The Aftermath of the Misunderstanding 1
As he passed through basement levels 1 and 2, not only the smell of blood assaulted him, but also the clanging of weapons, the shouts of people, and the scent of mana.
Finally arriving at basement level 3, the first thing to greet him was the fishy stench of blood so overwhelming it nearly numbed his sense of smell.
'Gasp.'
The sight that unfolded on basement level 3 was more than enough to shock him. It was like a scene straight out of hell, an unbearable tragedy playing out before his eyes.
Hundreds of corpses littered the area, and fierce battles raged atop them. The fight seemed to be rushing toward its end; only a scant few dozen were still standing on their own two feet, and even they didn't look good. No, it wasn't just "not good"—some were in such bad shape that you might mistake them for corpses still fighting.
'What the hell are these crazy bastards doing here?'
His initial shock at the basement level 3 scene quickly gave way to rising irritation and anger. He wanted to demand how they could pull this insane stunt in the basement of a building with no owner present. Of course, they wouldn't give a straight answer even if he asked.
Still, instinct told him he was somehow involved in their battle. Aside from Support Guild, there were no other hunters nearby. No dungeons in the vicinity, no hunter supply shops. Only his own building existed here.
In such circumstances, with this many hunters battling it out on basement level 3 of his building, anyone would assume it was connected to him.
'What kind of lunatics would pull this crap in a building where I'm not even around?'
Just as frustration and curiosity about them boiled over, Japanese voices echoed—unintelligible to him, but revealing one side's identity.
'These fuckers want to try me, huh?'
This confirmed the battle involved him. No matter who the opponents were, he couldn't just stand by if he was connected. He downed a strength enhancement potion and a speed boost potion, drew his Mana Blade, and was about to move when a voice made him doubt his ears.
"Hyung!"
One of the men he'd thought might be a corpse fighting fell. The guy had severe burns on his face and was missing an arm from the shoulder, wielding a dagger in desperate combat. As he collapsed, a clear "hyung" came from the opposite side.
He had no idea why Korean hunters were fighting Japanese ones, but that single word changed everything. For now, he'd save them first. He could ask questions later.
"Stop!"
He bellowed. It didn't matter if they understood; he just needed to draw their eyes for a moment. Sure enough, the sudden shout halted the battle briefly as they turned to him.
'Haste.'
The new magic pattern he'd engraved on his leather armor right after acquiring it activated. With Haste kicking in, his body exploded forward, closing the distance rapidly—but it still wasn't enough. They'd flinched at his shout, but the sword aiming for the fallen man was moving again.
'Swiftness. Leap.'
Under the overlap of speed potion and Haste, he activated Swiftness. With it added, he wasn't running anymore—he was kicking off the ground and gliding low. Then, using Leap on top made it feel like teleportation, soaring past the flight.
The problem? He'd never experienced this speed before, so he couldn't control his body properly.
Slash.
He'd aimed for the weapon hand, but unable to control the Mana Blade's arc, he severed the neck instead. Oops, but that was it. No mercy for Japanese hunters anyway. He'd only meant to subdue for questioning, but plenty remained to answer.
What surprised him more was no stat notification. He understood no Kao State alert, but no stat pop-up was unexpected.
'Why? Because not Kao? Or another reason?'
First guess: not in Kao State. But he couldn't be sure. Could be the severe wounds, or something else.
'I'll find out soon enough.'
Plenty left to satisfy his curiosity. Swiftness hadn't ended yet. He dashed toward the battlefield where Korean hunters were being pushed back, using Leap again. His leather armor had four Leaps engraved; two uses remained.
Slash.
Another Japanese hunter's head came off. The rearmost one, who couldn't even turn before the mid-Leap Mana Blade sliced his neck. But again, no notification.
'So, it's the Kao thing?'
This victim looked the least injured here. No visible wounds, yet no alert. So, likely Kao-related. Time to test.
Two Leaps got him between the Korean and Japanese hunters. His sudden arrival paused the fight; Japanese voices rose.
"It's Kim Suho. So he is the Koreans' dog."
"Team leader, what do we do?"
"What do you mean? Subdue him now! Capturing Kim Suho gets us forgiveness. We must take him alive for that."
Hearing them turned 99% certainty to 100%. He didn't understand Japanese fully, but "Kim Suho" was crystal clear—his name.
