The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 401



Only Noblemtl

Episode 401

#401. I’m going to be out of my mind for a while.

Joo Sea opened her mouth as if to organize Thomas’ thoughts for him.

“I heard that the mana flow was severe during the recent gate explosion. The high concentration of mana in the air could have been endured with medicine, but if the movement had been fast, it would have had a big effect on the body. I know because I’ve seen it before. Director Kang said he was going to get tested just to be sure, but if it’s really nothing serious, I don’t think that workaholic would go for a regular checkup when he has a lot to do.”

Joo Seah recalled when the Goblin Godmother summoned the unknown being.

Thanks to that, I was vaguely aware of the effect that the rapid flow of mana was having on Kang Mu-hyeok.

Thomas said.

“It’s not good.”

“How much?”

“It’s not that bad. I’ll tell you this much. If you want to know more, contact Dr. Kang.”

Joo Se Ah fiddled with the smartphone in her pocket. The address of Kang Chang Soo, Kang Moo Hyuk’s father, was saved there.

Since the guild sponsored his research under the pretext of treating Thomas, who was an S-rank, he could have received the results at any time, but he soon held back and put down his smartphone.

“Okay. I’ll let you know when the time comes.”

Joo Se Ah decided to wait for Kang Moo Hyuk to tell her. She had not invested in Kang Chang Soo’s research to suppress Kang Moo Hyuk.

Joo Se-ah and Kang Moo-hyuk were already a community of shared destiny. They did not want one axis of that destiny to fall victim to illness.

Joo Seah smiled and suggested to Thomas.

“Then, shall we go to the car first?”

“You and Gilma? I don’t like it because it’s uncomfortable.”

“… … .”

It seemed like it would be a long time before I became friends with Thomas.

* * *

Biwonjun of the Yellow Dragon Guild was furious.

“Chief of Operations Zhao Keji. Losing Guan Hong is a mistake that cannot be recovered with any excuses.”

“Mi, Mirage and the Bone Guild’s connection was about to be exposed. I had to stop that… Huh!”

Zhao Keji was suffocated by Bi Yuanjun’s murderous intent. When Bi Yuanjun focused his intangible energy on him, his face turned ashen. He trembled as if he would suffocate at any moment, and when Bi Yuanjun withdrew his energy, he lost the strength in his legs and collapsed.

“Guan Hong is better than ten or a hundred people like you. He took his time explaining things to you slowly and tried to draw you in. He wasn’t joining hands with Mirage, he was using her.”

“… … .”

Zhao Keji kept his mouth shut, even though he had so much to say.

“I thought that if I revealed the truth about Mirage, even if they opposed me at first, they would eventually side with us. But you ruined it all. You even did it on your own while I was inside the gate. Let me ask you again. Can you say that your selfishness was not involved at all in deciding this matter?”

“I made this decision without any selfish intentions whatsoever! Please believe me!”

Bi Yuanjun had been looking at Zhao Keji with distrust from the beginning. He said with a sneer.

“Huh! You’re saying that you didn’t have any greed for the position if Guan Hong disappeared? Can you really say that with such confidence? You didn’t covet Guan Hong’s position and push yourself to take his place?!”

“I am…….”

Once again, the urge to live overwhelmed Zhao Keji. Zhao Keji shut his mouth and knelt down, waiting for Bi Yuanjun’s anger to subside.

Seeing Zhao Keji trembling, Bi Yuanjun seemed to have lost interest and released his pressure.

“Even in times like this, Guan Hong was the kind of guy who would say whatever he wanted to say. What a shame. That kind of guy would go to Iron Will. Hmm, I don’t think I can just quietly give him over. What should I do?”

Biwonjun even thought about assassinating Guanhong. Even though he felt it was a pity, he could not bear to see it in someone else’s hands.

In addition, the Huanglong Guild was in an uproar due to the scandal with Mirage, as Guan Hong caused a commotion.

In particular, the Shandong faction, centered around the Dongguk Zone, was using local media to raise the level of criticism. In addition, they had begun lobbying the Communist government, so the Huanglong Guild was busy cracking down on its internal affairs.

‘If we just leave Guan Hong alone, we don’t know what kind of trouble he will bring later.’

I felt a burning desire to kill.

