I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 39 - Fame (15)

‘Hmm…’

 

Kang Ian made a troubled face.

 

‘What should I do…’

 

The reporters, with sparkling eyes, continued to film him and bombard him with questions.

 

“Hunter Kang Ian! How are you feeling right now?”

 

“You must be very tired, but I imagine you also feel a sense of accomplishment. Please tell us your honest feelings.”

 

“People online are already calling you a hero, a saint, and so on, Hunter Kang Ian. Are you aware of this?”

 

The reporters, as if their mouths were motors, kept pouring out questions.

 

Although the wording varied, the meaning was similar.

 

How did you perform such heroic acts?

 

What were you thinking when you rescued those people?

 

He was flustered.  

 

Kang Ian couldn’t give them the answers they wanted.

 

‘That wasn’t my intention…’

 

Kang Ian didn’t have the self-sacrificing, heroic motives they imagined.

 

Of course, seeing the evacuees here made him feel sympathy and a desire to help.

 

But that wasn’t his initial motivation.

 

He was driven by the sight of those ‘Nobility’ points overflowing.

 

“And what are your thoughts on the Association’s delayed response? It feels like a major disaster was narrowly averted thanks to Hunter Kang Ian, after their initial response failed.”

 

“The citizen evacuation wasn’t properly conducted either. If it weren’t for Hunter Kang Ian, the death toll would have surely skyrocketed. Don’t you have any complaints?”

 

The reporters’ arrows also turned towards the Association.

 

This was indeed the Association’s fault.

 

An unexpected Gate outbreak.

 

Wasn’t the Gate Association created to anticipate such things?

 

And it wasn’t like they had done a good job evacuating the citizens either — an entire apartment complex had almost burned down with people still trapped inside.

 

“…”

 

Just as Kang Ian continued to smile awkwardly, unable to answer the even more difficult questions…

 

“Now, now. Reporters, please step aside. This isn’t the time for interviews.”

 

At that moment, the police and Association officials appeared and forcibly separated the reporters from Kang Ian.

 

“H-Hey? Are you censoring the press now?”

 

When a few reporters – no, more like parasites – shouted this, the Association staff looked at them with disbelief.

 

“We’re not censoring the press. We’re asking you not to bother the hunters who have worked so hard. And the Gate outbreak isn’t over yet.”

 

“What do you mean it’s not over? The monsters are all gone now.”

 

“The Gate is still there, isn’t it?”

 

The Association staff member raised a hand and pointed.

 

“See? It’s there.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The reporters instantly fell silent.

 

When Gates went berserk, they grew larger and turned white.

 

And the white Gate was still there.

 

“Just because monsters aren’t coming out doesn’t mean we can relax…”

 

– Rumble!

 

At that moment.

 

The very moment the Association staff member spoke, the Gate shook violently.

 

Then something emerged from within.

 

“Rooooar-!”

 

A voice that boomed through the air.

 

Like the Minotaurs they had seen countless times today, it had a bull’s head and a muscular body, but there was a clear difference.

 

First, its height was around 3 meters, far larger than the others.

Its body was thicker in proportion.

 

But the most decisive difference was its arms.

 

It had four arms.

 

“Four-Arm Minotaur…”

 

Team Leader Choi Seobin muttered softly.

 

“That must be the boss monster of that Gate.”

 

As if it was the last monster, the Gate gradually shrank and disappeared.

 

The Gate outbreak was over.

 

However, it wasn’t a situation they could relax in.

 

The Four-Arm Minotaur was clearly different from the bull-headed creatures they had dealt with so far.

 

– Slam!

 

It stomped the ground violently.

 

The asphalt cracked and split into pieces.

 

Then, with its four arms, it picked up the asphalt fragments.

 

The fragments looked quite large, even in its hands.

 

– Whoosh!

 

It threw them with all its might.

 

Randomly, towards where the people were.

 

“Gasp!?”

 

“Kyaa?!”

 

Gasps and screams erupted from the startled people.

 

Kang Ian threw the shield he was carrying on his back.

 

– Crash!

 

The shield shattered one piece of asphalt mid-air, then spun and moved as if swimming through the air, intercepting the other pieces.

 

– Crash! Crash! Crash!

 

It was a moment where the Floating Shield skill proved its worth.

 

However, the asphalt was thrown with such force that one piece was intercepted right in front of the reporter who was chattering earlier.

 

“…Hiccup.”

 

The reporter hiccuped and collapsed onto the ground.

 

“Everyone, stay put. It’s more dangerous if you try to evacuate and attract its attention.”

 

Kang Ian grabbed the returned shield and strode forward.

 

Four-Arm Minotaur.

 

Regular Minotaurs yielded around 50 Evil Souls.

 

Then how much would this boss-like monster give?

 

‘Maybe around 100?’

 

If so, it was worth fighting.

 

Beside, Choi Seobin and the Red Rose team members were beside him.

 

And although they hadn’t arrived yet, there were still hunters stationed throughout the city engaged in defense.

 

Once they all regrouped, this bull-head would be dead in under a minute.

 

‘That means it’s a race against time.’

 

He’d go for it — as far as he could!

 

Kang Ian assumed a firm defensive stance.

 

A spear in one hand, a shield in the other.

 

He had mostly fought with the spear alone all day, but against an opponent like this, he needed a solid defense first.

 

Although he couldn’t swing the spear with full force with one hand, it couldn’t be helped.

 

He slowly approached.

 

The monster also looked at Kang Ian.

 

It had noticed that Kang Ian was the one who blocked its asphalt attack, and its attention was drawn to him.

 

“······.”

 

The closer it got, the more daunting the monster’s 3-meter height and bulk became.

