novel
| ← Ch.097 | Ch.099 → |
Devil Borderer showed off impressive power right off the bat.
Even after being hit by the hunters, he wasn't swayed one bit.
He laughed as he ate the hunters alive, ripped their limbs off, and dismantled their waists.
The troop grew more and more unmotivated.
"Agh!"
Screams could be heard from all four directions.
"Attack! It's just one monster! Don't be scared, " one of the commanders yelled.
Steel of all colors was focused on Borderer.
Despite concentrating all forces, the attack didn't work on Borderer.
After realizing that there was no hope, the hunters went into despair.
Even the commanders began to give up.
But at that moment, wounds began forming on the devil's skin.
However, that was it.
Despite there only being one monster, they had no chance.
The number of hunters continued to decrease.
"R-retreat!"
"Get out of here!"
In the end, the commanders ordered everyone to retreat.
As soon as Devil Borderer's mouth opened, dark sparks flew out and attacked the hunters' backs.
Before they could even take one more step, the hunters rotted due to Devil Borderer's breath.
The number of hunters decreased dramatically in an instant.
While the hunters died off one by one, some of the other hunters escaped through the exit.
Even while running away, the sounds of hunters dying could be heard.
***
Splash! Splash!
They left the tower and swam to the shore.
Without even having the energy to dry off, the hunters caught their breath.
Their attitude was entirely different from when they first entered the tower.
The faces of the hunters were filled with despair and hopelessness.
***
'What's going on here? Did they already come back?'
Ho Sung Lee, who arrived in Manhattan by plane, swallowed his dry saliva.
The current circumstances were runaway soldiers.
The place where the top hunters of the world gathered was the Manhattan assembly.
'But why are they in such bad shape?'
Besides the commanders, the hunters outside looked like they lost their minds.
And then Ho Sung Lee began to see injured soldiers.
Many of them had wounds all over their bodies, and some of them even had rotting or frozen body parts.
Although they were treated with magic, there was only so much they could do to wounds caused by a devil.
They knew devils were strong, but they didn't know they would be defeated on the first floor.
While Ho Sung Lee was clicking his tongue, Ji Yoo Kim was heading toward the tents.
Ho Sung Lee decided to wait for Ji Yoo Kim to come out again so that they could talk.
***
Inside the tents at the assembly.
The hunters didn't say a word to each other.
The air inside the tent was cold.
And at that moment...
Flap!
Ji Yoo Kim entered.
The commanders looked at Ji Yoo Kim, and then their faces stiffened in anger.
"Who said you could come in here?"
American hunter master, Ethan, treated Ji Yoo Kim as if she was an outsider.
In response, Ji Yoo Kim looked him straight in the eyes.
"There's no time for that. We need China's help. If we put it off any longer..."
"What makes you think we don't already know that?"
The European commander, who looked like a Mafia head, refuted Ji Yoo Kim with his eyes.
It appeared difficult for them to exchange a normal conversation.
They were able to participate in attacking the tower thanks to the information they received, but that was it.
They had no interest in involving Korea.
Ji Yoo Kim sighed and left the tent.
Once she left, the tent grew still once more.
"We have no choice but to ask China for their cooperation, " one commander remarked.
"Chinese hunters might be strong, but will they be able to clear the tower?"
Just as Ethan said, the top was much too difficult.
Even if China stepped up to help, the chances were slim.
Unless a miracle happened, mankind was about to face a huge crisis.
***
Ji Yoo Kim stared at the dark sky and the tower with a sad look on her face.
If Min Sung Kang woke up, would things be different?
While Ji Yoo Kim thought about Min Sung Kim, someone approached her.
When she turned around, it was someone she didn't expect.
"Ho Sung?"
Ji Yoo Kim called his name in surprise.
In response, Ho Sung greeted her with a smile.
"Hello, General Kim."
"Did Min Sung wake up yet?"
"... No."
In response to Ho Sung Lee's sad response, Ji Yoo Kim couldn't help but express her disappointment.
She then laughed and continued,
"But what brings you here?"
Ho Sung Lee smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.
"Haha, the thing is... I don't' want to just sit around and do nothing. I know I won't be much help, but..."
Ji Yoo Kim shook her head.
"No, your efforts would be of value. I shouldn't have asked you that question in the first place."