Just then my smartphone rang.

“I don’t know this number?”

It’s crazy to think that your smartphone, whose number few people know, is ringing.

At that moment, I remembered what Guan Hong had said before.

‘This is someone you absolutely must see if you are involved with Korea.’

Biwonjun had a feeling that this was a call he absolutely had to take.

“hello.”

-I am Kang Mu-hyeok, the leader of Iron Will.

“Is it you?”

-I request an agreement regarding the Guan Hong Hunter case.

“What do we have to agree on? You’re not our people anymore anyway.”

-If I were you, I would kill Guan Hong.

“… … .”

-He’s not your person, but he’s our family. Isn’t there a reason to come to an agreement like this?

“You’re as funny as I’ve heard. Are you trusting Joo Se Ah and trying to trick her?”

The answer was given by someone else instead of Kang Mu-hyeok.

-Why don’t you catch me again?

It was a familiar voice.

“Juseah… … .”

-Guild leader, please step aside.

-Why? When I see Biwonjun acting so odd, I know it’s because he lost to me last time.

-No matter how true it is, it is impolite to say it in front of the person listening.

-Oh? Is that so? Biwonjun, I didn’t do it on purpose. Please understand.

The voices of Kang Moo-hyuk and Joo Se-ah were heard intertwined.

‘Where did you get such an obvious trick… … .’

I could see right through her intentions. Her intentions were obvious, but… … .

Biwonjun got angry.

“When did I lose?! You should have known you were lucky!”

-Then, let’s meet up.

“Good! This time I will cut off your neck for sure!”

As soon as Biwonjun agreed, Kang Muhyuk quickly stepped in.

-The meeting place is Shinuiju. It’s the place where we fought with Guild Leader Ju Se-ah last time. Let’s meet tomorrow at noon. I’ll see you then.

-If you don’t come out, you’ll get scared and run away.

And then the phone quickly hung up.

Biwonjun felt sorry, but he couldn’t help it. Calling back to cancel the appointment would be an act of shame for him as the vice-minister of the Yellow Dragon Guild.

Besides, if I broke my promise, that wicked Joo Se Ah might spread rumors that she won against Bi Won Jun.

“In such a shallow situation… … .”

It was such a childish provocation that I couldn’t even respond.

Bi Yuanjun glared at Zhao Keji, who had created this situation.

‘You should have just killed Guan Hong. You chased him foolishly and lost him, and then let him go into exile in Korea. Are you making me suffer this humiliation?!’

Zhao Keji, startled by Bi Yuanjun’s coldness, had to crawl around, pretending to be dead, with his neck curled up.

After that, Biwonjun and Joo Seah’s meeting took place. Kang Moo-hyuk was also there.

But no one other than the parties involved knew what was discussed between the two sides that day.

Since even Guan Hong wasn’t there, I didn’t know what it was about.

However, it was only a notification that Biwonjun had given up on Guanhong.

And soon after, the situation in the Chinese hunter world began to stabilize.

It started when the video of the remnants of Mirage, who were held captive in Korea, testifying about the evil reaching out to the Hwangryong Guild spread.

The world didn’t care how this video spread.

The only thing that was on people’s lips was the fact that the Yellow Dragon Guild was the victim of Mirage.

* * *

Raven, dispatched by the World Hunters’ Federation, heard about the battle with Mirage from Kang Mu-hyeok and reported it to his superiors.

Raven gave Ayla the details via video conference.

“I guess chasing the illusion will be the priority. I will issue a wanted notice in Korea’s neighboring countries, such as China, Russia, and Japan. Since they won’t be able to use airplanes, we will proceed primarily by ship. I will also make sure that the Federation’s special forces can participate at any time.”

After hearing the report, Ayla was busy suggesting this operation to the Round Table.

As Ayla moved, Alex, who had been listening silently beside her, stayed behind, saying he had more questions for Raven to ask her for her report.

“I give you new orders, Raven.”

-yes.

“Stay in Korea and learn about the Hirvat tribe.”

-If it’s Hirbat… …

“I recently found out that you are active in Korea. Send me some information about that.”

-Does Lady Ayla know too?

“The Hirvat race? Of course. But this investigation is my own.

-Is this something you need, Ayla?

