NOVEL WEB Chapter 42
42.
A kill order has been issued for the pseudo-criminals—Blue Dragon.
Lee Seong-han turned around and nodded calmly.
He twisted his body forward.
The sisters watched leisurely. Kang Jin-young was the first to speak.
“What should we do? Hey, should I help—”
“No.”
Kang Mi-young stopped her with her arm. Kang Jin-young, who was about to get up, sat back down as if she had regenerated.
“Unnie, you’re being unusually cynical.”
Kang Jin-young, resting her chin on her hand, asked again. Soon, she made a face as if she couldn’t understand.
“We’re here as representatives. We’re not here to destroy a giant guild like Blue Dragon.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Really? I even caught a few to make time to get closer to water.”
Kang Jin-young laughed awkwardly.
Time to get closer to water… *cough*.
“I also had time to get closer. If I get more interested, that could be a problem.”
“So, you can’t be with Seong-han?”
“That’s right. Other women will cling to him. Like mayflies, trashy women.”
“Hmm… I can understand your feelings sometimes, unnie.”
Kang Mi-young laughed first.
It was an awkward smile. It had been a while since they had such a conversation. It started when they were 6 or 7 years old, when feelings of inferiority began to surface.
No need to dig deeper. They were both the same.
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence fell. This is why face-to-face meetings were disliked. Both sides thought the same.
Moreover, they were the practical exam supervisors.
Also known as overseers.
They were here as representatives of the National Intelligence Service and the Hunter Management Bureau.
The practical exam supervisors’ main duties included on-site supervision and ensuring monsters didn’t go to dangerous areas.
Handling situations that took a strange turn was also their job.
In the end, they were bound to meet someday.
Kang Mi-young clicked her tongue in annoyance.
“If we cause more trouble here, the officials will feel uneasy. I’ll have to move reluctantly. They’ll notice there’s backing.”
“I’m fine with it.”
“Moreover, I’m deeply concerned about your skills.”
“Skills?”
Kang Jin-young scratched her cheek at the comment. It was true.
Her survival skills and planning were excellent.
But she always lacked punch.
Thus, she needed a strong firepower ally like herself. Kang Jin-young made a nervous sound. What can a man do anyway?
Kang Jin-young’s attention returned to Lee Seong-han.
“You, you you you.”
Golden Sun Knight stammered while holding onto a porter. His expression was stern, but he looked like a weakling afraid of something.
‘Why is he acting like this?’
Lee Seong-han clicked his tongue.
Is he some kind of bandit? It seemed like all his equipment was patched up on the spot.
I’m burning up inside. I can’t live because of guys like this.
[‘Auto Combat’ says this is my territory.]
[‘Truly Capable Hunter’ says get lost immediately.]
*Sigh.* Do I have Defias in my head too?
Hearthstone isn’t my thing. Lee Seong-han tilted his head.
“…Hey.”
Lee Seong-han approached with a dry hand. He gestured with a low tone, as if telling them to come closer.
The porter broke free from Golden Sun Knight’s grasp. His legs were shaking like a leaf.
“Hey! You messed with my sister, didn’t you?”
“What.”
“You punk, where do you think you’re talking to?! Do you know who I am?! My dad’s a C-rank Hunter, if you wanna fight, fight—”
Lee Seong-han clenched his fist and struck hard.
*BAM————!*
The porter couldn’t finish his sentence. Shocked, he fell backward.
“Uh, ugh.”
*Thud.* The porter fell back. He thought he was just an ordinary person… but an Awakened One?
“Kyaaaaaah!”
A girly scream erupted from the porter’s side.
Lee Seong-han’s fist didn’t hit the porter but something else.
A transport container.
For Blue Dragon guild members.
[‘Totally Capable Hunter’ laughs bitterly.]
Yeah, I want to laugh too. Lee Seong-han smirked amusingly.
I used up all the items I gathered the day before. I had to boost my stats somehow.
“You, you.”
Golden Sun Knight trembled.
“Ah, daddy.”
The porter’s face turned pale.
He lay sprawled, urinating uncontrollably. The floor was stained yellow. He looked panicked, unable to control himself.
The fear of death swept over him.
Of course.
｢He’s insane. If he grows more, he could easily aim for my position. So, will the first male superhuman be born?｣
｢He’s insane. I’m scared of a guy like that… Ughuhuhuhu.｣
The Kang sisters’ voices were heard. It was something, but Lee Seong-han decided not to pay attention.
The container’s front iron door.
A hole the size of an adult male was punched through.
They advertised it as scratch-proof, and even a B-rank monster would only dent it, but it was shattered by a punch.
“Insane.”
Especially the fact that it was a man was a huge shock inside.
Lee Seong-han pointed alternately at Golden Sun Knight and the porter.
“Don’t even think about touching my people. I’ll kill you.”
[‘Auto Combat’ says this is what you call a monster.]
[‘Totally Capable Hunter’ gasps!]
You guys, be quiet.
[‘Auto Combat’ feels intimidated.]
[‘Totally Capable Hunter’ whimpers and clicks his tongue.]
Sorry, man.
***
“Ugh! Just you wait!”
Golden Sun Knight and his lackeys fled at breakneck speed.
Lee Seong-han now looked at them with pity.
Ugh, society and families are collapsing because of such third-rate people.
“My heart feels lighter again.”
“Who is that guy? He looks like he’ll take first place.”
“No. There’s that guy who’s been getting attention lately. He’ll probably do it.”
“By the way, that friend… isn’t he going to get caught?”
Whispers from onlookers could be heard from afar.
Lee Seong-han’s excitement gradually subsided, and his mind cleared.
