Proof of Possibility
Anyway, that's how things turned out. The group representing the camp became Yeonwoo and Eden. Some hunters even mistook the two for a single entity, but they were clearly separate. Of course, Yeonwoo couldn't have cared less.
Eden's affiliates, however, saw things differently. They blamed all of Mikael's actions on Yeonwoo. The use of his Stigma had a particularly big impact. It was such a powerful force that Mikael had been bedridden for a while.
But no matter what Eden's people thought of Yeonwoo, they had no choice but to seek cooperation in the face of the anomaly. After discussions between Yeonwoo and Eden, they deliberately accelerated the schedule as much as possible and set out to subjugate the queen ants. Preparation time: just one day. Eden armed itself with every resource available. Yeonwoo spent the day selecting hunters.
This was the full might of the camp unleashed on the second day's queen ant expedition force. It was a grueling schedule, but they had to make it work. For one simple reason. They needed to show everyone. Otherwise, the camp community—forged through the use of the Stigma—might collapse.
In other words, it was proof of possibility.
Fortunately, there was another queen ant near the camp. Being close to the safe zone, it wasn't guarded by as many ants as expected. The camp's maximum force clashed head-on.
Yeonwoo, naturally, rampaged at the forefront. After rolling around with the ant swarm for quite some time, they took down the queen ant, reducing their number by one.
"Woooaaah!"
"We did it! We really did it!"
The returning queen ant expedition was welcomed by the camp's residents. They lined up on both sides, cheering the march. Yeonwoo, as expected, led the way. When they reached the iron chains that had now become a symbol,
"Now it's your turn."
Yeonwoo pointed her index finger dramatically at everyone in the camp.
"...Up to that point, it was great."
Yeonwoo headed straight for Eden's tent. The one with the best facilities, right next to the bathroom she'd borrowed last time.
"The real problem starts now."
The person recuperating in the tent was, of course, Mikael. It was the aftermath of using his Stigma. Mikael listened to Yeonwoo's explanation while lying in bed.
"Even though it went well, what's the problem?"
"People's strength isn't infinite, right? From now on, everyone has to pull together, or it'll be tough."
"You know that well. Seeing my condition really drives it home, doesn't it?"
Mikael grumbled. He put up an oddly impenetrable wall, as if guarding against something. Yeonwoo, naturally, ignored it. She just leaned crookedly against the desk a short distance away.
"We need to raise the overall level. Not just raw power, but knowledge and experience too."
"How? I mean, is it even possible?"
Mikael was well-versed in the hunter ecosystem too. Yeonwoo's idea was, in essence, pure idealism. Easy to say, but reality wasn't so forgiving. Even talented hunters were hard to nurture properly—this industry made sure of that. Raising random beginner hunters from the Ant Nest? How long would it take? Could they even endure? It was a reckless gamble with no guarantees.
But Yeonwoo was unfazed. She fiddled with the fancy fountain pen on the desk and tossed out casually, as if it were obvious.
"The front yard's crawling with ants."
"Pardon?"
"An environment like this has never existed in Ant Nest history, I bet?"
"...This is the best environment?"
Mikael furrowed his brow. The camp interior was safe, sure, but step one foot past the perimeter and ants swarmed everywhere. Ants you'd normally have to trek across the wasteland to find were now blanketing the camp's front. The worst situation imaginable...
"Ah."
Mikael let out a short sound. It wasn't the worst. A safe zone right next to a sea of ants. Fight as much as you want, anytime. Get tired or hurt? Just cross back into camp. And wounds were treated immediately by Eden's volunteers. Stages, real combat, experience—all fulfilled. Perfect conditions for beginner hunters.
Once he grasped Yeonwoo's intent, Mikael's mouth hung open in a daze.
"You, of all people..."
This time, it wasn't a jab. Pure admiration. No, genuine shock. Her skills were incredible. She moved for others. And her adaptability was top-notch. Without her? They'd have been helplessly swallowed by the anomaly long ago. Even surviving would mean withering away in camp—a miserable end.
And moreover. She was a beautiful person. Not in the superficial sense, but this woman was...
"Ugh."
Mikael squeezed his eyes shut. Unable to bear it, he slammed the window of thought closed.
"What's wrong?"
"...Hunter Yeonwoo."
Mikael uttered Yeonwoo's name for the first time. But overwhelmed by an unbearable stuffiness, he just flicked his gaze aside.
"Have you ever thought about joining a company?"
"Why? Inviting me to Eden? Ahaha. No way. Eden doesn't take just anyone."
"It's not just anyone!"
"Why yell?"
"You'd definitely be a huge help. To everyone. A real huge help. To me too..."
"Nah. I don't mind churches, but affiliating feels off."
