I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 145

Demon Spirit (2)

 

“W-why are you breaking that!?”

Airi asked, flustered.

To her, it had been a gift given with great goodwill… yet he was smashing it all at once.

People called her Demon Spirit because of her appearance, not because she was actually cruel.

If anything, it was the opposite… she had a soft heart.

She had mustered up the courage to give that gift to Kang Ian, who treated her without prejudice… and yet he destroyed it immediately…

“Ah, I’m sorry. I should’ve explained first. These are items called Sources of Evil. They have the function of maintaining hazardous zones.”

Kang Ian apologized belatedly.

He had been distracted by the dozens of messages about gaining Malice Essence and Nobility, and forgot to explain first.

Thinking back, it had been extremely rude.

To smash a gift right in front of the person who gave it.

‘It’s a relief I didn’t get beaten up on the spot…’

So he carefully explained the Sources of Evil and how hazardous zones worked.

Most Hunters couldn’t even approach them due to mental corruption, and even if someone like Airi obtained them, they couldn’t purify them.

That’s why there was no burden in explaining.

“Now that these have been destroyed, Guam’s hazardous zone should be significantly purified. Of course, this isn’t enough… We’ll need to go around more and complete the purification.”

Still, with this amount, the difference would be noticeable.

They were inside a barrier now, but outside, the air would likely feel much cleaner.

“Then… this lady has been collecting completely useless things all this time. And I even gave them to you as a gift… I’m sorry.”

After hearing everything, Airi’s shoulders slumped.

It had been a mistake to collect Sources of Evil just because they looked like pretty black gemstones.

“What are you saying!?”

“…?”

“Useless gift? Do you know how much effort it takes to find these? I should be the one feeling grateful that you gathered them and gave them to me as a gift!”

Kang Ian shouted.

What gift in the world could be better than this!?

Dozens of Sources of Evil.

His once-scarce Malice Essence and Nobility points had filled up to an overwhelming degree.

Among all the gifts he had ever received, this ranked alongside the adjustable dumbbells Kang Hoopung once gave him as one of the best.

“Thank you for such a valuable gift.”

“Uh… n-no. I’m just glad you like it.”

Airi was dazed.

Why does he like it?

Because it can purify the hazardous zone?

If so, was it because he felt joy from fulfilling justice?

‘What a strange person…’

The fact that he wasn’t surprised by her appearance, too.

In many ways, he was fascinating.

 

***

 

“The toxic energy unique to the hazardous zone is weakening. Compared to before, approximately 30% has been purified!”

CIA situation room in the United States.

The walls were filled with screens, and in front of them, numerous analysts alternated between their monitors and the displays, checking various data.

The CIA’s role was to monitor the U.S. mainland and the entire world.

And what they were currently observing was Guam, which had become a hazardous zone.

After Kang Ian entered Guam, they had assigned an entire satellite just to track him.

Of course, with the crude resolution of satellites, it was impossible to track a superhuman’s movements completely.

What they could do was grasp the overall situation.

“Impressive. How long has it been since he entered Guam?”

“Not even an hour.”

“Is his purification ability really this strong? To cleanse 30% in less than an hour?”

They had observed his mission in Russia, and before that, when he came to the U.S.

Back then, too, they had been shocked by his purification ability… but it wasn’t at this level.

“Could it be that his purification ability is evolving?”

“Only Hunter Kang Ian would know for sure, but it’s possible.”

“Hmm… well, it’s good for us. Let’s keep watching. Try to capture as much of Hunter Kang Ian as possible with the satellite.”

“We’ll do our best.”

However, both the superior giving the order and the subordinate responding knew it was nearly impossible.

Even filming a superhuman up close with a camera was difficult… capturing one via satellite?

Still, they couldn’t just give up because it was hard.

They continued monitoring via satellite.

 

***

 

The Steel Monkey King’s attacks from outside… throwing objects, had stopped.

With the strengthened barrier blocking everything, it seemed to have lost interest and left.

Kang Ian and Airi remained inside the house for quite a while after that.

“That monkey is completely gone now.”

“I see. Thank you for your help.”

“It’s nothing. We met in a place like this… we should help each other.”

Airi smiled.

Even if she had come here because she was tired of people’s reactions, it had been a long time since she had a face-to-face conversation.

And one where the other person didn’t frown or avoid her gaze, but smiled and spoke with her!

It was bound to be moving.

“Then I should get going now.”

“Y-you’re leaving? Where are you going?”

“I came here for a task, so I can’t stay.”

The request from the U.S. was to purify Guam and restore the naval base.

He wanted to finish quickly and return to Korea, so he couldn’t linger.

‘And I should check the coastline again.’

By now, Audhumla had likely turned the Extreme Venom Imugi into minced meat.

If he went too late, he might miss the timing for the finishing blow.

“Th-then this lady will come with you. I’ll be of help.”

