Chapter 21: The Bed, as Expected…
Hunters between level 30 and 45, currently active in South Korea, entered the gate known as Orc Forest after receiving a request for support from the Hunter Association and the government.
Hunters from levels 15 to 29 also checked their support notifications from the Association and the government and headed to the Orc Forest.
Of course, not every hunter who received the message responded. Some declined due to personal reasons, while others deemed the situation too dangerous and ignored the call.
Teams of hunters affiliated with the Association, the government, and various guilds each entered the gate. Among them were hunters who saw the battle against hundreds, even thousands, of monsters not as a threat—but as an opportunity to grow.
“What’s the current situation?”
Kim Hwarang, a former field hunter of the Hunter Association who had stopped active duty at level 45, asked as he walked toward the temporary command tent. He had been called in during his vacation.
An Association hunter, who had been gathering intel since arriving, followed behind him and responded.
“Using drone surveillance, we've confirmed a total of approximately 470 Poison Orcs.”
“…Tch.”
Hwarang instinctively grimaced at the number, then quickly composed his expression.
“What monsters require particular caution?”
“Poison Orc Warriors and Orc Magicians.”
“Has the gate boss made a move yet?”
“No. However, a commander has emerged and is leading the orcs in place of the gate boss, the Orc Lord.”
“So we have warriors, mages, and even a commander…”
It was hard to believe, and Hwarang let out a dry, disbelieving laugh. The deeper you go into a gate, the stronger the monsters become.
“We missed the commander, then.”
They had already confirmed the presence of warriors and magicians during the initial gate scouting. The only thing they had failed to spot was the Orc Commander.
“It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
“Yes, the Strategy Division came to the same conclusion as soon as the commander was confirmed.”
Upon arriving at the tent, hunters from both guilds and government agencies stood up to greet Hwarang.
He gave a slight bow in return and turned back to his junior.
“Anything else we need to be mindful of?”
“The regular orcs surrendered immediately after the Poison Orcs overthrew their leader. The surrendered orcs are now serving at the front lines, helping the Poison Orcs conquer the forest.”
“And the beast-type monsters?”
“Wolves, bears, and horses that can be ridden are being captured and used as mounts. Those unable to carry the orcs’ weight are being hunted and used as food.”
Hwarang turned his gaze to the large map spread across the round table.
The Poison Orcs didn’t march out to pass through the forest—they intended to conquer it.
Red chess pieces were scattered across the map.
His junior moved one piece at a time and continued.
“The orc army is advancing again. It appears they've cleared out both the flanks and rear of the forest.”
“Good work. Report immediately if new information comes in.”
“Yes, sir.”
With a short response, the junior left the tent after offering greetings to the other hunters.
“Sorry, I came during vacation and haven’t been properly briefed.”
“Not a problem.”
“The Poison Orcs have increased their advance speed. Let’s get straight to the point. How many hunters are here from the guild side?”
“Fifty-two.”
Not many. The Association barely had just over fifty as well.
“And government-affiliated hunters?”
“Thirty-three.”
That was a surprisingly large number, considering government hunters were always fewer in number.
“There are too many trees obstructing movement. The number of supplied magic guns and bullets is very limited.”
The guild and government representatives nodded solemnly.
“But we were supplied with magic scrolls instead.”
“What tier?”
“Fourth Circle.”
“…Huh.”
Using high-tier Fourth Circle scrolls meant for mid-level gates in a low-level one—both representatives licked their lips in frustration, thinking of the sheer number of enemies.
“Reasonable, I suppose.”
“What’s the attribute?”
“Fire.”
“Shame. But safety comes first.”
A Fourth Circle fire spell had the potential to melt even the magic stones inside the Poison Orcs.
“I have one more question. Including those who’ve retreated, how many hunters are currently inside the gate?”
“Two hundred twenty-three.”
“Does that include those who left after noticing the gate’s changes?”
“Yes. We used drones to scan the entire forest and orc army. Everyone but one hunter has returned.”
“…One?”
“Yes.”
“Are they still alive?”
“They are. They’re not lost, nor were they unaware of the change. That last hunter is currently running toward the gate entrance.”
They weren't lost, and they weren't oblivious to the danger—yet they were late compared to the other survivors.
“Did they engage the Poison Orcs?”
“Yes. They fought five of them.”
“…Five?”
“Yes.”
“Are you saying a level 45 hunter was alone in the Orc Forest?”
The Orc Forest allowed up to level 45 hunters, but no level 45 ever actively hunted there. Any worthwhile monsters for that level—like the warriors and magicians—were deep inside the village. Most high-level hunters preferred more rewarding mid-tier gates.
“The hunter is named Kim Suho. He’s a summoner, level 19.”
“…But Poison Orcs are level 35-ish, right? Are we missing something?”
“No. That’s accurate.”
