The SSS-Class Hunter’s Garden Log - Chapter 8

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 8

“Why don’t you find it first before asking?”

“No, I need to have clear motivation to enjoy doing the work.”

Yun Taegyeom’s cheekbones rose smugly.

“You were also moved by the item’s effects, right? See. That’s not an ordinary potato! Et-.”

“Just do your etcha or whatever.”

Seo Ganghyeon warned ominously.

That damn cursed ‘etcha’.

For several days, he felt like he’d heard enough ‘etcha’ to last a lifetime.

Seo Ganghyeon answered with a fed-up expression.

“Honestly, I’ll admit it performs better than most recovery potions. Moreover, there were no side effects or residual toxicity at all.”

“Right, right! It’s more effective than what our guild’s production-class Hunters made, you know?”

“Yeah. So if possible, we’re thinking of having the guild make a contract and receive regular item deliveries.”

“As expected! You’ve also recognized the greatness of the Crop Cultivation School!”

…What school?

Seo Ganghyeon shook his head back and forth.

Anyway, he had to acknowledge what needed to be acknowledged. That mysterious seller’s item was tempting.

At that moment, the alarm inside the Association became even more intense.

[Warning. Energy interference levels increasing near the New Hunter Registration Area.]

Seo Ganghyeon immediately raised his head.

His eyes instantly turned coldly serious.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah. I felt it too.”

Even the playful Yun Taegyeom gulped and swallowed dry saliva.

Both their gazes turned simultaneously to one place.

Toward the direction where energy was abnormally condensing.

That was the moment.

Thud—!

A low, deep rumble shook the entire Association building.

Several employees staggered on the floor that shook like an earthquake, and fine dust began falling from the lobby ceiling.

[Danger. Gate opening signs detected in registration area wall. All personnel evacuate immediately!]

As the overlapping electronic announcement echoed, one wall of the lobby cracked as if being torn apart.

Along with cold air, purple cracks spread, and in an instant, an oval gap larger than a person’s height opened.

The waves of magical power pouring out caused machines throughout the lobby to creak and emit warning sounds.

“It’s a Gate! A Gate has opened!”

Starting with that scream-like shout, the lobby instantly became chaos.

Employees began evacuating according to emergency protocol, and some helped fallen colleagues while heading toward emergency exits.

Warning sirens spread throughout all areas of the Association, and emergency lights on the floor flashed red.

At the center of the chaos, the Gate was terrifyingly expanding its crack.

[Gate Rank: B-class]

[Gate Type: Breeding Spore Zone]

[Threat Level: High]

[Number of Monsters on Standby: 32]

As the ground churned and cold energy spread, monsters began pouring out of the Gate.

Their forms were varied.

Monsters crawling while shrieking, entities dripping with mucus, even spore masses that hadn’t fully matured.

“Ah shit, so much for leaving work early.”

“Instead of grumbling, why don’t you deal with them.”

Beside the complaining Yun Taegyeom, Seo Ganghyeon casually drew his sword from its sheath.

Seo Ganghyeon’s skill window opened.

【SYSTEM】

【Skill ‘Flare Strike (A-class)’ is activated.】

【Attribute: Fire】

【Range: Close-range Multiple Strikes】

Red aura erupted from Seo Ganghyeon’s hand like an explosion.

The flames coiled around the sword tip swirled like a living snake, and the next moment rushed through the air.

Kwa-ang!

The spore-type entities caught in the flames’ force exploded simultaneously.

Yun Taegyeom clicked his tongue at that power.

“Monster-like bastard. There should be something left for me to handle. If you sweep them all away, this hyung feels embarrassed.”

As Yun Taegyeom rolled up his sleeves and twisted his hand.

Thud thud thud-

With a low rumbling vibration, the artwork made of iron rods decorating the wall began to warp.

Telekinesis.

Yun Taegyeom’s ability was to freely utilize surrounding terrain and objects with just hand gestures.

In an instant, dozens of rod-like spears aimed at the monsters flew toward them all at once with Taegyeom’s single gesture.

Thanks to Ganghyeon and Taegyeom, the monsters that had been pouring out were quickly dealt with.

However, the Gate entrance still showed no signs of closing.

Because the Boss Monster remained.

Splurt, splurt.

Soon, some kind of alien sound could be heard.

From between the Gate’s cracks, a presence incomparably more massive than before emerged.

“It’s the Boss Monster! E-everyone get away!”

Someone shouted.

Like a moving swamp, a seething mass of spores.

Countless mycelia and swollen spore sacs vibrated eerily.

“Ugh. What the hell is that thing.”

