Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: To Catch a Hunter, Go to the Hunter Guild (4)
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"C-Rank Dungeon, Ancient Tree Graveyard Sector A."
The Ancient Tree Graveyard we arrived at via the mobile warp felt like a dim forest made entirely of ancient trees.
Among the knowledge I'd learned at the Hunter Training Academy were details about the origins and features of major dungeons, so I had a rough grasp of this one's characteristics as well.
Dozens of centuries ago, this land had been rich in nutrients, and trees had begun sprouting roots one after another without restraint. Nourished by the soil's bounty and the bright sunlight, they grew explosively for about a thousand years. But the trees, which had started with plenty of space between them, eventually grew too massive, demanding more land to support their bulk.
Their roots tangled and intertwined beneath the earth, hindering each other's growth until they all perished together. That's the legend behind this dungeon called the Ancient Tree Graveyard.
New life forms took root among the abandoned, undecayed husks of those ancient trees. It's believed that as monsters began breeding in earnest, the area underwent dungeonization.
...Of course, the dungeon's origins and features weren't important now. My purpose for entering wasn't to study lore anyway.
"First things first, I need to track down that hunter who just went in."
The moment I'd spawned in, she'd bolted off after a monster without a word. By the time I came to my senses, the mage I'd just met had vanished.
To stage a natural encounter without raising her guard, I needed to pinpoint her location first.
Luckily, even in a labyrinthine dungeon like this, I had a way to do just that: the Hunter Lust Manager system's "Nearby Hunters Search" feature.
"Oh, there it is."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Nearby Hunters Search - Real-Time Tracking The moment my position appeared on the smartphone screen like a satellite view, I spotted a red symbol moving within a 100-meter radius. The number 50 next to it confirmed everything, and I smiled inwardly.
Since it relied on awakening ability rather than communication signals, it worked fine even in a dungeon where waves couldn't penetrate.
Clicking the red heart marked "50" activated real-time tracking, and suddenly an arrow materialized in the air, pointing the way.
Real-time tracking will end automatically upon target discovery. Noting the app's message, I pushed through the massive trees in the arrow's direction.
All the while, I mentally rehearsed how to approach the female hunter once we met.
'For today, maybe just focus on breaking the ice.'
I wouldn't have minded if things escalated to sex right away, but asking for it the moment we met would only make her suspicious.
Approaching as a mere apprentice hunter—anyone could register for that—lacked credibility. At least a D- or C-Rank would lend some legitimacy.
So today, I'd create a casual scenario, swap contacts, and build rapport slowly.
Once we'd gotten close enough, I'd float the idea of being sex friends, like I had with Kang Hye-eun. With an estimated 50 points on the line, her lust had to be building up nicely. A little smooth talking, and she'd probably go for it.
I'd even roughed out a scenario for manufacturing that situation.
Leveraging my apprentice status, the fact that male hunters were generally the weakest, and that this was a C-Rank dungeon.
The plan: Lurk around her, poke a random C-Rank monster to stage a crisis, then call out when she came running. She'd save me, I'd thank her profusely, and we'd exchange numbers as "payment" for the rescue. Later, once we were friendly, I'd nudge her toward repaying that favor with her body.
In short: Become the classic fantasy novel heroine's damsel-in-distress love interest.
Honestly, playing the weak guy relying on his gender didn't sit great with me, but it was the best I could come up with right now.
Sex with hunters was essential to getting stronger, so this was just part of the process. Think of it as taking one step back to leap ten forward—it eased the sting.
Of course, she might be too cold-hearted to help a hunter in peril and just walk by. If so, I'd handle the C-Rank monster myself and move on.
Opportunities to connect could arise another time, and she wasn't the only potential female hunter out there anyway.
The risk of failure was low, I figured, as I trampled over dead roots and pressed on. That's when I finally spotted the red-haired mage deeper in the forest.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Target discovered. Ending real-time tracking.
The guidance message popped up, the arrow pointing at her vanished, and tracking ended. I stayed hidden, waiting for a chance to call out to her.
Ideally, I'd scream "Help!" the instant she spotted me, playing the monster-assaulted damsel. But she looked too busy right now to draw her attention.
