashed one's throat with her dagger.

"Guhk... grrk..."

The last guy finally realized kids weren't pushovers, ass-planting and begging.

"... Pl-please... spare me..."

Yu-rim bit her lip, glancing at me.

Couldn't bring herself to kill a beggar.

Asking what to do.

'... To survive here, not Earth, she needs to toughen up.'

Harsh, but true.

Not for me—for her and Yu-hyeon, she had to harden.

I shook my head slightly, staring firm.

Her eyes shook violently, then squeezed shut as she stabbed his throat.

"Guhk...! Sp... are..."

I approached Yu-rim staring blankly at the corpse, gripped her shoulder.

"You did good, Yu-rim. To keep you and Yu-hyeon safe here, you gotta toughen up. Stay strong."

"Yeah... oppa."

I smiled faintly, releasing her shoulder.

Checking Ho-won: leader saw his men dead and cursed.

"Fuck! Damn it! How the...!"

Spotting me closing in to help Ho-won, he spun and bolted.

"Fuck! Raaah!"

Everyone froze in shock at his flight; Seo Yu-ju appeared instantly, slashing his throat with her spear.

"... Grrk... You... dog..."

He clutched his neck, staggered, and dropped dead.

Seo Yu-ju turned from the corpse, saw us safe, smiled relieved.

"Everyone okay? Good work."