episode_0120

120.

“Aaah, aaahhh!”

“Ughhh, mommm.”

“Shit! Where are the heroes! When are they coming!”

Screams.

The screams were deafening.

The cries, wails, and moans of people pounded fiercely in the ears.

Just moments ago, the streets were filled with people’s expectations, cheers, and joy in anticipation of the Life and Auction Festival, but now it was all chaos.

Those who couldn’t escape in time were helplessly ravaged by the calamity known as monsters.

The monsters were like beasts, destroying buildings like their own homes, tearing up the streets, and preying on people.

“Krrrr.”

“Grrrr, grrrrr.”

“Kuruk, kurururuk.”

Steel-legged goblins, red-toothed monkeys, large fanged wolves, fiery phoenixes, giant thorned crows, and more.

Various types of monsters rampaged.

Is it somewhat fortunate that the cracks are slowly closing?

It seems like the phenomenon of the cracks is coming to an end.

“It was supposed to be a long-awaited vacation, but of all times, monsters had to appear.”

In the distance, some heroes could be seen.

“Damn monsters, how dare they come here so recklessly.”

“They’re making a mess. It’s been a while since so many monsters appeared at once.”

“Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any dangerous monsters. Oh, except for that… giant snake-like monster over there. But what is that monster exactly? Is it a weapon?”

“Damn, it’s huge, that snake creature.”

Professional heroes who had come to the auction festival for their vacation were using their extraordinary abilities to subdue the monsters and rescue people.

They were swift and precise in their actions, befitting their title as professional heroes.

Even the police from Busan were slowly arriving.

Bang! Gunshots rang out.

While it may be difficult to penetrate the monsters’ tough exteriors with bullets, they could still handle weaker monsters.

The police did their best from their positions.

Engaging with the monsters, controlling traffic, and evacuating citizens kept them busy.

“…”

I watched their actions for a moment before turning back to my walkie-talkie to contact Yoo Seol-hyun.

“…So, Yoo Seol-hyun. What do you want to say?”

“Lead our clan members to deal with the monsters appropriately and help people evacuate.”

It was a subtle request to behave discreetly, tactfully, and carefully, without revealing any further details.

“Don’t touch that snake monster. Honestly, it looks too dangerous. I don’t want to unnecessarily expose our clan members to danger.”

Ouroboros was definitely one of the powerful monsters.

While its offensive and killing abilities were not exceptional, its regenerative ability was outstanding, making it quite difficult to kill.

It would probably take a considerable amount of time for the police or heroes in Busan to subdue Ouroboros.

Its near-infinite regenerative power made it almost immortal.

To kill Ouroboros, a powerful strike or attacking its weak point would be necessary.

Of course, it would require a lot of sacrifice and time for heroes who had no information about Ouroboros to realize such a weakness.

The sacrifices of people…

If I just pretended not to know, many people would surely die, right?

Whether heroes, police, or citizens, it was obvious that many people would die or get injured, and the conflict within me grew stronger.

…Ugh, seriously.

“Teacher, I’ll help too.”

“Wait, Soyeon?”

I furrowed my brows at Soyeon’s sudden words.

As I shifted my gaze, I could see Soyeon swallowing nervously and then resolutely staring at Ouroboros.

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“Right now, this situation is something you didn’t expect, right?”

Well, I didn’t expect this.

Because I don’t have any future-seeing abilities.

It seems like Soyeon doesn’t think she can see through the current situation just with her precognitive abilities.

“That monster… if left alone, it will harm a lot of people.”

Ouroboros, displaying an overwhelming presence.

It felt like an immense power that couldn’t be compared to other monsters.

If no one can properly restrain Ouroboros, it will cause massive casualties and property damage throughout Busan city.

And considering the skills of the pro heroes who are facing those thugs over there, it seems like they will be no match for Ouroboros.

Perhaps realizing that it’s too much to handle, Ouroboros is refraining from attacking.

Although Ouroboros seems to be observing the situation for now, it will soon start moving.

It’s like facing an inevitable disaster or a snake.

“We need someone to buy time until stronger heroes arrive. With the current me… I might be able to buy some time.”

It is crucial to distinguish between what a hero can and cannot do.

There’s only a thin line between recklessness and courage.

And Soyeon says,

Facing that monster is not recklessness, but courage.

