Chapter 252
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 252
Chapter Title: Sea of Flames and Hong Sion (2)
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Once the provisional strategy meeting wrapped up, we moved to a spacious clearing.
"4th Squad Leader. I heard you clashed with a boss-level mimic on the way back to the platoon. You said you wiped out the monster horde it was leading, linked up with the 3rd Squad, and made it back to the platoon. That true?"
Song Dan-pung gave a stiff "Yes, sir." in response to the platoon leader's question.
This buzz-cut, muscle-bound guy was Hong Yeon-jin's younger brother, and Song Dan-pung was Hong Yeon-jin's daughter. In other words, the 4th Squad Leader was Dan-pung's uncle.
And yet, there wasn't the slightest hint of warmth between them. It felt exactly like a superior and subordinate in some rigid, by-the-book military unit—strict hierarchy all the way.
"We can't rule out the risk of the outpost being attacked before the large-scale union skill activates. A mimic capable of commanding dozens of monsters could strike the outpost before the skill fires off... or even during. But Eden Guild's core forces won't be able to respond to that assault. They'll be stretched thin just supporting Sister Hong Yeon-jin's skill activation."
Every hunter gathered here fell silent, listening intently to the platoon leader.
There were about thirty of them. More than half were faces I didn't recognize.
"In short, that means hunters from other guilds—like Hunter Jeong Ji-ham and Hunter Ya Hye-jeong—will have to protect us. We're the ones lighting Eden's flame, but we need your help to make sure it burns bright and true."
"......"
"I'll cut to the chase. We're scrapping the old squad formations and reorganizing into three new squads: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Alpha Squad—me, Hong Ye-chan, Hong Si-on, Song Dan-pung, and so on—will focus solely on activating and maintaining the large-scale skill. Beta Squad will fight and protect Alpha in our stead until the skill's done. Finally, Gamma Squad is a temp unit for the rookies who won't contribute much to the firepower."
At that moment, the platoon leader pointed right at me.
"And Jeong Ji-ham Hunter will lead Beta Squad."
The hunters erupted into murmurs on the spot.
"That guy's the infamous perv from the rumors?"
"Don't judge by looks. The guy's a total freak. Didn't you see those videos online?"
"I... I don't watch that stuff!"
"Liar. You said the sparkling hair one was your favorite."
"Shut up, you psycho!"
Then a plain-looking middle-aged male hunter raised his hand.
I didn't remember his name, but he was from the 3rd Squad, I thought.
"Platoon Leader, sir. As far as I know, Jeong Ji-ham Hunter's been awakened for less than a year—a total newbie. Even setting aside his low level, his Tamer aptitude means his own power is weaker than anyone else here. If we're categorizing, he'd fit Gamma Squad. And he's not exactly battle-hardened either. So why put him in charge of Beta Squad? Those of us fighting under him—and risking our lives—need a damn good reason."
A few hunters nodded along with him.
The platoon leader opened his mouth as if he'd been waiting for this.
"A Tamer's strength depends on the monsters or beasts they've tamed. In that sense, Jeong Ji-ham Hunter is stronger than me."
"Th-that guy?"
"So he's not just some pervert?"
"You saying those little critters are that strong? They're just slimes, a fox, and a snake..."
"That's a huge exaggeration. Did he bribe you or something?"
"Hey, come on. You know Hong Sam-gyun hates that crap. He's not the type to play favorites."
Even as unease and suspicion spread, the platoon leader pressed on.
"The squad with the best record in our platoon was the 4th Squad. Song Dan-pung Hunter, Ya Hye-jeong Hunter, Jeong Ji-ham Hunter, and his tamed monsters. Song Dan-pung's got a bright future ahead, sure, but she's not soloing dozens of tigers a day. Ya Hye-jeong's specialized in recovery over combat. Which means all that success belongs to Jeong Ji-ham Hunter. And this time, he took down that boss mimic, linked up with the 3rd Squad, and got everyone back safe."
He gave me a quick once-over from head to toe, then flashed a pleased grin.
"But Jeong Ji-ham Hunter, Ya Hye-jeong Hunter, and Song Dan-pung Hunter didn't have a scratch on them. Not a sign of battle anywhere. They weren't even tired or on edge. I can read people's moods and emotions to a degree. I see the flame of their hearts."
He thumped his chest hard.
"Out of everyone here, this guy's got the calmest heart-flame. Next is Ya Hye-jeong Hunter, then Song Dan-pung Hunter. In a situation that's got even me rattled, they're as relaxed as if they're on a picnic. What's the source of that unshakable flame? Trust, obviously. Trust that they absolutely won't die! Trust that they'll protect everything they set out to! That's why I decided to put him in charge of a squad."
"Hmph... So it's just your call after all, Platoon Leader. We can't rule out the chance that 4th Squad's reports were faked. Didn't you always double-check? Whether they really took down that many monsters?"
"Yeah. It's natural for those who can't see heart-flames to think that way. Especially when your life's on the line. 4th Squad Leader, sorry to ask, but can you prove those reports weren't lies?"
"Uh......"
Song Dan-pung looked flustered and glanced my way.
The platoon leader followed her gaze to me.
On paper, Dan-pung was squad leader, so he asked her. But really, this was directed at me.
Now's your chance. Show them your power. Prove it.
"Mind if I prove it?"
"Perfect. It'll look even better if Beta Squad's leader steps up himself."
"Lime. The tiger hides. All of 'em."
The fist-sized slime perched on my head hopped down and shifted into a little kid's form.
Exactly like when it first appeared with Uni.
"All of them?"
"Yeah. Every last one."
I confirmed, and Lime plunged its hand into its body, pulling out hundreds of tiger pelts one after another.
"Wh-what... All those monster hides?"
"How many is that? The number's insane..."
All the hunters blinked in shock.
Hong Sam-gyun was right there with them.
"This... it's way more than the reports said."
"Yep. Truth is, we cleared every monster in our sector on day one."
"......"
"......"
"......"
Everyone shut up and tilted their heads.
They couldn't process what I'd said outright—like they were chewing it over, hunting for some hidden meaning.
"Cleared... the whole zone in one day? How's that even... possible?"
"You said you can see heart-flames or whatever, Platoon Leader. Do I look like I'm lying?"
"......"
He stared at me for a moment, then shook his head.
"This is... the real deal. Incredible. Unbelievable..."
"Yeah. That's why we fudged the reports a bit. Dan-pung didn't like it, but telling the truth would've just caused chaos."
"I see... Even seeing your heart-flame up close like this, it's hard to believe... You'd think it was bullshit, right? Just inflating kills for glory..."
"Like you said, Platoon Leader, that boss mimic wasn't even a big threat. My cute slime or the unicorn could've cleaned it up in seconds."
Hong Sam-gyun chuckled deeply and picked up a few tiger pelts.
"Real tiger hides. And not a mark of battle on them... Overwhelming power gap. Skinned 'em in a flash... Ha... haha... I was wrong. What a delightful mistake."
Good. He'd bought it.
I'd smoothed over the fake report issue while casually flexing my strength.
"Jeong Ji-ham Hunter!"
"Y-yes?"
Hong Sam-gyun suddenly rushed over and grabbed both my hands tight.
"Take Si-on."
"......Pardon?"
"She takes after me, so her face is a bit fierce, but she's got a gentle heart. Marry her, and she'll serve you devotedly."
"D-Dad!? What the hell are you saying!?"
"Her chest is smaller than Dan-pung's! But she's still got room to grow!"
"Wh-what...!?"
"Take good care of her! I'm entrusting my back to you, son-in-law! Once this extermination's over, we'll have the engagement ceremony!"