Chapter 75 - Chapter 77

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 77

Chapter Title: Blind Spot

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In the Selection Process, there are creatures that live in flocks.

Most of them are the worst. And for good reason—they swarm around in massive groups.

Especially when the leader of the flock is intelligent to boot?

'That's no small hassle.'

The problem was the behavior the harpy flock had shown just moments ago.

'Just like these damn Trials—no dreams, no hopes.'

I wasn't the only one feeling that way. As I led the bitch squad into the cave, a heated debate was already in full swing.

"Hey, Kim Jong-ho. You want us to charge through that right now? Ha! You're insane!"

In the vast open space, over a hundred people had split into two factions, glaring at each other. Each group had its leader front and center, bellowing their arguments.

"If we pool our strength, there's nothing we can't break through."

"Yeah, sure. Go right ahead. We ain't dyin' for nothin'. If you wanna go get yourselves killed, do it without us."

"So we just sit here forever, then?"

Listening in, I could piece together their positions.

One side wanted to band together and force their way up through the harpies somehow. The other wanted to wait it out until the situation changed, just in case.

"Lee Man-gil, how long are we gonna keep waiting? It's been three days already."

"Right! We've been out of food for ages. And you wanna wait for things to change? How the hell are we supposed to hold out till then?"

Food was indeed the most critical factor for survival.

You needed it to endure the cold nights and build up the strength to climb the cliff.

When one side nailed that point, the men on the opposing faction grinned sleazily in response.

"We've got food right here."

Lee Man-gil pointed to one spot. The bitch squad girls gasped softly, covering their mouths. There lay the corpse of a harpy.

They must have caught it and vented their frustrations—it had both wings twisted grotesquely, and thick semen oozed from its pussy and ass.

"You wanna eat that? Are you people right in the head?"

"What's wrong with it? Oh, 'cause it looks human? Fine, you eat the wings and feet. We'll take the rest. Heh heh heh."

"...Fucking lunatics."

They were mad, no doubt about it.

In ten years of the Selection Process, any sane person would never eat something that resembled a human, no matter how starving.

Harpies, mermaids, lamias, and the like.

The reason was simple: most Trials were designed so you could clear them without resorting to cannibalism-lite.

Maybe it was the bare minimum consideration from this world's creator.

'In that sense, the only ones who eat human-like things are [Human Hunters].'

The group pushing to eat the harpy didn't look like quality people. They were already there, or well on their way, buds of depravity showing.

'But life is full of ironies.'

When you're at a crossroads of life and death, those types often make the right call.

What use are morals and common sense when your own life is on the line?

'Talk about irony.'

"And we're not saying just hunker down aimlessly, right?"

"...There's another reason?'"

"See this guy? The bald one's got a special ability. Weather prediction. He can forecast upcoming weather."

I used Full Appraisal on the young man Lee Man-gil was patting on the shoulder.

'An intriguing ability.'

Also pretty worthless.

"He says if we hold out three days, a typhoon hits."

"Meaning...?"

"You know how fierce the winds get by the sea during a typhoon? Especially here. Nothing flying'll stay airborne. We climb in that window."

Not wrong.

People had survived that way. It was one of those 'minor lucks' I'd mentioned. Not a path I'd recommend, though.

...Will a gale like that really sweep away only the monsters?

"So, three days!"

The man spread his arms wide, raising his voice with a hint of mania.

"Just eat those things and hold out three days! Then we live, men!"

Woooah—! His thirty-three followers roared in support. Kim Jong-ho quietly furrowed his brow and asked,

"And water?"

"Drink blood!"

With that, Lee Man-gil whipped out his knife, grabbed one of the harpy's legs, and sliced into the thigh. He licked the blood oozing out and grinned.

"...Animals."

"Can't believe they're human."

Kim Jong-ho's seventy-four followers grimaced. A few of the bitch squad girls frowned too.

"What the hell are those guys?"

"Ha."

"They're crazy."

Agreed. Killing something that looks human, drinking its blood, tearing into its flesh—even a ten-year vet like me had never eaten harpy and had no desire to.

'They're degenerating faster than expected.'

In the end, Kim Jong-ho drew a line.

"Fine. We'll go alone. Do whatever you want."

