Chapter 125: New Category (3)
In the dim early dawn before the sun had risen, the Alliance’s base was bustling with preparations for departure.
Everyone’s lips were tightly sealed. It was, quite literally, a battle in real combat, one occurring against all sorts of strange and cunning monsters. One could die at any moment, anywhere.
“Look over there.”
One veteran soldier, quietly checking their equipment under the command of the officers, spoke to a rookie, gesturing towards one side of the base.
Although they were still preparing for departure, there were already people there who had completed their preparations and were about to set out.
Different races, varying age groups, and a disorganized mix of outfits and armaments compared to the military.
“Hunters…”
“I’ve heard that while we advance to set up a base, they’re supposed to distract the enemy by attacking first.”
“To take on those monsters head-on… Honestly, it’s hard to imagine. I don’t think I could do it.”
The rookie shook their head in a slightly trembling voice.
Having personal vendetta against the demonic realm and its demons that had invaded Earth through the gates for over ten years, he had volunteered for the military and arrived here. However, only recently had he seen the enemies up close. That’s why he felt fear.
The halberd swing that burst into the entrenched lines through a hail of bullets. How his comrades, who vowed to win together after training hard, fell like straw bundles in that single strike.
Overwhelming force and fear. It was a pressure hard for an ordinary soldier to withstand.
“…When I was young, I admired the hunters. I thought they were cool, special superpowers fighting against monsters and heroes. But as I grew up and realized that hunters are ultimately just regular members of society looking to make money, I started to think they were arrogant and didn’t like them much.”
The senior soldier chuckled as he patted the rookie’s shoulder while sharing the story.
“Do you see those people? The girl with long black hair over there. She volunteered to be among the first to join the advance team with that guy.”
“I-I saw that. I saw her fighting against that monster.”
The rookie nodded at the senior’s words. He had seen Eve and Shin Woo facing off against the Overlord’s head up close.
Flowing hair in the air, a body stretching long, and the tremendous power of her sword strikes.
And that overwhelming skill was equally memorable. Even though he hadn’t made eye contact with them, their image remained vivid in his mind.
“My thoughts have changed now. They say an ordinary person can become an extraordinary being through training without the help of a status window or powers. With that strength, they lead the fight against monsters. I now see those hunters as comrades and heroes who fight together.”
“That’s the same for me.”
“Your face says it all, Marco. Be sure to ask for her number if we meet later. Who knows, she might actually give it to you.”
The senior laughed as he looked at Marco’s face. While responding, Marco had been dazedly looking at Eve and quickly started to fidget with the equipment in his hands.
*
“Tsk…”
“Is it useless to tell you not to worry?”
Just before departure, I awkwardly chuckled at Eve’s clicking tongue.
But it couldn’t be helped. Having been by her side all this time, I knew she was already a public figure due to her cold and hostile demeanor. In terms of skill and appearance.
She had everything that could draw attention on the battlefield. Unfortunately, Eve wasn’t a fan of that kind of attention.
“Do you really not need protective gear?!”
“It’s really fine. The martial arts we’ve learned are better suited for light bodies.”
Amid all this, Max seemed wide-eyed and raised his voice as if shocked.
I shrugged it off. Another reason we drew attention was that both Eve and I were bare-bodied, unlike the other hunters who donned armor-like protective gear. Even more so, while I wore some combat clothing somewhat like military uniforms, Eve was dressed in a blouse and a skirt, despite the chilly weather.
There was no reason for Eve to wear inefficient armor when she had no need to.
“Of course, hunters usually have various ways of fighting according to their powers… But I know you two are martial artists.”
“We’re about to set out, so everyone, to your positions!”
At that moment, the captain’s order to depart rang out. I took Eve’s not-so-happy hand among the crowd and headed toward our assigned vehicle.
It was an open-top military vehicle. I never imagined I would once again ride such a crazy machine after my discharge.
The reason we weren’t infiltrating from the air was simple.
The demon race controlled all demonic creatures as their subordinates, and they wouldn’t allow even a tiny drone for our aerial reconnaissance.
“Thus, the higher-ups judge that those guys are very well aware of our weapon systems. I mean, an entity opposing the Alliance is supporting them.”
Max sat down next to me. I tightened my grip on Eve’s hand, which was still clicking her tongue.
“Missiles and nuclear attacks have continuously failed as well. Isn’t magic just too overpowered? Hah…”
“Exactly. But the Overlords we’re facing now tend to use less magic, don’t they?”
