On the first day of practical training in Bukhansan Dungeon Zone, we began by surveying the terrain and landmarks.
As for the part that involved the university-related guild, we kept a safe distance and observed the battles of the actual combat party.
Seeing it firsthand was different from watching it on video, with a greater sense of excitement.
Afterward, we spent the day reviewing what we had seen.
On the second day of training, they finally started the real practice.
“Phew…”
Overwhelmed by the sudden tension, Lim Seon-hee’s gaze fell to her waist where a small pouch was hanging.
[It’s a talisman.]
It was a gift given to her by Baron during training before leaving.
She was curious about what was inside, but he warned her not to open it or it would lose its power. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.So she tied it to her waist without peeking inside.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
It had a strange smell, like some kind of incense, but not a pleasant one. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She tried to keep it as far away from her face as possible.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
But still, was it because of the talisman that she felt slightly reassured as she leaned on it and tried to ease her tension?
Most party operations consisted of teams with 3 to 8 members, and because they were there for practice, safety was the top priority, which is why they moved in numbers greater than the norm.
Looking around, she realized that they were twenty-one in total: fifteen freshmen, five seniors, and one professor. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was an odd number for a party, but understandable considering that they were here for training and safety was a top priority.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
“Hkiiii!”
They were moving along the edge of the dungeon zone, and the monsters they encountered were all low-level ones. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.They were safe as long as they stayed in the designated safe zone.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
“Physical enhancement first! Telekinesis, focus on blocking, and attack as a secondary priority. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Make sure the healers and buffers are supporting properly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Only use bows until we engage in melee combat. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Don’t try to shoot through the gaps.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Firearms were not allowed for the students yet, as they were still in the process of mastering combat skills that utilized their abilities.
Following the professor’s orders, the students moved in unison, with the five seniors taking the lead and guiding them.
Although they stumbled a bit in the beginning, they quickly adjusted and soon they were all in sync.
By the fifth hunt, Lim Seon-hee had adapted to the battlefield enough that she no longer relied on the talisman.
However, that didn’t mean she had the luxury of being complacent.
“Hoo… Hoo… Hoo…”
As a fire attribute user, it was especially exhausting for her.
She needed to be extra careful with controlling her power, as it could easily ignite a wildfire.
“We’ve worked hard, but let’s push a little further. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It’s almost lunchtime. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Let’s find a suitable resting spot nearby and take a proper break.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Following the professor’s call, one of the five seniors took the lead, and the team searched for a place to rest, with the scouting team following closely behind.
As they moved along, the opportunity arose to pass on their know-how.
Though they were still students, the five of them were experienced enough to work with the guild.
Most of them were only ranked D, but compared to the newbies who were barely at the bottom of E or F, they were clearly ahead of the game.
As the search party moved and left signals, the rest of the team began to follow suit. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Suddenly, the search party that had left first returned with a desperate look on their faces.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
At that moment, the professor became aware of the sense of urgency in their expression.
‘Darn it!’
It seemed like they were in trouble.
At first glance, only the newbies seemed to be there, but it appeared that a student who was guiding them had stayed behind and was guiding the situation.
“What’s going on?” he asked loudly, directing his question to the new students.
“Mon… monster!” one of them replied.
“It’s a monster. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A large monster!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
“It’s big!”
Their panicked and confused demeanor made him feel even more serious about the situation. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He had a hunch that the monster they saw was emitting some kind of ‘aura’.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Of course, considering the low level of the students, it could be easier to handle, but emitting aura means that it is at least a level 3 monster.
He wanted to wake them up and listen to their story properly, but if he did that, there was a possibility that the remaining students could be attacked. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.So he decided to move on for now.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
‘Looks like it’s started.’
After assigning the remaining senior students to be on guard, he leaped and flew out with a whoosh.
Though his level was only around the B-rank, unlike Professor Jang Gil-sang who retired due to injury, he had not lost his touch, and his movements were just as agile as an active hunter.
In the midst of it all, he sent a radio message to the other professors to report the situation.
[Professor Lee? What’s going on?]
