Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Summer Beach Has No Romance (5)
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C-Rank Gate. Not quite low-tier or mid-tier, just this awkward in-between difficulty. Sure, it would give any hunters ranked C or below a real run for their money, but even accounting for that, it was a pretty underwhelming gate.
Well, that must be why the guild was so quick to call in outside hunters for help.
"Oppa, don't wander off. Stick right by my side."
I flinched at her words, shoulders tensing as I scooted closer to Sihyun. This was only my second time inside a gate, so curiosity had gotten the better of me. Especially since this one didn't look like the cave from last time.
"The inside of this gate is a forest. Sihyun, what kind of monsters come out in places like this?"
"Hmm, forests usually spawn animal-type monsters. Could be beasts of prey, or even deer-like ones, but they're all monsterfied, so they're pretty vicious. Wait, this place? Oppa, have you been in a gate before?"
Sihyun furrowed her brow, giving me a suspicious look as if she'd caught something off in what I'd said.
Ah.
"...Ah, no? I saw a documentary on TV about it once."
I racked my brain and spat out the perfect excuse on the fly.
"They show the inside of gates on TV these days? What did the one you saw look like?"
"...Just some dark, dingy cave."
Luckily, this hero's sturdy body didn't betray a hint of deception. Sihyun nodded at my perfectly casual response.
"Yeah, gates with cave interiors are pretty common. Fewer monsters in forests than caves, though. The terrain's wider, so you run into them less often. Makes it a pain, since it's so damn big."
We chatted like we'd forgotten we were even in a gate, trailing behind the lead hunters. The supervisor from the Cheongang Guild—a high-rank hunter by the look of him—and another high-rank guy were scouting ahead.
"Everyone, follow me this way! We'll take it slow, hunt monsters as we go, and head straight for the boss."
No monsters in sight yet, so the search was moving at a good clip. The other hunters up ahead were chatting like they were on a picnic.
"Coming out for fun and making some cash on top? Can't beat that~"
"You actually like that...? I came to relax for once, and now I'm working."
"Exactly~ It's not even hard. Free money, basically~"
Wow, ultimate slackers. Aren't you supposed to rest harder than anyone when you get the chance? How are they so upbeat? Totally beyond me.
"Mm~ They're right, though. Feels like pocket money once you're in here. Pretty nice, right, Oppa?"
Oh no, not her too...
"Nah, it's not nice. Working on your day off is the worst."
"Every day’s a day off for you, Oppa."
Sihyun just shot me that deadpan look, but by now I was used to it. I turned my head naturally, taking in the surroundings. A cool breeze rustled through the forest; I should've packed a bento.
"Oh, Sihyun. Monster over there. First tiger I've seen~"
"Oppa, don't jinx it...? Oh, it really showed up. Beast-type monsters are tough for C-Rank, even mid-tier ones. Don't stray from my side, got it?"
"Got it~"
"Black Tiger pack incoming. Pair up—at least two per group—and handle them together. Split the byproducts and magic stones among your group."
The hunters around us grouped up at the supervisor's call, and I followed Sihyun toward the tigers. From afar, they'd looked human-sized, but up close? Truck-sized hulks.
One as a pet in my car would be fine, right?
"Sihyun, can't we keep one?"
"You think? Taking monsters out is illegal...?"
I'd love one at home. No Beast Tamer class here? Pretty common back in Pretoria.
Regretfully, I waved at the tiger.
"Hey, tiger. I wanted to take you home, but they won't let me... Our place is really nice, though...."
Wanna pet its nose, too.
"Oppa, what're you doing...? Bonding with the monster? Wanna bond with my fist in a sec?"
Sihyun drew her sword and stepped in front of me. Long and slender blade—a rapier. I'd only seen her grabbed by the reacher in the cave; her gear was intriguing up close.
Refined. Elegant. High-class vibe. But could such a thin blade be practical?
So yeah, strut around with a rapier, and you'll get your ass handed to you, disciple.
Sio's voice echoed in my ear.
Words I'd heard from day one of sword training—truth I'd learned over ten years of experience.
Sihyun charged the Black Tiger rapier-first. Stance solid, blade steady, speed sharp, aim precise. She thrust right into its vitals—flesh parting too fast for most eyes to follow.
The massive body crumpled instantly, her blade piercing its skull before blood could even spill.
The other hunters gawked—not at the monster, but at her—murmurs of awe rising.
"Whoa... A rapier piercing clean through like that? Thought thin blades couldn't cut hide."
"That's at least B-Rank skill. Why's she in a low gate?"
"Probably giving her boyfriend a free ride."
"Fuck... This is why looks come first. Sigh, let's hurry up and kill ours."
"If you've got time to yap, hunt the damn monsters. Still plenty of slack in you all."
Sihyun flicked blood from her rapier, muttering over her shoulder loud enough for everyone. The stares scattered.
"Oppa."
"Yeah."
I clapped, shaking my head. Big bro appreciating his little sis's cool moves.
"What're you doing."
"My sister's badass. Keep it up~"
Louder claps, body swaying. She could handle herself; go get 'em.
"Bullshit... I'll keep an eye on you, so wanna try?"
"Eh. No weapon."
"Borrow mine? You know how to use a sword?"
"Ughhh... Don't wanna."
Power control's iffy. Swing and level the forest—how to explain that?
"You're in here, so hunt a bit before we go. Feels like you're not totally new to gates, so practice now. C'mon."
"Ugh, fine. Just gimme a dagger. Rapiers aren't my thing."
"Okay...? Dagger enough? Hmm, yeah. Take this and practice on that one ahead. I'll watch."
I took her dagger and approached the Black Tiger.
"Hey, tiger. Wanna surrender nice and quiet?"
"Grrrrr...."
"Guess not."
The tiger growled, lunging at me. How hard to hit without killing? Punch might burst it. Stab'd split it.
"Oppa, it's charging! Focus!"
Sharp claws aimed for my side. Drool flew from jaws thrust at me, truck-body barreling full speed to crush.
Whoa, hold up.
I swung the flat of the dagger, not the edge. Tripped the claw-strike into the dirt, then slapped the incoming maw upward. The accelerating beast flew off in the direction I'd smacked it.
What.
A tiger flying from one slap?
A crash echoed as it tumbled across the ground, followed by pitiful yowls.
"Kyaaang! Kyaang!"
There it was—one cheek swollen huge, rolling on the ground like a kicked puppy.
Ah... This'll be hard to play off.
"Oppa... You're really D-Rank? That's a high C-Rank monster, but you made it look easy. Why?"
"Nah, nah. Looks like a cub to me."
I finished it off anyway, spouting lame nonsense even I knew was weak to convince her.
"Grrr... Graaa!"
It shook itself and charged again. I flicked its forehead.
Sio Style Bare-Handed Combat Form 5: Earthenware Pot Breaker
Crack!
"Grggll...."
Foamed at the mouth and dropped.
Uh...
"See? Cub bodies are still weak."
"Bullshit! Who knocks out a tiger with a knuckle-rap, you bastard! You're hiding your rank! Fraud!"
Fraud's on the one who falls for it.
"Getting duped's your fault."
"Falling for it is worse, you psycho!"
Wham!
Sihyun demonstrated that fist-bonding she'd offered.
Ah, wish I hadn't gotten caught.
Of all things, the gate opening had to expose me.