Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 78

Chapter 78: The Tenth Trial （9）

It was a horrifying sight.

The main force consisted of only one person.

Clad in pure white armor, if it weren’t for the fluttering crimson cape, his visual presence would have felt unreal. People instinctively knew who this man was. One of the three S-rank Hunters in South Korea, the legendary figure known as the White Knight, affiliated with the government.

It was Lee Han-seong.

A plunging white light swept through the monsters, and simultaneously, he activated a skill.

“Glory.”

Hwaak-

A pure white light arose.

Ju Seok-hun also possessed the same skill, but Lee Han-seong’s ‘Glory’ instantly restored the health of all the humans nearby.

“Don’t push yourselves and hold your positions. I will take care of the rest.”

Dreureuk.

He raised his sword.

Lee Han-seong’s position was Tanker.

But unusually, he didn’t use a shield. Instead, he wielded a massive greatsword, a blend of white and gold.

Lee Han-seong moved forward.

The Werewolves, afflicted by debuffs, couldn’t regain their senses. Only the Werewolf Lord, letting out a roar, charged at him like a madman. An A-rank monster. As the monster, which had driven an entire Ranger unit to their deaths, attacked, people’s eyes followed the clash between the two.

Kyaak━!

They tangled together.

Just as the Lord’s powerful attack was about to tear Lee Han-seong’s body apart, the Lord’s eyes suddenly widened.

Kwajik.

Papapapat.

It wasn’t a skill.

Lee Han-seong simply swung his sword down, and under that powerful and overwhelming pressure, the Lord couldn’t escape the attack range. It was crushed. The wildly swinging claws and arms were torn apart in reverse, and the Lord spewed blood from every orifice imaginable. It was a scene that sent chills down one’s spine. The red blood, mixed with the pure white, proved the immeasurable gap that existed between A-rank and S-rank.

Puck━!

The head flew off.

To be precise, it vanished.

Seeing the Lord collapse, people finally gained the certainty that they could return alive.

Perhaps that’s why.

With that sight as the last thing he saw.

‘…… I somehow survived.’

Stagger.

Thud!

Overwhelmed by fatigue, Kang San lost consciousness.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

It was a desolate space.

Kim Myeong-min, his entire body wrapped in bandages, met with a member of the Audit Department of the Hunter Management Bureau.

“You endured well in a difficult situation. If it weren’t for Team Leader Kim Myeong-min’s sacrifice, not only the Ranger unit but also all the rescue targets would have been annihilated.”

“……I just did what I had to do.”

Immediately after the mission.

Kim Myeong-min and his team members were rushed to the hospital.

Although Lee Han-seong’s ‘Glory’ had restored their health, it didn’t mean it had completely healed them, including internal injuries. So, they spent yesterday at the hospital. Now that he was able to move around a bit, he responded to this meeting.

The Ranger unit.

It was more accurate to say that Kim Myeong-min belonged to the Hunter Management Bureau, not the Ministry of National Defense.

Ultimately, both the military and the Hunter Management Bureau were rooted in the government, but the two groups had subtly different systems.

The auditor said.

“According to our investigation, the exact process of the A-rank Werewolf Lord’s appearance hasn’t been clarified. Since there were no particular signs in the numerous explorations conducted, we are thoroughly investigating this mysterious situation. If there is a different method of ‘appearance’ than before, the hunting ground ratings set by the Hunter Management Bureau will become meaningless. For now, that’s the gist of it. The problem is…… Is this testimony really true? The part about a D-rank team member named Kang San holding out against the Lord.”

This meeting.

It was because of Kim Myeong-min’s report.

Despite his injuries, he had reported the general situation, and among them was shocking content that was hard to accept.

Kim Myeong-min said.

“It’s all true. Of course, it doesn’t mean he blocked the Werewolf Lord head-on, but as you know, there’s a stat difference of about 10 times between A-rank and D-rank. Nevertheless, Kang San bought time against the Lord. Just dodging and enduring the attacks is unbelievable.”

