283 – Area 1 – Abandoned Laboratory (4)
The battle with the Manticore ended faster than expected.
No matter how many A-class monsters there were, they could not compare to our strength, which consisted of two S-class holders and many veteran holders.
Park Ji-hwan and Yoo Eun-seol hunted several manticores with each light movement, and other clan members also showed neat teamwork under the formation I commanded.
‘I chose the archer class well.’
At the center were archer clan members.
Most aerial monsters have flight-related runes, and because of this, the typical fight structure where the warrior class takes charge of tanking and the wizard class takes charge of dealing does not occur.
So, from the beginning, we adopted a formation that had archers as the main dealers.
And, the target was clearly successful.
The archers, including Team 4 leader Kim A-reum, played their roles perfectly with the assistance of other clan members.
The battle ended cleanly, with no time for several strong clan members other than the standard to intervene.
-Owner. I’m scared of that woman.
‘… Get used to it. The person who will become your sister-in-law.’
-I hate it!
Tirbond, who had been re-summoned earlier, was in awe.
The ‘woman’ he is talking about is, of course, Moon Ga-eun.
She performed the most outstanding performance in this battle.
Riding her own contractor, ‘Hatten’, she freely roamed the battlefield and demonstrated accurate shooting, and through , Her hunting skills show that she has now become an expert in manticore hunting.
Especially during the battle earlier, her positioning seemed to have been difficult, and she suddenly said, “Jaehyun, let me borrow a dragon!” And she climbed on top of Tyrbond…
Even in such a rapidly changing situation, the battle continued calmly.
I was impressed by the very fluid combat, but it seems that Tyrbond was not like that.
… Flying with Moon Ga-eun is too rough or something.
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
Anyway, the battle at the beginning ended like that.
After the battle, I gathered together the clan members who were doing maintenance here and there.
“I would like to give you plenty of time to rest, but given the situation, I think we should start right away. From now on, we will be searching this research complex, which is believed to be the site of the victims’ abduction. “The search will be conducted by each team and designated area.”
Handed over Park Ji-hwan’s [Shared Production Map], He points to the areas drawn on the map.
These were special points within the complex that were marked in advance as soon as the battle was over.
“Hunting team 1 sequentially searches from Area A to Area C. If something unusual is discovered during exploration or an emergency situation arises, you can use an item to signal. “The top priority for our search is the kidnapping victims.”
Similarly, Team 2 goes from Area D to Area F.
Teams 3, 4, and 5 were also assigned to search in three areas.
And.
“Finally, Holder Park Ji-Hwan and I will explore Area P and Area Q together.”
“Master! “That’s dangerous!”
Team 2 leader Lim Hyeon shouted and stopped him.
No matter how much it was a team consisting of a clan master and an S-class holder, it seemed like they thought it would be too dangerous to explore unknown territory with just two people.
… Of course, it is actually dangerous.
But still, we had to move forward now.
“Lim Hyun Holder, please follow my orders for now. “There is not enough time.”
“But…” “
“I admit that it is dangerous. However, you have to proceed even if it means taking risks. The situation is that urgent. Since Park Ji-hwan, the S-class holder, will move together, we will provide the minimum safety measures for both parties. “If we are in danger, we will give you a signal.”
Lim Hyeon was also embarrassed to see me speaking with a stern expression, but quickly accepted the situation.
Anyway, he is a regular member who has been with the clan from raids to clans.
Knowing that my unconventional decisions have rarely been wrong, it seemed like I accepted it easily this time too.
Fortunately, there was not much resistance from other clan members.
We quickly moved to the research complex to explore.
* * *
‘Dad was an S-rank holder….’
Park Jin-woo walked with a slightly dazed look on his face.
This exploration, the clan’s first activity, was a series of shocks for him.
It was burdensome to suddenly take on the big role of leader of a temporary hunting team, but he ran into his dad as soon as he entered the dungeon….
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t embarrassed.
Of course, I heard from my friend, ‘Park Ji-hwan Holder is a key figure in the pursuit of Luden Arc, so you will encounter him a lot in the future.’ But… I didn’t know it would be today.
In fact, the identity of that father is Ryu Ji-hyuk, an S-class holder.
I had no idea about his ability to change his face, so I couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Team leader, come to your senses.”
But I couldn’t afford to worry about that right now.
Camilla is right next to me, speaking encouragingly.
Park Jin-woo shook his head as if shaking off random thoughts.
A much more important event was ahead of me than something that personally surprised me.
