Initialization: A LitRPG Adventure (Master Hunter K Book 1) Read online

  “Kurman kao!”

  One Orc charged at the angry Sungjin. It was his bad luck to run into Sungjin. Before the Orc could even raise his axe, he was stabbed three times in vital points.

  The Orc collapsed on the spot, bleeding out. Sungjin took a look around at the surroundings. He could not see anything other than corpses now.

  Is there no hidden boss because this is the first Raid?, thought Sungjin. If this was so, then he only had one other option; wipe out the whole map.

  Sungjin now began chasing down every scrap of living thing he could find. Goblins who were trying to hide from him, Orcs who were eating away at the meat by the campfire and Trolls who stupidly stumbled toward him.

  Soon, he ran into the other Hunters who were fighting against three Trolls in a close battle.

  Sungjin charged in like a lightning bolt and beheaded two Trolls, spraying blood everywhere.

  “Th... -thank you.”

  The officer, Baltren, expressed his gratitude, but Sungjin replied, “So, were you able to find anything peculiar?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  Was there really nothing hidden? No hidden boss, or secret location? Thought Sungjin. He called over the Operator.

  “Operator, what is the Raid progress?”

  [95% complete.]

  95%. Only the 5% reserved for the secret boss was remaining. Since no more monsters could be found anywhere, it was certain that the hidden boss existed. Sungjin wanted to move on to search again, but Baltren stopped him.

  “But...”

  It irritated Sungjin that Baltren was dragging out his thoughts, so he urged him on, “Yes? Please speak your mind.”

  Baltren pointed toward somewhere with his club, “About the palisade that surrounds the Wildlands, isn’t that area a bit weird?”

  Sungjin looked to the area pointed out by the club, “I had worked on traffic control before and had to put up roadblocks. The fact that those wooden barricades there overlap... seems inefficient somehow.”

  Sungjin immediately headed toward the wooden barricades to check. Now that he got a closer look at it, it definitely seemed strange. The rest of the wooden palisade were more or less perfectly circular in arrangement. But a portion of the wall there was indented inward. Sticking out from the wood was also something like a metal rod.

  Although it looked extremely crude, Sungjin thought, It looks just like a lever!

  Sungjin checked behind him. The three men were watching him from a safe distance. Seeing this, he proceeded to pull the lever.

  RATTLE RATTLE

  A sound could be heard as if something was spinning, and the palisade in front of him was lifted up.

  Sungjin decided to go in.

  Inside was a small area surrounded by more palisades, but it resembled the insides of a castle. And deeper inside was a dark red Orc chained up to the wall.

  The fiery red skin somehow clashed with the image of “Greenskin Wildlands.” Sungjin was filled with certainty that this was it.

  “Grrrrrr.”

  The thing was emitting a deep growl while still chained. When Sungjin took one more step to check on the boss’s stats, he heard a warning come out of the cube.

  [Caution! Hidden Boss]

  [Mad Orc Ruark has appeared!]

  Sungjin gripped his Katana tightly and prepared for battle. Then, he heard voices of the three men.

  “Where is...”

  “What’s that?”

  Sungjin quickly shouted, looking back at them, “Go back! You’ll die!”

  And as if on cue,

  “Gragh!”

  Sungjin heard a powerful roar behind him. By the time he turned around, the Orc had already cut the chains and was charging toward Sungjin.

  ***

  Sungjin gripped his Katana tightly. The Orc charged straight toward him as if it saw food for the first time after a long period of starvation.

  Sungjin stabbed hard and fast toward the charging Orc’s neck and heart.

  STAB STAB

  Sungjin’s blade found their mark. Except that unusually, the red Orc did not respond at all. Despite aiming for vital points, there was no response from the Orc.

  The Orc continued his charge and swung his arms. Sungjin was forced to jump back, and the arms missed their mark.

  But, just as Sungjin was going to counter attack, he saw that the chains attached to the arms were flying toward him with a slight delay. Sungjin ducked immediately.

