CHAPTER 36

Chapter 36

The sky was still painted in hues of deep indigo when the first members of the Korean raid team arrived at the Hunter Association headquarters. Despite the early hour, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. The entire team, composed of South Korea's most elite hunters, stood assembled, clad in their battle gear. The only notable absentee was Choi Jong-In, who had opted to prepare elsewhere.

At the same time, the Japanese raid team was finalizing their own preparations. The two groups would be working separately at first, but they shared a common goal—exterminate the ant colony and reclaim Jeju Island.

Back at Dragon Knight Guild Headquarters

Meanwhile, at the Dragon Knight Guild's base, Choi Jong-In was busy fastening Ignel's armor. The metallic plates gleamed under the light, customized to fit the young dragon's growing frame. If an outsider were to witness the scene, they might mistake it for a father preparing his son for his first day of school rather than an S-rank hunter gearing up a dragon for battle.

Ignel, slightly fidgety, stretched his wings impatiently. "Do I really have to wear all of this?" he grumbled, tail flicking.

Choi smirked. "Of course. You'll be on the front lines today. Can't have you getting too comfortable."

Before Ignel could complain further, a presence appeared. It was Sung Il-Hwan, dressed in his newly acquired battle gear—sleek, dark gauntlets crafted from the remains of the wind dragon, a matching chest guard, and a shoulder guard fitted with reinforcement plating. At his side, a long sword rested in its sheath.

Without turning to face him, Choi asked casually, "Are you ready?"

Sung Il-Hwan nodded. "Yes, Mr. Choi." Then, after a brief pause, he added, "How about you? Aren't you going to prepare your own equipment?"

Choi chuckled as he finished securing Ignel's armor and dusted off his hands. "Why would I need protection? It's not like any of these ants can even leave a scratch on me."

Sung Il-Hwan frowned slightly. "Even so, having gear can be helpful."

After a moment of consideration, Choi reached for a pair of gloves, then casually slung a long coat over his black compression shirt and matching dark pants. As a final touch, he picked up his sword, resting it against his shoulder. "Happy now?"

Sung Il-Hwan gave him a look. "That's it?"

Choi grinned. "Pretty much. Hop on, we're leaving."

Without another word, Sung Il-Hwan climbed onto Ignel's back. Choi, seated cross-legged, rested his sword on his lap and leaned his chin on his hands, looking utterly relaxed. "Alright, Ignel, let's go."

At the Hunter Association, helicopters were already lifting off, carrying the Korean team toward Jeju Island. Among them, Sung Jin woo, Baek Yoon-Ho, Min Byung-Gu, Cha Hae-In, and others sat in silence, mentally preparing for what lay ahead.

On Jeju Island, the Japanese team had landed first, carefully making their way toward the ant nest. Their plan was simple: lure out the majority of the elite ants and engage them outside the nest to reduce the threat to the Korean hunters.

Not long after, the Korean team arrived, their helicopters hovering at a safe distance before the hunters leaped down, landing gracefully on the barren, insect-ridden ground.

Back in the sky, as Choi and Il-Hwan approached Jeju Island, Choi's eyes glowed slightly as he spread his mana outward, scanning the battlefield. Almost immediately, his expression shifted, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Interesting…" he murmured to himself.

Sung Il-Hwan, who was observing him closely, asked, "What's wrong?"

Choi leaned back slightly. "I was checking for the strongest presences. Half of the elite ants are currently fighting the Japanese team. But…" he trailed off, his smirk widening.

Sung Il-Hwan narrowed his eyes. "But what?"

"There's a massive mana signature near the Japanese hunters. It's hiding its presence well, but I still caught it."

Sung Il-Hwan followed Choi's gaze, then sharpened his focus. A second later, his own senses registered it—a formidable power lurking within the battlefield, far greater than what any normal ant should possess.

Sung Il-Hwan's breath hitched. "That… That's not the Ant King, is it?"

"Nope," Choi replied, grinning. "Which means the real Ant King must be somewhere near the Korean hunters."

For a moment, Sung Il-Hwan felt a chill. If what Choi was saying was true, then the hunters were facing not one but two overwhelming threats. He gritted his teeth. "What do you propose?"

Choi clapped him on the back. "Simple. You handle the one near the Japanese hunters. They might get annihilated if we leave them alone for too long."

Sung Il-Hwan hesitated for only a second before nodding. He leaped off Ignel's back, descending toward the battlefield below. The moment his feet touched the ground, he vanished in a blur, heading straight for the Japanese team's location.

Choi, meanwhile, turned his attention toward the Korean hunters' battlefield. His eyes flickered with amusement and anticipation.

"Alright, Ignel," he murmured, stretching slightly. "Let's go meet our guest."

The young dragon let out a low rumble, his wings spreading wide as he angled downward. As they neared their destination, Choi could already feel the suffocating pressure of a powerful entity lurking in the shadows.

He grinned.

"This should be fun."

End of Chapter