The SSS-Class Hunter’s Garden Log Chapter 8

“Ask me after you find them.” 

 

“Hey, I need a clear motivation to feel like working.”

 

Yoon Taegyeom’s cheeks twitched as a smirk crept up.

 

“You were impressed by the item’s effects too, weren’t you? See? I told you those weren’t ordinary potatoes. Et—”

 

“Don’t you dare say ‘Et-cha’ or ‘It-cha’ or whatever.”

 

Seo Kanghyun warned in an ominous tone.

 

That damn ‘Et-cha.’

 

He felt like he’d heard enough ‘Et-chas’ in the last few days to last a lifetime.

 

With an expression of pure disgust, Seo Kanghyun answered.

 

“I’ll admit, the performance is better than most recovery potions. Furthermore, there were no side effects or residual toxicity at all.”

 

“Right, right! I told you it’s more effective than the stuff our guild’s production hunters make!” 

 

“Yeah. So if possible, I’m thinking of having the guild sign a contract to receive regular supplies of the items.”

 

“I knew it! You’ve finally recognized the greatness of the Cult of Crops!”

 

…The Cult of what?

 

Seo Kanghyun shook his head slowly. 

 

Regardless, he had to give credit where credit was due. He coveted the items put out by that mysterious seller.

 

At that moment, the alarm inside the Association grew even more intense.

 

[Warning. Energy interference levels are increasing near the New Hunter Registration zone.]

 

Seo Kanghyun immediately looked up.

 

His gaze turned cold and sharp in an instant.

 

“Hyung.”

 

“Yeah. I felt it too.”

 

Even the playful Yoon Taegyeom gulped.

 

The two men looked toward the same spot simultaneously—the direction where energy was abnormally condensing.

 

It was then.

 

Boom—! 

 

A low, deep rumble vibrated through the entire Association building.

 

The floor shook like an earthquake, causing several staff members to stumble, and fine dust began to fall from the lobby ceiling.

 

[Danger. Signs of a Gate opening detected on the wall of the registration zone. Everyone, please evacuate!]

 

As the digitized announcement echoed, one wall of the lobby split open as if being torn apart.

 

Purple rifts spread along with a rush of cold air, and in an instant, an oval gap larger than a person opened up.

 

Machines throughout the lobby creaked and poured out warnings at the surge of mana waves pouring forth.

 

“It’s a Gate! A Gate has opened!”

 

Starting with that scream, the lobby instantly turned into a scene of chaos.

 

Staff members began to evacuate according to the emergency manual, while some hurried to support colleagues who had tripped in the panic as they headed for the emergency exits.

 

Warning sirens spread through every sector of the Association, and the emergency lights on the floor blinked red.

 

In the center of the confusion, the Gate was terrifyingly expanding its rift.

 

[Gate Rank: B-rank]

[Gate Type: Reproductive Spore Zone]

[Threat Level: High]

[Monster Count: 32 units]

 

While the ground heaved and a chill spread, monsters began to pour out of the Gate. 

 

Their forms were varied.

 

Monstrous things crawling and shrieking, entities dripping with mucus, and even undeveloped spore masses. 

 

“Aw, hell. There goes my chance of leaving work early.”

 

“Stop complaining and just deal with them.”

 

Beside the complaining Yoon Ta-gyeom, Seo Kanghyun nonchalantly drew his sword from its sheath. 

 

Seo Kanghyun’s skill window opened.

 

【SYSTEM】

< Skill ‘Flare Strike (A- rank)’ is being activated. >

< Attribute: Fire >

< Range: Melee multi-hit >

 

A red aura erupted from Seo Kanghyun’s hand.

 

The flames swirling around the tip of his blade coiled like a living snake before lunging through the air.

 

BOOM!

 

The spore-type entities caught in the momentum of the flames exploded simultaneously. 

 

Yoon Taegyeom whistled at the power.

 

“You monster. Leave something for me to handle. It’s embarrassing for your Hyung if you sweep them all up yourself.”

 

Yoon Taegyeom rolled up his sleeves and twisted his hands.

 

Drrrr— 

 

With a low-pitched vibration, a metal rod art piece decorating the wall began to contort.

 

Telekinesis.

 

Yoon Taegyeom’s ability allowed him to freely utilize surrounding objects with just a gesture. 

 

In an instant, the rods—aimed like dozens of spears—flew toward the monsters all at once at his command. 

 

Thanks to Kanghyun and Taegyeom, the swarming monsters were cleared in short order.

 

However, the Gate entrance showed no signs of closing.

 

The Boss monster still remained.

 

Ptu, ptu.

 

Soon after, a bizarre sound was heard.

 

From the rift of the Gate, a presence far more massive than anything before it lunged out.

 

“It’s the Boss monster! Everyone, get back!” 

 

Someone shouted.

 

A seething mass of spores, moving like a living swamp. 

 

Countless hyphae and swollen spore sacs vibrated eerily.

