Chapter 36

 

Kang Min-hyuk has been a professional Hunter for about 8 years and is now ranked 7th in the Hunter world.

Even if he wasn’t inside the Rifts, Kang Min-hyuk’s body was trained to always be on alert.

‘His footsteps… I wasn’t able to hear it?’

He didn’t think so, but if Do-jun was a PK.

He could have immediately died right then and there.

Kang Min-hyuk looked at Do-jun in disbelief.

Do-jun asked Kang Min-hyuk,

“Are there any changes in the Rift entry time?”

“We’ve been instructed to enter after 30 minutes.”

“30 minutes should be enough… I need to brief everyone on something before we go in. Could you gather all the Hunters?”

Do-jun said and walked towards the entrance of the Rift.

＊ ＊ ＊

The time when the sun had set.

Mount Umyeon was very dark.

It was a situation where you couldn’t see even an inch ahead.

Except for one place.

The surrounding area was illuminated using a Light Skill.

“…He’s the commander-in-chief?”

“Are they out of their minds?”

“I heard it’s the director’s orders. Damn it.”

11 operational teams lined up 3 meters apart.

Each team leader stood in front of the members.

And Do-jun stood alone on the other side, looking at the Hunters.

After taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth.

“Everyone, attention.”

In the desolate mountain.

Do-jun’s voice echoed in the Hunters’ ears while the faint sound of the wind was occasionally heard.

He wasn’t exactly yelling or shouting.

He just said it in a casual tone. Nothing more, nothing less.

But why?

At the word, attention.

All the Hunters gathered were overwhelmed.

It didn’t seem like he used any skills.

Yes, it was instinct.

A defense mechanism invoked when someone stronger is right in front of them.

‘W-what the heck? This feeling…’

A cold sweat ran through Kwak Young-ho’s forehead, the team leader of Operational team 5.

It was confirmed that his passive skill <Shout to Survive> was invoked.

A B-class skill which reduces damage received by 20% when a crisis is to be judged as imminent.

“Thank you for your attention. Then, I will begin the briefing on the operation. I will be passing on handouts so you can read them while you listen. Operation Team Leaders, please take them according to the number of your team members.”

All the team leaders approached him and took the handouts.

“What I’ve just given you is the Rift’s map.”

At those words,

Everyone was surprised.

Not a normal feeling that comes from being surprised.

Rather it was disbelief.

Whoosh!

The operation team leaders quickly scoured through the handouts.

Do-jun began to speak as he looked at the screen of his space tab.

“We’ve divided the operational zones into nine. In the order A-1, A-2… so on and so forth, and lastly, A-9. Upon entering the Rift, our starting point would be at A-8, as indicated on the map. So from there, we’re going to wipe out the monsters in A-7, A-9 in order, and move up gradually. Do you have any questions so far?”

At that time, a hunter from operational team 7 raised his hand.

“Speak.”

“Is there any proof that this is really the real map of the rift?”

An expected question.

Do-jun shook his head.

“Even if there was, you wouldn’t believe it. Any other questions?”

Kang Min-hyuk spoke.

“Commissioner Lee Do-jun. I’m afraid you’ll have to answer what was just asked. Tell us about the source of this map and evidence that it is truly the map of that S-class Great Rift that we are about to enter. It’s up to us to decide whether we believe it or not.”

Kang Min-hyuk and all the other Hunters were staring at Do-jun, waiting for an answer.

“Officials in the Rift Management Department can use an application called ‘Rift Management System’. The app has access to information on registered rifts. The information on the S-class Great Rift of Mount Umyeon can also be found in the Space Tab that I’m holding right now.”

Rift Management System.

There was no Hunter in the world who didn’t know it.

Rifts of C-class and lower are managed by the Rift Management Department of Seoul City Hall, and its information is posted on the website of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

However, the city hall had no authority to access information about Great Rifts, and moreover, the Rift on Mount Umyeon had appeared in less than a day. In that situation, Do-jun’s words weren’t to be trusted.

“Do you really expect us to believe that?!”

One hunter shouted.

Do-jun replied calmly.

“Yes.”

A short answer that was unsupported by any evidence.

At that one word, the people’s faces were dumbfounded.

They were speechless.

“I understand you’re all nervous. An S-class Great Rift with a figure of over 2,000. It’s the most difficult Rift we have encountered ever since the Masalys incident three years ago. But, the commander-in-chief is just a civil servant, and he has given a piece of paper which supposedly is the map of the said Rift.”

“……”

“It would be unfair to risk yourselves on this uncertain map. Perhaps not a single person here is sure that this operation will be successful. No, I’m sure some of you have even concluded that this will be your last expedition.”

Do-jun turned his back.

He glanced at the huge dark purple rift.

He scanned the expressions of the over 100 people who were looking towards him.

Their eyes showed their anxiousness.

And then he looked at the night view of the city behind them.

If this operation failed, Seoul would be devastated.

Of course, he didn’t think it would come to that.

“Nevertheless, in order for this operation to succeed, you have to trust me.”

Do-jun released his Inner Qi.

Was it because of that? People started to feel goosebumps.

Do-jun then continued speaking.

“As long as you have faith in me, we will win.”

He checked his watch.

Fifteen minutes left until they enter the Rift.

