Footsteps.
The bearded man, Go Ju-yong, stood dumbfounded as he looked at the man in front of the survivors.
Three orcs.
True warriors, on a completely different level than mere goblins.
Unlike modern people, whose lack of exercise leads to nothing but a protruding belly thanks to the conveniences of civilization, these were battle-hardened fighters.
Yet this man single-handedly stepped up and quickly subdued them.
Lee Hyunbin, the trainer from Star Center, was somewhat of a local legend in the Anyang Amusement Park Dungeon.
A trainer who hadn’t even awakened yet.
At thirty years old, he was seen as talentless, someone who only dreamed of Awakening.
But what he was showing now was worthy of being called an intermediate, no, even an advanced Hunter.
His restrained movements. The calculated offense and defense honed through relentless training was textbook perfection.
“Wow…”
Among the five survivors, the only female Hunter couldn’t help but exclaim. It was as if the terror they’d been trembling in just moments ago had suddenly vanished.
A person who leads others with outstanding strength.
When there’s someone like that, a group can form an unbreakable bond.
“They’re coming. Let’s move quickly.”
Only a few hours ago, this man was just an ordinary civilian, yet now he was urging experienced Hunters forward.
“Yes, Coach.”
Kim Taeyang, a newcomer Hunter with blonde hair that made him stand out, smiled slightly as he followed Hyunbin.
The Hunters followed swiftly behind Hyunbin, heading toward the dungeon entrance.
“That guy—didn’t he awaken today?”
Suddenly, someone spoke, and Kim Taeyang turned his head.
It was Kim Inho of the Fighting God Guild, who was the same generation as him.
“Why the casual tone?”
“You do it too.”
“Watch your mouth.”
“We’re the same age.”
At Kim Inho’s words, Kim Taeyang twitched his nose.
“Are you sure he really awakened today?”
“Pretty sure.”
Kim Inho looked skeptical. If he really did awaken today, it meant that as a Hunter, Inho was technically the senior.
Even if he was a trainer, lacking combat experience meant being treated like a rookie.
But none of the Hunters here disputed Hyunbin.
Everyone instinctively knew without words that to survive, they had to follow this man.
“This looks like a good spot.”
Hyunbin, at the very front, stopped. No one knew what he was thinking.
“We’ll fight the enemy here.”
When he said he’d fight, everyone’s eyes widened. Surprised? They all knew well enough there was no running away.
“Do you see those orcs chasing us behind?”
Not at all.
No matter what hopes the others clung to, I knew better.
They were driving us into a trap.
As proof, the orcs roared from time to time. It seemed like mere intimidation, but in truth, they were sending signals to their comrades nearby.
The place I chose was one where the enemy couldn’t hide.
In other words, no surprise attacks.
We had to pick them off one by one before they gathered.
“Do you see the big one among those orcs behind us?”
A monster you want to shake off but just won’t budge.
Orcs were already big, but one in particular stood over two meters tall.
“Probably the Orc Champion.”
The Hunters’ faces paled at the mention of the Orc Champion.
“That can’t be! This is the 1st floor!”
“Since it’s the 1st floor, maybe we should politely ask them to turn back? Somehow, I don’t think they’ll listen.”
Like the bearded Hunter said, it was the 1st floor. A hunting ground where low-level monsters raise low-level Hunters.
But our villain changed that concept. By offering plenty of sacrifices.
Was the Orc Champion the one he summoned with those sacrifices?
No. He wanted something bigger. That huge orc was just a bodyguard.
“Mages, use Mez without hesitation.”
“Sleep is possible…”
“You with the injured arm, protect the mage.”
“Yes.”
“Hunter Kim Taeyang. And Hunter Kim Inho.”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Yes, senior.”
If anything, I’m the junior here.
But there’s no time for such details.
“You two will act as tanks.”
“Me?”
“Me?”
Both looked a bit flustered.
Not goblins, orcs. And neither are tank experts. But there’s no time to argue.
“Just hold your ground as best you can.”
“I’m confident. I’m an all-rounder class.”
“All-rounder?”
An all-rounder is someone who can fill any role decently, whether tank, dealer, support mage, support healer, or ranged DPS.
All-rounders are rare. This is good, especially in a situation like this.
