"Still want to keep going?" Blackjack asked, loosening his shoulders. He was clearly savoring the mont, convinced he had cornered.
I struggled to push myself up, planting both fists on the dirt.
Another shockwave erupted, kicking up a thick cloud of dust. I imdiately cast Water Veil, sending three identical versions of myself scattering in different directions.
"What, that trick again?"
Blackjack and his n turned their heads. The detection specialist, who had been waiting, extended his arm, and a green dot appeared on the real . They all charged.
"Gotcha!"
Blackjack reached first, grabbing the back of my head. 'Slosh!' As he squeezed, my body dissolved into a puddle of water.
"A fake?"
He spun around frantically. The detection specialist, who had seemingly used his ability, also dissolved into water. In his place lay the real specialist, unconscious. It wasn't a difficult illusion to pull off. While Blackjack was beating senseless, I had discreetly used a pre-cast Wind Port to constrict the specialist's throat until he passed out. Then, I remotely cast the Water Veil from Anton's necklace in front of him.
My real self was already sprinting through the lingering smoke from the explosion, heading straight for the Russian's territory.
"What are you waiting for? After him!"
I activated Devastar to widen the gap, then deployed my wing golem. Almost there. Just a little further to the Russian hunters' periter...!
'Thwack!'
A gunshot rang out, and I plumted from the sky. The impact of the fall was doubled by my acceleration.
"Dammit!"
I cursed and looked back. The wing golem was shattered. They had cleverly targeted it directly instead of my body, which was protected by my suit and mana.
I forced my trembling legs to move, gritting my teeth and running. Up ahead, I could see the Russian camp, cordoned off by a fence. Gasping for breath, I prepared Devastar. The mont it activated on my right foot, I stomped down and threw my arms in front of my head.
'BOOOOM!'
My body shot forward like a projectile, smashing through the fence and into the camp. I tumbled across the ground and collapsed, completely spent.
"What the—?"
"Who are you?!"
Startled Russian hunters aid their guns at . I quickly raised my hands. "I-I'm Kim Yusin, a certified rank-3 from Korea! You know , right? I contacted you about providing support!"
"Support?"
"Did you hear anything about this?"
While the Russians murmured in confusion, I glanced ahead. I could see the Immortal. It was bound by chains, and whenever it struggled, the defense team would land a well-tid blow to neutralize it.
-Tower Master! I see a gate on its chest!
'Right. I just need to get in there.'
In the midst of the commotion, Blackjack and the Enforcent Bureau stord in from behind.
"Hand that bastard over!"
"Wh-what's going on?"
The Russian hunters, alard by the sudden intrusion, swung their guns from to the Enforcent Bureau.
"Everyone freeze! Identify yourselves!"
"One more step and we'll consider it a declaration of war!"
At the words "declaration of war," Blackjack froze. His options were to reveal his identity and request cooperation, or try to wipe them all out and capture . But killing all these witnesses was far too risky, especially while they were in the middle of containing a continent-level Disaster. Hindering them from getting to wasn't worth the risk.
"Park Seunghun, Republic of Korea Enforcent Bureau."
In the end, Blackjack showed his credentials, even giving his real na. "I apologize for not notifying you in advance. This is an urgent matter. That man is an illegal fugitive. Hand him over."
The Russian hunters' expressions hardened.
"What's all this racket?"
For a second, I thought a grizzly bear was approaching. He wore a reddish-brown suit, had a brown buzz cut, and a thick beard that ran from his sideburns down his jaw to his neck. His shoulders were incredibly broad. The word 'beast' fit him perfectly.
"Sir Grizzly!"
I knew him by reputation. Grizzly was Russia's star hunter. A certified rank-2. He approached with slow, heavy steps, stopped in front of , and knelt to et my eyes.
"I heard the story. You're the hunter who volunteered to help us."
His presence was imnse. Just eting his gaze made swallow hard.
"Yes, that's right."
"Looks to like you're the one who needs help."
Laughter rippled through the Russian hunters.
"We can clear this dungeon without your help. Why did you co all this way, even breaking your country's laws?"
"Hey!" Blackjack shouted, unable to stand it any longer. "That man is a criminal! There's no need to talk to him, just hand him over!"
Grizzly chuckled. "You guys seem to be misunderstanding sothing."
Blackjack flinched as Grizzly's piercing gaze fell on him.
"This is Russia. That makes you invaders, too. Interrupt one more ti, and I'll tear every last one of you to shreds."
The Enforcent Bureau mbers froze. Grizzly turned back to . "Speak."
"I ca to rescue Hong Yul, the Association President of the Republic of Korea. She's still alive inside the Immortal's dungeon."
Grizzly's expression was unreadable. "The dungeon is about to close. You want to go in there 'now'?"
"I have a plan. I believe there's a chance."