“When have I ever entrusted you with something you weren’t qualified to do?”

-All right.

As Raven was about to end the video conference, Alex said as if he had forgotten.

“And since you might arouse C004’s suspicion if you continue to operate within Korea, I will temporarily assign you to Iron Will.”

-Yes? Why, for what reason… … .

“You’re a Druid. Become friends with Rider Wolf.”

When Raven tried to complain about something, Alex quickly turned off the screen.

He muttered, staring at the screen where Raven had disappeared.

“The Hirvat race problem… was noticed by the Mother Tree Society. We can’t let Lady Ayla get in trouble. I’m sorry, Commander.”

* * *

Kim Myeong-jun was very nervous.

It was because a summons was issued by the Japan Guild Federation.

‘Did you smell something?’

That his plan to join hands with the Yellow Dragon Guild and escape from Japan was discovered.

However, Kishin Takeru, the lord of Gildanryun whom I met upon entering Japan, asked me something completely unexpected.

“Our intelligence says there was a gate explosion?”

“Huh? I, I’m hearing this for the first time… … .”

I knew about the outbreaks at Seoul Forest and Yongsan Park, but a gate explosion?

It was the first time for Kim Myeong-jun to hear about it.

“Tsk. Now then, I guess I won’t need you anymore.”

Kim Myung-jun, terrified by the S-rank’s chilling questioning, bowed down and spoke.

“Let me find out right away.”

“Make sure you find out everything about it. It seems like Korea is hiding something.”

Kishin no longer looked at Kim Myeong-jun. He stared across the Genkai Sea.

‘There’s something happening in Korea that I don’t know about.’

* * *

“Hmm, the gate explosion was prevented?”

An unidentified man was looking at the Bukaksan Mountain, whose peak had been blown away, from the roof of a building near Gyeongbokgung Palace. The man was standing precariously on the edge of the railing, his coat hanging over his arm.

He tilted his head, saying he didn’t understand at all.

“There’s no precedent for stopping a gate explosion midway… Something I don’t know about is happening. I need to look into this.”

While I was looking at Bukaksan Mountain with curious eyes, the phone rang.

“Yes, I understand. I will be there shortly.”

The man who ended the call unfolded his coat and put it on.

The coat was not an ordinary piece of clothing, but an armor coat.

“Juseah, Kang Moo-hyuk. Iron Will… You’ve changed a lot since you rested for so long. I’ll be out of my mind for a while.”

The man jumped straight off the building.

The wind tore through the armor coat.

The Slayer’s emblem was engraved on the back and chest of the armor coat.

>> Part 3 is complete. Part 4 will follow.

Part 4 Prologue

Venice, Italy.

Venice, a city on the sea made up of about 120 islands, was completely submerged in water during the Great War in the past, earning it the nickname of modern-day Atlantis.

After the war, the government pushed for the reconstruction of Venice, but the city was completely destroyed after suffering another major flood during the Little War.

“However, after the end of the Little War, when the Gloria Guild settled in here, a great transformation took place. The ruined city was reborn as a fully planned city, taking advantage of the characteristics of Venice, which was once called the city of water. The symbol of that planned city is the ‘Muro di Terra (Earth’s Wall)’ over there.”

The guide guiding the tourists raised his voice as he pointed to Venice’s new landmark, the ‘Great Wall of China’.

The earth’s defenses not only deal with rising sea levels due to global warming, but also serve to prevent attacks by sea monsters.

Normally, the sea level would rise just enough to slightly intrude inland, but when the monster alarm sounded or the tide came in, dozens of breakwaters were built, creating a long wall that looked like overturned dominoes, up to 8 meters high.

“Okay, let’s take a commemorative photo now and then we’ll meet back here in an hour to continue our schedule.”

As the tourists dispersed, the guide sighed, turning the cross-body bag diagonally across his shoulders behind his back.

She went to an old man who was selling at a mobile stall on a nearby street and ordered coffee.

The old man greeted the guide with a bright smile.

“Emma, ​​you’re full of energy today. If you keep guiding me with such a loud voice, your throat will eventually become sore.”

“Because work is fun, Mr. Grosso.”

“Espresso, like I always do?”

“of course.”