“There will definitely be repercussions elsewhere… Did I act too hastily?”
Isn’t this also a deduction factor?!
Lee Seong-han straightened his head and looked up at the ceiling. His contemplation didn’t last long. The sisters came out simultaneously and reassured him not to worry.
Sitting on the container’s seat, he felt a bit relieved.
“That’s right, isn’t it?”
“I gave a heads-up, so there shouldn’t be any problems. Ha. Ha. Ha.”
Kang Jin-young’s bright smile didn’t seem fake, and few people came to check.
This seems illegal, but you can’t spit on a smiling face. He didn’t bring up the topic.
*Buzz—*
The vibration from his pocket made Lee Seong-han feign surprise.
“Uh, oh.”
I already submitted my phone, right? The permit in his inner pocket rustled.
“A request has come.”
“A request, huh. Let’s check it out.”
“What’s this request about?”
“Don’t know. It’s confidential. The Awakening Management Bureau, those ink-slingers, will handle it well, won’t they?”
Focusing his mana, an additional window appeared in the air.
▶[Information Check]
-No information currently available.
“There’s no info tab.”
Lee Seong-han spoke stiffly.
Normally, external information processing is signaled by a strong vibration.
Meaning a request has arrived.
But there’s nothing in the info tab.
“No. It should be in the request section below.”
Request?
He looked down.
“Ah, there it is.”
“Right?”
Kang Jin-young’s tone brightened as if her nose was in the air.
▶[Request Accepted]
He was familiar with the process, having handled miscellaneous tasks occasionally.
“Let me see too. I was curious about how the exam is going today.”
“Excuse me too.”
The Kang sisters huddled close to see. If you’re that curious, why not ask someone else to show you?
Lee Seong-han felt a strange burden from the sisters’ intense interest.
Not a bad feeling.
“Unnie, move over. It’s getting cramped!”
“I should be saying that. I wish you’d stop showing off.”
“Did you just say that?!”
“I did.”
While the sisters bickered, Lee Seong-han checked [Request Accepted].
─
▶[Request Accepted]
-[???]
-Danger Level C—Threat of annihilating a county. Numerous demon species discovered, causing multiple casualties. Holy-type weapons recommended.
-Detailed situation will be announced upon entry.
─
The sisters, having finished their squabble, spoke simultaneously.
“How boring, an on-site announcement. I was going to pack some equipment. Too bad. The equipment from the Awakening Market will be insufficient.”
“It’s, it’s fine.”
“You’re still using that junk?!”
“It’s usable. Just low durability.”
Kang Jin-young’s eyes widened. Still using that decades-old junk.
Everyone’s expressions weren’t good.
Since ancient times, bad things happened whenever on-site announcements were made. The Kang sisters swallowed their saliva.
“Hey, what could possibly happen?”
Lee Seong-han tried to ease the tension. But his expectations were completely shattered.
[‘Super Recon’ mutters, 『Ah, this doesn’t feel good.』]
[‘Blockade’ reads discomfort beyond the barrier.]
The traits were shouting in unison. This isn’t good.
‘No. I can do it.’
Lee Seong-han patted the backpack he brought.
The super-lucky item from the Awakening Market. It’s inside.
***
“Let go! I need to manage closely!”
“Section Chief…! This is troublesome, ah!”
Kang Jin-young.
“You need my help!!”
“Spirit…! You need to go to the control room, ah!”
Kang Mi-young.
Everyone left the container, leaving Lee Seong-han alone.
*Creak—*
The sound of heavy machinery lifting the container was heard. Soon, it landed at the exam site.
-All examinees, you may come out now.
An announcement was heard. Lee Seong-han peeked his head out from the side window.
The exam site interior was similar to reality. No, almost identical. If you didn’t focus, that is. Rated C~B.
About 70%.
“Wow, it’s like the countryside.”
The thick scent of grass under his nose.
Insect sounds.
The crescent moon and stars in the sky.
It was hard to believe it was an artificially created environment.
Lee Seong-han quietly pushed the iron door open.
He didn’t forget to grab ammunition, emergency rations, and other equipment from the container.
Lee Seong-han packed his bag until it was bursting.
He shouldered the machine gun and peeked the barrel out.
‘…It’s quiet for now.’
He looked around.
The asphalt road had a container placed on it.
The forest on both sides of the road was dense, stretching beyond the horizon with no signs.
No signposts.
Thanks to the moonlight, visibility wasn’t an issue, but his back ached from the backpack and various equipment.
“We’ve arrived here. HQ. Do you copy? Over.”
“Ah, we hear you loud and clear. As the operator, I’ll assist diligently. Yes.”
A voice came from the left earpiece.
It was Baek Min-ho.
He spoke in a very tired tone.
Or perhaps exhausted.
Field hunters don’t operate alone. They always receive data from the command center. They can’t know everything.
*Buzz—*
The permit rang again. This time, it must be the real deal.
─
▶[Request Accepted]
-[Listen carefully.]
-[This isn’t a test.]
-[It’s a trap.]
-[Run away.]
─
A sudden silence fell. Five seconds. Lee Seong-han’s head rapidly cooled.
A trap?
Run away?
Who on earth…?
*Click*
*Click*
*Click*
“Ah.”
A switch was flipped.
Goosebumps rose.
The stars, moon, and all light sources were extinguished simultaneously. The surroundings turned pitch black as if adapting to darkness.
“HQ. HQ?!”
-……
The communication was cut off.
[‘Super Recon’ detects impurities.]
As if to mock the words, screams began to be heard from all around.
─
▶[Request Accepted]
-[A terror attack just occurred.]
─