And yet, he fought five Poison Orcs on his own?
Kim Suho was definitely… unusual.
Hwarang felt a twinge of curiosity.
I’ll need to check him out later.
He committed the name Kim Suho to memory, then turned to the two leaders.
“Alright. I’ll now explain the strategy devised by the Division.”
Meanwhile…
It had been the right decision to chase the Poison Orcs that slipped through while they were trying to block escape routes—but what came after was the real problem.
Fwoosh!
Kim Suho launched himself sideways, spreading his mana wide to sense his surroundings.
“…So they were a scouting party after all.”
The five Poison Orcs that had initially split from their group weren’t just stragglers. When an Orc Rider showed up, Suho realized the truth—they were recon scouts.
He glanced back.
Mounted on massive wolves, the Orc Riders came into view. One of them held a huge spear in reverse grip, ready to throw at any moment.
Suho broke into a run again.
Five Orc Riders gave chase, flinging their spears in sync.
He dodged and kept dodging.
Bang!
His counterattacks were left to Gunma, nestled inside his backpack.
Gunma used tiny mana bullets. But the riders kept enough distance, and the wolves' eyesight was sharper than the orcs’. They dodged the bullets by veering left or right the moment Gunma pulled the trigger.
Using fire magic in a forest would risk a wildfire—one that could help the orc army advance faster. So Sarang, his fire spirit, wasn’t used here.
Fwoosh!
Soma unleashed a blade aura, but the riders split off and dodged again.
Soma and Gunma’s job wasn’t to kill. It was to slow them down. Even though their attacks failed, they stayed focused on protecting Kim Suho, firing and swinging tirelessly.
“Chreee!”
One of the riders howled after dodging another bullet. Sensing something, the others came to an abrupt stop.
Nyaang! (Watch out!)
Heeding Sarang’s warning, Suho spread his mana field even wider and kept up his pace.
“Chreeeeek!”
A thunderous cry.
A surge of concentrated mana.
He could feel the killing intent—even without looking back.
He glanced behind him.
Four spears flying toward him.
Two aimed directly at him. Two aimed at where he’d likely dodge.
There were five riders.
One—presumably the leader—still held his spear.
Suho spotted a large boulder ahead and used it to launch himself high into the air.
“Chreeeek!”
That leader Orc Rider had been waiting for this moment—and hurled his spear.
In midair, Suho curled up and shouted:
“Soma!”
-Ma!
All other summons ceased mana use and poured it into Soma.
Unlike earlier, Soma now had full access to the group’s mana. A massive wave of energy surged through her—and in a flash, she summoned a giant aura shield like the Living Knight had once used with his black blade.
BOOM!
A massive explosion right in front of Suho.
He looked through the smoke—at the enraged Orc Rider who had thrown the spear.
“Chreeeeeeeek!!”
Was it frustration from the failed attack? Or rage at Suho for using that very attack to escape?
The leader screamed in fury, emanating even more bloodlust.
-Nyap.
But hey, listen—
“…Hm?”
-Nyaang, nyaang.
How do you plan to land?
“…Ah.”
The explosion had happened right in front of him.
Midair, it was nearly impossible to adjust his posture. He might’ve used mana to cushion his fall—but Soma had just burned through almost all of it.
“Can I use wind magic?”
-Nyaaaaang.
I’m fire. The demon is wood.
“…So I should just curl up?”
-Nyaang.
And please unsummon me.
Thud…
Outside the tent, Hwarang sighed deeply.
Too much to do, too little time.
Trap setup.
Assessing enemy strength via drones.
Hunter assignment.
Squad and team leader selection.
Identifying wide-area skill users who could harm friendlies as well as enemies.
“They should’ve just sent someone from Strategy…”
If the Strategy Division had sent personnel directly, it wouldn’t all fall on him.
“…Huh?”
“What’s that?”
“Is that a monster?”
Hearing the chatter, Hwarang looked up.
A tiny speck in the sky.
He opened his mana senses—someone was falling. Twisting midair, clearly trying to correct their posture—but failing. Falling fast.
“Desummon!”
The man in the sky shouted, curling his body tight.
“Oh, crap!”
He was falling way too fast.
The hunters who had been watching in awe now looked alarmed.
Then, a woman with a staff quickly chanted a spell.
“W-Wind Bed!”
Poof!
A giant, soft green mana cushion—shaped like a bed—appeared on the ground.
“W-Wait a second!”
Wind Bed.
A defensive spell hunters jokingly called the air mattress. Known for its incredible bounce.
Yes. Bounce.
“…Wait, Wind Bed?”
The man hit the bed and exhaled in relief.
Then remembered what Wind Beds do—and his eyes widened.
Before he could channel mana to get off…
BOING!!
He shot into the air.
“The bed is, as expected…”
His voice faded as he flew—
“An air mattress.”
“I-I’m sorry!!”
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