Chapter : 27
Deployment (2)
The day before departing for Ulleungdo, Seoyul met with Director Park Gwang-su of the Management Bureau.
Park Gwang-su sat at his desk flipping through dark-colored documents. When Seoyul entered, he lifted his gaze to look at him.
“The deployment period has been set to about six months—extended from the original two months.”
“That’s shorter than I expected. I thought it would be at least a year. Deputy Director Baek of Overcross is probably eager to get rid of me too.”
Park Gwang-su shook his head.
“In a way, their misconduct simply created a natural flow that led you to Ulleungdo.”
It was impossible to ignore guild influence completely, but Park Gwang-su was determined to protect Seoyul—even if it meant confronting them head-on.
Compared to other countries, Korea’s Hunter Management Bureau had extremely low authority.
It was even commonly seen by the public as nothing more than an institution that mediates conflicts between large guilds.
There was even a saying: when whales fight, it’s the shrimp that gets crushed.
Park Gwang-su himself was an A-rank Hunter, but there were still many who surpassed him.
“Also, there are quite a few issues within the Rescue Division in Ulleungdo besides the monsters. That’s why we’re sending you as the division chief.”
“A rescue division chief for six months… what kind of authority would that even give me?”
“The deployment period will be confidential. Depending on how you establish order, the balance of Ulleungdo could change significantly.”
“That’s a lot to think about.”
“Do your best.”
“Yes, sir.”
Until now, Seoyul had relied on Chief Lee Han’s leadership and moved through countless rescue operations, but he had never once acted as a leader himself.
There was much to consider, but Park Gwang-su wasn’t finished.
“And upon your return, we’ll prepare a position for you.”
“A position?”
Unaware of the man’s grand intentions, Seoyul could only look suspicious.
“Oh, that was an exaggeration. I simply mean we’ll prepare a grand welcome.”
“So I just do what I normally do?”
“……”
At those words, Park Gwang-su felt a strange sense of guilt—almost selfishness.
Even someone with Seoyul’s power never overestimated himself and remained devoted to his duty.
Who was he to judge or direct such a person’s fate?
“Just do as you always do. That will be the natural way.”
“?”
Seoyul scratched his cheek, clearly confused.
Today, the director was speaking in riddles.
But Park Gwang-su’s expression was the gentlest and most peaceful Seoyul had ever seen.
Departure
At the dock, his colleagues had already gathered to see him off.
Lee Han and the others had teary eyes.
Kim Seong-ho shook Seoyul’s hand.
“Please stay safe and come back alive. A world without you is pure despair.”
Feeling the dramatic gaze, Seoyul shot him a deadpan look.
“……Can you tone down that stare? I’m not going to die.”
Still, he couldn’t help but smirk.
So noisy about me not showing up earlier… and now this.
Touched despite himself, Seoyul smiled faintly.
Then Lee Han hugged him tightly.
“Why are you suddenly acting like this?”
Feeling awkward, Seoyul scratched his temple.
Crush!
Lee Han tightened his grip.
“Can’t you just not go? You didn’t even finish today’s report!”
“……Ah, looks like the ship’s about to leave.”
Seoyul pushed him away by the face.
Finally separated, Lee Han spoke bitterly.
“Come back alive.”
“I will. I’ll send a letter when I arrive.”
“Why not just send a text?”
“……”
His attempt at sentimental farewell was crushed instantly.
Soon, the ship drifted far enough that the dock was no longer visible.
Left alone on deck, Seoyul stared at the horizon.
The sea wind blew through his hair, waves echoing in his ears.
“…Fine. I’ll do it.”
His eyes were firm with resolve.
At Sea
As they approached the easternmost island, the wind grew colder and the waves rougher.
Sailors warned passengers to stay inside, but Seoyul remained by the window, watching the violent sea.
Beside him sat a boy with jet-black eyes and his grandmother.
The elderly woman held her grandson’s hand tightly, murmuring:
“If we get off here… things won’t be much different there either… but we still have to live…”
Seoyul tried not to intrude.
But when he looked up, he met the boy’s eyes.
