Chapter 74

74. Big Battle

Ko Byeong-gap pretended not to be interested in it and glanced at the recruitment notice posted on the bulletin board.

‘Half a billion won for killing an assailant? It’s even 1.5 billion dollars if caught alive.’

According to the news, four or five fugitives attacked the power plants. He calculated it right away.

‘Assuming there’s five of them, and it’s 1.5 billion per person caught alive… That’s 7.5 billion!’

The amount of 7.5 billion won made his jaw drop. Wasn’t that astronomical?

In fact, Ko Byeong-gap’s current profit wasn’t bad. His monthly profit was 300 million even if he had been subjugating less, but he had been going on cracks for more than five days a month. He was on a level that could be considered upper class.

Compared to the days when he was an ordinary D-class hunter, he made dozens of times more money currently, but 7.5 billion won wasn’t easy to reach. He sipped his milk coffee and stood in front of the bulletin board for a while.

‘Well, it’s none of my business.’

He returned to his place and smacked his pouty lips. Of course, it would be nice to make a lot of money. However, if he tried to do something beyond his ability, he might suffer in the end.

‘How am I supposed to catch an S-class fugitive? I don’t think so.’

The assailants were powerful, overpowering even 20 B-class hunters. He would be nothing more than an “extra 1” who would be overpowered after rolling up his arms.

‘… Well, using the souls of Ashvilam’s heroes, I might…’

He briefly recalled the past while he sat in the waiting room. It was when he faced a Balrog on the expedition in the North.

The Balrog pushed Group C to the brink of destruction. Moments before his death, Ko Byeong-gap had overcome the crisis through a product called ‘The Soul of Trovatin.’

‘The skills and senses I used then, I couldn’t try to recreate them.’

No matter how hard he tried after the soul was released, he couldn’t use the product again. His head understood what it was, but he felt like his body wasn’t following him. It felt like he stood in front of a huge wall that couldn’t be crossed.

‘I think if I move on to a higher-level textbook, I’ll somehow find a way to solve it.’

Ding dong!

“Customer 132!”

His number was called as he sat there absentmindedly. Ko Byeong-gap packed a bundle full of magic stones and moved to the front of the desk.

About 20 minutes passed, and after the cumbersome settlement process, the settlement was paid. The amount of money he earned that day was about 15 million won after splitting the ones he got from the B and C-rank cracks.

It was comparable to the salary of ordinary office workers for months, but it wasn’t satisfactory since about 50 million won was spent every month on his mother’s hospital expenses alone. He had to extract as much money as possible, at least while his limbs were intact.

“So I have to work harder in going on subjugations.”

It was better to be a diligent ant than to aim for a fortune. Ko Byeong-gap shook off his rising miscellaneous thoughts.

***

“Fooooooooooooooh!

B-class monster Sharp Deer rushed with sharp horns.

‘I’ve identified the pattern of the Sharp Deer. Its pattern is strong, weak, heavy…’

“Foooooooh!”

“Ugh!”

Ko Byeong-gap’s gaze changed and exploded his aura from the depths of his body. The Sharp Deer, who faced him with its horns, was swept away by the aftermath.

He didn’t miss the moment when it was defenseless. Ko Byeong-gap rushed like a thunderbolt and drew his sword.

“Foooooooh!”

“It’s thrilling, right?”

As its skin broke out, an unexpected talent show took place. The Sharp Deer, a giant monster, laid on the floor and was struggling. Ko Byeong-gap jumped up and held his sword upside down.

Swoosh!

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He swung his sword on the Sharp Deer’s neck. Its neck fell off when he drew it hard in that state, and it flinched a few times with sad eyes and soon drooped.

[You have fully acquired the ‘Ancient Swordsmanship Textbook – Intermediate.’]

[You have fully acquired the ‘Ancient Physical Training Textbook – Intermediate.’]

“Right!”

The two intermediate textbooks were finally complete, which took quite a long time compared to beginner textbooks.

‘I’m able to learn a higher-level textbook with this.’

He smiled pleasantly and looked at the situation behind him. The attack squad dealt with the subordinate monsters, who were no match for them. Dealing with the rest ended in less than five minutes. Ko Byeong-gap called the workers to move the bodies of the monsters.

