Chapter 49 – 17. Jeong Ha-Eun and the Eastern Contaminated Zone (3)
Jeong Ha-eun looked at Eric with nervous eyes.
“Is this what you want to ask me?”
“I… That…”
If you just don’t like men in general. Instructor Eric was a little different.
A pervert who enjoys unusual play. So, as she had an aversion to men, he was a particularly fearful partner.
But as an instructor, he is very outstanding.
Everything I learned from practical training with him. He was now growing her in real time.
The weapon was changed to a new shotgun that uses magical power. Following his advice.
‘So… No matter how pervert Instructor Eric is… No matter how scared he is. ‘It’s an incredible opportunity to be in the dungeon side by side with him like this.’
The female hunter who also joined Team B was quiet.
And as long as you are a member of the Helios Guild. She definitely knows who she is. He doesn’t really interfere with his work.
Jeong Ha-eun made a decision. She spoke again to Eric, who gave her a puzzled look.
“I want to hear your advice, instructor! “Advice on how to fight more effectively… In real combat like now!”
Eric smiled happily at those words.
“Really? How can you ask such an arrogant question when it is not even actual training time? “You are very sincere.”
At that moment, his expression seemed so sweet and kind. Jeong Ha-eun was almost fooled by that angelic smile.
And to her dismay, her heart pounded.
‘Oh, no. It’s kind of… Yeah. It’s like the deception of those who use black magic. That Eric… He’s a very black pervert inside. To what extent should I only ask for advice as an instructor…’
She barely managed to come to her senses.
Just because of his looks, he really seems like he should debut in the entertainment industry or media rather than as a hunter.
Because she kept looking at his face without thinking, Jeong Ha-eun consciously avoided her gaze.
“Then wait a minute, let’s take a look at that gun!”
“Hee… Hee hee…!!”
Without thinking, he came right in front of me.
I was surprised for no reason. Fortunately, Eric didn’t seem particularly interested in her reaction.
He handed him the gun.
He lightly grasped the shotgun and held it steady.
‘Neat… Do it.’
And I was surprised by that action.
In fact, if you think about it, Eric never even properly showed his weapons to his cadets.
Still, I caught an A+ level demon with a fork during the opening general meeting. He thought that the cadets of the 13th Platoon thought of him as a swordsman or a spearman.
‘But you know how to shoot a gun?’
Before the Awakening appeared, excellent marksmanship would have been essential for soldiers or mercenaries of that era.
Ordinary conventional fire weapons did not work against the demonic beast. Of course, to the awakened too.
So hunters generally preferred to learn melee weapons or magic.
Of course, since Nova has a shooting department, special mana guns are very effective.
Still, it is generally a non-mainstream weapon in terms of efficiency and economic feasibility. But that Eric even seemed to be good at marksmanship.
“There is a spell engraved on it to block noise. “Then wouldn’t it be okay if I tried it myself?”
Jeong Ha-eun unconsciously nodded his head.
And that moment.
Suddenly he turned his body backwards and fired a magic bullet into an empty corner of the bush.
Phuuk-
Because of the noise reduction magic, the percussion sound was barely audible.
But surprisingly, the corpse of a huge demon beast suddenly appeared there.
***
Jeong Ha-eun opened her mouth involuntarily.
“Uh, what happened?”
“Demon beasts can easily hide in a rainforest-like dungeon like this. You taught me, right? Don’t rely on your five senses. React sensitively to the other person’s lifestyle. No matter how much you hide your presence. “It’s not as easy to hide as it is to live.”
‘I was also concentrating on the lives of those around me. Still, I didn’t feel the slightest sign…’
It’s hard to believe that they are really the same awakened person.
The level at which he reacted to life was sensitive. Not only that.
‘The magic bullet was fired with blue light. If so, this is clearly evidence that excessive mana acceleration was not applied. But to kill that level of a demonic beast in one go…’
The dead demon beast was wearing armor that looked like a giant pangolin. But Eric took his last breath at once.
This means that the critical point was identified at once and the target was sniped at.
And even with her excellent visual acuity, Jeong Ha-eun could barely follow Eric’s movements.
‘I didn’t even get the feeling that it was going to trigger at all.’
Moreover, the point where her gun was pointed was right behind him. The movement of turning around in an instant and sniping at the magical beast.
Even as a single shooter, it was a perfect textbook move.
“Hmm… As expected, marksmanship isn’t easy. “Because I haven’t practiced separately.”
And Jeong Ha-eun was shocked by those words.
“Hey, Instructor Eric. You’re kidding, right? Even though I’m a cadet… I know how to do basic marksmanship moves since I’m a second year student in the shooting department. “There’s no need to brag just because it’s in front of a cadet…”
“No, really? Although I like using multiple weapons. “It doesn’t work well with guns.”
It wasn’t even a look in his eyes to make fun of himself. It was a look that spoke only the truth.