Grizzly fell silent, deep in thought. Logically, there was nothing to consider. Korea's Enforcent Bureau had identified themselves and requested cooperation. It would be better for him to hand over and get a reward from Frost than to risk a diplomatic incident. But for so reason, he was hesitating.
'I'll save Devastar for now.'
My plan had been to use Devastar to dash for the gate at the first opportunity. But I'd put that on hold. The situation was surprisingly turning in my favor.
"Hunter Grizzly! Think carefully!" Blackjack urged, gritting his teeth as he sensed the shift in atmosphere. "No matter what, that man is a Korean criminal! You are making the mistake of protecting a friendly nation's fugitive!"
"...A mistake?" Grizzly stroked his beard, a slow, dangerous smile spreading across his face. "I'm not so sure about that."
Blackjack was stunned.
He slowly rose to his full, intimidating height. "I've heard about the situation in Korea. The news of the Great Hero Hong Yul's disappearance was a major global event."
A dense, powerful mana began to radiate from his body.
"Russia rembers. We rember the 'Nightmare of Moscow,' the worst Disaster in our history, four years ago. When even our own hunters were fleeing for their lives, she, a foreigner, threw herself into the fight against that colossal Disaster. She fought as she bled, as her bones shattered, as a hole was torn through her stomach. And in the end, she brought down the source of it all."
Grizzly tilted his head back, his eyes filled with awe. "She saved Russia. Every Russian owes the Great Hero Hong Yul a debt they can never repay."
"W-Wait a minute...!"
"So let ask you, lackeys of Unix." A muscle in Grizzly's jaw twitched. "What have 'you' done for Russia?"
The question silenced Blackjack completely.
"Just because you seized so power in Korea, you think you're hot stuff? Don't make laugh. Out here, you're not even worth the dirt under her fingernails."
"L-Listen to ! Association President Frost...!"
"I have no desire to listen to so punk I've never even heard of!"
'RUMBLE!'
The sheer force in his voice made everyone flinch.
'Wow.'
Even I felt a thrill of satisfaction. The nerve, calling the Korean Association President a nobody.
"That legendary hero, defeated by a boring little Disaster like this? Impossible!" Grizzly was clearly enraged. "You fools, blinded by power, have tarnished a glorious legend with your own hands! If you dare interfere with the rescue of that great hero, the entire world will hold your Association accountable! Perhaps I should go to Seoul myself and drag that Frost fellow out by the collar!"
"H-Hey! Such reckless statents are a grave diplomatic insult...!"
"This is your last warning."
'Crack! Craaackle!'
Grizzly's body began to expand. His hands on the ground transford into massive forepaws, and his hind legs stretched to the far end of the camp.
"...Wh-What in the!"
"What kind of tamorphosis is that!"
He was bigger than the Immortal. A brown-furred bear, over thirty ters long—large enough to cover a small village—lood over us. With every breath, a frosty mist escaped its jaws.
"GET OFF THIS LAND!"
The world vibrated with his voice. He was gathering his mana with the clear intent of killing the entire Enforcent Bureau. 'Shing!' The other Russian hunters drew their weapons and took aim.
"S-Sir, what do we do?" one of the agents stamred, trembling.
Blackjack's face was rigid as he stared up at the giant bear. He swallowed hard, then said quietly, "W-We're leaving."
In the end, Blackjack and the Enforcent Bureau had no choice but to flee.
'Association President... you're not watching this, are you?'
There were tis I hadn't fully understood her actions. For a hunter, their body is their most valuable asset. A certified rank-1 hunter should treasure their own life above all else, yet she would willingly fly anywhere in the world to fight where she was needed. Many people mocked her for it, calling her foolish.
But I could say with absolute certainty that her devotion was never in vain.
"Can you stand?" Grizzly asked, now back in his human form, offering his hand.
"Yes, thank you." I took it and pulled myself to my feet.
"The assault team has been inside for seven hours. They're a bit behind schedule, but they should be facing the boss by now. I can't postpone the hunt to keep the exit open; that's beyond my authority."
"I know. It doesn't matter if all the exits close."
Just then, the Immortal's chained body began to dissipate into the air. The gate on its chest started to fade.
"The dungeon has been cleared."
"Right."
Grizzly pulled on his combat gloves. "Russia rembers. Saving her is a cause worth dying for. I'm going with you."
I waved my hand dismissively. "I appreciate the offer, but this is sothing I have to do alone. Having others with would only get in the way."
At my words, Grizzly lowered his arms. "I'm sorry I can't be of more help."
"Chasing those guys off was a huge help. Thank you again."
Grizzly bared his teeth in a grin. "Anyone in this world would have done the sa."
His words ward my chest. Being abroad made it perfectly clear: Hong Yul was still a legend. Her sacrifices had not been for nothing.
* * *
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