I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 142

Tactical Nuke (2)

 

<Dragon-Slaying Sword of Theorasis>.

This was the new longsword Kang Ian had recently purchased on Tezeros’ recommendation.

A masterpiece with even the Dragon Fear effect attached.

He had already confirmed just how effective this sword was during his battle with Hao Ran, an A-rank villain.

He froze the enemy with Dragon Fear and struck a fatal blow in that opening.

So he couldn’t understand it.

Vrrrr…

The Dragon-Slaying Sword was resonating in response to the armor before his eyes.

<Sea Dragon Scale Armor>.

Armor once worn by a now-retired American A-rank hunter.

As equipment used by an A-rank hunter, its durability was easy to imagine.

One had been bought from the Sanctuary, and the other was given by the United States… yet the two items reacting to each other were strange.

“Why don’t you try it on?”

Susan, who had introduced herself as the CIA station chief, said while pointing at the armor.

From her perspective, she wanted Kang Ian to like this “advance payment” so that he couldn’t back out of the request.

And she was confident.

With a masterpiece like the Sea Dragon Scale Armor, the moment you wore it, you’d feel it immediately.

You’d never want to take it off again.

“Shall I?”

Kang Ian didn’t refuse.

He wanted to know what this resonance meant.

Normally, armor is difficult to put on and take off.

Medieval knights took a long time to wear armor, and even then, needed several attendants to help.

However, items created by mystical forces inside gates were different.

When Kang Ian touched it, the center of the Sea Dragon Scale Armor split open.

All he had to do was insert his body…

But as he wore it, the armor burrowed into his body.

“!”

“There’s no need to be alarmed. It’s a natural process.”

Kang Ian flinched in surprise, but Susan reassured him.

The armor completely sank in, then became semi-transparent and clung to his skin.

Kang Ian looked at the back of his hand with curious eyes.

It shimmered depending on how the light hit it.

It felt like extremely thin, fine, translucent scales covering him.

“The Sea Dragon Scale Armor attaches to the wearer’s skin like this. That’s why it’s neither uncomfortable nor obstructive.”

As Susan said.

Kang Ian was wearing a suit, so only the back of his hand was visible, but everything below his neck was covered in the same way.

“Not only is its defense unquestionable, but it also has one more effect.”

“What is it?”

“In the East, there’s a legend that dragons carry a Yeouiju. It’s said that the Yeouiju purifies evil. The Sea Dragon Scale Armor is similar… it protects the wearer from corrupting energies. Toxic gas, poison, things like that.”

Simply put, it was enchanted with purification magic.

‘This is good.’

Kang Ian had various buff skills, but having purification armor like this would be helpful.

Vrrrr…

And as he wore the Sea Dragon Scale Armor, the Dragon-Slaying Sword’s vibration grew stronger.

It was now noticeable enough that others might detect it, so Kang Ian lightly grasped the hilt.

At that moment, a message appeared before him.

Ding!

 

[Teorasis’ Dragon-Slaying Sword reacts with equipment imbued with dragon power.]

[Opposing forces generate repulsion.]

[When equipping both the Dragon-Slaying Sword and dragon-powered equipment simultaneously, mana is consumed slightly per second.]

[The power of the Dragon-Slaying Sword increases slightly.]

 

Kang Ian was startled.

He carefully read the message.

‘Repulsion occurred because I’m using the Sea Dragon Scale Armor and Dragon-Slaying Sword together?’

They were items that could normally be used without issue, but now additional effects had been added.

When he closed his eyes and focused, he could feel a slight mana consumption.

But it wasn’t enough to worry about.

Now, Kang Ian could be considered among the upper tier of B-rank hunters.

He trained his body daily and had leveled up multiple times, greatly increasing his overall stats.

Naturally, his mana capacity and natural regeneration had also increased, so this level of mana consumption was negligible.

Rather, he liked that the sword’s power had increased.

As for how much, it would have to be tested in real combat.

“So… do you like it?”

Susan asked, hiding her tension.

There was no need to say more.

Kang Ian nodded.

“It’s very good. When do we start the mission?”

At his straightforward answer, Susan’s face brightened.

“Our CIA has prepared detailed operational plans. We’ll present several options… please choose whichever you prefer, Hunter Kang Ian.”

That day, discussions at the Happiness Office continued late into the night.

 

***

 

An office with a full glass wall overlooking the streets of Beijing.

The owner of the top floor of a skyscraper was a famous figure.

On the surface, she was involved in multiple businesses and had strong connections with high-ranking Chinese officials.

In the shadows, she was an executive of the villain organization <Triad>, which shook not only China but the world.

However, her appearance was completely different from such a formidable background.

Jet-black short hair reaching her neck, a black qipao with a slit up one leg, and black heels.

A beauty that would make anyone turn their head on the street.

Lin Wei.

She wore an incredulous expression as she received a report from her subordinate.

