Chapter 41: The Presence or Absence of Just One Person （4）

Yeon Gyu-seong collapsed in front of the screen as if he were about to faint.

Though he felt suffocated, he pressed his temples with a cold expression.

“The data?”

“Here it is.”

The secretary handed him a stack of documents.

The power Yeon Gyu-seong wielded allowed him to grasp the full details of Yeon Woo-bin’s companions within just five minutes of confirming their identities.

Flip.

『Kang San』

『Jeong Chan-woo』

It was information about these two individuals.

As he turned the pages with an indifferent face, the secretary added an explanation.

“There’s nothing particularly special about either of them. While Jeong Chan-woo is the son of a high-ranking executive at Cheonsang Management, his skills remain at the E-rank level. The same goes for Kang San. He lacked talent, remaining at F-rank for several years after his initial Awakening, and his promotion to E-rank is a recent event. And as you know, the Young Master survived the ant den containing the Queen Ant with his current companions, but in truth, they barely managed to survive and didn’t achieve the feat of clearing the hunting ground. They don’t appear to be a force to be particularly worried about.”

“……Is that so.”

Yeon Gyu-seong narrowed his eyes.

His son, Yeon Woo-bin, might be soft-hearted, but he wasn’t foolish.

So there must be a reason why he’d go out of his way to bring his current companions, but the information available in the documents didn’t reveal anything special. The only impressive aspect was Kang San finishing the E-rank test with good results. Even so, he definitely didn’t have the skills to pass the test he had prepared.

“Is the setup complete?”

“It’s perfectly done. We’ve even confirmed that the Hobgoblins are moving according to our plan.”

“Alright. It can’t be helped now.”

He sighed.

Wiping his face as if washing it with dry hands, Yeon Gyu-seong looked at the screen with a complicated gaze.

His son and his companions had entered the Other World.

They would soon encounter monsters and would undoubtedly take risks to prove themselves.

It was complicated.

Not only was his son in danger, but the fact that he, a doctor, had prepared traps to harm people weighed on his mind. But it couldn’t be helped. The reason he desperately clung to life was solely for his only son. No matter how much wealth and fame he possessed, life without his family held no meaning.

Even if someone else gets hurt.

As long as his son is safe, that’s all that matters.

Yeon Gyu-seong said coldly.

“……This time, you can go all the way. As long as they don’t d*e, I’ll find a way to save them and compensate them.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

It was the same hunting ground.

As they entered the space where remnants of failure lingered, Yeon Woo-bin gulped nervously.

Gulp.

Soon.

Goblins would come pouring in.

He had already explained the situation thoroughly to his companions, and as expected, he heard a commotion from beyond the bushes.

Rustle.

“Everyone, get ready!”

The bushes rustled.

Kang San stepped forward.

Further explanation was unnecessary.

According to the pre-determined positions, Kang San stood at the forefront, blocking the path where the enemies would rush in.

Kieeek.

Kyakyakyakyak!

Goblins emerged from the bushes.

They popped out from all directions in uncountable numbers, their red eyes glowing as they charged forward. It was a familiar situation for Kang San. Not only had he frequently dealt with these monsters during his days as a human shield, but hadn’t he also passed the E-rank test against Hobgoblins? Moreover, the Guardian’s Will that Kang San possessed had a tremendous effect against monsters employing human wave tactics.

『Guardian’s Will has been activated.』

『Since the number of enemies faced is 30, defense and health regeneration are increased by 30% each.』

‘Trial’s Shield.’

Whoosh━

He drew their attention.

As he used a skill superior to Guardian Shield, the gazes of all the monsters in sight focused on him at once.

Kyaak!

Kakakakang!

Attacks poured in from all sides.

Kang San calmly raised his shield to block them, and due to the fundamental difference in stats, there was no damage that could penetrate his defense. His shield shook incessantly. It was an attack by so many that he couldn’t even count how many were attacking, and there were even attacks aimed at his blind spots.

Then.

‘Lower left!’

Flash.

Puk!

He deflected the attack and beheaded the Goblin.