Tour guide Emma was a native Venetian. When she was born, Venice was a city that only had a name, so it was difficult to say that she was from there, but at the time, the first generation of post-war people who were born in the ruins, like her, loved this city of water.

They were the generation that lived and worked together to rebuild Venice, and are now responsible for Venice’s present and the cornerstone of its future.

Emma understood her role better than anyone else.

“But even so, it’s not like it’s a good side job, and it’s a bit much to work harder as a guide than at your main job, right?”

“What does pay matter? I do it because I like it. I am happiest when I introduce this proud city to tourists.”

“And then you get fired from your job.”

“If you want me to kick you out, then kick me out. It’s not like I’m neglecting my main job. My boss can’t say anything to me, right? I’m a guide on my day off.”

“Okay, you’ll figure it out yourself. Here, here’s the espresso.”

“Mmm, it smells good. As expected, Mr. Grosso’s coffee has a different smell.”

“The coffee is all the same.”

Emma sat on a bench next to the stand, sipping her espresso, savoring the aroma of coffee.

The Mediterranean breeze in November this year was warmer than usual. The mornings and evenings were still cool, but the warm sunlight during the day made it pleasant to sunbathe on a bench.

Emma took a sip of her coffee and looked back at the sea behind the bench.

Gentle waves swayed in the wind, and the sunlight sparkled, creating a golden horizon.

“Oh, it’s peaceful. The coffee tastes amazing, and the breeze is nice. I wish it could be like this every day.”

“It could be possible if there were no monsters.”

Grosso, who was organizing his things, replied in passing. Emma smiled and told him not to worry.

“Venice’s monster defenses are the best in Italy, except for Rome, which has many large guilds. Even just that wall alone would be difficult for any monster to get over.”

“Yes, I know that the wall protects Venice, but it’s still a shame that the old scenery has disappeared. Back then, the old, quaint buildings had a lot of charm.”

“I heard that the water in the Venetian canals was a sewer back then. It would have been better if it had been completely destroyed and rebuilt, so now it’s so clean and nice. When we talk about good changes, we’re talking about our city.”

“That’s what young people are like. Emma, ​​when you become an old person like me, you’ll start to miss the old days.”

“Well, it was a bit harsh back in the old days when there were no monsters.”

It was when Emma smiled and put her lips to the coffee cup.

Duuuuuuuu~!

Alarms began to ring out throughout the city. The decibels were deafening. The unpleasant noise caused panic among tourists.

“What, what is this?!”

“Should I run away?”

“where?!”

Emma sighed and stood up from the bench at the sight of him being flustered. She grumbled as she handed Grosso a cup of coffee.

“Even though I told you to study the guidebook, you didn’t look at it. Ugh, anyway, I’m telling you, no one reads the emergency evacuation instructions. In this day and age, how can there be such insensitivity to safety?”

“Tourists come to Venice because it’s safe. So why would they pay attention to such emergency measures?”

“I can’t say anything because they are people who spend money in the city. By the way, did a gate appear somewhere? Why are you suddenly sounding the alarm?”

“Well.”

Emma took out her smartphone and tried to check the news.

That was when.

I heard a sound of stones scraping against my ears.

Emma looked out to sea.

“The wall… … .”

The earth’s barrier was rising. Behind it, a huge wave was seen crashing down. It was a tsunami without any warning.

Emma screamed.

“Aqua squat!”

‘Aqua alta’ is the Italian word for high tide, but in northern Italy it refers to a regular abnormal tidal phenomenon.

During the Acqua Alta season, Venice is submerged in water, which usually occurs from September to April of the following year, reaching its peak in November.

That is, this period is the peak of Aqua Alta.

But that was a story of the past. Even if the Acqua Alta occurred, Venice today could have built a wall to block the water.

The waterways that currently run through parts of the city are simply waterways built for tourists, and there have been no flooding incidents like in the past.

Emma, ​​a guide who knew this fact well, shouted “Aqua Alta” because the current “Aqua Alta” was used with a different meaning.

“This must be ‘naga’.”

Grosso frowned as he watched the tidal wave rushing toward the wall, realizing that the waves were man-made.

“Yes. It’s a sign of a monster wave. The only ones who would do something like this are Naga.”

“What time?”