He approached the attack squad with a cigarette in his mouth and asked, “What is your textbook achievement rate?”

“I’m about 70 percent through.”

“That’s about it for me, too.”

The Goblins answered in unison. Apparently, their achievement rate was between 63 and 75 percent.

“It’s not going up well these days.”

“That’s right. It goes up just a little bit even if you deal with dozens of monsters.”

‘Right, it doesn’t rise easily despite that.’

Their progress was slow once their achievement rate exceeded 60 percent. The only way to increase the achievement rate was to fight a stronger enemy. However, Ko Byeong-gap was always in charge of the top B-level monsters since he was worried that the Goblins would get hurt.

‘Now, the attack squad is capable of beating B-class monsters. I should begin going into A-rank cracks for the kids to grow…’

Ko Byeong-gap was lost in thought as he stroked his chin. Soon, he shook his head.

‘What am I thinking? There needs to be at least one S-level power in our team to enter an A-rank crack.’

A-rank and B-rank crack. Both were treated as top-rank cracks, but they couldn’t be placed on the same line because the actual difficulty was different; the difference was like that of the sky and the earth.

A B-rank crack had low-level subordinate monsters. However, the A-rank cracks were different. Unless it was a special case, such as a Variant or a Dungeon, all subordinate monsters were B-class.

In other words, they would have to deal with more than 300 top monsters. 300 C-class and 300 B-class were vastly different. If they lost control, they would get on the Jordan River train as a group.

“Let’s go back.”

“Yep!”

He sent the Goblins off and went to Ashvilam as well. After going to the river and roughly washing his dirty body, he opened the Ancient Shop.

[Ancient Swordsmanship Textbook – Advanced]

-Price: 3,000 Crystals

-Description: A textbook dealing with ‘Swordsmanship – Advanced’ among ancient techniques. It contains the swordsmanship of the ancient knights.

[Ancient Physical Training Textbook – Advanced]

-Price: 3,000 Crystals

-Description: A textbook dealing with ‘Physical Training – Advanced’ among ancient techniques. It contains the physical training techniques of the ancient knights.

He bought two textbooks with a total of 6,000 crystals. His heart pounded as he held the textbook in his hand. Didn’t he get a taste of a new world when he moved from lower to intermediate? Would he feel the thrill again this time?

He began imprinting the textbook with high expectations.

[Do you want to engrave ‘Ancient Swordsmanship Textbook – Advanced’?]

‘Of course.’

When he said yes inside, the books made of parchment began to be absorbed by Ko Byeong-gap. As a vast amount of knowledge flooded into his head, he felt uncomfortable all over his body.

‘Damn it. I can’t get used to it.’

He hated this awkwardness, but if this was the only price for getting stronger, he guessed he should be grateful.

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Ko Byeong-gap finished imprinting the rest of the textbook. He clenched his fist and opened it, savoring the newly introduced knowledge.

‘Oh? That’s possible?’

He was interested to see the techniques in the physical training textbooks. Ko Byeong-gap managed his strength according to the knowledge of the textbook.

He held his aura in his arms and manipulated the intensity according to the formula after that.

“Oh, it works.”

Glittering gloss smeared across his skin, and then it hardened. At first glance, he could say the hardness was above steel.

While he was at it, he tried to cut it with his sword. No matter how hard or light he drew it, the sharp blade made of Sharp Deer horns didn’t penetrate his skin at all. Without strength or Karma, it seemed like he might be able to withstand most strikes.

“That’s amazing.”

It was better functionally and more efficient than traditional defense. This time, he wanted to test his advanced swordsmanship. Ko Byeong-gap mumbled as he got into position. It was just that moment.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sound of drumming suddenly came from the north gate. Ko Byeong-gap grasped the meaning of the sound faster than anyone else.

‘It’s a dangerous situation?’

He was the one who trained them to hit from the north gate when there was any sign of danger. Ko Byeong-gap immediately ran to the north gate. The closer he got, the more he could hear the urgent voices of the Goblins.

