Chapter 24: The Man Who Prepares for Misfortune （5）
A height of over 10 meters.
A fall from this height would result in, at the very least, serious injuries.
While Hunters specializing in physical combat might be alright due to their strength and agility determining their average stats, it’s different for Mage-type Hunters. Yeon Woo-bin, in particular, was physically weak, and the moment he fell, he had a premonition of his own death.
At that moment.
Kang San crashed to the ground, holding Yeon Woo-bin.
If Kang San’s body hadn’t acted as a cushion, Yeon Woo-bin might have been fighting for his life right now.
‘Thanks to him, I’m safe.’
The sudden variable of the floor collapsing.
In that chaotic situation where everyone was bound to be confused, Kang San threw himself down to keep his promise. How could he make such a judgment in a split second? Holding someone and falling would inevitably increase the impact on himself, but Kang San didn’t seem to hesitate for a moment in saving him.
He’s an amazing person.
Suddenly, Yeon Woo-bin recalled what Jo Han-byeol had said after returning from the promotion test.
“I saw a truly incredible person at the promotion test today. During the test, one of the team members was in mortal danger, but the Tanker threw himself in front of the attack to take it instead. Wow, I couldn’t believe it even while watching. Honestly, there’s no reason to risk your life for someone you just met at a promotion test. But that person saved the team member and even comforted them, saying that nothing would happen as long as he held on. Woo-bin, how do you think it would be if you went on a raid with that person later? Wouldn’t your trauma be healed a little if it was someone like that?”
At first, he didn’t believe it.
Where in the world could such a person exist?
The world is a place where people prioritize themselves over others, and especially if the other person is a stranger, there’s even less reason to show kindness.
In the moment of trauma.
Yeon Woo-bin witnessed the cruelty of humans.
That’s why he didn’t have high expectations for Jo Han-byeol’s words, but Kang San was someone beyond that description.
Kang San kept his promise.
He truly protected him, and now he was fighting at the forefront of the deadly battle, trying to buy them time.
There’s actually someone like that in the world.
Yeon Woo-bin’s eyes wavered.
Someone who would sacrifice their life for him.
He didn’t want to see such a person d*e.
“Like you said, I don’t want anyone else dying because of me. I’ll try to use magic somehow.”
“Woo-bin!”
Jo Han-byeol’s expression brightened.
A bond formed through shared pain.
He was genuinely happy about the change in the always-fragile Yeon Woo-bin.
Yeon Woo-bin immediately began casting.
The creeping trauma messed up the casting, but Yeon Woo-bin gritted his teeth and clung desperately to the casting.
『Casting failed.』
『Casting failed.』
『Casting failed.』
Casting failed repeatedly.
His heart pounded.
Each time, Yeon Woo-bin recalled Kang San’s image.
‘Such a fool.’
Not only did he save him, but even though he was injured, he used the recovery skill on Jeong Chan-woo first.
He was foolish.
Why does he live like that?
Who would even acknowledge him for doing that?
What’s the point even if they do?
If he dies, everything will be over.
‘That’s why I have to save him. If someone like that dies, there will be nothing but selfish trash left in the world.’
Hwaak.
Mana surged.
A blue light flashed in Yeon Woo-bin’s eyes.
Magic Eye.
Another growth-type skill that Yeon Woo-bin possessed.
As his innate genius power was unleashed, a powerful flame arose, as if it would burn the world.
‘Salamander’s Breath.’
Hwaleuleuleuleuleuk.
The flames rose fiercely.
The flames, classified as special magic, exploded directly ahead.
Kwaang!
Hwaleuk, hwaleuleuleuleuleuk!
✦✦✦✦✦✦
It was overwhelming talent.
Magic Eye.
A skill that temporarily increases magical power, allowing the user to cast magic beyond their inherent capacity.
And Salamander’s Breath.
Borrowing the power of nature to manifest magic, its power alone was comparable to C-rank.
The combination of the two created a spectacular sight.
The ants, which Kang San had to struggle desperately to defeat, suffered tremendous damage from a single spell.
Kieeeeek!
Kyaaaak!
The ants screamed.
The Soldier Ant that was first hit by the flames collapsed to the ground, charred black, and the flames spread rapidly, threatening the other ants. It was a devastating attack for insect-type monsters. The surging flames not only engulfed several ants at once but also extended their heat to the others.
“…What is this?”
Kang San’s bewildered gaze turned to Yeon Woo-bin.
Yeon Woo-bin’s ability.
He knew it was extraordinary.
The power of the magic he displayed in front of everyone was undoubtedly impressive, but it wasn’t supposed to be like this.
Power on a different level.
If he were to evaluate the power of the magic alone, it would be at least C-rank.
A young mage with little practical experience was using magic comparable to C-rank.
‘What in the world is his identity?’
While lost in confusion.
Yeon Woo-bin unleashed his magical power like a wild horse.
The flames, called Salamander’s Breath, swirled around him and attacked the ants once again.
Bang!
Kwakwakwang!
Hwaleuleuleuleuleuleuleuk.
The surroundings were ablaze.
Yeon Woo-bin controlled the flames with his blue, glowing eyes, blocking the ants’ escape route to prevent them from fleeing. The ants were trapped in a dilemma. Screaming in agony from their burning bodies, the ants began to charge towards Yeon Woo-bin to attack him all at once. The source of their pain. Even if they were monsters, they still possessed the ability to identify which being was dangerous in this moment.
However.
‘Trial’s Shield.’
Hwak!
Their intentions were thwarted.
As long as Kang San, an outstanding Tanker, was holding the front line, there was no way to get past him and reach Yeon Woo-bin.
The effect of Trial’s Shield.
All aggro was focused on Kang San.
