Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Dragon's Ascent
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"*@&&S*(*@(*#@"
The handsome young man Elatra mentioned, Havik.
An unknown language flowed from his lips.
It wasn't English, French, or even Spanish, but a completely foreign tongue.
And the only one who understood it was Do-jae.
*‘The continental common tongue…!’*
Do-jae was startled by the sudden appearance of the otherworld's language.
The humans there were extinct, and he had thought there might be a human who had borrowed Gellahan's power, just as he had borrowed the Ascetics'.
But seeing him speak the common tongue made him wonder if humans weren't extinct after all, or if this being was something more. At the same time, he was relieved that Earth's humans hadn't fallen into Gellahan's hands.
*Shhhk-.*
In any case, Do-jae understood Havik's words and slowly lowered his sword.
*‘He wants to talk? I shouldn’t provoke him. Me… no, even if everyone here attacked him, I don’t see any chance of winning….’*
The bottomless, viscous mana emanating from Havik.
Do-jae knew that Gwak Ji-hyeok and Kim Se-hoon alone would be no match for him.
In that case, it was best to humor Havik and not get on his bad side.
Of course, he kept his Golem Armor active and didn't let his guard down.
Havik had attacked first, and since his personality was unknown, he might suddenly strike again.
At the very least, he had to be ready to escape.
*Snap-.*
Havik smiled beautifully and snapped his fingers.
Then, natural Korean flowed from his lips.
"Greetings! It's been a while!"
The other hunters stirred as Havik spoke fluent Korean.
Gwak Ji-hyeok and Kim Se-hoon, in particular, seemed to be sensing Havik's aura precisely, clenching their fists in high tension. That tension spread not only from Do-jae but to the rest of the hunters as well.
So, Do-jae subtly shook his head, sending a silent signal for them to do nothing.
*‘Everyone, please don’t do anything.’*
Fortunately, the hunters understood Do-jae's intention and didn't make any moves.
But Do-jae looked back at Havik, puzzled by his words, "It's been a while!"
Then Havik spoke.
"Ah, that was just a simple greeting, so don't stare at me like that! I'm just here to watch. Kuhahaha!"
Havik laughed heartily while looking at Do-jae.
His mouth and face clearly showed a welcoming expression, but his unfathomable eyes made Do-jae uneasy.
Just then, Kim Se-hoon stepped forward and spoke.
*Thud-.*
"I am Kim Se-hoon, Guild Master of the Great Tiger Guild. Who are you? State your name and affiliation."
Kim Se-hoon asked in the most polite tone possible.
But Havik didn't even glance in Kim Se-hoon's direction as he spoke.
"I have no words to share with one of a lower class."
Havik was looking only at Do-jae.
He didn't shift his gaze anywhere else, just stared at Do-jae.
Then, Park Kang-ju stepped forward and asked.
"Class? What are you! If we introduced ourselves, you should reveal your identity…."
*Snap-!*
*Fshshshk-!*
Suddenly, a small whirlwind formed at Park Kang-ju's feet.
Then, transparent blades raged within the whirlwind, enveloping Park Kang-ju.
"Insect, where do you think you're crawling?"
"Uwaaargh!"
Park Kang-ju was shredded by dozens of transparent blades.
Ordinary blades would have been unable to even scratch Park Kang-ju's body, but the transparent blades Havik created with a snap of his fingers tore through his skin, creating hundreds of stab wounds.
"Kang-ju!"
"Mr. Park Kang-ju!"
The whirlwind stopped, leaving Park Kang-ju in tatters.
Gwak Ji-hyeok and Song Jeong-eun caught the collapsing Park Kang-ju.
"Director, take Kang-ju and get outta here, now!"
As Gwak Ji-hyeok spoke with a grim expression, Song Jeong-eun immediately hoisted Park Kang-ju onto her back and left.
The atmosphere turned icy as an A-Rank Hunter was rendered combat-incapable in an instant.
"Insects. Where do you think you're going?"