  VOOM

  Sungjin felt something metallic sail through the air above his head. When he looked up, he saw the Orc swinging his arms once again. The problem wasn’t just his hands.

  Each time he swung his arms, the chains attached to his arms also flew toward Sungjin like whips. Sungjin was forced to look at the chains and predict their path.

  He backed away and concentrated on defense.

  “How annoying.”

  The main boss traded speed for great power, whereas this boss had tremendous speed and reach.

  It was the worst possible enemy for Sungjin, who had committed all points to Dexterity.

  Because he put no points in Endurance, getting hit once or twice by the chains meant that it was game over.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa...”

  As Sungjin retreated backwards while dodging and parrying, the other three men were busy escaping at full speed to avoid interrupting Sungjin’s fight. To be fair, neither the main boss nor the secret boss was meant to be taken on alone.

  But the others were absolutely of no help at all. Even as Sungjin slowly backed off and dodged the chains, he kept an eye out for mistakes. Once his arm became vulnerable, Sungjin took the opportunity and stabbed it three times.

  PAPAPA

  But as if taking no damage, the Orc continued to swing away. His nickname “mad” was probably due to his rapid and wild swinging of arms and chains. Sungjin concluded his rapid attack, and immediately switched back to defense.

  Something like this guy isn’t common even later on... thought Sungjin.

  Even though his every Stat Point was in Dexterity, the boss moved and attacked at a comparable speed.

  First, I’ve got to do something about those arms...

  Once he established his plan of attack, he waited for a chance. He ducked from an incoming attack and then kicked the Orc’s shins.

  BAM!

  With the sound, the Orc fell over. But despite being downed, he didn’t let up the attack. He kept on swinging the chains from the ground.

  Sungjin had to jump up to avoid chains coming at his feet. The chains rapidly passed by him. Once or twice, Sungjin leaped up into the air, as if playing high-risk jump rope. He embedded his scabbard into the ground between jumps.

  When he jumped up, the chains from the Orc wrapped around it.

  Did it work?

  But after just a brief pause, the scabbard was pulled away by the force of the chains and flew across the room.

  I need something heavier.

  Meanwhile, the mad Orc stood up.

  “Kruagh!”

  The Orc began attacking with his arms and chains even faster than before. Sungjin had no opportunity to counter attack and had to focus entirely on defense as he slowly backed off.

  Any way to stop his attacks? thought Sungjin as he took a look around his surroundings, but he only saw the three men trying to escape from collateral damage.

  Then Sungjin noticed the policeman’s weapon. It was a club made of metallic material. While dodging chains with inhuman speed, he yelled at the policeman.

  “Hey, Officer! Throw me your club!”

  Baltren, who was watching from a distance, panicked when his name was mentioned. Sungjin yelled louder in frustration while dodging the Orc’s attacks, “Damn it! The club!”

  Baltren hesitated for a moment because the red Orc’s chains were destroying everything within several meters of it. But once he made up his mind, he approached the two combatants and shouted.

  “Catch!”

  After yelling loudly, Baltren threw his club toward Sungjin. Sungjin dodged the chains deftly by jumping backward and caught the club with his free left hand.

  Holding the Katana on the right and the club on the left, Sungjin bided his time until he could kick over the Orc again. Once the Orc was tripped, he flailed wildly from the ground again.

  Sungjin planted the club deep into the ground and leaped up to dodge the chains, then landed on it like some sort of martial artist from Murim[2].

  When the chains came flying, it hit the club and wrapped itself around it.

  CLINK!

  It spun around few times and then became stuck on the club. For the first time since combat started, his arms were immobilized. Sungjin easily cut off his arm.

  “Graaagh!”

  Even while screaming in pain, the Orc continued to swing the chains on his remaining arm wildly. But he had not been able to land a hit on Sungjin with two chains; dodging just one was a piece of cake. Sungjin evaded the chains with ease and cut off the other arm as well.

  “Kaaaa!”

  The Red Orc could no longer stand nor attack due to his loss of arms. Sungjin strolled up to the Orc.

  “Be at peace.”

