185. We'll Tell Our Guild Master
Seong Seon-je drew his sword. The blade, forged of metal, reflected his face like a mirror. Staring into his own eyes through the sword, he gathered his thoughts.
'The first time we hunted an Abomination, we struggled because we didn't know how to take it down. But now, after multiple successful hunts worldwide, we've accumulated the know-how. It's dangerous, but not an impossible Named Monster.'
When the Abomination first appeared in North America, there were calls to deploy S-rank hunters since no one knew how to kill it.
But the timing was poor. All S-ranks were tied up raiding Red Gates and couldn't join the extermination.
In the end, they selected elites from the remaining hunters and pushed through multiple failed raids. It took nine attempts to finally succeed.
But the sacrifices before capturing the Abomination were immense. People demanded measures to prevent repeats of the incident, leading to the creation of the "Double S Article 11."
A law mandating that, no matter what, at least one S-rank must always remain on standby within the North American continent.
The existing Hunter Laws' S-rank provisions—from Article 11 to 21—were called "Regular Article 11." The new, strengthened S-rank rule was dubbed "Super S Article 11."
Under Double S Article 11, North American guilds with S-ranks had to leave one behind during gate raids or overseas expeditions, forcing them to adjust their schedules.
This gave birth to the "Super S" council of S-rank guilds.
Super S evolved beyond mere scheduling into a massive interest group dominating North America's hunter industry, becoming the center of the global hunter world.
'Now Korea has entered the S-rank era starting with Joo Se-ah. Whether I become S-rank is still uncertain, but if I do... and if more S-ranks emerge after.'
A Korean Super S was possible.
Unlike China and Japan, where S-ranks didn't get along, uniting their power could allow a latecomer like Korea to compete with both nations.
'Damn! Not the time to think about that. Old strategic team leader habits kicking in. Save it for later. Focus on the Abomination hunt first.'
Just thinking of the Abomination brought a flood of background knowledge and plans to Seong Seon-je's mind. He shook off the distractions and thrust his sword forward.
"Kuooh!"
A roar exploded from where the sword tip pointed—the Abomination.
Seong Seon-je issued an order to Go Won-mae.
"Won-mae! Begin!"
Go Won-mae nodded and swapped the arrow nocked on her bow.
It was a striking red-shafted arrow. But the oddity wasn't just the color. Shockingly, there was no arrowhead. Instead, a pointed tube protruded from the front for balance.
Blood Bamboo Arrow.
An arrow made from "blood bamboo," which grew only in Red Gates.
Legend had it that anyone struck by it would have every liquid in their body sucked out.
A consumable registered as a Unique item, and Slayer Guild possessed only 72.
Materials were hard to source, crafting tricky, so they had to recover and recycle intact parts after use.
Like arrows from the Joseon era's special forces, they were short. Thus, a custom tube was needed to nock and fire them, like a Tong-a.
Go Won-mae attached the tube to her bow and loaded the short Blood Bamboo Arrow.
Piercing Shot
The arrow, infused with a skill that pierced monster flesh, struck the Abomination.
Normally, it would punch clean through the opposite side, but it barely embedded the 5cm tube into the Abomination's thick hide.
But this wasn't failure—it was intentional.
Green sap oozed from the arrow's fletching embedded in the Abomination's body.
"Nice."
Go Won-mae clenched her fist.
Then the Abomination's head swiveled toward her. Its black pupils, filling its eyes with malice, gleamed—and the massive body launched.
The monster soared dozens of meters and crashed down on Go Won-mae.
"Save the victory pose for after we kill it... Ugh!"
Slayer's expedition leader, So Sang-yeop, blocked its path with his shield, halting the charge.
The shield crumpled slightly. The impact shook his body. Pushed back in an instant, Go Won-mae braced his shoulder.
Still sliding, So Sang-yeop used a kicking skill on his lead foot to hold ground.
Simultaneously, his spear thrust over the shield toward the monster's eye. The Abomination deflected it with its forehead, then shoved So Sang-yeop and Go Won-mae back with brute force.
Finally losing balance, the two stumbled. The Abomination rose from its tackle and reached for So Sang-yeop's head.
Ha Hye-seong couldn't stand by and watch his superior in peril. He slashed its forearm with his greatsword. The grabbing hand slammed into the ground. The Abomination switched targets to Ha Hye-seong, who retreated without greed for follow-ups.
Gye Myeong-sik's Royal Guard command style then took the aggro. A powerful single-shot skill smashed its back. The irritated Abomination's fist shattered the shield's side.
Gye Myeong-sik dropped the shield just in time—or his arm would have snapped with it.
The Abomination lunged, but Gladiator Jeon Ye-seong's harpoon rope bound its arm.
"Urgh! Tough bastard... Even drags this along."
Seong Seon-je nodded, watching the attackers' desperate efforts.
'Forming parties of pure tanks was key.'
Korea's top hunters—specifically the top 0.1% tanks—formed two extreme parties against the Abomination.
Weapons and shields for quick swaps were planted in the ground nearby. Exchanges often turned gear to scrap. North American records noted retreats due to underestimated strength and lost equipment in their first raid.
Kang Moo-hyuk knew this and supplied disposable gear en masse. Excellent for other monsters, but mere fodder here. Costly high-end stuff, discarded after one use.
