Chapter 33: Chapter 33

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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Chapter 33: Hunting (5)

"Hyung! What should I do next?"

"…Huh?"

Jaehyuk slung an old shovel over his shoulder and spoke up.

His T-shirt was long discarded, and his pants were rolled up high enough to reveal his calf muscles.

He looked every bit like a seasoned construction worker.

‘Well, this place isn’t much different from a construction site anyway.’

We had dug trenches to create waterless ditches and piled up the excavated dirt to form barricades.

All this, done by just a few men, in a mere hour.

"Are you planning to keep going…?"

"I'm still good to go!"

【‘The Raven of the Administration Bureau’ nods approvingly, impressed by his subordinate’s tenacity.】

【‘The Ferryman of the Administration Bureau’ marvels at the foresight of Eunho, who unlocked the target’s potential.】

It seems like a tireless worker—or rather, an industrial warrior—has been born.

"Super regeneration, right?"

"Yes! I finally have an ability now!"

Jaehyuk said, grinning proudly.

‘It’s definitely a great ability.’

To heal from injuries almost instantly?

Plus…

"Congratulations."

"It’s all thanks to you, Hyung! You told me to focus on improving my recovery!"

Even his stamina recovers.

Already robust, he’s basically become a stamina monster now.

Following Jaehyuk’s cheerful response, the group showered him with congratulations.

"Congrats, Jaehyuk!"

"Thank you, noona!"

"Congrats, mister!"

Everyone except Sola, who stood with her arms crossed, looking displeased.

"…I could heal you…"

"Hm? What did you say?"

"…Nothing."

Sola pouted as her eyes wandered to the hunting ground behind her.

In its center, atop a wisteria vine, a single pebble rolled down and fell.

Thud-thud-thud…

For anyone unfamiliar with the situation, it might seem eerie, as if a ghost were present.

But in times like these…

"It seems Yura is playing hide-and-seek with her dad."

It’s better to imagine that the little lady is just earnestly playing a game of “hide-and-seek.”

"Yura’s ability is truly amazing,"

Jieun muttered, staring at the seemingly unoccupied wisteria vine.

"It’s the key to this plan."

"And the fact that you, Eunho, came up with this plan is even more amazing."

"Haha…"

This project operates on a few principles.

First, monsters appear periodically in areas shrouded in black mist—conveniently called "hunting grounds."

According to Jieun, who first observed this phenomenon, a monster emerges roughly every ten minutes.

Second, monsters appear regardless of the time interval if someone enters the hunting ground.

Finally, third, even after a monster is defeated, if any survivors remain, a new monster will appear.

Now, adding Yura’s ability into the equation…

‘We can generate monsters without being attacked.’

In other words, to maximize hunting efficiency…

‘Kill the monsters as soon as they’re created.’

Even if we immediately eliminate the spawned monsters, more will appear thanks to Yura.

"We’re ready!"

"They’re the last ones."

The artificially created hunting ground, now littered with stumps instead of bushes, was blanketed in dark, smoky mist.

The clearing was packed with traps and hundreds, if not thousands, of poison-coated spearheads embedded in the ground.

And just in case, the area was surrounded by trenches and barricades built with dirt and sweat.

With this…

‘The hunting ground is complete.’

The final duo to place their spears quickly retreated beyond the barricades, carefully avoiding the densely packed traps.

"Uh… what should we do now?"

"Should we try shooting arrows?"

The pair, fiddling with flimsy-looking bows likely bought from a store, approached nervously, seeming uneasy about merely watching.

They glanced between me and the air, as if checking a map or remaining time.

I felt tempted to assign them something, but…

"There’s nothing more to do."

"Huh? But…"

This is, after all, an "automated hunt."

"Look over there."

I shrugged and pointed to the hunting ground.

The duo turned around sharply.

— ROAR!

[Eliminate the ‘Starving Fire Bear’!]

A monster slowly emerged from the dark smoke. Its faint, ghostly appearance gradually gained color and form—a massive flame bear.

And then, immediately…

— Thunk!

It stepped on a poison-coated spearhead the moment it appeared.

ROAR!

The bear howled, flailed its front paws, and shook its head wildly in a frenzy, but… no matter how much it struggled, it only managed to drive more traps into its feet.

— Thunk!

The ground was filled with so many poison-tipped traps that even a large monster like this couldn’t avoid them.

[You have eliminated the ‘Starving Fire Bear’!]

[Welfare Points: +20]

‘Oh.’

It seemed one of the spears the bear had trampled or brushed against belonged to me.

The two people next to me, noticing the same thing, widened their eyes in astonishment before clapping their hands.

"20 points! We really got it!"

"Wow, this actually works!"

[Eliminate the ‘Starving Fire Bear’!]

And another monster appeared as soon as the announcement of earned points ended.

— ROAR!

Thunk! Thunk-thunk!

…Only to die immediately, again.

[You have eliminated the ‘Starving Fire Bear’!]

[Welfare Points: +33]

[Eliminate the ‘Venomous Sky Tiger’!]

[You have eliminated the ‘Venomous Sky Tiger’!]

