Chapter 52: Isn't It? (1)

Isn't It? (1)

The week had passed quickly. There was little to do in between Rifts.

"I have to go abroad for a while... I'm sorry, but it's really important."

I couldn't get help from Han Yeon-soo for the second wave.

That was fine though. I should be able to take care of it without his help. I didn't want him to drop everything and rush to my aid.

"Mister, is there going to be another Rift? I'll help."

The good news was that Sung Hyun-woo, with his valuable abilities, had joined my effort.

I had succeeded in recruiting Zhang Wei.

It hadn't been difficult to convince him.

Zhang Wei had said that he admired the heroism I showed and that it was his dream to become like me. Also, that it was an honor to work together.

'... It was easier than I thought.'

Of the five heroes, he had been the easiest to recruit, but his power would have the strongest impact on the team's overall power.

Having Zhang Wei repeatedly say that he would repay me for saving his life made me uncomfortable.

If I hadn't rescued him, his stats would have increased naturally, and he would have rescued himself. He would have become much stronger than he was now. He was invincible.

I didn't have to tell him that.

When you are a hunter, you do what you have to.

Right, there was more good news. I had sent a letter to someone. It contained very sensitive information. You already know who the recipient was. If she ever found out who sent her that letter, I would be in big trouble.

'I'm not sure if I can really call that good news.'

When I felt the anger in the voice behind that broadcast, I started to sweat.

'She will be a big help in stopping the second wave...I'll worry about the rest later.'

There were numerous other letters I had written but not sent out yet.

I had only sent the one to her. I was an awakener who was potentially more powerful than any other hunter available in the second wave.

I would need the other recipients of my letters in the third wave.

Everyone taking part in the third wave would have to be sacrificed, however.

It would be best to use everything I had available to try to minimize the damage.

"Automatic combat release."

Bang.

With a loud bang, the things that had been floating over my head came crashing down on me. I was now quite adept at using my newly-acquired illusion spell.

"Oh wow, look at what great weapons you have. Hehe."

"I know, right."

It was immune to ranged attacks and magic. It wasn't invulnerable in close combat, however.

It would be useful in many situations.

After taking a bath, I left the training grounds and headed back to my room.

With the morning training over, it was time to trigger the second wave.

Today was the day the Crack called 'the World of Ash', contained in red beads, would open.

* * *

"That was fast."

Yoo Ji-Yeon waved at me.

"...You're heading into combat. Why are you dressed like that?"

"I had to change; I didn't want to wear a dull hunting suit."

I sighed and kept walking.

"It's pretty. Still, you shouldn't be doing that, even as a hunter."

"Yeah, yeah. I know...hehe."

That made Yoo Ji-Yeon laugh.

"The other kids from class are going to be so jealous when they see me in this."

She didn't stop talking.

As we left the Academy, she kept chattering about random things. I didn't mind though, it was a welcome distraction, so I kept the conversation going.

Most of them were about everyday stuff going on at the Academy.

"No, that's why it was such a big deal..."

As I kept listening to her talk, a smile appeared on my lips without me realizing it.

She kept talking excitedly.

How long did we walk like that?

"Mister!"

"Uh...were you waiting here for us?"

As we passed the Academy's main gate, I saw Sung Hyun-woo standing there, alone, wearing loose hoodie and sweatpants. This wasn't a great outfit for a hunter either.

"I've been waiting for a while. Let's hurry, there is not much time left."

Sung Hyun-woo reached his hand out expectantly.

"Well? Uh...Why are his hands...oh, shake hands?" Yoo Ji-Yeon said with an awkward expression. I didn't want to have to explain, so I grabbed her and Sung Hyun-woo's hands.

"It'll take too long to explain. You'll understand when it happens."

"When what happ- Oh!"

Before she could finish her sentence, Sung Hyun-woo used his spatial movement to teleport us to the coordinates I had given him before.

It felt like being sucked into a vacuum cleaner. Before we had time to realize what was going on, it was already over. When we opened our eyes again, we were standing on a long, sandy beach.

"I haven't calculated the exact time... It opened faster than I thought."

On the shore, a clear red hole, roughly 20 meters in diameter, was visible.

"You're late. You were supposed to be here before it opened."

Zhang Wei was sitting in front of the hole, completely relaxed.

* * *

"It opened roughly five minutes ago. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when suddenly the hole popped up."

"......"

"No monsters have emerged yet. When they emerge, they'll probably want to turn around immediately."

I had buried the red beads on a small island. The island was so small. It wasn't even marked on any maps.

The fire monsters that would emerge from the Crack couldn't cross the sea. They would be completely isolated on this tiny island.

A brief dip in the water didn't hurt them, but if they tried to swim, they would lose their energy and die.

Therefore, this small island was the ideal place to open the red marble Cracks.

