What Guild Is That Kid From?
Garuda raid. D-day.
Dozens of civilian AI drones airlifted in swept over the Machonryeong Mountains. High-altitude military drones, KUS-FS5s, circled the suspected Garuda nesting area, tracking the target.
Soon, a report came in to the integrated strike team's command vehicle.
"Location?"
Nampo Taesan.
It was a 2,485-meter peak about 40 km northwest from Baekam, a key point in the defensive line connecting Chongjin and Hyesan, following the Machonryeong range. The eighth-highest mountain in South Korea, with steep slopes that made approach difficult.
"Can you confirm?"
The massive screen filling one wall of the repurposed bus command vehicle displayed a map, followed by coordinates. They pointed to Nampo Taesan in the Machonryeong range. The map shifted left, revealing overhead footage of the summit.
"Zoom in."
"Yes, Operations Officer."
At Kang Moo-hyuk's request, the operator dispatched from Slayer turned the dial, zooming the image.
Nampo Taesan's summit consisted of seven peaks of similar height arranged in a cross. The screen pulled toward the tallest.
Atop the peak sat a massive egg-like object—a Garuda, crouched with its enormous wings wrapped around its body.
Scattered around were monster carcasses, likely fresh kills. Among them were body parts suspected to be human.
The ground was soaked in blood and guts.
From the looks of it, the Garuda had gorged itself and fallen into a post-meal slumber. Classic behavior for an apex predator dominating its territory.
The operator watching beside him muttered unconsciously.
"Why's it hunkered down like that?"
Kang Moo-hyuk shared the same question, though he didn't voice it. He wondered why the Garuda had stopped advancing south and settled there.
Monster ecology was studied worldwide, but named monsters—evolving at low probabilities—still held many unknowns.
Garuda, confirmed only twice in India before this, was particularly data-poor.
'Evolved from harpies, so similar habits, but it doesn't flock and even preys on its own kind—unlike other nameds. Is the mountaintop perch just preference, or something more?'
Simply, high ground offered clear sightlines against intruders, and flight made escape easy.
Conversely, as a predator, hunting suited it more than fleeing. Elevated spots gave winged monsters broad views—prime hunting terrain.
Interpretation varied by perspective, but it wasn't critical for the raid.
Kang Moo-hyuk shook off distractions and issued orders.
"Deploying strike teams. Helicopters, launch. Parties 1 and 3 from the south, 2 and 4 from the east, 5 and 6 from the west. Special Ops wait at the base of North Potaesan. Keep drones fixed on the summit; flank drones will track hunter routes."
Once the raid began, command would pass to strike leader Seong Seon-je, but until teams hit the field, Kang Moo-hyuk held the reins.
Helicopter icons moved in real-time on the left map screen.
As the seven choppers—one per party—neared positions, the right screen changed.
"Huh? The Garuda...?"
Kang Moo-hyuk's head snapped around at the operator's voice.
The Garuda had fully unfurled its wings and stood, head raised, glaring skyward. Its bloodshot red eyes seemed fixed on the invisible drone.
'It knows we're watching. How?'
Kang Moo-hyuk intuited the Garuda had detected the drone.
Instinct, superior vision, or skill—unclear, but it sensed surveillance.
Even through the feed, the operator panted as if face-to-face and asked.
"Operations Officer, pull the drone?"
"Known Garuda ascent maxes at 7,000-8,000 meters. Drone at 11,000 won't be touched."
"Still, if estimates are off, we lose it."
The Slayer vet's caution made sense; Kang Moo-hyuk agreed.
"Then climb to max altitude for quick support."
"Yes, raising to 15,000 meters."
Kang Moo-hyuk kept eyes on the distant Garuda, grabbed the headset, and alerted teams.
Before Kang Moo-hyuk finished, the Garuda vanished from screen.
The radar operator shrieked.
It rocketed west like an SAM, toward the western helos. Party operators warned field teams, but choppers couldn't evade.
