20 – Massu Hunt (2)
The place where Muller’s steps stopped was a nearby pub. Approaching the bartender as if familiar, he handed over several high-denomination bills.
“…I’ll go to the restroom for a bit.”
The bartender, perhaps having experienced this more than once, smoothly disappeared outside.
“Have a seat.”
Muller suggested, pointing to an empty chair.
“Assuming you’re joining, the team will be a total of four members, including me. All the existing members, myself included, are veterans from the Western Front.”
“We can do introductions after the decision to join is made.”
Muller glanced at Lian for a moment, then pulled out a data cube from his pocket. It was the same model that Harang had used a few days ago.
“The name of the prey we need to hunt is Focalos.”
Beyond the three-dimensional hologram, the form of Focalos was revealed. At the end of a body covered in dozens of tentacles, an unusually large mouth was visible. Strangely, it seemed to walk on its six legs.
“The smaller ones range from 2 to 3 meters. The large ones can grow up to 5 meters. When they charge, their speed is faster than most cars, and their durability is so strong that ordinary bullets won’t penetrate.”
A gigantic monster larger than an elephant, faster than a car.
“It wasn’t just expensive for nothing.”
Lian clicked his tongue while watching Focalos tear through a medium-sized armored vehicle. Hunting such a monster with a reward in the millions of cells – who would accept such a request?
“What’s the method for the hunt?”
“The city government assigns sectors to each team. Our assigned sector is the 27th, to the south of the city.”
That meant at least 50 teams accepted this request.
“It seems manageable.”
With just four people, it might be uncertain, but if hundreds are simultaneously undertaking it, there shouldn’t be a problem of being surrounded by monsters.
If things go south, they can always retreat toward the city.
While discussing details related to the request, Muller subtly asked in a low voice.
“Excuse me, may I ask about your combat style?”
Lian pondered for a moment.
He had already informed Harang that he used Qi, but revealing his sword energy to Muler was a different matter.
“It’s martial arts.”
Although Jason knew the opposite…
‘But it doesn’t seem like something I would say with my own mouth.’
As secretive as Lian was, even if he realized that Lian was deceiving other members, he wouldn’t disclose that fact.
“…Martial arts.”
As soon as Muler heard Lian’s answer, he raised one corner of his mouth.
“Indeed. Is Harang still under Master’s guidance?”
“…Yes?”
“Since Jason suddenly mentioned bringing in a novice, it seemed odd. But when Harang stuck to you as his supervisor, it became clear.”
If Harang had directly recommended Lian, he wouldn’t be able to perform the role of a supervisor. He must have asked Jason separately for the recommendation.
“It seems like quite a misunderstanding.”
Looking at Muler’s self-assured face, Lian frowned deeply.
‘…What kind of nonsense is this?’
Although he felt something was seriously twisted, he didn’t show that emotion outwardly.
From what he heard, it was likely that Muler’s attempt to recruit Lian as a team member was based on that misconception that Lian was merely an apprentice.
“…”
Lian silently sighed and maintained a solemn silence.
If you keep your mouth shut, you might get a chance to earn 1.5 million cells.
I’m not lying. You’re the one who misunderstood.
“Wouldn’t it be better to stop talking about that now?”
“I guess so. It’s not like I have to hear an answer.”
“….”
Lian just closed his mouth.
*****
The day after Lian decided to take on the mission with Muller.
Unlike the unmanned taxis he had been using, the vehicle Lian boarded today was more like a military jeep.
A type of car he had used countless times in his past life. Being able to withstand the bumpy vibrations was all thanks to his past experience.
“The driver is Chen, and the sniper is Muller, right?”
He had learned this fact thanks to the light meeting he had with a disguised face last night.
Lian turned his gaze out the window. He hadn’t predicted that the area outside the city, with a population of millions, would be such a wasteland.
“This is pretty bad.”
He should consider himself lucky that there was even an unpaved road.
It’s not hard to understand.
If they built buildings in a place where monsters that tear apart armored vehicles roam around, there would not only be casualties but also the cost of maintenance would be unbearable.
“Now I understand why the Tulas government looks like that.”
