Hyunseok opposed Minseo taking up Slayer work.
Although his stance had slightly softened recently, his opposition to Minseo slaying remained unchanged.
The reason was simple.
Hyunseok had just come out of a funeral.
Slayer Kim Mingu, who belonged to I'UET, had lost his life during the latest slaying mission.
In the previous dungeon clear, two deaths had occurred, and now another had happened.
Even as I'UET solidified its status as Korea's top guild, such glory could not exist without the sacrifices of comrades. To become the best, one must endure multiple crises, and casualties along the way are unavoidable.
Park Sunghyung followed Hyunseok outside and lit a cigarette.
"Do you smoke?"
"No," Hyunseok replied. He avoided anything harmful to his health, except "excessive sex" after the age of twenty.
"Truly… impressive, Hyunseok," Park Sunghyung said, exhaling smoke.
Hyunseok only gave an awkward smile, unable to respond.
He felt a faint sense of guilt regarding Kim Mingu's death. Though he had received an urgent call, he had prepared leisurely and departed without haste, as he was slightly tired after work. But by the time he arrived at the scene, Kim Mingu had been attacked and killed by monsters.
Rationally, it wasn't his fault. He was essentially Kim Mingu's benefactor, and the I'UET members also saw it that way.
Yet, knowing that a slightly faster response might have saved Kim Mingu, Hyunseok could not feel completely at ease witnessing the death firsthand.
Before his eyes stood a Twin-Headed Orc, a monstrous aberration at least 1.5 times the size of a normal orc.
Considering that regular orcs range from 1.5-2 meters in height, this creature was nearly 3 meters tall.
Sunghyung immediately volunteered to take the vanguard upon Hyunseok's arrival. Even witnessing Kim Mingu's death moments before, he did so without hesitation, intending for Hyunseok to deliver a single decisive blow.
Hyunseok's admiration for Sunghyung deepened that day.
"The real hero wasn't me, it was you, Sunghyung. By the way, are you older than me? Should I just call you 'hyung'?"
"No need… just call me Sunghyung."
Perhaps it was the camaraderie forged on the battlefield, but both felt a mutual respect. Sunghyung's casual, slightly rough Busan accent did not diminish his politeness, which impressed Hyunseok.
❋ ❋ ❋
Mt. Inwang — Mid-mountain, around 8 PM
The forest should have been dark, but the special lights set by I'UET's support team illuminated the area as bright as day.
Hyunseok arrived almost simultaneously with Kim Mingu's death.
"Hyunseok, you're here. Let's skip greetings given the situation," Sunghyung said, stepping aside briefly.
Ahead, other combat Slayers, including Jongwon, struggled to block or dodge the massive twin-headed orc's attacks. Its shield remained strong, above 30% integrity.
"Without Sunghyung, we can't hold for long!" Jongwon shouted.
A healer nearby urgently deployed a recovery field after an ally's shoulder was grazed, thankfully avoiding a critical hit.
Despite the exhaustion visible on the combat Slayers, retreat was not an option, the monster advanced toward civilian homes. I'UET repeatedly blocked its path to prevent further disaster.
"This monster emerged near the summit and was moving steadily toward residential areas," Sunghyung explained.
Though Hyunseok's stats were high, he had never experienced a battle this intense. Witnessing human death firsthand was entirely new to him.
Sunghyung continued:
"I'll aim for its eyes. It's sensitive there, so it will attack me. If luck is on our side, I can block it; if not, something might break, or worse, someone could die, like Kim Mingu."
Hyunseok understood the gravity but did not hesitate. Sunghyung had the natural ability to inspire trust and created an opportunity for him to strike safely from behind.
The outcome was astonishing.
With a single punch from Hyunseok, the twin-headed orc's spine broke, killing it instantly. Sunghyung, unsurprised, maintained a neutral expression, while other Slayers alternated between astonishment and disbelief.
[Twin-Headed Orc Slayed]
[Recognized as a Difficult Achievement]
[Bonus Stats +10 Awarded]
[50% Reduction Applied Due to Stats Exceeding Easy Mode Specifications]
For Slayers without strong attacks, monsters with high resilience and recovery are extremely dangerous. Yet Hyunseok's attack bypassed all that.
I'UET's members retrieved the loot, Green Stones and items, and, with unanimous consent, transferred all rewards to Hyunseok.
Hyunseok admired Sunghyung's generosity. Observing closely, he noticed red-rimmed eyes and labored breathing, learning later that Sunghyung had cried alone after parting ways.
Though this "Difficult Achievement" and the slaying of the Twin-Headed Orc enhanced I'UET's reputation, morale among members sank due to Kim Mingu's death.
Sunghyung gave the monster the unofficial title "The One Who Killed Kim Mingu" to honor his sacrifice. He publicly scolded intrusive journalists photographing funerals, yet people still praised his handling of the situation.
Sunghyung exhaled smoke again.
"I… I had confidence. With the data I gathered on your abilities, I knew you could take down the Twin-Headed Orc in one strike."
Hyunseok frowned slightly.
"You've studied me?"
"Yes. Everything about your stats, HP, MP, attack, has been quantified. Eventually, it will manifest, for example, in normal mode… We have researchers focusing on this."
Hyunseok acknowledged:
"…You seem to understand my abilities better than I do myself."
Sunghyung explained:
"You're not a professional Slayer, so you have your path, and I have mine. With a bit more study, no one would have to die. If we know a monster's attack value is 50, simply having more than 50 defense is enough. Not perfect, but it reduces risk."
"And… one more favor," Sunghyung continued.
"We have a machine that roughly tracks monster locations. I stopped it from being deployed indiscriminately, otherwise, too many would rush in and die unnecessarily. With your help, the most capable Slayers will handle it. Secretly, of course."
Hyunseok nodded. Sunghyung's plan was reasonable, and the focus was on reducing casualties.
"Then, I want you to accompany us on a brief slaying mission. These monsters are dangerous. After analyzing data and preparing, you just need to stay behind and deliver a single, effective strike. Rewards will be negotiated with your approval, and I can propose full allocation to you if you agree."
Hyunseok paused before speaking.
"Sunghyung… I have a favor to ask as well."
(End of Chapter 17)
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