Chapter 257 – Everyone, Please Step Back

“Can you really revive our oppa?”

At the words that Cha Seung-hoon could be revived, Cha Ye-rin showed a suspicious reaction rather than joy.

That was natural since she had never heard anywhere that there was a way to revive the dead.

“I have an item. It’s a revival item that can only be used on awakened ones.”

Min Do-jun took out the Elixir of Life from his inventory.

It would be better to show through action rather than words to dispel suspicion.

‘To think I’d use an item I’ve been keeping not knowing when to use it like this.’

Before using the elixir, Min Do-jun examined Cha Seung-hoon’s head.

His skull was caved in from the impact of being hit by the Glowing-Eyed Tiger.

Since a complete corpse was needed for revival, it needed to be healed.

Wooong-

The warm light emanating from Min Do-jun’s hand restored Cha Seung-hoon’s head to its original state.

Seeing this, Min Do-jun smiled slightly at the surprised Cha Ye-rin.

It was still too early to be surprised.

‘Use.’

[Please bring it to the target’s mouth.]

When he brought the elixir to Cha Seung-hoon’s mouth, the liquid flowed in and disappeared.

Then a miraculous thing happened.

“Huk!”

Cha Seung-hoon gasped for breath and returned from the threshold of death.

“O-oppa!”

Surprised by the miraculous event, Cha Ye-rin checked Cha Seung-hoon’s condition.

“Are you okay? Oppa?”

“Ye-rin…”

“Do you recognize me?”

“Uh, what happened? I was definitely fighting a Glowing-Eyed Tiger…”

Cha Seung-hoon, who didn’t even know he had died, heard the whole story from Cha Ye-rin.

“What? I died?”

“That’s what I’m saying! Do you know how shocked I was when oppa collapsed? Sob sob…”

“Wait, then how am I alive now?”

“Hunter Min Do-jun here revived you with a revival item.”

“What?”

Only then did Cha Seung-hoon notice Min Do-jun.

“G-Guild Master, how are you here…?”

“I happened to see the situation while passing by and came in.”

He had actually tracked them precisely by scent, but there was no need to explain that.

“Hunter Min Do-jun revived oppa and saved me too.”

“Ah…”

Cha Seung-hoon belatedly understood the situation.

That he had stepped forward to protect his sister but ultimately couldn’t even buy time.

That if Min Do-jun hadn’t appeared, both of them would have been dead.

“Thank you so much, Guild Master. How can I repay this debt…”

“You don’t need to repay me. I didn’t do it expecting compensation.”

Min Do-jun glanced at Cha Ye-rin.

He was satisfied just with Cha Ye-rin being alive as his reward.

Cha Ye-rin, who accidentally made eye contact with Min Do-jun while he was off guard, unconsciously averted her gaze.

‘Why am I acting like this…?’

Her heart was beating fast and somehow she felt embarrassed to look at him.

Whether he knew Cha Ye-rin’s feelings or not, Min Do-jun spoke to the two people.

“Anyway, it’s dangerous here, so both of you should come to our guild. It’ll be safer there than other places.”

“Ah, would that be okay?”

“Yes. Please follow me.”

The siblings followed Min Do-jun out of the department store.

While it was reassuring to have the escort of the rank 1 hunter, they also felt sorry for other people.

It felt like only they were escaping safely.

But they couldn’t ask Min Do-jun to save other citizens either.

‘How could we dare make such a request? We should be grateful enough that he saved our lives…’

Knowing it would be meddling, the two siblings quietly followed behind Min Do-jun.

While following him, they were nervous that monsters might appear, but somehow not a single one was visible.

“How is this possible? Just a while ago, screams were endless…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve dealt with all the monsters in the vicinity.”

“What?”

The two people were surprised by Min Do-jun’s words.

Min Do-jun had been with them, so when did he deal with them?

‘Could it be that he dealt with all of them before meeting us?’

They thought he had caught the monsters beforehand, but actually it wasn’t.

It wasn’t Min Do-jun who dealt with the monsters in the department store, but his summon.

‘Good work, Awoo.’

[Growl!]

Min Do-jun had given instructions to the Ghost Wolf as soon as he rescued Cha Ye-rin.

To find and kill all the monsters in the department store.

The Ghost Wolf, which was equivalent to an S-rank hunter, was sufficient to hunt down and kill the monsters alone.

‘To go through the trouble of dealing with monsters in advance for the citizens…’

In a slight misunderstanding, Cha Seung-hoon looked at Min Do-jun with respectful eyes.

Cha Ye-rin showed a slightly smitten expression at Min Do-jun’s appearance like an apostle of justice.

Regardless, Min Do-jun led the way and guided the two people to the guild.

“Let’s go.”

---

Over 100 A-rank monsters scattered throughout Seoul.