“I agree with that, but……”

Frankly, it was hard to believe.

If it was true, it was a huge deal.

But how could a D-rank possibly hold out against an A-rank for several minutes?

This was the discovery of a new talent.

Kang San’s presence in this mission was certainly impressive, enough to draw the attention of the Hunter Management Bureau.

“Once Mr. Kang San wakes up, we will confirm the truth. What’s certain is that, even if the achievements shown in the report were somewhat exaggerated, Mr. Kang San is definitely a talent that the government should manage specially. As you know, capable individuals, especially those in the Tanker position, are very rare, aren’t they? And in recognition of the achievements in this incident, Team Leader Kim Myeong-min and the team members will be rewarded. You can look forward to it.”

“I understand.”

Rewards didn’t matter.

Kim Myeong-min thought of Kang San.

The way Kang San had performed.

His intense performance still lingered in his mind.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Meanwhile.

Kim Chun-sik was in the barracks.

After treatment, he had returned to his unit and was alone, having been specifically ordered to rest.

His expression wasn’t bright.

He heard that there was talk of a reward for his contribution this time, but what was important to Kim Chun-sik now was Kang San’s safety.

‘I hope he’s okay.’

With Lee Han-seong’s appearance.

All problems had been solved.

But Kang San had collapsed, and the problem was that he hadn’t regained consciousness since then. The medical staff said they couldn’t determine the cause. It was true that the shock was immense, to the point that his entire body was covered in wounds, but the medical staff had treated all the areas that could be problematic. However, seeing him still unconscious, they suggested that there might be a mental issue.

It was a frustrating situation.

Mental problems, especially when the brain was mentioned, meant there was no guarantee of recovery.

‘He’ll wake up. The Mr. Kang San I know isn’t someone who would break down mentally.’

Ttuk ttuk.

He bit his nails.

He felt anxious for no reason.

He tried to be optimistic, but the ominous feeling that kept creeping in made him cover his face with both hands.

“Sigh- Really, he should take care of himself.”

The content of Kim Myeong-min’s report.

It had also reached the military.

When both the main Tanker and the sub-Tanker were on the verge of collapse, Kang San, a mere D-rank, had desperately held on. Hearing that story, Kim Chun-sik felt like crying. Just as he had saved him during his F-rank human shield days, Kang San hadn’t ignored the danger of others this time either.

He was needlessly devoted.

He should have been more cautious and realistic, but as a D-rank, he made the sacrifice of facing the Lord.

‘God, Buddha. I earnestly pray to all the transcendental beings that may exist beyond. Mr. Kang San isn’t someone to be taken away like this, is he? If there is justice in the world, if it’s a world where those who do good are rewarded. Please let Mr. Kang San wake up safely. I’d gladly die in his place. If you were to appear before me right now and put two lives on a scale, I would willingly offer mine.’

He prayed earnestly.

In the barracks where only the ticking of the second hand could be heard, Kim Chun-sik couldn’t enjoy a moment’s rest.

That’s when it happened.

The door opened, and the 2nd Company Commander appeared.

“Kim Chun-sik.”

“Corporal Kim Chun-sik.”

“Follow me. There’s a place you need to go now.”

He glanced at Kim Chun-sik’s state.

Seeing his casual attire, he added,

“And change into your A-grade combat uniform. You’re going to meet some very high-ranking people.”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

When he entered the unfamiliar place.

Kim Chun-sik felt his breath catch in his throat.

Everywhere he looked, stars were seated, staring at him, figures he, a mere soldier, could hardly dream of meeting.

“Sit down.”

“Corporal Kim Chun-sik.”

At the very head of the table.

There was a middle-aged man.

With a square jaw and tanned skin, a typical soldier’s appearance, he was a face Kim Chun-sik knew well.

The Capital Defense Command.

