I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 134

Overseas (8)

 

Kang Ian pulled out Ataruk’s Spear, and at the same time, Dr. Sergio suddenly collapsed.

“W-what did you just do?!”

The SVR agent who had been interpreting looked at Kang Ian in shock.

But Kang Ian merely shrugged.

“I didn’t do anything. I just took out a spear.”

“Then why did Director Sergio suddenly collapse?!”

“That’s what we’ll have to find out now. But I didn’t do anything. This spear contains divine power, so anything evil can’t withstand it. Maybe that’s the reason?”

As Kang Ian tilted Ataruk’s Spear, the agent’s gaze followed its tip.

Just looking at it, it emitted a solemn, reverent light.

‘He’s suffering just from touching that light? I’m completely fine though?’

Come to think of it, Hunter Kang Ian had the ability to purify hazardous zones.

Because of that ability, Vice Chairman Medvedev had even adjusted his schedule to wait for him.

There were still many hazardous zones left in Russia, and for now, Kang Ian was the only hunter capable of purifying them.

That was why Medvedev even used the word “friend” to maintain his relationship with him.

Also, according to reports from hunters, including Nikolai, who had accompanied him, in certain areas within hazardous zones where mental contamination occurred, Kang Ian did something, and purification began.

‘They said they couldn’t get close enough to see exactly what he did, but…’

It felt like that sacred light was related.

But then why would Dr. Sergio collapse from that light?

While the SVR agent was confused, Kang Ian focused on Dr. Sergio.

He had come because he heard he was a contractor of a demon, but the man seemed so pathetic that it was a bit anticlimactic.

‘Is this it?’

<What nonsense are you talking about? His chimera magic just took a sudden shock. He’ll recover soon.>

The moment Hometos finished speaking, Dr. Sergio raised his body.

His trembling shoulders had already calmed down.

And his appearance had completely changed.

The skin on his face, neck, shoulders, and the backs of his hands, areas not covered by clothing… peeled away, revealing a grotesque green color.

Moreover, tentacle-like things sprouted from his collarbone, wriggling.

“D-Doctor?”

The SVR agent muttered in shock.

It was something he had never imagined.

Even an SVR agent trained to remain calm in all situations froze for a moment.

And targeting that agent, Dr. Sergio’s tentacle shot out.

A strike so fast that an ordinary person couldn’t even react.

The SVR agent couldn’t even close his eyes, feeling time slow down like a montage of his life flashing by.

A short yet long moment passed as the tentacle was about to pierce his head…

Slash!

Kang Ian had already drawn his sword and cut off the tentacle, standing protectively in front of him.

“Are you okay?”

“Th-thank you… c-cough… thank you…”

“You’re really shaken. Don’t move, just stay here. I’ll finish this quickly.”

Kang Ian smiled, reassuring him.

Seeing that sincere and kind expression, the SVR agent nodded unconsciously.

‘There are hunters like this too…’

Since he knew how difficult and elitist most hunters were, what shocked him more than almost dying was Kang Ian himself.

Of course, Kang Ian had no choice but to smile kindly.

Ding!

 

[You have rescued a civilian in danger from evil]

[Nobility +150]

 

‘How could I not smile when I get such a clear reward?’

‘He’s technically an agent, but since he’s not a hunter, he’s treated as a civilian. And since the opponent is a demon contractor, I guess the reward is higher.’

Considering he had even taken on a loan with a crazy 12.5% interest rate, this was fortunate.

It would help repay the debt.

‘Are the ancestors of Valhalla former loan sharks or something?’

Or did they get scammed badly by one?

How could this be?

Just thinking about the loan made him angry.

So Kang Ian pulled out his staff with his left hand and swung it.

KWAHHH!

The reason he took the loan.

The intermediate magic <Flame Serpent> was cast instantly.

Flames burst from the tip of the staff, forming the shape of a serpent and wrapping around Dr. Sergio.

“KRAAAAGH!”

Dr. Sergio burned as his clothes and skin melted together.

Then, as if shedding his skin, something rose from within.

A body made of a carapace, hundreds of tentacles on its face, two antennae, and four arms.

Only his remaining face barely made him recognizable as Dr. Sergio.

“(I’ll kill you all!)”

He muttered as he walked out of the flames.

“What the hell is that thing…”

<It’s a chimera. He modified his body to surpass the limits of his species.>

It was Hometos who answered.

<But he’s really stupid. He doesn’t seem that skilled in chimera techniques, yet he modified his own body. If it were me, I’d experiment on test subjects first until reaching the ideal level, then use my own body last. Is that guy really a doctor?>

As Hometos said, Dr. Sergio’s appearance was far from ideal.

Judging from his diary, he had admired demonic power… but was this the price?

Fwoosh

Kang Ian cast Flame Serpent again.

