62 Chapter 61 (1/2)

There was one more thing – one more reason why Jin-Woo chose the forest route.

'Status window.'

[Name: Seong Jin-Woo]

[Level: 51]

[Class: Shadow Sovereign]

[Title: The one who overcame the adversity (extra 1)]

Jin-Woo silently summoned his Status window and swapped his current Title from 'the one who overcame the adversity' to that of the 'Slaughterer of Wolves'.

[Title: Slaughterer of Wolves (extra 1)]

A Title given to a hunter skilled in hunting wolves. When facing animal-type monsters, all of your Stats will increase by 40%.

A chance to abuse this plainly-cheating buff had fallen on his laps, so why should he go anywhere else now?

Tti-ring.

[An animal-type monster has appeared.]

[The effect of the current Title will activate.]

A smile crept up on Jin-Woo's face after he confirmed his Stat values shooting up.

'Nice.'

It was then.

The Hunters all began screaming out, loudly.

”It, it's the bear!”

”It's the Ice Bear!”

An Ice Bear that had picked up on the scents of humans was slowly trudging towards the group.

These humans were its enemies that had invaded its territory. Obviously, it'd not look too kindly towards the intruders.

Growl….

The Ice Bear bared its fangs, transparent-like-ice, and slowly raised its massive frame on its hind legs. It's huge and hulking figure completely filled up the Hunters' vision!

”Ah….”

The creature did resemble a polar bear, but it was almost twice the size, and the magic crystal, the symbol of all monsters, could be seen in the middle of its chest area as if it was some kind of a proud emblem.

ROAR!!

It roared out furiously, the ground seemingly quaking under its might!

All the Hunters, excluding Jin-Woo, all froze stiff on the spot after hearing the ice Bear's roar.

Park Hui-Jin's expression crumpled unsightly.

'Oh, so we only need to be mindful of Ice Bears, was it?!'

How could anyone say that sort of nonsense after seeing that monster?!

She almost fell for Seong Jin-Woo's pretty convincing argument. But, upon seeing an Ice Bear, she was certain of one thing.

'We definitely shouldn't have chosen the forest route!'

Sensing the approaching danger to the group, Park Hui-Jin stepped out in front of the group and shouted out.

”I'll draw its attention towards me, so everyone must… Kyah?!”

The scruff of Park Hui-Jin's neck was yanked back by a considerable force, and she had to back step several times to make sure that she didn't end up on her butt.

After somehow regaining her balance, she raised her head only to find Jin-Woo standing before her.

”Hey, what was that all about?!” Jin-Woo pointed at Park Hui-Jin. ”I'm telling you this right now. I'll be killing all the monsters from now on.”

Obviously, he couldn't let anyone steal his experience points, now could he?

For Jin-Woo, these bears were perfect health tonics to buff him up for his inevitable showdown with the true enemies of this place, the White Phantoms.

”Hah?!”

Park Hui-Jin couldn't hide her astonishment.

'Did he just yank me back because he wants to monopolise the monster?'

The other two male Hunters, who so happened to be Mage-types, also stopped casting their spells in sheer dumbfoundedness.

”No matter how strong you think you are, that thing is a monster of a high-rank dungeon!”

Completely ignoring Park Hui-Jin's furious voice coming from behind him, Jin-Woo walked right towards the Ice Bear.

'Well, it's not going to be okay to use daggers for this one.'

The blood splatter would make a mess of things, wouldn't it?

Jin-Woo had already summoned his two daggers almost out of reflex, but stored them back in his Inventory. Instead, he clenched his fists tightly.

'Well, I promised to just observe, but this is an emergency, so I'm sure they'll understand. Right?'

Jin-Woo's glare collided mid-air with the Ice Bear's.

Roar!

The Ice Bear swung its telephone-pole-thick front arm towards Jin-Woo like a streak of lightning.

Swish-!!

However, the attack only swiped at the empty air.

'Why is it so fast compared to its size?'

Jin-Woo was already above the Ice Bear's head. It was here that he kind of understood the reason for this monster's infamy.

”Even then….'

He also sensed that all his level ups until now weren't in vain.

Before the Ice Bear could lift its head up, Jin-Woo punched with all his might right in the middle of the monster's forehead.

Kaboom!!

The head of the Ice Bear slammed down on the snowy ground with an explosive force.

Its skull was completely obliterated; with its limp tongue hanging outside the slack maw, the Ice Bear stopped moving completely.

[Level up!]

'Hell yeah!'

He was thinking that his level up was just around the corner, and now, he was glad to have stopped Park Hui-Jin from taking any action.

”You… you, just what are you??”

Jin-Woo heard that trembling voice and looked behind him, only to spot four speechless faces staring back at him.

Jin-Woo sheepishly scratched the side of his head.

'I warned them earlier because I didn't want to run into this sort of situation….'

It seemed that a person would become rather forgetful whenever he or she witnessed something utterly beyond their capacity to understand.

Left with little choice, Jin-Woo had to state his position once more.

”I told you, I'll not tolerate anyone asking me questions. If you're unhappy with my methods, then….” Jin-Woo pointed his finger in the direction of Kim Cheol's team. ”You can always go that way.”

Only then did Park Hui-Jin regain her senses, and her facial expression changed.

”You think I'll leave your side after seeing how you one-punched that Ice Bear??”

Honestly, Park Hui-Jin was now overflowing with joy.

She only chose to follow this youth because her gut feeling said he'd be a better option than Kim Cheol, but holy cow, she quickly discovered that she had quite literally stumbled onto an unexpected jackpot here.

She was blessed with a quick head, so it was easy to come to a conclusion. If she really wanted to get out of this place alive, then she had to follow Seong Jin-Woo.

She feared that Seong Jin-Woo might suggest they go their separate ways, so she hurriedly made a suggestion first, her heart beating anxiously.

”Mister Jin-Woo, please take over the leader's position. We'll definitely follow every one of your commands from now on.”

'….Well, I did say I wouldn't humour their demands at all, but….'

Jin-Woo pondered for a bit, before nodding his head. Thinking about the near future, it seemed that this arrangement would prove to be convenient for him.

Park Hui-Jin looked behind her.

The student named Hahn Song-Yi was someone Seong Jin-Woo brought along, so there was no need to ask her. So, that left the two male Hunters.

”I'm sure you two also agree with my suggestion, yes?”

The two Hunters, now being on the receiving end of the unexpected stare, alternated their gazes between the corpse of the Ice Bear and Jin-Woo, before hurriedly nodding their heads.

Once more, in front of the Red Gate.

Hyun Ki-Cheol used his handkerchief to wipe away the cold sweat from his brows, his eyes locked on his watch.

Baek Yun-Ho asked him.

”How long has it been?”

”It's been about three hours now, sir.”

”Three hours…. Meaning, it's almost been three days inside.”

Baek Yun-Ho's voice sounded grave. Out of four people gathered here, only he had personally experienced entering a Red Gate before.

One of the S-ranked Hunters representing South Korea – Baek Yun-Ho.