'That doesn't mean I can just leave the crack here.'

No matter how isolated, it was a very bad idea to ignore the Cracks, because we couldn't predict what exactly would happen to them if left alone. It was safest to destroy the Nucleus as quickly as possible.

'That's why I sent a letter to her.'

It would be convenient to deal with this Crack with her help.

'I don't know anyone else...'

There was no hunter better versed in dealing with fire monsters than her.

"What...what is this? It's really big... It's a Great Crack, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"How can you stay so calm about that?"

Yoo Ji-Yeon looked around in a panic. She was the only one who looked concerned.

Zhang Wei, and even Sung Hyun-woo, who was only a child, looked almost bored.

"What is going on...?"

Yoo Ji-Yeon had lowered her voice to a whisper, as if she was afraid that the monsters could hear her through the rift.

It was a normal reaction for someone in her situation.

Anyone who was unexpectedly confronted with a Great Rift would react this way.

"Mister, when are you going in? Isn't that grandmother going to be here soon?"

"You're right, I have to go in quickly."

"Then let's go."

Sung Hyun-woo didn't look like he was taking the Crack as seriously as he should have.

Zhang Wei also accompanied us without hesitation.

'Was that such a terrible thing? Back in the day, I didn't hesitate either when confronted with danger. That seemed to be a hunter thing.'

"Wait! What? Uh...Okay, I guess, let's go in together."

Yoo Ji-Yeon also followed us after hesitating for a short while.

[You have entered the 'World of Ash'.]

* * *

"I don't know about this"

Yoo Ji-Yeon was still confused as to what was going on. She hadn't understood anything of what was going on since they teleported to this beach.

'Is someone pulling a prank on me? Or am I still dreaming?'

I pinched my cheek, and it hurt. So it was not a dream.

"What are you doing? Come here. Quickly!"

"Huh? Uh..."

I quickly follow them.

"There are ten dogs we have to defeat. The remaining monsters will be taken care of by the forces that will arrive shortly. Only by defeating those ten can the Rifts be completely closed off."

"......"

"I will show you the locations of the monsters, so follow along. I will go first, Sung Hyun-woo will follow behind me, then Zhang Wei and Yoo Ji-yeon. Zhang Wei, Yoo Ji-yeon will need your help the most, then Sung Hyun-woo and then me.

"Understood."

He went on to explain the monsters' appearances, characteristics, and habits meticulously. He seemed to know more about the monsters than a cadet who recently graduated from the Academy should have.

'... He is almost as knowledgeable as Siu."'

I had so many questions. Whether this was a dream or not, the man in front of me appeared to be almost as good as the legendary analyst.

"With the new item I got, I think I can play the role of the tank."

His tattoo shimmered brightly for a brief second, and from it, small strips of light appeared and started rotating quickly around Jeong Si-woo.

In the distance, I could see a three-headed dog charging towards us.

Jeong Si-woo didn't look concerned at all. He hunkered down and prepared himself for the impact.

Caang-!

'Wow!'

The three heads started snapping at him furiously, and the front legs kicked him, but the strips of light seemed to be everywhere at once, blocking all of the attacks.

It was more like art than a fight. A bright light flashed up, Jeong Si-woo moved to the side.

"I've got his attention... Ying..."

The strips of light didn't only shield him from attacks. Some of them had transformed into swords, spears, axes, and hammers, and viciously attacked the dog.

Suddenly, two of the dog's heads fell to the ground, and Jeong Si-woo cut off the last head with a grim expression on his face.

Thump.

The big heads rolled across the floor; the strong smell of blood started to spread.

"Let's go."

Jeong Si-woo started moving.

But...

"Mister, watch out!"

It had been a while since I had fought a monster.

At Sung Hyun-woo's shout, Jeong Si-woo turned his head.

Lots of massive fireballs were flying towards them.

Sung Hyun-woo hurriedly activated his telekinesis and raised his hand.

But...

"Stop!"

Yoo Ji-Yeon had been quicker.

The fireballs stopped in mid-air.

Everything that existed inside the rift was made of mana. Yoo Ji-Yeon could manipulate mana with her talent.

"Go back!"

At her command, the trajectory of the fireballs reversed.

They returned to their owners.

"Kieeeeek!"

Screams of pain came from the direction of the monsters.

* * *

"The Great Rift has appeared."

"Where?"

"An island somewhere off the coast."

The older woman slowly rose from her chair.

Only

"Somebody is already there..."

"Who?

Her calm response surprised the man. He coughed and answered,

"You don't need to worry about it. The Association's watcher took a picture, but it's difficult to make out who they are..."

"Who are they?"

"Here."

He pulled a blurry picture from his pocket and handed it to her.

"A child who seems to still be going to elementary school, a man and a woman who look like high school students. An odd group of people."