Here's an Opportunity-Chapter 179: Mid-Level Boss (1)

Aberrant Mechanical Monsters were tasked with guarding the First Mechanical Monster. They demonstrated superior learning abilities compared to Humanoid Mechanical Monsters and were physically stronger than their Animaloid counterparts. It made sense for these monsters to be so powerful, since they were mid-level bosses. The real issue was that, instead of guarding the First Mechanical Monster inside the castle, they had abandoned their post and joined the battle.

"Rather than calling them monster-like, let's refer to them as Aberrant Mechanical Monsters," Kim Ki-Rok said into his earpiece.

—Can you use Discernment on them, Hunter Kim Ki-Rok?

A voice came through his earpiece. It belonged to Lieutenant General Akabe, a man in charge of not only the Koreans but the entire siege. Hearing this, Kim Ki-Rok sighed. He couldn't reveal everything he knew, since they would doubt the reliability of his intel.

"I can, but I'll need to get closer," he replied in Japanese.

—We will dispatch an S-Class Hunter to support you.

"Three Aberrant Mechanical Monsters have appeared as reinforcements. There's one Chimera-like Mechanical Monster, which seems to be a fusion of animal and human, a Giant Mechanical Monster, and finally..." Kim Ki-Rok trailed off, tilting his head. "An Aberrant Humanoid Mechanical Monster with four arms and two heads. Just by their appearance, it's clear they're special compared to the Animaloid and Humanoid types we've faced so far. Please assign six people to me."

—Two Hunters per monster?

"Yes. Of course, I'll report back immediately if I determine they're weaker than expected. Please have Hunter Kayano Yukie on standby," Kim Ki-Rok added.

He meant that if the monsters turned out to be weaker, he would ask for a teleporter's help to reduce the number of S-Class Hunters needed.

—Understood. Please give us five minutes.

Lieutenant General Akabe must have thought Kim Ki-Rok's suggestion was reasonable, as he responded right away.

Kim Ki-Rok glanced back at the approaching Aberrant Mechanical Monsters. He pressed the receiver button on his device, turning off the receiving function, and looked at the Aberrant Mechanical Monsters again.

"Maybe this isn't the worst thing that could happen."

In his last Attempt, only a handful of Hunters managed to infiltrate the castle. They split into two teams: one confronted the Aberrant Mechanical Monsters, while the other took on the First Mechanical Monster.

There had been a total of eight Aberrant Mechanical Monsters, and now three of them had left the castle and revealed themselves to the clear team. This wasn't a bad development. Unlike the last Attempt, where a handful of people had to block all eight Aberrant Mechanical Monsters, this time they could fight them as a larger group.

"In fact, now we'll only need to face five monsters inside," Kim Ki-Rok murmured to himself.

On reflection, this unexpected development wasn't a problem. If he and the accompanying S-Class Hunters could take care of the Aberrant Mechanical Monsters, the risks could be minimized.

"Mr. Kim Ki-Rok."

Kim Ki-Rok turned at the sound of someone calling his name to see the American S-Class Hunter Daniel Jackson approaching with a smile.

"Hunter Daniel, you'll be assisting me?"

"Yes, I'll be helping you, Mr. Kim Ki-Rok."

Rather than calling him Hunter or Guildmaster, Daniel Jackson always addressed him as 'Mister' in Korean, as if to broadcast his membership in Kim Ji-Hee's fan club. Kim Ki-Rok chuckled at Daniel Jackson's choice of address.

He soon spotted three more Hunters approaching: Nakasone Soichi of Japan, an expert in assassination, infiltration, and reconnaissance; Makar Kristin of Russia, who could temporarily boost his stats by percentages that rose with his Skill level; and S-Class Hunter Lin Chao of China, whose exceptional combat skills and mana-penetration ability, similar to Yoo Seh-Eun's, had greatly contributed to the clear.

Finally, S-Class Hunter Jeong Man-Kook from South Korea's DG Guild and S-Class Hunter Ji Seok-Hyun, Guildmaster of the Phoenix Guild and leader of the Korean team dispatched to Japan, arrived. All of them were out of breath and staring at the Aberrant Mechanical Monsters.

"Mr. Man-Kook," Kim Ki-Rok greeted a familiar face. "Did you volunteer when the command center asked for participants?"

He hadn't expected Makar from Russia and Lin Chao from China to join, but understood after seeing the S-Class Hunters from Japan and Korea, both of whom owed him.

Jeong Man-Kook, the Gourmet, nodded. "Yes, I thought the fastest way to clear the Gate was to help you."

After hearing his answer, Kim Ki-Rok turned to Ji Seok-Hyun, who shrugged and said, "I feel the same. Honestly, I'm here because I feel responsible."

***

The Aberrant Mechanical Monsters had the strength equivalent to mid-level bosses, and their weak points were in places that couldn't be reached by ordinary attacks.

To make this crucial detail seem like a natural discovery, Kim Ki-Rok quickly approached the monsters and relayed instructions to the S-Class Hunters beside him. "We'll split into three teams. Hunter Makar and Hunter Daniel will form one team; Lin Chao and Nakasone will form another. We need information, so focus on capturing and restraining rather than exterminating."

