Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 61

Chapter 61: A Nail that Sticks Out （3）

Whoosh-

The world spun.

When Kang San opened his eyes, he saw the same pitch-black darkness that Min Yeong-gi had experienced.

“Han-byeol.”

“Traveler’s Lantern.”

Flash.

A bright light shone.

Even without Kang San’s explanation, Jo Han-byeol recognized their role and immediately activated the skill.

Traveler’s Lantern is a 1-star skill.

It’s practically classified as a non-mainstream skill, but Jo Han-byeol purchased the skill stone and learned it in preparation for situations like this. It was part of the party’s internal system. Kang San and Yeon Woo-bin focused solely on defense and attack, while Jeong Chan-woo and Jo Han-byeol took on support roles in their respective areas. Yeon Woo-bin could use the Light magic, but to conserve even a little of Yeon Woo-bin’s magical power, Jo Han-byeol used ‘Traveler’s Lantern’ to push back the darkness.

An infinite light as long as mana is supplied.

As the floating lantern illuminated the surroundings, Kang San quickly assessed the situation.

“It’s a narrow cave terrain. Monsters can attack from all directions, so let’s maintain a stable formation.”

“Yes.”

They took their positions.

It was a defensive formation they had practiced countless times, not excessively widening the distance between each other.

They moved forward.

Before long, Kang San raised his shield and shouted.

“Incoming.”

Rustle, rustle-

A sound could be heard from afar.

Soon, a Black Spider covered in jet-black fur appeared within the light of the lantern.

Screech━!

『Guardian’s Will has been activated.』

『As the number of enemies faced is 6, defense and health regeneration are increased by 6% each.』

The number was six.

Kang San did not use Trial’s Shield.

The terrain wasn’t wide, making it difficult for them to bypass him, and Black Spiders weren’t intelligent enough to deliberately target their backs. Then there was no need to forcefully put the skill on cooldown. As Kang San clashed with the Black Spiders and blocked an attack, Yeon Woo-bin, as if waiting for his cue, also activated his magic.

“Fire Ball.”

Boom!

Whoosh!

A powerful magic spell with a short casting time.

The fact that fire magic is strong against insect-type monsters had already been proven in the previous ant nest.

As the blazing heat engulfed the Black Spiders, Jo Han-byeol accurately targeted and shot those that showed weaknesses. Jeong Chan-woo didn’t have to step up separately. Even if there was nothing for him to do, he constantly scanned the surroundings, up, down, and behind, in preparation for any unforeseen variables.

The situation was quickly resolved.

The party moved forward again, and as if this wasn’t enough, Black Spiders kept appearing endlessly.

It could have been overwhelming.

But Kang San’s party felt at ease.

They had faced over a hundred ants, including D-rank Soldier Ants, at the same time, so this number didn’t feel burdensome. Moreover, the terrain wasn’t that different from back then. In fact, a cave with only one passage was easier to manage than tunnels with holes everywhere.

They advanced quickly.

Actually, all the participating parties did the same.

Dealing with Black Spiders wasn’t difficult in itself, but there was a section where everyone experienced a crisis.

Just like now.

Rumble, rumble.

The ground suddenly collapsed.

An unpredictable variable inevitably struck Kang San’s party as well.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

After the raid ends.

Kang San’s party always reviewed the process they had gone through.

What was lacking, what needed improvement, conversations that took place like discussions were Kang San’s way.

Immediately after the ant nest subjugation.

Yeon Woo-bin asked.

“Actually, this time, we were able to respond easily because we took formation first, but what if a variable like the ground collapsing happens again, like last time? Or, since it’s a tunnel, the ceiling could collapse too, right?”

It was a valid question.

When they first experienced the ant nest.

Yeon Woo-bin was temporarily incapacitated.

The psychological issue was bigger back then, but it could have been a big problem if it weren’t for Kang San’s help.

Kang San said.

“It’s simple. Prepare in advance.”

“…Wouldn’t it be difficult to anticipate that kind of variable?”

“It is. The preparation I’m talking about means keeping in mind that such variables can occur. Back then, we didn’t anticipate the ground collapsing at all, and we could have been in danger with just one moment of carelessness. But what if we prepare for a fall based on that experience? Or if we prepare for a similar type of variable, even if it’s a subtle difference, we can respond differently in the same situation.”

“That’s what you mean by your way, right? Like when you threw yourself to grab me when everyone else couldn’t react.”

“That’s right.”

Everyone nodded.

Mental preparation was important.

If he had been absentmindedly standing there without any thought, Kang San wouldn’t have been able to throw himself when the ground suddenly collapsed.

In a split second.

Mindset made the difference.

“That’s why I always take time to review after raids or training. If we discuss it together, we can see what was lacking and what needs to be improved. Woo-bin, what do you think you lacked in this ant nest subjugation, even though we succeeded?”

“That’s…”

He fell into thought.

He was much better than before.

His ability to judge situations, casting speed, and the destructive power of his magic.

But if asked if he was perfect, Yeon Woo-bin had a problem he was aware of.

“I think I failed at mana distribution. I should have been aware that I would be constantly using magic in a hunting ground like the ant nest, but I fell into a state of exhaustion due to overuse of magic. If you guys hadn’t bought me time to meditate, my one mistake would have directly led to the failure of the ant nest subjugation.”

“That’s it. Then what should you prepare for next time?”

“Next time…”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

It was instinctive.

The moment the rumbling sound reached his ears, countless variables they had reviewed so far flashed through Yeon Woo-bin’s mind.

Thud!

The ground collapsed.

He was some distance away from Kang San.

In a situation where Kang San couldn’t throw himself to save him like last time, Yeon Woo-bin made his own judgment and acted quickly.