They were strong—unyielding.
The boy turned away first, but something hardened lingered in his gaze.
Then he spoke.
“Are you going to Ulleungdo too, mister?”
Seoyul nodded.
“Yeah. What about you?”
After a brief hesitation, the boy answered weakly.
“I ran away from Ulleungdo. I’m going back this time.”
“Going back?”
What could have happened to someone so young?
A strange heaviness settled in Seoyul’s chest.
“There were my mom and dad there. Not anymore… so I’m going back with my grandma.”
His voice was hollow—emptied of emotion.
The grandmother clicked her tongue softly.
“The government support stopped. I’d rather live on the mainland, but things aren’t that easy. We’re going back prepared to die if necessary. The hunters there are all garbage. I don’t trust them.”
Seoyul felt his chest tighten.
He had heard rumors of guilds like Overcross wielding power in Ulleungdo, but hearing it directly felt different.
The grandmother looked at him.
“And what about you, young man? I’m Jeong Ok-sun, and this is my grandson, Jeong Ji-ho.”
Seoyul replied calmly.
“I’m Seoyul, a Hunter from the Management Bureau. I’m assigned to the Rescue Division and deployed to Ulleungdo.”
The grandmother’s expression darkened.
“I hope you’re a good one. Whoever goes there ends up changing. People should remain human, no matter what happens in Ulleungdo.”
It sounded like a warning.
“Fair point,” Seoyul replied.
He looked back out the window.
BOOM!
A massive wave struck the ship violently.
“Eek!”
“Waaah!”
Passengers trembled in fear. Jeong Ok-sun tightly held Ji-ho’s arm.
Sensing something wrong, Seoyul sharpened his senses.
[Synesthesia activated.]
The sound of waves faded.
The sea level seemed to drop unnaturally.
The ocean turned darker—deeper.
As if something enormous was casting a shadow beneath it.
“…Too big.”
For the first time, his senses were overwhelmed.
A low vibration passed through the sea beneath them.
As if something beneath the darkness was watching them.
Suddenly—
A splash far away.
A massive shadow briefly surfaced.
A dark silhouette of a tentacle—
Then vanished.
No way…
Seoyul widened his eyes.
There was only one monster with that trait.
“…Kraken.”
[Sphere created.]
He immediately summoned a spear in midair.
Fighting a Kraken with this many passengers was nearly impossible.
If it struck the ship again, it would sink instantly.
He even considered transporting everyone into a labyrinth to prevent casualties.
Calm down. It’s moving away.
The ship slowly drifted out of danger.
Ji-ho trembled, covering his ears.
“Grandma… I want to go back…”
Seoyul checked his condition, then turned to the grandmother.
“What happened?”
Her face darkened.
“We lost our family to an unknown monster. The sea shook just like this that day.”
As she spoke, the system window appeared.
[Quest Generated]
Elimination Quest
Eliminate the Kraken in its dormant phase.
Description
After a fierce battle with the player, the Kraken lost its strength and entered a long dormant state to recover. However, signs of reawakening are appearing. Extreme caution is required.
Restrictions
- Party play allowed
- Level 40+ requirement
- 3 encounter attempts (count begins upon first encounter)
- Movement restricted within a 10km radius of Ulleungdo until completion
Clear Reward
- 2 Random Roulette Tickets (skills or equipment)
Failure Penalty
- HP & MP recovery -15%
- Labyrinth Designer license suspended for 60 days
Seoyul stared at the window.
This is insane.
The difficulty was the worst he had seen.
The Kraken was too large to be absorbed into the labyrinth system.
Meaning he couldn’t use his usual tactics.
Worst of all—the movement restriction meant he couldn’t even leave Ulleungdo until it was defeated.
He looked at the trembling boy.
Then he made his decision.
I wasn’t planning to leave until I made this place livable anyway.
Seoyul placed a hand on Ji-ho’s head.
“Don’t worry. I’ll turn this place into somewhere you can live safely.”
Ji-ho blinked at him through tears—then quietly looked up, surprised by the warmth in his voice.
