Rescue operations resumed.
I formulated a few hypotheses and tested them while dealing with the zombies. No matter which one, they all initially charged at me upon spotting me.
However, at the critical moment, they hesitated in their attacks, then shifted their targets and ran toward other residents.
How should I interpret this phenomenon?
Are they avoiding me because I’m a player? Or is it because we’re outsiders?
“Eia, do you have any records on this kind of phenomenon?”
-I am still searching, but undead are creatures that harbor blind hatred toward the living. It is logically impossible for them to be selective in their attacks. Even in the Forbidden Land incident, no such record exists.
“Mm, got it. Keep investigating.”
-Yes, Tower Master.
Just then, my pocket vibrated with the ringtone of Jung Seojin’s call.
-Tower Master. We have successfully evacuated everyone in this area.
“Good work. I’ll head over now.”
I left the zombie-infested city and moved toward the temporary shelter.
At the shelter, people who had hastily escaped the city were catching their breath.
Their clothing was tattered, and their overall nutritional condition appeared poor.
Jung Seojin was carrying an intoxicated man to a safer place.
Jin Bora had set up a makeshift medical tent using one she had used previously in the Lava Cave. The banner that read “30% OFF Heat Resistance Equipment” was still attached.
“Th-there’s a zombie! A zombie—!”
“It’s okay. The monsters in the containment zone won’t come outside.”
Jin Bora reassured the injured as she provided emergency treatment.
There were people who had been scratched or bitten by zombies, and even some whose flesh had been torn off in chunks.
It was becoming clear that the zombies were deliberately targeting the residents here instead of us.
“Bora, what about the rescue team?”
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she answered,
“I contacted them a while ago, but I’m not sure if they’ll arrive in time. Since they’d have to enter an unprotected zone, I think they’re waiting for support from the Hunters’ Association.”
“…Tch.”
So much for a so-called rescue team. They were more concerned about their own safety.
An organization that operated its own hunters waiting for association support?
Well, there was no reward for saving the Harlem residents, and once the association arrived to clean up, the rescue team would likely show up just in time to take credit.
It wasn’t something I could control.
As we treated the wounded and took a brief moment to catch our breath, a young boy ran toward us.
“You guys are hunters, right? Please help!”
Seeing the tearful boy’s expression, I immediately sensed that something had happened.
Jin Bora crouched down to meet his eye level and asked gently,
“What’s wrong?”
“Eunsol! Eunsol is missing! She’s still trapped in the city!”
Jung Seojin adjusted his glasses and spoke up.
“I was about to mention this. It seems there are still people who haven’t been rescued. They might have fallen victim to the zombies or could be hiding somewhere.”
I stood up.
“Let’s check it out.”
Ensuring a smooth rescue operation was necessary to secure official hunting rights from the association.
We headed back into the city.
Kyaaaargh!
Grrrrk!
We hadn’t gotten far before the path ahead was blocked.
Zombies were spread out across the street.
“There are too many of them. Let’s clear the ones caught in the trap first.”
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for!”
Until now, we had prioritized rescue operations and acted cautiously, but from here on, this would be a proper hunt.
Jin Bora and I moved to the broadcast speaker points.
While Jung Seojin distracted the zombies, we swiftly entered a nearby building.
Climbing up to the fourth floor, we looked out the window.
A speaker dangled from a wire outside, and beneath it, a horde of zombies was clawing at the walls and shrieking.
Now that there were no civilians around, we didn’t have to hold back. I activated a magic circle.
Fwoosh! Flames surged from the magic formation. It was a second-tier fire spell, similar to Ice Javelin.
“Support incoming!”
Jin Bora pulled out bottles of transparent liquid from her subspace inventory and threw them over the zombies.
“It’s Oil Potion! A mix of mana elixir and monster grease.”
“Oh, you managed to make that in a day?”
“Hehe, I’ve got admin privileges now—I have to earn my keep!”
According to the library’s information, these zombies were weak to divine magic and fire.
That’s why we had stocked up on fire-based spells for this dungeon raid.
I finished casting and aimed Fire Cannon at the zombies.
A slight nod.
Taking that as a signal, the fireball shot out and exploded in the middle of the zombie horde.
Fwoooosh!
The oil-soaked zombies were instantly engulfed in flames.
From the safety of the fourth floor, I continuously fired Fire Cannon, watching as the zombies writhed in agony, their bodies turning pitch black.
[Accelerated Casting trait has reached Lv.5.]
[Magic Power increased by 3.]
[Intelligence increased by 1.]
“Wow! This is amazing!”
Jin Bora cheered, likely having seen the player notifications as well.
“This is the thrill of mass hunting! So many rank-3 monsters at once!”
I agreed. I was getting pumped, too.
“Let’s move to the next location.”