He couldn’t see his blind spots with his eyes, but Kang San’s consciousness had factored in their existence.

An anticipated attack.

A planned counterattack.

Kang San took a step back, absorbing the attack, and then pushed forward again, maintaining his position.

Meanwhile.

Pak.

Papapapapak!

Jo Han-byeol’s arrows were fired indiscriminately.

Yeon Woo-bin was already in the midst of casting, and Jo Han-byeol, as instructed, focused on eliminating the monsters far from Kang San. It was a strategy based on the belief that Kang San wouldn’t falter. It was an intense battle from the start. For Jeong Chan-woo, who was observing from a distance, the fact that not a single monster got through made him hesitate.

‘……Should I help?’

He remembered the strategy.

But actual combat was different.

Thinking that Kang San was struggling alone, he subtly tried to back Kang San up.

“Stick to the plan!”

Kang San shouted.

Jeong Chan-woo flinched.

As if he had eyes on the back of his head, Kang San immediately noticed that Jeong Chan-woo was trying to leave his position.

He took a step back.

He obeyed the order, even if he had nothing to do.

Kang San instilled that much blind trust in his party members.

Krak.

Kreeeek!

Trolls appeared next.

The appearance of D-rank monsters was burdensome even for Kang San, but he couldn’t change the existing strategy. Variables would inevitably arise, whether due to Yeon Gyu-seong or Azmoon’s trials. He couldn’t pour all the party’s strength from the beginning when he didn’t know what would happen next.

“Don’t let your guard down. It’s not over until it’s over.”

He gritted his teeth.

And then.

He raised his shield once more towards the Trolls surging in alongside the Goblins.

Crack!

✦✦✦✦✦✦

The same situation.

Different companions.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Yeon Woo-bin felt himself becoming surprisingly calm.

‘Is it a psychological issue?’

No.

It wasn’t simply a reaction due to psychological factors.

The previous party had panicked against a large number of Goblins and Trolls despite having a main Tanker, a sub-Tanker, and even a Warrior. But Kang San was different. Even though it was a situation an E-rank shouldn’t be able to handle logically, he didn’t retreat a single step and withstood the fierce onslaught of the enemies. And he showed delicate details. When the number of enemies seemed to increase, he intentionally changed direction, making them vulnerable to area-of-effect attacks.

It was an opportunity.

As Kang San set the stage, Yeon Woo-bin unleashed his magic as if to meet expectations.

“Fire Lance.”

Kwaang!

Hwarururururuk.

A huge flame swept through the monsters.

As the monsters screamed and tried to attack Yeon Woo-bin, Kang San once again blocked their path and raised his shield.

‘Trial’s Shield.’

Kyaak!

Kyakyakyakyak!

It was stable.

From dispersing the aggro immediately after the attack to the delicate control of the defensive line to prevent even a single monster from slipping through. It was strange. Simply judging by rank, the D-rank Tanker of the previous party should have been a far more skilled individual. However, both the sight before his eyes and the feeling in his heart proved that Kang San was superior. As if the experience in the ant den wasn’t a lie, he felt an incredible sense of stability.

The person who helped him overcome his trauma.

This was why.

This was why he wanted to be with Kang San.

Yeon Woo-bin trusted Kang San and took his time, and as planned, he began to unleash his firepower steadily.

“Fire Lance.”

“Fire Lance.”

Kwaang!

Hwarururururuk.

It was a bombardment, literally.

Kang San endured, Jo Han-byeol supported, Jeong Chan-woo blocked variables, and Yeon Woo-bin, solely focused on attacking, revealed his presence. Flames soared wildly from all directions. However, he didn’t think they would pass the test so easily. The Hobgoblin that used ‘Black Magic’ hadn’t appeared yet, and above all, his father had warned him that this mission would be even more difficult than the last one.

Goblins and Trolls.

It definitely wouldn’t end with just them.

As if to prove him right.

“Watch out━!”

Jeong Chan-woo shouted.

He turned his head hastily.

Kwaang!

Kwarurururung.

Yeon Woo-bin’s vision spun from the tremendous impact.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

“Ugh.”

He groaned.