In this situation, a city government would be much more advantageous than a central government.
“I wonder if other countries are similar.”
While Lian was lost in thought, Miler, who was sitting across from him, spoke up.
“Chen, how much longer until we reach the rendezvous point?”
“About an hour at this speed.”
“It’s taking forever.”
“I’m just resting my eyes.”
Miler looked at Lian and said,
“You heard that, right? Rest your eyes beforehand. You probably won’t be able to sleep once the operation starts.”
“Understood.”
Following Miler’s advice, Lian closed his eyes and took a rest. No matter how skilled he was as a mercenary in his previous life, this was his first time hunting demons.
Since it was the advice of an experienced person, there was no harm in taking it to heart.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye, and the jeep came to a stop.
When Lian raised his eyelids, he saw hundreds of people gathered, chatting amongst themselves. They seemed to be the mercenaries who had accepted the request to exterminate Focarlos.
“Please pay attention for a moment.”
A middle-aged man with dark circles under his eyes appeared and took hold of the microphone. Judging from his tone, he seemed like a government official.
“You probably received the preliminary information, but this quarter’s request to exterminate Focarlos is divided into a total of 61 areas. The completion criteria are either ten medium-sized or one large-sized Focarlos. Please refer to the attached data cube for more details.”
“…Ten each?”
“I guess the rumors were true that the population has increased nationwide.”
The mercenaries who were discussing among themselves disappeared into their assigned areas in vehicles. Muler, who had been observing the scene, slowly spoke up.
From Noble mtl dot com
“We should start moving too.”
“Okay. Let’s quickly finish and have a drink afterwards.”
Booaaang!
Chen, gripping the steering wheel, began to drive at full speed on the unpaved road.
How long had it been?
Kkigigig……!
An unpleasant noise pierced through the engine’s roar. At the same time, Miller took out the massive sniper rifle he had kept behind his back.
“400 meters ahead. Small size. Miller, what should we do?”
“Shoot them down.”
“Roger.”
Chelk……!
Along with the distinct sound of the rifle being loaded, the bullet shot out at an incredible speed.
Kkieeek!
With a crunching sound, a leg unable to withstand the impact was torn off. Green bodily fluids sprayed in all directions.
“They’re coming!”
Seeing Focalos running towards them as if possessed, Chen quickly turned the vehicle around.
Taang!
Once again, bodily fluids flew through the air. Instant death.
Indeed, they had the skills to call themselves veterans.
As if sensing Lian’s gaze, Miller spoke up.
“The number of enemy heads that Miller blew up on the Western Front will exceed three digits.”
“I may not have a chance to join in at this rate.”
As if there was no doubt, Müller turned his head.
“Focaros live underground in groups. They must have noticed that their kin are being hunted, so they’ll soon rush in like mad.”
As soon as he finished speaking, vibrations began to echo from all directions.
Fu-hwaaah!
At the same time, over dozens of tentacles broke through the ground and revealed themselves.
Müller opened his mouth.
“…There’s quite a lot.”
“How many?”
“Five…no, eight.”
“Can we break through?”
“Impossible. We’ll be surrounded before that.”
Sniping, losing the advantage of distance, was as good as useless.
Dudududud!
Even now, the Focaros were closing in at a terrifying speed.
“We’ll have to disembark soon.”
Lian was no fool.
From Müller’s gaze that she had been feeling since earlier, she sensed that it was time to pay the price.
“Lian and I will disembark and disrupt the surroundings. The other two will break out forward and provide long-range support. Any questions?”
“None.”
“Aren’t you scared?”
“Shall we follow the vehicle about halfway?”
“You know well.”
Müller chuckled in a low voice.
A strange anticipation could be felt there. Lian, who felt that blatant emotion, secretly bit her tongue.
As long as the other person mistook her for Harang’s disciple, she needed to meet those expectations.
Regardless of personality, the commission Müller was bringing in seemed significantly higher in price compared to other commissions.
In order to continue working, she needed to leave a good impression.
In the next moment.
“Get off!”
The vehicle decelerated abruptly, and the two men threw themselves out of the vehicle.
*****