"Sure, good luck. Change your mind midway, feel free to come back."

"Won't happen."

"Think about your girlfriend? That frail little thing crossing thousands of harpies hooked on human flesh? I sure as hell wouldn't."

"..."

Kim Jong-ho glared silently at Lee Man-gil, then took the woman who seemed to be his lover and moved. She was strikingly beautiful, drawing the men's eyes naturally.

"Let's go."

The seventy-four headed toward the cave mouth. One of the bitch squad said to me,

"Min-jun, shouldn't we join the flow now?"

"Eh. You saw earlier. Jumping in rashly feels off."

"Still, staying here's no good."

The girls eyed the remaining men warily. Just then, they spotted us too—some openly pulled out their erect cocks and smacked their lips.

"Whoa, human women."

"Pussies after all this time."

"..."

No female survivors in this vast cavern. Just the bitch squad with me and Kim Jong-ho's girl.

Simple reason.

'Harpies are smart like foxes.'

After a few hunts, they'd realized females were easier prey than males and targeted them first. No women left alive as a result.

"Hey, pretty ladies, wanna join us?"

"We'll blow your minds."

The men threw crude come-ons.

The bitch squad was attractive enough for that—young, pretty, great bodies.

'Best part? They're overflowing with charm during sex.'

So cute when they wiggle their hips and act all coy.

But those cute girls twisted their faces viciously at the catcalls and flipped the men off.

"Watch your mouths unless you wanna lose your balls."

Their glares screamed they'd castrate anyone who pushed further.

"Sis, don't waste time on these losers. Let's go."

"Min-jun, hurry."

The girls dragged me toward the cave exit.

Im A-rin glanced back warily and asked,

"Min-jun, so what's the plan?"

"Gotta try talking them into it first."

Those guys were straight-up Human Hunter material.

No point wasting words, but the others weren't. Willing to risk their lives to hold onto their humanity and principles? Impressive.

'People like that are worth saving.'

And once saved, I could build some goodwill for future business.

"Hey, leader. A word? Just us two."

I called out, and weary, hollow eyes turned my way.

Wary of the unfamiliar face, but when his lover tugged his clothes and pointed to my group, the tension eased a bit.

"...What is it?'"

I headed to one side of the clearing.

Hello! Im A-rin quickly approached his lover with a greeting, and Kim Jong-ho left her with the bitch squad to follow me.

I stopped and offered advice.

"Mr. Kim, no need to lead everyone up right now."

"What do you mean?"

"There's a time when the harpies aren't around."

Kim Jong-ho's eyes widened.

"A time without harpies...?"

I nodded.

Trial zones distinguish day and night. Monsters are generally weaker by day, stronger at night.

Sometimes nocturnal ones swap shifts with diurnal mobs.

'[Crimson Sea Cliff] is the latter.'

Harpies by day, giant bats by night.

"When dawn's light starts to brighten, the night mobs head back to sleep. Meanwhile, harpies prepare to return here."

That creates a small gap.

Day-to-night shift is instantaneous, but night-to-day is loose.

"The moment the morning sun blazes, there's 30 minutes to an hour with no monsters."

"!!"

Right at sunrise, all monsters briefly lose their ferocity and drive, creating an opening.

That's the happiest time for players in Trial zones.

"Unbelievable. A blind spot like that..."

Hard to spot from inside the cave—you couldn't see the cliff above well.

Plus, sunrise is when people are most exhausted and crave sleep.

After three days here, easy to miss the harpies leaving.

"Appreciate the advice, but... we can't wait that long."

I pressed for why, and Kim Jong-ho glanced darkly at his group stretching at the cave mouth.

"Everyone's at their limit. We've scraped by sharing food, but another 18 hours... we won't have strength to climb by then."

In short, attempt while they still had some juice left.

'Yeah, skipping harpy meat has drained their stamina.'

Tsk tsk. If they'd just observed outside and grasped the ecosystem, they'd have moved on ages ago...

Then I remembered: extreme fatigue dulls the mind—even simple tasks become impossible. Humans gonna human.

'Can't think straight when you're starving.'

Trial pushes you to squeeze out that last shred of will to live, even in extremes.

That's why it's a Trial.

