I was Mistaken for a Noble Hunter Chapter 92

Purification (12)

 

Strength is relative.

A monster that seems impossible for one person to face might be an easy opponent for someone else.

For Kang Ian, the ancient undead were exactly that.

Slash!

A towering undead, over 5 meters tall, with incredibly tough muscles and bones.

Even Ryusei’s full-force thrust had failed to pierce its skull.

Yet Kang Ian’s casually swung blade severed its wrist with ease. The cut was perfectly clean.

“Kyah!”

Hong Dasom, who had been caught in its grip, screamed and widened her eyes.

More than escaping death, she was shocked that someone had suddenly appeared.

There shouldn’t be anyone else inside this gate besides her and Ryusei… so how?

Since Kang Ian had replaced everything from his weapon to his full-body armor, she couldn’t recognize him.

Ding!

 

[You have saved an ally from the brink of death]

[Nobility +311]

 

Kang Ian felt relieved that he was wearing a helmet that covered his face.

Otherwise, Hong Dasom might have found it strange to see him smiling in this situation.

Still, something stood out.

The amount of Nobility he gained for saving a single person was unusually high.

Over 300 points.

Was it because Hong Dasom was a high-ranking hunter? Or because he had forcibly entered the gate?

He wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t complaining.

There was no need to save Hong Dasom from the fall.

She generated wind, slipped free from the creature’s fingers, and landed safely on the ground.

With an awkward voice, she bowed her head toward Kang Ian.

“Th-thank you… I don’t know who you are, but thank you.”

“It’s me.”

“…? Hunter Kang Ian!?”

A hunter’s senses were sharp enough to identify someone from just a short voice.

Hong Dasom was deeply shocked.

Not only had someone suddenly appeared inside the gate… it was someone she knew?

‘And how does he have this kind of power…?’

Just think about the strength that severed the ancient undead’s hand moments ago.

This was absolutely not something a C-rank hunter could do.

Words like “rising star” weren’t enough to describe it.

Clearly B-rank or higher.

She had secretly been aiming to catch up to Kang Ian, using him as her goal…

Now she didn’t even know what to ask first.

How did he get in here? Or when did he become this strong?

But there was no time to talk.

“Grrroooaaah!”

The ancient undead, now missing a wrist, didn’t stay still.

Its gaze snapped toward Ryusei, who had failed to pierce its skull, instead of Kang Ian, who had moved slightly farther away.

It swung its leg like kicking a soccer ball.

Ryusei crossed his arms in an X to block it, but was instantly sent flying and slammed into a wall.

“Guh… cough…”

Fortunately, as a physical-type hunter, he didn’t die in one hit… but he was clearly in critical condition.

“Hunter Ryusei!”

Kang Ian dashed forward.

The ancient undead turned its attention to him this time.

The same kick that had launched Ryusei now came flying toward Kang Ian.

Slash!

Again, a streak of blue light flashed… and the creature’s leg was cleanly severed.

The bipedal monster collapsed to the ground, raising dust.

‘What is with this power and mana consumption…?’

A boss monster that even the top rookie from Japan and the top rookie from Korea (excluding Kang Ian) couldn’t defeat.

Yet he was slicing it apart like sashimi.

The power of sword energy was truly overwhelming.

Enough to justify spending all his Evil Souls and Nobility.

But there was a downside.

His mana was being consumed at an insane rate.

Just two strikes.

In less than 10 seconds, nearly half his mana was gone.

He couldn’t see it like a game UI, but he could feel it clearly.

‘Even squeezing it out, I probably can’t maintain this for 30 seconds.’

He had even bought Sazad’s Longsword to reduce mana consumption… and this was still the result.

It seemed like something he could only use briefly as a finishing move.

Still, the result was satisfying.

If he had used his old mace, he would have had to fight this monster head-on in a contest of strength.

He wasn’t sure if he would have won.

Even Kang Ian, confident in his strength, could tell this creature was no ordinary opponent.

Ding!

 

[You have saved an ally from the brink of death]

[Nobility +307]

 

He gained over 300 Nobility again for saving Ryusei.

Kang Ian walked over and casually said,

“Ryusei, get up. Time to train legs.”

“K-Kang…?”

Ryusei’s eyes shot open.

He looked at Kang Ian in shock… but Kang Ian was already gone.

Seeing that Ryusei was alive, he moved to land the finishing blow.

A monster this large and powerful would yield a lot of Evil Souls.

He had to secure the kill himself.

Otherwise, using the ticket to enter here would be meaningless.

The ancient undead, now missing one arm and one leg, struggled to stand.

