My Catastrophic‑Level Summon Devours Gates - Chapter 275

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 275
“?”
Five question marks floated above Lee Won-taek’s head.
A three-headed dragon appeared in the sky.
The moment he laid eyes on the monster bearing such tremendous lightning power.
‘We’re done for.’
He was certain they needed to withdraw the front line immediately.
Based on the mana wavelength, it seemed to be at least an S-Rank Boss Monster.
They were already in danger of their formation collapsing just from a single Cyclops.
But a large flying species on top of that?
The Cyclops and the Monster horde pressed forward from the front.
With the flying species emerging from behind, even retreat had become difficult.
“Uuuuhhhhh!”
The Cyclops unleashed a strange cry.
Just as Lee Won-taek was about to grit his teeth at the creature’s overconfident attitude in its assured victory.
Lee Won-taek sensed a change.
‘It’s releasing killing intent toward that monster?’
The Cyclops looked up at the sky.
Mana concentrated in its eye.
It was the creature’s specialty—Death Beam.
Crackle!
Flash!
Lightning and mana rays collided in midair.
The moment a victor and loser were decided.
Something wrapped in a tyrannical aura plummeted from where the three-headed dragon hovered.
‘I can’t miss this opportunity.’
Lee Won-taek drew upon his mana in response.
[Aura Blade]
[Giga Impact]
Tremendous mana surged forth from his fist in a devastating rush.
Overt killing intent.
An attack designed to confuse the Cyclops’s judgment.
If it blocked the fist, it would be defenseless against the blade falling toward its crown.
If it parried that dark something’s assault, the fist would strike its heart.
A deadly dilemma!
A moment of absolute crisis.
“Uuuuhhhhh.”
The Cyclops failed to respond properly to that killing intent and was busy rubbing its eye.
Its eye had been damaged by the lightning the three-headed dragon unleashed.
The damage was worse than expected, causing its response to the coordinated attack to lag slightly behind.
Flailing about, I braced both arms against my crown and torso.
Screech—screech—
Crack!
The Greatsword buried itself deep into my crown as I tore through the powerless thrashing.
A fist that transcended the output limit through Skill caved in my chest.
There was no question—instant death.
“Are you alright?”
Lee Won-taek looked up toward the source of the voice.
A figure standing near the neck of the Hydraigon.
Someone I had seen before.
It would have been strange not to know him.
Min-ho—the man who had sent the Korean Hunter Industry into a tectonic shift recently.
“A Summoned Creature, then.”
I swallowed back the formal speech that was about to escape.
The hierarchy had become brutally clear thanks to his recent battle records.
Unable to admit that fact due to pride, I managed only a casual question.
“Yes. It’s called a Hydraigon.”
Lee Won-taek felt a sudden surge of emotion.
If it were a three-headed dragon, surely it would have some grand name like the Ultimate Azure Dragon.
Or the Triple Dragon.
So many magnificent names existed, yet such a pathetic one!!
“Do you happen to need any assistance?”
At Min-ho’s well-meaning question, Lee Won-taek composed himself.
“Krkrk. You’ve already spared precious time—it would be unconscionable to ask for more.”
“I see.”
“Aside from the Cyclops, the rest are mere rabble. Maintaining the Front Line poses no problem.”
Had I been properly equipped with large-scale forces, I could have managed even the Cyclops through a delaying action.
Lee Won-taek saw no need to elaborate on such matters.
Regardless, the situation had occurred.
Without Min-ho’s assistance, I would have had to abandon the First Defensive Line immediately.
“I shall repay this debt without fail.”
“Debt is too much. We’re all dedicating ourselves for the country anyway.”
Min-ho replied as though it were nothing.
‘Asking for nothing in return?’
Lee Won-taek’s mind grew complicated.
He commanded a large-species Summoned Creature that appeared stronger than the Cyclops.
Coming to offer support while holding back what seemed to be his strongest Summoned Creature—surely he should demand something in return.
The Domestic Big Five had always kept each other in check this way.
Righteousness?