Having spent the summer vacation fighting villains and monsters, she seemed to have confidence that she could restrain the monster to some extent.

Truly.

This is the Soyeon I know.

I was worried she might be the type to avoid conflict.

“But still, there’s no need to confront that snake monster, right? It’s better to handle smaller monsters like the other heroes and prepare the citizens…”

“Jinhyuk.”

Soyeon looked straight into my eyes.

Her clear and pure golden eyes met mine.

In her eyes, there was determination and resolve.

“I don’t want to run away in front of that monster.”

Unreasonable malice.

A monster that brings disaster.

People’s lives.

Facing these, she says she won’t turn away.

“I’m an aspiring hero.”

An aspiring hero.

Yes, Soyeon aspires to be a hero.

The hero she envisions is someone who stands up against unreasonable malice and unstoppable violence without hesitation.

In such a situation, she doesn’t think it’s heroic to run away just to save her own life.

“If we run away when the opponent seems strong… how can we call ourselves heroes?” She silently challenged me with her eyes.

I simply met her gaze.

“Don’t worry too much. After all, I’m not alone, right? We have High Ranker Instructor Hong Daye with us.”

So she calls him Instructor.

“And dealing with regular monsters can be handled by the police or ordinary heroes, but not that monster. Unless it’s a top-tier hero, I don’t think anyone can buy enough time.”

“…”

“So, Jinhyuk.”

Soyeon tightly gripped her sword.

“I’ll ask you to help evacuate the people. You should go with others to a safe place…”

“Hey, Jin Soyeon.”

I interrupted Soyeon’s resolute words.

“So you’re telling me to just run away?”

Frowning deeply, I complained bluntly, and Soyeon blinked her eyes in confusion, shrugging her shoulders as if taken aback.

“Huh? Oh, no, that’s not what I meant. I meant to ask you to help evacuate the people who couldn’t escape from other monsters…”

“No, you’re risking your life to fight that snake bastard, and you’re telling me to go to a safe place?”

I let out a deep sigh.

“Soyeon, think about it the other way around. If I were to fight that snake alone and told you to stay out of it, would you just obediently nod your head? No, right?”

“Well, that’s true, but… No, our situation is different.”

“Stop talking.”

I was debating whether to confront the Ouroboros or to back off, but since Soyeon had made up her mind, I had to prepare myself as well.

I could partly blame myself for Yudahee summoning the monster in the first place.

If I hadn’t done anything today, it would have just ended with the theft of the artifact.

Thinking like that made me feel guilty and uneasy, as if I had brought this disaster upon myself.

That’s why Soyeon stepping up like that was somewhat reassuring.

Under the pretext of not being able to leave Soyeon alone, I could no longer argue and had to make a decision.

“Well, I can’t help it. I’ll help you. Even if I tell you to stop, you won’t listen.”

“W-what? No, what are you talking about? It’s dangerous.”

It might be dangerous.

But you’re in danger too.

“Unlike when we fought the villains, we have no information about that snake. In that situation, you getting involved is a bit…”

He hesitated, choosing his words carefully.

In other words, he seemed to want to say, “Jinhyuk, you’re weak, you could die if you’re reckless,” in a subtle way.

Well, I am weak.

Thanks to the ranking match with Baek Yurin, many people have started to see me differently, but Soyeon still treats me as weak.

Well, maybe not weak, but more like a questionable strong person?

“The name of that monster is Ouroboros. It has an endless regeneration effect and can spew out flames and acid. Its third eye and back are weak points.”

“…What?”

“And Soyeon, who’s going to fight it directly? I’ll just give orders from a safe place, just orders.”

I know how precious my life is.

I have no intention of being reckless.

“And also, it seems like I’m not the only one who will help… right, Kang Dae-han?”

I glanced briefly at Kang Dae-han.

He was dealing with the monsters that had approached, looking over at us.

He pierced a butterfly-shaped monster with his blade and took a step towards us.

“I mean, fighting that snake monster. Soyeon is joining in, what about you? You’re not thinking of running away, are you?”

“Me? Hah, that’s a funny thing to say. Jinhyuk, there’s no need for useless talk. I was going to step up even if you didn’t say so.”

Without his pride, he wouldn’t back down, that’s for sure.

Even in a situation where he could lose his life during the midterms, he continued to swing his spear at Yudahee until the end.

