A total of 133 goblins had newly entered Asvillam.

Thirty-six normals, seventy-four hob goblins, seventeen giant goblins, five beast goblins, and one goblin priest.

Goblins all looked fundamentally alike. Drab ash-gray skin, ugly faces. Pointy noses and ears, somewhat sparse hair.

Each type had slight differences, but the broad strokes stayed the same.

Still, their individual traits were clear enough that telling them apart wasn’t hard. For a plain example, normal goblins barely stood 140 centimeters tall, while giant goblins easily topped two meters.

In that sense, the goblin priest ‘Bamond’ had his own distinct character too.

‘He looks just like Dorma. Same lineage, maybe?’

Goblins were broadly divided into four lineages.

Normal, Hob, Royal, and King.

Giants, beasts, albinos, and the like—they’d just undergone mutations, but still fell under those four lineages. For reference, they were all offshoots of the hob goblin line.

That was why Gobungi and Kiriyan felt like distant cousins.

Anyway, Dorma the goblin shaman was from the ‘Royal Goblin’ lineage. And the new arrival, Bamond, was also a branch of the Royal line.

Though he seemed to have undergone some mutation, like Kiriyan.

‘What was it now. I definitely read it in the Monster White Paper… Ah!’

«Right! A Holy Goblin!»

Go Byeonggap grinned brightly and snapped his fingers. Across from him, Bamond looked flustered.

«……Huh?»

«Nothing.»

Of course, those classifications were made by humans. Among goblins, they were all the same kin, with no separation.

Whatever the case, it was good that a higher-order goblin had entered Asvillam.

‘Damn, that guy’s got some cool tattoos.’

Tattoos etched across Bamond’s face and upper body. They looked like flames or perhaps flower petals. Go Byeonggap recognized Bamond as a goblin priest from those tattoos.

«So. How do you like Asvillam?»

«……Honestly, I’m still dumbfounded. It feels like I’m dreaming.»

Bamond wet his lips with his tongue several times, tense. He couldn’t even meet Go Byeonggap’s eyes.

«Hey, hey. Why so nervous? Think I’m gonna eat you?»

«It’s… it’s just that this is my first time seeing the Lord. I think I’m nervous. I’m sorry.»

«Enough, what are you sorry for? Just relax.»

«Yes… yes.»

Go Byeonggap waited until Bamond composed himself. The story he was about to tell was grim, after all.

When he figured the time was about right, Go Byeonggap broached the subject.

«Alright. Now let’s hear it. What happened to you all.»

«It was more than half a month ago……»

Bamond began to speak, his voice loosening like a knot untying itself.

About half a month ago.

The hidden world—the goblins’ original homeland—had suddenly begun to collapse. They sensed the danger instinctively and fled outward.

The world outside the rift was desolate. Nothing greeted them but parched earth and the chill night air.

As if that weren’t enough, hunger began to gnaw at them—a sensation they had never known inside the hidden world.

‘Right, that’s how it was. The others felt it too, once they stepped out of the rift.’

The goblins weren’t the only ones starving. As time passed, the other monsters grew ravenous as well.

«It happened all at once. A herd of monsters charged us and started devouring us. The other creatures were the same. The weak were helpless—they were simply eaten.»

The goblins barely managed to hold on by preying on weaker monsters themselves. But it was never enough. With each passing day, hunger and wounds tightened their grip like a noose.

They endured and endured, until the moment annihilation was at their doorstep—and then, like a savior, Go Byeonggap appeared.

‘So that’s why I saw almost no low-tier monsters. They’d all been eaten clean.’

Every monster that stood against C Team was high-tier. Looking back now, they were just the survivors of a meat grinder.

So even monsters didn’t all side together. Go Byeonggap felt the realization settle in anew.

«You’ve been through a lot. But you don’t have to worry anymore. As long as you’re here, nothing will harm you.»

«We are truly grateful, My Lord, for taking us in.»

«Grateful? Don’t mention it. I’m your Lord, aren’t I? It’s only natural.»

Go Byeonggap slowly got to his feet. He’d been in Asvillam too long. Time to head back.

«Now go get some rest. If you need anything or have questions, find Gobungi or Dorma. You know who they are, right?»

«Yes, My Lord. We do.»

«Good. They’ll help you out. I wish I could stay here, but I’ll be busy for a while. Won’t be able to visit often.»

«I see.»

«Anyway. Welcome to Asvillam. Truly.»

Go Byeonggap sent Bamond back to his quarters.

Then he went straight to find Gobungi.

The goblins had just finished their evening meal. They were working together to clean up and getting ready to sleep.

Go Byeonggap spotted Gobungi among them.

«Gobungi.»

«Ah! Yes, My Lord!»

«Come here a moment.»

Gobungi scurried over. Time was short, so Byeonggap cut straight to the point.

«You saw the new ones, right?»

«Yes.»