The ants, their bodies on fire, charged at Kang San in a frenzy, but he blocked their attacks without retreating an inch. He ruled out counterattacking with his sword. If the Dealer, Yeon Woo-bin, could display this level of firepower, there was no reason for Kang San to create an opening in his defense by attacking.
The situation had reversed.
Kang San was certain.
The key to this trial was Yeon Woo-bin.
And now that he had awakened his abilities, Azmoon’s sixth trial was no longer a problem.
Finally.
A path to survival had opened.
✦✦✦✦✦✦
It was a fierce battle.
At death’s door, Kang San and his party finally defeated all the ants.
Their joy was short-lived.
Overwhelmed by the aftereffects of the fierce battle, Jeong Chan-woo collapsed before he could even savor the victory.
Thud.
“…Ugh.”
Jeong Chan-woo’s physical condition was not normal.
He had pushed himself thanks to Kang San’s help, but that didn’t mean he could handle the Soldier Ants without any difficulty with his abilities. Jeong Chan-woo was still an E-rank Hunter. He had fought two D-rank Soldier Ants, and there wasn’t a single part of his body that was unscathed. In particular, a chunk of flesh had been ripped from his side. And because he had been poisoned by the venom the Soldier Ants spewed, his blood-soaked face had a bluish tinge.
Kang San’s situation wasn’t much different.
Having faced dozens of ants alone, there was no way Kang San’s physical condition could be normal.
‘D*mn it.’
Kang San cursed inwardly.
He wanted to use Healing Aura on himself immediately, but the sight of Jeong Chan-woo, who seemed to be on the verge of collapse, weighed on his mind.
Guilt?
Pity?
Justice?
No, it wasn’t any of those emotions.
The mission assigned by the trial.
Jeong Chan-woo and the other party members had to return alive, so he couldn’t just let him d*e.
‘Healing Aura.’
Hwaak.
He used the healing skill on Jeong Chan-woo. Not only that, but he also used the special effect of Healing Aura to grant Jeong Chan-woo an additional healing effect at the cost of his own health. A sharp pain shot through his heart. The feeling of his rapidly beating heart slowing down, as if his life force was being devoured, was truly awful.
But he had to do it.
Jeong Chan-woo’s complexion gradually brightened.
After finishing the treatment, Kang San collapsed beside him.
“…Why did you use the healing skill on me?”
Jeong Chan-woo regained consciousness.
He also understood how the situation had unfolded.
Kang San was a Tanker, yet he possessed a healing skill, and he used it on him instead of himself.
Why?
Why would he make such a choice in such a dire state?
Jeong Chan-woo said tearfully,
“We’ve never met before. But why did you heal me without caring for your own wounds? Are you crazy or something? There’s a limit to how foolish a person can be. What am I supposed to do now?!”
He was venting his frustration.
He was still young and didn’t know how to express gratitude.
Kang San laughed.
It was hard to stay conscious due to the pain surging through his entire body, but he couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
‘Foolish? It’s all for the reward.’
He couldn’t explain everything in detail.
Jeong Chan-woo’s eyes were filled with gratitude for his sacrifice, but honestly, if it weren’t for the reward, he would have healed himself first.
Himself first.
Others second.
No, others were irrelevant.
Wasn’t that the way to survive in this harsh world?
“I just wanted to.”
He omitted the explanation.
When you can’t make excuses, not making them is the best option.
Jeong Chan-woo momentarily wore a complicated expression, but Kang San no longer had the energy to talk to him.
His consciousness faded.
Kang San finally lost consciousness.
✦✦✦✦✦✦
How much time had passed?
When Kang San regained consciousness, he felt that his body had recovered somewhat.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes, more or less.”
“I really thought you were going to d*e, Kang San-nim. Even after pouring all the potions I had into you, you wouldn’t wake up.”
It was Jo Han-byeol.
The effect of the potions.
Thanks to them, his body had recovered, but with Healing Aura’s inherent regenerative ability, he wouldn’t have died in the first place. Kang San used Healing Aura for now. As his body felt revitalized, his mind finally cleared.
“But why are we still here?”
Looking around, they were still in the ant nest.
They were burning the ant corpses to create acrid smoke, deterring other monsters from approaching, but it wasn’t a long-term solution.
Jo Han-byeol said,
“There’s no way to go up. It’s at least 10 meters high, so we’d have to climb the wall, but the angle isn’t good, so I judged it impossible. So, for now, I was guarding the place until you regained consciousness, Kang San-nim. Do you have any ideas?”
He looked at him with pleading eyes.
Kang San always came up with solutions.
He hoped that Kang San would offer a solution this time as well.
“I have Jump scrolls prepared in case of unforeseen circumstances. It would take some time to make four people jump simultaneously, so I couldn’t use them earlier, but it shouldn’t be a problem now.”
“…What?!”
Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.
Jump scrolls?
No one had ever heard of anyone carrying scrolls of Jump, a non-mainstream magic, throughout their life.
Jeong Chan-woo asked with a bewildered look,
“Why do you have something like that? You said you had prepared Golden Honey for unexpected situations before, and now it’s Jump scrolls. Do you have some kind of safety obsession?”
It was understandable why he would think that.
The situations that differed from the exploration report.
Those were events with extremely low probabilities, so naturally, they hadn’t even considered preparing for them.
But Kang San was different.
Kang San was someone who prepared for even the slightest chance of unexpected variables, and thanks to him, they were able to find a solution.
Kang San smiled bitterly.
“When you live a life where you constantly have to prepare for misfortune, it’s inevitable. Anyway, what do you think about using the Jump scrolls to escape this place? Now that we’ve confirmed there’s an ant nest, this is beyond our ability to handle.”
Simply because he had been unfortunate.
That was the most Kang San could explain in his current state.
And in the eyes of the party members looking at him, there was a strong sense of trust that hadn’t been there before.
