episode_0138

“Mr. Banharin. I found some herbs.”

“It’s a weed.”

“It’s a shame. One letter is wrong.”

The full-scale exploration began in the dark [Crack Field].

Eunha looked around the ruined city with sparkling eyes.

“Mr. Banharin. Something is moving over there.”

“It’s a trap set by another hunter. I’ll teach you how to make it, so don’t touch it and just look at it.”

I looked around, relying on the blue light of the ‘crack’ carved in the sky.

I worked hard to search and track down the roles instructed by Ban Harin, a C-class hunter, without any flaws.

“Mr. Banharin.”

“no.”

“Do you know what it is?”

“Other hunters must have already dried up the area near the entrance. That’s why Eunha has nothing to think about.”

Rustling…

How long did it take to rummage through the rubble scattered across the ruins with a titanium bat?

Eunha blinked at Ban Harin’s assertion and looked down at her hands.

A dark crack, a dull ruin,

An hour had already passed since the [Rift Field] exploration, and all that was left in the galaxy was a few roots of ‘herbs’ and a few decorations distorted by ‘mana pollution’.

Things I didn’t get by fighting monsters, but things I found while rummaging through the remains of the ruins…

Eunha, who was checking the ‘things she had picked up’, carefully shook off the dirt from the ‘herbs’.

Although Banharin did not pay attention to it, saying it was an ordinary weed, these were the first things he collected from [Crack Field].

I’m afraid it might get crushed if I put it in my carrier, so I’ve been walking around holding it tightly in my hand.

‘When I get back home… I’ll plant it in a flower pot.’

The carrier worn on the back like a backpack weighed down Eunha with its heavy weight.

Feeling frustrated, I raised my head and looked up at the dark sky.

The crescent moon hanging in the sky sheds a thin smile.

“……I can’t see any monsters or hunters at all. It’s just a trap that someone set up.”

Eunha, who had already found more than ten traps, muttered absently.

I felt like I was fishing with a net in the sea and caught a lot of jellyfish that I couldn’t eat.

Eyes that have suddenly lost their sparkle are staring at Ban Harin.

“This is a trap set by hunters who used [the Rift Field] as their workplace.”

“Are you using it as a workplace?”

“Eunha, isn’t the cafe your main job? This is their main job.”

People who go into the [crack yard] every day and survive by barely earning their daily wages.

Ban Harin answered, twirling the sashimi knife in his hand.

A clean blade without a drop of blood glows in the dark.

She dismantled the installed traps one by one in front of Eunha’s eyes, and helped Eunha understand by demonstrating with her own hands how the traps work and how to make them.

“We set up traps on the paths where ‘weak monsters’ pass by, and come to check on them every now and then. The quality of the magic stone is not that great for monsters that are weak enough to fall into human traps… but it is much better than returning injured for no reason. ”

“……okay.”

Therefore, the area near the entrance is a trap field for hunters.

Thanks to traps, the number of monsters escaping the [Crack Field] has decreased, and it seems that those who manage the [Crack Field] are also recommending the installation of traps.

Thump… thud…

The hand holding the ‘herb’ loses strength.

In Eunha’s hands, the ‘weeds’ she first collected in the [Crack Field] fall down.

“Rather than fighting with the intention of slaughtering all the monsters present in the [Rift Field], the task is to collect as many magic stones and loot as necessary and then withdraw… It is similar to a hunter catching a wild animal.”

What the emotionless voice conveys is perhaps a natural reality.

I realize that the job of a ‘hunter’ involves hunting rather than fighting.

Crack…

Eunha shook the dirt off her hands and smiled languidly as usual.

‘Something… it’s different from what I thought.’

What did you expect?

Even Eunha herself didn’t know that.

It’s just… the daily life I’ve been living with the monsters from [The Black Book] for the past two months… is so stimulating,

It seems like my soft brain was wandering around looking for dopamine.

A concrete barrier surrounding the [crack field].

I walked around for 30 minutes, but I couldn’t even see the monster.

A hunter who returns home with a reasonable amount of magic stones and loot.