"That's all right. So what happened? It doesn't look so good."
"Shall we go somewhere else?"
Ho Sung Lee accepted Ji Yoo Kim's proposal.
***
"... I-is that true?"
Ji Yoo Kim nodded.
Ho Sung Lee dropped his jaw in shock.
All hunters from around the world gathered besides those from China.
A large number of forces gathered just to clear the tower.
But... they were defeated on the first floor?
Even after hearing Ji Yoo Kim confirming it, it was hard for him to believe.
Out of the 300 soldiers that entered, only 150 remained.
"Of course, the top hunters are still alive. The ones who died were the lower-level hunters."
"What happens now? Are you going to attempt a second raid?"
Ho Sung Lee asked with a troubled look on his face.
"Nothing's for certain, but since a lot of harm was done from the first raid, we won't be acting harshly. It'll take some time."
Ho Sung Lee sighed and tilted his head.
"But why didn't China join in?"
"China... is the country with the most secrets in current society."
Kim Ji Yoo continued with a small laugh,
"But since this circumstance is an exception, China will definitely do something. We'll have to see."
Ho Sung Lee nodded.
"I see."
"How's Min Sung? Is he hurt? I know he was fine when the doctor looked at him, but still."
"... I'm sure he's fine."
After seeing Ho Sung Lee smiling, Ji Yoo Kim smiled as well.
She sensed just how much Ho Sung Lee trusted Min Sung Kim.
'Please wake up already, Min Sung. '
Ji Yoo Kim prayed inside her head.
She believed that Ho Sung Lee felt the same way.
***
Min Sung slowly opened his eyes.
He had to blink a few times before he could see.
As soon as he got out of bed and drew the curtains, sunshine poured into the room.
He looked outside with squinted eyes and then walked into the living room.
"Masterrrrrr!"
Bowl cried out while grabbing onto his leg.
Min Sung brushed him off and got a glass of water.
He was very thirsty.
"How long was I asleep for?"
As soon as Min Sung put down his glass, Bowl stopped dancing.
"You were asleep for a week!"
He was asleep for a long time.
How could anyone sleep for a whole week?
Min Sung laughed. He made himself an Americano and then sat on the sofa.
He did a quick stretch and massaged his neck.
He was in bed for so long that his body felt stiff.
He took a sip from his coffee and turned on the TV with the remote Bowl handed him.
As soon as the TV turned on, the news reporter came on.
[The world troop failed at raiding the first floor of the tower in New York, Manhattan today. There are currently injured and deceased... ]
Min Sung knitted his brows.
"What happened while I was asleep?"
Bowl tilted his head as if he had no idea.
"And why isn't anyone here?"
While Min Sung looked around him, the front door opened to Sia Jang entering.
When she saw Min Sung sitting on the sofa, she was shocked.
"You're up!"
Woong Jang ran over with a smile.
"What happened?"
Min Sung pointed at the news and questioned Jang Woong.
Jang Woong caught his breath before explaining everything that had happened.
After hearing the story, Min Sung closed his eyes and let out a sigh.
"Ho Sung told me to tell you to contact him as soon as you wake up."
Min Sung frowned and gestured for Bowl to hand him the phone.
Once Bowl wobbled back with the phone, Min Sung called Ho Sung.
There was a notification of an international call.
Min Sung looked at his phone in surprise and then started talking.
"Are you abroad?"
Sir! You're up! I knew you'd wake up!
" Where are you?"
I'm at the assembly in Manhattan.
"What are you doing there?"
Pardon? Oh, well... I just wanted to do something to help...
"Is there a devil in the tower?"
Yes, Sir. I think so. The top hunters from all around the world entered, but they were defeated on the 1st floor.
"I'll be right there. Wait for me."
Yes, Sir!
Min Sung hung up and finished his Americano.
Woong Jang stood beside him like a butler.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'll be fine once I do some warming up in Manhattan."
Woong Jang didn't understand.
"What do you mean... ?"
"That tower. Are there more?"
Min Sung pointed at the Black Tower on the news.
Woong Jang dropped his jaw and stared at the TV screen.
"That... place?"
"Why?"
Min Sung questioned him back.
In response, Woong Jang laughed and shook his head.
"Never mind. Have a safe trip."
Min Sung waved his hand and got up.
| ← Ch. 097 | Ch. 099 → |