Hm. I stroked my chin. Hearing their side, their choice made sense.

18 hours... longer than expected.

'Can't just share my food, though.'

[Home N' Bowl ×19]

Mine was running low too.

I'd stocked a full inventory slot with 99 when entering, but handouts to my group and three full meals for eight bitch squad girls left just that.

'Can't tell 'em to hunt bats either.'

Those bats are inedible.

Poison in the blood.

Sure, bring the Saintess here for heals and hunger vanishes—but did I wanna reveal my hidden card just to help? Nah.

...Still, merchant mindset said expand the customer base somehow.

"How about this."

"You have an alternative?"

Guess my harpy intel built trust in his eyes. Desperation too—probably for his girl.

"But you'll need to help with something in return."

Kim Jong-ho nodded readily.

"Name it. We'll help."

We exited the cave and stood at the cliff.

Whiiiish—

The fierce wind whipped clothes and hair, the 900-meter altitude pressing down viscerally.

Damn high. Chilly gusts on skin, patchy fog like clouds below. Reminders of the height.

Hoo.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

The two thousand harpies perched on ledges launched into the air en masse.

Climbing step by step, I scouted the upper terrain.

Harpies circled me warily, never closing in. Intelligent mobs had that convenience.

'That looks good.'

I spotted a decent protrusion where harpies had rested and headed there.

Space big enough for ten people seated. Clear purpose. I stepped right on it. Quest alert popped instantly.

Yup, endpoint confirmed.

I pulled rope from inventory. Harpies still circled, observing silently.

Shhk shhk.

Tied two short ropes securely and lowered it.

Last stretch: nearly 100 meters. Normally, race up in the sunlit hour.

'Neither busting through harpies nor typhoon climb. Both wrong answers.'

Thus, info reigns supreme in survival.

Linked two 60m ropes, whipped it like a lash to thread into the cave.

Someone grabbed it soon enough.

'Here we go.'

Hoo. Not sure it'd go perfectly—too many variables.

But one certainty: me and mine would be fine.

'Let's start.'

I yanked the rope hard.

Krrrk!

A bitch squad member shot out of the cave, climbing the rope to me.

"Kak! Kak!"

The half-bird bitches started squawking noisily.

They hadn't known my intent when I climbed alone, but pulling up a woman lit them up like excited gulls, circling and cawing.

Krrrk!

Ignoring them, I hauled hard.

'Prepped everyone beforehand.'

"Kyak! Kak!"

Harpies swirled around the woman on the rope but didn't attack. She reached my ledge unscathed.

"Ah!"

Her face lit up—saw the quest.

"Thanks for the hard work. Head on through."

"Yes! Thank you! See you at the Rest Area!"

She hugged me tight and faded from view—one cute fuckhole safe.

Good, first success.

Lowered the rope again.

Harpies stirred. They'd seen her vanish to the next area. Real start now.

Krrrch!

Pulled up another. No attacks.

But two, three, four gone—sudden shouts erupted.

Screeeee!

Harpies shifted: faster, sharper flights. Distant circlers closed in, shrieking threats.

Two thousand doing it blocked vision.

'Better work.'

Krrrch!

Lowered and yanked. Now harpies dove at the climber en masse.

"Kyaa!"

So many the rope grew heavy. I pulled with all my might.

Pang!

Squad member burst through the swarm upward.

Worried for a sec, but she was fine—just scratches. She'd wrapped her neck tight with her top; no deep wounds.

'Still small low-tier specimens. Claws not too sharp—protect neck, you're good.'

"I-I lived! Thought I was dead!"

Harpies retreated post-arrival.

'Five now.'

Three left.

"Thank you, Min-jun!"

"Really grateful!"

Sixth, seventh passed smoothly.

Just Im A-rin left. As I fed the rope into the cave for her—

Whoooosh!

Harpies swarmed around me suddenly.

"..."

Not a few—all two thousand stared down.

Instinct hit.

"Ha, finally figured it out? Can't succeed without taking me down?"

They'd decided to kill me now. Exactly what I wanted.

I quietly drew Giant Slayer.

"Come on, then."

Shouting at the hidden leader somewhere.

Harpies wheeled overhead in response, then dove at me in a torrent.

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