S Chapter 80

To Won Chung-bae, the outcome was already decided.

Yang U-dam. He fought very dirty, though it was unclear if he had been taught by someone. No, to be precise, should it be called seasoned?

Usually, people consider it a sport where victory and defeat are at stake, like the Runner-up. Because they would never have risked their lives. But this guy is different. He precisely understands what he’s doing. To live or to die. It means he perceives it as a battle for survival.

‘The Runner-up’s movements are grand, putting power into each one… but Yang U-dam is trying to conserve his stamina as much as possible to drag out a long fight. He’s trying to tire out his opponent and then hunt them.’

This means he knows his capabilities are lower than his opponent’s. So he’s trying to exhaust them. Regardless of whether the audience finds it boring or showers him with boos, he’s just trying to survive.

‘Was there such an annoying fellow among our school’s teachers?’

Who on earth is his master?

Just as curiosity surged, the Runner-up, perhaps thoroughly exasperated by his constantly evading opponent, prepared a massive attack. The surging waves of power reached even the spectator stands.

Ooooh! Won Chung-bae exclaimed in admiration, his lips rounded. His eyes sparkled like a child’s, and his hand stroking his beard quickened dramatically.

Such an attack at that age, these kids nowadays are truly amazing!

‘If that’s a direct hit, it would be a quite dangerous attack.’

Won Chung-bae’s heart pounded with excitement. Because he saw the limitless potential of the younger generation. But what he looked forward to even more was how Yang U-dam, yes, that cunning fellow, would overcome this crisis.

‘I’m really curious!’

Won Go-yu, sitting beside him, was equally thrilled. He waited for the next event with a deeply immersed expression.

At that moment, the Runner-up’s attack headed towards Yang U-dam, and soon, a huge explosion, loud enough to make eardrums ring, erupted. A hazy dust filled the arena. Even the clear sky was momentarily darkened.

“I can’t see anything!”

“What is this, ugh!”

People murmured amongst themselves. Many covered their noses and mouths with their forearms, coughing. Of course, an overwhelmingly greater number were restless, shifting in their seats, curious about what had happened to the two.

Finally, as the smoke cleared, it wasn’t a fallen Yang U-dam that was revealed. He, like everyone else, was scowling, covering his lower face with his forearm. He was perfectly fine, having not taken a single hit.

Had the Runner-up’s finishing move not worked? Just as someone wondered this, a bewildered, perhaps surprised, voice burst out from among the many spectators.

“Uh…? What’s that?”

Everyone’s gaze simultaneously turned to one spot. The murmuring grew louder.

“Seriously, what is that?”

“A wild animal?”

The answer popped out from somewhere.

“It’s that thing.”

Rakun!

Ah~ Short gasps of exclamation followed one after another around the person who gave the answer. So it’s called a Rakun. Heads nodded repeatedly.

Amidst this, someone (let’s call him Person A) who had suddenly come to his senses, spoke with a question mark over his head.

“…But why is it here??”

It was a refreshing question.

A pointed snout, round ears, a plump tail. A generous lower body that would make a pattering sound when it walked. A slightly goofy yet cute face… by all accounts, it was an ordinary raccoon. It’s funny to say ‘it was an ordinary raccoon’ when seeing a raccoon suddenly appear in the middle of a sparring arena, unlike a baseball stadium cat, but anyway.

At any rate, the sparring had to continue, so someone had to remove this adorable creature. Just as the referee was about to move, the Rakun waddled its plump belly towards the Runner-up.

Pat-pat-pat. As expected, an adorable sound of footsteps was heard.

“…What is it?”

The Runner-up stared down at the plump wild animal approaching him. He was not at all pleased with this plump lump that had thrown cold water on a sacred sparring match.

And there was something else that bothered him more. Yes, the attack he had unleashed on Yang U-dam. What happened to it?

Just as the Runner-up was about to get lost in his own thoughts, the wild raccoon… no, Rakun, suddenly jumped up and slapped the Runner-up across the cheek. Chop! A clear sound echoed in the air.

Can a creature called a Rakun actually slap a person nearly 190 cm tall? The audience collectively looked dumbfounded.

The one most surprised was the recipient himself. The Runner-up quietly raised his hand and rubbed his cheek. Did it just hit me? He seemed so bewildered he couldn’t even snort.

