The Time-Limited Leader Makes the Raid a Success - Chapter 417



Only Noblemtl

Episode 417

#417. What’s going on with this workaholic?

It was known as a particularly notorious monster in the Mediterranean.

Their hard scales, great strength, intellect to use tools, and solidarity to form a tribe were no less than those of orcs. In fact, in Europe, the Nagas were called orcs of the sea.

Among these, what particularly contributed to their notoriety was their range of activities both on land and water.

The Mediterranean Sea had a coastline of about 4,000 km, more than 3,000 islands, and bordered three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Moreover, to the west it was connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar, to the east it had access to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal, and to the north it was connected to the Black Sea through the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus Strait.

This also meant that they could attack anywhere and run away in any direction.

This was the reason why the Nagas were not completely eradicated in the Mediterranean.

‘Although the Mediterranean is originally a suitable habitat for sea monsters, the Naga are truly troublesome monsters. Even if they are subdued, only a few survive and escape, and their unique reproductive ability quickly increases their numbers.’

Kang Moo-hyuk wondered why such a person had appeared in Korea.

At first, I thought that an undiscovered gate had burst on some uninhabited island and the Naga tribe had burst out, but soon I changed my mind when I heard that even China and Japan were being attacked.

‘If it’s on a scale that can attack three countries at the same time, it’s hard to see it coming from a single gate. First of all, the Naga forces that attacked Busan are large in number. Even if they filled one gate with Nagas, it would be difficult. This is clearly a case of a tribe that has grown for a long time developing into almost a nation.’

Although it is difficult to find examples of this nowadays, there were quite a few monsters that formed nations during the Great War.

Representative examples include the Ice Troll Kingdom that took root in the Himalayas and the Orc Kingdom that dominated Northern Europe.

Most monster kingdoms were destroyed due to the sacrifice of countless hunters, but it was discovered that certain monsters were still occupying countries in South America and Africa.

‘Among the monster kingdoms that spread out across the Mediterranean, this was the most powerful, and even after its destruction, it remained like a bad debt.’

The biggest reason for the fall of Naga was internal division within the Naga. When the Naga king was hunted by a special force of hunters who were prepared to die, a civil war broke out between the king’s children under him.

They had evolved into a civilized race rather than a monster that used tools and formed a huge society, and had even mastered fighting methods and tactics, so they had opened their eyes to the concept of power.

And that evolution was the beginning of their destruction.

Kang Moo-hyuk looked back at the Hunter history that he had memorized in his head like an encyclopedia.

‘Even after the collapse of the Naga Kingdom, the Mediterranean suffered from the Nagas. It was only 15 years ago that the situation changed.’

The Gloria Guild of Italy.

The Gloria Guild successfully obtained and tamed the amphibious mount, the Flying Seahorse, from the gate.

By opening the world’s only amphibious ranch and supplying Flying Seahorses to European countries bordering the Mediterranean, he created a foothold for periodically subduing the Nagas that inhabited the Mediterranean coast.

This achievement has made it possible to say that the last 15 years have been the heyday of the Gloria Guild in Europe.

‘No matter how much I think about it, this Naga definitely came from the Mediterranean. Could it be related to the Naga Battle that swept through Italy last fall? I was so out of it because of the Mirage that I didn’t check the situation in Europe after that… It seems like something has changed.’

Kang Moo-hyuk, who had been thinking about the information about Naga in his head for a moment, immediately gave an order to the operator.

“China, Japan situation. Please keep checking. If there are any unusual events, please let me know immediately.”

“yes.”

The operator was a member of the Fighting Faction, but he obediently carried out the order because the strategy team leader had told him to follow Kang Mu-hyeok’s instructions.

Outside BEXCO, where the central command center was set up, a constant mix of explosions and screams could be heard. Sometimes, the cries of the Nagas pierced my ears, and the Hunters’ shouts of resistance were heard in response.