"Man, without national funds, this spending spree would've been impossible. Decent gear, but the blade bends like taffy. Scary to use my main—might chip."
Gam Woo-young, back after an attack, whistled and drew a new sword from the ground.
His main, the Blue-Red Twin Star Swords for Maid Order, sheathed on his back.
The weapon he'd taken out lay broken on the floor.
The snapped blade was lodged in the Abomination's side, piercing skin but sparing vitals.
"Go Won-mae, hit the vitals!"
Seong Seon-je urged better aim. Three arrows after the first had missed.
Go Won-mae grimaced.
"That thing targets me every shot. Aggro's useless."
"You got five tanks assigned. Even gave you Unique gear. Whining over that? Quit the expedition."
"Kang Moo-hyuk made this plan, right? Damn, shouldn't have trusted that strategist."
Go Won-mae recalled Kang Moo-hyuk's face. His praising voice echoed.
'Hunter Go Won-mae is Slayer's best—no, Korea's top ranged dealer, right? No one else can do this. This op hinges entirely on you. I believe. You'll nail it.'
Should've seen the sweet talk as a death sentence. With scrutiny, she'd have realized it was hide-and-seek with the Abomination.
Trusted due to Seong Seon-je's endorsement, now her life hung by a thread.
But she knew one thing and missed two.
'Better hide I agreed to this.'
That Seong Seon-je was the final approver.
13 hours into the raid.
Over forty Bamboo Arrows accumulated on the Abomination's body.
It tried fleeing mid-raid with overwhelming physical prowess, but Go Eul-ji pursued with her mobility.
In crises, Jang Deok-gu intervened. A master of all weapons, the littered gear was his playground.
Others stuck to familiar types; he maximized damage with any.
The rampaging Abomination weakened as Bamboo Arrows drained its blood.
Its reversal skill "Bulk Up" failed thanks to Yeom Soo-hyung's entry.
Yeom took severe wounds and withdrew. His Gigant trait covered his lower rank, but Named Monsters had limits.
"Blocking a once-per-day skill is huge for Hunter Yeom Soo-hyung."
Seong Seon-je sensed the end nearing.
No skills left for the Abomination—just stamina and bulk. It lasted seven more hours, hitting 20 total.
Seong Seon-je chewed hunter emergency rations—a "Gombo Moss Powder Stick"—and marveled.
"Even dumping all resources and proven tactics, it takes all day. No wonder it's a hunter killer."
Overwhelming physical defense, immunity to poison and magic, endless stamina, regeneration ignoring most wounds.
"Like Joo Se-ah."
"Sister Se-ah? Nah, too much. Even our ogre sis looks way better."
Gam Woo-young, stamina drained but mouth running, shook his head at Seong Seon-je's mutter.
Seong Seon-je sighed.
"Not looks. Defense and resistance."
"Oh, that? Heh, kidding. Yeah, obviously. Monster world's Joo Se-ah? Hmm... Kinda does now."
"Caught ya. We'll tell our guild master. Said it looks like Abomination."
Go Eul-ji glared and yelled at Gam Woo-young.
Gam paled, clasping hands in plea.
"Heh, why fight bros? Pretend you didn't hear. If sis finds out, I'm done."
"With words?"
"You really high schooler? Kid's too calculating."
"See you at the funeral. Portrait, but condolences incoming."
"Damn right. Hunters gotta calculate. You'll be great. So, whatcha want?"
"Intro to Seon-je oppa."
"……."
Seong Seon-je bellowed at the joking duo mid-raid.
"Raid ain't over! Can't focus to the end?!"
"Yes, raid leader."
"Yesss……."
They slacked like recruits, but others felt the end too.
Not just them—another hunter heeded Seong Seon-je.
'Like Joo Se-ah? Right. This raid... could be an anti-Joo Se-ah strat.'
Eum Yeong-jin joined as support DPS. Kang Moo-hyuk hadn't trusted Baekho with key roles.
No big complaints. Raid wasn't the goal.
He monitored the unified raid and Kang Moo-hyuk's every move. Intel flowed to Huanglong Guild's Guan Hun.
Espionage, plain.
'Planned to sabotage, but couldn't without knowing Joo Se-ah's spot.'
She might be lurking. Too risky.
Not fondness—few in Korea could beat her.
Even brawler Park Beom-il claimed victory, but Eum bet on loss, guildmate or not.
This Abomination raid simulated fighting a virtual Joo Se-ah.
'Tactics vary more, but hints on handling stupid defense and resistance.'
Eum planned an anti-Joo Se-ah formation from today's data.
Worth it.
'Gotta leak to Seong Seon-je team leader at the right time.'
Kang Moo-hyuk hadn't limited targets to Abomination. Baekho Guild too.
Impromptu idea: Joo Se-ah shared Abomination traits. Instant strat.
"Hope they think they can take Guild Master Joo Se-ah."
Can't exploit now. But could force gambles later. Trap their feet. No escape.
He wove traps encompassing Huanglong and Baekho. Japan’s Gildan-ryeon joined lately.
No sloppy traps. Multiple chains for such foes.
As raid dragged, nooses tightened.
Adding more strands—
"Woooah!"
"Finally……!"
Operators cheered.
Nearly 24 hours sleepless—exhaustion hit hunters and staff.
Kang Moo-hyuk skipped the mood, checked facts.
"Casualties?"
"Transport helis launching now. Good work."