Ch. 54 - Chapter 54

[This is Gosong Station. Gosong Station.]

On the way home from the black market.

No one recognized me, perhaps because I was wearing my cap pulled low.

After organizing her belongings, Bisu planned to find a new residence for herself soon.

When she asked with her characteristic mischievous smirk, ‘Can't I live with you and sister?’ I readily replied,

"Hell no.”

"Tch."

Of course, she probably hadn't meant it.

Having finally found the freedom she longed for, and with her scars now gone, Bisu’s face had truly begun to glow with radiance.

And judging by her natural acting skill, she could succeed as an actress if she tried.

What kind of path will Bisu walk from now on?

Swish.

I pulled out a small object from my pocket.

It was something I habitually glanced at before taking the train home.

A golden ampoule inside a transparent vial.

This was the second compensation Yaksha had given me.

The name of this liquid, shimmering so hypnotically it almost felt like it could suck you in, was Soul-Unbinding Elixir.

Surprisingly, he said drinking this liquid allows one to glimpse into the Netherworld.

“The Netherworld? Are you referring to the world where monsters reside?"

“No. That one is usually called the Otherworld. The Netherworld is another, third world. It’s an even more unknown dimension, which is less known than the Otherworld.”

“An unknown world…”

“Unlike lower-level monsters, they possess high intelligence. Quite a number of them have intellect, just like humans. Such beings are called 'spiritual beings’ (靈物)."

Spiritual beings (靈物).

I've heard that term before.

The Imperial Tiger that I healed during the Hunter Qualification Test.

Big Tigger was also one of those 'spiritual beings'.

"That thing jumping on your shoulder must be the same kind."

"Huh? Brie too?"

-Kkuwang!

He certainly seemed a bit different from regular monsters.

Monsters usually charge at humans with murderous intent the moment they see them, but Brie, although cheeky, did not harm people.

Far from being a threat, he was an extremely grateful being that absorbed the toxins within the body.

Thinking about it, he was a creature that fits the term 'spiritual being' quite well.

He not only understood human speech, but his unique ability to absorb toxins was just as impressive.

"I wonder if the Netherworld is full of creatures like these guys?”

“Yes. If you drink the Soul-Unbinding Elixir I gave you, you can temporarily enter the Netherworld. Your body will remain in this world as it is, but your senses will remain enter.”

"It's quite a unique item indeed... I'm not really sure why you're giving this as a reward.”

"Experience is important in all things. It's a world that's difficult for hunters, let alone ordinary people, to experience. Besides..."

"?"

"Sometimes you might even find treasure in a new place."

That was my last conversation with Yaksha.

'Treasure…’

Even if you discover something, what good is treasure if you can't bring it back?

But it would definitely be a rare experience.

Among the hunters I've met so far, most were hunters who didn't even know such a place existed, let alone had experienced it.

On the other hand, I also had this question.

Why didn't the Hunter Association tell people that such a world exists?

Ordinary people were one thing, but it seemed like information that hunters should know.

Or perhaps they simply didn’t want to tell us.

‘I guess I’ll find out once I go.’

I was curious about this ‘Netherworld,’ but it wasn’t the time, especially not inside a moving train.

There was no way to predict how long it would take to come back.

Wheeeeeeeeeeng.

Because.

Emergency situations could happen anytime, anywhere.

[Ladies and gentlemen, this is an announcement. A Gate appearance alert has been issued for the section along our train's route. All passengers are requested to remain seated and follow the instructions of the crew.]

"Ah, seriously. I need to get there quickly."

"Can't we just go? The hunters will handle it anyway."

Amidst people's grumbling, the train gradually slowed down.

As they said, hunters from the responsible guild would indeed be dispatched, but that didn't mean the train could just keep charging through an area where a Gate has appeared.

'Let's see…’

I took out my phone and searched.

The area around Gosong Station is managed by a guild called 'Blue Sword.'

Judging by the comments from reporters and citizens, it seemed to be a guild that operated steadily.