It wasn't empty words. In Yeonwoo's life of rolling like a dog, there had been times she'd relied on a church.
"I see."
Mikael murmured in response. A mix of relief and regret.
"How's the injury?"
"Lots got hurt. We pushed too hard for those results."
"You got hurt too."
"...You noticed?"
"Didn't I say it before? I'm a stronger hunter than you. Anyway. Let me heal you."
Having fought at the front, Yeonwoo couldn't avoid injury. She didn't want to burden the whimpering Mikael, but her wound was exposed, and he offered—so no reason to refuse.
"Not uncomfortable now?"
"Not in front of a patient."
"You're a patient too."
"But I'm the stronger patient."
"Don't know about anything else, but your pride's the strongest."
"Anyway, I win."
As if determined, Mikael didn't yield an inch. Of course, healing her wounds while bickering just made him look cute in Yeonwoo's eyes.
"Wanna be my little bro after all?"
"Not planning to carry me around like a potion?"
"Busted."
Yeonwoo shrugged and chuckled. The absurdity made Mikael let out a short "ha."
"Then think of me as your hyung. I told you last time, right? Even little bros call oppa sometimes."
"With that look, how could..."
Mikael stared at Yeonwoo in disbelief. Naturally, she didn't have a single masculine trait from head to toe. Not one spot lacked femininity. Even... even...
"...!"
Mikael's pupils shook like an earthquake. A red flush crept up his neck, slowly overtaking his face.
"Enough!"
Mikael whipped his head away. He yanked the blanket over his head entirely.
"Sorry, sorry. I'll come tell you if it progresses further."
Teasing ended there. She wanted to pat his shoulder for a job well done, but that might make him freak out, so she held back.
"Ah. Maybe I don't need to tell you myself."
On second thought, Eden's affiliates could relay the news. Plus, a priest who could use Stigma held a surprisingly high position. If Mikael wanted, he could join Eden regardless of religion—but churches were still uncomfortable. And Babel had killed any desire to affiliate anywhere.
"...Tell me."
A voice emerged from under the blanket.
"Got it. You rascal."
"It's responsibility! That's why. Take responsibility and tell me yourself."
Yeonwoo smirked instead of answering.
"Alright. Rest up."
With a brief farewell, she left the tent.
"..."
Mikael stayed like that long after Yeonwoo left. Blanket pulled to his head, frozen as if time had stopped.
"If you were my hyung... maybe it wouldn't be so bad."
With that small mutter, all sound in the tent vanished.
The camp community's learning progressed more smoothly than expected. Members grew at a rapid pace. Partly due to the rushed start, but mostly overlapping factors.
First, they were all Tier I beginners. Naturally, they quickly filled experience and advanced stages, boosting their physical performance swiftly.
Second, the environment. Just as Yeonwoo planned, ants swarming right outside the safe zone drove absurd growth. Even providing real combat experience in varied scenarios.
Finally, Yeonwoo's presence. A veteran who'd rolled like a dog. Veterans learned anything to survive—sharing tips, know-how, even teaching each other. So Yeonwoo was skilled at instruction. Making it easy to teach the hunters. Plus, with Weapon Expert experience, she could impart tips on all weapons.
Of course. The most decisive role was something else.
"Whoa. That was some real sense just now?"
One day. A female hunter who'd handled two ants with a single dagger stared at Yeonwoo wide-eyed.
"R-Really?"
"Don't forget that feel. It'll work 100% in real fights too."
That was Yeonwoo's longest praise yet while coaching countless hunters. Genuine, with an exclamation.
"Heh, hehehe. Uhihihit!"
The woman approached other waiting hunters, unable to contain her laughter.
"Hehe, huhut. Ahahahat! Try harder, you lot. Ohohohot!"
She tossed her head back arrogantly, laughing maniacally. The other hunters' reactions were even better.
"Kuhk."
"Just you wait. I'll pull it off dramatically too!"
"Damn thief cat...!"
From then on, hunters started slaying ants voluntarily. Gradually turning beginner hunters into ant specialists.
The camp community's strength grew rapidly. Enough to achieve queen ant subjugations. All thanks to Yeonwoo's dedication.
She helped tirelessly. To the point you'd ask what she gained from it. So Yeonwoo answered with action.
"I'll take it! I'll take it!"
Yeonwoo charged at mad speed with her greatsword. Shouting "Mine! My ball!" like a selfish soccer player, she dashed on—
Whoosh—Krunch!
Smashing the head of the cornered queen ant with all her might.
'Yes! Thanks for the meal!'
The reward for her efforts: the killing blow on a queen ant. Inner power surged full.
Another stage up before she knew it.
On the flip side, the sky's iron chains decreased by one more.
'Keep it up like this.'
To reach Tier II. To liberate the Ant Nest.
Not much time left now, really.