"Grooo..."
"......"
A tree giant monster about 7 meters tall—a Woodrello.
I ducked behind an ancient trunk and watched as the mage faced it off, waiting for her fight to end.
Woodrellos were rare B-Rank monsters even in this C-Rank dungeon. Calling for help mid-battle might leave her no spare capacity to save me too.
The best moment would be right after she slew it, while gathering materials and moving on.
With that in mind, I admired her appearance from afar as she squared off against the Woodrello.
'...Not ugly or anything, at least.'
Too far for details, but definitely not unattractive. Up close, she had a somewhat cute face, maybe.
Observing her clearly visible bust line from a distance reaffirmed that following her had been the right call. Then her incantation ended, and the spell activated.
"...Shatter into pieces on the wind. Screw Tornado." ⟨ 5th Circle Wind Magic ⟩
With the red-haired mage's 5th-circle incantation, the Woodrello's body exploded into tens of thousands of wooden shards in an instant.
"Grooo...?"
"......"
Wait, what?
I could've sworn I heard a 5th-circle wind spell chant. Did I mishear?
Instead of unleashing a whirlwind to shred the enemy, the red-haired mage just stood there, staff aimed at the Woodrello. Right after her spell "ended," its right branch shot toward the ground where she stood.
"......!"
-Wobble!
Was evasion not her strong suit? She staggered, barely dodging the incoming strike.
She immediately aimed her staff again and began her second incantation. The speed was impressive—she was undoubtedly a skilled mage.
"...Burst apart. Cannon Cyclone." ⟨ 4th Circle Wind Magic ⟩
A 4th-circle wind attack spell.
Looked like I'd misheard the Screw Tornado too.
Makes sense—if she could cast 5th-circle magic, she'd be A-Rank adventurer level. Why bother with a mere C-Rank dungeon?
The powerful air cannon pierced the target, punching a massive hole in the Woodrello's body this time.
"Grooo..."
"......"
...No hole.
What the hell? Did I mishear again?
Even with her soft chanting, I'd clearly heard "Cannon Cyclone," a 4th-circle spell.
The Woodrello pressed its second attack, extending its left branch against the hunter who'd cast twice without effect.
"Grooo...!"
The branch lashed out at her again, and she barely dodged with another wobble.
...Watching this was making me anxious as hell. She okay?
-Sizzle...
"......"
She nearly tripped and fell but regained her balance and calmly unleashed a 3rd-circle wind spell at the Woodrello.
"Slice through, Wind Cutter." ⟨ 3rd Circle Wind Magic ⟩
...And my ominous feeling, born from watching her the whole time, unfortunately proved right.
"......"
"Groooooh...!!"
The Woodrello's third attack came against the mage who'd failed three spells already.
Both branches lunged from either side to crush her. Panicking over which way to dodge, she tripped on a protruding root and fell forward.
Clap!
Falling spared her being pulverized between the branches, but they slammed together above her with a thunderous clap that echoed through the forest.
'...Should I just stand here and watch?'
Her initial aura screamed at least B-Rank mage with 4th-circle mastery, but seeing her flail without even landing a 3rd-circle made that fancy cloak and staff feel wasted.
Why come to the Ancient Tree Graveyard if she couldn't handle 3rd-circle?
"......"
Still, the mage hadn't given up. Flat on the ground, she began another incantation at the Woodrello.
"Wind... Spear... ⟨ 2nd Circle Wind Magic ⟩
Her final spell—a 2nd-circle one—failed to activate, as expected.
...Even if it had, a 2nd-circle wouldn't have mattered by now.
-Crunch!
"Groooooh...!!"
This time, intent on finishing her, the Woodrello's branches reared high into the sky from both sides. The mage, scrambling to her feet to evade, flailed in panic as her body refused to move.
"......!! ......!!!"
Woodrello roots had erupted from the ground, binding both her ankles tight.
No more hesitation possible.
Standing by while the fight ended would just haunt my dreams, and it clashed with my goal of a world where monsters didn't kill people.
I drew the greatsword strapped to my back and charged into the hunter-monster clash, praying my intervention wasn't too late.