“And I’m sorry about the marksmanship moves, but Ha-eun learned them from watching your training videos when you were a freshman. “I was curious about the first-year training process of the 13th Platoon cadets.”
Those words made her even more embarrassed.
“You… Watched my training video?”
“Huh. “I followed exactly what you did, so it seemed like I was better at marksmanship than I thought.”
Jeong Ha-eun’s body trembled at that light answer.
‘It’s a shooting technique that I practiced all night until I died. Did you watch that video just once and follow it?’
It’s not even the shooting skills of a shooting professor. He said he referenced his training videos.
Nevertheless, Eric showed perfect marksmanship.
That is the ideal movement that Jeong Ha-eun dreamed of as a shooter. Because of that overwhelming difference in talent. Jeong Ha-eun’s body trembled.
‘Instructor Eric… Was, of course, an unbelievable genius. So is Seo Soo-ah. After all, we can’t keep up with the difference in talent, right?’
And at that moment, Eric tapped Jeong Ha-eun’s shoulder, who was frozen in place.
“What are you thinking?”
“Oh, no. I don’t know if the demon… I don’t know if it’s there. “I was shocked for a moment…”
Eric smiled again and he handed the shotgun back to her.
And say something unexpected. He threw it at himself.
“I’m just saying this just in case. Talent doesn’t mean much when it comes to surviving on the battlefield. The greatest talent is the talent to survive until the end. Because that’s the only thing. “Everything else is useless.”
I couldn’t understand what was being said.
But I think he read his mind. He inadvertently raised his lowered head.
“And your marksmanship is perfect. You saw it a little while ago. “I followed your example and I also killed the hidden demon beast.”
And at those words, Jeong Ha-eun’s voice grew louder.
“Well… That’s not it! “That goes to the extent of it… The instructor… Is a very outstanding person as an awakened person… So you can just look at him lightly…”
He shook his head.
“No. It means that your marksmanship is textbook-level good. Even for a novice in shooting like me. “If I copy your movements, I can shoot straight away.”
And he patted his shoulder once more. He turned around and said.
“I also watched your training video recently. Probably because of Su-ah. I am overly conscious of rapid fire and reaction speed. So relax a little bit. Move slowly just for one moment. About 0.5 seconds late. “That’s my advice.”
Instructor Eric’s advice.
In Jeong Ha-eun’s mind. I couldn’t forget this short conversation with Eric for a while.
***
The three elite teams’ dungeon raid was coming to an end.
Kwajijijijik-
Ryan’s fist hit the abdomen of the beast with huge molars.
“It’s over.”
So much so that the sound of sparks flying spreads all around. It was a threatening fist of lightning.
A beastman-like beast that resembles a tiger that walks on two legs. The giant dungeon boss, nearly 3 meters tall, finally fell after a fierce battle with Ryan.
Kukukukukung-
The group watched Ryan defeat the boss. I breathed a sigh of relief that the job was over.
“You did it.”
According to Jeong Ha-eun, the party leader of the elite 3 team. Minah Choi nodded his head.
“After all, S+ level famous hunters are of a different class. If he joins us in the future, our elite 3 teams will be able to conquer not only 4-star dungeons but also 5-star dungeons…”
The demon he defeated, Sword Tiger, was an S-class demon.
It was a high-ranking magician that was as hard as a long sword, but with huge molars and claws that were very threatening.
Even though there was support from 3 elite teams, it was a great feat to end the beast’s life with the final blow.
However, Ryan, the person in question, looked dissatisfied.
“Tsk. I showed my clumsy side in front of Eric. “Eric, you would have defeated this beast faster and in a much cleaner way.”
At his words, the eyes of the elite 3 teams instantly turned to Eric Becker.
He smiled as if he was troubled.
“If you say that, other people will misunderstand. “I’m not that great of a person.”
“What are you talking about? Eric, you are the only strong person I recognize.”
It seemed like he was sincere and not joking.
Choi Mina, who had seen Ryan’s strength that was not even human a little while ago, could not believe those words at all.
‘A man who looks so harmless. ‘You’re stronger than that monster Ryan?’
Although I thought he would be somewhat strong.
On the outside, the man seems harmless. And he was a handsome man that no woman could inadvertently glance at, so he couldn’t believe that even more.
‘Well, anyway, I succeeded in conquering the dungeon. Now just take care of that…’
As it was a job that attracted famous hunters from outside. It was a mission that must be successful. Still, as long as you have completely conquered the 4-star dungeon.
It was as if the three elite teams had accomplished something.
“With this, the young lady’s status can be raised a little more.”
“Yes? Yes… That’s right…”
Minah Choi said to Haeun Jeong.
Although this is my first mission as Team B. Looking at her battle record, it seemed like she also played a significant role in the rear.
I tried to praise Jeong Ha-eun, but
But Jeong Ha-eun was actually preoccupied with something else.
As I followed the gaze, the man Choi Min-ah saw a moment ago was at the end. It wasn’t Ryan, it was Eric Becker.
‘Oh. After all, the young lady is in her prime.’