It would have been better if they had stayed together, but because they scattered, civilian casualties snowballed.

Even just one was a sufficient threat to citizens.

“Aaaaah!”

“S-save me!”

As roads became paralyzed, people abandoned their cars and ran away.

Citizens on the streets evacuated to nearby buildings following government guidelines.

Clatter clatter clatter!

A 15-meter-long red giant centipede chased the fleeing humans.

They barely escaped into a building, but.

Crash-!

It persistently broke through the building and snatched its prey.

Crunch-!

The centipede that ate a human alive turned its body toward the next prey.

It could see humans trying to hide in a building in the distance.

Clatter clatter clatter!

Citizens who were trying to enter the building turned pale at the sight of the centipede that closed the distance in an instant.

“N-no!”

Just as the centipede’s poisonous claw was about to tear the citizen’s back.

Slash-!

Hwang Eui-cheol’s swung sword cut off the centipede’s front leg.

Screech-!

“Where do you think you’re going, you dirty bug!”

Hwang Eui-cheol, befitting an A-rank hunter over level 2,000, slaughtered the giant centipede alone.

“Phew, are you alright?”

“Yes, yes! Thank you for saving us!”

“Please go inside quickly. It’ll be safer here than other buildings.”

Hwang Eui-cheol let the citizen into the building where Guardian Guild was located.

As long as he was guarding, not even a single bug would be able to enter the building.

“Senior.”

Then Hyun Su-ah came out from inside the building.

“Why did you come out? Just guard the guild people.”

“I was worried you might be struggling alone.”

“Struggling? Even though I’m retired, these small fries are no problem.”

“I’ll help too.”

“Get back. These guys are too much for a B-rank like you.”

“I can catch a Rock Lizard by myself, you know?”

Hwang Eui-cheol didn’t send back Hyun Su-ah, who insisted on helping.

Though he spoke as if it was nothing, he was actually starting to struggle.

‘With this kid, I don’t need to worry.’

Though Hyun Su-ah had just reached level 1,000, her skills were no less than A-rank.

Moreover, knowing she had a Survival Shield trait that could defend against any attack once, there was nothing to worry about.

“Where’s Da-yeon?”

“She’s inside protecting people.”

His daughter, who was still only level 400, was too early to face A-rank monsters.

But he had her guard people in preparation for any unforeseen situation.

His daughter’s S-rank trait was excellent for protecting people.

“Just assist me from beside me. I’ll draw their attention.”

“Got it.”

Hwang Eui-cheol guarded the guild building entrance together with Hyun Su-ah.

He could see a Fire Elemental approaching in the distance.

“Damn, why does that guy have to appear?”

Fire Elemental was the strongest monster among A-ranks.

Considering it could be caught from level 2,500, it was a slightly overwhelming opponent for the two of them.

“What should we do?”

“What do you mean what should we do? Even if we die soon, we have to fight.”

Park Dong-yun, Han Sang-jun, Chae So-hyun, Hong Se-yeon, Hwang Da-yeon, etc.

With people to protect behind them, there was nowhere to retreat.

Just as the two people gripped their swords and prepared to face the monster, something unexpected happened.

Suddenly, the Fire Elemental split in half and disappeared.

“What? Why did that guy suddenly…”

“Senior, look over there.”

A person was walking from where Hyun Su-ah was pointing.

It was none other than Min Do-jun.

“Do-jun!”

“Teacher.”

Min Do-jun, who had dealt with the elemental and approached, smiled warmly.

“I’m glad you were at the guild.”

“Of course. You asked me before you left. To protect the White Lotus Guild Master here.”

“What about the others?”

“Everyone’s safe, so don’t worry.”

Min Do-jun was relieved.

If Hwang Eui-cheol hadn’t been there, the guild members would have almost suffered.

“But Do-jun, who are the people next to you?”

“People I need to protect.”

Min Do-jun spoke to the Cha siblings.

“Please stay at the guild for the time being until the situation stabilizes. There won’t be anywhere safer than here.”

“Ah, thank you, Hunter.”

As Min Do-jun turned around, Hwang Eui-cheol called out to him.

“Do-jun! Where are you going again?”

“There’s someone I need to deal with.”

Hwang Eui-cheol, who realized who Min Do-jun was talking about, nodded.

“Right. Hurry up and deal with it.”

“Yes. It won’t take long.”

Min Do-jun, who spoke confidently, soon disappeared at high speed.

---

Do Kyung-won, a government hunter from Gongju, had come up to Seoul to meet Hwang Eui-cheol after a long time when he received an emergency text.

[Situation occurred near Mapo Bridge! All A-rank hunters in the vicinity please gather!]

As someone who had just become A-rank at level 1,500, he was also subject to the summons.

“Mapo Bridge is nearby, isn’t it?”