The main body to which the Capital Defense Force belonged, the core military group protecting Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

He was the commander of that very place.

Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo, adorned with three stars, was flanked by the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, each with one or two stars. Major Choi Seong-jae, the 3rd Battalion Commander, looked insignificant in comparison. Kim Chun-sik sat down with a stern expression, and Commander Lee Cheol-woo looked at the 1st Company Commander, who was as nervous as Kim Chun-sik at the far end of the table.

“So, what kind of achievement did our Corporal Kim Chun-sik make?”

“When we entered the operation area, we determined that it would be reckless to proceed due to the appearance of the Werewolf Lord. At that time, Corporal Kim Chun-sik suggested that he would take on the role of a scout to find the way, considering the possibility that the main force might not be able to locate the Ranger unit immediately due to the full moon’s effect. I thought it was a very dangerous operation, but based on the fact that Corporal Kim Chun-sik had previously saved civilians while facing dozens of monsters, and the judgment that it would be possible if he was provided with sufficient weapons, I trusted Corporal Kim Chun-sik and proceeded with the operation.”

“And in the process, he defeated a Werewolf and drew their attention to allow the Ranger unit to hold out?”

“That’s correct.”

Clap clap clap-

“Amazing, truly amazing.”

As Lee Cheol-woo applauded, everyone around him followed suit, as if infected.

Lee Cheol-woo said.

“You can’t imagine how happy I was to hear this news. People always say that the safety of South Korea is not in the realm of the Ministry of National Defense, but the Hunter Management Bureau. Even if we sweat every day to protect South Korea, they only focus on the dazzling abilities of the Hunters. In fact, some people say that this incident was all thanks to Lee Han-seong, but they cannot deny the achievements of our Corporal Kim Chun-sik. Wouldn’t all those Hunters have died if it weren’t for Corporal Kim Chun-sik’s help?”

“……Thank you.”

The Ministry of National Defense and the Hunter Management Bureau.

As much as their systems were different, there was a strange feeling between the two groups.

In reality, it was a one-sided feeling from the Ministry of National Defense.

Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo had always been dissatisfied with the perception that those who failed to succeed as Hunters and were eliminated would join the military. He didn’t completely deny it. Figures like S-rank Lee Han-seong were all affiliated with the Hunter Management Bureau, but weren’t the soldiers the ones who worked hard every day at the very bottom?

Lee Cheol-woo couldn’t hide his delight.

“What I appreciate most about our Corporal Kim Chun-sik is that he boldly stepped forward in the operation, never forgetting his duty as a soldier. It’s not easy. Even if you’re a soldier, not just anyone can risk their life to complete a mission. Besides, didn’t Corporal Kim Chun-sik rescue civilians last time as well?”

Kim Chun-sik glanced at the 2nd Company Commander.

Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo.

This person didn’t know the backstory.

He hadn’t fulfilled his duty as a soldier, but had jumped into the fire because of Kang San.

But neither the 2nd Company Commander nor the Battalion Commander seemed inclined to mention that fact.

The 1st Company Commander was the same.

Whatever the intention, if it was packaged well, everyone could be rewarded because of Kim Chun-sik alone. Everyone’s interests were intertwined. The superiors who needed Kim Chun-sik’s achievements to be recognized, and the commander who was pleased with it.

Lee Cheol-woo’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.

“So, I’m saying, in times like these, our military needs talent like you, ‘Corporal Kim Chun-sik.’ In that sense, let me make a suggestion. Have you ever thought about climbing higher?”

“……What do you mean?”

Sharp gazes pierced him from all directions.

Everyone was surprised to see him dare to ask a question back.

But even so.

He had to ask.

He couldn’t understand this situation.

Lieutenant General Lee Cheol-woo’s smile deepened.

“To put it bluntly, not as an ordinary soldier. Higher than that, I’m asking if you can take charge of a group and dedicate yourself to the military.”