Regression Guidelines For the Supporting Character - Chapter 42

Just a B-class Support.

It was something I’d heard countless times in my previous life, and a thought I’d repeated to myself dozens of times.

“…”

So instead, my mind calmed down.

Logically speaking, Eun Woojeong wasn’t wrong. Supports, regardless of their grade, had the same physical abilities as ordinary people. On this battlefield, the first people that DPSs had to protect were the Supports, which was why Kwon Taehyeok insisted I evacuate to the camp with the Support team.

I understood Kwon Taehyeok’s judgment and Eun Woojeong’s meddling. After all, I would have thought the same way in the past.

If it were a situation where we could fight properly with our formation intact, it would be different. But with a sudden rift opening up and the chaos that ensued, a Support trying to help would only be a nuisance, just as Eun Woojeong said.

I know. Better than anyone.

‘But…’

For fear of being a nuisance, of getting in the way of those trying to protect me, of being seen as useless by my peers—I had always hidden behind others in my past life and regretted it deeply.

It’s not that being protected is inherently bad. Knowing when to step up and when to hold back is a basic principle for any hunter involved in battle. But that no longer applied to me.

“Eun Woojeong.” With a smile, I grabbed Eun Woojeong by the collar with my free hand and yanked him closer. His eyes widened in surprise as his face was suddenly pulled toward mine. “Just as I seem unaware of my capabilities, it seems you don’t quite understand your own place.”

“What?”

“Even if I’m just B-class, I was formally invited to cooperate by the guildmaster of Yesung. You’re just a non-Awakened person who’s here for a visit, aren’t you?”

“…”

“I’m the head of a guild, collaborating with the guildmaster of Yesung as an equal. I have a duty to assist him immediately. It means I’m not in a position to be interfered with by someone like you, who admitted to being here just for fun.” Taking advantage of the moment when Eun Woojeong’s grip weakened, I roughly pulled my arm free and let go of his collar. “Thank you for your concern. I hope you safely return with the Support team.”

Since Eun Woojeong was now pretending to be a regular person, he wouldn’t be able to hold me back any longer.

I wasted time because of that guy. Grumbling inwardly, I hurried toward the place where the battle with the monsters was taking place.

Emerging from the tented area, I looked up to see that the rift had widened even further, with more monsters pouring out.

Screeeeech! A monster, resembling an eel, shrieked loudly as it flew through the air.

When the viscous liquid coating the monster’s body dripped down, the ground turned black and white smoke rose. It was toxic.

With the variety of monsters emerging from the rift, there were numerous debuffs to be wary of. This was why I had sent Cha Sahyeon ahead and quickly returned.

It had only been a short time since the battle began, so things were manageable now. But soon, as more monsters poured in continuously, Hunters would become entangled in chaotic fights, and the surroundings would collapse, making it much harder to move around safely.

Before that happened, I planned to find Kwon Taehyeok, use my skill, and then retreat. I had my own tasks to handle.

“Watch out there! Move to the side!”

“Where’s Yesung’s Guildmaster now?”

“Huh, what?” When I approached a nearby Hunter and asked, he turned to me with a surprised expression, having been busy giving orders. “If you’re looking for the guildmaster, he’s over there… but who are you?”

“Thank you.”

“Hey, you can’t just barge in here!”

Ignoring the flustered Hunter, I strode off in the direction he indicated.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I spotted a familiar back amidst the bustling crowd. Pushing through the rising dust and the sound of an explosion, I approached Kwon Taehyeok.

“Guildmaster! Currently, there are a total of nine monsters visible.”

“There are still more emerging.”

“Once the Support team is in position, we’ll send word. From an hour later, everyone will take turns holding the line. Injured Hunters should immediately go to the Support team for treatment and then return to duty.”

“Yes, I’ll relay the message!”

Following Kwon Taehyeok’s calm orders, the Hunters moved with precision. In that short span, several monsters had already been dealt with. The floating sword blades nearby were covered in monster blood.

‘As diligent as ever.’