Havik was about to snap his fingers again.
Just then, Do-jae blocked Havik's path.
"Havik! If you want to talk to me, don't touch the others!"
Do-jae said, his face deeply creased in a frown.
Fortunately, Havik lowered his hand again.
But he turned back to Do-jae with a contemptuous expression.
"Well, it's just one or two insects. Besides, who said I wanted to talk to a mere human? I meant the ones behind you!"
"……!"
Do-jae understood what Havik meant.
He hadn't been looking at him, but at the Ascetics.
- You bastard! You've come here to die!
- Havik of Choice. It has been a long time.
- False being. Apostate, Havik… have you been freed from your seal….
Elatra, Altein, and Haydn spoke one after another.
Just from their voices, it was clear they were in a foul mood.
"To think that beings like the Ascetics are hiding behind a human. You've become nothing but stray cats! It's hilarious to see you holding your breath! Kuhahaha!"
Havik unleashed a fearsome aura and burst into ferocious laughter.
Do-jae, who took the brunt of that aura head-on, felt a throbbing pain as if he'd been punched in the temple.
Likewise, Gwak Ji-hyeok, Kim Se-hoon, and Bang Han-soo trembled, shuddering at the aura they faced.
- Ho ho. Havik, you should leave. There isn't much you can do by coming here as a mere illusion, not your true self.
Altein spoke in an unusually heavy voice.
His characteristic hearty laugh was still there, but it was by no means a laugh of goodwill.
"I know. The most I can do is inflict a little pain on the humans here!"
- Ho ho, do you think that's possible? Our Adversary will not stand idly by.
"Then shall we give it a try? Just a little bit of power like this…."
An immense amount of mana gathered in Havik's hand.
Do-jae reflexively raised his sword, about to shoot toward Havik.
- Stop!
But Altein immediately stopped him.
Do-jae calmed his trembling arm and carefully lowered his sword.
"It was a joke, a joke. I only used a little power, but the damage to my status is significant. How did you Ascetics manage to move your real bodies past the veil of causality? No, is that why you have no choice but to hide like this?"
- Cut the chatter! If you won't state your purpose, I'll cut off your head right here and shake it in Gellahan's face!
"Kuhat! Still as cantankerous as ever, the other Elatra. Didn't I tell you? I came to observe. What kind of place this is, and what kind of beings humans are. Though seeing them in person, they're nothing but pathetic creatures that make me sigh."
- Don't lie! Even if it's just an illusion, killing it will cause great damage to his real self! Cut off his head now!
- Elatra. Now is not the time. Wait.
As Elatra shouted, Haydn restrained her.
Havik burst into another fit of wild laughter and spoke.
"Kuhahaha! I shall be waiting as well. But before that, I have a message to deliver. Ridirian said so. That the 'Rift of Coincidence' will soon be complete."
- You bastard!
- Ho ho… is that so….
- …How many more sacrifices must have been made….
The Ascetics' reactions to Havik's words were grave.
"Anyway, I've seen your faces, so I think I'll be on my way. But it would be a shame to leave just like this, wouldn't it?"
Havik looked toward the mountain's edge with a smile.
That was where Do-jae had sensed the Grade 1 monster.
"That thing will be waking up soon. Who am I? I am Havik of Choice! Human, choose. Should I leave a part of my illusion with that creature, or…."
Do-jae heard Havik's proposal.
He was caught in a dilemma.
Neither choice was advantageous for him.
After much deliberation, Do-jae chose the second option.
"Kuhahaha! How interesting! Well then, I'll be taking my leave. Fare thee well, humans!"
***
Altein spoke for the first time in an angry voice.
- Why did you make the second choice!
But Do-jae remained silent.
Instead, he turned to Gwak Ji-hyeok, Kim Se-hoon, and Bang Han-soo, who were sighing in relief.
*Stagger-.*
As the oppressive aura vanished, Do-jae supported the staggering Bang Han-soo.