Emma checked the watch on her wrist and saw when the first wave would hit the wall. She switched to a timer the moment the wave hit the barrier.

“5 minutes and 30 seconds until the first wave after Aqua Alta.”

Grosso also checked the timer on his wristwatch. He asked Emma.

“What is the response time of the Gloria First Response Team?”

“It’s the same as when Mr. Grosso retired. 4 minutes and 40 seconds.”

“Tch! This is too close. I told you over and over again that we should cut it off at 4 minutes and 10 seconds. Are we still doing this?”

“I have been cleaning the Naga nests regularly for the past five years. Thanks to that, there have been no Naga raids into Venice. There has been no need to reduce them.”

“But now it seems we need to cut back.”

“It happened. … … Maybe it’ll be late?”

“If I’m late, I’ll have to respond on the spot. This is it, I’m going to have a hard time even after I retire.”

Grosso rummaged under the stall and pulled out a sword and shield. He then grabbed another dagger and threw it at Emma.

Emma, ​​who had accepted the weapon without thinking, said in disbelief.

“Does a retired person still have this?”

“I can’t sleep without it nearby. When you get to my age, old habits die hard.”

Emma drew her dagger and flicked the blade with her index finger. A soft ringing echoed through the handle.

“It’s suitable for writing.”

“He’s a well-mannered guy.”

Grosso took out his light leather armor and put it on, then picked up his equipment and walked towards the wall.

“I’m sorry, but you have nothing to wear.”

“It’s okay. I have this.”

Emma took off her crossbody bag and took out some clothes from inside.

It was a long blue coat, a hunter’s armor coat.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that guy.”

“You took one with you as a souvenir when you retired.”

“I took good care of it and hung it in my closet at home.”

“That expensive thing?”

“I’m not going to catch monsters, and I don’t have anything to wear.”

Emma spread out her armor coat as if shaking it out, then spun it around to create a breeze before putting it on.

As the armor coat wrapped around her body, the tour guide girl who had been smiling innocently just a moment ago disappeared without a trace, and a hunter with cold eyes took her place.

Emma stroked the chest area of ​​the armor coat. There was a light symbol that symbolized the glory of the Gloria Guild engraved there. She followed Grosso, tying her blonde hair back with a special rubber band she had on her wrist.

As the two people, no, the two hunters approached the barrier shoulder to shoulder, the hunters nearby were already gathering.

Most of them were hunters who were using their vacation days or waiting for work to start late in the afternoon.

Emma nodded to a few hunters she knew. There were seniors and juniors from the same guild, and there were also hunters from other guilds who had hunted together.

They formed a formation without anyone telling them what to do, and some hunters climbed up the high walls to look out over the sea.

Emma also climbed up the wall. As a dealer and scout, she had long-range reconnaissance skills.

As she climbed over the barrier, one of the hunters who had been positioned ahead shouted.

“The last Aqua Alta! First Wave right behind!”

Emma had no time to compose herself before she pulled out the dagger and held it in her hand.

The tsunami hit the barrier. It was a high wave. The hunters who were holding onto the railing posts installed on the barrier were swaying.

Then, something flashed in the waves. It was Nagadeul.

Emma felt goosebumps.

‘There are many.’

That was the extent of the idea.

There was no time to wonder why there were so many monsters or where they came from.

She swung her sword at the horde of Nagas that were swarming her.

“Kueeeeek!”

Emma stabbed the first Naga in the gills with her dagger and kicked the second Naga in the stomach. She struck the third Naga with her fist, and the fourth stabbed the first Naga in the eye with the dagger she had pulled from it.

But she couldn’t stop it until the fifth time. She immediately leapt back. The wave came out and pushed Emma into the barrier along with it.

Dozens of Nagas followed her as she fell inside the barrier.

The hunters who had been forming a formation at the back prepared for battle.

The oldest, Grosso, shouted.

“Hold on tight, you little brats, until help arrives!”

“Senior, don’t be so stubborn!”

The hunters rushed towards the Nagas who had climbed over the barrier.

“Venice!”

Grosso, who was running ahead, shouted. The hunters who followed responded.

“Wow!”

Emma also ran alongside them.

The battle that day was the prelude to what would later become known as the “Siege of the Walls of Venice,” an event that would cause uproar throughout Europe.