Chapter 75

Episode 75. Monster Fields (1)

"... It's all right."

After listening to my lengthy apology, Seung-hyun Hyeong nodded. Instead of getting angry or arguing with me, he looked relieved. He seemed relieved, like he didn't think any of that mattered.

Now it feels like I was even worse.

"You said that if it weren't for you, this characteristic might not have been activated until 10 or 20 years later, right? That I may have lost more people while living as a hunter, and I may have stayed a 3rd class hunter for longer?"

"......."

"Then, it's okay. I was given an opportunity, and you don't have to apologize for it. Even if I had lost one of my limbs, I would have thanked you."

"I'm sorry again."

"It's all right."

Kim Seung-hyun had woken up after Zhang Wei briefly healed him. He turned his head and smiled quietly.

"By the way... I'd like to do another training session, would that be okay? The feeling I felt earlier is so vivid even when I'm lying down."

His eyes were filled with pure fascination and a desire for power. It didn't look like he was suppressing his anger at me for triggering his trauma.

"Yes, let's go. It's okay."

I burst out laughing and nodded.

"You're a member of our guild now anyway."

* * *

After awakening his new characteristic, Kim Seung-hyun trained every single day. He practiced how to tank using his characteristic, and his self-made martial arts advanced rapidly with my guidance.

He continued to become stronger very sharply in proportion to his monster-like body that grew larger every day.

"He's quite incredible."

Those who didn't even pay attention to Kim Seung-hyun now had their eyes on him, and those who used to ask me why I recruited him now praised my insight.

As he turned from a rough diamond into a sparkling jewel, Kim Seung-hyun was captivating people.

All guilds needed a talented tank.

"Mr. Si-woo, you know today's the day, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then, shouldn't he take a break? They'll be calling you in two hours. Is it okay for him to be training that hard......?"

"He says he needs to warm up to move properly. He's warming up in advance because we need to go in two hours."

"Well, that's just stupid."

Han Yeon-soo grumbled. She was a bit sulky lately. I smiled at her and then looked out the window.

"Whew...!"

Outside, Kim Seung-hyun was dancing with a shield and a spear. It was hard to imagine that he was looked down upon even among 3rd class hunters until recently.

Yeah, it was like this in the past, too.

People said I was too overconfident because I was the best Analyst. That a person over thirty couldn't advance any further and that a 3rd class hunter with such a track record should prepare for retirement.

But Seung-hyun Hyeong shattered all the criticism aimed towards me.

-Analyst Jeong Si-woo has the best insight in the world.

The thrill of the moment still lingered vividly in my head.

The moment that made all of the people who ignored Seung-hyun Hyeong and me shut up. The moment he tore apart a Rift with just a shabby shield and a spear like a hero.

I could still see reporters' dazed faces with their mics and interviews and still hear the civilians cry out "thank you"....

"They called."

Said Han Yeon-soo, touching my shoulder.

"They asked whether they can exclude the 3rd class hunter Kim Seung-hyun. They said it would be bad luck for them if a hunter kicked the bucket."

"Hmm? Hahahaha."

I could only laugh at the insult.

"Looks like I'll be getting a great deal of satisfaction this time again."

I had a strong feeling that the past would repeat itself.

Knock, knock.

I knocked on the window, and Seung-hyun Hyeong looked this way.

"Seung-hyun Hyeong, let's get ready to go! They're crazy."

* * *

"Two hunters on the front team were injured. One Tank ended up just losing equipment, but the other one suffered a serious leg injury and can't hunt for at least two months."

"What's the status of the defense line?"

"The situation is worse than a month ago. We might need to ask the Association to build a wall. At this rate, we'll be pushed back to the residential areas within a year."

"Ha... what a mess."

"There are too many of them. They're multiplying like swarms of insects, and we can't handle it. It's not like the Association is sending support to the Fields... All of our hunters are going to die out if we continue like this."

"And when we all die, they'll build a wall and put on a show commemorating the Monster Fields' hunter team members who fought to the end."

Crack.

The beer can in the man's hand crumbled like a piece of paper.

"We don't have enough hunters to go directly inside the Fields and destroy the Rifts. We need at least one 1st class hunter specialized in speed and demolition, and there's no reason an S-level hunter like that would come to the Fields."

"Yes, there's no reason for such a talented hunter to come to this mess of a place. They can enjoy wealth and fame just by destroying any Rift now and then."

The man spat on the floor. Seeing it, the woman sighed and continued.

"I'll ask the Association for back up. And whether any 1st class hunter can volunteer or has an empty schedule."

"Don't bother. They'll never send one. That damn head of the Association will say 'How much can you afford to pay?' with a smile even if I hold a knife to his throat."

The man sighed, scratching his head furiously. He reeked of alcohol. Feeling sorry for him, the woman looked at him and then tried to say something while turning over the papers. She was going to try to change the subject to lighten the mood.

But then.