Do Kyung-won hurriedly ran to the scene.

With roads paralyzed, it wasn’t a situation where he could take a car.

‘Where the hell did these monsters come from?’

He knew through the news that monsters had appeared in Seoul.

That’s why Do Kyung-won was running while wearing equipment so he could fight immediately.

‘There it is.’

When he arrived at Mapo Bridge, he could see hunters wearing equipment.

“Hello, I’m Hunter Do Kyung-won from the Gongju branch.”

When he greeted them, the hunter with the highest level among them extended his hand as a representative.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Cha Seung-hyun from the Gangnam branch. Excuse me, but what’s your level?”

“1,500.”

“Ah… I see.”

Disappointment flashed across Cha Seung-hyun’s face.

At the same time, despair was also visible.

“It looks like everyone’s gathered… but it seems like we’re hitting a rock with an egg.”

“Sigh…”

Seeing the hunters only sighing, Do Kyung-won asked with a puzzled face.

“What’s the situation that you’re only sighing?”

“Please look over there.”

Cha Seung-hyun gestured behind him with his chin.

A house-sized Drake King was boldly occupying the bridge.

“We need to deal with that guy, but wouldn’t it be impossible with just us?”

“…”

Do Kyung-won remained silent, meaning he agreed.

He came because a situation had occurred, but a Drake King?

“W-what’s our total strength?”

“I’m the highest level at 2,000, and most are below 1,800.”

Cha Seung-hyun’s words were gloomy itself.

‘Just ten A-rank hunters below level 2,000 to face an S-rank boss?’

Nonsense.

It was understandable that the government hunters couldn’t easily attack.

It was literally no different from suicide.

“Sigh, I applied to be a government hunter because they said it was safe, but am I going to die like this?”

“Damn, I’m going to die without even having a girlfriend.”

The government hunters couldn’t readily step forward and only complained.

Do Kyung-won also regretted coming to this place.

‘I came to Seoul for nothing and this is what happens…’

Anyone could see the possibility of winning was zero.

But that was only until S-rank hunters appeared.

“Look over there! It’s Hunter Jeong Hye-won!”

“The rank 3?”

“Rank 4 and 5 are next to her too!”

Government hunters who recognized their faces rejoiced as if they had discovered celebrities.

“Hello, I’m Jeong Hye-won. You’re government hunters, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Who’s the leader?”

“I-it’s me. I’m Cha Seung-hyun from the Gangnam branch.”

Jeong Hye-won, who shook Cha Seung-hyun’s hand, spoke calmly.

“From now on, we’ll take care of the Drake King. Government hunters, please focus on subduing the scattered monsters.”

“Ah, understood.”

Rank 3 Jeong Hye-won, rank 4 Park Gwang-jin, rank 5 Kim Ki-yul. And the two level 3,100 hunters who had conquered the Castle of Absolute Darkness with Min Do-jun.

A total of five S-rank hunters stood before the Drake King.

“I didn’t expect to meet Hunter Jeong Hye-won here.”

“Right. It was disappointing when you disappeared during the Castle of Absolute Darkness conquest, but to think we’d gather again like this…”

“Speaking of which, where did you go then?”

At the level 3,100 hunters’ question, Jeong Hye-won vaguely deflected.

She couldn’t say she had been kidnapped.

“I had urgent business. I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. We finished the conquest safely with Hunter Min Do-jun, so we have no complaints.”

“Do you know Hunter Min Do-jun?”

Then Park Gwang-jin and Kim Ki-yul asked in surprise.

“You too?”

“Yes. We’ve also conquered the Temple of Ancient Magic with Hunter Min Do-jun.”

“Ah, I see.”

Coincidentally, everyone had partied with Min Do-jun at least once.

“Did you see Hunter Min Do-jun’s skills?”

“Yes. He was insanely strong, wasn’t he?”

“He seemed like someone from a completely different world.”

“He’s not rank 1 for nothing.”

The hunters who were praising Min Do-jun made regretful sounds.

“If only Hunter Min Do-jun would come now, it would be perfect…”

“Right. It would be like all the Castle of Absolute Darkness members gathering…”

“We’ll have to catch it among ourselves, I guess?”

“Do we have a chance with five S-rank hunters?”

“Well…”

They couldn’t guarantee victory.

It was the Drake King, called the strongest among existing S-rank bosses.

“We don’t have time for this. Let’s attack first while it’s off guard.”

Just as the five S-rank hunters who had coincidentally gathered were about to start the Drake King conquest.

“Stop.”

He appeared.

Domestic rank 1 Min Do-jun.

“Hunter Min Do-jun!”

The hunters brightened at the appearance of reliable reinforcement.

But unexpected words came out of Min Do-jun’s mouth.

“Everyone, please step back. I’ll catch that guy alone.”