Another giant serpent wrapped around the doctor, but he walked through it unfazed.

“(This does nothing!)”

Shouting angrily, Dr. Sergio swung his four arms down.

Due to his carapace, fire magic was much less effective.

Kang Ian tucked his staff at his waist and gripped his longsword with both hands.

Magic was just for suppression… his main strength was swordsmanship.

His lips moved as buffs wrapped around him.

[Blessing of Judgement Flame, Shout of Suppression, Lesser Blessing of the Divine Beast Black Tortoise.]

Then…

Thud!

He stepped forward and swung his sword upward.

The principle of the Heavy Rock Sword, praised even by Sword King Cheon Hajin.

Though there was a huge difference in size and weight, Kang Ian surpassed him in sheer impact.

Even sword energy flickered at the tip.

CRUNCH!

All four of Dr. Sergio’s arms were severed, and a deep wound appeared on his chest.

“(Kuh…?!)”

More than pain, it was shock.

‘This power… an A-rank hunter? I heard he was a B-rank from Korea…?’

It was a misunderstanding caused by Kang Ian’s advantage against demons.

But seeing his arms cut off in a single strike, Dr. Sergio couldn’t think otherwise.

Despite his monstrous appearance, Dr. Sergio was intelligent.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have become a renowned scholar.

He knew when to advance and when to retreat.

Boom!

He stepped back and slammed a part of the floor.

Though his arms were gone, his legs remained.

And he had always prepared for worst-case scenarios.

He had assumed that inferior humans might storm in if his great research was discovered.

So he had prepared an escape.

A small explosion occurred when he struck the ground.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

A chain of explosions collapsed part of the lab wall, opening a path outside.

Then another explosion beneath his feet…

Not an attack, but propulsion.

Dr. Sergio was launched toward the opening.

Soaring through the sky, he laughed wildly.

“(Hahaha! This works out! I was planning to reveal it soon anyway!)”

Bubble bubble.

As a chimera, his regeneration was immense.

As long as he didn’t die, most wounds would heal instantly.

Though Kang Ian had inflicted serious damage, it was recoverable.

His chest closed, and his arms began regenerating.

While flying, he thought:

‘First, I’ll release all the discarded test subjects and throw Moscow into chaos, then escape to my secret lab.’

Hometos called him stupid, but Sergio wasn’t a fool.

Before turning himself into a demonic chimera, he had experimented on others.

Most failed.

Even the successful ones lacked reason or control.

‘But in a situation like this, they can be useful.’

They couldn’t be controlled, but once released, they would rampage on their own.

Chirr

His throat vibrated, emitting an ultrasonic wave inaudible to humans.

At the same time, 15 hidden labs across Moscow responded.

Cracks split open concrete floors, manholes burst open, and failed creations emerged.

At first confused, civilians soon screamed and fled.

‘This will be the greatest terror attack in Moscow’s history. And Dr. Sergio’s grand debut!!???’

Then…

From the lab he escaped, something golden flew toward him.

The monstrous hunter who had cornered him stood there, throwing something.

A streak of gold shot like lightning.

CRUNCH!

Sergio’s head exploded.

He could no longer think.

At the same time, a message appeared before Kang Ian.

Ding!

 

[You have defeated a subordinate of Decarabia]

[Evil Souls +5000]

[Nobility +2500]

[Quest completed]

 

***

 

Russia was thrown into an emergency.

Dr. Sergio’s rampage.

No one knew what he had done, but he turned into a chimera and plunged Moscow into chaos.

“Dr. Sergio suddenly transformed into a monster… and Hunter Kang Ian has taken him down!”

The agent who had accompanied him hurried back to report to Medvedev.

“Taken down? Then what are those things? Didn’t you say he summoned them?”

Medvedev pointed outside.

Chimeras were destroying buildings and roads while chasing fleeing civilians.

“I-I don’t know… The doctor is definitely dead…”

“Deploy the military and hunters first! And have agents locate where those things came from!”

Medvedev was not someone who rose to power through politics alone.

He was capable.

He grasped the situation instantly and issued orders.

“I’ll go to the scene as well. Ah, but first! Where is Hunter Kang Ian? I should thank him.”

“He’s in the city.”

“In the city?”

Medvedev’s gaze shifted to the window.

By coincidence, he saw Kang Ian.

Fighting the chimeras in the streets.

“He acted first without even being asked…!”

Medvedev clenched his fist.

In his position, he often saw inhuman acts… so Kang Ian’s actions stirred him.

Of course, Kang Ian had a slightly different reason.

Ding!

 

[You have freed a soul forcibly turned into a chimera]

[Nobility +100]

[You have freed a soul forcibly turned into a chimera]

[Nobility +100]

…

 

Every chimera he killed granted a fixed 100 Nobility.

‘A-all mine!’

Kang Ian’s eyes were practically rolling back.