The operators flinched and shook their shoulders at the sound of battle. It was a natural reaction for anyone who wasn’t a Hunter. No, even for Hunters, a raid of this scale would be unsettling.

The atmosphere was tense and filled with anxiety and nervousness, but the operators simply continued to do their jobs as they had been trained.

On the other hand, Kang Mu-hyeok paid no attention to the noise outside because he knew the outcome of this battle.

“You can’t pretend not to know, but you don’t have to worry about the outside world. We’re going to win, and everyone who goes out there will die. So don’t worry and focus on your work.”

It’s easy to say that you should ignore the fight going on next to you and focus on your work. But is it as easy as it sounds?

The operators watched Kang Mu-hyeok, who was indifferently listening to reports from each front and giving new instructions, as if he were some kind of monster.

‘The encirclement must have been formed by now. This place will be cleared out soon. The problem is that, based on precedents in the Mediterranean, this won’t be the end of Naga’s attacks.’

His prediction soon became reality.

The guild app’s notification sound filled the situation room. The operators’ monitors also flashed related information without stopping. The operator screamed and reported the warning that came up as text.

“The second wave is coming!”

“You’re here. Spread the word to the rear guild. Support the coastal front.”

“No, it’s not Busan!”

“what?!”

“Hey, it’s Yeosu!”

* * *

Go Eul-ji went to work at the guild during the graduation ceremony. She was planning to fly to Busan with Joo Se-ah in Bukpocheon. She had previously flown Thomas to China to rescue Guan Hong, so taking one person with her was no big deal.

The problem was that the man was not a burden, but a boss.

“Your Majesty, are you comfortable?”

“Yeah. The ride isn’t bad, except for the wind.”

“Oh my, the wind shouldn’t blow on your face, Gilma. Look at the hair blowing. I’m so careless. Now, the wind won’t blow anymore.”

Go Eul Ji set up a barrier in front of Joo Se Ah to block the wind from reaching her. Thanks to this, Joo Se Ah’s hair, which had been fluttering wildly just a moment ago, settled down neatly.

When Joo Se Ah showed her satisfaction and gave an okay sign, Go Eul Ji laughed and increased her speed.

‘Why do I feel so scared when I stand in front of Gilma even though I have done nothing wrong? Am I like Pavlov’s dog?’

A town where people automatically become cowardly when they stand in front of Joo Se Ah, like a dog that drools when a bell rings.

She thought that even if she became an S-rank, she would not be able to escape this shackle.

What if I can’t overcome it?

Whatever. I just have to follow the trend.

‘Are you watching, Mr. Noh? Is this what social life is like?’

As Go Eul-ji’s eyes grew moist, an alarm sounded on Joo Se-ah’s smartphone.

Joo Se Ah picked up her smartphone, checked the text message, and frowned.

Goeulji asked, observing the situation.

“What is it? Spam? I also get so many spam texts that I changed my phone number when I changed my smartphone a while ago.”

“It’s a monster alert. If you’ve changed your phone, install the guild app first.”

“yes.”

Joo Se Ah turned the smartphone screen so that Go Eul Ji could see it.

“This time, it’s an alert from Yeosu. They say Naga attacked Yeosu?”

“Not Busan?”

“Busan is still in battle. They’re going back and forth between the sea and land, so they must be quite annoying. When they’re at a disadvantage, they hide in the water and attack when they have an opening. And since it’s a large-scale attack, even Captain Kang must have a headache.”

“That’s why I’m going to Busan. I told you that Director Kang knows something. If a genius hunter like me goes there, this situation can be resolved quickly… … .”

Go Eul-ji tried to make a clever appeal during the intermission, but Joo Se-ah cut him off.

“Yes. Your abilities shine more in large-scale battles like this. But Busan is not where we’re going.”

“Not Busan?”

“If I were Director Kang, I would probably… … .”

Before Joo Seah could finish speaking, the phone rang.