«When morning comes, give them the elixir and imprint the Manual. You know where the elixir and the Manual are?»

«I do!»

«Good, good.»

Go Byeonggap nodded with satisfaction and clapped Gobungi on the shoulder.

«You’re leaving… now?»

«Yeah, I’ve got to go.»

«When will you come back?»

«Not sure. Probably won’t be able to for a while. I’ve got work piling up.»

«That’s a shame…»

«It won’t be long. Take good care of the kids till then, alright?»

«Don’t worry, sir! Leave it to me!»

«Good. I’m off. Sleep well.»

«Good night! Rest well!»

Go Byeonggap let out a soft laugh and left Asvillam.

He landed in a quiet patch of forest. He glanced around—no one nearby. Lucky break.

He headed straight back to the encampment. It was supply day, so multiple teams had regrouped in one spot.

On his way to the tent, he caught a glimpse of the S-rank hunters huddled together.

‘Still at it, huh.’

The massive monster wave that had erupted in Africa had been officially announced.

The Association’s stance was to push the operation forward, and there seemed to be no room for reversal.

The hunters had been hashing out that very issue for hours.

“I heard the government’s blocked all hunters from leaving the country outright.”

“Huh? That’s not what I heard. I heard some guilds are already recruiting dispatch teams. A few have even flown out.”

“They’ll get ordered back. Happened last time, remember?”

“Shouldn’t we be helping? From what I hear, they’ve got no infrastructure—let alone hunters.”

“But honestly, do we really need to? Word is it’s one of the poorest nations. Probably can’t even pay proper compensation.”

“Aw, is it about the money? People are dying out there—we go to save them.”

“So what’s the current situation? Anyone know?”

“Heard bits and pieces. Those countries are going under one after another.”

“Then Korea’s not affected?”

Voices rained down from over thirty mouths.

With all the wild speculation flying around, it didn’t look like any consensus would be reached tonight.

Go Byeonggap passed them by and returned to his tent. He was curious about the world affairs too.

But—like it or not—he was stuck north of the border until December 23rd. Dwelling on it would only stir up trouble, and he knew it.

‘Time to sleep.’

He slipped into slumber, hoping the expedition would end soon.

* * *

The expedition had seen its share of trouble and noise, but all things considered, it moved along smoothly.

The news trickling in from outside was mostly grim. Still, it didn’t drag the expedition down.

“Get your hand warmers here.”

“Five today? Good—it’s been cold at night lately. This helps.”

November 30th. Day 69 of the expedition.

Control Point 41 recaptured. No other incidents.

“Time to eat.”

“Ah, shit. Why’s it mountain vegetable bibimbap again? Those damned Association bastards!”

“But don’t you think it’s gotten more edible the more we eat it?”

“What nonsense are you talking? Just the smell makes me want to puke.”

December 6th, day 75 of the expedition.

Point 50 recaptured. Jeong Seongyeong threw a fit over the food, but no other issues.

“Whoa… what the hell. Did the sky spring a leak? Why’s it pissing down snow like this?”

“Tell me about it. And resupply’s supposed to be tomorrow.”

“At this rate we’ll be snowed in and can’t even sleep. What do we do, Squad Leader?”

“Hmm… We’ll do a night march. Everyone get ready. We’re moving to the supply point immediately.”

December 15th, day 84 of the expedition.

Point 55 recaptured, but then a massive blizzard hit. Squad C boldly undertook a night march and managed to reach the supply point safely.

And so the days kept piling up.

Before they knew it, the expedition that had seemed endless was finally reaching its tail end.

“It’s the last supply drop, Mr. Byeonggap.”

“So it is.”

Go Byeonggap received the final supplies from Jang Yongil.

After Jo Gwangheon vanished, Jang Yongil’s expression had brightened considerably. Seeing that warmed Go Byeonggap’s heart too.

“Let’s not let our guard down until the end and get out safely.”

The final operation began with that resolve.

With the goal in sight, Squad C’s raid members threw themselves into their mission with even greater fervor.

“Crack!”

“Kyaaahk!”

Points 56, 57, and 58 were mowed down like they were pushed aside by a bulldozer. The hunters advanced, crushing every monster in their path to dust, advancing and advancing.

“Really puts things in perspective, huh.”

Porter Jeong Hoyun clicked his tongue in awe. All Go Byeonggap could do was agree with the sentiment.

‘There’s no other word for it—they’re just stupidly strong.’

Even after seeing it ad nauseam for the past three months, the strength of the top 2% was something else.

Could you even confine them within the bounds of humanity? The thought even crossed his mind.

‘I’ve gotten insanely strong too, but matching an S-rank? I can’t even imagine touching them. …And if an S-rank is that strong, just how powerful is an SS-rank?’

At this point, even hearing that an SS-rank hunter had split the Pacific Ocean in half wouldn’t sound entirely unbelievable.

By the time they’d completely cleared Point 58, night fell with perfect timing. Squad C huddled together in small groups, holding their final roll call of the expedition.