“You ugly thing, who do you think you’re hitting?”

The Runner-up furrowed his thick brows, then simply grabbed the Rakun by the scruff of its neck and lifted it. He expected it to struggle, but surprisingly, it was docile.

Where did this thing really come from? Oh, whatever. I’m busy right now, so go back to where you came from. Not that you’d understand anyway. The Runner-up sneered and lightly tossed the Rakun away.

At that moment. The Rakun, flying through the air, quickly twisted its body, landed stably on the ground, and then leaped up to deliver a flying kick to the Runner-up. As its small, maple leaf-like paws touched the Runner-up’s solar plexus, incredibly, he floated up like a piece of paper and flew far away.

The entire scene, as if in slow motion, was imprinted in the spectators’ eyes. Uh, just now, what…? What broke their reverie was the loud sound of a wall collapsing and the sight of the Runner-up unconscious, foaming at the mouth.

In other words, a wild raccoon (Rakun) had taken out the Hunter Academy Runner-up in one hit.

“…Excuse me?”

Starting with someone’s stunned voice, screams erupted everywhere. And then, the siren. Wee-ooh-wee-ooh-wee-ooh! It was the Safety Evacuation Alarm that blares when a monster appears.

The guild masters who had been sitting in the stands also seemed to have come down, each armed with weapons, surrounding the suspicious Rakun.

“Is this… a monster?”

“A type I’ve never seen before.”

“It’s not just a wild animal, is it?”

“It’s cute.”

“Don’t let your guard down. It could be a new species. It could charm people with its cute appearance and then devour them. A kind of siren and vi—”

“Ugh~ Chatty, chatty~ My ears hurt.”

The Hunters incessantly whispered as they encircled the Rakun. In the midst of it all, only the Rakun cocked its head, flapping its round ears.

But its true thoughts were…

Ah. I messed up.

Jukyeong sighed briefly. The drastically lowered field of vision made him let out another sigh. This situation was truly a pain in the ass.

‘I transformed into Rakun out of habit.’

I had actually intended to transform into an appropriate monster, somewhere between C and B-rank. Like goblins or gargoyles. I was going to subtly threaten the Runner-up, and then U-dam would appear, ta-da! and save the day.

Damn it. The scenario was greatly twisted. Jukyeong broke out in a cold sweat from the curious gazes directed at him. He had a strong premonition that if he got caught like this, he’d be sent straight to a research facility.

“Is it really a monster?”

‘No.’

“No matter how I look at it, it’s a Rakun.”

‘It’s called a Kakan. There’s another one who needs a children’s animal encyclopedia.’

“Don’t be fooled. This is clearly a monster. You saw that its movements weren’t those of a normal wild animal! And what about its strength?”

‘Ah. That… I got angry seeing that Runner-up up close, so I did it without thinking.’

Honestly, I didn’t think he’d be knocked out in one hit. I just meant to scare him a little. Jukyeong argued back in his mind, crossing his short arms. In the chaotic situation, his tail thumped against the floor. It was showing his displeasure.

Jukyeong quickly scanned his surroundings, his brow furrowed with many small wrinkles. U-dam was visible in the distance. He was staring this way, eyes wide open.

Right. I met that kid a few times in this form! Surely he won’t acknowledge me, will he? That would make things even more complicated.

‘No choice then.’

I’ll just have to pretend to be a real new species of monster. After all, I came here to help.

‘Then they’ll think it’s a different one.’

Jukyeong, having made his decision, jumped up. Well then, shall I cause some ruckus?

Ah. First, let’s clear away the obstacles before we begin. Jukyeong, who had leaped into the air, curled his body, spun around, and then kicked the Hunter A in front of him. His plump belly jiggled, and his round ears flapped.

However, contrary to his cute appearance, his strength was monstrous. The burly man flew through the air.

‘So he still has some experience, huh?’

Hunter A managed to brace himself by sticking his sword into the ground. Ka-gak, Kak! Cracks appeared in the hard asphalt, and the sharp sword blade scraped.

“Wow, this is no joke. This…”

Hunter A muttered to himself with a bewildered expression.

Jukyeong raised his adorable hand and made growling sounds. To translate kindly, it meant to clench their teeth tightly.

Taking that as a signal, the other Hunters also began to rush in in earnest.