Chapter 26 - Chapter 26

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 26

Chapter Title: SS급 비명헌터-26화

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 26

Chapter Title: Fiery Tengu Assault

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Only its webbed claws were visible as it lurked in the water.

Should I drag it out myself?

After glancing around, I quickly scanned its hand with my ability.

Hmm, just smash it, then. Lucky there aren't any annoying skills.

"Those webbed feet make it look like a Kappa. You know, that Japanese yokai."

"Oh, yeah, now that you mention it!"

"Kappas die if the water on their head spills, so we should flip it or focus fire on its head."

I spoke casually, and Chae Hyun-min Hunter along with the others nodded. Even Cha Do-yun Hunter didn't butt in for once.

'Worried I'll call it amateur intuition again?'

That's when the Kappa burst from the water, spewing a jet from its mouth. I dodged easily, and the water hit the ground with a splash, instantly forming a small puddle.

Drag this out too long, and this whole area will be Kappa territory.

Thud.

The Kappa rocketed toward Chae Hyun-min Hunter, aiming its sharp beak at his throat, but Lee Sang-wook Hunter's shield enveloped him first.

Ji-ho unnie's water dragon pierced the Kappa's side and looped back around her. The Kappa bounced off, tumbling down the slope and shredding itself, only to roll backward into the water.

"Dragging this thing out's gonna be the real hassle, huh?"

"Yeah..."

"Should we yank the whole puddle out and beat it?"

Everyone looked at Ji-ho unnie.

'No, it'd be convenient if possible, but can she?'

As all eyes fixed on her, unnie's widened, and she pointed at the puddle where the Kappa had vanished.

"Not sure if I can, but if I pull the whole thing up, Ji-ui or Cha Do-yun Hunter could finish it easy, right?"

"...No harm in trying. Please do it."

"Okay~!"

Ji-ho unnie took a deep breath and gestured at the water. Her water dragon plunged into the Kappa's puddle.

Rumble rumble rumble.

Unnie gripped the air with both hands and heaved upward. The ground shook, and a massive column of water erupted. Suspended like a cube, the Kappa glared down at us, eyes bulging.

"That's a keeper~!"

"Shin Ji-ui Hunter!"

"Going in!"

At Cha Do-yun Hunter's signal, I aimed Ego at the Kappa.

Bang!!

The sharp voice bullet sliced through the water, striking its arm. It boiled furiously and exploded. The arm dissolved into foam, and as the Kappa writhed in agony, Cha Do-yun Hunter's arrow pierced its head.

The Kappa shuddered violently, blasting water at us with all its might, but it lost speed and trickled downward.

Easier than expected. Good.

Still got fall, winter, and Hachi left. Gotta conserve stamina.

As Ji-ho unnie lowered her hands, the water crashed down, and she swayed.

"Ji-ho unnie?!"

"Whoa, dizzy."

"Y-You're bleeding! Nosebleed!"

"Pushing too hard does that. I'll heal you!"

Ji-ho unnie dropped to one knee in front of Chae Hyun-min Hunter, who sat before her and extended his hands. Orange flames enveloped unnie as the landscape around us began to shift.

The cicadas' life-burning cries faded. Lush green turned to vibrant crimson, orange, and red. Fallen leaves piled on the ground. The cooling breeze carried a faint char scent.

"What's next for autumn?"

"Cherry blossoms in spring, Kappa in summer..."

"By sequence, probably a maple tree."

Lee Sang-wook Hunter had barely finished when a gust whipped up. Heat prickled my back.

Boom!!

"Urk!"

A blast of searing flames flickered before me, hurling my body away. The fire was so intense it evaporated the Kappa's puddle in seconds.

Pop pop bang!!

'Hot!!'

My back throbbed like it had been flayed. But focus on the threat.

Clang!

"Damn, no breather. Seriously!"

No respite—a crow in Japanese garb swung a staff at me. Crimson flames licked it; even without contact, the heat was maddening.

Boom!!

I blocked the throat strike with a shield, air cracking. A split-second later, and my head would've been gone.

'Opening!'

The vibration stalled the crow momentarily. I fired at its head.

