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The construction site where the earthquake was happening was teeming with people, from soldiers to Hunters who had been called up, creating a tense atmosphere.
"Could there really be something down there?"
Someone whispered that.
It's unknown whether it was a Hunter who came to support or a soldier who said it. It just meant that everyone who heard the words swallowed hard and became tense.
At that moment, a person with a fancy one-star insignia on their head stepped forward in front of the platform.
"Thank you for taking the time during this difficult moment."
He bowed politely to everyone, including the soldiers.
"As you all have heard, the operation we will be carrying out today is the establishment of a siege."
The people gathered here had heard the story to some extent, so they didn't question the siege itself.
"We don't know exactly what's underground. But a sensory ability user has clearly stated that a life form exists. Government and military officials all believe it to be a monster."
The form of the monster is unknown. But considering it has the power to cause a massive earthquake, it was certain that it was strong.
"The monster coming out of the underground may be stronger than expected. But please don't forget that there are citizens behind you."
At his words, many people turned around or looked to the side.
There, they could see high-rise buildings, apartments, shopping districts, and roads.
That's right. The place where this operation would unfold was in the heart of Seoul. Among the people here, there would be those who have family there, and those who have friends or lovers.
"I won't tell you to risk your lives. Just, please protect them as much as possible. For the people behind you."
Many people sympathized with his words and were captivated.
"And because we have heroes."
There were people slowly walking up onto the platform. There were only three of them, but most of the people here knew their faces.
S-Rank Hunters, the true superhumans who are also called the linchpin of national defense.
The first person to step onto the platform had noticeable white patches in their hair and wrinkles on their face. Still, no one ignored him.
South Korea's first S-Rank Hunter, an Awakener called the Holy Knight or Crusader, Heo Yul-ssi.
A Hunter who has been active since the early days of the Gate crisis, a man who rose to the top with his ability to manipulate light.
He's already over 60 and considered old, but he's still a monster reigning as the strongest of the S-Rank Hunters.
The next person to come up was also famous. A man who reached S-Rank 18 years ago.
A Hunter called the Wizard with the rare ability to manipulate multiple attributes, Kang Hyun-su-ssi. Now middle-aged, his face showed signs of experience. The moment they saw him, many people felt relieved.
It didn't end there. The last man to step onto the platform was famous in another sense.
The last S-Rank Hunter to be recognized by the strict government.
A Hunter called the Red Yaksha, Jeong Seong-yeon-ssi. He recently gained attention for marrying a beautiful heiress.
Soldiers and Hunters alike were surprised. Out of only five S-Rank Hunters, a whopping three were here. It was the same as saying that the government was taking this matter very seriously.
They each introduced themselves and then said that they should join forces to protect the people.
"If we don't do it, who will?"
That's right. Was the job of a Hunter simply a job to earn money, because they were Awakeners? No.
The job of a Hunter was a noble profession that protected people.
As Gate Breaks became a rare occurrence and many people succeeded as Hunters, the profession of Hunter transformed into a job seeking a quick fortune.
But Hunters were not that kind of job. It was a noble profession that preemptively dealt with monsters to prevent them from coming out of the Gate and fought monsters in times of emergency.
At this moment, the Hunters gathered here remembered that.
'If I, if we, don't stop the monsters, who will?'
After that, representatives from the military and the Hunters gathered to discuss how to carry out the operation.
The Holy Knight was chosen as the representative of the Hunters without a single objection.
The discussion wasn't long. In the first place, even though they were soldiers, almost no one in South Korea, a conscription country, wanted to go to the military.
The Holy Knight explained the operation in front of the 2,000 Hunters who had gathered.
The military will take charge of the siege on the outside, and the Hunters will take charge of setting up camp inside. If there are people who came together, gather and form groups of 10. And set up camp in those units of 10.
After the explanation, people next to each other began to talk and form parties.
After about 3 hours, the siege and camp were roughly formed.
With one division and 2,000 Hunters, approximately 15,000 people gathered, the site was well-defended. As the defenses were set up, the tension grew even more, but everyone kept their positions.
And the three S-Rank Hunters, the greatest force, gathered with the division commander who commanded the division and even the deputy chief of the Army Headquarters to discuss future plans.
"First of all, the urgent matter is over."
The soldiers had stars on their heads, but they were polite. In such operations, the position of an S-Rank Hunter is recognized as at least a general. Therefore, they were respectful and courteous.