Most public opinion said they responded agilely whenever a Gate appeared.

I guess I didn't need to step in.

The expressions on the faces of the people sitting there were only annoyances, not fear.

In this day and age, even sudden gate appearances have become a daily occurrence.....

Bang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Whoa!!!!!!!!!!”

“Aah!!”

“!!!!!”

Suddenly, the scene before my eyes flipped 90 degrees, and my body floated upward.

I instinctively regained my balance and avoided being tossed against the window.

'What the...?!'

There was supposed to be quite a distance from the Gate occurrence zone.

But the train car I was on had completely toppled over.

All the windows shattered, and the impact was so tremendous that my firmly worn cap flew off in an instant.

"Help!”

A woman's desperate cry was heard.

As the train toppled over, the leg of the man sitting next to me got trapped between the seats.

"Ugh... ughhk!!”

"Step back."

I thrusted my hands into the gap where the leg was trapped and bent the crushed seat back.

For an ordinary adult male, it would be an impossible task, but for me, whose physical level had entered the 'C'-rank, it was a breeze.

Creeeak.

I tore the bent part of the seat apart with great force, and then began healing the wound.

In a short time, the bleeding stopped and the broken bone mended.

I moved from the spot before I could properly hear the words of thanks.

Already, similarly injured people were scattered all over the ground.

Where the floor should have been, there were shattered windows, and agonizing moans filled the entire space.

At least the train had stopped due to the Gate alert, which was fortunate. If it had been moving, most people inside would have died.

“Ch... Chun Haesun?”

As I healed, some people recognized my face.

Leaving their gazes behind, I leapt up onto the train car.

"Shit…”

I frowned as I checked the outside view.

Aside from where I was, a total of four train cars were completely separated and overturned.

There were probably similar injured people there as well.

I turned my head and glared at the bastards who had attacked the train

Snort. [Taurus Type - Combat, Assault Difficulty Level: 4 stars (★★★★) Physical Level: 'B'-rank Other Level: 'E'-rank Unique Skill - Charge: The ferocious monster Taurus inflicts fatal damage with the horns on its head. If caught in its charge path, it deals damage exceeding the physical level.]

There were four overturned train cars in total.

Which means there were four Taurus that had made their way here.

Even though it was far from the Gate, there must be a reason why this place was attacked.

The charging speed of a Taurus ranks among the top three for four-legged monsters.

Since it was faster than most sports cars, being several kilometers away wouldn't guarantee a safe zone.

As V1 explained, even though its physical level was 'B', getting hit by its 'Charge' would cause damage beyond that.

-Hng.

The Taurus snorted once and looked in my direction.

Standing on top of the overturned train, I must have been quite conspicuous.

Good.

I was planning to lure them away anyway.

After nimbly leaping down from the train car, I used Poison Steps to weave through them in a zigzag pattern.

-Hng.

Perhaps my provocation worked perfectly.

The creatures let out a long cry and lowered their heads, charging straight at me.

It was like I've become a bullfighter.

If there was any difference, it was that the black horns of the Taurus were several times larger than those of the bulls I've seen on screen.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.

The sight of the four Taurus charging from the left and right was truly a spectacle.

Except for the fact that the direction of their horns meant they were coming straight at me.

Whoosh.

Just as eight horns were about to pierce through my body, I leapt into the sky and vanished from their sight.

Losing their target, the creatures couldn't overcome their momentum and crashed headlong into the opposite paddy ridge.

This should buy me a little time.

I used Poison Steps again to return to the overturned train car.

"Save... me... please..."

Two passengers were critically injured.

The rest didn’t need immediate medical attention.

After quickly healing the two, I moved to the next train car.

-Groooowl!

Their roars grew even louder.

It seemed they've grown completely furious.

By the time the Tauruses, which had lost their target and were wandering aimlessly, began approaching the train again, I had barely finished healing the patients in critical condition.

'Haven’t arrived yet?’

I thought it had been quite some time, but the hunters from the Blue Sword guild were nowhere to be seen.

