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A powerful, perilous mana spread throughout the cave, trapping the S-Ranks into a cage of fear. They watched in terror as the large black ant munched on the Ant Queen’s head, bearing into her skull as the sound of flesh squelching echoed in the eerie silence. Too stunned to even move. A monster whose mana alone could incapacitate an S-Rank alone without laying its claw. . . But how worse when it did?
Ma Dong-wook felt it the second it walked past him. Its heavy footsteps scratched the ground, reeked of death and bloodshed, more or less human blood. In the last Jeju raid, such a creature had not existed, large and dark, when it was used to be red and white ants. However, even though it was smaller than the cave guards, its chilling aura was stronger than the entire army itself.
An ear-piercing shriek shook the entire air.
The ant turned.
Protruding eyes blazed in crimson.
All it saw was blood. The tangible hunger to devour everything in its sight.
Cha Hae-in was the first one to be taken out, ripped one of her arms apart as the monster hurled her across the cave, hitting the stone that caused a deep impact. Dong-wook soon lost both arms. The creature's strength was unfathomable — way past an S-Rank level. If it had set foot in Seoul, all's over.
Min Byung-gyu witnessed the new chaos unfold in front of his eyes. Frozen in his spot, panic all over his features, it was worse than the day Eun-seok died in front of him. This time, more people died. His hands trembled, his chest tightened. Byung-gyu felt the world was spiraling.
It was until a forceful haul dragged him to another spot, finding himself next to the A-Rank soldier. Byung-gyu panted and saw Tae-gyu, whose hands were on both of his shoulders as if snapping him out of his incoming panic attack.
“Byung-gyu, use your skill. That monster must not see you.” said Tae-gyu.
“Y— you're going to be okay, right?” Byung-gyu stuttered in fear.
Lim Tae-gyu was one of the first S-Rank hunters. He created the first guild. Byung-gyu had been on friendly terms with him, even though he had chosen to follow Baek Yoon-ho in leaving the Reapers Guild; he held no grudge and still saw the good in his former guild master. If anything, Tae-gyu didn't feel like a boss, rather he was a friend to him.
The S-Rank ranger flashed him a grin. “Of course. We gotta destroy that monster so we can come home once and for all.” But then, his expression morphed into a serious one as he patted his shoulder. “But if you find an opportunity, take the soldier and run. You have a new life ahead of you, right? Don't let it slip from your fingers. Unlike us, we signed up for this path. Only death will stop us from fighting.”
Something shattered in the healer's heart. He was about to protest when Tae-gyu jumped into battle. Coming into his senses, Byung-gyu shifted into his invisible form and opened his book, bringing his hand forward to send waves of healing mana to his severely wounded teammates, restoring Ma Dong-wook’s arms, mending the deep scars on Jong-in and Yoon-ho's bodies, but— Cha Hae-in was way too far. As much as he wanted to go and save her, Byung-gyu knew he had to break through his camouflage and needed to grow through the battlefield, thus he would catch the ant’s attention before he could go to the fallen hunter’s aid.
Tae-gyu was firing his arrows left and right, dodging and avoiding the monster’s attacks. He was the only one left standing. Byung-gyu was prepared to heal any trace of cuts on his body, just like he had always been; Tae-gyu was powerful and fast. To him, Tae-gyu and Eun-seok were on-par with their skills, one rained arrows while the other brought the sky’s rage into the ground.
As long as I'm here, our team will never lose. He thought.
He didn't want to make the same mistake ever again.
No way he would allow somebody to fall to the same fate as Eun-seok.
Byung-gyu would be the protector his team needed. No matter what, he would do anything in his power to keep them alive.
Unfortunately, Tae-gyu's arrows were no use, yet he still kept firing and firing no matter how much mana it could take. Even if Dong-wook, Yoon-ho, and Jong-in were mercilessly thrown away, determination burned upon the ranger's eyes. No matter he got slammed down or hit, he always managed to stand back up and resume his attacks. It was as if his strength was infinite, driven by his fury and will to end the battle once and for all.
Then, in a flash—
The ant pierced its sharp claws through Tae-gyu’s chest. His hat fell on the ground. Crimson liquid dripped next to it while Tae-gyu coughed the last air in his lungs, his blood leaked out of his nostrils and mouth, coating his chin all over. But, with his remaining strength, he glanced over his shoulder, looking at the spot where his healer stood.
“B— Byung-gyu—” he croaked out. “ . . . Run.”
The ant snapped its jaws onto the ranger’s head.
“TAE-GYU!” Byung-gyu's scream could shake the walls.
His camouflage faded away, which drew the monster's attention to him. Byung-gyu gritted his teeth and stepped forward to protect the soldier, his grip on his mace was tight, and he knew he would be no match compared to the ant. But— it killed his friend.
"Byung-gyu." The ant spoke. "Run."
Byung-gyu's legs quivered. He could hear the faint sound of Tae-gyu's voice in the monster's. It brought chills across his spine, causing his feet to be glued on the ground. Completely immobile in utmost terror.
The monster raised its enormous claw and sent him crashing through the air and his back slammed against the corpse of the Ant Queen. Byung-gyu grunted in agony, laying in the pool of green ichor, and then he looked up at the ant in tremendous fear. A single tear slid down his cheek. Everything in his body ached, crushing down under the ant’s unwavering stare that quivered everyone's bloodstream.
