Chapter 185: The Second Monster Wave

“Damn it, it’s finally happening…”

Monsters began to pour out of the Tower.

From rock-type monsters like Gargoyles and Golems to Undead monsters like Ghosts, Specters, and Ghouls, as well as various beast-type monsters.

It felt as if every kind of monster that existed in the world had been gathered in one place.

Korea was a powerhouse that had conquered the Tower higher than any other place on Earth. 

Since it was said that the Monster Wave would weaken the higher the Tower was conquered, people hoped it wouldn’t be a big deal.

“Kieeeeeeeek!”

“Grrrr—.”

“Kyaaaaaak!”

To the eyes of the public, there seemed to be no difference from the first Monster Wave.

The monsters poured out as if they were going to destroy the world. 

Even though civilians were watching through screens, chills ran down their spines, and the Hunters surrounding the Tower inadvertently took steps backward.

However, there was nowhere to retreat.

If they retreated, it meant destruction.

Unless every single one of these monsters was defeated, they would clearly not stop until they had destroyed the world.

“Stand by!”

The monsters that escaped from the Tower began to spread out in all directions.

They destroyed everything in sight and crushed everything blocking their path.

If there was one stroke of luck, it was that the wave started in the same location as the previous Monster Wave, so no additional damage occurred.

“Is it really weakened? That…?”

Someone muttered.

No matter how they looked at it, it didn’t seem any weaker than the first wave. 

Rather, it felt even more threatening.

In truth, it couldn’t be helped.

Though no one knew, the Tower’s Monster Wave grows stronger as time passes. 

However, thanks to Vulcanus and the Rankers climbing the Tower, the second Monster Wave had been weakened enough to be similar to the first.

For a while.

Even though the monsters had emerged, the Hunters did not attack.

And a moment later when the monsters entered a certain range.

“Fire!”

At someone’s command, the gunners standing by the Cannons injected magical power into the Flame Stones that served as fuses.

“Boom!”

Dozens, hundreds of Cannons spat fire simultaneously.

The shells flew without hesitation and accurately reached the front of the Monster Wave.

“Kwagagagwang!!”

“Kreeeeeek—.”

“Kuak!”

“Gurook.”

The physical force of the shells.

On top of that, the characteristics of the materials used to make the shells exploded, striking down the monsters.

With an incredible range and damage exceeding the combined magic of several mages, the Hunters felt as if they were being rewarded for working without rest just for this moment.

Feeling that thrilling pleasure.

“Reload!”

“Clack!”

“Aim!”

“Clack!”

“Fire!”

“Boom!”

They continued to fire the Cannons.

Firing the Cannons was basically the role of melee-type combat Hunters.

Although it was technically considered a ranged attack and would be better suited for ranged classes, there wasn’t a significant difference regardless of who used it once they learned the controls.

As long as one knew how to use magical power, these Cannons could be used sufficiently.

Furthermore, loading the heavy shells was a better fit for melee-type combatants with high strength stats.

Since the combatants couldn’t do anything until the monsters drew close anyway, it was more beneficial for them to handle the Cannons like this.

Then, what about the Hunters capable of ranged attacks?

“Attack!”

“Piuuu—.”

“Whirr!”

As soon as the monsters reached their range.

They began to attack the monsters in their own ways, whether by firing arrows or using magic.

In this manner, both melee and ranged Hunters were fulfilling their roles.

Since monster materials were overflowing thanks to the last Monster Wave, they had produced and stockpiled an abundance of shells.

Not only the Vulcanus Production Team but all of Korea’s blacksmiths had gathered and been deployed for this operation.

At least in this battle, there would be no shortage of shells.

Moreover.

“Boom!!!”

“It’s Vulcanus!”

While the Cannons fired by others were strong, the most eye-catching ones were the Cannons fired from the rooftop of the Vulcanus Guild building.

When high-quality shells enhanced by an L-grade Cannon flew in and struck the middle of the Monster Wave, hundreds of monsters were annihilated.

