Chapter 8

I'm Taking Command from Now On (2)

“Wait a minute, Mr. Baek Dohyeon! How can someone who isn't even an association employee issue orders as he pleases?! The regulations...”

At that moment, the female employee, who had been standing anxiously nearby, interrupted.

“Regulations. Yes, regulations are important. And you know that if this raid results in casualties, every association official responsible for supporting the raid will be punished under those regulations, right?”

“!”

“Y-you, what are you talking about? Yunha, get a grip! Escape right now!”

The next person to interfere was Cha Yunha's manager, Park Taesik.

But this time, I didn't have to do anything.

“You shut up!”

A manager responsible for another hunter on the raid team practically dragged him away from me.

“Mr. Baek Dohyeon. Can you really save our hunters?”

If Cha Yunha genuinely chose to abandon the team and escape alone, the survival chances of the remaining hunters surrounded by snakes would approach zero.

So my claim that there was a way to save everyone must have seemed like a ray of salvation to the managers who were about to lose the hunters under their care.

“Yes. Provided every member of the team, including Ms. Cha Yunha, follows my instructions faithfully.”

“Baek Dohyeon, you...!”

“Won't you shut your mouth, Park Taesik? Ms. Cha Yunha already said she'd follow Mr. Baek Dohyeon's orders and return with everyone! So just shut up and watch, you bastard.”

“Urgh...”

When the other managers glared at Park Taesik as though they wanted to kill him, he finally had no choice but to clamp his mouth shut and step back.

“...It's finally quiet. Then I'll take command from now on, Ms. Cha Yunha. Do you agree?”

-Yes.

“Good.”

I examined the situation on the monitors.

The view from the drone camera hovering in the air was hopeless.

In the middle of the desert, the hunters were surrounded by a Level 4 danger monster, the Gigant Cobra, and eleven other snakes.

Furthermore, one of them, Yun Sol, had been poisoned by the Gigant Cobra's deadly venom.

However, no matter the situation, there was always a way through.

All I had to do to reach that breakthrough was solve the problems in front of me one by one and keep moving forward.

“First, we'll deal with Ms. Yun Sol's condition. The other hunters should continue watching their surroundings. Ms. Yunha, move to Ms. Yun Sol's side immediately.”

-Understood....I've moved.

One of the screens, displaying footage from the action camera attached to Cha Yunha's chest, showed Yun Sol's bitten shoulder.

The purple discoloration had clearly spread farther than it had immediately after the bite.

However, thanks to Cure, the venom hadn't spread so far that recovery was impossible.

“Ms. Yunha, can you use your freezing ability to achieve a specific temperature?”

-Yes. I can control it in increments of approximately ten degrees.

“Excellent. Then immediately freeze every part of Ms. Yun Sol's shoulder affected by the venom. The temperature should be between minus 190 and minus 200 degrees Celsius.”

-Pardon?

“We don't have time. I'll explain the reason as we proceed, so do it immediately.”

-Ah, all right.

Cha Yunha extended her hand toward Yun Sol's shoulder and concentrated. Ice crystals began forming around the wound.

Before long, the entire purple-discolored area had frozen solid.

“The venom has stopped spreading, hasn't it?”

-...Yes. Even after stopping Cure, it's no longer progressing. But... how?

“Unlike ordinary poisons, Gigant Cobra venom doesn't spread directly through the bloodstream. Instead, it adheres to the affected area like glue, causing tissue necrosis as it gradually spreads. Of course, it's also extremely potent, so ordinary antidotes have little effect.”

-Ah, I see. But if we freeze such a large area, won't it cause problems with her body later...?

“That's why I specified between minus 190 and minus 200 degrees. When freezing human bodies, rapid freezing at those temperatures is used to preserve as much tissue as possible. If you get her out quickly, thaw the area properly, and treat it, there shouldn't be any major problems.”

-...I see. Understood.

Cha Yunha instructed another tank to support Yun Sol, who had yet to regain consciousness, and stood up.

-Please give us your next instructions.

We'd dealt with the most urgent problem, but the crisis itself remained unchanged.

The group of snakes still surrounded the hunters.

“When a Gigant Cobra discovers prey, it first tests its target with an initial attack. If it decides it can't capture its prey quickly, it circles around and continues looking for an opportunity. The Poison Snakes are probably imitating its behavior because they've accepted the cobra as their leader.”

-Then that means...

“As long as you don't move, they probably won't attack the team for a while. Of course, the standoff won't continue forever.”

-That's something of a relief. But we're running out of time.

I checked the monitor on the table.

[Time Remaining Until Gate Disappearance: 24 Minutes]

-If we don't move immediately, we won't make it in time.

“I know. Could you put the mage-class hunter next to you on the line?”

-The mage-class hunter. Yes... Understood.

Cha Yunha called over a young woman in robes standing nearby.

-Y-yes. I'm here.

“You're Hunter Kim Soyeon, correct? A mage specializing in the support skill tree. You should have the Flash and Noise Shock skills.”