[Welfare Points: +10]

[Eliminate the ‘Starving Fire Bear’!]

[You have defeated the ‘Starving Fire Bear'!]

……

【Numerous observers marvel at the ingenuity of 'Lee Eunho'!】

"It's done! I've collected everything!"

"Now, I just need 300 more points to finish!"

Joyful cries echoed from every direction, as persistent as the flood of messages.

It was hard to believe these were the same people who, moments ago, had been hell-bent on taking each other's lives.

Anyway, for me, too…

'200 points to go.'

Just 200 more points, and I'd be able to leave this place safely.

"Th-thank you! Honestly, I didn’t think it would work…."

"Thanks to you, I’m still alive!"

I gave a half-hearted nod to the flurry of gratitude and was about to check the map.

【An anonymous observer wishes for 'Lee Eunho's bold actions to continue!】

【Sponsored 1,000 Welfare Points!】

'Sponsorship?'

Another anonymous observer.

Could it be the same one who gifted the 'Lightning Oil' during the Seoul Station mission?

"Thanks. This is the second time you've given me something."

【The anonymous observer laughs, saying it’s no big deal.】

'It’s them, alright.'

Then the next question is…

What exactly are those beings watching us from beyond the veil of this place?

Are they even human?

If not, what purpose do they have in observing us?

Sigh.

Chewing over these unanswerable questions caused my brow to furrow.

[500 points have been deposited after deducting administrative fees.]

...Perhaps it’s the outrageous fee that’s upsetting me.

'Fifty percent? That’s outright robbery.'

In any case.

'That makes it 5,050 points.'

Collected again.

Most people had to run themselves ragged to gather 5,000 points.

Yet I’ve spent 10,000 points upgrading the store and managed to gather another 5,000.

"Uncle! You’ve completed it, right?"

"Yeah, and you’re done too, right?"

"We finished ages ago, thanks to you."

Leaving behind the confident remarks of Sola and Yeojin, I turned back to the map.

Among the dozens of markers, there wasn’t a single one under 5,000 points.

[Defeat the 'Starving Fire Bear'!]

None.

Then perhaps it's time to… Hmm?

'That last announcement sounded strange…'

I tried to brush it off as a mistake, but—

[Defe- … -it…]

"What are they saying?"

"The system's acting weird."

Too many people began glancing around at each other with wide eyes.

And then came the ominous noise.

Beep-!

[Error detected!]

[Excessive entities generated within the zone!]

Beeeeeeeeep-!

A horrifying sound, amplified like the loudspeakers on election campaign trucks, filled the air.

Stagger!

The once steady ground beneath me suddenly shifted.

"Did the ground just…?"

"It’s shaking!"

Rumble!

The earth, along with everyone standing on it, swayed like branches in the wind.

"Aaaahhh!"

"Grab onto something!"

A belated announcement echoed through the chaos.

[Brace for impact!]

The hunting ground had devolved into complete disarray.

'…Yura is in danger!'

"Yura! Drop your skill!"

Whoosh!

A small figure and a silhouette descended from the tree.

As soon as I confirmed their landing, I swung my sword.

— Swish!

The strong gust of wind sliced through, sending spears flying like falling leaves.

「Usage Remaining: 2/3」

"Hanul! Carry Yura on your back!"

"Got it!"

Rumble!

A massive hole formed in the middle of the hunting ground, shrouded in thick black smoke.

A chilling sensation crawled up my spine.

The sticky, oppressive ground beneath my feet urged me to move faster, slicing through another obstacle in my path.

「Usage Remaining: 1/3」

Even so, the black smoke below thickened, turning viscous, and—

— Squish!

The ground beneath my shoes began sticking like gum.

— Squelch!

Every step I took felt like my shoes were about to be pulled off.

— Glurp!

Eventually, the surface began swallowing my feet like a shallow swamp.

Stagger!

Hanul, carrying Yura, lost his balance.

"Eunho! Over here!"

Jieun waved desperately from a safe zone where she stood firm.

'Is escaping this error zone the solution?'

If so…

"Jieun! Lift Hanul!"

"Got it!"

With a short, resolute answer, Jieun closed her eyes and opened them again, her gaze radiating determination.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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Whoosh!

Hanul’s body rose with a flurry of crushed leaves.

'That takes care of them.'

"This is the last one."

I poured all my strength, energy, and resolve into the sword in my hands and swung.

It felt as though I were slicing through space itself.

— Swish!

The dense, tar-like smoke parted and receded like an ebbing tide.

But as I leapt forward—

Zing!

My hair stood on end.

"W-what?!"

Suddenly, I was being pulled backward.

It felt like gravity itself had shifted to drag me from behind.

"Uncle!!"

"Hyung!!"

Sola and Jaehyuk extended their hands in desperation.

'Too far!'

The distance was insurmountable.

And the force pulling me was only growing stronger.

It was dangerous, but…

— Thunk!

I stabbed my sword deep into the viscous ground to anchor myself and leapt.

Tap!

Like a pole-vaulter, I launched myself into the air.