But Kang Ian wasn’t going to let that happen.

Even at over 5 meters tall, it no longer mattered.

Its weak points were fully exposed.

Slash!

Kang Ian’s blade cut through its neck.

It tried to block with its remaining hand… but both the hand and neck were severed together.

The blue light’s power was overwhelming.

‘Maybe it’s also thanks to Saint Bruta’s Gloves.’

It was just a shame that the item only had a few days of durability left.

The ancient undead collapsed with a heavy thud.

Even undead die when their heads are destroyed.

This one was no exception.

Ding!

 

[You have defeated evil]

[Level Up!]

[Evil Souls +699]

 

‘Oh!’

The reward matched its immense strength.

It was the highest amount of Evil Souls he had ever received from a single target.

“……”

“……”

From a short distance away, Hong Dasom and Ryusei stared at Kang Ian with their mouths wide open.

 

***

 

At the place Kang Ian had left…

Association staff and office director Shim Junseok stared at the vortex where he had disappeared.

“So… there really was an item that lets you enter a gate mid-run.”

“……”

“……”

As someone muttered, the others silently nodded.

They hadn’t left even after Kang Ian entered to rescue the two of them.

They simply stood there, watching the gate with worried expressions.

After a long silence, someone spoke.

“Do you think Hunter Kang Ian will succeed in rescuing them?”

“He’ll succeed no matter what.”

No one objected.

The gate’s color was green, indicating a C-rank gate.

No matter how difficult it was, there was no way Kang Ian would fail.

If they didn’t believe that, they wouldn’t have let him enter despite the diplomatic risks.

“However… we don’t know how long it’ll take.”

Hong Dasom and Ryusei had already been inside for two days.

Even for Kang Ian, it wouldn’t be easy.

He would need time to find them and clear the gate together.

Logically, everyone should return to their duties and come back later.

But remembering Kang Ian’s kindness… and worrying about the three inside, no one could bring themselves to leave.

Time passed quickly.

“Shall we head back now? It’s been almost an hour.”

As one staff member checked their watch, others nodded.

They had lingered too long.

At that moment…

Wooooong!

The gate’s vortex began to distort and shake.

“!”

“!!!”

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

“N-no way…!?”

And that “no way” was correct.

There were only two times a gate changed like this:

When it was cleared… or when it went berserk.

This was clearly the former.

But it was hard to believe.

How long had it even been since Kang Ian entered…?

Wooooong!

Soon, Kang Ian appeared from the gate… with Hong Dasom beside him and Ryusei slung over his shoulder.

They had no choice but to accept it.

Kang Ian walked out in a neat suit, and behind his head, it almost looked like a halo was shining.

 

***

 

Fortunately, both Hong Dasom and Ryusei recovered quickly after being taken to the hospital.

Both were already beyond ordinary human limits.

Hong Dasom only suffered mild fatigue, and Ryusei, though injured, fully recovered thanks to potions and healers.

Kang Ian asked the Association to keep the incident confidential.

The ability to enter a closed gate… even via an item, would cause massive repercussions.

People might start coming to him, claiming their companions were in danger and asking him for help.

That would be troublesome.

Even if they begged him, there would be nothing he could do.

And desperate people don’t listen to logic or truth.

They tend to interpret information in a biased way.

Some might even resent him for not helping… even if he actually couldn’t.

So he requested secrecy, and the Association agreed.

Publicizing that Ryusei was nearly killed would bring no benefit… especially considering diplomatic relations with Japan.

Thus, the incident was quietly buried.

However, one place had already obtained the information.

The Korean branch of the CIA.

An agent was reporting to Branch Chief James.

“…That concludes the summary of events at the Korean Hunter Association up to yesterday.”

“Good lord.”

James sighed.

Kang Ian was already someone the CIA had been closely monitoring.

A hunter who might be capable of purifying danger zones.

That alone made him incredibly valuable.

Even though he wasn’t an American citizen, they were still trying to ensure his safety for that reason.

“And now you’re telling me he also can enter closed gates mid-run?”

“He claims it was a one-time ability thanks to an item he obtained inside a gate.”

“That’s a ridiculous excuse.”

What were the odds that such a convenient item would end up in the hands of someone as talented as Kang Ian?

Sure, it was possible… but extremely unlikely.

Wasn’t there a more plausible explanation?

That Kang Ian possessed both the ability to purify danger zones… and the ability to infiltrate gates.

“…Report this to headquarters. We need to raise Kang Ian’s priority level.”

At this point, it almost felt like they should buy the house next to his and station guards there just for peace of mind.