Chapter 34
Inside the hunting vehicle speeding toward the sudden gate emergence zone.
“How much longer until we arrive?”
“Approximately five more minutes!”
Thanks to police assistance, the Taebaek Guild had barely cleared the blocked roads and was now racing at maximum speed.
“He’s still holding on, but his narrow dodges are becoming more frequent. He must be nearing his limit.”
The tanker who’d been soloing five D-rank monsters for nearly 50 minutes since the gate’s emergence was visibly straining compared to earlier.
“Seriously, if just one more person took a monster off his hands... Are there no other tankers nearby?”
At Daesu’s words, Jo Hwan-woo shook his head.
“Even if there were, who’d jump into that mess? Only someone with a death wish would intervene now.”
“Ha! Junhyeok’s getting put through the wringer alone. Hey! Can’t you push this thing faster?”
With five minutes left, time was critical.
But judging by Junhyeok’s current state, every second counted.
“We’re already at max speed! This is the hunting vehicle’s limit!”
“Damn it! I should’ve commandeered a sports car! What kind of hunting vehicle moves this slow?!”
Objectively, it wasn’t slow—but Daesu’s impatience made it feel glacial.
Jo Hwan-woo interjected calmly,
“Ranting won’t speed us up. He’ll hold out until we arrive. Stay focused.”
Junhyeok had already endured 50 minutes. Though precarious, Jo Hwan-woo trusted he’d last five more.
Moments later...
“We’re here!”
The vehicle doors screeched open with a metallic clang!
“Move out!”
Lee Daesu charged out, brandishing an ornate shield and sword.
ROOOOAR!
GWAAAAH!
Monstrous roars shook the air.
“About time! Hurry up and take these bastards! I’m dying here!” Junhyeok’s strained voice followed.
Daesu lunged at Crocus, the most troublesome monster.
BOOM! CRASH!
“Hah! Thought you were on death’s door, but you’ve still got fight!”
Yet Junhyeok’s aggro levels remained sky-high, defying even Daesu’s efforts to pull threat.
“I’m serious—hurry! I’ll drop any second!”
Junhyeok’s condition was dire. Though evading every attack, his face had grown gaunt from mental exhaustion.
“Jaehwan! Take Perum! Dohun and Sujeong—handle Karkan together! Now!”
Yoo Jaehwan—ranked 6th among tankers and a thrice-awakened A-rank—engaged Perum, while B-rankers Kim Dohun and Jang Sujeong teamed up on Karkan.
“Yes!”
“On it!”
As tankers rushed to secure aggro, damage dealers stood ready, awaiting orders. Attacking prematurely risked chaos.
“Bae Do-il! Focus heals on Junhyeok until this ends!”
“Heal!”
Holy light enveloped Junhyeok as the healer cast.
“Hey, Junhyeok! Two monsters should be easy! Hang in there—we’ll wrap this up fast!”
Truthfully, Taebaek had more D-rank-capable tankers, but many were on leave or missions.
“You call this fair? My legs are shaking—and you want me holding two?!”
“You handled five alone! Quit whining about two!”
With three monsters diverted by Daesu’s team, Junhyeok finally breathed.
Huu... Now I can manage.
Reduced from five to two, his sensory overload eased. The throbbing in his head dulled.
Thank God the department store’s intact. This hell was worth it.
His sacrifice had protected his siblings sheltering there.
Underground, survivors watched live broadcasts via TV.
After a streamer’s initial coverage, networks scrambled helicopters to capture the unprecedented scene: a lone tanker minimizing disaster.
The nation now watched as Taebaek Guild hunters finally arrived.
“—And at this moment! The Taebaek Guild’s hunters have reached the scene! The nameless tanker’s life-risking dedication is about to bear fruit!”
Cheers erupted in the shelter.
“We’re saved! They made it!”
“Who is that tanker? Holding five D-ranks solo for an hour? That’s impossible!”
“Who cares? We’re alive!”
Earlier, they’d stared at screens in petrified silence, knowing their lives hinged on Junhyeok’s survival. Now, relief washed over them.
Eunjeong sighed, tension easing as Taebaek arrived.
Euncheol bounced excitedly.
“Wow! Hyung’s amazing! Right, Noona? Everyone’s talking about him!”
A store clerk smiled, ruffling Euncheol’s hair.
“He really is remarkable. We all owe him our lives.”
“See? Told you!” Euncheol puffed his chest proudly.
A news update blared:
[Breaking! The tanker who soloed five D-ranks for an hour has been identified! Choi Junhyeok—a newly awakened first-phase, rated C-rank unanimously! Unbelievable! A feat even third-phase awakeners couldn’t achieve!]
Junhyeok’s photo appeared onscreen. The Association had preemptively released his details before leaks.
The clerk gaped at Eunjeong.
“Your brother... is a first-phase?”
Eunjeong nodded timidly.
“He... awakened recently.”
“This defies logic. Is he... an Irregular?”
“Irregular”—those defying the unbreakable rule: higher ranks always surpass lower.
And Junhyeok wasn’t the only one questioning. Across the nation, viewers whispered the same word.
Eight hours post-arrival, the last D-rank collapsed.
WHOOSH!
As the monster disintegrated into light, hunters cheered.
“Done!”
“Great work, everyone!”
Junhyeok slumped to the ground.
THUD!
Transferring his colossal aggro would’ve wasted time—better to endure until the end.
“I’m dead...”
While the guild fought for eight hours, Junhyeok had tanked nine without rest.
“You did well.” Daesu approached.
“Forget ‘well’—I just want to collapse.”
Physically and mentally drained, Junhyeok barely registered Daesu’s next question.
“What are you? An Irregular?”
“Huh?”
“A first-phase tanking five D-ranks? Only an Irregular explains this.”
The conclusion was inevitable. No S-rank could emerge from a rookie.
Junhyeok smirked.
“An Irregular, huh? Maybe. All I know is... it worked.”
Being suspected as an Irregular isn’t bad, he mused. Easier to hide my copy ability.