“Hao Ran was defeated?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“He’s been captured and detained by the Korean Association. The information came through our contact there.”

“Ha. That idiot.”

Lin Wei pressed her forehead as if getting a headache.

“He went all the way to Korea to establish his position not long after becoming an executive… and didn’t even accomplish anything.”

Hao Ran had originally been one of her field leaders.

But after gaining an opportunity, his abilities had increased dramatically, reaching the level of an A-rank hunter.

However, in Lin Wei’s eyes, he wasn’t a proper A-rank.

In fact, many A-rank hunters in the world seemed to lack to her.

They couldn’t use power worthy of being called “authority.”

“He’s only a half-baked A-rank who just got there, but I still gave him an executive position. And he gets captured in some tiny country like that?”

“……”

The subordinate lowered his head slightly instead of answering.

Both of them knew the truth… Korea wasn’t a place that could be dismissed like that.

Not half-baked A-ranks like Hao Ran, but several true A-rank hunters worthy of the name existed there.

It was strange how such a small land had so many strong individuals.

That’s why the Triad had not been able to easily expand into Korea.

“Let’s go.”

“…Where to?”

Snap.

Lin Wei closed her fan and smiled alluringly.

“My subordinate was captured… I should at least go see his face.”

An executive of the Triad being detained, this was a good pretext.

It had been a while since she traveled abroad.

 

***

 

Inside the aircraft.

This assault-modified airship only had seats lined up along both sides.

Seated inside were several soldiers equipped with various gear, two CIA agents…

And Kang Ian, wearing a suit.

Susan, the CIA station chief, carefully spoke to Kang Ian, who was sitting with his eyes closed in concentration.

“Sir. Are you really okay going alone? Even now…”

“It’s fine. We already finished discussing the operation yesterday, didn’t we?”

“…Understood.”

Hearing his firm tone, Susan finally nodded.

The mission the CIA requested of Kang Ian was to eliminate a danger zone in Guam.

However, this was an A-rank danger zone.

As many as three A-rank monsters had been observed, along with numerous B-rank monsters.

Naturally, the CIA had prepared several hunters to support him.

The goal was to cleanse Guam while being escorted by them.

But Kang Ian refused.

“An escort won’t be necessary. I’ll do it alone.”

At first, they were flustered and tried to persuade him, but Kang Ian didn’t budge.

From his perspective, it made perfect sense.

‘An escort? Then I won’t be able to collect any of the Souls of Evil here.’

Given the location, A-rank hunters would escort him, and he couldn’t let them take all the Souls of Evil.

He had recently spent a lot of points, leaving his reserves empty.

Just seeing that was stressful… he couldn’t miss this chance to fill them up.

Moreover, one reason he came to the U.S. was to carry out a quest related to demons.

To investigate such things, it was easier to move alone.

Since he had the means to ensure his safety, Kang Ian remained calm… but watching him, Susan felt like her insides were burning.

Still, there was nothing she could do now.

Suppressing a sigh, she spoke:

“In five minutes, we’ll reach above the Guam naval base.”

“I’m ready anytime.”

Kang Ian stood up.

Soon, the rear hatch of the aircraft opened, revealing the blue sky.

Despite the fierce wind, Kang Ian stood steady with ease.

Even those with specialized training must prepare thoroughly for high-altitude drops… but for a hunter like him, it was nothing.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes. Good luck.”

Tap.

With a light push off, Kang Ian leapt into the open sky.

Suuuuush

As he cut through the wind, the blue coastline of Guam came into view below.

Once one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

Its natural beauty remained unchanged… no, perhaps it had become even more beautiful after being untouched for so long.

Kang Ian was descending toward the coastline.

And there, something already claimed it.

A green-scaled Imugi, about 30 meters long.

That was the A-rank monster occupying the coastal area.

It lifted its head and looked at Kang Ian falling from the sky.

The moment their eyes met, those vertically slit snake eyes…

His body instinctively stiffened.

Even from such a distance, the killing intent was overwhelming.

The Imugi swiftly moved and positioned itself where Kang Ian was about to land.

Then it opened its mouth wide toward the sky.

Kang Ian let out a hollow laugh.

‘What is this, some fox waiting under a grapevine? It really sees me as prey.’

From its perspective, that made sense… but he wasn’t about to be eaten so easily.

Compared to its size, a human body would hardly even register.

It looked hungry, so he decided to give it something bigger.

Kang Ian pulled out a scroll.

A summoning scroll he had obtained in Russia… one that could summon the giant, Audumla.

Rip.

As he tore the scroll, space twisted open with a fierce wind.

From the black void, Audumla was spat out before it closed again.

Kyaaa?!

The Imugi, mouth open on the ground, panicked.

It had been looking forward to a rare human delicacy…

But suddenly, a giant was falling toward it, backside first.

KWA-A-A-ANG!

Audumla landed, crushing the Imugi beneath it.