Kang Moo-hyuk’s name appeared on the screen. But the name was a little unusual.

“Chairman Kang Moo-hyuk? Why is the director the chairman?”

“Huh? You act like the chairman.”

Joo Se Ah answered with a slightly embarrassed look. Go Eul Ji nodded and agreed.

“Well, his actions are almost like Chairman Taesung’s. In reality, weren’t you and Gilma’s father almost friends?”

“What on earth do you think of the CEO of a large corporation?”

“Mr. Noh said that? The group presidents are all the same level as the director?”

Joo Se Ah laughed out loud at Go Eul Ji’s point of view rather than getting angry. She shook her head and answered the phone.

“You called because of Yeosu?”

-Yes. The guild leader will take care of the hunters in Goeulji and Yeosu. There may be fewer of them than in Busan, but the hunter power here is also weaker.

“How about Busan?”

-I think we can stop it somehow.

“From what you said, it seems like there’s no great danger. Okay. I’ll check the area and tell them to go that way.”

“I heard everything from the side, Chairman!”

-Mr. Chairman?

Go Eul-ji suddenly interrupted and shouted. Joo Se-ah quickly covered the receiver with her hand and glared at her. Go Eul-ji chuckled.

“Why? You said you were the chairman?”

“100 rounds of sparring.”

“Eww! Suddenly? Why?”

“Why are you rudely interfering with adults’ conversation?”

“Adult? Manners? Could it be that Gilma-nim is an old fart?”

“It’s not about being old-fashioned, it’s about the basics. 200 rounds of sparring.”

“It’s unfair. I’m an ‘adult’ now, too. How long are you going to whip me?! Improve this unfair treatment! Improve it!”

“300 times.”

“Can’t we just do it 100 times?”

As always, Joo Se Ah left the town, which had been subdued and unable to find its principal, and brought her smartphone to her ear again.

“We’ll take care of Yeosu.”

-Yes. If the guild leader goes, I won’t mind.

“Oh? And our guild’s follow-up attack force is also ready. Use it however you want, Captain.”

-That’s fast. It’s really convenient because Director Kwanhong is here.

“While you’re at it, take a vacation after this work is over. Don’t overdo it when you’re already in poor health.”

-I’m planning on going on vacation anyway.

“Really?”

Joo Se-ah was surprised by Kang Mu-hyeok’s words.

‘What’s going on with this workaholic?’

Kang Moo-hyuk went further and even talked about his vacation plans.

-I think it would be nice to travel abroad this vacation.

At those words, Joo Se Ah began to think about going on vacation herself.

* * *

Part of the Yeosu cable car support collapsed. The rope that moved the cable car also broke.

A cable car that had stopped moving was still dangling in the middle of the still intact support.

If there had not been individual safety stops between each pillar, the tourists inside the cable car would have fallen into the sea and lost their lives.

Even if they survived, they probably wouldn’t have lasted long since they were in the sea.

Just watching the schools of nagas leaping out of the water like tuna was enough to send shivers down my spine.

Inside the cable car, people were trembling in fear. They were more afraid of being caught alive by the monster and having their limbs torn off than of dying when the cable car fell. It would be less painful to die instantly.

The men began to destroy one of the pillars holding the cable car up.

Their lives depended on every second.

People were screaming and crying in panic, almost gasping for breath as the cable car shook and lurched.

Some peed their pants, others laughed hysterically, and some seriously considered committing suicide.

That was when.

Knock knock!

There was a knock on the window.

“Gyaaaah!”

A woman near the window fainted in shock.

People’s gaze turned towards the direction where the commotion occurred.

“!!”

Outside the window, I saw a girl flying around, scratching her head absentmindedly.

“Hello, hello? What if I faint?”

In an instant, people felt relieved. Who else could fly in the sky but a hunter? Tears of joy and exclamations filled the cable car.

The hunter was taken aback by the enthusiastic cheers.

“Hey… what is this reaction?”