-Huh? Ah, yes. That's correct. But how do you know that...?

“That isn't important right now. From this point on, I need both of you to follow my instructions.”

I explained the outline of my plan as briefly as possible.

-U-uh? Will that really... work?

“It will. Ms. Yunha, you'll also need to carry out your part immediately after Ms. Soyeon acts. Can you do that?”

-Yes.

“Good. Then relay the instructions to the other hunters.”

Cha Yunha spoke with the other hunters.

At first, everyone seemed bewildered by her instructions.

However, it didn't take them long to accept the plan. After all, if they stayed where they were, they would certainly die.

“Then begin on my signal. Are you ready?”

-Yes.

The hunters formed up once again.

However, this time, the priest was supporting Yun Sol.

“One, two. Three!”

At my signal, everyone simultaneously began sprinting toward the exit at full speed.

Whoosh!

-They're coming!

Several seconds later, all the enormous snakes that had been crawling underground burst out of the sand at once.

-Now!

The mage raised her staff toward the sky, and an intense flash erupted from its tip.

The screens were completely engulfed in white light.

A moment later, the screens returned to normal, restoring our view.

“...It actually worked!”

Hearing someone shout behind me, I turned my head.

I'd been so focused that I hadn't noticed, but all the managers and association employees were standing behind me, unable to take their eyes off the screens.

Even Park Taesik was watching intently, his expression far from pleasant, but he clearly didn't want to miss what was happening.

I turned my attention back to the screens.

Hiss! Hissssss!

The snakes, whose eyes had been struck directly by the flash, writhed on the ground in agony before hurriedly burrowing back beneath the sand.

-Targets incapacitated!

“Ms. Yunha.”

-Yes!

An aura of cold gathered around Cha Yunha's hands.

Then, as she raised both hands toward the sky, the cold surged upward before settling over the hunters' heads.

-Ah! Cold!

Kim Soyeon's cute cry came through Yunha's microphone.

Before long, patches of white frost had formed on the surrounding sand.

-...It's done. I've lowered the hunters' surface temperatures to thirty-one degrees, roughly the same as the surrounding temperature.

“Good. You remember the next instruction, right?”

-Yes. Ms. Soyeon?

-Got it!

This time, Soyeon placed her staff against the ground and began chanting.

Thump, thump.

Rhythmic vibrations came through the communication device.

“Now. Everyone, move. Walk as quickly as possible, but don't run.”

-Understood. Everyone, move!

The hunters immediately resumed moving.

The group advanced toward the Gate.

And then...

“The snakes really can't locate the raid team!”

An association employee watching from behind exclaimed.

Unlike before, when the snakes had moved underground in perfect coordination to surround the team, the snakes hidden beneath the sand were now moving erratically, unable to find their bearings.

Taking advantage of the confusion, the group slipped through the encirclement and continued across the desert.

“What on earth is happening?”

“Shh. Be quiet! This is an important moment.”

I ignored the managers talking behind me and focused on the screens.

The raid team continued advancing while the mage maintained vibrations through the ground and Cha Yunha spread cold air over the hunters' heads.

Fifty meters, one hundred meters, two hundred meters...

“You're far enough away from them now. Start running!”

-Everyone, move at full speed!

The hunters all began running at once.

Cha Yunha took over carrying Yun Sol, hoisting her onto her shoulder as she ran.

As expected, even her physical abilities were S-rank.

I checked the remaining time.

[Time Remaining Until Gate Disappearance: 8 Minutes]

“They'll make it with time to spare.”

The reason their journey had taken so long wasn't the distance, but because they'd had to advance cautiously while watching for monsters.

For superhuman hunters, crossing a few hundred meters was something they could accomplish in the blink of an eye.

-The plan really worked! How on earth did you do it?

Even Yunha's voice, as she ran alongside the other hunters, had lost its usual composure and was filled with excitement.

“Snakes have four ways of detecting their targets. Sight, smell, hearing, and heat.”

-Heat?

“Yes. Snakes possess organs called pit organs, which function similarly to infrared sensors. They can detect living creatures whose temperatures differ from their surroundings.”

-Then the reason you instructed me to lower everyone's surface temperature was...

“To neutralize their heat-sensing organs.”

-Then what about using Noise Shock to create vibrations in the ground?

“Snakes have sensitive hearing. Beyond ordinary sounds that humans can hear, snakes detect vibrations traveling through the ground to locate their prey. That was intended to interfere with that ability.”

-As for their sense of smell... Because I lowered the temperature in this area, the odor particles we emit wouldn't spread as actively, making it harder for them to find us by scent.

“Exactly. You're quite clever, Ms. Yunha.”

Murmur, murmur.

I could sense the people watching behind me becoming restless.

“So you're saying he considered sight, hearing, smell, and even body temperature, and came up with a plan to neutralize all of them in such a short time?”

That's exactly right, you first-timers.

