Here's an Opportunity-Chapter 215: Arrival (1)

Yoost and the other Black Wizards returned to the Black Kingdom's capital by long-range teleportation.

Despite summoning demons and slaughtering tens of thousands, they still felt remorse. Like most humans, they knew both joy and sorrow, and that was why they stood listlessly now.

"How did it turn out like this?" one of them murmured.

Thanks to successfully summoning demons and receiving their blessings, the High-Circle Black Magicians had doubled both their mana reserves and the power of their spells. No matter how formidable the fifty-three Hunters invading the Black Kingdom were, the Black Wizards believed themselves unbeatable. This was not arrogance, but confidence.

Even so, they had worn the Hunters down with Undead and monsters before engaging directly. When they did, they hid behind Death Knights rather than Dullahans, backed them in close combat with curses, and struck the enemy with precise single-target spells instead of wide-area attacks.

At first, they toyed with the Hunters like a cat with a mouse, until they realized their opponents were no mice at all.

"We underestimated their abilities," a High-Circle Black Magician said quietly, gazing down at a fallen comrade.

"Inexperience played a part too. Our foes are neither knights nor magicians, but warriors who wield a power they call 'skills.'"

It wasn't as though they had never fought Hunters before, but direct clashes were usually handled by those stationed at the borders. The High-Circle Black Magicians were tasked with summoning, overseeing internal affairs, training their peers, and aiding the demons.

"Hoo." Yoost let out a slow breath and lifted his head. "What have we confirmed so far?"

"The Hunters are stronger than before, with greater strength, stamina, and total mana. Even the amount they can channel at once is higher," a colleague reported.

"What are the demon's chances of losing, then?"

"Thirty percent," replied another Black Wizard.

It was higher than expected. The Black Wizards and the Death Knight had barely managed to hold their ground, yet they still put the demon's chances of defeat at thirty percent after watching the Hunters cut through hundreds, even thousands, of Undead and monsters without pause before striking back. But there was one more factor to consider.

"Did they suffer casualties?" Yoost asked.

His comrade shook his head. "None."

Although the Hunters had indeed struggled, they never pushed themselves past their limits. It was clear that if they had fought recklessly, the Black Wizards would not have escaped unharmed.

"And you based this on the information we have now?" Yoost asked.

"That's correct."

"Then they're likely holding something back. We should assume the chances are at least fifty percent."

They didn't know the source or nature of the Hunters' hidden power, but it was clear it existed. There was no way they would have raised the stakes relying on only a thirty percent chance.

A Black Wizard tore his gaze from the fallen comrade and, as he left the teleportation room, said, "I'll send part of the capital's forces to the wilderness."

"I'll reinforce the patrols," another said, wary of possible spies from the Continental Alliance hiding in the city.

After the two left, Yoost also rose from his seat, resolved to put an end to these fifty-three Hunters with a different approach.

"The Hunters and demons will fight, sooner or later," he began.

The Black Wizards remaining in the room nodded. They had done everything they could to stop the Hunters and failed. All they had bought was time.

"And that's why—"

"Are you planning to strike after the confrontation ends?" one of them cut in, his face flushed with anger over the loss of a comrade.

Yoost showed no irritation, only nodding gravely. "Yes. Even if the demons win, it won't matter. But on the one-in-a-million chance that they lose, we attack the Hunters immediately."

The Black Wizards were all in agreement. Avenging their comrades came first, so they were willing to ignore any wrath from the demons.

***

On the Hunters' side, everyone's stats had increased. The amount of mana they possessed had grown, as had the amount they could use at once. However, in the battle with the Black Wizards and the Death Knight, the fifty-three of them had struggled. More precisely, they had restrained themselves, aiming for a flawless victory without a single casualty. For them, a perfect win meant emerging entirely unscathed.

With the Black Wizards gone, the Undead were left leaderless and fell into disarray. The monsters fared no better. Though Demon Realm mana had given them a measure of intelligence, they chose to flee, knowing they could not win.

"Anyone dead, raise your hand," Kim Ki-Rok said, glancing over the fifty-two other Hunters who had just finished dealing with the Undead.

Whenever someone was badly hurt, comrades rushed to help, pulling them to the rear to recover with potions, food, magic, and Skills. Not a single Hunter had been lost, nor had anyone suffered a serious injury.

"Guildmaster," Nam Dong-Wook called out, raising his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Dong-Wook."

"Will we march on or can we take a break?"

"We'll take a break for about an hour before moving. Monsters that have absorbed Demon Realm mana—either Undead or those captured again by Black Magic users—will surely come looking for us. As before, please subdue the enemies safely, even if that means taking more time."

