Chapter 106- He's reliable

[Breaking: The outpost of Tokyo has been cleared out and all the citizens have been evacuated thanks to the help of the foreign hunters. Although there are citizens still left in the neighboring cities of Tokyo, the raid wouldn't be hindered. If the raid doesn't extend from the borders of Tokyo then it would be fortunate.]

[Another report came in about the raid teams prepared at...]

*Tick*

Turning off the TV, the lady of the house, Park Kyung-Hye turned to look at her husband before she asked in a concerned tone,

"Will he be fine?" Since her son(although still unconscious) and her husband were still in the house, it was given to whom she was concerned about.

Sung Il-Hwan held his wife's hand tenderly before a sigh escaped his lips, "I have seen his strength and know he would take care of himself. I am more concerned about Jinah..."

Looking towards the door which belonged to none other than their daughter, another sigh escaped his lips.

Since the morning, Jinah has been smiling and talking a lot. She had yet to say anything about Haru since morning, yet the couple knew, she was extremely worried for Haru.

Park Kyung-Hye had called Haru's mother in the morning, and despite how much the lady tried to hide it was given that she was on the verge of a breakdown. After all, both her husband and son were on the front lines.

In a way, Park Kyung-Hye felt lucky that both her husband and her son were with her...however, she couldn't begin to think how much pain and suffering that lady must be going through.

Jinah was in the same boat as her, however, she chose to mask her anxiety and keep cheering herself until the disaster wasn't subdued.

"I hope nothing happens to them..." Leaning toward her husband, the lady uttered.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The number of hunters gathered on the south of the Gate was seven.

For communication and order relaying, Reiji was stationed near the rear line and directed the foot soldiers to be positioned behind the rear line; just for assurance.

Along with Min Byung-Gyu, Akari was stationed behind the main strike force with their respective weapons in hand and the tools required to provide healing and buffs to their teammates. Although Akari had little to no communication with the older male, she knew the person was a highly skilled healer just by seeing his skills yesterday.

(A/N: Yesterday, they were engaged in an evacuation where people were getting injured.)

Then came the main attack force which consisted of, Goto Ryuji along with Kenzo Tanaka from the Japanese side, and along with Cha Hae-In stood the blindfold-wearing individual named Nanase Haruka.

After what transpired yesterday, Goto didn't talk with a straight face with Haru; however, it didn't seem his mood was going to affect the vanguard much. Well, everyone hoped so.

The other hunters along with Baek Yoon-Ho have been sprawled across the area and some low-ranking hunters were assigned to ensure that no monsters leave Tokyo under whatever condition.

The army was also lined on the rear line with tanks and missiles loaded just in case.

The preparations were done and the wait for the grand event just was in order.

"Stressed?" Haru turned to look at the blond woman who was extending a water bottle toward him.

Haru wasn't thirsty but who knows when he would get water again so he took the bottle before responding, "A little. After all, it's the first time I am facing an S-rank."

"But Jeju-do was also an S-rank you know."

Hearing her response, Haru sighed before he replied honestly, "Well, Sunbae was fighting alongside me, at that time. I knew, if I did something wrong, he would be able to cover it for me."

As Haru gulped some content of the water, he suddenly realized what he was implying before he hurriedly spoke, "It's not like I am saying Ms. Cha is unreliable or anything-"

Cha Hae-In giggled slightly as she shook her head and calmed his panic, " Don't worry; I understand what you meant. "

With her gaze falling toward the ground, she muttered, " He's just that reliable and trustworthy. "

Haru raised his brows seeing the shy expression she wore, however, he didn't comment on it.

The way things were moving between the two, Haru knew, they would become a couple way before they did in canon.

Not only because of Haru that Cha Hae-In and Jin-Woo have been meeting frequently, but the Shadow Monarch himself has been actively calling and chatting with Hae-In more than he normally does with any other woman.

"Ah, Ms. Cha. Here, you can have this." Haru took out the black ring he was carrying in his pocket and extended it in her direction.

Cha Hae-In was surprised to see the familiar ring again placed on her palm before she asked, "Don't you need it? I mean, the danger ahead is particularly severe this time."

The artifact in her hold was truly priceless–something Cha Hae-In discerned just by using it once. Not only she could bend it into any weapon she desired, but the weight and length of the weapon could be adjusted easily through her will as well.

Given how they were about to face monsters that could range from B-S, it was justifiable why Cha Hae-In asked such a question.

However, Haru shook his head as he replied, "As I already told you, I am a mage through and through. Although I know some sword art and know how to handle weapons, I am too lazy to physically move much. That's why, it's better for the ring to be in your possession."

Cha Hae-In knew Haru wasn't lying when he said 'I know some sword arts', since she have seen how devastatingly he defeated the Guild master of White Tiger guild with his weapon.

However, insisting on returning the ring would make it seem that she was being stubborn needlessly. Everyone needs to give their best in this raid, and with this artifact, Cha Hae-In knew, she could be of better use to others.

"Then I will-"

Just as Cha Hae-In was about to respond, the earth shook, and the portal in front of them bestowed a lot of heavy mana toward its surroundings. The air became denser and some movements could be seen from the other end.

Everyone readied themselves for the action...however, seeing the monsters exiting the portal made their face pale in dread.

The Giants have appeared.

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A/N:- I hope you liked the interaction between the two. Drop a comment.