Chapter 72: The Sanctuary in the Storm

The area around Ahyeon-dong had turned into absolute pandemonium.

As the first defensive line collapsed, Giant Mantises, which were B-rank monsters, scattered in every direction.

As a result, the entire neighborhood was being laid to waste.

Since the Giant Mantises were agility-type monsters, their movement speed was incredibly fast, let alone their attack speed.

Consequently, with the evacuation still incomplete, civilian casualties were increasing at an exponential rate.

Amidst this chaos, the couple Lee Seon-jae and Yu Mi-ran were also desperately fleeing.

“Huff, huff.”

Yu Mi-ran gasped for breath, appearing to have reached her physical limit.

Seeing her, Lee Seon-jae spoke urgently.

“Ju… just a little more. Hang in there.”

However, she didn’t even have the strength to speak, and no answer came.

But at that moment—

*Kieeeeee!*

Several Giant Mantises emerged nearby.

“Eek!”

Yu Mi-ran flinched in surprise and stumbled.

Lee Seon-jae also looked flustered and came to a halt.

“Gasp! M— monsters!”

Other people fleeing alongside the couple were also terrified by the sudden appearance of the creatures.

“Aah! It’s monsters!”

“Kyaaaa!”

“Ge— get out of the way! Move!”

Some people froze in place at the sight of the sudden threat, while others hurriedly changed direction and ran.

It was the definition of a disaster.

“He— honey. Get up! Hurry!”

Seeing Yu Mi-ran collapse on the spot because her legs gave out, Lee Seon-jae urged her to stand with a frantic voice.

However, she was in no condition to stand.

Her legs were completely weak, lacking any strength, and above all, her mental state had completely shattered.

With eyes trembling violently as she stared at the Giant Mantises, her face was a mask of simultaneous fear and despair.

“I said get up!”

Lee Seon-jae shouted as if scolding her, but unfortunately, Yu Mi-ran showed no sign of moving.

She simply looked at her husband with a pathetic expression.

“I… I can’t get up. I want to, but… my legs won’t move. You… you have to run. Quick.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get up.

But her legs, which had already given out, refused to obey.

She had been completely overwhelmed by the intense pressure radiating from the Giant Mantises.

At Yu Mi-ran’s words to flee first, Lee Seon-jae stared at her blankly.

Then, he quickly bent his knees and embraced her.

“Don’t say that. How could I leave you and run away alone?”

He might survive if he abandoned his wife and ran.

But what meaning would there be in a life saved that way?

Lee Seon-jae chose to stay with his wife until the very end.

*Kieeeeee!*

*Kihaaaaaa!*

Three Giant Mantises lunged quickly toward the people who were frozen and unable to move.

“Kyaaaaak!”

“Aaaah!”

Screams rang out sharply.

In an instant, a Giant Mantis reached them and raised its razor-sharp, blade-like legs.

But at that moment—

*Swish!*

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Spells and arrows flying from somewhere struck the Giant Mantises.

*Kieee!*

*Kihaaaak!*

It must have been a powerful attack, as the Giant Mantises that were about to slaughter the civilians shifted their gaze toward the Hunters who had attacked them.

“First and second teams, engage the monsters! Third team, rescue the civilians!”

At the sound of the voice, Hunters charged toward the Giant Mantises all at once.

Meanwhile, other Hunters approached the people.

“Are you all right? Is anyone injured?”

As the Hunters drew near, the tension finally snapped, and people began to sink to the ground one by one.

*Thud! Flop!*

Looking at them, the Hunters spoke.

“You must evacuate immediately. If you go a little further that way, you’ll see OO Elementary School! It’s being used as a temporary shelter, so please hurry!”

At the Hunter’s words, the people pulled themselves up.

Though they had collapsed from the sudden release of tension, they didn’t want to stay in a place where monsters and Hunters were currently locked in combat.

Lee Seon-jae also hurriedly helped Yu Mi-ran up.

“I’ll support you, so try to stand.”

Fortunately, strength seemed to be returning to her legs.

Supported by Lee Seon-jae, Yu Mi-ran managed to stand up.