Yun Taegyeom dry-heaved with a nauseated expression.

The smell of rotten water vibrated through the air.

Seo Ganghyeon narrowed his gaze for a moment and stepped forward.

【SYSTEM】

【Skill ‘Eye of Hachi (SS-class)’ activated. Piercing through the essence of things.】

With a brief effect sound, a transparent system window overlapped Seo Ganghyeon’s vision.

【SYSTEM】

【Entity identification complete】

【Name: Spore Swamp Beast】

【Rank: B-class Mutant Plant-type Monster (Breeding type)】

【Attributes: Toxic / Mucus / Mycelia】

【Characteristics:</p】

-Autonomous proliferation possible (can create multiple small entities through bodily fluid and mycelia division)

-Form is fluid, but death cannot be determined unless the core is damaged

-Generates additional ‘spore colonies’ at regular intervals by absorbing surrounding energy>

“What a complicated way to say destroy the core.”

The mucous mass was writhing, and the swollen spore sacs were vibrating incessantly.

“Nothing good comes from dragging this out.”

Seo Ganghyeon didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

His sword tip aimed at the monster’s center.

Right, the longer they dragged this out, the more unnecessary damage would accumulate. Just like that time.

For a moment, strength gathered in Ganghyeon’s fingertips.

Memories he had tried to bury dug into his mind.

“Senior! Come out! Get out of there right now!”

The sound of his past helpless self screaming in front of an exploding Gate echoed sharply in his ears.

The sudden memory caused turmoil to rise on his pessimistic face.

“…Damn it.”

Grind.

Kang Hyeon clenched his teeth and swung his sword again.

【SYSTEM】

【Skill Chain Activation: ‘Flare Strike (A-rank)’ → ‘Blazing Slash (A+ rank)’】

【Attribute: Fire / Chain: 3-meter flame spread on impact】

【Bonus Effect: Increased explosive effect on direct center hit】

As if suppressing his wavering emotions, Kang Hyeon swung his sword even deeper.

The heat grew thicker and the surrounding air expanded, then the blazing sword quickly plunged toward the monster’s heart.

KWAAAAANG!!

Explosive flames burst forth, and the mass of mycelium thrashed wildly.

At that moment, pop, one spore sac burst.

Thick bodily fluid dripped down from inside it onto the floor.

That liquid seeped into the shadows of the pillars without either Seo Ganghyeon or Yun Taegyeom noticing.

Then it quietly began to wriggle and move.

Toward the direction of the Simulation Room.

* * *

While the fierce battle was in full swing, Hana stood blankly in the middle of the Simulation Room.

“How long do I have to stay like this?”

Hana, completely unaware of the situation outside, looked around.

Just as she was starting to get bored from the indefinite waiting, a mechanical sound echoed in the room.

[Welcome. We will begin the test to measure your awakening classification. Please press the ‘Start’ button visible in front of you.]

Along with the announcement, a holographic button appeared before her eyes.

“Wow.”

Hana, who was about to press the button, tilted her head.

“But it’s strange, this is my first time but I’m not nervous at all.”

Was my mental strength always this strong?

With that doubt in mind, she pressed the button, and another announcement flowed out.

[An F-rank monster ‘Slime’ suitable for the test subject’s level will be generated. Please eliminate the ‘Slime’ within the time limit.]

Pong.

A transparent jelly monster popped out.

It looked so cute as it bounced around and crawled up toward her feet.

“Hey, compared to the monsters I’ve seen so far, this is nothing.”

Hana looked down at the slime with an indifferent expression and raised her fist.

Then with a thud, she struck down, and the slime lost its form and burst in one hit.

[The awakening classification test has been completed. Please wait a moment.]

“Huh? That’s it?”

Wasn’t that too boring for a test?

Well, anyway, it ended without any problems, so maybe that was fine.

Leaving behind a slight feeling of dissatisfaction, Hana brushed off her hands.

Then she felt something squishy under her foot and looked down.

“What’s this? It’s sticky.”

Sizzle-.

When did this stuff flow here?

Green mucus spread abundantly stuck to her shoes in a sticky mess.

It wasn’t the translucent mucus like the slime she had seen earlier.

A foul-smelling liquid.

It slowly gathered toward the center, then gradually began to take shape.

Swelling mycelium.

Thickly tangled spore sacs.

The form completed before her eyes had exactly the same appearance as the Boss Monster that Seo Ganghyeon was fighting.

“This is strange.”

Hana, who had been poking the mucus with her shoe, opened her eyes wide.

“They said the test was over. Why is another monster appearing?”

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