 

Kang Ian’s steps slowed slightly. 

 

At that moment, Team Leader Choi Seobin and her team members came up beside him.

 

“Let’s move together, Hunter Kang Ian.”

 

“Yes. Let’s.”

 

Kang Ian nodded as if he had been waiting for those words.  

 

The closer he got, the more his instincts told him that this was not an opponent he could handle alone.

 

The instincts of Valhalla, engraved deep in his mind, were telling him not to leave the evil in front of him alone, but at the same time, to be cautious as this evil was dangerous.

 

That was why he readily agreed to Team Leader Choi Seobin’s suggestion.

 

‘If I act as the tank and hold its attention, Team Leader Choi and the others can deal the damage. We can do this.’

 

No matter how strong this monster seemed, it was no match for Team Leader Choi Seobin.

 

If it proceeded that way, would he still get the Evil Soul even though they took it down together?

 

‘···Probably not.’

 

The Evil Soul would likely be distributed based on contribution. He’d probably get less than half.

 

It was a shame. 

 

With a body this big and giving off such a tingling sensation, it must be a valuable one…

 

“!”

 

Just then, ‘Blessing of Judgment Flames’ came to Kang Ian’s mind.

 

He had forgotten about it because the Minotaurs were too weak to warrant its use.

 

[Skill Book: Blessing of Judgment Flames]

 

– Effect: Creates an aura within a 10-meter radius of the caster. Those within the aura inflict additional fire damage with their attacks for a certain duration. This effect can be applied to up to 4 people at a time.

 

– The aura lasts for 1 hour and has a 6-hour cooldown.

 

A type of buff skill, it created a fire buff by spreading an aura.

 

And the important thing here was that it didn’t just apply to the caster.

 

“Team Leader.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Take this for a moment.”

 

“…? What?”

 

The moment Choi Seobin asked what he meant, an aura spread from Kang Ian.

 

– Wooong

 

– Flash!

 

A golden aura briefly shimmered and then enveloped Choi Seobin and her team members.

 

Since it only applied to a maximum of four people, the weakest-looking team member unfortunately didn’t receive the buff.

 

But that was enough.

 

“···Unbelievable.”

 

Choi Seobin muttered as she looked at the flames faintly flickering on the dagger in her hand.

 

She turned her head sharply and stared at Kang Ian.  

 

Her eyes burned as brightly as the dagger in her hand.

 

“Hunter Kang Ian… You have a buff skill too?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Oh goodness…”

 

Groooooar!

 

Just as she was about to say something, the Four-Armed Minotaur, as if it couldn’t wait any longer, started moving with heavy footsteps.

 

Choi Seobin bit her lip and then turned her gaze back to the monster.

 

“Let’s talk after this is all over.”

 

“Hmm… I’ll draw its aggro.”

 

Kang Ian said so and stepped in front of the Four-Armed Minotaur.  

 

The distance between them quickly closed.

 

“Krwar-!”

 

The monster roared and slammed its fist down.

 

– Bang!

 

Kang Ian raised his shield and blocked the blow.  

 

The impact transmitted through the shield, sending a jolt through his body. 

 

His feet sank deep into the ground from the sheer force.

 

‘Ugh… I need to build more strength.’

 

He’d have to ask later what rank this monster was, but it was seriously annoying.

 

The will of Valhalla whispered:

 

 It was a matter of pride to be pushed back by such a paltry evil by mere strength.

 

Kang Ian angled his shield slightly to the side and thrust his spear through the opening.

 

-Thud!

 

Since he thrust the spear with one hand, it wasn’t very powerful.  

 

It only left a wound slightly deeper than a scratch on the monster’s arm.

 

But that was enough.

 

– Crackle!

 

– Flare!

 

It was the combination of the ‘Lowest-Grade Lightning Spirit Spear’ and the ‘Blessing of Judgment Flames’ buff. 

 

Thanks to that, lightning sparked and flames erupted from the Four-Armed Minotaur’s wound.

 

It inflicted more elemental damage than physical piercing damage!

 

As a result, the monster’s attention was completely focused on Kang Ian.

 

While it had glanced at other hunters and civilians earlier, now it only had eyes for Kang Ian.

 

– Bang! Bang!

 

The monster relentlessly pummeled Kang Ian.  

 

Kang Ian stood firm, enduring the onslaught.

 

Thanks to this, Choi Seobin’s team was able to perfectly position themselves behind the Four-Armed Minotaur.

 

‘Perfect tanking…’

 

Drawing the monster’s aggro and protecting the party members.  

 

That was the entire role of a tank.

 

However, there were few tanks who could properly fulfill that role.

 

That was why tanks were treated like royalty among hunters.

 

Since most hunters were damage dealers, skilled tanks were always the top priority for recruitment.

 

So, what about healers and buffers? 

 

They were considered priority zero. Their existence itself was extremely rare. The moment they appeared on the market, a recruitment war unfolded between guilds.

 

‘But Hunter Kang Ian is both a tank and a buffer…?’

 

She wondered if this was even possible.  

 

As expected, she should have dragged the Director and the CEO by their collars if necessary to bring Hunter Kang Ian to their guild!

 

Letting out a light sigh, Choi Seobin gave a hand signal and leaped.

 

Her position was close-range damage dealer, bordering on assassin.

 

Following her hand signal, her party members unleashed their skills, and her blade pierced the Four-Armed Minotaur’s exposed back.

 

The monster still hadn’t taken its eyes off Kang Ian. 

 

It looked completely enraged.

 

Thanks to this, Choi Seobin’s team was able to attack the monster’s back as if they were hitting a scarecrow.

 

-Thud! Thud!

 

-Crackle!

 

“Kr, Krrr…”