"So you know who I am. I've got questions for you, so let's make this quick."
Ignoring if they understood, the Japanese charged. The awaited alert appeared.
Class NPC effect activated.
NPC Hideout invaded by enemies attempting to attack NPC.
NPC Hideout's NPC protection function activated.
Enemies attacking NPC have abilities reduced by 90%.
Player Teramura Sky's attack fulfills Kao conditions → Kao State.
Player Hosoi Tetsuya's attack fulfills Kao conditions → Kao State.
Abilities reduced by 90% due to NPC protection function.
He glanced back and said one thing before charging at the stumbling Japanese hunters with his Mana Blade drawn.
"Take care of your comrades for now. We'll talk after I clean up these short-legged bastards."
"Y-Yes? Okay."
Jongrichu was on the verge of mental breakdown from shock.
'Wh-What's going on? Why is Kim Suho killing Japanese guys? Why are the Japanese attacking Kim Suho? What the hell is happening?'
When Heo Jinhyuk fell moments ago, he'd thought it was over. Their group of over 50 Baekya Munda was down to just three, including himself—all on the brink.
When Kim Suho rushed in, rage had boiled over, assuming he came to gawk at their end. But then he killed the hunter targeting Heo Jinhyuk and started systematically slaughtering Japanese ones.
And the Japanese? They were acting like idiots, shoving heads under his blade—the same ones who'd tormented them earlier. Were these the real deal, or was he under illusion magic?
'No way it's a show to hide their identities?'
Every wild thought crossed his mind, even that it was theater. But no—it didn't add up. No need for a performance when they were clearly losing. Japan had taken heavy losses here; even apparent leaders like Kogawa and Iga fell to Heo Jinhyuk (who was now hovering between life and death).
Above all, Kim Suho's expression radiated genuine fury—real killing intent as he dispatched them.
'Wait... Does he think we're Korean hunters?'
From what Kim Suho said to the Japanese and to him, it seemed he mistook them for Koreans. That's why he intervened.
'What now? Pretend to be Korean to the end?'
Jongrichu's mind reeled, no clue how to proceed. But first, check comrades—especially save Heo Jinhyuk.
Snapping to, Jongrichu rushed to Heo Jinhyuk; the other two Baekya Munda hurried to their fallen brethren.
* * *
Kao Player Minagawa Toma killed, dropping Strength 51.
Strength 51 acquired.
Strength increased by 51.
To confirm why no stats earlier, he targeted the most wounded hunter. This time, normal stat acquisition popped up. Confirmed: must kill in Kao State for stats.
'Better stop here. Need cross-comparison for certainty.'
Of 11 remaining, he killed 7, knocked out 4. Gained Strength 144, Vitality 94, Mana 103 from the 7—but no joy in it.
Not because no Intelligence. He hadn't vented his boiling rage fully.
Up close in the fray, the scene hit different from afar. First time seeing so many corpses, but fury surged at Japanese hunters massacring Korean ones so brutally.
He'd planned to subdue at first, but ended up decapitating without thinking. Mid-venting, seeing numbers left, he sheathed his blade and KO'd the rest.
Still angry, but no more kills. For proper revenge, he needed answers from them.
'You'll regret this. I'm in a really bad mood.'
Vowing revenge befitting the crime, he tabled thoughts on them. Turning, he eyed those checking surviving comrades.
'Who the hell are you? Why fight Japanese here?'
Rage had blinded him earlier at Korean hunters dying, but suspicion lingered. Now, time to probe.
* * *
With Japanese hunters handled, he turned to see the three survivors looting corpses for potions. Secretly buying high-grade healing potions, he gave them some.
"Here— healing potions."
"Thank you."
They snatched them gratefully, resuming treatment. But high-grade or not, potions only worked on the living. Useless on the dead.
Still, saved three more clinging to life—including the burned, one-armed hunter. Head burns partially healed by his potion, but severed arm beyond it.
Final survivors: original 3 plus 3, totaling 6.
"We truly thank you for your help."
Rescue done, the earlier frontline leader approached, bowing. Still masked, but sincerity rang in his voice.
"No need. It was the right thing. Anyway, not ideal for talking here—let's move."
Next chapter continues... The Hunter Who Awakened as an NPC