  After bidding goodbye, Sungjin beheaded the Orc. Moments later, the Operator announced his victory.

  [Hidden Boss Mad Orc Ruark cleared.]

  [Congratulations! You have managed to complete all objectives in this Chapter!]

  [Disregarding the remaining time and ending the Raid immediately.]

  “Haaa...”

  Sungjin let out a long sigh. He had finally found the secret location and hunted every monster.

  It was Sungjin’s first time fighting a hidden boss. The first time around, the top priority for each Raid
had been merely survival.

  After having a breather, Sungjin sheathed his sword back in the scabbard. He picked the club out of the ground and tossed it back to the officer.

  Once the officer caught the club, all the cubes spoke out in unison in the Operator’s voice.

  [Calculating Rewards Earned.]

  [Monsters Slain. Goblins: 100. HobGoblins: 30. Orcs 20. Trolls: 10. Total 390 points.]

  [Boss Monster Slain: Orc Chief Cunning Kamul: 50 points.]

  [Hidden Boss Mad Orc Ruark: 50 points.]

  [Final point count: 490. Distributing points.]

  Now each cube spoke individually, starting with the Asian man first.

  [Your contribution is 0.7%. 3 Stat Points, 3 Black Coins awarded. Raid Clear Bonus 50 Stat Points and 50 Black Coins awarded. Distributing 53 Stat Points and 53 Black Coins.]

  “...”

  The Asian man frowned and looked around, as if not believing what he was hearing. Next up was the white man.

  [Your contribution is 1.2%. 5 Stat Points, 5 Black Coins awarded. Raid Clear Bonus 50 Stat Points and 50 Black Coins awarded. Distributing 55 Stat Points and 55 Black Coins.]

  And then the police officer.

  [Your contribution is 5.2%. 25 Stat Points, 25 Black Coins awarded. Raid Clear Bonus 50 Stat Points and 50 Black Coins awarded. Distributing 75 Stat Points and 75 Black Coins.]

  Finally, it was Sungjin’s turn.

  [Your contribution is 92.9%. 455 Stat Points, 455 Black Coins awarded. Raid Clear Bonus 50 Stat Points and 50 Black Coins awarded. Distributing 505 Stat Points and 505 Black Coins.]

  “Whoa...”

  The three men stared at Sungjin in envy and respect. But Sungjin ignored their response and calculated in his head.

  Adding up the 19 Coins from before and now... 524? With this, I can get...

  [And now we will distribute items.]

  Once again, it began with the Asian man.

  [Recovery Potion – Small x1]

  A small potion bottle appeared in front of the Asian man, and he obediently picked it up from the ground, but he looked unhappily at it. “This is it?”

  Next was the white man’s turn.

  [Recovery Potion – Small x2]

  [Orc’s worn cloak]

  He received his items with both hands, but likewise looked fairly unhappily at them. Next was Baltren.

  [Steel Shield]

  [Troll’s Blood x1]

  A large shield dropped by the police officer’s feet. He quickly picked it up. Because he was wearing a bulletproof vest, it looked just as if he was carrying a riot shield. Sungjin’s turn was last.

  [Yanhurat – Mad god’s voice]

  [Free Ark – Freeman’s shackles]

  [Skull Romabel – Skull crusher]

  [Troll’s Blood x4]

  [Recovery Potion – Small x5]

  A bunch of items dropped in front of him, and Sungjin bent over to pick them up. The Asian man spoke to himself, “Wow, what a contribution hog. How selfish.”

  It was just a complaint expressed under his breath, but Sungjin heard all of it. He frowned in annoyance, “You. If it weren’t for me, all of you would have died here. Either by monsters or by running out of time. Understood?”

  The Asian man didn’t know when to give up and kept on complaining, “You don’t know that.”

  His words finally pushed Sungjin over the edge. He had had enough. Sungjin drew his Katana and approached the man.

  “Listen well. I will teach you a hidden characteristic of the Raid you don’t know about.”

  “Wh... what?”

  The Asian man backed up in surprise, but Sungjin swung his Katana few times at him.