“I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve received support from the Alliance as well. One thing’s for sure; they too are getting stronger continuously.”
Max muttered with a shiver. His words were indeed true. The enemies kept growing stronger. Progressing continuously, evolving.
“Pathetic.”
Eve’s derisive voice echoed through the collective consciousness. In truth, for Eve, who embodied evolution itself, the rate at which the enemies developed felt frustrating.
“With so many resources and opportunities, that’s all they could manage?”
“That’s not entirely wrong, but let’s not get complacent, Eve. And more importantly, those guys are units. Even if they join hands, they can’t fully become one. At some point, they’ll stab each other’s backs.”
I always tried to remind myself that the enemies were units and players, participants in this game.
Eve could afford to be complacent, but I couldn’t.
“Departure!”
Soon, the vehicles that had been idling started roaring their engines and began leaving the base.
A dawn light was breaking on the horizon far away.
“They surely know. Our mission is to make them get caught even while being aware.”
Captain Jason encouraged the troops over the radio.
The vehicles moving now numbered over a dozen. Ultimately, thirty elite hunters had been selected through a volunteer and screening process.
Along with them, a special force of 100 would assist us. These people were all we had. None of us had any additional support. All other forces were currently attached to the main force, which was seizing the base.
“We will definitely… get back alive.”
“I know how you feel, but it might be better to refrain from placing odd flags with those strange words? We’re counting on you, the S-rank hunter and our captain.”
Some hunters tried to lighten the mood with jokes directed at Jason, who was obviously nervous and rambling. It seemed to have a positive effect.
Around me, even those who had been so tense suddenly began to relax a bit.
“Regardless, they are aware of us, and we are aware of them. If we move as we know, it should minimize our damage.”
Jason repeated what he had said like a parrot. Fundamentally, it was all correct.
The primary enemy in this area was the Overlords, and their habits and tactics had been somewhat grasped through prolonged conflict.
Recently, there were rumors that the monsters had learned and utilized strange magic, but that was within the range of what could be anticipated.
Based on this information, it was a plan likely to succeed, moving around the outskirts to buy time.
“…It’s a bit strange that there’s still no response.”
However, even when the vehicles reached the destination and launched reconnaissance drones to check the surroundings, the expected enemy reaction was completely absent.
“Captain! We’ve lost communication with the main force..!”
The urgent words of the special forces commander confirmed our fears.
It had happened before that the enemy jammed communications with strange tactics. But for something like that to occur in such a quiet situation, it clearly indicated that something had gone wrong.
“First, let’s proceed with the operation as planned. Then we can gauge their true intentions, making it easier to decide after that.”
The nominal commander of the special forces offered an opinion, which Jason accepted.
We reboarded the vehicles. Yet even though we could see the enemy’s main base within attacking range, they showed no reaction.
“Nowhere in sight?!”
In fact, they didn’t even appear at all. Soldiers armed with reconnaissance drones and magnifying glasses, as well as hunters honing their senses, were scanning the surroundings, but there was no sense of the enemy around.
“It’s likely a trap. However, it is also an opportunity, so we should go and burn them down!”
“What do you mean by that!? What if the main force is in danger due to whatever scheme they’re plotting!”
Opinions were divided here. Should we take the risk and pretend to attack, or should we retreat immediately?
“…”
Eve remained silent. And I was the same. There was nothing that even caught Eve’s keen senses.
“A heavy, cold aura permeates the surroundings. I don’t know if it’s intentional or natural, but…”
Yet, it wasn’t that there was nothing at all. I became aware of the damp Formancy that Eve could sense.
“We must go check it out.”
Ultimately, the command concluded that further investigation was necessary. It wouldn’t sit well with them to return without clear evidence or a fight.
As we disembarked from the vehicle, we stealthily headed toward the enemy’s base. The area, being the stronghold of the large Overlords, was filled with large, clumsy buildings, resembling a town.
“There’s nothing to be cautious about. Just smash it all and burn it down!”
The accompanying special forces began to gather equipment and set the area ablaze. However, it was uncertain how much impact this would have on them.
I stared blankly at the flames shooting out from their flamethrowers.
“Hey! There’s something!”
At that moment, a shout came from the front, claiming to have discovered something.
‘This is…’
In that instant, both Eve and I turned our heads toward it.
‘The only enemy.’
The one and only foe that had appeared here. It stood before us.
