Chapter 45: The First S-Rank Supporter (2)

The evacuation of the citizens was underway, and the relentless advance of the Monsters brought only destruction.

A gigantic Monster.

Bombardments were launched to hunt what was commonly called a Dragon. But they proved useless.

Even if it wasn’t the tough scales, the Dragon’s ability to defend against firearms refracted all missiles and caused them to explode.

Upon witnessing this, the military brass fell silent.

Not all Monsters are immune to modern firearms.

But against those like that one, which blocks all attacks, only weapons infused with Ethere can be used.

The price of Magic Stones, which serve as the raw material for Ethere, was astronomical, making development costs sky-high, and as it was the first time such materials were used, it also took a long time to produce.

In short, except for conventional weapons using Ethere, nothing could effectively inflict damage.

“We’ll transfer all operational authority to the Hunter Organization.”

Shin Chae-ho, Director of the Gate Management Bureau, received the command authority and gathered all available Hunters.

It was sheer misfortune that such a disaster occurred when multiple A Grade Gates were breaking out at once.

Everything near Seoul Station was reduced to ruins.

Citizens who witnessed this incident trembled with anxiety.

No wonder they would welcome a Guild moving into their area with open arms.

Even the rising land prices near Guilds could be a reason for that.

It was because the police or military could not guarantee their safety.

-I’m uploading proof. I can feel the disaster happening in real time.

ᄂYou crazy bastard, run away ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

ᄂHow badly do you want to get Best, risking your life for it?

A photo in a post looked like the backdrop of an Apocalypse.

The area swept through by the Dragon looked as if a hurricane had descended.

-Is the Delivery Man dead?

ᄂLooks like he is ㅇㅇ

ᄂThis is how scary a middle schooler’s delusions are. Thought he was an S-rank or something, and died instantly.

LThat upper comment’s personality, wth? Still, you shouldn’t say that about someone who died trying to save people. Mind your angle.

ᄂThe Delivery Man was so cool, going around to save people. Honestly, he could have lived if he just tried to save himself. Even now, with a bunch of Hunters rushing in, they can’t even scratch it, but the Delivery Man even cut off its leg.

ᄂIs that you? What do you mean, cut off its leg.

Send the link. Let’s just talk facts after seeing the link ㅇㅋ?

2 hours and 30 minutes since the Dragon appeared.

To reduce casualties, Hunters of A Grade and below and Supporters gathered.

Around seventy people.

First defensive battle. They launched a Raid. But the results were disastrous.

The Dragon itself was a Monster, but the number of Spore Parasites emerging from its body only grew.

In short, though the Hunters fought desperately in overwhelming disadvantage, they had to retreat.

But they couldn’t just stand by and watch.

The second defensive battle unfolded. This time, the military joined.

With overwhelming firepower, the military eradicated the parasites.

Special Forces risked their lives to guard the Hunters, and the Hunters attacked the Dragon with Ether Weapons.

And the result—

Seven Hunters died, and over thirty were seriously injured.

The Special Forces suffered even more.

Nineteen dead, over sixty seriously wounded.

“Guh…”

“Argh, my leg! Aaagh!”

The groans of the wounded echoed everywhere.

The Hunters who watched them wore devastated expressions.

Never since becoming Hunters had they felt so powerless.

At the same time, the importance of S-rank and A Grade was painfully clear.

“Damn it. What’s the point of having an S-rank!”

A Hunter with bandages over his eyes started to shout but fell silent when his gaze met Seohyeonji’s and pressed his lips together.

The only S-rank Hunter here, Seohyeonji, felt a heavy burden.

She had joined the defense team, summoning all kinds of Spirits to attack, but the Dragon wasn’t scratched.

All she felt was frustration.

She didn’t know why her power didn’t work, nor what she should do.

Even if she wanted to ask someone, she felt she’d just be rebuked for not knowing better.

“If only the Team Leader were here.”

Someone spoke out what she felt inside.

It was Kim Taeyang.

Because Kim Taeyang had regeneration abilities, he was still full of energy.