To put it nicely, he’s determined, but to put it harshly, he’s reckless.

“I’ll catch that snake.”

“Wait, Dae-han? What are you saying…”

Hukyeong Clan’s Ju Hwayoon hurriedly tried to stop Kang Dae-han.

From her perspective, exposing the son of the Hukyeong Clan to danger would be embarrassing.

“He’s just a hero in training, Uncle. Shouldn’t we step back in times like this?”

“That’s true, but there’s no need to rush into such a dangerous monster.”

“Hah. Uncle, if you’re not going to help, then don’t. I’ll handle it myself.”

“Hey, hey. Dae-han! Ugh… seriously.”

Ju Hwayoon looked at Kang Dae-han’s retreating figure with a pained expression, shaking her head in frustration.

As someone who knew Kang Dae-han well, she was in quite a dilemma.

That’s why I didn’t team up with Kang Dae-han.

Controlling that guy is extremely difficult.

Well, manipulating him is easy to some extent.

“Wait, wait. Euijinhyuk, Jinsuyeon, are you two crazy? What are you talking about?”

Eavesdropping on the radio, Yuseolhyun raised her voice as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You’re going to face that snake monster now? A building-sized monster? What are you thinking, seriously. Stop this foolishness and…”

“Yuseolhyun, don’t you want to become the hero who saved Busan?”

“What?”

Yuseolhyun paused at my words.

“If you contribute greatly to resolving this crisis of this scale, it could help you get what you want, right?”

“Euijinhyuk.”

“I know the weaknesses, abilities, characteristics of that snake monster… so, I know how to defeat it. If your clan members help, we can definitely take it down.”

“How can you know the strategy for a monster we’ve never seen before… wait, hold on.”

Yuseolhyun hesitated for a moment, then seemed to remember something.

It was a reminder of my precognitive abilities.

“You know my abilities, Yuseolhyun. Have I ever disappointed you?”

“…No, but this situation isn’t as simple as you think to make a decision lightly.”

“I’ve shown you before, Yuseolhyun. I’m confident. So, just trust me one more time, even if it’s deceiving.”

“We shouldn’t deceive… sigh. Fine.”

Yuseolhyun showed a moment of hesitation.

She didn’t show any signs of rejecting my offer, as I had never caused her any losses before.

Even if it was a somewhat audacious move.

“Are you really confident?”

“I’m confident, that’s why I’m stepping up. Do you think I wouldn’t be confident in a situation like this?”

“Unnecessarily, confidence… sigh. Well, okay. I’ll leave it to the team members, but if anyone messes up, really. You won’t get away with it.”

“Don’t worry. It won’t come to that.”

The snake monster is quite powerful, but if we’re careful, we can handle it.

“Gaon Nuri Clan members, did you hear? I will continue to hold the command, so if anyone has any objections, speak up now.”

“Are you really going to face that snake monster now?”

“Yes.”

A Gaon Nuri clan member asked, looking puzzled.

“What’s the plan?”

“Did you hear on the radio? I know the weakness of that monster.”

“How? It’s a monster we’ve never seen before.”

“Well…”

I hesitated for a moment, then answered in a calm voice.

“…I have that kind of supernatural ability.”

“What?”

The man reacted as if he didn’t quite understand.

Well, that’s understandable.

If I were in his shoes, I would have thought, out of the blue, what kind of supernatural ability?

But I can’t say that I have memories of my past life or that I can use precognition.

“Anyway, everyone, don’t worry too much. I won’t ask too much of you. I just plan to tie up the monster’s legs until the reinforcements from Busan arrive.”

“Well, if that’s the case.”

Actually, it’s a lie.

If I can take it down, I will.

And Uroboros is not an easy monster.

It may look like a big snake monster, but even tying up its legs will require my best efforts.

“Kkiri-ri-ri-ri? Kki-ii, iiiii!”

Crash!

Suddenly, Uroboros clashed with the powerful group.

Amidst the noise, the Heukyeong clan members were fighting vigorously.

Not only the powerful group but also Hong Daye was using her psychic abilities to pressure Uroboros.

“As the situation is what it is, I will inform you of the detailed operation plan through the radio.”

Uroboros began to rampage in earnest.

I looked at the Ouroboros with a calm gaze and said, “Let’s go, everyone.”

The first raid-type monster, the Ouroboros, the extermination begins.