There is no crisis.

If the monsters are not eradicated, the crack will explode and something big will not happen.

If that were the case, there wouldn’t be any hunters left.

‘On TV and the Internet, hunters looked really cool…’

Eunha’s head is pointing towards the floor.

Pieces of broken magic stones that someone had thrown away are rolling around.

What is it that is fragmented?

Eunha bent down and picked up a piece of magic stone and burst into laughter.

To pick up a few magic stones from a place like this,

Did you do that shit on the promotion test?

I feel short of breath.

I undid a few buttons that fastened my neck.

The black suit I tried on for the first time today is uncomfortable.

I loosen my front buckle and exhale.

“……Eunha.”

“huh.”

Did I read something from that galaxy?

At the sight of Eunha fiddling with a piece of magic stone, Ban Harin, whose eyes glowed gold… pointed in a certain direction with a long sashimi knife.

Hoekal pointed to a huge crack floating in the air.

Center of the crack field.

Ban Harin’s cold eyes capture the ‘crack in space’ in his field of vision.

“Like this, the outskirts of the [Rift Field] are an area for C-class hunters who come here to make money even if they have no fighting talent… and hunters who have suffered irreparable injuries and cannot choose any other job.”

“…….”

“Not everyone can become the main character and grow up through cartoon-like battles. When you work as a hunter, there are times when you just have to pick up junk that falls on the floor and go home.”

A voice speaking about reality approaches Eunha.

Ban Harin’s hand caresses Eunha’s shoulder as she fastens each of the loose buttons.

“That is why the first thing I did was show this ‘outer region’ to Eunha.”

“…….”

“I hope that even after seeing this sight, Eunha’s sparkle will not change.”

Ban Harin put down the raw fish knife and handed something over.

These are the ‘weeds’ that Eunha just dropped on the floor.

“When a D-class hunter is accompanying you, for safety reasons, you must only explore the 3km area near the entrance. This is because the center of the rift is the area where the ‘real battle’ takes place.”

“okay.”

“However, our goal is to explore the [Rift Field]. So, in order to gain experience with Eunha… let’s ignore the rules and go play in the center.”

Isn’t taking risks romantic?

Ban Harin spoke about romance with an expressionless face.

“…….”

Eunha, who absentmindedly took the ‘weed’, raised the corners of her mouth helplessly and tightly grasped the ‘herb’ in her hand.

So as not to let go again.

I’m going to take it home and plant it in a pot.

“Oh, if you’re afraid of getting hurt, I’ll just explore the outskirts and then go back.”

“…Mr. Banharin says a lot of nonsense… Let’s go quickly. To the center. You will find real herbs there.”

Eunha smiled lazily and grabbed the titanium bat.

Eyes that have regained their sparkle look up at the huge crack.

All in all, I thought positively.

I’m used to being difficult.

it will work out somehow.

“I will risk my life to protect you.”

The corners of Ban Harin’s mouth went up just a little.

… … .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step by step. Step by step.

[Crack field] 3 hours after entry.

Following Ban Harin’s guidance, Eunha walked towards the center of the crack.

Unlike in the ‘outskirts’, the two people did not say anything and explored their surroundings with much more cautious movements.

‘The broken tree branch on the left… Did the hunter mark it? If you see the footprints left, it’s only been a few days.’

In the meantime, Eunha learned [Crack Field] survival rules one by one from Ban Harin, and became quite accustomed to the dark landscape, so she was able to find things of real value rather than ‘weeds’.

Ttuduk.

Eunha, who was closely examining the flower bed of an abandoned building, skillfully pulled out a plant that resembled hemp.

Ban Harin, who was checking the plants she collected, gave a thumbs up with an expressionless face.

“Good. If you make thread with this, you can make clothing that can be worn even in the [Rift Field].”

“You said that ordinary objects are corrupted and distorted by ‘crack mana’, right?”

“There is also news that three years ago, a D-class hunter entered the [Rift Field] wearing an ordinary hoodie and died because the fibers of his clothing sprouted sharply.”