"We don't know what level the monster is, so we don't know yet."
Everyone agreed with the Wizard's words.
"That's right."
The Hunters who were summoned this time were mostly C-Rank, with a few B-Rank mixed in. There weren't many A-Ranks, who could be called the real force. Because it was a sudden summons, they couldn't call Hunters who already had other commitments.
"You requested support, right?"
At the Two-Star's words, the One-Star nodded and replied.
"Yes, of course, I requested additional support. The problem is that there are no high-ranking Hunters who can come to support us right away."
"What about the military units?"
"We judged that increasing reinforcements any further would only increase the damage when facing a monster."
He nodded at those words. If this was a prairie or a field, they could use armored forces, but it wasn't. Since they could only deploy infantry, forcibly gathering units would not help in fighting the monster.
"That's right, monsters are the Hunters' domain."
At the Holy Knight's words, the Two-Star let out a sigh of regret.
"So, what about digging down?"
"We have prepared equipment to dig the ground. We will start the work as soon as you give the word."
"Okay...."
"It's been a while since I've used my strength."
The youngest Red Yaksha here said, loosening his body.
"Old man, why don't you rest in the back? I'll take the lead."
"Keul keul, I'm still in good shape."
"Still, I'm saying you should stay in the back."
After talking for a long time about how to fight, they decided to start digging the ground.
It took some time to bring in and install the equipment.
As they were preparing to dig the ground with the installed machine, the detection ability user suddenly shouted.
"Run away!"
And the ground began to shake little by little. It was a faint vibration, but was it because they were close to the epicenter? Everyone felt the vibration.
"Everyone, prepare for battle!!!"
At the Holy Knight's shout, everyone tensed up and took a battle stance.
In the meantime, the people who were installing the machine ran away, and some Hunters stepped forward to help them.
As time passed, the rumbling of the ground only grew louder, and the ground in the center of the construction site began to be destroyed.
"It's coming...."
The three S-Ranks tensed up at the strong magic power felt from below.
"A-Rank or higher."
They could tell from experience. What was coming up above was at least an A-Rank.
The vibrations grew more and more violent. Vibrations that exceeded the usual earthquakes, and then an explosion occurred from the ground.
Kwang!!!
With a huge explosion, stones and dust scattered. The visibility suddenly worsened and their stances wavered, but the Hunters didn't panic and gripped their weapons, taking their stances.
The explosion didn't stop at once and happened again. The second explosion was bigger and stronger than the first.
Dirt and dust shot up strongly, and a black shadow could be seen through it. A very large shadow.
The moment they saw it, everyone was filled with fear.
Some even lost their will to fight at the sight of the very large figure.
"I'll go first!"
The first to rush out was the Red Yaksha. Covered in a red aura, he rushed out with terrifying momentum.
"I'll leave clearing the dust to you."
The Holy Knight also drew his sword and stepped forward.
"Where should I blow it?"
The Wizard held his trademark staff and slammed it into the ground. Then, a huge wind formed around him. The wind gathered into a sphere. And the sphere began to suck in the dust, and gradually the dirt and dust disappeared.
What appeared as the dust disappeared was a huge dragon.
As everyone stared blankly at it, the dragon fired a fear. (Pireo)
The loud noise shattered the surrounding windows, blew away tents, and caused some people to rupture their eardrums and bleed.
And all the ordinary people who were not Awakeners were terrified and collapsed.
"It's huge, huh?"
The Red Yaksha had already flown up to the position of the dragon's right wing.
And he gathered his ability, fighting spirit, in one hand. The red aura continued to strengthen, becoming so thick that it seemed bloodstained.
"Take this for starters!"
As he swung his hand, the red aura became a sword and stretched out, attacking the dragon's right wing.
The red aura became a storm when it touched the wing and began to run rampant.
"It didn't get cut off?"
The dragon's wing was badly injured by the powerful attack, but it wasn't cut off.
"Clumsy, Seong-yeon-ah!"
At that moment, the Holy Knight, who had arrived at the dragon's feet, swung his sword. It was a similar form of attack to what the Red Yaksha had done, but the color was different.
The pure white slash cut off the dragon's right wing as it was.
"Damn it, to be pushed back by that old man."
Seeing the S-Ranks fighting the giant dragon, the Hunters who had lost their will to fight rekindled their determination and had hope.
No matter how huge the dragon, over 100m tall, it can be caught if there are S-Rank Hunters. That hope....
But the Gate Break was just beginning.