Chapter 388
“Hey, hey…”
Tap, tap tap.
Someone nudged Wu Haixing’s side with their foot. As he barely managed to open his eyes, a large figure loomed over him.
“Ugh…”
“I’ve got an urgent matter to attend to, so I need to head out. If anyone shows up or asks questions, cover for me, alright?”
“…?”
“I poured a potion over you, so stop whining. Keep this up, and I’ll call Magic Johnson over to make you really groan. Anyway, I’m off!”
*Whoosh!*
Leaving behind a parting shot that made Wu Haixing’s bottom ache just from hearing it, the figure quickly faded away.
About ten minutes later, Wu Haixing, still sprawled out on the ground, finally let out a seething growl.
“Jin Tae-kyung…!”
The broken bones and torn flesh had healed thanks to the high-grade potion, but the pain deeply imprinted in his bones and his bruised pride couldn’t be healed.
‘How did this happen?’
He couldn’t believe it. Even though he was enraged, he couldn’t fathom how he, an S-rank Hunter, had been humiliated so thoroughly.
It was shocking enough that Jin Tae-kyung had seen through his martial arts, but for someone like Wu Haixing, who took great pride in his own strength, the humiliation of defeat stung even more.
‘Me, of all people? How could this happen to me?’
Wu Haixing was born with the fate of a Hunter.
During his infancy, a costly mana adaptation test had confirmed his potential, and his family, at the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party, spared no expense in supporting him.
Raised with immense wealth and power accumulated through corruption, Wu Haixing awakened as an A-rank Hunter at the age of 20 and, ten years later, rose to S-rank.
And yet…
‘But how? How could I be defeated by some punk from a small country like him?!’
Wu Haixing’s eyes flashed with a mixture of fury and envy as he stared into the dark night sky. He felt a twinge of fear toward the power Jin Tae-kyung had displayed.
These emotions were ones that Wu Haixing had felt endlessly over the past decade.
He called out to someone he could no longer find.
“Is this your doing? Are you trying to torment me even in death?!”
The public and the media called him an incorrigible delinquent, while also praising him as a genius born of China. But a select few, including Wu Haixing, knew the truth.
The true genius was someone else, someone hidden away from the public eye.
“Answer me, Lei Fei!”
Lei Fei, a person with not only incredible skill but also a noble heart, was an insurmountable wall for Wu Haixing.
When he first heard that Lei Fei had gone missing, Wu Haixing had been both shocked and secretly overjoyed.
But in just a week, another wall had appeared—a wall named Jin Tae-kyung.
“Aaaaah!”
As he let out a deafening roar, the nearby bushes trembled in response.
“I know that feeling well.”
A low voice came from someone who approached without a sound, causing Wu Haixing to spring up like a bolt of lightning.
“Who’s there?!”
“How disappointing. I thought we were already acquainted.”
*Step.*
A figure emerged from the darkness, and Wu Haixing’s eyes widened.
“You are…?”
Under the faint moonlight, Lee Jung-ryong spoke with a smile.
“It seems like we have some important matters to discuss. What do you think?”
“…!”
*Ding.*
– [Breathing Technique] has been completed!
– The proficiency of [Fiery Flame Divine Art] has slightly increased!
By the time I finished gathering my energy and opened my eyes, it was already bright outside.
As if it had been waiting for this moment, the Skeleton Warlord promptly spoke.
– Foul human. You’re finally awake?
‘I never slept, you idiot.’
– Drinking before a battle…
“Hey, shut up. I won’t get drunk anyway.”
Even if one drinks a lot, the resulting alcohol toxicity can be easily purged if you’re a decent martial artist. And with my immense heat energy, it’s no problem at all.
‘Come to think of it, I did drink quite a lot. Enough to empty all the alcohol Pai Chen had flown in on her private jet.’
I had originally intended to stop Magic Johnson, but somehow things ended up like that. I don’t even remember how.
– By the way, human. How long do you plan to stay in this suffocating place?
“I was just about to leave.”
Checking the time, I saw it was 5:30 in the morning. It was time to get moving.
After packing my things in the hotel room that had been assigned as temporary lodging, I headed down to the lobby, where I spotted Chief Choi sipping coffee.
“Hey, Chief.”
“…You’re up.”
A quick glance showed dark circles under his eyes. His usually flawless skin, maintained meticulously, looked rough.
“Did you not get any sleep?”