In this harsh world, how many truly moved solely on principle?
Following Emergency Directive 1, Section 7 was simply a matter of the Korean Government providing such substantial benefits to the Domestic Big Five.
The Korean Government had stepped forward precisely because they were offering such generous terms to the Domestic Big Five.
‘Truly for the sake of public good?’
Like asking why one wouldn’t drink coffee after a meal.
Min-ho’s expression carried not a shred of suspicion.
If that demeanor were an act, he should have become an actor instead of a Hunter.
Lee Won-taek, who led the Hwarang Guild, one of the Domestic Big Five, felt certain of his sincerity.
‘I too was unavoidably materialistic.’
What meaning did pride or anything else hold?
He felt ashamed of himself for having hesitated over the radio.
Before an unprecedented disaster like a Monster Wave from the Great Rift, it was right for everyone to set aside everything and unite their strength.
“You’re right. Hunter Park’s words are correct.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m genuinely grateful.”
Lee Won-taek bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
The memory of when he first became a Hunter surfaced.
He had struggled desperately to survive the Great Catastrophe.
He had run with sweat pouring down his legs, desperate to save even one more person.
Retracing his beginner’s heart, he even felt himself growing younger.
“But my words about repaying this debt are no lie.”
“Pardon?”
“Once the Monster Wave ends, I’ll give you a grand gift.”
Lee Won-taek laughed with genuine pleasure.
* * *
Delaying skirmishes erupted throughout Gando.
The Hwarang Guild stumbled, but through timely intervention, they regrouped and established a stable defensive line.
“It’s all thanks to you, Hunter Park.”
“What great deed did I accomplish? It was nothing special.”
I meant it sincerely.
I fed the distracted Cyclops a breath attack.
Once I cracked its skull, it immediately turned around.
Thanks to the Hwarang Guild Leader dispersing the aggro, I hunted far more smoothly.
After bringing down the creature, claiming its corpse as spoils was a bonus!
The Hwarang Guild Leader’s atmosphere felt a bit odd.
When I quietly moved the Cyclops corpse into Death Space, he said nothing, so I just went ahead with it.
“Hehehehe.”
I was in a good mood.
After that, whenever difficulties arose in maintaining the front line, I mounted the Hydraigon and flew there.
A flying type unaffected by terrain.
The monsters that rushed toward this line were shredded like they’d touched a chainsaw, making it easy to clear the space.
“Is Sir Isra still going?”
“Yes. His Aura has become even more ferocious.”
Ingrid shook her head side to side.
Sir Isra in his frenzied state was one thing.
I asked about the mental state of my other Familiars out of concern, and they all said they were fine.
“Tell me if it becomes difficult.”
“How could a tool possess such feelings of difficulty? Please use me as you wish, Master.”
I knew this would happen.
If I asked the other Familiars, they would say something similar.
In times like this, asking him was the right answer.
“Malnourished One. Can you manage?”
【Kahahaha! A large-scale Battlefield is precisely where a Necromancer shines, is it not!】
“Your words are too brief.”
【…, yes.】
“Still, you must be mentally fatigued.”
【Hmm. Since becoming this form, I find that even fighting for days on end does not tire me, yes.】
“Was it always like that?”
【Not originally, yes. Undead Servitude requires much attention, so I do experience mental fatigue, yes.】
Upon becoming one of the Dead, mental stamina is no longer consumed.
Truly remarkable.
Extraordinary, really.
To maintain one’s condition while slaughtering Monsters for days on end.
And yet.
The other Domestic Big Five Hunters were not Undeads.
They began to show their limits in delaying the Monster Wave.
By the dawn of the seventh day.
―Five Drakes have appeared. We haven’t begun combat yet, but our forces are insufficient, so we’re withdrawing from the current operational area.
―Cyclopes are approaching in groups.
―We need time to regroup.
The Domestic Big Five slowly retreated their front line.
With this development, we who were holding the position became exposed to the Monster Wave.
“Hunter Park. Monsters are also coming from the rear passages.”