Gwak Ji-hyeok and Kim Se-hoon also wiped away their sweat.
"Is he crazy or what! My hands and feet are still shakin'."
"It's been a long time since I've felt such fear. More importantly… who was that man? I couldn't understand a word of what he was saying."
Kim Se-hoon asked Do-jae.
Do-jae had heard the Ascetics' words, but those who didn't even know of their existence must have thought Havik was talking to himself.
"……."
Do-jae considered his options.
Was it right to tell them about the Ascetics, Gellahan, and the otherworld?
But Do-jae's deliberation ended sooner than expected.
None of the Ascetics had ever told him to bear the burden alone.
The immense responsibility he constantly felt had caused Young-jin so much worry.
If he told powerful S-Rank Hunters like Gwak Ji-hyeok and Kim Se-hoon, he might be able to lighten his mental load, even if just a little.
And though he had unintentionally kept it a secret until now, it was necessary to tell them for the sake of the future.
Now, while the monsters were still reeling from Havik's aura, was the perfect time to speak.
Do-jae opened his mouth, his voice resolute.
"There's something I need to tell you all."
***
Time returns to the present, outside the sinkhole.
"The fifth sinkhole is collapsing! Monsters are pouring out! Primarily Grade 3! Grade 2 monsters are also being continuously observed!"
"A request for support has come from the northwest sector! We will dispatch the Snowfall, Valley, and Crystal Units immediately!"
At the Busan Suppression Operation headquarters, established 500 meters from the sinkhole, reports and orders echoed ceaselessly.
"What's the status of the Alliance Commander?"
A middle-aged man with a gentle voice asked calmly.
He was the commander of the 3rd Suppression Corps.
He was in charge of the entire Busan Suppression Operation.
"The Alliance Commander's side is quite promising. The number of monsters is rapidly decreasing, and the Guild Alliance is showing great results."
"Then what about the 1st Corps Commander?"
"The 1st Corps Commander is also proceeding with the suppression slowly but without major losses. It's reported that he's achieving great success with the monsters he personally tamed."
"Understood. Maintain contact."
The 3rd Corps Commander gazed at dozens of monitors displaying drone footage.
Occasionally, a screen would go black due to a flying monster, but it was quickly replaced by another, allowing him to survey the entire battlefield at a glance.
*‘The situation isn’t bad….’*
On one side, a drone was filming the Alliance Commander.
Monsters were crushed to death by the outstanding martial prowess of Kwon Ran-hee, the Guild Master of Manseong.
Another monitor showed the 1st Suppression Corps Commander, Park Seong-gil, and the monsters he controlled were carrying out a massacre in the midst of other monsters.
*‘But why haven’t I heard anything yet.’*
However, he couldn't just rejoice at the favorable situation outside the sinkhole.
There had been no reports from the Great Tiger or Taebaek guilds confirming the status of their guild masters.
*‘They’re not here even though the 6th floor has opened… Don’t tell me… they’re fighting a Grade 1 monster on the 7th floor?’*
The 3rd Corps Commander began to worry.
Even if they were S-Ranks, it would be a disaster if they were injured fighting a Grade 1 or higher monster without the support of other hunters.
S-Ranks were, after all, a nation's strength.
"All the hunters who went down to the 6th floor have made it out, right?"
"Yes, sir! All have been accounted for!"
"Understood. We'll wait a little longer…."
*Ruuuumble-!*
*Craaash-!*
Just then. A massive earthquake struck, powerful enough to topple several monitors and send objects crashing to the floor.
"The… the screens!"
A member of the Suppression Corps shouted.
The eyes of everyone in the headquarters shot to the monitors.
Excluding the monitors that had fallen, the screens began to change one by one.
The drones, filming from a height of 200 meters, were all focused on a single monster.
"A… dragon…."
That's right.
The colossal being that appeared on the screen.
The legendary monster that had driven France to the brink of annihilation, a dragon, flapped its massive wings and soared into the sky above the sinkhole.