“Beard guy and the old man, you two assist in combat.”
“But the beard’s name is Go Ju-yong…”
“They’re coming now.”
Thanks to my trainer work, I can roughly tell at a glance who has how much experience.
The person with the injured arm is the strongest after me.
But the injury was severe enough to put him in the rear.
I told them to protect the mage, but it looks like the injured can still provide backup if they can.
“Think we can pull this off?”
The old man asked nervously.
Relying on someone who awakened today? Not really the time, old man.
“Of course. It’s possible.”
Failure isn’t in my dictionary.
If it exists, I’ll tear that part out and destroy it.
“Grrrk.”
The orc pack with green skin stared at us. About a dozen in number.
We were six, including me.
Twice the numbers, but still manageable. At first glance, there were dozens.
Since we kept running, they split into three groups to encircle us.
A favorite orc tactic—corner the prey with no escape, forcing them into desperation.
And to uphold the warrior’s pride, they prefer a one-on-one fight. It’s their nature.
“Kur, kurrk!”
As expected, one orc wielding an axe confidently stepped forward. Like a gang leader puffing up his chest.
He thrust his axe forward.
As if daring anyone brave enough to step up.
Body language speaks everywhere, even if words don’t.
“I, really…”
The bearded man muttered. The others’ reactions were similar. I raised a corner of my mouth and said,
“Remember, fight in pairs, but avoid one-on-one.”
They nodded in understanding. Although no one here looked like they’d plead for a fight anyway.
Now, while these guys are indulging in their warrior playtime, that’s our chance.
“Krrrr!”
Was the orc upset I came barehanded? The one in front looked angry.
I grabbed a small rock from the ground and waved it in front of the orc. Ah, now he was really mad.
He gripped his axe tight and charged.
His mental simulation probably went like this:
“Slash me down in one blow, then next, and the next,” proudly showing off his strength.
I threw the rock at the charging orc’s face. He struck the rock with his axe.
He hit it so hard the rock shattered into dust that flew everywhere.
Ah, my weapon’s gone.
The orc reached me in a single step.
I dodged and delivered a low kick.
Crack!
But he scoffed, as if I’d been bitten by a mosquito.
Smack!
He struck my abdomen, throwing me off balance and onto the ground.
The survivor Hunters muttered low groans seeing me fall.
The orcs chuckled, as if enjoying the show.
I kicked his abdomen again, but he seemed unfazed and rammed his head into me.
Ouch.
Squinting one eye against the sharp pain, I stepped back.
The orc swung his axe lazily.
“Kurrr! Khah!”
The Orc Champion seemed bored with the fight. Or perhaps he saw this battle as already decided.
At his command, the waiting orcs started running to hunt down the Hunters behind me.
“They’re coming!”
I heard the old man and the bearded Hunter shout from behind.
The orcs waiting had all moved to chase the Hunters at my back.
The blonde and the rookie were standing at the front as tanks, just like I told them. No retreat, commendable.
Now then.
The orc in front of me. If I defeat this one, the Orc Champion stands right behind.
My comrades were holding on stubbornly as I ordered.
The Orc Champion crossed his arms, watching the hunting scene.
He must have felt no need to step in himself.
—Close Combat LV Max activated.
When the Close Combat skill activates, melee combat ability increases dramatically.
The plan is going smoothly, so now let’s hunt with ease.
“Krr!”
The orc warrior before me looked tired of this, his face saying, “Stop resisting and just die.”
Feigning weakness, he grew arrogant.
Smack!
I reshaped the bridge of the orc’s pig-like nose.
Half-measures cause more problems. If you’re going to alter it, go all the way up or all the way down—have some conviction.
Apparently dissatisfied, the orc swung his axe, protesting.
I’m used to these complaints. I’ll just reshape it to their satisfaction.
Smack!
The nose seemed tilted left, so I corrected the balance.
Bam!
Now it might be too tilted right?
Smack!
Sorry, sir, your ugly face is now beyond correction.
Instead of an answer, an axe came flying.
The bloodstained blade looked ominous, but since it wouldn’t hit, no worries.
I counterattacked.
The customer who got a counterattack collapsed onto the ground.
“Be born a good orc next time.”
The only good orc is a dead orc.
“Next reservation, please?”