We went to four different speaker points and burned through waves of zombies the same way.
Though it wasn’t as effective as a trial-level boost, my stats had improved considerably for the effort put in.
Now this is what I call an easy profit.
Feeling my magic power increase and my mana pool expand, I felt much better. It was a solid warm-up before the boss fight.
-Tower Master. I detect a life signal nearby.
“Okay. Lead the way.”
With the hunt finished and the number of zombies reduced, the rescue operation became much easier. We managed to save five more civilians who had been trapped in a convenience store.
“I’ve never been this grateful…!”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Just then, Jung Seojin stepped forward.
“Does anyone here know a girl named ‘Eunsol’?”
At his question, the rescued civilians exchanged glances.
“Well… we’re not sure…”
“D-don’t know.”
Hmm, something was definitely off. The people in this neighbourhood seemed to be hiding something.
“For now, let’s get you to the safe zone.”
As we were about to escort the survivors back, Eia’s voice rang out again.
-Tower Master. I’m detecting a life signature.
‘Civilians?’
-No. There’s also a mana signature, meaning they are players.
‘What?’
Other players were here besides us? We waited in an alley for a moment, and soon, a group of people appeared before us.
“What the hell? Who are you?”
A huge man with broad shoulders stepped forward. Three men, also looking like players, followed behind him.
That guy seemed pretty strong.
A promising talent or perhaps a rookie at the 5th rank.
“We’re academy cadets. Currently engaged in a rescue operation.”
The man smirked.
“Yeah, good for you.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Do I have to explain my business to some students?”
…So that’s how it’s going to be?
I didn’t need to ask to know. These guys were planning to get ahead of us and take down the dungeon boss.
“Excuse me.”
Jin Bora stepped forward.
“We were the first ones to discover this dungeon. We have priority in clearing it.”
“Oh, so you’re the ones? The Association did mention that there was already a first claimant.”
The man suddenly paused and started studying our faces one by one.
A wary feeling crept over me.
‘This is dangerous. Could he be thinking of getting rid of us?’
If the first claimant disappeared, he would take our place. Considering how cutthroat the Hunter world was, it wasn’t out of the question.
But realistically, it would be difficult. To take our position, he’d have to deal with: Two Hunter Academy students under the Association’s protection, The third son of Unix Group, And five civilians.
To be thorough, he’d also need to eliminate or persuade the three people with him. And soon, Association personnel would arrive here.
If we were inside the dungeon, maybe he could try something, But outside? Taking out this many people and cleaning up within a short time was impossible.
Just as I expected, the man glanced at the refugees behind us, then clicked his tongue. Instead, he pulled out a Hunter license from his inner pocket and waved it at us.
“Official 5th-rank Hunter, Ma Jong-guk.”
“…!”
Jin Bora’s face hardened.
“You must have heard of emergency field command authority granted to professional Hunters. This is no place for students. Leave the city immediately and await further orders.”
“W-what did you say?”
His intent was clear. He wanted to keep us from entering the boss zone at all.
“We’ve determined that further delay will lead to increased casualties. Therefore, our Rapid Guild will take on this dungeon.”
Jin Bora clenched her fists.
“Increased casualties? Then you should be focusing on rescuing these people first!”
Ma Jong-guk glanced at the trembling residents behind us and chuckled.
“Students should just follow the Hunters’ orders. What do you know about the field?”
“That’s exactly what we should be saying—!”
“Bora.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder and shook my head.
“Fine. Do as you please. We’ll handle the rescued people ourselves.”
With that, I turned around.
“Let’s go.”
“S-senpai!”
“The Hunter gave us an order.”
I led our group and the residents away. Behind us, Ma Jong-guk and his party’s mocking laughter echoed.
Jin Bora gritted her teeth in frustration.
“Aren’t you all mad? This is complete nonsense!”
“Look at the bigger picture, Miss Jin Bora.”
Jung Seojin adjusted his glasses.
“We’ve already achieved our initial goal by reporting the discovery. Compared to the profits we stand to gain, that boss monster is nothing. It’s actually beneficial to let them deal with the risks.”
“But still! Those guys are acting like complete jerks! And they call themselves professional Hunters… So petty… Don’t you agree?”
“Don’t worry.”
I smirked darkly.
“Those bastards won’t clear the dungeon even if they die trying.”
“Huh? How do you know that…?”
I tapped my glowing blue right eye.
“Did you forget I can see status windows? I guarantee it—those guys’ lineup won’t cut it.”
I had already analyzed all the dungeon’s monsters and conditions.
No matter how skilled those Hunters were, They weren’t making it through.
I had come prepared for a 3rd-rank boss fight, But now, I wouldn’t even have to lift a finger.
“Let’s make the most of the situation. We’ll reap the rewards without lifting a finger.”