A Rift Bureau Hunter who had returned from reconnaissance shared the situation with a heavy expression.
As the other line withdrew, the rear had been compromised through the connecting passages.
“Tsk. We could hold out a bit longer.”
As I clicked my tongue in frustration, Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon shook her head.
“Five days is already an exceptionally long hold at the First Defensive Line.”
“Is that so?”
“The Rift Bureau originally planned that holding the First Defensive Line for just three days would be considered a success.”
I see.
I see.
“This is all thanks to you, Hunter Park. On behalf of the Rift Bureau, I express my gratitude.”
Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon bent her waist at a ninety-degree angle.
Lately, I’ve been receiving these formal bows quite often.
Honestly, it seemed I had done well, so I accepted the greeting with a simple silent bow.
“Even retreating is work, isn’t it?”
Monsters were already pouring into the path toward the Second Defensive Line.
Ahead, the creatures were equally saturated with venom.
You could say it was adding insult to injury.
Flying Monsters, swarming like clouds, were approaching our group.
“They’re Drakes.”
Ingrid’s brow furrowed slightly before she smoothed her expression again.
“Oh my. I can’t afford wrinkles.”
“There’s no need to ask Sir Isra for an estimate.”
Five entities emanating powerful Mana Wavelengths.
We absolutely cannot defeat them.
“Let’s fold.”
The Drake pack merely watched from a distance.
The fact that they weren’t actively engaging was a blessing in disguise.
If we held out any longer here, direct intervention was certain, so I needed to withdraw quickly.
“Meigers. Is there anything else that needs to be recovered?”
【The Refinement Circle only required a few Magic Stones. They’ll naturally disperse over time, so there’s no need to worry.】
“The Witch Group reports no particular issues either.”
【All the Armaments we crafted have been stored in the Death Domain.】
After five days of combat, my overall power had increased.
Some Undeads did fall, but they were all ones the Malnourished One immediately resurrected on the spot.
Some Death Warriors and Death Guards suffered damage while defending the line.
[Repair Factory]
Those with broken arms or legs were repaired in the Death Domain.
The Durability of the worn Armaments was swiftly restored by Hael to pristine condition.
Tch.
Wasn’t this just automatic hunting?
My full power was being duplicated!
“Tsk.”
First, I needed to figure out how to recover Sir Isra.
The recovery range of Death Space was thirty meters.
[Shadow Step]
I activated the built-in skill attached to the Armor.
Utilizing even Zaugg’s talent, I suppressed my presence and approached slowly.
Fortunately, the direction of the Aura storm’s assault was straight ahead.
To be precise.
Since there were no Monsters occupying the rear after the black whirlwind, there was no reason to cover the back.
[Death Space]
The moment I released my Mana to retrieve Sir Isra.
The gazes fixed on the Monsters suddenly snapped toward me.
Eyes glinting with murderous intent.
Terrifying.
Even though he was my Familiar, I wondered if this was acceptable.
It was fortunate I retrieved him immediately—otherwise, his expression suggested he would have drawn his blade on me at once.
A few seconds passed after the retrieval.
【Mm, uuuugh.】
“How do you feel? Coming to your senses?”
【How long has it been since I used Metamorphosis?】
“Five days.”
【Indeed. My Lord’s theory proved correct.】
Enemies continued to appear without end.
As long as my Mana didn’t run dry.
My prediction that Metamorphosis would continue to sustain itself held true.
Five days was sufficient.
There was no need to verify further.
【I hope I have not committed any rudeness toward my Lord.】
“Don’t worry.”
I almost had though.
My heart pounded harder facing the Drake’s murderous aura than it ever had before.
“More importantly, we’re withdrawing now.”
When I explained the situation briefly, Sir Isra nodded in understanding with a hum.
【Retreat is wise, but we will need someone to cover the rear.】
“Don’t worry. I already have someone in mind.”
There was an optimal candidate perfectly suited for a situation like this.
I hadn’t asked for his permission yet though.
But that shouldn’t matter, right?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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