Then—

"Store!"

Just before letting go of the sword, I shouted.

Clap!

I grabbed Sola and Jaehyuk’s wrists tightly.

"Sir! Pull it!"

"Arghhhhh!"

Thud!

The two of us were flung back, unable to overcome the recoil, and collapsed onto the ordinary dirt ground as we barely laid ourselves down.

[This is a message for survivors in the Yongsan-gu area.]

An announcement rang out.

[A daily wage will be collected shortly. Please prepare.]

[10 seconds left until the end of work: 10, 9, 8...]

"It's already time...!"

"Finally, it's over!"

For those who were prepared, the end of work was the most joyous moment of all.

It was 6 p.m.

[Target: Lee Eunho. Submitting daily wage of 5,000 points.]

Clink-!

The sound of coins dropping echoed cheerfully in my ears.

And then.

[Project 'Hunting.' Completed.]

[Upon project completion, 3 mission points and 1,000 welfare points have been awarded.]

[Please check your mission rewards!]

It was over.

Considering all the hardships endured up to this point, it ended so quickly and simply that it felt almost too light.

"That's it?"

"We made it! We're alive!!"

['The Eye' is closing.]

As soon as it hit quitting time, 'The Eye' shut tight, right on cue.

And amidst the cheers of those relieved to have narrowly escaped death.

Just as I was about to collapse from exhaustion.

[Attention, target Lee Eunho.]

"Huh?"

A message meant exclusively for me was delivered.

Well… it was delivered, but…

[The number of survivors has significantly increased compared to the simulation.]

[A special reward for the 'Rebel' trait has been added.]

A special reward for the Rebel trait…?

[Resistance stat increased (+52)]

'...?!'

Suddenly?

[A unique stat, 'Resistance,' has been created.]

[The 'Resistance' stat increases when achievements opposing the 'greater good' are made. Points cannot be allocated to this stat.]

So…

I achieved something that 'opposes' the 'greater good' in this project?

'When did I do that?'

And why 52?

Not 50 or 60—52, specifically.

What's that about?

"Fifty-two..."

As I frowned and muttered to myself, Jieun chuckled and spoke to me.

"Eunho, you're quick with numbers, as always."

"Huh?"

"Aren't you counting how many people are left?"

"How many people are left… Oh!"

I quickly lifted my head and counted the figures one by one.

One, two, three...

'51, 52, 53!'

The total number of survivors scattered around was 53.

If you exclude me, that leaves 52.

The number of people who survived the project, or rather…

'The number of people I saved.'

Okay, let’s organize this.

If the 'achievement opposing the greater good' refers to the number of people I saved...

'The system's 'greater good' must mean 'elimination'—reducing the number of people.'

Oh, my god.

Realizing the essence of the Rebel trait and the Resistance stat made my head spin, and I shook my head in disbelief.

At that moment, I overheard unfamiliar voices murmuring nearby.

[Excessive entity generation. Why is that?]

[Strange. A separate report is needed.]

[We’re going to get scolded. Let’s assess first.]

'Who’s that?'

Unfamiliar tones, peculiar speech patterns.

The conversation seemed deeply connected to the 'error' the system mentioned earlier.

And most puzzling of all…n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Phew, it’s finally over."

"Do you think we’re done for today? They did say it’s quitting time!"

The others reacted completely nonchalantly, as if they hadn’t heard a thing.

"Jieun! Can’t you hear these voices?"

"Huh? What voices?"

Jieun tilted her head, looking puzzled.

And a moment later.

Tap, tap!

Footsteps approached, and then appeared…

"...Kids?"

Two young boys, about Yura’s age.

Maybe five or six years old.

Identical faces.

Bowl cuts.

Neat white outfits.

'Twins?'

"Huh? Kids?"

"You don’t see them?"

"Yura is right there with his dad. Eunho, is something wrong?"

Oh, there is.

Something very, very wrong.

— Bang!

The twins leapt up—boing, boing, boing!—and soared to the height of a second-story building in a single bound.

It was like they had jet engines attached to their shoes.

So, what you’re telling me is…

"You’re saying you can’t see those flying kids?"

"Huh? Flying kids? What are you even talking about?"

"You too, Jaehyuk?"

"Yes, hyung. All I see in the sky are clouds!"

So only I can see them, and only I can hear them?

If that’s the case…

"Jaehyuk. Do you think I’ve lost it?"

"Wh-what? Of course not!"

"Then... follow me for a bit."

Rebel trait or whatever—it’s probably because of this ability I alone possess.

Which means…

[Excessive entity generation. Why is that?]

[Strange. A separate report is needed.]

[We’re going to get scolded. Let’s assess first.]

I’m the only one who can find out who they are, and what kind of superior they’re 'reporting' to.

'This is my chance.'

A chance to uncover the knowledge those guys up there have and we down here don’t—about this world.

In other words…

An opportunity to learn the truth about this cursed restructuring process!

"Wait! Where are you going…?"

"Jieun, take care of the others."

"Huh? Oh, okay!"

"Hyung! Hyuuuuung!"

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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