Chapter 179 - Chapter 182

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 182

Chapter Title: Pursuit

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First, I dumped all 30 bonus stats into Strength.

After activating the achievement window, a new one had been added.

'One objective for coming here is checked off.'

An achievement absolutely essential for taking down the Destruction Dragon later on.

Of course, there was no need to get it in this trial specifically, but this was the only route to snag it early on, and without any competition.

'To encounter a [Mythical Beast] through the normal route, you'd have to get at least to the mid-trial point.'

Not to mention, only the one who lands the killing blow gets the benefit, so it was pretty finicky.

'[Mythical Beasts] in the normal route are usually boss mobs.'

Boss mobs ramp up phases as their HP drops, turning even more dangerous. Handing over the finisher in the middle of that? Insanely risky.

In short, there was no other chance to bag nine of them this easily.

'Got Seo-yeon and So-hee at least.'

Couldn't snag the Saintess or Sera, but whatever. They weren't core damage dealers anyway.

'Too bad I accidentally stole Lee Eun-jeong's too.'

I'd unintentionally landed the killing blow on hers and taken the achievement. But that didn't matter either.

"Everyone, grab the mushrooms!"

"Grab as many as you can! These are our lifelines!"

Just like everyone else, if we chased them down and hunted successfully, that was that.

"Killing one gets you 30 bonus stats, an achievement, and extra rewards."

"Fuck, that's insane?"

The folks hyped up about the rewards had everyone buzzing with excitement.

I shook my head at the crowd brimming with greed.

'Tch tch. Better to keep it to yourselves quietly. You're just making things worse.'

Getting all worked up like that wasn't doing anyone favors.

Sticking together and picking them off one by one would've been perfect for survival...

But come to think of it, this was the standard route anyway.

Trials specialized in pursuits like this came with rewards that spurred competition, and players teamed up with those they synced well with to claim them.

'Looks like the teams stay split into the three groups.'

"Anyone here have pursuit-related abilities?"

"Hey, anyone in our group got something like that?"

The two guilds scouted for pursuit specialists.

Unfortunately, none.

"It was Jang Wian, but he's dead, boss."

"...Got it. No choice then. We'll track the old-fashioned way."

With that, Hao Zifeng led his Cheongbang crew after the footprints first. Not to be outdone, Kim Jin-woo's group followed suit.

"We'll pursue the footprints too."

I took my party and started moving steadily along.

'I could just summon with the letter envelope and end it right now.'

But using it recklessly in a trial centered on pursuit and hunting might impose restrictions on the envelope. So, holding off on that.

'Though that's not the only reason, of course.'

This chase would be meaningful experience for my group. Like it or not, pursuits would come up endlessly from here on out.

"Dickhead, what're you doing? Move your ass already. Let's hustle before they snag 'em all!"

"Yeah!"

"No rushing. These aren't the type to get caught easily. And..."

"And?"

"We've got an excellent tracker on our side."

"Huh?"

My group all turned to stare at me, wondering who.

I focused on Joo Ah-hyun.

"You up for it?"

"Of course! Leave it to me!"

With that, she confidently took the lead.

I checked her abilities with [Full Appraisal].

Back in the [Lair of Evil Spirits], it hadn't shone much since the mobs were ghosts.

But right now, Joo Ah-hyun's utility ability, once just that, started to gleam.

"Looks like the groups have the directions right so far. We can follow. This way."

Nod.

Utility abilities like this might seem useless early on but shine later. Trials don't just demand raw combat, after all.

'Later, everyone'll be scrambling to recruit them.'

By then, though, most utilities would've died off in the early selection process.

In a way, combat specialist Kim Yu-rim had kept and nurtured Joo Ah-hyun this far.

Rustle. Rustle.

And so the search began.

"Man, it's scorching."

"This humidity's brutal. Worse than summer Jeju."

The brutal environment they'd momentarily forgotten in the shade hit them again. No wonder the pursuit dragged more than expected.

Hot and humid, breathing was tough, so the leading Cheongbang swapped trackers every five minutes or so.

Those following wiped sweat stinging their eyes and trailed the leaders with effort.

"Whoa, this heat is no joke."

"...Gonna cook alive. A bit more walking and I'll be done."

Still, it was evening for now.

Word was, daytime in the [Primordial Forest] was utterly unlivable—even predators halted hunts to rest.

'About six hours till the sun cranks up the heat.'

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

But no matter the heat, the search pressed on.

They had to catch the things to end this, so everyone hustled.

For a while, footprints overlapped, keeping all groups on the same path.

Hold up.

Then, at some point, they split into four.

"...Looks like they caught on we're chasing and scattered."

"That's what I think too. So, Hao Zifeng, which way you heading?"

"We'll take the far left footprints."

"Then Jeju Alliance takes the middle."

As they set off immediately, I let out a sigh and called out.

"Hold up."

"?"

"Hunt's done or not, meet at the survival point in five hours."

"Why should we listen to you?"

Kim Jin-woo snapped a bit. The heat made even minor gripes irritating.

...Or maybe not just that.

His gaze dripped with clear disdain.

