Episode 75. Monster Fields (1)
“… It’s all right.”
After listening to my lengthy apology, Seung-hyun Hyeong nodded. Instead of getting angry or arguing with me, he looked relieved. He seemed relieved, like he didn’t think any of that mattered.
Now it feels like I was even worse.
“You said that if it weren’t for you, this characteristic might not have been activated until 10 or 20 years later, right? That I may have lost more people while living as a hunter, and I may have stayed a 3rd class hunter for longer?”
“…….”
“Then, it’s okay. I was given an opportunity, and you don’t have to apologize for it. Even if I had lost one of my limbs, I would have thanked you.”
“I’m sorry again.”
“It’s all right.”
Kim Seung-hyun had woken up after Zhang Wei briefly healed him. He turned his head and smiled quietly.
“By the way… I’d like to do another training session, would that be okay? The feeling I felt earlier is so vivid even when I’m lying down.”
His eyes were filled with pure fascination and a desire for power. It didn’t look like he was suppressing his anger at me for triggering his trauma.
“Yes, let’s go. It’s okay.”
I burst out laughing and nodded.
“You’re a member of our guild now anyway.”
* * *
After awakening his new characteristic, Kim Seung-hyun trained every single day. He practiced how to tank using his characteristic, and his self-made martial arts advanced rapidly with my guidance.
He continued to become stronger very sharply in proportion to his monster-like body that grew larger every day.
“He’s quite incredible.”
Those who didn’t even pay attention to Kim Seung-hyun now had their eyes on him, and those who used to ask me why I recruited him now praised my insight.
As he turned from a rough diamond into a sparkling jewel, Kim Seung-hyun was captivating people.
All guilds needed a talented tank.
“Mr. Si-woo, you know today’s the day, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then, shouldn’t he take a break? They’ll be calling you in two hours. Is it okay for him to be training that hard……?”
“He says he needs to warm up to move properly. He’s warming up in advance because we need to go in two hours.”
“Well, that’s just stupid.”
Han Yeon-soo grumbled. She was a bit sulky lately. I smiled at her and then looked out the window.
“Whew…!”
Outside, Kim Seung-hyun was dancing with a shield and a spear. It was hard to imagine that he was looked down upon even among 3rd class hunters until recently.
Yeah, it was like this in the past, too.
People said I was too overconfident because I was the best Analyst. That a person over thirty couldn’t advance any further and that a 3rd class hunter with such a track record should prepare for retirement.
But Seung-hyun Hyeong shattered all the criticism aimed towards me.
-Analyst Jeong Si-woo has the best insight in the world.
The thrill of the moment still lingered vividly in my head.
The moment that made all of the people who ignored Seung-hyun Hyeong and me shut up. The moment he tore apart a Rift with just a shabby shield and a spear like a hero.
I could still see reporters’ dazed faces with their mics and interviews and still hear the civilians cry out “thank you”….
“They called.”
Said Han Yeon-soo, touching my shoulder.
“They asked whether they can exclude the 3rd class hunter Kim Seung-hyun. They said it would be bad luck for them if a hunter kicked the bucket.”
“Hmm? Hahahaha.”
I could only laugh at the insult.
“Looks like I’ll be getting a great deal of satisfaction this time again.”
I had a strong feeling that the past would repeat itself.
Knock, knock.
I knocked on the window, and Seung-hyun Hyeong looked this way.
“Seung-hyun Hyeong, let’s get ready to go! They’re crazy.”
* * *
“Two hunters on the front team were injured. One Tank ended up just losing equipment, but the other one suffered a serious leg injury and can’t hunt for at least two months.”
“What’s the status of the defense line?”
“The situation is worse than a month ago. We might need to ask the Association to build a wall. At this rate, we’ll be pushed back to the residential areas within a year.”
“Ha… what a mess.”
“There are too many of them. They’re multiplying like swarms of insects, and we can’t handle it. It’s not like the Association is sending support to the Fields… All of our hunters are going to die out if we continue like this.”
“And when we all die, they’ll build a wall and put on a show commemorating the Monster Fields’ hunter team members who fought to the end.”
Crack.
The beer can in the man’s hand crumbled like a piece of paper.
“We don’t have enough hunters to go directly inside the Fields and destroy the Rifts. We need at least one 1st class hunter specialized in speed and demolition, and there’s no reason an S-level hunter like that would come to the Fields.”
“Yes, there’s no reason for such a talented hunter to come to this mess of a place. They can enjoy wealth and fame just by destroying any Rift now and then.”
The man spat on the floor. Seeing it, the woman sighed and continued.
“I’ll ask the Association for back up. And whether any 1st class hunter can volunteer or has an empty schedule.”
“Don’t bother. They’ll never send one. That damn head of the Association will say ‘How much can you afford to pay?’ with a smile even if I hold a knife to his throat.”
The man sighed, scratching his head furiously. He reeked of alcohol. Feeling sorry for him, the woman looked at him and then tried to say something while turning over the papers. She was going to try to change the subject to lighten the mood.
But then.
Knock, knock.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login