Just then—

“Huh? Aren’t you Seong-jun’s uncle and aunt?”

The man who had been giving orders to the Hunters approached Lee Seon-jae and Yu Mi-ran.

Lee Seon-jae turned his gaze toward him.

“Oh? Ah! Hunter Yu Se-hyeon!”

He was none other than Yu Se-hyeon, the Guild Master of the Path of Glory.

“Phew! Are you hurt anywhere? It’s a relief we headed this way; otherwise, it would have been a disaster.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

If the Path of Glory led by Yu Se-hyeon hadn’t arrived in time, Lee Seon-jae and Yu Mi-ran would have lost their lives there.

“I know. I don’t know how to repay this debt…”

“Repay? It’s only natural for a Hunter to do this. Anyway, please wait a moment. I’ll take care of these bastards and escort you to the temporary shelter personally.”

When Yu Se-hyeon offered to personally see them to the shelter, Lee Seon-jae waved his hands in refusal.

“What? You don’t have to do that. You must be busy dealing with the monsters, so why…”

Lee Seon-jae insisted it was fine, but from Yu Se-hyeon’s perspective, it wasn’t.

“If I send you off like this and something bad happens, I won’t be able to face Seong-jun. The temporary shelter isn’t far, so it will only take a moment. Please wait.”

After saying that, Yu Se-hyeon immediately headed toward the Giant Mantises.

The guild members of the first and second teams were fighting well against the three monsters, but if he, an A-rank Tanker, joined in, they could wrap up the situation much faster.

***

Seong-jun’s group, the Holy Emperor, and the Hunters from Changcheon and Genesis hurriedly exited the Dungeon.

“I’ll be heading out immediately.”

Urgently, Seong-jun intended to take the car he brought and rush to Ahyeon-dong.

“Right. We’re also leaving right now, so let’s meet at the scene.”

Choi Gang-hyeok also planned to lead his members to Ahyeon-dong.

However, since there were quite a few people, it was difficult to leave instantly.

Meanwhile, Ju So-jeong from Genesis approached and spoke to Seong-jun.

“According to our guild members currently on-site, a temporary shelter has been set up at OO Elementary School for those who couldn’t evacuate beyond the second defensive line. It seems they plan to gather people there, secure the path to the second line, and then resume the evacuation.”

At Ju So-jeong’s words, Seong-jun expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for the useful information. I’ll see you at the scene then.”

Saying that, he rushed toward his vehicle.

Just as he opened the door and was about to get into the driver’s seat—

*Grab!*

Gwang-taek caught Seong-jun’s shoulder.

“Get in the back, Seong-jun. You’re too agitated right now. I’ll drive. I’ll get us there as fast as I can, so don’t worry.”

With the thought that his uncle and aunt might be in danger, Seong-jun was in an extremely hurried state of mind.

Realizing this, Gwang-taek stepped up to drive instead.

Of course, Gwang-taek was also anxious, but how could he compare to Seong-jun himself?

“Huh? No. It’s fine. I’ll do it.”

When Seong-jun insisted on driving, Yuseon stepped in to stop him this time.

“Do as he says. If you get into an accident while driving like that, it’ll only take longer. Besides, you need to call your uncle, don’t you? Just get in the back.”

What else could he do?

“Sigh, fine.”

Ultimately, Seong-jun gave the driver’s seat to Gwang-taek and headed for the back.

*Click!*

After closing the rear door, he immediately pulled out his phone.

*Ring, ring~*

After the dial tone rang for a moment—

—Seong-jun?

His uncle’s voice came through the phone.

“Uncle! Where are you right now?”

When Seong-jun asked urgently, Lee Seon-jae replied with a relatively calm voice.

—Oh, your aunt and I are at OO Elementary School.

They said this is a temporary shelter.

We met Hunter Yu Se-hyeon on the way and got here safely, so don’t worry too much.

Hearing that both were safe, Seong-jun felt a wave of relief.

“Ah! Really? That’s a relief. But you said you met Guild Master Yu Se-hyeon?”

—Don’t even get me started.