 

“Gross. What is that now?”

 

Yoon Taegyeom gagged, his face full of revulsion.

 

The stench of stagnant water filled the air.

 

Seo Kanghyun narrowed his eyes and took a step forward.

 

【SYSTEM】

< Skill ‘Haechi’s Eye (SS-rank)’ activated. Piercing through to the essence of the object. >

 

With a short effect sound, a transparent system window overlapped Seo Kanghyun’s vision.

 

【SYSTEM】

< Target identification complete >

< Name: Spore Swamp Beast >

< Rank: B-rank Mutant Plant-type Monster (Reproductive type) >

< Attribute: Toxicity / Slime / Hyphae >

< Characteristics:

 

-Autonomous proliferation possible (Can create multiple small entities through body fluids and hyphae division)

-Appearance is fluid; cannot be confirmed dead unless the core is destroyed

-Periodically creates additional ‘Spore Colonies’ by absorbing surrounding energy >

 

“That’s a complicated way of saying ‘break the core.’”

 

The mass of slime twisted, and the swollen spore sacs vibrated incessantly.

 

“Nothing good comes from dragging this out.”

 

Seo Kanghyun didn’t bat an eye.

 

The tip of his sword aimed at the center of the monster.

 

Yes, the longer this dragged on, the more senseless damage would increase. Just like back then. 

 

Suddenly, strength flowed into Kanghyun’s fingertips.

 

A memory he had tried to suppress forced its way into his mind.

 

“Sunbae! Get out! Get out of there right now!”

 

The voice of his past, powerless self screaming in front of the exploding Gate, echoed vividly in his ears.

 

At the sudden memory, his cynical face flickered with agitation.

 

“…Damn it.”

 

Grind.

 

Clenching his jaw, Kanghyun swung his sword again.

 

【SYSTEM】

< Skill Connection Activated: ‘Flare Strike (A- rank)’ → ‘Explosive Flame Slash (A+ rank)’ >

< Attribute: Fire / Connection: Spreads fire in a 3-meter radius upon impact >

< Bonus Effect: Increase explosive heat effect when hitting the center >

 

As if suppressing his wavering emotions, Kanghyun swung his blade even deeper.

 

The heat grew more intense as the surrounding air expanded, and the flaming sword soon lunged down toward the heart of the monster.

 

KA-BOOM!!

 

An explosion of flames erupted, and the mass of hyphae thrashed wildly.

 

At that moment, a spore sac burst.

 

A thick fluid trickled out from within, flowing onto the floor.

 

The liquid seeped into the shadow of a pillar before either Seo Kanghyun or Yoon Taegyeom could notice.

 

Then, it moved quietly, squirming along.

 

Toward the direction of the simulation rooms.

 

* * *

 

While the fierce battle was in full swing, Hana was standing blankly in the middle of the simulation room.

 

“How much longer do I have to stay like this?”

 

Hana, completely unaware of the situation outside, looked around.

 

Just as she was beginning to get bored of the indefinite wait, a mechanical voice echoed in the room.

 

[Welcome. We will begin the test for measuring your awakening branch. Please press the ‘Start’ button visible in front of you.]

 

Along with the announcement, a holographic button appeared before her.

 

“Whoa.”

 

About to press the button, Hana tilted her head.

 

“But it’s strange. It’s my first time, but I’m not nervous at all.” 

 

Was my mental strength always this strong?

 

Holding onto her doubts, she pressed the button, and the guidance voice flowed out again.

 

[An F-rank monster ‘Slime,’ adjusted to the subject’s rank, is being generated. Please eliminate the ‘Slime’ within the time limit.]

 

Poof.

 

A transparent jelly monster popped out.

 

It looked almost cute as it crawled around her feet, round and flapping.

 

“Psh, compared to the monsters I’ve seen so far, this is just adorable.”

 

Hana looked down at the slime with an unimpressed face and raised her fist.

 

And with a thwack, she struck it; in a single blow, the slime lost its form and burst. 

 

[Awakening class test complete. Please wait a moment.] 

 

“Huh? That’s it?”

 

Wasn’t this a bit too dull for a test? 

 

Well, she figured it was fine since it ended without any issues.

 

Leaving behind a slight sense of awkwardness, Hana brushed off her hands.

 

Then, she looked down, feeling like she had stepped on something squishy.

 

“What is this? It’s sticky.”

 

Schlick—

 

When did this start flowing onto the floor?

 

A pool of thick green slime was sticking to her shoes.

 

It wasn’t the semi-transparent slime she had seen earlier.

 

It was a foul-smelling liquid.

 

It began to crawl toward the center, gradually taking shape. 

 

Swelling hyphae.

 

Thickly tangled spore sacs.

 

The form that materialized before her eyes was identical to the Boss monster that Seo Kanghyun was currently fighting.

 

“That’s strange.”

 

Hana, poking the slime with her shoe, widened her eyes.

 

“They said the test was over. Why is another monster coming out?”