“Pardon? You already helped me earlier and let me rest here… that’s more than enough-”

“It’s fine! We should help each other as fellow countrymen!”

“…?”

Different nationalities… could that even count as countrymen?

Especially between Korea and Japan, where tensions often run high?

Noticing his strange look, Airi quickly corrected herself.

“I-I mean, fellow East Asians! In a place like this, on American soil, we should help each other!”

“Well… if you’re willing to help, I’d be grateful.”

Airi was an A-rank Hunter.

And one who used unusual, magic-like abilities.

How much help would that be?

When Kang Ian agreed, her expression brightened.

She wanted to stay with him a bit longer… the first person in a long time who treated her without prejudice.

Humans are social creatures.

Especially for her, who rarely felt this way even in Japan, she already didn’t want to part.

 

***

 

After stepping outside, Kang Ian carefully scanned the surroundings.

‘Nothing.’

He sensed no presence.

Of course, the Steel Monkey King might still be hiding nearby… but Airi, who had closed her eyes briefly, opened them and said:

“It’s definitely gone. Even my sorcery can’t detect it.”

“Thank you.”

“So now, shall we go search for more Sources of Evil?”

“There’s somewhere I need to go first.”

“Somewhere?”

“Yes. I plan to head to the coastline.”

He listened carefully, but heard nothing.

It might be because of the distance… but it could also mean Audhumla had already dealt with the Extreme Venom Imugi.

“Hmm. Be careful there. That’s the territory of a powerful A-rank monster.”

“It’s fine.”

With that, Kang Ian took the lead.

‘If anything happens, I’ll protect him.’

Her sorcery was well-balanced across offense, defense, and utility.

Even against an A-rank monster, she could escape if needed.

BOOM!

ROOOAR!

“!”

Upon reaching the coastline, Airi’s eyes widened in shock.

A massive giant was turning the Extreme Venom Imugi… the ruler of the shore, into a bloody pulp.

Its signature green scales were shattered and crushed beyond recognition.

“Th-that giant… what is it?”

She muttered unconsciously.

She thought she had learned the ecosystem of the island after months of living here, but she had never seen such a giant.

And it wasn’t an ordinary monster.

If it could push an A-rank Imugi to that extent, what rank was it?

At that moment, Kang Ian pulled out Ataruk’s Spear from subspace.

A spear whose attack power increased massively when thrown.

SWOOSH!

It shot forward like a beam of light.

An A-rank monster could normally dodge… but the already battered Imugi didn’t even perceive the attack.

‘That should finish it cleanly.’

Just a moment before the spear pierced its heart…

THUD!

“…Huh?”

“???”

Both Kang Ian and Airi were stunned.

The spear had been aimed at the Imugi… but suddenly, the Steel Monkey King appeared and was pierced through the back.

“KYAAOOO!”

A scream filled with agony echoed.

 

***

 

An A-rank monster doesn’t act purely on instinct.

Intelligent ones can think cunningly.

The Steel Monkey King was such a creature.

Smaller than other A-rank monsters, it lacked physical strength.

Though fast, it was compensated for by developing intelligence.

And it had noticed that its rival, the snake by the coast… was in grave danger.

A giant that had suddenly appeared was turning it into a crushed mess.

Watching from afar, the Steel Monkey King carefully moved inland to avoid being noticed.

It failed to catch the human prey it found, then returned to the coastline.

What it wanted was the Imugi’s heart.

When the terrifying giant nearly killed it, the Monkey King planned to snatch the heart.

Confident in its speed, it devised this plan.

So it hid carefully, waiting for the perfect moment…

But then, it was struck by a spear from behind.

The spear pierced straight through its abdomen… even for an A-rank monster, it was severe damage.

The Steel Monkey King looked toward where the spear came from, eyes wide.

“!!!??”

It was the prey it had chased.

How? Had they followed it?

Though a sense of crisis rose, it needed to deal with the injury first.

It had to prevent the spear from being pulled out, stop the bleeding…

CRUNCH!

“Kegh…”

As Kang Ian extended his hand, the spear’s retrieval ability activated, pulling it back.

Blood gushed out violently.

‘What’s with that guy? Why did it suddenly jump out and get hit by my spear…?’

Kang Ian was just as bewildered.

A creature fast enough to dodge even when targeted, yet it suddenly appeared and took a fatal hit?

Absurd… but he wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

He kicked off the ground and closed the distance.

CRACKLE!

His fastest magic, <Quick Lightning>, struck the Steel Monkey King.

If it were uninjured, it could’ve dodged… but now it was critically wounded.

“KYAAAK!”

To make matters worse, the lightning’s paralysis effect kicked in, making its body tremble.

Its legs completely froze.

Holding a longsword instead of a staff, Kang Ian approached.

SWISH!

A blade overflowing with blue sword energy.

From it, the Heavy Rock Sword, a technique capable of cleaving even giant monsters… was unleashed.