“Gravity.”

Float.

The shoes he was wearing.

The magic enchanted on them activated.

His falling body floated gently, and despite the 10-meter drop, he was able to land safely on the ground. It was the result of reflecting Kang San’s advice. When falling or when something falls on your head. He had prepared for both situations. When falling, control gravity to reduce the impact, and when something falls on your head, buy enough time to defend.

It was sudden, but

He reacted because he was prepared.

Jeong Chan-woo’s voice could be heard from above.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay!”

“Should I go down?”

“No, I can climb up on my own. Jump.”

Thump.

He jumped up.

This time, it was a skill he had learned himself.

It was a non-mainstream skill that most mages wouldn’t even glance at, but from his past experience, Yeon Woo-bin knew that he needed a skill that could momentarily utilize his physical body, like Jump. Mages aren’t delicate flowers. Because you never know what variables might occur, he spent time and money learning non-mainstream magic.

Tap.

He landed on the ground.

With a calmer expression than expected, he asked Jo Han-byeol.

“Are traps like this common? I don’t think there was any precedent for this in the C-rank test data we researched.”

“As far as I know, no.”

“Right?”

Before the test.

Kang San’s party had conducted thorough research.

It was to check if there were any materials they could refer to, but while there were general variables, there was definitely no case of the ground collapsing. Now they seemed to understand why the previous parties had failed. They would have only considered variables like vision obstruction or falling stalactites, but with the ground suddenly collapsing, the rear dealers would have been instantly incapacitated. If another danger arose, exploiting the absence of the dealer, the situation would have become very serious.

“This time, it’s Green Spiders.”

Kang San shouted.

Beyond the darkness.

They could see green monsters swarming towards them.

As expected.

The appearance of monsters exploiting the dealer’s absence showed why four out of the five parties had failed.

A series of events.

Flare.

Whoosh!

Yeon Woo-bin calmly drew up his magical power.

Although a new type of monster appeared, thanks to thorough preparation, he knew instantly what kind of monster it was.

‘Unlike Black Spiders, which utilize their hard bodies and paralyzing poison, Green Spiders are tricky monsters that shoot hundreds of spiderlings. It means a situation will arise where they overwhelm us with numbers, just like in the ant nest.’

There was the experience of failure.

He realized his mistake.

He reviewed and studied so as not to repeat it.

Then from now on.

‘I shouldn’t make the same mistake.’

Why is it?

Twitch.

Yeon Woo-bin, who used to be scared at the sight of monsters, now felt his heart pounding with excitement.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Meanwhile.

Jeong Hye-mi, who was waiting for the test to end, stepped out for a moment after receiving a call from her father.

『I heard the news. It was a complete mess, wasn’t it?』

“…I’m sorry.”

『I understand. According to the report, it seems like Daeyang deliberately sabotaged it, but as a team leader backed by Cheonsang’s name, you should have accounted for such variables. Those guys who operate under the grandiose title of Project B team should have had the skills to match. You were confident, weren’t you? You said you were sure you’d succeed?』

“It was entirely my fault. I’ll be careful not to let this happen again.”

『Of course you should. You see, I, as your father, want my children to follow in my footsteps, but I don’t want them to tarnish my reputation. Look at your brother. Project A team is doing well without any such controversies. Hye-mi, if mistakes are repeated, it’s a matter of skill. This time, because of the results you’ve shown so far, we can move on without any major issues, but people are always ready to bite you. Do you understand what I mean?』

“…Yes.”

『Alright, good work.』

Click.

The call ended.

Jeong Hye-mi bit her lip.

Her father was always like this.

As much as he was proud of his own success, he wanted his children to be perfect, especially in the field of management. Her younger sibling was a different case. If they wanted to do something completely different, her father would spare no support, but for her eldest brother and Jeong Hye-mi, who were involved in Cheonsang, he applied a very strict standard, unlike their youngest sibling.

Just now too.

He deliberately mentioned her brother to induce competition.

He constantly emphasized that executive positions were limited, and that eventually, only one of them would succeed him.

‘He’s not wrong. My brother and I are technically parachuted into Cheonsang. Because my father is a high-ranking executive, we received many privileges, and we achieved results, so we rose to the position of team leader, but that doesn’t mean our background is irrelevant. Our mistakes will inevitably be subject to excessive criticism, and if we don’t live up to expectations, there’s no reason for me to rise instead of my brother.’

Even if they’re family.

Competition is competition.

With this failure, Jeong Hye-mi was put in a disadvantageous position.

To overturn the current situation, she had to either make an impactful recruitment or succeed in B-rank promotion faster than Project A team.

Her head was in a mess.

She went out for some fresh air.

She needed time to breathe like this when she felt suffocated.

“Ha━.”

The sky was clear.

How did she end up inheriting her father’s work?

It was true that she took an interest in it because it was the family business, but Jeong Hye-mi genuinely believed that this work was valuable. Discovering and managing talented Hunters. It was an essential industry in this chaotic world. And among the things ordinary people could do, there weren’t many things more valuable than this.

Someday.

She wanted to build her own team.

And she wanted them to achieve meaningful things for this world.

‘Time…’

She checked her watch.

It had been 30 minutes since the test started.

There seemed to be no need to rush back in.

Project B team also took 55 minutes, so even if she went back in around that time, there was a high probability that she would have to wait.

50 minutes had passed.

She got up from her seat.

Now she was planning to wait indoors, but she heard a truly perplexing story from a staff member.

“The sixth team? They passed the test and went back 10 minutes ago.”

“…Excuse me?”

50 minutes into the test.

That meant.

At the words that they had passed the test in 40 minutes, 10 minutes ago, Jeong Hye-mi’s face was stained with bewilderment.