Chapter 88
As the jungle rose up all over the city and the cries of monsters echoed, the people who chose to stay and watch rather than escape came to a realization.
Something’s wrong!
Normally, hunters would swiftly kill the monsters that came out of a dungeon explosion. Why was there a jungle all over the city?
“What should we do, clan leader?”
“What happens to those people is up to themselves.”
Roxanne looked at the people coldly.
“Whether you live or die is in your hands now. If you want to live, find a place to hide and hope you’ll survive.”
“N-No… Please! Save us!”
“H-Hey. I’ll pay you!”
“Money is ■■. We can’t do it not because we can’t afford it. I simply have no intention of fighting while trying to protect you.”
Due to the barrier, the Black Cactus clan also only had a few hunters available. Considering their numbers, they would have to go around the perimeter of the barrier to kill the monsters. It was impossible to protect people at the same time. The onlookers cried and pleaded, but Roxanne and the hunters didn’t even blink.
The scene puzzled Choi Yeonseung. “Can you do that?”
“What?”
“I wonder if you will be held accountable for letting citizens get caught up like this.”
“We told them to leave. It’s their fault that they didn’t,” Carlton explained as if it wasn’t a big deal.
This wasn’t the first time in the past 30 years that this had happened to people who stayed and watched. Those bastards would shamelessly ask the hunters to save them once things had gone wrong and their lives were in danger. After several trials, the public reached a conclusion.
-You don’t have to save the ones who didn’t run away when ordered to evacuate. Hunters aren’t responsible.
-Hunters have the right to control the scene when monsters come out.
“Right to control the scene?”
“Huh? If they keep interrupting us, then we can shoot them.”
“......”
As expected of the United States!
Choi Yeonseung was speechless. Somehow, there was a reason why these people protested so calmly. He had been wondering why the security guards and staff members the clan had employed, excluding the hunters, were equipped with automatic rifles...
‘It’s to deal with people, not monsters.’
“Don’t you lack hunters due to the barrier?” Choi Yeonseung asked Roxanne.
“It can’t be helped.”
Roxanne said while exhaling smoke from her cigarette. Fortunately, there were several C-grade hunters and higher. Otherwise, it would’ve been really dangerous. They had to strike and get out of this situation now. The barrier prevented them from running away even if monsters had surrounded them. Hence, they had to move quickly while fighting.
“Do you need my help?”
“No... I didn’t get to ask the Icarus clan for your help beforehand,” Roxanne replied regretfully. Fighting with hunters from other clans wasn’t something that could be done just because she wanted to. She had to contact the other clan, get permission, write a contract, prepare for legal disputes...
That was only natural, though, considering each and every hunter was a valuable asset. She was taking someone else’s clan property and using it, so it would be big trouble if she just used the hunter without asking.
‘■■, if I had known this would happen, I would’ve gotten permission in advance.’
Roxanne regretted it. She didn’t make any mistakes. One would normally only contact the other party, get permission, and write a contract when help was actually required. Nobody could’ve known things would become so twisted. She couldn’t even have expected the monsters from the dungeon would even create a barrier.
“Why do you need to ask?” Choi Yeonseung asked, seemingly finding it absurd. “I’m going to fight.”
“Then what if it goes to trial later? I refuse. Just stay in a safe place.” Carlton regretfully replied beside him.
“It is regretful. I wanted to see martial arts.”
“Sigh. I really can’t get used to this...”
Staying in the safest place under the Black Cactus hunters’ protection? From Choi Yeonseung’s perspective, it was too awkward to adjust to.
“Hey, if you don’t like it, why don’t you protect us?”
“That... that’s right. I’ll pay you.”
The people watching from behind sneaked up to him. Roxanne blinked. The staff members loaded their guns.
"Hik! HIik!”
“Ah! I was wrong!”
“Clan leader! The monsters are coming this way!”
“Shit. They’ve probably smelled us. Prepare for battle.”
At Roxanne’s words, the hunters immediately pulled out artifacts and started casting magic.
The citizens gulped. The atmosphere changed in an instant.
***
A?piogasaurus. It was a dinosaur-like big, long-legged crocodile that could blow fire from its mouth! It had thick, hard leather and an anomalous flame. Due to its great strength, it was rated C+.
“Just use 4th-circle magic!”
“Don’t prepare 3rd-circle magic or below! If you don’t have 4th-circle magic, focus on support!”
The defenses of monsters in C-grade onward significantly increased. C-grade could sound weak, but such creatures would be considered boss monsters in low-to-mid-level dungeons. Normally, it would take several C-grade hunters to slay them!
-Gondon’s Sharp Rock Spear!
-Rias Cornell’s Frost Wings!
-Double Magic Sphere!
Gritting their teeth, the hunters used 4th circle magic. They used so much magic power that their entire body was sweating. The magic of the frost wings tied up the piogasaurus’ feet, and the rock spear pierced its chest. Magic spheres then followed suit, dealing a double hit.
“I got you!”
Killing monsters required two important factors. One was a spell that could break through the monster’s defense and inflict damage. The second was the freedom to pour out said spell. With those two factors, hunters would have the advantage no matter how strong their opponent was.
… But if it were that easy, then dungeon raids wouldn’t be so notorious. The real raid was just beginning.
“Two more incoming!”
“!”
The monsters didn’t come out one by one. Dozens could jump out in a surprise attack when the hunters weren’t ready!
Thump thump thump thump thump!
When two more monsters came running at them, the clan members began to look nervous.