“Warrior classes move without letting go of their defensive posture. Looking back at the previous battles, the monsters in this dungeon are at least B grade. If the front line attacks hastily, the back line may become anxious. Please move while maintaining the formation.”
Give orders to team members immediately.
Park Jin-woo’s leadership was already well-known since .
He has a cool-headed judgment that is not shaken by the situation, the determination to push through once he has made up his mind, and even a talent for improvisation that can be considered innate.
Although it was the complete opposite of his passionate fighting style, he definitely had a talent for command.
Han Sang-jin, head of the planning team, did not recommend him as team leader of Team 5 for nothing.
Thanks to this, his team members also placed their trust in the young team leader and followed his instructions.
“Team leader, there is a figure ahead that appears to be a monster.”
And something discovered after just 5 minutes of searching.
According to the report of the archer team member, Park Jin-woo strengthened his guard and focused.
In a narrow space, there is a high probability that a fight will occur immediately after face-to-face encounters, so one had to be ready for a preemptive attack at any time.
In this way, the distance to the enemy is getting closer and closer…
When something unidentified finally revealed itself.
“Well, that is…” ?”
“What is this…?” .”
Not only Park Jin-woo but also his teammates fell into confusion.
Of course.
The shape of the enemy that appears right in front of you.
“Yes, it is a person.”
“That’s Korean too… !”
This was because it had the appearance of a human.
Like Jürgen or Lycan in , He does not just imitate the human form.
Anyone can see that he looks like an ordinary human being.
He even looks Korean.
“These crazy bastards….”
Park Jin-woo couldn’t stand the swear words rushing to his chin.
This is because as soon as I saw the person in front of me, I immediately realized the situation.
Chimera.
The Ludenarch School created chimeras using humans.
The face is ordinary, but the muscles are bulging like an animal and the lower body is of a heterogeneous shape… Crucially, you can tell just by looking at the large wings flapping behind its back.
The opponent was a monster-turned human who had become a combat weapon.
“Team leader, that can’t be right…” “
“I am not on the list of kidnapping victims. “I think it was probably a case where he was caught and experimented on before, but it hasn’t been revealed.”
The list of kidnapping victims was confirmed by the team leaders of each team.
Park Jin-woo also knew this, so he put an end to his suspicions in advance.
“… ….”
“How do you do that…” .”
However, the team members’ agitation did not subside easily.
No matter the process, the result was in the shape of a human being, and it was not even clear whether the test subject was alive or not.
If you blindly hunt a monster, you could end up committing murder.
Sreung-Kang.
In that chaotic atmosphere…
Park Jin-woo quietly took out his sword.
As a team leader who leads the team, and as a clan member.
It was to shoulder the burden and step forward directly.
‘… ‘It’s as good as already being dead.’
Furthermore, Park Jin-woo was confident.
The human who has become a chimera before our eyes is no longer alive.
[Eye of Attunement] That allows you to check the internal structure, external condition, and magical effects of the target.
The newly acquired runes as a seeker told me this.
The head has the appearance of a human, but there is no brain inside, and where the heart should be, a magic stone that serves as power takes its place.
That thing only looked like a person, but in reality, it was no different from a zombie.
“Hmm… !!”
Because of that, they become bitter and swing their swords at their enemies.
Fortunately, the [Mysterious Index] Rune, which prevents him from being shaken in any situation, was there to control his hesitation.
* * *
“Not even here.”
After examining every corner of the room, I sigh and say.
We visited all the research centers in Area P that we were in charge of, but there was no trace of the kidnapping victims.
And.
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“All I know is that we have to tear them to death.”
A harsh curse came out from Park Ji-hwan, who was next to him.
I completely understood that feeling.
The ‘human-shaped chimera’ that I dealt with while traveling around this research institute.
While hunting those bizarre monsters, I was able to learn of the atrocities that Ludenarch had committed.
That was an evil act that a human being could never forgive.
“Then is the hypothesis that they were kidnapped for sacrifice wrong?”
Park Ji-hwan shook his head at my question.
“That won’t be it. First of all, there are no victims of this kidnapping among the chimeras we have dealt with, and this may be the first time that such a large number of kidnappings have occurred. “These chimeras are probably the result of little by little production over a long period of time.”
Only a wicked experiment and its results.
There was no other income earned within the research institute.
I shook my head bitterly and spoke to Park Ji-hwan.
“Let’s go straight to Area Q.”
“Yes.”
I felt anxious that something might have already gone wrong, but I couldn’t just sit still.
We left the lab and moved to the Q-area lab located at the end of the complex.