Empowered by that immense strength, the Hunters pushed themselves even harder.

However, even then, they couldn’t completely block the monsters.

The innumerable monsters eventually reached the Hunters’ position.

But.

“Thud!”

“Boom!”

“Kreeeeeek!”

The monsters could not attack the Hunters.

The reason was the existence of the walls.

Though it was only for a short time, the walls built by all the Hunters of Korea working together blocked the monsters’ attacks.

However, since the wall’s durability wasn’t infinite, the Hunters quickly cleared the monsters clinging to the walls.

Blacksmiths repaired the walls from behind, and Enchanters supported the walls.

Whether they were production-type or combat-type, literally all Hunters were fending off the Monster Wave.

“Raise the Shield!”

“Rumble!”

However, it was impossible to build walls across all areas within such a short time.

Inevitable gaps existed.

The Hunters holding Shields filled those very gaps.

They became human walls to block the monsters.

It was a difficult task, but it was something someone had to do.

Fortunately, Rankers were properly stationed in those areas.

“Fire Rain—.”

“Whoosh!”

They could strike down the monsters before the tankers were pushed back.

As the situation progressed like this.

“This is manageable, isn’t it?”

The faces of the Hunters began to brighten.

Clearly, the Monster Wave itself wasn’t much different from the first wave.

But dealing with the monsters had become much easier.

It was only natural, as they were launching one-sided attacks from atop the walls without needing to engage in a fierce back-and-forth with the monsters.

The walls and the Cannons.

The power of these two things was beyond what the Hunters had imagined.

Right now, the walls weren’t fully completed and the number of Cannons was insufficient because they had been prepared in a rush, but what if they blocked this wave and finished preparations perfectly?

It reached a point where they thought they could easily block something like a Monster Wave.

During that time.

“Groooooooooar!”

Rank 9 Monsters.

No, several Rank 9 Monsters appeared.

Spreading an aura far more powerful than General Monsters, the Rank 9 Monsters roared, putting pressure on the Hunters.

At that moment.

The true Rankers of Korea, who had not revealed themselves until now, made their appearance.

“I’ll take the Serpent!”

“The Wildcat is mine.”

“I’ll handle the Sinrok.”

The Rankers hadn’t been saving their strength for nothing.

They had been conserving their power to face monsters that strong.

The Rankers charged through the swarming Monster Wave toward the Rank 9 Monsters.

In particular, the sight of the Sword Saint was striking.

“Is that the Sword Saint…?”

“Was she that strong?”

“She seems even stronger than last week.”

She lightly deflected the monsters’ attacks with her armor.

Every time she drew her sword, she cut down dozens of monsters in a single strike.

Even the Rank 9 Monster she faced afterward began to be overwhelmingly pushed back.

Normally, even for top-tier Rankers including the Sword Saint, they could barely manage to hold off a single Rank 9 Monster.

However, the Sword Saint pushed the Rank 9 Monster back and soon pierced its heart.

The Sword Saint wasn’t the only one performing exceptionally.

“This was the reverse scale, wasn’t it?”

“Thwack!”

“Graaaaaaaar!”

Shadow King, An So-hee.

Using stealth, she moved leisurely through the Monster Wave and pierced the vital points of the Rank 9 Monsters.

Her presence, flying between Rank 9 Monsters and piercing only their vitals, was no different from a Grim Reaper to the monsters.

Besides them, Cheongryong’s further enhanced magic was showing its peak power in a large-scale battle like this.

The Berserker was also swinging his Greatsword like a madman among the monsters.

No matter how one looked at it, the situation was better than the first Monster Wave.

During that time.

“Muoooooooo—.”

With a heavy roar that shook the atmosphere, a massive monster emerged from the Tower.

Just from its pressure alone, one could tell the monster’s rank.

The enemy’s identity was a Rank 10 Monster.