We met a monster while running and thought we were dead for sure, but Hunter Yu Se-hyeon and the Path of Glory Hunters showed up just in time to save us.

Oh!

Wait!

Hunter Yu Se-hyeon wants to talk to you.

Soon, Yu Se-hyeon’s voice came over the phone.

—Mr. Seong-jun.

It’s Yu Se-hyeon.

I heard you went to clear an A-rank Dungeon that appeared on Gangnam-daero.

Are you in Gangnam now?

At Yu Se-hyeon’s question, Seong-jun answered immediately.

“Yes, I just finished and I’m about to leave.”

—I see.

In that case, we will stay here until you arrive.

Since this is a temporary shelter, there are Hunter forces stationed here, but we never know what might happen.

By nature, monsters tended to swarm places with many people.

And quite a few civilians had evacuated to this temporary shelter.

Of course, the Hunter forces guarding the place were significant, but since unpredictable variables could occur at any time, Yu Se-hyeon said they would remain until Seong-jun arrived.

“I’d appreciate that. I’ll get there as fast as possible, so please look after my uncle and aunt until then.”

—Haha, don’t worry.

I’ll protect them so that not a single hair on their heads is harmed until you arrive.

“Thank you. I’ll see you shortly then.”

With that, Seong-jun ended the call.

Yuseon, who had overheard bits of the conversation, asked with an eased expression.

“It sounds like they’re safe. But they’re with Guild Master Yu Se-hyeon of the Path of Glory?”

“Yeah. It was almost dangerous, but the Path of Glory Guild appeared just in time to save them. It’s a massive stroke of luck. He said they’d stay there until we arrive, so let’s hurry.”

Having confirmed his uncle’s safety, Seong-jun was able to regain some of his composure.

However, the fact that they were in the middle of a dangerous zone remained unchanged, so his sense of urgency persisted.

***

A location along the second defensive line being established in Gongdeok-dong.

Since monsters had already breached the first defensive line and spread out in all directions, the second line had no concept of ‘main’ or ‘sub’ sectors.

Every direction was effectively both.

Furthermore, due to where the Dungeon Break had occurred, many monsters had already left Ahyeon-dong.

As such, the second defensive line stretched across a wide range, including Ahyeon-dong and adjacent neighborhoods.

“Everyone, stay sharp! The main forces of the top ten domestic guilds have entered the interior to buy time, but they’ll reach their limit soon! We have to hold them back no matter what! If even one part of the second defensive line is breached, the line will collapse instantly, and monsters will spread throughout all of Seoul!”

The Gongdeok sector of the defensive line was being led by the Hanul Guild, ranked fourth in the country.

However, after the Guild Master and the main forces entered the danger zone to buy time, the First Guild, ranked thirteenth, had taken over temporary command.

Of course, the command would be handed back as soon as Hanul Guild’s main force returned.

“Guild Master! A request for support came in from the temporary shelter! As the number of evacuated civilians has increased, it seems to have attracted the monsters’ attention! Fortunately, the Path of Glory Guild joined them, giving them some breathing room, but the number of monsters targeting the shelter is gradually increasing!”

Monsters were bound to swarm where people gathered.

As those who hadn’t been able to evacuate congregated at the temporary shelter, it drew the monsters’ eyes.

As a result, the number of monsters targeting the shelter was growing rapidly.

“Damn it! We haven’t even secured a safe retreat path yet, and the monsters are already starting to swarm?”

“What should we do? As you know, we don’t have much leeway here either. We’re in a situation where the defensive line will finally be complete only when the Hanul Guild returns to fill the gaps. If we pull more Hunters from here now, it might become difficult to even maintain the line.”

Due to the nature of the second defensive line, which had to cover a vast area, the number of deployable Hunters was inevitably lower than at the first line, where forces could be concentrated.

Even now, the line was barely holding until the Hanul Guild returned from their stall tactics.

What if they sent reinforcements to the temporary shelter?

Even if the Hanul Guild returned, a proper defense might not be possible.