Considering their high reputation, there were only two possible explanations.

Either multiple Gates appeared simultaneously, or the number of monsters was simply too many.

I climbed back on top of the train and gathered as much Black Aether as possible around my feet.

Whoosh.

"Whoo."

As if I've turned into a rocket.

As if I reached out my hand, I could high-five the clouds.

There was only one reason I leapt to this high area.

I needed to check the situation in the surrounding area.

'How many are there?'

As expected, the Blue Sword guild had already been dispatched.

The guidelines they established were far from being lax.

However, the number of monsters was simply too many.

Even with a rough estimate, hundreds of monsters were rampaging through the surrounding area.

It's fortunate that there was some distance from the Gate. If it had been any closer, not just the Taurus but all sorts of monsters would have attacked the train.

'The boss mob is engaged with the Blue Sword guild... and the immediate fire with the casualties has been put out...'

The priority was to take care of the four in front of me first.

After being toyed with once, the house-sized bulls were preparing to charge again.

'Now, how should I handle them?’

In the past, I wouldn't have hesitated and would have swung Exa without a second thought.

But now, the Exa is broken and gone.

Should I draw my own blood and shove it into their mouths, like I did when I caught the Singing Harpy?

'No... Actually, this is better.’

A monster of physical level 'S' covered in Pranium.

After absorbing the Black Core of the Giant Treasure, I obtained a skill called ‘Body Shield’.

Even though my physical level was only around 'C' rank, in terms of durability, it was comparable to 'S' rank.

‘Are you sure?’

[Positive.]

Despite V1's answer, I couldn't help but swallow dryly.

Knowing something in your head and facing it directly are two different stories.

Would my body be able to withstand the horns of a massive bull covered in muscle?

The answer would soon be revealed.

Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump—

One of the Taurus had already reached right up close.

The fact that it arrived before the other three meant this one was the fastest and strongest among them.

I glared at the creature charging toward me like mad and licked my dry lips.

I concentrated the Black Aether under my feet, but it was different from when I used Poison Steps.

I locked both legs stiffly onto the ground, as if screwing them in place.

Then, I tilted my right shoulder diagonally forward.

It was a gesture meaning, ‘Come at me if you dare’.

Come on, Taurus.

Today's bullfighter will no longer dodge.

BANG!!!!!!!!!!!

An ear-splitting sound echoed, unbelievable that it was a collision between living beings.

The impact transmitted through my shoulder also felt like it didn't belong in this world.

"Ugh...!!"

A small abrasion appeared on my shoulder.

It was the spot where the horn of the Taurus, as thick as a tree trunk, had slammed into me.

But only the clothes were slightly torn.

There was nothing more that could be called an injury.

"Wow..."

Humans are creatures of experience, and so we often don't truly understand until we go through something ourselves.

How much sturdier my body had become.

-Grrrr...

The Taurus, which had been charging forward with a menacing force, was flipped over on its belly and lay sprawled out.

The horn that collided with mine had broken off and flown far away, and its neck was twisted in a grotesque manner.

The bull, with its neck fractured, met such a meaningless death.

In just one (?) strike.

In a contest of pure strength, I overwhelmed it.

The Taurus's ‘Charge’ was said to possess the power of A-rank or higher.

‘To say I've become stronger is an understatement…..’

I could feel the change in my transformed body on my skin.

Thump thump thump thump.

The faint tremor of the ground persisted.

After all, three Taurus still remained.

But now that I had ‘experienced’ my strengthened body, there was nothing left to worry about.

The strongest among them had been killed in a single blow, so whose body was tougher was obvious.

Crash!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, the dizzying impact even felt exhilarating.

A painless collision has turned me into an extremely aggressive human.

Bang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a total of four collisions.

The four bulls, unable to overcome the inertia, ended up with broken necks.

"Haha. This is something that'll definitely make the newspapers."

An unprecedented incident occurred where a healer subdued a Taurus by being a 'tank.’

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