The Orc Champion bared his teeth and roared.
He lifted his two-handed sword. The blade was sharp, meaning a cut would hurt.
Ah, but since it’s a sword, it won’t just hurt—it would be far worse.
“Dash.”
I cast someone’s skill from my inventory. Energy surged through my legs, and the fatigue vanished with a refreshing feeling.
Good. I can run well now.
Tap tap tap!
I charged straight at the Orc Champion.
A fighter who’d risked his life countless times and won—this was the Orc Champion’s reputation.
Orcs never obey those weaker than themselves.
If the strongest leader in the group dies, the command structure collapses.
In other words, the best strategy for survival now was to behead the Orc Champion.
The activated Close Combat skill infused my entire body with vigor.
The Orc Champion took a step forward.
I dodged.
Changing my step, I struck a moment late.
Whoosh!
The gust alone felt like it could tear flesh from bone.
As the sword’s wind passed, I rushed in, gripping my axe short and striking his jaw.
Thud!
I flinched as he pressed his forehead against my axe.
‘Damn.’
The Orc quickly turned, swinging his two-handed sword toward my waist. Difficult to dodge.
Thwack!
A heavy blow landed. Desperately, I switched my grip on the axe handle to block, but without gauntlets, my hand’s skin was scraped raw. It stung.
The Orc Champion swung the sword diagonally to finish me off.
I rolled forward to evade and simultaneously struck his instep with my axe.
A howl rang out overhead.
He reached out his hand. The space warped as my inventory interface opened.
I grabbed a dagger. The attack came flying. If only he wasn’t an enemy, I’d admire the style.
Slice.
I plunged into the Orc Champion. The longer the weapon’s reach, the harder it is to slash someone close in, so I used a double slash technique.
I applied a Hunter’s skill resting in my inventory.
I jabbed the dagger into the Orc Champion’s wrist, weakening his grip and snatched the two-handed sword.
Creating distance, I turned.
Now wielding the two-handed sword as my own, I raised it high and brought it down.
Shuck!
A diagonal slash of red blood streaked across.
The Orc Champion’s eyes shook in disbelief.
The strongest king of the pack was dying a miserable death before everyone’s eyes.
The shocked orcs lost focus mid-battle.
Amid the chaos, the bloodstained blonde cut the neck of a stunned orc.
Good kid.
Panting, the blonde looked at me and smiled. Fortunately, all the survivors were still alive.
“Phew!”
A sigh of relief. Then I slowly approached the trembling orcs.
Two-handed sword in hand.
The battle was won. A great victory.
The few remaining orcs fled. Without their leader, they wouldn’t unite for some time.
They could still attack in small numbers, but that only benefits us.
But there was a problem.
“Ughh.”
“H-H-how… there’s a lot of blood…!”
The mage was restless. The man who protected her had suffered a grave injury.
“Please… to my clan… to my friend… watch over the task I asked…”
“D-Don’t say that. I-I’m sorry. Sob.”
It was like a funeral.
The bearded Hunter and the old man had serious wounds, but one was barely clinging to life.
Foaming at the mouth.
“Inventory.”
“Huh?”
“What is this?”
They had seen it once before, but everyone was startled as the man suddenly disappeared.
With the wounded and exhausted, the group was in terrible shape. The only option left was one.
“Everyone, want to play Pikachu for a bit?”
“Huh?”
A random phrase caused confusion. Don’t worry. I still have space in my inventory.
Since everyone was nearly out of stamina, capturing them wouldn’t be difficult. Those not at the bottom of stamina I could forcibly put inside.
I forcibly stuffed the people into my inventory and began to escape the dungeon as fast as possible.
I was heading to the entrance. When I came in, the entrance was collapsed, but the rescue team outside must have restored it to some extent.
If they hadn’t, I’d have to quit on the rescue team.
If the entrance were still blocked, it meant the rescue team had killed everyone here.
Killed everyone who could have survived.
“Ha!”
A refreshing breeze blew from the entrance. My worries were unfounded.
Armored in steel, shielded, armed with spears and swords, the people entering the dungeon stopped abruptly when they saw me.
Their eyes seemed to ask what on earth had happened.
I quickly explained the situation.
“Hello, how much is the bounty on him?”
Ah, money slipped out before I could stop it.