“Would you have slept if you were me, Jin Tae-kyung?”
Fair point.
Last night, after receiving the most urgent text I’d ever seen, I rushed over and witnessed a scene beyond horrifying.
‘Hey, Choi. It’s a drinking game. Let’s play it cool, huh?’
‘Pai Chen! Help me, Pai Chen!’
‘Mmm… Sorry, but this is a drinking game. The king’s command is absolute. Isn’t that the rule?’
‘But kissing! I’ve never played a drinking game before! You didn’t even explain the rules properly!’
‘Ah, whatever. Number 2 must kiss Number 3 on the cheek. That’s my command.’
‘Choi, stay put. I don’t want to cast a binding spell on you.’
‘This is ridiculous… Jin Tae-kyung! Over here, Jin Tae-kyung!’
‘Jin, don’t interfere. I don’t want to use offensive magic on you.’
Really, if I’d been just a minute late, a disaster would have unfolded.
To rescue Chief Choi, I had to down an enormous amount of alcohol, but I have no regrets. After all, I was promised a worthy reward.
“Do you remember the promise we made yesterday? About adjusting my share of the settlement.”
“…I remember. 90 to 10.”
Chief Choi glared at me with cold eyes.
“How could you do that in such an urgent situation? Are you even human?”
“Then how about you go ahead and have a nice kiss? Look, Number 2 is right there.”
Even though he’s Number 2, his prowess in being gay is unparalleled worldwide.
Chief Choi, spotting the massive black man who had just entered the lobby, spit out his coffee.
“Poof! Please, hide me!”
“I think it’s too late for that.”
Before I even finished speaking, Magic Johnson spotted us and waved his massive hand.
“Hey, gays!”
Isn’t it usually “guys”? Must’ve been a slip of the tongue… right?
Magic Johnson approached us, chuckling heartily, while Chief Choi and I stared at him in disbelief.
“Don’t make that face. I was just a little overexcited last night and played a little prank.”
“…Were you really excited?”
“Oh, that’s how it came out.”
“Please watch your words. I was genuinely startled.”
“Haha. Anyway, there were some circumstances last night.”
“What kind of circumstances?”
“Oh? No, not that kind of circumstance.”
“Please be careful with your words. You’re scaring me.”
“Could you both please stop? I’m terrified someone might overhear.”
With a resigned expression, Chief Choi finished off his coffee in one gulp and turned his head.
A group of people, who had just passed through the hotel entrance, was walking toward us.
“It’s time to go, gentlemen.”
The voice of Defense Minister Wei Fenghu, who was leading the group, was taut with tension.
At his signal, an older military general began handing out folders one by one.
“What are these?”
“These contain information about your assigned regions and the stationed forces. We’ve also relayed the necessary information and contacts to the other side. From here, you’ll board your designated jets to move out.”
Thanks to modern technology, some things are convenient.
Soon after, we arrived at a temporary airstrip, heavily guarded, where familiar faces awaited.
“Did you sleep well, young ones?”
“You’re late.”
Pai Chen greeted us, stretching, while Wu Haixing lowered his gaze in silence, still affected by yesterday’s events. Lee Jung-ryong watched with an enigmatic smile.
The Skeleton Warlord, carefully stored in my inventory, spoke in a disgruntled voice.
– There’s something unpleasant about that human. This Commander does not like them.
“Agreed.”
Pai Chen raised an eyebrow, catching my muttered words.
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing. By the way, where’s Prince Felix?”
“He left just before dawn. There were reports of combat signals in the area he was assigned to.”
“I see…”
Less than 24 hours since we arrived, and combat had already begun.
Once again, the reality of war weighed heavily on my chest.
Despite different nationalities and backgrounds, thinking about fellow humans being brutally slaughtered somewhere was disheartening.
“Hey, young man.”
“Yes?”
Pai Chen, who had been quietly watching me, tapped my shoulder.
“Relax your shoulders. It’s hard to swing a spear properly if you’re all tensed up.”
“Don’t blame yourself or rush things. You don’t have to take responsibility for every death.”
Responsibility. I thought for a moment and answered honestly.
“…I’m not sure I can do that.”
“Well, for someone who feels that way, you sure drank a lot last night.”
“That’s…”
“I know, I’m just kidding. People like us try to forget our burdens, even just for a moment. We never know if we’ll live to see tomorrow or even today.”