S-Class Hunter Makar Kristin followed Kim Ki-Rok as they ran toward the Aberrant Mechanical Monsters. "Which one should we take?"

"The giant monster will be handled by the Russian and American alliance, and the Chimera monster by the Japanese and Chinese alliance."

Team Korea would gather information while holding back the monster with four arms and two heads. Since they didn't know the enemy's abilities, switching targets wasn't optimal. The S-Class Hunters quickly formed teams as instructed and dispersed.

With a loud crash, Nakasone Soichi and Lin Chao, both known for their agility, engaged their monster first, followed by Daniel and Makar's team colliding with the giant monster. After confirming both teams were engaged, Kim Ki-Rok turned his attention forward.

"For clarity, let's call this one the Aberrant Humanoid, just as we've called the others Giant and Chimera," he said.

Ji Seok-Hyun and Jeong Man-Kook nodded.

"This is just my prediction, but judging by its animal-like lower half and human-like upper half, it should be fast, have acquired Hunter-level combat skills through its learning ability, and possess the transformation abilities of Humanoid Mechanical Monsters. Our combat styles differ, but we've worked together in Gate clears before."

Jeong Man-Kook leveraged his high stats to deliver powerful attacks, while Ji Seok-Hyun provided defense and regeneration as a tank-type Hunter. Meanwhile, Kim Ki-Rok adapted flexibly with his versatile combat styles and weapon proficiencies.

"But our goal right now is to gather information about the Aberrant Mechanical Monsters," Kim Ki-Rok continued.

Their aim wasn't to defeat the enemy through teamwork, but to restrain it and gather intel.

As the two nodded, he continued in a calm voice, "You two, please draw the monster's attention by attacking and defending from the front. I'll move to the back to observe and attack while gathering information."

Kim Ki-Rok had already begun slowing down and putting distance between himself and the other two, using a magic artifact to conceal himself. But the command had been given. The other two didn't panic and instead sped up, charging at the Aberrant Humanoid Mechanical Monster.

Jeong Man-Kook's mace collided with the Aberrant Humanoid Mechanical Monster's fist, sending a thunderous sound across the battlefield. A regular Mechanical Monster would've been crushed by this weapon made of Pastera, but this was a mid-level boss. Both he and the monster were forced backward.

"Huh?" Kim Ki-Rok let out a sound without realizing it, then closed his mouth.

By stats alone, Jeong Man-Kook ranked among the top Hunters in South Korea, so it was unexpected to see the monster withstand his power head-on. The Aberrant Humanoid Mechanical Monster seemed just as surprised. It paused, studied its opponent, then extended its four arms, which transformed into cannons and began firing iron balls. Ji Seok-Hyun, waiting beside Jeong Man-Kook, charged forward with his shield as explosive blasts filled the air.

Ji Seok-Hyun was also pushed back, just like Jeong Man-Kook after their clash with the monster. He frowned, not seriously injured, and kept his eyes fixed on the Aberrant Humanoid Mechanical Monster.

The monster paused again. It seemed confused, perhaps wondering if these humans were truly the same as its usual opponents. After glaring at the two some more, it began to move again.

Kim Ki-Rok, still hidden, carefully approached as the Aberrant Humanoid Mechanical Monster charged at the two Korean Hunters. Knowing a drone was filming from above, Kim Ki-Rok used his Discernment Skill to read the monster's information, attacking in sync with Jeong Man-Kook and Ji Seok-Hyun's offense and defense.

The process took a long time, as he had to avoid drawing its attention, but he patiently gathered information.

In the end, I gained nothing, Kim Ki-Rok thought. How... How can I find its weakness...?

Kim Ki-Rok attacked in sync with Jeong Man-Kook, and as the second potential weakness came to mind, he stopped attacking and retreated.

Pressing the receive button on his radio, he called out, "Command center."

—Yes, Hunter Kim Ki-Rok.

"Please call Ji-Hee."

—Pardon?

"We can't identify the monsters' weak points with our usual methods. I think we'll have to check inside, and for that, I need the power of spirits... something the monsters can't see, sense, or block."

Kim Ki-Rok had previously managed a rescue operation by exploiting their weakness, contacting trapped refugees with spirits invisible to the monsters.

—Spirits can manipulate the physical world by borrowing mana. Even if they can touch the enemy's insides, they won't be able to do much damage because of the Pastera metal.

"I don't intend to attack the inside of these monsters, just check it," Kim Ki-Rok explained. "Since they're all Mechanical Monsters, they were likely produced in the same factory and share the same internal mechanisms."

—I understand. But it will take some time. The DG Guild and the Korean Hunter team's accommodations are far from the Gate.

"It's fine. This is the only way to find the Mechanical Monsters' weakness."

Suddenly, Lieutenant General Akabe chimed in.

—What about forcibly destroying the body to check the interior?

"Check the footage of Makar and Daniel's fight. As soon as the monster's body is destroyed, it automatically repairs itself, using what appears to be Pastera metal stored inside."

The lieutenant general had likely reviewed footage from Makar and Daniel's battle after Kim Ki-Rok's explanation. Though he disliked the idea of involving even a young girl in such a dangerous Gate clear, Akabe sighed and gave his reply.

—Understood. I will contact Hunter Kim Ji-Hee immediately...