But then Hao Zifeng raised a hand. A familiar-faced subordinate whispered something to him.

He listened, then eyed me.

"I'd like to hear why. Why five hours?"

"Our team's got a weather prediction ability. Says now's nighttime. Five hours from now, the sun gets hotter."

"The sun gets hotter...?"

"Yeah. Now you get why we head back to the survival point by then."

Hao Zifeng finally nodded.

"Thanks, Korean."

Kim Jin-woo gave a curt nod too. Then the two groups resumed their competitive chase. As they vanished, Shin Seo-yeon grumbled over.

"Dickhead, why tip them off? Just let 'em die."

"Now now, Seo-yeon, be nice."

"..."

I tugged her ponytail playfully, and she twitched her eyebrows, rising on tiptoes then dropping heels repeatedly.

"And shouldn't we help each other out, fellow humans?"

"Hah?"

Shin Seo-yeon gawked in disbelief.

"You didn't get heatstroke, right? Not sick?"

She slapped her palm on my forehead with a grave look.

"Weird. Dickhead ain't the type to help anyone."

"Seo-yeon, why you so desperate to bully Min-jun? Cut it out."

"No, it's just off."

"Shin Seo-yeon. You're overdoing it."

"Yeah!"

"..."

Shin Seo-yeon pouted. Was I? Still eyed me suspiciously.

Her instincts were spot on, of course. Why bother helping those punks out of the goodness of my heart?

'Better they croak from heat as a group and feed the Dracalons than give those bastards room to grow.'

Weak or not, they were mountain dracalon hatchlings. Apocalyptic beasts legendary in tales to come. No need handing them growth opportunities.

Though that wasn't the whole reason.

"Gotta appreciate Comrade Min-jun's kind heart. Ain't that right, Comrade Eun-jeong?"

"Sure is."

Lee Eun-jeong showed favor again.

Even if it didn't benefit her directly, cool actions seemed to earn her liking.

'Or maybe just curiosity about me. Early crush phases turn every suave move into affection boosters.'

Anyway, no clue how many from either side would make it back alive.

The [Primordial Forest] was riddled with dangers.

Lots would die. Didn't care how, just not to the mountain dracalons.

'No idiot sticks together and still gets got by mountain dracalons.'

"Alright, let's head out too."

I put Joo Ah-hyun in front and took the rightmost of the four footprint trails.

Like stepping into a sauna.

In heat so oppressive even breathing hurt, the New Jeju Alliance moved along the shade.

Eek eek eek.

Krrk. Krrk.

Mysterious jungle-like noises barely startled them anymore.

Even the drive to snag Dracalon hatchlings for gains and push to the next area had long faded for most.

The 31 men and women just hoped Kim Jin-woo up front would hurry and deal with the damn things.

"Ugh. Fucking heat. At least no mosquitoes or ticks, thank god."

"This hot, bugs would've made it hell."

As sweat poured like rain, Kim Jin-woo halted.

"Short break, then move out."

"Break time!"

"Break!"

"Phew, saved."

They collapsed on cue. Just walking drained stamina—this was the worst.

Leaning on massive tree roots without moving, their bodies slowly cooled.

In the languor, they sprawled, catching breath.

"Five minutes, then go."

Time flies. Five minutes already?

"Gonna handle some business."

Exhausted folks waved lazily, too tired to reply.

The woman scurried off. Hot air hit as she stood, making even steps a chore.

But fearing guys might hear, she went far enough out of sight to squat.

"Ngh."

Setting her weapon down, she wrestled off sweat-soaked pants and panties that clung stubbornly—brief cool relief.

"Whew, smoke one?"

Squatting, she pulled out a cigarette.

"No matter how shit-hot it gets, quitting these is tough."

Just as she lit up.

Whoosh.

"Huh?"

Every flick, it snuffed out. No matter how many tries, same deal. Wind from somewhere killed the flame the instant it caught. Come to think, a breeze had picked up from behind...

"Uh..."

Then dread hit. Scorching as it was, chills ran up her spine, hairs standing.

Huff. Huff.

Unseen breaths from behind. She lunged for her weapon—too slow.

Crunch!

"?!"

It closed from behind, swallowing her upper body whole. Nothing she could do.

Mmph! Mmph! Screams muffled, she braced her left arm against its jaws closing, right hand scrabbling blindly for the weapon.

Flail! Flail!

But the clever beast pinned her weapon underfoot. Then Kim Jin-woo's low voice drifted over.

"Everyone back? Let's move out then."

"Yeah, let's go. Gotta hit the next area quick."

No, don't!

Flop flop!

Heat-beaten folks, oblivious, trudged off with death-rattle groans.

Even then, her uneaten lower half flopped like a fish, desperately signaling her plight.

Mmmph! Hmmmph!

But they were gone. Her left arm snapped with a scream. After that, it was quick. A few silent kicks into the air, then legs drooped limply.

Twitching, she soiled her ankles-low panties. Then slumped.

Twitch. Twitch.

The mountain dracalon slowly engulfed its prey headfirst. Snake-like eyes rolled as it vanished her completely, then slithered into the brush.

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