He must have been leading the charge against the initial wave of monsters pouring out of the rift. Given his position as the head of a major guild, it would have been enough for him just to give orders from the rear.

Taking advantage of the moment when the Hunters around Kwon Taehyeok moved away, I approached closer and reached out to grab his arm.

Smack!

“Ugh…!”

Kwon Taehyeok, who had grabbed my wrist with lightning speed, spun around and looked surprised. “Hunter Cha Seohu?”

“Ouch, that really hurts.”

Apparently, he didn’t realize it was me. As soon as he saw my face, the pressure on my wrist eased immediately. 

“What are you doing here? I distinctly told you to evacuate to where the Support team is.”

“Don’t worry. I sent my brother and Mr. Eun Woojeong safely to the Support team.”

“What I meant was, why is a Support here… wait, what are you doing?”

That incessant nagging. Sorry, but we don’t have the luxury of a leisurely chat right now.

Instead of letting go of my wrist, I grabbed Kwon Taehyeok’s hand and smiled. Locking eyes with the confused Kwon Taehyeok, I activated my skill.

《Skill: Guardian’s Bond (Class S) activated!》

《Primary Skill damage increases. (Target: Kwon Taehyeok) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Base Speed increases. (Target: Kwon Taehyeok) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Stability effect applied. (Target: Kwon Taehyeok) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

“…!”

As the supporting effect took hold, Kwon Taehyeok flinched and furrowed his brow, his eyes narrowing with irritation and turning red.

“I came to do this for you.”

“A-are you out of your mind? Can’t you see the monsters pouring out right above us?”

“I can see. That’s why I’m here.”

“This is dangerous. What if a monster slipped past the DPSs and attacked you on your way here?”

“I trusted you to save me.”

“This is no time for jokes.”

“Exactly. This is no time for jokes.” I smiled and released Kwon Taehyeok’s hand. “You know from experience that my support isn’t unlimited. I wonder if you have the luxury to worry about me while monsters are still coming out of the rift.”

Kwon Taehyeok opened his mouth to argue but then closed it without saying a word.

“I’ve replenished what you’ve used, so manage your resources and fight carefully. We don’t know when this will end.”

“…Fine. Just go back now.”

“I was planning to leave anyway. My life is precious too, you know.”

“Wait, I’ll assign a guild member to escort you to a safe place… Hunter Cha Seohu!”

Ignoring Kwon Taehyeok’s voice calling out behind me, I hurriedly ran in the opposite direction. There was no way I could accept having a guild member accompany me. It would jeopardize not only my plan but also the safety of the citizens.

To ensure Kwon Taehyeok couldn’t follow me or send someone after me, I quickly put distance between us. When no one was watching, I veered into the forest. Conveniently, someone’s attack skill hit nearby, raising a cloud of dust that concealed me once again.

“Phew…”

I headed toward my original destination, glancing up as I moved. The sky, once painted with the hues of sunset, had turned a deep blue, and darkness was swiftly descending. Night was approaching.

I walked deeper into the forest to ensure no one could see me, then retrieved an item from my inventory. It was the black mask I had used when trailing a member of the “Spider’s Web” who was surveilling the office. To fend off the monsters pouring out from the second rift, I needed something that wouldn’t obstruct my vision, so I chose the mask over an uncomfortable helmet.

After putting on the mask, I waited until complete darkness fell. Hidden among the thick foliage, I activated my skill.

“Activate.”

Crackle!

At the whispered command, a chilling sensation swept through my body, and I felt a surge of electricity. Gritting my teeth to stifle a scream, I bent forward, watching as my hands on my knees grew larger.

Ding!

《Hidden Skill: Silver Protection (Class S) [Activated]》

The pain subsided in a matter of seconds, and a status window confirming the activation of my skill appeared. Breathing heavily, I checked my body. My black turtleneck, being stretchy, was fine, but my pants were now too tight, with the cuffs riding up higher than before.

‘Getting stronger is good, but this part is inconvenient.’

Despite wearing somewhat loose clothing in anticipation of the transformation, this was the result. I retrieved a hat and denim jacket from my inventory and put them on, then finally grabbed my sword.