Despite her bright tone, her words were heavy. The hero who had weathered the storm of the Great Upheaval raised her head to the sky.
“Ah, it’s a perfect day for a fight.”
With that, she turned and walked lightly toward the jet, ready to take off.
Leaving behind a quiet remark.
“Everyone… let’s survive and meet again.”
Her figure disappeared inside the aircraft.
After gazing at the sky with a nostalgic look for a moment, Magic Johnson suddenly spoke.
“Hey, Choi.”
“Yes?”
“Relax your… butt.”
“I mean, relax your shoulders. Let’s make sure to meet again alive.”
That was definitely his true feelings slipping out.
Magic Johnson chuckled at Chief Choi’s wary look, then followed Pai Chen onto the aircraft.
Wu Haixing quickly hurried after them, as if fleeing, leaving only Lee Jung-ryong behind. He glanced at Chief Choi and me with a curious look.
“Be careful, both of you. This isn’t a place to meet an early end, especially at your age.”
The way he spoke, like some old man. Really, his words were loaded with meaning.
Seeing Chief Choi’s hardened expression, I laughed and responded in his place.
“Of course. Unlike some, dying now wouldn’t be a good death for us.”
“If you happen to kick the bucket, I’ll make sure to provide a generous funeral offering.”
“Looking forward to it.”
After a brief silence, Lee Jung-ryong threw out a final remark and led the Ares Guild members away. Now, it was just us left. Stretching, I patted Chief Choi on the shoulder.
“Shall we go, Chief?”
“Yes. We should.”
“No need to be nervous. Relax your… butt.”
“…I was joking. Sorry.”
One more joke, and he’d probably kill me.
I was cautiously watching Chief Choi’s reaction as I boarded the aircraft when suddenly…
“Attention, troops!”
A loud command rang out from behind.
Defense Minister Wei Fenghu, his gray hair fluttering, saluted us.
Then, the people filling the airstrip followed his lead, saluting as well.
They were paying their respects to the heroes going off to fight for their families and friends.
Their salute didn’t end until the jet doors closed and we became a tiny dot, disappearing from view.
‘Damn.’
With such a send-off, it’s hard not to feel the weight of responsibility.
Just as I was feeling a sudden wave of fatigue and leaning back in my seat…
*Crackle, crackle.*
– …Respond. Respond. This is…
Suddenly, a static-filled radio transmission came from the cockpit, followed by a notification ringing in my ears.
*Ding.*
– An urgent quest, [Escalating Situation], has been generated.
– You cannot refuse this quest. Arrive as quickly as possible and defeat the enemies!
Damn it, this is my life, isn’t it?
Letting out a deep sigh, I shouted toward the cockpit.
“Full throttle, sir!”
* * *
“Are they on the move?”
It was an elderly man in his eighties who spoke. His face was full of wrinkles and liver spots. His frail body wasn’t what it once was, but his eyes held a strength greater than when he was young.
The commanding gaze of the old man was palpable even through the hologram screen. Swallowing nervously, Wei Fenghu replied.
“They’ve all departed, Comrade Chairman.”
“What’s the current situation?”
“There’s interference and barriers caused by magic, making it difficult to ascertain the enemies’ movements, but we are doing our best to detect any shifts.”
“If the S-rank Hunters arrive…”
“Their strength should be enough to turn the tide of battle.”
“Do not jump to conclusions. Stay vigilant every moment. The lives of countless people depend on our decisions.”
“Yes, I understand.”
After the brief communication with Defense Minister Wei Fenghu ended, Xiao Yang, the Chinese Chairman, sat alone in the vast conference room, deep in thought.
‘How did it come to this?’
This is an unprecedented catastrophe since the Great Upheaval. Despite pouring in countless resources and manpower, they couldn’t stop the monster legion centered around the Arch Lich.
They wanted to prevent chaos, but… if they delayed any longer, the opportunity might vanish forever.
And so, Xiao Yang came to this place today, defying countless objections from within the Communist Party.
“We’re ready.”
“…Connect immediately.”
At the secretary’s words, Xiao Yang opened his eyes.
In the spacious conference room, holographic figures began to appear one by one in the previously empty seats.
Fourteen in total. No, fifteen, including Xiao Yang. Each was different in race and gender.
Each person was a leader of a nation and belonged to a single organization.
‘The United Nations Security Council.’
The elderly Chairman, with a grave voice, announced the start of an emergency meeting.