Until. . . Strange dark figures appeared and blocked the ant from attacking.
And that was how the remaining Korean S-Ranks were saved.
- - ✧ - -
Breaking news: Lim Tae-gyu, the Guild Master of the Reapers Guild, was killed during the battle with a black ant. He stood and protected his teammates until his final breath. A funeral would be held in Seoul National Cemetery to commemorate the sacrifice he had given for this country.
People crowded the funeral, all dressed in black suits to pay respects for the hunter who had given his life to end the Jeju raid. The deceased’s family were seen mourning, his mother was crying her heart out as another relative held her while breaking apart. Cameras flashed, capturing as many photos as they could. Tae-gyu's picture stood in the center among the white flower wreaths; he had the biggest grin on his face while holding the his brim of his hat between his index and thumb, presenting his pride and glory.
The hat he had worn in the raid was held in Byung-gyu's hands along with the white rose. He walked across the aisle, head down in shame, grief, and brokenness. He saw how Tae-gyu's bereaved family cried their hearts out, which felt like a hundred knives piercing through him.
He wished it should've been him in Tae-gyu's place.
“Long time no see, Hunter Min Byung-gyu!” Tae-gyu saluted him as they made their way into the plane. He smirked. “How's it goin’? Yoon-ho told me that you were preparing for your exams. Yet, here you are.”
“I knew I needed to go,” said Byung-gyu. “Nobody's gonna heal you guys, no?”
Tae-gyu chuckled. “You are the most selfless person I have ever met! But after this, pursue your dream, okay? I can imagine what kind of teacher you will be like.”
A snort. “What kind do you think I will be?”
“Friendly, although that's a given. I imagine you boring your students to death and then giving a bunch of assignments after every lesson.”
“Okay, that's just rude.” Then a pause. “But it's also true.”
Tae-gyu's laugh. “Oh, Professor Min! Why did I have such a low grade? I listened to all your discussions! How could you be so harsh to a hard-working student like me!” He pretended to be a desperate student while creating different gestures with his hands.
“You never changed, huh?” Byung-gyu chortled, playfully hitting the ranger's arm.
I'm sorry, hyung. His heart clenched. I couldn't protect you too.
First, Eun-seok. Now, Tae-gyu.
Just how incompetent he could be?
I failed again, Eun-seok.
Byung-gyu was already happy. . . He finally avenged his best friend’s death. But it came with a price: the life of another person. What about the Reapers Guild? Who would lead them now?
Tae-gyu was a boss, a hunter, a son, and a friend. He meant to someone. Despite all of his bad decisions, he remained a good soul who was ready to jump into the battlefield. Byung-gyu could never forget his bloodied face, it haunted him. Was he supposed to feel glad to have survived for the second time while someone he cared about bit the dust? No.
He placed the white rose on the tomb and joined the rest of his fellow hunters, standing next to Baek Yoon-ho, who flashed him a worried look. Cha Hae-in frowned and rubbed his arm gently.
Yoon-ho first opened his mouth to speak. “Byung-gyu—”
“It's my fault, hyung,” mumbled Byung-gyu. “I failed again.”
“Don't say that. Tae-gyu fought with all his might while everyone else was severely wounded. He did it for us. . . For you.”
“Eun-seok told me something similar to that. He told me to go and live.” The young man’s throat tightened. “But. . . But why? Why does it have to be me? Am I truly a healer?”
“Byung-gyu.” Yoon-ho pressed his hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. “It's not your fault. None of it is your fault. Resurrecting the dead is beyond your control.”
Byung-gyu looked at his best friend. Tears glistened in his eyes. “I wish I could. The reason why I joined the raid was because I was confident that I'd save people. . . Keep them alive.” He clutched Tae-gyu's hat tightly. “How— how did it still happen? Where the hell did I go wrong?!”
"Hunter Min!" Hae-in tried to soothe him down. "Please, your heart."
“Byung-gyu,” Jong-in chimed in, placing his hands on each side of Byung-gyu's face to make him stare into his red eyes. “Try to keep your voice down here, okay? Listen to me. It's not your fault that Tae-gyu died. What he did must never be forgotten— he was a true hunter.”
“How am I gonna face his family?” He sniffled.
“They understand. Believe me, they will not hold any grudges on you. The whole country saw what he did, and how you stepped forward to face that bastard ant with just your mace.” Jong-in said.
“Everything's going to be alright, son. We'll get through this together.” Ma Dong-wook approached him. The older man spread his arms. “Come here, I know you need a hug.” Byung-gyu let out a sob and wiped his tears with his sleeve before he went forward and accepted Dong-wook's comforting embrace. “I'm so sorry, Byung-gyu. I should've been strong enough too. Tae-gyu endured it all until he met his end, and I will forever admire his courage and sacrifice — he inspired many hunters.”
Indeed, Tae-gyu had inspired many hunters because of his sacrifice. He left a mark so he could be remembered. Byung-gyu would never forget him. Him and Eun-seok— they would always have a place in his mind, he'd think about them whenever he was feeling weak, hopeless. They had not only died for the country, they died for him so he could live. Byung-gyu could never understand why people always managed to die for him.
They died so people could live peacefully.
They had a long life ahead of them, but they chose to put others first.
I will promise you, hyung. Byung-gyu shifted his gaze to Tae-gyu's photo in the altar. I promise to live my life while honoring yours.