[An incident. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It seems like a level 3 monster has appeared in the border zone.]read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
[What are you talking about? A level 3 in the border zone? Even a level 2 is considered high.]
[I’m not entirely sure, so I’ll confirm it and let you know again.]
[Darn it! Be careful.]
The recipient of the radio message was Professor Kim Sang-tae.
[Contact the guild and the other professors on standby. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Don’t overdo it.]read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
[Got it.]
That was the end of their conversation.
A fierce momentum was about to break out ahead of him.
“Son of a bitch!”
The curse slipped out without him realizing.
‘A troll, really?’
Level 3?
It was like a joke.
But then, it got worse. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A level 4 monster appeared out of nowhere.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
It was a creature that was nearly as tough as a level 5 ogre due to its absurd regeneration ability, and it was often referred to as a level 4.5 monster.
And that meant one thing,
‘We’re screwed!’
It was a monster that was almost impossible to handle.
‘What about Sang-jin?’
He searched for the student who had stayed behind to serve as bait.
“Damn it!”
Another curse escaped him as he found Shim Sang-jin lying on the ground, gasping for breath and bleeding from his wounds.
If he had delayed even a little to listen to the students’ stories, he would not have had the chance to see even that scene.
Though his life seemed to be hanging by a thread, the important thing was that he was still alive.
“Phewwww…”
He took a deep breath and gathered his strength as he ran hastily. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The troll, who had already noticed his presence, fixed his gaze on him.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Although he was only a B-level chin-up, his determination and effort made him look like a strong contender. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He succeeded in diverting the troll’s attention from Shim Sang-jin.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Now all that was left was to retreat while fighting back and forth, gradually raising the altitude while changing the location.
“Kraaaahhh!”
At that moment, the troll let out a furious roar.
He felt a chilling sensation run through his entire body, realizing that it was the sound of monster using his aura.
The vivid sense of combat, which he hadn’t experienced in a while, caused his mouth to go dry. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.This was entirely different from the dungeon’s border zone, where he led students under the guise of practical training.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
‘My bladder is heavy. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Damn it!’read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Thanks to the tension, he was able to taste the thrilling sensation of fear once again. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, he knew that he had to endure and lure the troll to ensure the safety of the students and Shim Sang-jin.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
‘I’ll hold out!’
With his determination firm, he rushed out to face the troll.
But despite his determination and the wind at his back, the situation was tilting in a completely unexpected direction.
ΔΔΔ
The remaining upperclassmen followed Professor Lee’s orders and tried to calm the freshmen down, retreating to a previously scouted safe zone within the boundary area.
However, they soon encountered an unexpected variable.
“Goblins?”
Although they were low-level monsters, their tendency to hunt in packs made them a nuisance to deal with.
And to make matters worse, they noticed the group and began to chase them.
Next in command after Professor Lee, Ji Kang-tae, signaled the others and fell back to the rear to hold off the pursuing monsters.
“Go ahead, I’ll hold them off,”
Thought Ji Kang-tae as he tried to slow down the chasing goblins.
“Please, go!”
Although he was just a student, he was a promising talent with a C-level ability and had even received a love call from a top guild. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.That’s why his classmates weren’t too worried about his individual actions.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Especially considering his ability to move on the wind, it would be easy for him to escape from most situations.
He believed that it was more beneficial to focus on the mental care of the new students than to worry about him.
He also had faith that, as a student recognized not only by his peers but also by the professors, he would be able to handle the goblins’ pursuit with ease.
However, it wasn’t long before they had to correct their complacent thinking.
“Orcs!”
It was all thanks to Ji Kang-tae, who had quickly returned and reported the news.
He had lifted his feet from the gap between the pursuing goblins and discovered new monsters beyond them. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.As soon as he confirmed it, he fled without looking back.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
The monsters were level 3, and they were not much different from the goblins in terms of enjoying group hunting.
Moreover, they moved well-organized and systematically, so in the current situation, defeat would mean that they could not escape total annihilation.
This was the moment when they decided that they should move as far away from the dungeon area as possible, rather than relying on the safety zone they had previously seen.
“Run!”