He had to finish his speech quickly and start briefing.

Do-jun clicked his tongue and sighed, then began to speak.

“I guarantee everyone’s survival.”

＊ ＊ ＊

11 operational teams entered the Rift.

All of the Hunters’ eyes widened.

An endless stretch of desolate land.

“…Woah.”

The map that Kang Min-hyuk held in his hand.

He alternately looked at it and at Do-jun.

It had just started so he couldn’t be sure.

But his surroundings had the same topography drawn on the map up to the area he could see with his naked eye.

“As I said before, Alpha team from Operation Teams 1 to 5 will be in A-7, and Beta team from Operation Teams 6 to 10 will be in A-9. Team 11, which is in charge of supplies, please follow Alpha Team. Also, if anything happens, please report it without delay.”

A-7 had Ogres.

A-9 had Trolls.

And the Alpha Team, who had more A-class hunters than Beta, will be targeting the ogres.

The Beta Team will take on the trolls.

Kang Min-hyuk, the leader of Alpha Team, looked at their assigned area.

And told his team members.

“Let’s go.”

The Alpha Team ran towards area A-7, led by Kang Min-hyuk.

While the Beta Team leader Kwak Young-ho murmured, glaring at Do-jun.

“Don’t make a mistake.”

Soon after, the Beta team ran to area A-9, led by Kwak Young-ho.

Then, Han Min-ji approached Do-jun.

“I’ll be going now, Officer.”

“Yes, be careful.”

“…Officer.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

After Han Min-ji bowed her head.

She ran towards area A-9.

Do-jun, who was left alone, raised his head and saw at the far end of the Rift a monster with tremendous presence.

＊ ＊ ＊

Hunter Management Agency Emergency Headquarters –  Situation Room.

A total of eleven screens were being transmitted to the large screen in the situation room.

The scenes shown on the screens were from the Emergency Cameras worn by the leaders of the operational teams which entered the S-class Great Rift in Mount Umyeon.

Plop!

11 operational teams were divided into two teams, hunting ogres and trolls separately. Jung Yeong-cheol sighed in relief as he looked at the screens.

Ogres were A-class monsters, and Trolls were B-class monsters.

The teams gathered were the Hunter Management Agency’s finest.

The Trolls are easy to handle, and ogres may be a bit tough, but from the way they

fought on the screen, they seemed to be handling them well.

‘But this person is…’

It was a familiar face.

Jung Yeong-cheol jogged back his memory.

He recalled that it was Lee Do-jun, a civil servant of the Rift Management Department of Seoul City Hall, whom he had met at the entrance ceremony of National Hunter Academy.

‘However…’

He remembered when the Hunters had entered the rift.

Lee Do-jun mumbled something while pointing his finger to the west.

And then, the Hunters moved one by one accordingly.

The Emergency Cam couldn’t capture sound, so he couldn’t understand the contents of it.

‘What on earth is going on…?’

＊ ＊ ＊

Whack!

As the sword fell, the Ogre’s neck went flying.

Kang Min-hyuk retrieved the mana he had extended to his sword and pulled out a stick the size of a finger from his belt.

Whooosh.

Mana Smoke.

It’s a kind of mana potion made with the use of Mana Stones.

An artifact that instantly distributed Mana throughout the body.

Whirrr!

Kang Min-hyuk’s sword exuded blue energy, as if it were to explode.

It is said to be the pinnacle of mana control methods involving the sword [Shik (Form)].

Sword Aura.

Boom!

He slams the ground and flies towards two ogres.

And Kang Min-hyuk’s figure disappeared in an instant.

The ogres’ bodies were split in half.

Supersonic Speed, an S-class skill that greatly increases movement speed and attack power.

It was the No. 1 skill that made Kang Min-hyuk rank 7th among all S-class hunters.

“As expected of Kang Min-hyuk.”

Kang Min-hyuk looked back.

It was Lee Jin-goo, the Top 8 S-class Hunter and Operational Team 3 Leader.

“I think we’re done over here.”

“…Right.”

When they looked around, there was a pile of Ogre bodies on the floor.

The total body count was 87. In retrospect, the Alpha Team had just defeated an A-class Rift.

Kang Min-hyuk picked up the radio and pressed the button.

Jjiik jjikk.

“Alpha Team. Area A-7, clear.”

– Good job. Anyone injured?

“None.”

-That’s good to hear. Please return to Area A-8.

“…Yes, I understand.”

Lee Jin-goo, who was listening to them, let out a chuckle.

“If I were the director, I would’ve put you in command. No matter how hard I think about it, you were the only one who could replace the Sword Emperor. Well, granted that things are going smoothly for now… but what about later?”

Out of all the operational teams that gathered here today.

He had been moving under the shadow of the Sword Emperor.

A swordsman that leads the battle with overwhelming force.

And Hunters who followed his instructions were in awe of such swordsmen.

“A captain who fights together with you or a captain who commands you from behind. Honestly, I’m the former. I’m sure other people feel the same way.”

Kang Min-hyuk also admitted that.

But there was no turning back now.

Kang Min-hyuk looked at the Emergency Cam that was on his neck.

Director Jung Yeong-cheol will have eyes on the situation right now.

There was no way Han Min-ji was unaware of this.

‘Whether your choice was right, everything will come to light later.’