“There’s a lot of them!”

“Who’s outside the walls? We need to inform them!”

“We must inform the Lord! Lord–Oops! Lord!”

“What’s going on?”

Ko Byeong-gap roared. The Goblins that stood on guard on the walls all pointed in one direction. Far away, about three kilometers from a distance, they spotted a group of Grugles.

“There’s a lot coming! I think so!”

“How many of them are there?”

At first glance, it was likely to pass a thousand. Ko Byeong-gap gritted his teeth. He turned around like lightning and instructed.

“First, bring in all the men that’s outside the walls! Lock the gates and let the walls of all defenses know this!”

“Alright!”

“Where’s Doran?”

“She must be at the west wall!”

Ko Byeong-gap ran west. She wasn’t on the roof of the west wall. Ko Byeong-gap jumped from the 20-meter wall and went down. There, Doran and Ea sat side by side and chatted. Both of them looked perplexed as Ko Byeong-gap entered with an urgent look.

“Lord?”

“You? Why are you so out of breath?”

“Doran! Now! Gather all the infantry and tell them to arm themselves!”

“What the hell… No, yes! I got it!”

“Bring your troops to the north gate!”

“Yes, Lord!”

Doran ran out like a shot. Ea looked as if she still didn’t know the situation.

“Oh no. What is going on? I don’t know why you’re in a rush. Is there something wrong?”

“What are you doing here?” Ko Byeong-gap asked in a rather loud voice. Ea showed a basket in her arms.

“Well, I’m just going to give you some snacks…”

“Don’t go near the wall. There’s going to be a battle.”

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“Battle? All of a sudden?”

“There’s a rush of Grugles outside.”

Ea’s face turned pale at the word ‘Grugle.’ Ko Byeong-gap added a word to her.

“Everything’s going to be fine. Stay inside and hide.”

“Oh… I see. Be careful, you.”

“Yeah.”

The Goblins moved quickly, and the workers immediately armed themselves. Those who weren’t yet fit for battle fled to designated places.

When all the infantry gathered at the north gate, the Grugles were only a kilometer away. By this point, it became clear that their target was Valtadren.

Ko Byeong-gap stood on the wall and looked down with his 300 men. They were outnumbered, but in power, they could dominate!

“Everyone, focus! Focus!”

“Focus!”

The voices of the Goblins rang loudly. They didn’t have an inch of disruption.

“A thousand Grugles are aiming for Valtadren! We aren’t giving this place to them! It’s even worse to let them reach Somnium! Am I right or wrong?”

“That’s right!”

“Keep your weapons straight!”

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Alright, open the gates! We’re going to wipe them all out!”

“Whoo! Whoo!”

“Kereuk!”

The north gate opened. Soon after, 300 combat troops, led by Ko Byeong-gap, flew out.

“Doran! Dorma! Kiriyan! Turka!”

Ko Byeong-gap listed the names of the main combatants one by one. His voice was clearly heard in the midst of the roars.

“Yes! I’m here, Lord!”

“I’m listening, Lord!”

“Tell us!”

“We have to hit them first! We have to break their ranks! Speed up and stick to me!”

“Yep!”

“Whoa!”

Ko Byeong-gap kicked the floor with all his strength. Soon, he spread out into the wilderness with a single slash.

“Ahhhhhhhhh…!”

“Ow! Owwwwow…!”

The distance between them and the roaring swarm of Grugles narrowed to around 50 steps. It was around that time that Ko Byeong-gap’s eyes widened.

‘It’s not like the ones I’ve seen before.’

It was different from what he had seen so far. He thought that they looked like the older brothers of the previous ones. They were really bizarre. Everyone had a different and strange appearance, and their figures were nothing intact.

For example, a creature that was mostly one eye whose legs crawled over its head. There were creatures with about ten legs and about 30 arms. Some of them were over five meters in size.

“Pfft!”

Whatever they were, there was no turning back. Ko Byeong-gap wielded his sword with strength, and then huge energy fired from the end of his sword. When the sword reached the Grugles, it caused a huge explosion.

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Rotten flesh was scattered all over the place. The rotten meat began to fill the wasteland.