All of Hunter’s equipment uses only materials that have already deteriorated within the [crack field].

Eunha, who stored the collected fiber plants in her carrier, smoothed out the black suit she was wearing.

“Approximately 5km from the rift… It’s halfway between the core and the outskirts. Avoid the fog, and always remember the escape route.”

​

I proceeded through the crack at a leisurely pace.

As you get closer to the center, the damage to buildings and roads becomes more severe, and traces of things other than humans begin to become blatantly visible.

A lump of flesh and blood stains stuck to the wall of the building.

It was a disaster as if it had been crushed by a dump truck.

Fortunately, it’s not a person.

Was it a territorial fight between monsters?

​

“……This will sell for quite a bit of money.”

Banharin, who was poking a piece of flesh stuck to the wall with a long sashimi knife, cut the piece of flesh in half and took out a large magic stone.

She hands the bloody magic stone to Eunha and wipes the blade with a nearby leaf.

“Wow. Magic stone.”

“The monster that oppressed this guy must be somewhere. It’s better to focus on hearing rather than sight.”

Ban Harin climbed up the wall to avoid the pool of blood.

She pointed with a knife to an apartment covered in red moss.

Like other abandoned buildings, the apartments were broken here and there and looked like they might collapse at any moment, and the playground where children used to play was abandoned in front of the apartments.

The sight of the rusty swing wrapped around the iron bar above was beyond familiar to the point of familiarity.

‘It’s a playground… If you think about it, you couldn’t play with ‘Fly’ today. When I get back home, should I give you a ride on a thirsty horse?’

Are you worried that I’m not home?

Eunha imagined ‘Fly’ holding a bee doll and staring blankly at the front door of room [904].

I think I should have at least left a text message.

When you get back, don’t forget and play.

Eunha raised the corner of her mouth with a faint smile and wiped off the magic stone and put it into the carrier.

​

​

Buuuung!

​

Then.

When I was laughing while thinking about the bumble bee ‘Fly’ that wanted to be pinched.

With the sound of insect wings flapping… something huge flew towards Eunha from behind.

“Mr. Banharin. ‘Wasp’ has appeared.”

“Are your eyes rolling to the back of your head?”

Boo wow!!

​

The loud sound of flapping wings getting closer in an instant.

Eunha ‘looked’ at the huge monster approaching from behind, and used her body strengthening to throw herself to the side.

​

Dismissal!!

At the same time, Ban Harin, with bright yellow sparks flying, colored his eyes golden and kicked the ground with all his might.

​

Kwaang!!

‘”Keeek!!!”‘

​

A heavy sound, like a car accident, and the sound of a blade cutting into flesh.

And then, a bizarre screaming sound that does not resemble any living thing rings out.

​

“…wow.”

​

Eunha stepped back to avoid the gush of blood and let out a quiet exclamation.

I adjusted the titanium bat in my hand and saw the devastation that occurred in an instant.

​

“Keee…”

​

It is a huge bee made of flesh.

​

Wriggling flesh, a pure white skeleton covering it.

Six legs resembling human hands support the bizarre flesh.

The car-sized monster in the shape of a wasp boasted such a bizarre appearance that it made you feel nauseous just by looking at it.

“Kiik … Ki -yes …”

​

Such a monster had its entire body cut by sharp blades, and bright red blood was gushing out like a faucet.

​Ban Harin climbed up the slide to avoid the puddle of blood, and lightly swung a sashimi knife to shake off the blood.

She looked down indifferently at the strange monster writhing helplessly.

​

“The name of this monster is ‘Golgapsam Bumblebee’. Since the name is a bit difficult, hunters call it Bone Bee, Extremely Hateful Bee, and X-Bal X-ki with love and affection.”

“I’d like bone bees.”

Suddenly…

Ban Harin, who cut off the thin neck of the ‘bone bee’ in one go, unlocked the ‘skill’.

Her eyes return to their original black and look towards the galaxy.

Did you say it was a skill that improves visual acuity?

I’ve seen him use it briefly on a regular basis, but seeing as he quickly unlocks the ‘skill’, it looks like he can’t use it for a long time.