But he kept stuffing things into his mouth, probably from lack of calories for regeneration.

“He’ll be here soon.”

Kim Inho responded to Kim Taeyang.

But, in truth, no one said out loud how unlikely that was.

They’d called several times, but he never picked up.

All they heard was the message that the phone was switched off.

Even the commanders on site kept holding hopeless meetings, helpless in this dire situation.

“There’s nothing more we can do. All we can do is wait for the Elite Hunters inside the Gate to come out.”

The representatives of each Guild held a meeting on site.

Though they had managed to eradicate many of the Dragon’s parasites, it only bought time.

The overwhelming difference in strength. They had to admit it.

“The only option is to evacuate as many people as possible, and keep avoiding engagement.”

“The damage will increase, but at least keep it to a minimum…”

The situation was nearly decided.

A man in a suit, with a pomade perm, drummed his chair’s armrest with his index and middle fingers.

‘Did something go wrong?’

It was different from his expectations. By now, he should have heard back, but there was no response.

‘Did I push too hard?’

That thought flashed by, but he shook his head.

The Hero he knew wasn’t someone who would die so easily.

His legion wouldn’t fall to someone so easily killed.

Synchronization Rate.

A value possessed by anyone who crossed over from another world.

An indicator of how much the self from the new world and the self from the old world have merged.

In other words, a certification System.

If the Synchronization Rate recovers, the Hero regains their qualifications and power as a Hero.

‘Compared to what’s coming, this is just child’s play.’

The meeting that was wasting so much time was finally ending.

Just then, Im Jaejoon felt his phone vibrate and unlocked it.

-The Hero is on his way.

Im Jaejoon’s lips curled into a smile.

‘Yes, he should come.’

He had gone out of his way to prepare a New Weapon, after all.

There’d be no point if the Hero didn’t come.

Im Jaejoon raised his hand to draw attention to his remarks.

“I understand your intentions well. For the sake of minimizing casualties, we are tracking the Dragon’s movements in real time with Drones. As long as we can determine its path, we can reduce losses as much as possible.”

Now, the actor has stepped onto the stage; it’s time to gather the audience.

-We’ll provide the Dragon’s coordinates. And the weapon you mentioned will soon be ‘delivered.’

Right now, I’m chasing the Earth Dragon on a motorcycle.

It feels wrong to leave Karin behind in the ruins, and it’s not right to abandon someone who insists on following me.

Come to think of it, this kid isn’t your average girl.

She’s got experience leading soldiers, and she’s hunted Monsters before.

“So she’s like an experienced newcomer.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, mister?”

“Nothing.”

The words I muttered in my head slipped out by accident.

The sounds of bombardment were getting closer.

I heard the second defensive line had collapsed.

Of course it did.

The Earth Dragon blocks all long-range attacks.

Physically, it defends with hard scales, and for ranged attacks, it blocks everything with Field Energy—a worst-case Monster.

Of course, there’s a way.

This thing’s energy isn’t infinite, so if you keep draining its Field Energy, eventually it won’t be able to use it anymore.

‘There are other strategies, too.’

To fight as safely as possible, I see the military using heavy firepower to hunt the Earth Dragon.

Dudududu!

Bang!

Support fire rains down from attack helicopters. Hunters ruthlessly cut down the swarming parasites.

We’re not too late.

I spot familiar faces in that direction.

The Hwarang Guild is there, and so are my teammates: Seohyeonji, Kim Taeyang, and Kim Inho.

“Be careful, mister.”

“Don’t worry. This time will be different.”

Now, power fills my whole body.

It’s not quite my prime, but it should be enough to hold my own.

Now that I’ve caught the wave, my Synchronization Rate keeps climbing.

Then something unexpected happened.

“Huh?”

All the Hunters are looking up. So am I.

Right now, the government and Hunters are guiding the Earth Dragon in battle to minimize civilian casualties.

But suddenly, the creature leapt high. It jumped over the encirclement and suddenly began to run.

Startled, Hunters and soldiers chased after the Earth Dragon.

“Don’t just chase blindly!”