As he grimaced and looked around, he saw Jeong Chan-woo, blood trickling from his forehead, still guarding the front.

“From now on, stay behind me no matter what.”

“What is this…….”

He grasped the situation belatedly.

Beyond the clear blue sky.

Whoosh━

Whoosh, whoosh━

Huge rocks flew through the air.

His eyes widened.

The monsters were attacking the rear Dealers with projectiles.

Kwaang!

“Ugh.”

Jeong Chan-woo blocked the rock.

Even with the momentary increase in defense from Iron Man, the impact of the rock was so great that his body was completely pushed back. Kang San’s warning came to mind. He had said not to leave the rear Dealers’ side no matter what. He had anticipated this situation from the beginning. If the Hobgoblin was the type to intelligently corner its opponents, he thought it might prepare other attack patterns besides just straightforward attacks.

“Trust me. If you stop your magic because of the projectiles, it’s all over!”

“O-Okay.”

Yeon Woo-bin came to his senses.

He had to trust Jeong Chan-woo.

Even if he wasn’t as strong as Kang San, he was someone who had thrown himself in front of the flying rocks.

But that wasn’t the only problem.

Jo Han-byeol’s face paled.

“……Seriously, take it easy.”

Far away.

He saw monsters.

They were the Goblins and Trolls they had fought so far, but the difference this time was that the Trolls were wearing armor that humans would use. Steel armor covering their upper bodies. And helmets protecting their heads. From the rocks used for projectiles to the armor. This was clearly a card Yeon Gyu-seong had prepared.

Grit.

Jo Han-byeol gritted his teeth.

He nocked an arrow.

No matter how strong the opponent’s forces were, he couldn’t just stand by and watch once the test had begun.

‘Focused Shot.’

Keekeekeeek.

The bowstring made a strange sound.

And then.

Paang━!

Crack.

It struck the Troll directly.

The Troll roared and swung its arms, but it didn’t collapse despite the powerful attack.

“……This is a serious problem.”

Their opponent was a Troll, after all.

A synonym for regenerative ability.

It was a monster that was difficult to take down in one blow even if you targeted its vital points, but the armor given to the Troll blocked any chance of defeating it with a single strike. It was a situation that made his mind go blank. Yeon Gyu-seong’s intentions were clear. No matter what kind of party Yeon Woo-bin had prepared, with rear attacks and strengthened front-line forces, he had made thorough preparations to ensure that it couldn’t be cleared by a D-rank party. If they couldn’t quickly defeat the Trolls, no matter how long Kang San held out, a prolonged battle would only be disadvantageous.

It was the strength of human wave tactics.

If they kept pushing and pushing, eventually the side with fewer numbers would inevitably collapse.

Kwaang!

“Ugh.”

Kang San blocked the Troll’s club attack.

Even as his body shook from the intense impact, his eyes quickly scanned the battlefield.

‘It’s disadvantageous.’

What Jo Han-byeol felt.

He knew it too.

The only reason they could hold out was because Kang San’s stats were almost at D-rank level, he had been equipped with good items, and the Guardian’s Will effect was in play. But that didn’t mean victory. There was a limit to how long Jeong Chan-woo could block the projectile attacks. If the Troll was protecting its vital points, Jo Han-byeol’s firepower wouldn’t be effective, and they would have to rely solely on Yeon Woo-bin’s magic to resolve the situation.

It was unfavorable.

Maintaining their positions was definitely not the ideal way to resolve this situation.

His mind raced.

Hundreds of experiences intertwined, seeking a direction to solve a problem like this.

Hook.

Slice!

Even in the midst of all this, he beheaded a Goblin.

Blood splattered on his face, but Kang San didn’t avoid it, letting it cover him as he strained his neck.

“Listen carefully from now on!”

If they didn’t break through the enemy lines.

They had no chance of winning anyway.

Just then, he heard a welcome sound.

『The effect of Blood Demon Art has been activated.』

『Attack power is temporarily increased by 10%.』

Gulp, gulp.

His sword throbbed.

Kang San gripped his sword tightly.

“Plan B. I’ll open a path.”