The Hunter Association immediately began analyzing the monster as soon as it appeared.

“A massive size with a look as if all kinds of livestock were mixed together…”

However, that monster was one never seen before, not even listed in the Hunter Association’s monster encyclopedia.

Since monsters often took forms similar to creatures from myths or legends, even trying to guess was not easy.

They would first have to see the monster’s attack pattern to realize its identity.

“All Rankers will focus on the Rank 10 Monster!”

All the Rankers who were dealing with the Rank 9 Monsters moved toward the Rank 10 Monster.

Although the number of monsters had decreased significantly, who would deal with the Rank 9 Monsters if all the Rankers left?

Sure enough.

As the Rankers left, the Rank 9 Monsters began to go on a rampage.

At that moment.

“Peeeeee—.”

From somewhere, the gentle sound of a flute was heard.

The gazes of both the monsters and the Hunters moved toward the sound of the flute.

Standing there was a member of the Vulcanus Guild.

He wasn’t a particularly famous person, but among the Vulcanus guild members who used unique weapons, he was one who used various ‘instruments.’

And the identity of the flute he was playing was.

[Manpasikjeok]

Type: Flute

Grade: EX

Restriction: One recognized by Vulcanus

Description: A flute of peace that symbolizes the desire for a reign of peace, said to eliminate all kinds of turmoil in the world and bring tranquility.

Abilities:

1. Peace – Lowers the hostility of monsters who hear the flute’s sound.

2. Prayer – Instead of lowering the attack power of allies who hear the flute’s sound, it slowly restores their health and magical power.

3. Bond – The more allies who hear the flute’s sound, the more stats increase when the flute performance ends.

It was the Manpasikjeok.

It was an item Vulcanus created using the ‘Bamboo Trunk of Gwisusan’ obtained after defeating Gwisusan during the first Monster Wave.

Initially, he intended to make a different item, but after Vulcanus realized that the Manpasikjeok was made from this bamboo in legends.

Thinking that this Manpasikjeok would be a great help in blocking the Monster Wave, he quickly created the equipment.

As the sound of the Manpasikjeok flute spread.

“Kuuuu—”

The movements of the monsters decreased.

An ability that reduced hostility.

And for that to be so helpful.

Being an EX-grade item, its power was so strong that even the aggressiveness of the Rank 9 Monsters was reduced.

“Oh…”

Conversely, the Hunters who heard the flute sound felt their consumed health and magical power slowly filling up.

That’s right.

The Manpasikjeok was one of the few precious items that provided a ‘break time’ in such large-scale Monster Waves.

Although there was a limit to the range the Manpasikjeok could affect, since the Vulcanus guild member possessed the innate ability to handle instruments, he synergized with the Manpasikjeok’s ability to influence almost the entire battlefield.

Meanwhile.

“We will first uncover the monster’s identity!”

The Rankers began to attack the Rank 10 Monster.

Swords and spears, arrows and magic.

Amidst the pouring attacks, the Rank 10 Monster hardened its skin like steel, blocking all attacks.

Following that.

“Muoooooooo—.”

With a roar, thorns sprouted from its body.

No, they weren’t thorns.

Spears and blades made of iron sprouted and were soon fired in all directions.

As they barely blocked that attack, it opened its mouth wide and began to inhale.

Then, the Hunters were caught in the air pressure and began to be sucked into the monster’s mouth.

No, it wasn’t because of the air pressure.

If it were just air pressure, they could have endured it.

The Hunters being sucked in shouted urgently.

“Iron! It’s the iron!”

To be precise, Ore.

That’s right.

That monster was inhaling Ore.

As proof, the Hunters being sucked in right now were all wearing weapons and equipment made of Ore.

Hunters wearing equipment made of monster bones and leather, or mages wearing equipment made of cloth, were not being sucked in at all.

And through this situation.

The Hunter Association uncovered the identity of the Rank 10 Monster.

“It’s a Bulgasari!”