“But we can’t just ignore the temporary shelter. There are hundreds of civilians gathered there. If that place is overrun, there will be an enormous loss of life. For now, contact the Great White Shark Guild and the Xenon Guild. They are the closest to the shelter after us, so tell them to send support if they have any spare capacity.”

Although this location was the closest to the temporary shelter, they unfortunately lacked the surplus strength to send help.

While it was hard to imagine other places being in a different situation, he told them to reach out just in case.

But just then—

*Screeeech!*

An SUV reached the edge of the defensive line and came to a sudden halt.

“Hmm? What is that?”

If it were a civilian, they would be running away, not coming toward a place where a confrontation with monsters was certain.

That meant it had to be Hunters, but they hadn’t heard anything about additional support coming here yet.

While they were looking on with puzzled expressions, several people were seen getting out of the car.

And at that moment—

“Huh! Th— that person!”

The Vice Guild Leader of the First Guild, who was standing nearby, wore a startled expression.

Guild Master Choi Min-seong looked at him curiously.

“What? Do you know him?”

At Choi Min-seong’s question, the Vice Guild Leader looked back at him with an even stranger look.

“What? You’re asking who that is? Don’t you know who that person is? That’s the famous Healer, Kim Seong-jun!”

“What? Kim Seong-jun? Oh! You— you’re right!”

Only then did Choi Min-seong recognize Seong-jun and hurried forward.

Meanwhile, Seong-jun’s group, having arrived at the Gongdeok sector, quickly exited the car.

“This is the defensive line closest to the temporary shelter, right?”

At Seong-jun’s question, Yuseon nodded and spoke.

“Yeah, this is the closest point to OO Elementary School, the temporary shelter. That’s why I heard they’re trying to open a retreat path through here.”

Yuseon had been checking information regarding the incident through the Association’s official website while they were driving.

Thus, she had identified the shortest path to the temporary shelter and headed that way.

Choi Min-seong, the temporary commander of the Gongdeok sector and leader of the First Guild, approached them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Choi Min-seong of the First Guild. Are you perhaps Healer Kim Seong-jun?”

At his question, Seong-jun nodded in response.

“Yes, I am Kim Seong-jun. Are you in charge of commanding this defensive line?”

“Originally, the Hanul Guild was in charge, but they have entered the danger zone with their main force to buy time. So, I am temporarily in command until they return.”

When he first arrived, the defensive line felt somewhat flimsy for some reason, and now he knew why.

Since the core force, the Hanul Guild—one of the top ten guilds—was missing, it was only natural.

“I see. I heard this place is the closest to OO Elementary School. Is that correct?”

“Ah! Yes, it takes about 10 minutes on foot from here to the school. However, a retreat path hasn’t been secured yet, so evacuation is currently impossible. But why do you ask…”

Why would someone suddenly show up and ask about the temporary shelter?

“My uncle and aunt are currently at that shelter.”

Once Seong-jun mentioned his family was there, Choi Min-seong finally understood why he had come here.

“Ah! I see. You must be very worried. But… are you planning to go to the shelter yourself?”

If his uncle and aunt were at the shelter and he had come to the closest point, the reason was obvious.

“Yes, I’m worried. I plan to go to the shelter personally.”

At Seong-jun’s words that he intended to go, Choi Min-seong appeared to hesitate for a moment.

Then, he looked at Seong-jun and spoke.

“Hmm… In that case, you should hurry. A request for support just came from the shelter. Since so many people are gathered there, the number of monsters targeting it is increasing. Unfortunately, we barely have enough strength to maintain this line ourselves. I’ve asked other nearby sectors to see if they can help, but I doubt they’re in a much better position than we are.”

Yu Se-hyeon of the Path of Glory had joined the shelter, providing some relief for now, but since the number of monsters targeting the location was growing rapidly, no one knew when or what kind of situation might occur.

Therefore, Choi Min-seong warned that if they were going, they should move as fast as possible.

At Choi Min-seong’s words, Seong-jun’s expression distorted sharply.

“Is that true? Then we don’t have time to stand around here. Everyone, let’s move!”

If they were requesting support, it meant the situation was not good.

With a frantic look, Seong-jun and his group hurriedly left the area.