“Tomorrow we’ll finish off the last point, Point 59, and return to headquarters base camp. Reveille will be at 5 AM.”

“Squad Leader. Mind if I ask a question?”

“Go ahead, Mr. Hangil.”

“Is it a straight return after the mission? I heard Squad F’s progress is lagging behind the other teams—aren’t we going to support them or anything?”

Song Hangil asked a genuinely good-natured question.

Bu Yeonggeon rolled his eyes a couple of times before answering flatly.

“I don’t know. Do we really need to? It’s not like headquarters ordered support.”

“Right. They’re the ones who fell behind because they dragged their feet — why should we help them? We’re done with our job, that’s enough.”

Jeong Seongyeong backed Yeonggeon’s opinion. The others showed similar reactions.

Getting back to rest sooner mattered more than a few extra coins. Even Go Byeonggap, who’d kill for money, felt the same.

“If there are no more questions, I’ll wrap up roll call. Get a good night’s sleep — I hope tomorrow finishes without a hitch. And…”

Yeonggeon hesitated. A flicker of embarrassment touched his face.

“And… I appreciate you putting up with your lousy squad leader all this time. I’m sorry. And thank you.”

The squad members stared blankly. Of all people — couldn’t believe those words came out of that stone-faced bastard’s mouth.

A brief silence, then words of encouragement poured out.

“Squad Leader, you worked hard too!”

“Aigoo, what’s this about being lousy? Things went smooth because of you, Squad Leader!”

“Yeah. Well… sometimes you rubbed me the wrong way, but you did pretty well for who you are.”

“Good work.”

Go Byeonggap quietly chimed in. Roll call ended in a warm, friendly mood.

“Byeonggap, got a smoke?”

“Uh, sure.”

Before bed. Byeonggap stepped out for a cigarette with Jeong Seongyeong. Standing here across from her, sharing a smoke — probably one of the last times, now that today and tomorrow were almost done.

“Ha… this damn thing’s finally over. Fucking sick of it.”

“Strictly speaking, it’s not over yet.”

“Hey… you trying to kill the mood?”

Seongyeong furrowed her brow. Byeonggap let out a hollow laugh, then asked.

“By the way, once we clear Point 59, do we head straight home?”

“Who knows. They might milk us dry and send us somewhere else, or deploy us into a rift. Ugh, I really hope not.”

“Hearing you say that, I get the feeling they won’t let us off easy.”

“Ah, Byeonggap — got any paper and a pen?”

“Paper? Yeah.”

Byeonggap dug through the pouch at his waist. He pulled out a small notebook and pen and handed them to her.

Seongyeong scribbled something on it quickly, then handed it back.

“That’s my phone number. Call me when the expedition’s over. Let’s grab a drink or something.”

“You’re buying, right Noona?”

“Huh? You’re seriously unbelievable. Since when does the girl pay for drinks?”

“What’s that in this day and age? The one with more money pays.”

“You cover the drinks. I’ll get the hotel.”

“What? Ho-what?”

Byeonggap didn’t catch her meaning.

A few seconds later. As he chewed over Seongyeong’s words, his face flushed bright red.

“Wh-what did you just say…”

“Pwahahaha! Look at your face—it’s all red! I’m kidding, you idiot! Pwahahaha!”

Jeong Seongyeong doubled over, laughing until her sides ached. Go Byeonggap gnawed on his cigarette filter, chewing down his frustration.

“Thought you were a player, but turns out you’re a total greenhorn! Anyway, just hit me up. I’ll treat you to drinks and everything, for real.”

“…Fine. I’ll hold you to it, all right.”

Go Byeonggap seriously considered bringing all four hundred goblins along to sponge a meal off her.

He flicked the smoldering butt, crushed it out, and tilted his head skyward. The northern sky, barren of a single light, laid bare tens of thousands of stars without filter.

“Nothing crazy tomorrow, right?”

“What’s there to be crazy about? Just do what we always do. You stay tucked away in the back. Don’t go charging in and getting yourself hurt.”

“Even if they held a ritual to make me charge, I’d still be hiding. You worry about yourself, Noona.”

“Heh. Yeah, I should. Would it suck to die young at thirty-one? Ugh, it’s cold. Let’s head in.”

“Yeah.”

Squad C was at peace. Even with the final operation looming, there was no real worry or tension to speak of.

Because they’d done well over the past three months, and they figured the last day would go just the same.

But…

Go Byeonggap had gotten drunk on the calm and forgotten its shadow.

‘What the hell…’

The northern land howled with a biting wind.

Severed bodies lay strewn across the frozen dirt, blood seeping into the ground and staining it red.

“Kuaaaagh!”

“Eek!”

“Radio HQ now! Now!”

“Headquarters! Headquarters! Reinforcements immediately! Coordinates 59-4—Ghk!”

That was it. Reality was just another word for cruelty.