Kang Moo-hyuk's mind flashed simulations. He judged swiftly.
"All parties: Abort initial tactics. Disembark helos immediately and regroup full force. C2 takes field command after—"
Kang Moo-hyuk gritted his teeth.
He knew the Garuda had evolved further, but detecting from such range exceeded expectations.
No choice but to play his ace.
"C7. Hunter Go Eul-ji."
"Intercept op starts. Support the west. Take further orders from C2. Get the Garuda pooling point."
"Drop the 'overkill.' Just talk normal. Stay linked to party leaders via message."
* * *
Party 5 leader Kim Jin-seong calmly ordered his team.
"Hey, Yoo Seong-joo. Long-range snipe possible?"
"Not Slayer's plateau mage level, but I'll match Mun Il-su."
"Mun Il-su's a problem child, but Green Narae guild. Don't get cocky against tier guilds."
"I'll show why a non-tier picked me."
Party 5 comprised A-rank guild hunters, not tier, but no slouches. Guild rank one step down, but skills rivaled tier hunters.
Yoo Seong-joo's role: sniper.
He opened the helo side door, half-hanging out, foot on skid, drawing his back-mounted bow.
Mana flowed into the bow, extending it long—nearly clipping the main rotor. The pilot panicked.
"Can't hit the blades!"
"Don't worry—turn the fuselage toward the monster!"
The helo banked. Aligned, he nocked an arrow. Eagle Eye activated. Kilometers out, the charging Garuda locked in.
Aim, enhance, snipe, pierce skills stacked—the arrow launched.
Mana backlash rocked the helo.
Soon, Yoo Seong-joo cursed.
"Damn! Miss!"
Party 6's helo behind fired—a flaming arrow, unlike his piercing shot.
Yoo prepped another, anticipating the miss. It grazed, barely slowing; still incoming.
Grimacing, he loaded a wide shockwave skill. Launch shook the helo again.
"How's that?"
"Insanely fast. No hit."
Kim Jin-seong frowned at the report.
Party 6 fired again; still approaching.
Quick call.
"Land the helo."
"No landing zone!"
Below: dense forest, no clears.
"Party leader, one more shot. Auto-track skill—rest prep evac."
Yoo aimed, shouting.
Kim Jin-seong to pilot: "Drop as low as possible!"
Helo descended; one more arrow flew, but Yoo's grimace said poor result.
"Incoming!"
Yoo leaped skyward. Team followed.
Kim Jin-seong and one grabbed pilots, smashed door, jumped.
Something massive pierced their helo—explosion. Sonic boom followed. Party 6 crashed too.
Party 5 landed safely. Pilots out cold from freefall, unhurt.
Party 6 safe too, but pilots unsaved—delayed firing that extra shot.
Kim Jin-seong raged.
"Party 6 leader... Oh Se-yoon, you idiot! Lingering like that?! Tier guild my ass?"
"Save curses—watch that bird bastard!"
At Oh Se-yoon's warning, hunters braced.
But Garuda hovered overhead, not attacking.
Suddenly, it turned north.
"What the hell?"
Detection hunter reported.
"Something incoming from north! Fast... near Garuda speed..."
Garuda soared up. Something pierced its spot a beat late. Shockwave swayed trees.
Yoo Seong-joo, eyes strained, identified.
"Special Ops kid?"
"What?"
"That telekinesis girl. That was her."
Kim Jin-seong recalled Go Eul-ji.
"Her...? That fast?"
Watching the aerial duel, he was speechless.
Telekinesists at jet speeds? News to him. Tops: flying sports car. His knowledge said so.
Yet Go Eul-ji matched fighter-jet Garuda.
Not just speed—offense, defense flawless.
"What guild is that kid from?"
"Iron Will."
"Iron Will's not just Joo Se-ah and Jang Deok-gu, huh?"
"Yeah."
Hunters gawked at the human-monster sky battle, same thought shared.