  SLASH SLASH SLASH

  Following the sound of the blade cutting through the air, the Asian man’s shirt and pants were reduced to rags.

  Once the Asian man realized what was going on, he grew pale and fell over. Sungjin got right into his face and spoke vehemently.

  “In Raids, there is no rule forbidding a Hunter from hunting another Hunter. Understood?”

  The Asian man nodded vigorously. Sungjin stood up, still holding his Katana out. “Raids” were like this after all.

  As one kills and murders, one’s notion of ethics and morality fades. Sungjin was no exception.

  Sungjin had long forgotten ordinary ethics and morality after participating in Raid after Raid in his previous life.

  Wielding his Katana to take the man’s life posed no issue to Sungjin, but he put away his blade.

  With the Asian man’s non-existent reward from this Raid, he would have a difficult time surviving the next one.

  Once Sungjin put away his sword, the Operator resumed with the last briefing.

  [Last but not least, you will be awarded with titles you’ve earned on this Raid.]

  ***

  [Titles are granted based on personal achievements during Raids.]

  [Variety of titles can be earned from different things.]

  The Operator continued with her explanation.

  [Each title has some form of effect,]

  [And the Hunter can only have one title active at any given time.]

  [Active titles give 100% of the listed effect, but inactive titles only give 50% of the effect.]

  Sungjin closed his eyes, hugging his Katana tightly.

  [Titles appear above the Hunter’s head, and the other Hunters may view them.]

  [I bid you achieve greatness and earn great rewards.]

  [Initiating distribution.]

  Once again, it began with the Asian man.

  [Coward – Max HP dropped by half.]

  [A red outline illuminates you to monsters, making you easier to be found.]

  What?!

  The Asian man, who would have complained otherwise, continued to sit where he lay, unable to move or say anything. The Operator continued on to the white man.

  [Novice Sentinel – Spear damage increased by 5%]

  The man’s expression didn’t change, as if he wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing yet. Baltren was up next.

  [Criminal Arsonist – increased fire-based damage by 20%]

  “Police Officer with the title of Criminal Arsonist...” Baltren whispered to himself unhappily.

  Finally, Sungjin was up.

  [Master Hunter – All Stats increased by 30%]

  Sungjin, whose eyes were closed until now, raised his eyebrows.

  30%?!

  It was an unimaginably large bonus. He had earned many titles from Raids in the past, but never a title with such advantageous bonus as this.

  Titles were given based on how the Raid was conducted and it was based on merit and contribution.

  Knowing exactly how the title Master Hunter was granted was unclear, but it probably had to do with clearing the Raid at 100% with overwhelming contribution percentage at close to 90%.

  The Operator concluded handing out Raid rewards and addressed the Hunters.

  [Your group has completed the Raid faster than other groups.]

  [You will be sent back to the Hunter’s Hall in 2 minutes and 37 seconds. Please hold]

  Sungjin called out to the Operator.

  “Operator, equip the Master Hunter title.”

  [Title Equipped.]

  He immediately checked his status.

  “Show me the status window.”

  Title: Master Hunter

  HP: 130 MP: 220

  Strength: 15 12 (+3)

  Dexterity: 43 33 (+10)

  Endurance: 13 10 (+3)

  Magic Power: 18 14 (+4)

  Mind Power: 22 17 (+5)

  Unallocated Stat Points: 505

  Including the Dex that he’d been raising, all other stats had risen by 30%.

  With this... finishing all objectives might be possible...

  Confidence surged within Sungjin. He decided to check what items he had received.

  He took out a creepy necklace, which was decorated with a large eye and rows of teeth.

  “Operator, what is this?”

  The Operator summoned the detailed specs of the item in a hologram window.

  Yanhurat – Mad god’s Voice

  Heroic Necklace

  Active Skill

  Zealot(III)

  For 30 seconds, increase damage by 300% and attack speed by 300%

  Once active duration ends, reduce current HP to 1/3.

  Cooldown 10 minutes.

  Necklace worn by the Mad Orc Ruark.

  If you put it next to your ears, you can make out a faint voice.