Go ahead and marvel at my incredible expertise, brought back from fifteen years in the future and honed through desperate battles against monsters from another world and the creatures they controlled.

-...Amazing, Mr. Dohyeon. Now that I've heard your explanation, I can't help but admire the idea.

“I'll accept your praise once you've returned safely. Seventy meters remaining until you reach the Gate.”

Soon, the hunters began reaching the Gate one after another.

-Everyone, go in first!

Cha Yunha, who had arrived first, began sending the others through as they reached her.

“Prepare to activate the Gate's forced closure device!”

I shouted to an association employee standing behind me.

“Uh, ah, yes! It'll take about two minutes!”

Once the core supporting a Gate was destroyed, it was possible to close the Gate from this side as well.

However, because the hunters who destroyed the core needed time to return, Gates were generally not closed before their scheduled disappearance.

“...!”

Just as the last member escaped and Cha Yunha was about to cross through the Gate herself...

In the distance, an enormous mound of sand could be seen charging toward the Gate.

“Gigant Cobra approaching! Escape quickly!”

-What about the closure device?

“It'll activate in one minute!”

-Then I'll hold it off here until then. I can't allow it to cross over to your side.

White frost gathered around Cha Yunha's hands.

Rumble, rumble— Whoosh!

The Gigant Cobra emerged directly in front of her.

Crack.

When Cha Yunha extended both hands, the cobra's head froze solid, but—

Crash!

The cobra quickly shook its head, breaking away the mass of ice.

Clack—

Cha Yunha immediately leaped into the air and swung a sword of ice toward the cobra's head.

Clang.

-Gugh...!

However, the ice failed to penetrate its hide and was blocked.

Afterward, Cha Yunha moved back and forth, avoiding the cobra's venom-coated fangs while counterattacking by throwing ice and swinging weapons made of ice.

“...”

I watched their battle anxiously.

“Closure device activated!”

“Get out of there, Ms. Yunha!”

-Hah!

Cha Yunha detonated an enormous mass of ice directly in front of the creature's face and leaped toward the Gate.

She entered the Gate, and the cobra, having recovered from the impact, pursued her from behind, but—

“Closure complete!”

Immediately after Cha Yunha leaped into the Gate, the footage transmitted by the drone cameras went dark.

“...”

After staring blankly at the empty screens for a moment, everyone rushed out of the tent.

I followed them toward the Gate.

The enormous green Gate had already disappeared.

Instead, standing in front of where it had been were the sixteen hunters who had returned safely.

“Soyeon!”

Starting with one manager who ran toward the mage, the managers and association employees rushed toward the hunters in a crowd.

-W-we survived. We really survived. We made it back safely from those enormous snakes...!

-Thank goodness... Thank goodness! Well done. Are you hurt anywhere?

-We need to transport Hunter Yun Sol! Please make way!

Everyone was busy celebrating their survival, checking for injuries, and caring for the wounded hunters, including Yun Sol.

I stood a short distance away, watching the scene with satisfaction.

Nothing had gone according to plan today, but...

In the end, I'd managed to save them with my own hands.

Savoring that sense of accomplishment, I turned around, intending to wait in the command tent until things settled down a little.

“Eek!”

I nearly collided with Cha Yunha, who was standing directly behind me, and involuntarily let out a strange shriek.

“Y-you startled me... Ms. Yunha, what are you doing standing right behind me?”

“Ah... I'm sorry. Because of the nature of my profession, I've developed a habit of suppressing my presence when I move...”

“...”

“...”

“...Are you injured anywhere?”

“Ah, no. Thanks to you.”

“...”

“...”

Cha Yunha seemed to have something she wanted to say but couldn't quite bring herself to say it.

I waited silently for her.

“...Um, thank y—”

“Yunha!”

However, just as she finally managed to speak, her manager rushed over and grabbed both her shoulders.

“Are you okay? You're not hurt anywhere?”

“Yes. I'm not injur—”

“Let's hurry to the guild hospital! You need to get checked out!”

“No, wait...”

Without even giving her a chance to catch her breath, the manager grabbed Cha Yunha's arm and dragged her away.

“...”

And he was considerate enough not to forget to glare at me while doing so.

With that, the two of them left, leaving me standing there all alone.

“Tsk. That was a good opportunity to talk.”

Well, it didn't really matter.

After what happened today, Cha Yunha must have started seeing me differently. If so, I could always create another opportunity to talk.

Perhaps I should approach her sometime when her manager wasn't around.

Ding.

“...Hm?”

Hearing a message notification, I took my smartphone out of my pocket and checked it.

The sender was...

[Cha Yunha: I'm sorry. Because of my manager, we didn't even get a chance to talk properly.]

[Cha Yunha: Thank you so much.]

[Cha Yunha: I don't feel right just thanking you with words, so let's meet privately sometime. We can have a meal together and talk things over calmly.]

“Good.”

It seemed my next meeting with her wouldn't be as far away as I'd expected.