‘Mr. Banharin… he’s not a C-class hunter after all.’

Eunha was amazed at Banharin’s ability to easily sashimi monsters that even B-class hunters could face on equal terms.

​

“They are monsters that live in groups using ruined apartments as their hives, and they are often seen in urban areas.”

I looked up at the apartment next to Ban Harin’s explanation.

The window frames of all the houses have been completely torn off and trimmed to make it easier for something huge to come and go.

Square honeycomb.

Unknowingly, Eunha took a few steps back from the apartment, put the ‘herb’ in her hand into the inside pocket of her suit, and ran to Ban Harin’s side.

For reference, it has wings, but it is so flimsy that it cannot fly.

Still, I guess I can at least ski downhill.

​They kill their prey by ramming it with their uniquely strong skull or by biting their prey with their lower jaws. They repair their own wounds by absorbing the flesh of the corpse, and are said to be like wasps who give the rest to the queen bee.

​

“……The monster’s life force is really tough. I don’t think I can win in a fight.”

“If you hit its thin neck accurately, you can inflict fatal wounds even on Eunha. If you train with me, you will be able to kill and eat a ‘bone bee’ within a year.”

“really?”

“……2 years. Maybe 3 years.”

“Thank you for your encouragement.”

​

Eunha talked to Ban Ha-rin while looking at the ‘Golgapsam Bumblebee’… no, the ‘Bone Bee’ that is still moving despite its head being cut off.

A giant wasp spewing red blood from the cut surface twitches. I plan to move until the magic stone that serves as the heart is torn off.

But in the end, it is unable to bite and kill anyone and gradually stops moving.

Eunha approached Ban Harin’s side and quietly looked down at the ‘bone bee’.

“Squeak… Squeak…”

The sound of insects.

A twisted sound that does not resemble any living thing.

A deathly cry emanating from a grotesquely lumped and twisted mass of flesh.

“……huh?”

“Eunha?”

At that time, Eunha knelt in a pool of blood.

Clap.

The suit pants are stained with blood. My socks get wet with sticky liquid and I feel uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, Eunha gets down on both knees and carefully lifts the head of the ‘bone bee’ that had fallen into the pool of blood.

It smelled like blood.

From the corpse of the ‘bone bee’ in front of you.

In a carrier on your back.

The fishy smell of iron flows out and disturbs the senses.

“what?”

“Why are you doing that? The monster’s blood is poisonous, so I recommend you avoid it.”

Sagagakㅡ.

At some point, there was a sound that scratched my eardrums.

The sound of footsteps forming one rhythm.

Eunha’s eyes capture the sparkle.

“……I’m crying.”

not hers,

reflected in her eyes,

It is the sparkle of a monster.

“…What do you mean?”

“Our princess.”

Kwaang!!!!

Immediately after, an explosion occurred in the dark [crack field].

bang! Kwaang!!

An explosion occurs in the apartment where ‘Bone Bee’ came from.

It’s not a bomb.

It is someone’s ‘skill’.

Even though the ‘bone bees’ repaired their nests to prevent them from collapsing, the basic gist of it was a shabby apartment on the verge of collapse.

As the pillars supporting the building burst one by one, the rainwater begins to fall like dominoes.

Rumble…

Apartment debris falling from above.

A group of ‘bone bees’ that were sleeping on a high floor wake up in a hurry and fall along with the debris.

“now.”

From the downstairs of the apartment, eight assailants with their faces covered with masks burst out with weapons drawn.

“Tsk…! Mouse!”

“What is this all of a sudden?! There was nothing until just now!”

J— Gak–!

Banharin clicks his tongue as he looks up at the falling debris and a swarm of ‘bone bees’.

‘Mouse’, who was hiding at her call, uses the [Speed Manipulation] skill to slow down the falling debris.

“…….”

And, the galaxy.

In a sudden mess.

Looking into the sparkling eyes of the ‘bone bee’ with its head cut off,

Feeling something mixing,

“who are you?”

I just muttered that.