Knock, knock.

Someone outside knocked on the door.

"You have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

The man and woman looked at each other and tilted their heads.

"Yes, it's hunter Jeong Si-woo and hunter Kim Seung-hyun. They said they came a little early for their appointment. Shall I let them in?"

The man frowned.

"How impatient. Tell them to come in."

The door opened at his words.

"Nice to meet you. I'm the impatient Jeong Si-woo."

"...I guess you could hear me from outside."

The man clicked his tongue and shook hands with Jeong Si-woo. He wasn't very happy that Jeong Si-woo suddenly showed up when he had a lot to think about.

1st class hunter candidate or not, he didn't have the time to teach a novice about the Monster Fields or make sure the 3rd class hunter Jeong Si-woo brought along didn't die.

"Well, I'm busy right now, so I'll just quickly show you what your job is. If you go to that battle line over there....."

The man tried to give Jeong Si-woo the simple task of dealing with leftover monsters. It wasn't a very difficult task, and it was something most hunters with some experience could do.

No matter how talented this rookie was, the man didn't think Jeong Si-woo could present a solution to the current situation. So, Jeong Si-woo was nothing more than an annoying novice to him.

"Oh, wait a minute. I'd like to say something first."

But the novice cut in.

"That's not the only thing I overheard. I heard that the situation at the Fields isn't good... Do you mind if I say a few things?"

"What? Ha, ha ha ha."

The man couldn't help but laugh out loud at the daring remark.

Could he say a few things? Apparently, Jeong Si-woo knew nothing. Everyone must have treated Jeong Si-woo as an important hunter while he made rounds in Rifts.

Even hunters that were called heroes acknowledged that the man was the better expert in the Monster Fields, but this kid without any significant experience wanted to give him some advice.

Other hunters would burst out laughing if they heard about this.

"Go ahead. But you'd better be prepared for the consequences if it turns out to be a waste of time."

The man narrowed his eyes and glared at Jeong Si-woo. His sharp gaze resembled that of a fierce animal. The glare of a seasoned hunter who survived carnage was not the kind of thing a novice young man could handle.

"Well... Sure, okay."

But Jeong Si-woo shrugged and started to speak as if he was used to it.

Maybe he's not just a coddled elite hunter who had an easy time hunting. The man's assessment of Jeong Si-woo changed slightly.

"You said you're busy, so I'll just get to the point."

And then.

"You said there are too many monsters because you couldn't clear the Rifts, right? Then, why don't I go in there myself and destroy some? I looked around on my way here, and it looks possible."

It took less than a few seconds for his assessment to be completely reversed.

'Is this guy crazy?'

* * *

The thin man had dark circles under his eyes. At a glance, he looked like an alcoholic or a game addict. But in the Fields, he was admired and respected more than anyone else.

The Monster Fields Commander, Park Young-joon.

He was someone I respected quite a bit before I came back in time.

"What kind of crazy nonsense is that?"

Said Park Young-joon, glaring at me sharply. I understood. Most hunters couldn't guarantee their survival inside the Monster Fields.

What I just said was the equivalent of saying I would jump naked into a pit of fire, sing and dance for an hour, and come out laughing.

"I meant what said. I'll go in there and destroy the Rifts."

"Ha, hahahaha. Do you not know what a Monster Field is?"

Park Young-joon's eyes gleamed.

"There was a hunter who said the same thing. She showed up, praised as a Queen, and declared that she would get rid of the Monster Fields in Korea."

"......."

"But do you know how long the hunter stayed here? She stayed exactly two and a half weeks and ran away back home. She didn't achieve anything. She just wasted food and took up space at the lodgings before she left."

He became increasingly forceful, as if he was going to tear me up.

"The Monster Fields is also called the hunter's grave. Rifts in the city? Dungeons? If you came here thinking of that, you're sorely mistaken. This place is hell. Monsters swarm like insects. And every day, you have to hold funerals for the teammates who you were just laughing and talking with."

"I know."

"You know? You know, but you still talk like that? I can't believe someone who's never been inside a Monster Field can spew such nonsense."

Tap. Tap.

Park Young-joon tapped the table. I took a short pause before replying.

"What use will explaining do? I'll show you myself."

And with that, my characteristics and hidden abilities started to overflow and reveal their true nature.

['Trace of History' has been activated.]

['Outstanding Weapons Mastery' has been activated.]

.

.

.

My dozens, perhaps hundreds, of skills and characteristics manifested and convulsed under my skin.

The atmosphere changed. Simultaneously, the expression on Park Young-joon's face changed, as did the woman's next to him. A 1st class hunter candidate? They called me that, but I never once thought that the absolute amount of force I possessed was just 1st class.

"Give me permission to enter the Fields."

Over the last two years, I became a monster myself to deal with monsters.

"Then, within a week, I'll reinstate the defense line to its original place and wipe out all the damn monsters jumping around here as if it were their front yard."