She seemed completely uninterested in relationships and men. It seemed like even the young lady couldn’t help but be drawn to such a handsome man.
Jeong Ha-eun said she was a beauty even in her own eyes. As far as her looks go, she was a good match for Eric.
‘As long as your skills are good… I don’t think it would be a bad idea to date a young lady.’
She has completed all the strategies. With her relaxed mind, she watched the young lady’s innocence with interest.
But just then.
The expression on this man’s name, Eric, was a little strange.
‘Huh? Wasn’t that guy… The guy who was always smiling?’
However, his expression was cold. And the moment I saw those eyes. Minah Choi’s body trembled.
‘Living…?’
And at that moment, Eric Becker shouted.
“Ryan! Be careful! As I said, now is the time!”
“Okay!”
Although she and her elite 3 team were puzzled by the shout.
Ryan also responded to Eric’s words. And the two hurriedly approached the elite team 3 and Jeong Ha-eun.
At the same time, Eric shouted.
***
“It’s an enemy attack!”
Choi Min-ah was shocked at that moment. Until a little while ago, she was an S-class hunter and even she couldn’t feel anything.
Just as he said, a terrible level of murder was escalating all at once around him.
‘How did you find out?’
It was a reaction that even she couldn’t believe. It seemed like Ryan also reacted after Eric’s shout.
But she didn’t even have time to think.
The place where the group was was the boss area. Highlands of tropical rainforest. In an instant, blood mist began to rise in the jungle full of rain and moisture.
‘It’s really an enemy attack!’
And the moment I smelled that fishy smell of blood.
Choi Min-ah discovered the identity of those who attacked the group. The famous villain who creates a huge blood-red fog of this size before attacking. Because he was the only one.
“It’s Erica the Blood Witch! “Everyone be careful!”
Kakakakakang-
All three elite teams entered the battle again. In the blood fog that obscured the view, the sound of a weapon being swung was heard.
But, thanks to Eric’s warning. The three elite teams immediately responded to the attack.
It was that time.
“It’s already too late! The entire area is already filled with my blood-red mist! Just become a sacrifice to the new blood mist!”
Choi Min-ah bit her lip at those words.
‘It’s really Erica.’
Blood Witch Erica. A particularly dangerous villain among S+ class villains.
She was a cruel woman who rose from an ordinary C-level villain to an S+-level villain by absorbing the blood of the awakened people she killed.
All kinds of curses created through hex magic are dissolved in that blood-red fog.
The moment we entered that area, it was as if half of us had been defeated. As the time was already approaching night, visibility became extremely narrow.
‘No. I don’t know why Erica is here. ‘I found out too late!’
Perhaps the villain’s subordinates were also there. The 3 elite teams and Ryan were struggling against the villain’s subordinates.
But time is on Erica’s side. The moment you feel even the slightest injury.
The bloody mist will seep into those wounds, causing you to quickly lose stamina and symptoms of poisoning.
“Miss. Be sure to stay behind me!”
Still, Lady Ha-eun had to be saved. With the honor of the elite team 3 at stake, we cannot put the young lady they serve in danger.
‘Even if I die!’
The moment I prepared everything and crossed swords with Erica’s subordinate. She felt puzzled.
The blood-red fog disappeared in an instant. And then an incredible voice was heard.
“Eric killed Erica! Now that she’s dead, her minions don’t matter! Fight calmly!”
“Really!”
I never thought that an S+ level villain would be defeated so quickly.
But what Ryan said was true.
In the distance, Eric was standing holding a sword. And under him. A woman wearing a witch’s hat had collapsed.
Ryan shouted.
“Your boss is dead! So, you guys, search too!”
What happened after that was one-sided. Erica’s men were immediately eliminated by the elite 3 teams and Ryan.
And before we knew it, Jeong Ha-eun was running towards Eric, who was on a higher ground than the rest of the group.
‘Miss… I really like that Eric…’
Just a moment ago, she was the one who tried to protect Jeong Ha-eun with her life. She felt a little embarrassed.
But in the end, it was Eric who saved the group’s lives. On the contrary, she didn’t feel bad for herself.
‘Anyway, this is a hunter named Eric. Just how strong is he…’
The other three elite teams also looked at him with awe in their eyes.
“This is a hunter named Eric. Why was it unknown?”
“I’m curious too. “I just can’t believe it.”
Still, the companions later relaxed their minds. Even Eric, who killed Erica, has now let his guard down.
Everyone felt that everything was over.
But it was that moment.
Kukukukukukung-
“Uh?”
The ground they were standing on shook. And beyond, the ground around Jeong Ha-eun, who was heading towards where Eric was, collapsed.
“Ah, lady!”
This is the highlands. Of course, beyond where Jeong Ha-eun was standing was a sheer cliff.
And there was a torrent flowing below it. Choi Min-ah got goosebumps.
“Up, it’s dangerous!”
But she said Eric reacted faster than she did. He jumped off the cliff.
