Evolution Theory of the Hunter - Chapter 58

Evolution Theory of the Hunter (ETH)
Volume 1 Chapter 58
 

“Monsters here are generally estimated to be level 1s. This means that the price of level 1 items is bound to soar back up in the markets. And that – that means that we will be making far more money on what we earn than we have been.”

This was no exaggeration. If we went and sold just two of the items over there, we would be able to get a return of 300,000 dollars now.

“Wow….”

Glasses girl raised her hand to her chest and took a deep breath. I guessed she probably started to do the math in her head.

“But if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be unfair to you partyhead?”

If we were doing the pay out the traditional way by contribution distribution, I would have earned half of 400,000 dollars today. So it would seem like I was taking a loss.

But I didn’t think of it that way. This was not a dungeon, and we were not a group of people who were expendable to one another. We were not a temporary team.

“We are a real team. I believe that strengthening my team members indirectly strengthens me too. So I hope that everyone here thinks of it that way as well.”

There was a limit to what I can achieve by just getting strong alone.

This was just like raising my abilities. I couldn’t just raise one. I had to raise them all to be truly stronger. Like synergy.

And the stronger we all get, the more we would all be able to earn faster.

I looked at it as an investment into our future.

“Well, I guess an item fit for me will fall at some point too.”

Manager Kim said as he lay down on a mat he had rolled onto the ground.

It seemed everyone was in agreement. Because more items will drop tomorrow than did today.

We decided to switch off keeping lookout two at a time. Some slept in the car while some slept in front of the fire outside.

And I – I had no intention of sleeping that night.

“Will you be ok? Won’t you get tired?”

Glasses girl, chosen to be the first to stand watch….no Yeonkyoung…asked.

“Even if you fall asleep today, never take your hands off your bow.”

“Is it because of them?”

Ban Shihyung. There was a higher probability he would come after us today rather than later.

Because as time went on and they went on to earn items, they would end up being more concerned about doing that than coming after us.

***

I could hear sounds of insects.

I listened as vigilantly as I could. Cho Youngoo, who was up as lookout, was fast asleep inside the car. I thought to wake him up, but decided to let him rest.

I had endurance buff so I could handle it, but I’m pretty sure it was harder for everyone else.

The night sky was surprisingly still very light. There was zero light pollution and there was no smoke either.

I wondered if there were some otherworldly powers or forces at work.

There were stars sprinkled all over the sky. A thought came into my mind that I wouldn’t ever be able to see something like this anywhere else but here.

Flutter.

I heard a sound. There was nowhere to hide here. I looked toward where the sound came from.

“Mr. Cho Youngoo.”

“Eung….chicken….I want to stop frying it…”

This man, what kind of dream is he having?

I shook him awake.

“What, what is it?”

“There’s someone watching us. About 50 meters away. Since they’re trying to be quiet about it, I’m pretty sure it’s human.”

“Surely…it’s not them?”

“I’m not sure yet. But let’s start waking everyone up. It would be best if they saw us wake and run away but…if they don’t…”

“We have no choice but to fight.”

I nodded my head. I woke up Manager Kim and helmet guy who had both been asleep by the bonfire.

Cho Youngoo opened the car door and woke everyone else up.

As soon as we started to move in earnest, I could feel a surprised energy coming from Cho Youngoo’s side.

Han Joonseok came up beside me.

“Can you tell who they are?”

He had the Optical Ruby Ring in his possession. That item allowed the holder to see as if it were day.

“There are exactly 16 of them. Ban Shihyung is among them….”

“Everyone get ready for battle.”

Ping!

An arrow lodged into the ground right in front of my foot.

We were lit up by the light from the bonfire while they were still hiding in the dark. We were at a disadvantage.

I could hear Ban Shihyung’s weasely voice.

“You guys are quick.”

“I figured if you were to attack, it would be today.”

“If you die here, people will just chalk it up to a monster attack. It’s not too late you know…I can still give you one last chance?”

“….”

I didn’t say a word.

But he continued talking.

He had us outnumbered and was at a tactical advantage. He thought there was no way he could lose.

“Hand over all your equipment and work under me. Then I’ll let you keep your lives.”

“Isn’t it kind of dark?”

“What are you….?”

I took two rods I had on my belt and twisted off the tops.

Chiii.

At the end of the rods, a bright light began to sprout out.

“Flares?”

“Have you ever heard of ground markers?”

Since it was in english, it sounded real fancy but they were just long lasting signal flares. Because real flares are expensive.

Tap. Tap.

I threw both ground markers at the bastards. Now they were clear as day.

“Shit. Attack!”

At Ban Shihyung’s order, Manager Kim started his sleep spell. A golden light floated above our opponents.

And four of them dropped right to the ground.

In that time, a few arrows flew in our direction as well.

Even though we now had the light of the markers, the arrows were still barely visible in the night.

Ting! Ting!

Cho Youngoo had his shield up and was blocking off the attacks.

Slice!

“Keuk?”

Han Joonseok’s own arrow pierced the neck of an opponent.

10 left.

I had a longsword in my left hand and the Honcheon sword in my right. It was better to fight against many with this sword than the bloodysword.

“Ahhhh!”

Seeing first blood being drawn, they seemed to go crazy and ran right at us. But they were slow. A good indicator they didn’t have any items with buffs.

At best they had maybe one or two men with level 2 equipment.

I felt bad for them.

This wasn’t a fight.

Boom!

My Honcheon sword made a small explosion. My opponent’s sword shattered and the pieces lodged in his arm.

“Ahhk!”

Slice!

Jong Sawon’s sword sliced right through the man’s armor – met with almost zero resistance. A waterfall of red showered into the air.

“Shit! Throw the fireball!”

As soon as Ban Shihyung made the commmand, the magician raised his cane. A fireball the size of a a person’s head began to form.

Han Joonseok’s arrow shot across the air.

“Keuk?”

Hit in the back with the arrow, the magician gurgled up some blood and collapsed to the ground.

This was the stalker at work.