In the midst of all this, they didn’t forget to send a signal, and through it, they realized that the situation was even worse than they thought.
ΔΔΔ
Professor Lee’s message was quickly spread to all the other professors, and they hurriedly escorted the students to safety.
Their plan was to first ensure the safety of the students and then set out to find Professor Lee and his group. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.They were professors, and the students were the ones they were responsible for protecting.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
However, their plan was quickly derailed.
“Orcs in this area?”
“Goblins are coming from that direction!”
Suddenly, a wave of monsters rushed towards them, making it difficult for them to think clearly.
‘Damn it!’
Professor Kim Sang-tae bit his lip as he remembered last night’s conversation with Jang Gil-sang.
‘Should I have listened to him?’
He knew that his experience and knowledge were at a different level, but he always fell behind in his senses.
He regretted not paying more attention to Jang Gil-sang’s premonitions.
It seemed like this time, too, the results would be the same.
However, when he made a rational judgment, the current situation was beyond their predictions, so his decision was not necessarily wrong.
“There’s no better environment to introduce students than now, where there are many guilds. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Damn it!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
That was as far as his regret went.
The various regrets could be thought over later when the situation was resolved. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.For now, ensuring the safety of the students and securing an escape route was the most important thing.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
He quickly contacted the guilds affiliated with the university through the radio and informed other familiar parties while on the move. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.His actions were swift and efficient, prioritizing the safety of the students.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
ΔΔΔ
The Hunter Department that entered Bukhansan was not the only one from Haneul University.
Generally, there was a thing called a practical season, so the Hunter Departments of other universities also moved around the same time, connected to the emergency communication network of those various university professors.
Even those who were operating individual parties outside like Choi ll-kwon who left the North Wind Guild, received emergency contact.
“What’s up?”
Choi Il-kwon answered with a sigh as Jang geon asked.
“We have to go.”
“Ugh… as expected.”
“What can we do? The new sprouts are dying.”
“But isn’t it a situation where we ourselves might wither away?”
Just like those words, they were also in a crisis situation.
As many as 12 Orcs were surrounding them.
“Why? Are you scared?”
“Of course, I’m scared. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Dammit! We could handle it if there were only half of that. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Twelve is too much.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
“If you can’t handle this much, then you were wasting your life in the North Wind. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The new sprouts are waiting, so deal with it quickly and move on.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
It wasn’t exactly the number they could handle, contrary to his words. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, it couldn’t be said that it was too difficult.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Although they were at the C-rank, they had enough experience in hunting and some experience as well.
If there is enough firepower support, they boast that they are better than an awkward B-rank people.
‘If there is a problem… it’s that there is not enough firepower.’
It was the point where the hunt, which had been continuously going on without a break, was lightning their pockets.
They should have left after hitting them sufficiently, but they continued to hunt some groups, as there was no guild support now.
“Are you scared too?”
Choi Il-kwon looked at the Orcs, then asked the other team members.
“Do you think we’re like deputy leader?”
“What am I!”
“Isn’t that synonymos of a coward?”
“Damn it! Who said that? I won’t let that go. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I won’t stand still for those words.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
“Let’s start with our team leader first.”
“……”
Thanks to the jokes that had been going on for a while, the tension in their bodies loosened somewhat.
And around that time, the Orcs, who had been watching their surroundings only, began to approach them little by little.
Guess their laughter was irritating for them.
“They’re coming.”
At Choi Il-kwon’s warning, everyone pulled themselves together and activated their abilities.
Quarrrrk…
He came.
“…What?”
At the same time, an incomprehensible situation unfolded before their eyes.
“An orc…”
“…disappeared?”
At first glance, there appeared to be traces of fragments of flesh. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, the sudden and difficult-to-understand scene was too much for their cognitive abilities to follow or accept.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.
Watching them, Baron raised his thumb.
“Old man, you were cool.”
His gaze was directed precisely at Choi Il-kwon.
“You were a bit funny,” he continued, shifting his attention to Jang geon.
Although Jang Geon was lost in thought, he caught the sense of discomfort perfectly, and his expression wrinkled with displeasure.