"Right."

"Then, I'll step away for a moment to report to the command center."

With a gentle smile, Kim Ki-Rok bowed to thank everyone for their hard work and walked away. Putting some distance between himself and the others, he took out the communication orbs and infused them with mana.

—This is the control room, on a secure line.

"Hm? Secure line?" Kim Ki-Rok said, puzzled.

—Uh, isn't that what the others say?

"No, well... I guess you aren't wrong."

There were people living interesting lives besides me, Kim Ki-Rok thought as he let out a small laugh.

"It seems the Black Kingdom carried out some reckless operations when the demons went into hiding, didn't they?" he said.

—Pardon?

"Ten High-Circle Black Magicians from the capital made a visit," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

—Ah, that's right. The Black Kingdom had launched reckless operations to break the Continental Alliance's momentum, with some High-Circle Black Magicians taking part. But recklessness bred flaws, and most of those plans ended in failure.

The Black Kingdom's failed operations became the Continental Alliance's victories.

"Of the ten High-Circle Black Magicians we encountered in battle, we killed three."

—Report received. Please confirm the appearance and specialty magic of the High-Circle Black Magicians who were killed, and share that information with each unit.

After Kim Ki-Rok provided the requested details, there was a pause from the command center before they replied.

—Confirmed. Now, please give your current location, situation, and next steps for your operation.

"We're currently in the Forest of Monsters, between the capital of the Black Kingdom and the Eutense territory. Wait... scratch that. Since everything has turned to ashes and disappeared, calling this place a wasteland would be more accurate. None of our Hunters are badly injured. After the Black Wizards retreated, we hunted down the remaining Undead, and let the monsters who fled go, since they weren't confident in victory."

—What about casualties?

"There were no deaths on our end. We prioritized safety over killing our enemies," Kim Ki-Rok reported. "Those who were seriously injured didn't fight recklessly and withdrew to focus on treatment. As a result, we suffered no casualties or major injuries. However, we used a large amount of potions, food, and scrolls to recover from injuries."

—Do you need more supplies?

"No."

—Understood. What are your next steps?

If they stayed put, they would remain in the wilderness, hunting monsters, Undead, and Black Wizards to grow stronger. But with their preparations complete, they could instead head for the capital to confront the Demon.

"Hmmm... Please wait a moment," Kim Ki-Rok said.

—Yes. Should I contact you again?

"No, just a moment." Kim Ki-Rok said calmly as he fell into thought.

The fifty-three Hunters had departed from the northwestern border city of the Continental Alliance and moved toward the capital of the Black Kingdom. Along the way, they fought monsters, Undead, and Black Wizards.

The closer they got to the capital, the stronger the enemies that appeared to block their way, but the Hunters did not avoid these fights.

Through the Party System, the Hunters shared all Experience Points. Even split fifty-three ways, it hardly mattered, as they had slain tens of thousands of monsters. The sheer volume ensured they gained enough to grow rapidly. Even Kim Ki-Rok, the lowest-level Hunter, gained five levels after several Black Wizards were taken down. The others had each gained at least one level, and some as many as three.

"Let's see, let's see," Kim Ki-Rok muttered.

The Black Wizards had withdrawn to the capital, sending monsters and Undead to harry their pursuers. With their own numbers few, they relied on these forces for combat, while the High-Circle Black Wizards held back to avoid further losses.

The problem is, none of the remaining Undead or monsters can kill us, Kim Ki-Rok thought.

The Hunters had exterminated all the monsters on their way through the wilderness.

Finally, he spoke, "The highest rank of those who'll come after us will be, at best, A-Class."

Monsters from a Level 100 Gate would not come after them; even if they did, the Experience Points would be trivial. Enduring those attacks would yield at most three levels.

Kim Ki-Rok looked northwest toward the capital. They had grown strong, and their preparations were complete. He then surveyed the resting Hunters: one was staring toward the northwestern sky and another was checking his weapons with quiet focus.

"We are ready..." Kim Ki-Rok nodded, then spoke into the communication orb, "We will march to the capital."

Mammon sat atop the castle wall, idly watching the sky as he waited. Yoost, the Black Wizards' representative, had asked for permission to block them, and Mammon granted it while tending his cursed sword.

When he heard the Hunters were on their way, he smiled, and when he learned they had reached the Eutense territory, he laughed. Turning his head, he finally saw the one he had long awaited approaching from afar, along with the humans he had prepared.

"Oh my! Lord Mammon! It's been such a long time since I last saw you!"