-Eno’s Magic Power Amplification!
[Roxanne has used ‘Eno’s Magic Power Amplification.’ Roxanne’s magic power has been temporarily amplified!]
Choi Yeonseung identified Roxanne’s skill through the message window. It was a powerful skill that temporarily multiplied magic power! It was obviously 5th-circle magic.
‘How interesting. It would hurt my body if I did that.’
He could see magic power gushing from Roxanne like steam.
-Ifrit’s Fire Whip!
“!”
Roxanne, now equipped with fire whips in both hands, precisely swung her weapons and struck the?piogasaurus’ vital points one by one. She had amazing penetration power and damage.
‘Is she amplifying her magic power and using skills she doesn’t normally use?’
“As expected of the clan leader!”
“Nice shot, clean leader!”
“Our clan really won’t work without the clan leader...”
“S... Shut up,” Roxanne spoke with difficulty after finishing off the two monsters. She had consumed a great amount of magic power.
The joy was short-lived, however. The employee in charge of the drone screamed.
“Six monsters are approaching from behind!”
“......”
“... Move! Get out of here!”
The clan members had used 4th-circle magic, so they didn’t have much magic power left. It was impossible to keep fighting here. Roxanne swiftly made a decision.
“Employees, get in the car!”
“P-Please don’t abandon us!”
“Who told you to ■■ hang around here? Survive on your own!”
Roxanne cursed. The clan employees had been accommodated for, but they didn’t have any other cars that could take those who came here to watch.
“Carlton, take care of the Icarus hunter and move with him! It will be a headache if he gets hurt!”
“C-Clan leader.”
“What is it?!”
“T-That guy...”
Carlton cried out as he pointed behind him. Choi Yeonseung was excitedly running back.
***
Choi Yeonseung held the Sword of Goujian. It used to be a treasure of China, but it was his magic power recovery item now!
[The Sword of Goujian restores your magic power whenever it kills an enemy.]
‘If this were a dungeon, I wouldn’t have had to worry about the constellations’ eyes.’
Choi Yeonseung was concerned about the Abyss constellations, who would be watching him from afar. He was currently known to be at the peak-class stage. If he wildly fired concentrated sword energy here and killed whatever came his way...
‘I won’t be able to deceive the constellations in the future!’
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is amazed by your thoroughness!]
The people behind him were unaware that Choi Yeonseung was coming up with such a plan in this urgent situation.
‘Peak-class strength is enough.’
He was still an A-grade hunter even at the peak-class stage. What was there to be afraid of when he could freely use sword energy? Choi Yeonseung disappeared and reappeared next to a?piogasaurus. Sword energy then flashed and cut the monster’s leg.
-Kuooooh!
The thick-skinned monster fell and rolled on its side. Its balance had collapsed. Rather than killing it, Choi Yeonseung stepped on it and climbed up, aiming for the next bastard’s leg. Once one fell down, it bumped into another monster running from behind and crashed.
In an instant, six of them were all tangled up on the street. Choi Yeonseung didn’t use any powerful magic. He just unleashed a few cuts.
“... So cool!” Carlton murmured.
The other hunters next to him couldn’t help but agree. Was that martial arts?
One by one, Choi Yeonseung easily killed the?piogasauruses?that had collapsed and lost consciousness by unleashing sword energy and stabbing their vital points. In a way, a monster that only relied on its big size and tough skin was easy prey for Choi Yeonseung. He had all sorts of counters, starting from the Covert Attack Reversal skill. The ones who ran around and hid were the tricky ones...
[You have slain an enemy. Your magic power has been restored.]
[There is no consumed magic power to recover.]
He possessed the Three Flowers Gathering and Heavenly Martial Physique skills, so his internal energy consumption was close to 0 even when he used sword energy.
“U... Uwaaaaaaaah! Waaaaaaah!”
“? ”
“Thank you! For us...!”
Sob sob sob!
“From now on, if you ask me to run away, I’ll follow your instructions!”
The onlookers who got trapped here started sobbing.
Choi Yeonseung dodged them with footwork. “No. This isn’t for you guys...”
“Hero! That hunter is a true hero!”
“Thank you for saving my life! Thank you very much!”
“Hey. Don’t stick to me.”
When people clung to him, Choi Yeonseung kicked and pushed them away. Even so, people cried as if they liked it. They had questionable tastes!
“I really can’t adapt to this place...”
“W... W-What have you done? What were you thinking?” Roxanne shouted. She had finally recollected hers. She lost her mind because the way he dealt with the monsters was like a picture.
“T-This will cause legal problems. Why are you doing something so crazy?!”
"Don't worry.”
“?”
Choi Yeonseung’s attitude made Roxanne hesitate. He spoke too confidently. Did he write a contract before he came? Or had this been discussed in advance?
“I’ll explain this to them myself when I get back.”
“Saying that now... Do you think the Icarus clan is full of fools? They won’t just let this go because you said so!”
The Icarus clan’s legal team would excitedly shout, ‘Hey! Awesome! Let’s sue!’ There was no way they would agree with him.
“They’ll let it slide.”
“......”
“They will. Trust me.”
Choi Yeonseung had a strange persuasive power. Roxanne was instantly tempted. Would... Would they really just let this go?
‘Based on his skill level, he’s certainly one of the Icarus clan’s best no matter how many aces they have. If he explains this situation, they might just really let it slide...’
“R-Really?”
“Of course.”
“... If so, thank you. I formally thank you.”
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