Caaw!!

Tch, fast.

The crow soared skyward, my voice bullet embedding near its shin. Its leg exploded. Undeterred, it plummeted like a meteor.

Boom!!

I dodged barely. Its landing spot bubbled with lava-like fire.

The crow thrust its flaming staff at my face. I sidestepped, leaping overhead with Word Without Feet. It reached for me, but Ego was faster.

Kaboom!!

A sphere bigger than the crow erupted from Ego, swallowing it. Silence fell, then its body twisted grotesquely with a sickening crunch.

Pop bang!

Scarlet flames erupted violently from its corpse.

No, just explode already! Why the fireworks?

Shield up and dash aside, but flames splashed everywhere—red burns scorched unshielded spots.

"Ji-ui, hold your breath!"

"Huh? Mmph!!"

Cold water wrapped me, pulling me from the blaze. Tossed like a wave, I landed behind Lee Sang-wook Hunter's massive shield. Sparks chipped it, but it'd hold against the final spasm.

"Phew! Cough, cough!"

"You okay?! God, your back...!"

"Treating now—hang on!"

"Back? Oh..."

Come to think of it, yeah, it hit my back...

Legs buckled against my will. I collapsed forward like a puppet with cut strings. Chae Hyun-min Hunter caught me, laying my upper body across his lap.

Tension gone? Pain hit sharp now—like needles stabbing my back, then scalding water poured over. Ankles and thighs from the final blast stung viciously.

'What the hell is that crow...'

With trembling hands, I circled the blaze to scan.

What kind of special trait is that...? Crows like shiny things, sure, but chasing people?

"Cha Do-yun Hunter, got a heal skill?! Use it too!"

"Already on it."

"Ji-ui, stay with us! Just a bit longer!"

Ears ringing...

Unnie's right—I can't pass out. But eyes kept drooping.

Scratched the ground with nails, bit my tongue to stay awake. Yet vision narrowed, like someone tugged my eyelids down.

Can't black out...

"Lucky it was just bruises. What if that senior had used a real skill?"

"So you just walk away?"

"Call a teacher. Don't jump in yourself."

Se-bin gripped her head with one hand and sighed deeply. Her hit spot still throbbed, but inside, she felt satisfied.

I wasn't thrilled about getting dragged into drama fresh off enrollment. But how do you ignore that?

The jerk I decked was a D-rank attack hunter, one of the school's hotshots with a rap sheet for school violence. Heading to class, I stumbled on his assault—and my nosy ass stepped in.

"Awakeners aren't all that, huh?"

"..."

I teased the stone-faced Se-bin, but silence.

"And I hit him more! Ack! Kang Se-bin!"

"Not in the mood."

The antiseptic stung tears into my eyes.

No need to pour that much! She's definitely mad. Pure spite, Kang Se-bin.

Sure enough, Se-bin taped my knee meticulously with a cool expression, shoved her hand in her blazer pocket, and turned to the window. She usually let things slide, but not this.

"I don't want to see you hurt anymore."

"When'd I get hurt again..."

"Middle school first year, carrying a friend's bag and tumbling down stairs. Second year, helping some local punks' victim and getting beat too..."

"Okay, okay, got it."

She remembers everything I forgot.

Sunset spilled over Se-bin's face. Shadows accentuated her sharp features like a masterpiece.

Thud.

Se-bin leaned over my bed, burying her face in my lap.

"No one asked you to help."

"..."

"Why? Why always others over yourself?"

Se-bin clutched the infirmary blanket.

'A worthless sister's atonement for failing her little one.'

But I couldn't say it. I hooked her pinky with mine. She looked up, eyes red.

"I won't get hurt helping others~"

"Ji-ui..."

"You too. Say you won't get hurt in dungeons."

Se-bin glanced between our fingers and my face, then whispered.

"Won't get hurt... in the dungeon..."

Huh?

Sound vanished like a mute button. Se-bin mouthed something faint. I leaned in, ear close, catching a whisper.

—Shin Ji-ui... Hunter... Wake...

"Shin Ji-ui Hunter, wake up!!"

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