I ran in that direction, shouting. The Earth Dragon suddenly whirled around and opened its mouth wide.

Fire Breath.

“Get down!”

KWAANG!

A fiery storm that shook the ground swept through everything in an instant.

I clenched my teeth.

That attack caused even more casualties.

“Hey, when exactly is that weapon getting here?!”

-It’s on the way! 6 minutes 20 seconds from now!

Six minutes isn’t long. I have no idea how or from where it’s coming.

At that moment, a sense of dread struck me.

Suddenly, the Earth Dragon let out a thunderous roar. I saw brilliant light bursting from its body.

“Damn.”

Rank-up.

Hunters and soldiers stared, mesmerized, as light erupted from the Earth Dragon’s back.

If their eyes weren’t deceiving them, those were Light Wings.

“Rank-up…”

Im Jaejoon and the other commanders furrowed their brows.

There were rumors that Monsters could level up like people. But none had expected to witness it so blatantly.

Now, the Dragon had become not a disaster, but a true calamity.

They couldn’t subdue it at Four Star, and now it had become Five Star. Even if the S-rank Hunters trapped in the Gate arrived, there was no guarantee of victory.

No one needed to explain.

Soldiers, seeing the evolved Dragon, opened fire without waiting for orders. But the shells melted away against some invisible barrier.

The Dragon opened its mouth.

And let out an earth-shaking scream.

Dragon Fear.

A declaration that turned humans, who thought themselves rulers, into mere vermin.

Low-level Hunters wet themselves on the spot; some collapsed, trembling.

Everyone at the scene was paralyzed under the Dragon’s aura.

The Dragon’s Light Wings kept growing larger.

The Monster now assumed the form seen only in the wildest imaginations, preparing to take flight.

If that giant Monster flew freely and slaughtered people, spreading its parasites everywhere, civilian casualties would become incalculable.

Everyone knew, but no one could move.

“We… we have to run…”

“How could we possibly… That’s impossible…!”

All they could do was tremble in fear.

“Get off, we can’t stay.”

“Mister?”

Worry clouded Karin’s face. There was no time for debate.

For a Hero, nothing is impossible. But that was in another world.

Because she was in touch with Hyunbin, Karin knew he had regained some strength.

But he hadn’t recovered all his power. He didn’t even have proper equipment.

No matter how much of a Hero he was, it was reckless in this situation.

“They say a New Weapon is coming. Doesn’t that mean it’s worth a shot?”

At Hyunbin’s optimistic remark, Karin’s delicate brows furrowed.

If she couldn’t stop him, she’d chase after him to the end.

Hyunbin possessed power. And with that power, he bore responsibility.

Once, thanks to that sense of responsibility, Karin had survived and grown strong.

Back then, she was grateful, but now, she resented it.

“At least take a buff before you go.”

“Can you?”

“Once you taste it, you’ll keep wanting it.”

Forcing a bright tone, Karin poured her magic power into Hyunbin’s back. Her power would protect him and heal him.

Of course, she would be defenseless as a result.

“Yeah, that’s the stuff.”

Hyunbin grinned.

He sent Karin to safety and started the engine again.

Whoosh, whoosh!

The Light Wings moved slowly. When the Monster roared again, people covered their ears and wept.

At the same time, black Subspaces began appearing all around.

KIEEEEK, KIEEK!

Monsters began dropping out, one by one, from the small Gates.

The Monsters, spotting prey, let out gleeful cries and charged at the confused humans.

“Everyone, move!”

While all others stood frozen, Hyunbin shouted. The first to recover at his cry were Kim Taeyang and Kim Inho.

It was thanks to their relentless training.

Kim Taeyang snapped back to his senses at once, saw the Monsters pouring out, and desperately infused his weapon with magic.

Hyunbin took the lead on his bike. With magic shrouding his Number One sword, he charged straight into the Monsters alone.

Kim Taeyang could hardly believe what he saw with his own eyes.

Monsters went flying.

The bike, skidding across the ground, plowed through the Monsters first, and behind it, a lone Hunter began the slaughter.