The creation of a gate was deemed a disaster due to the changes caused by the dimensional rift.
"The term gate refers to the phenomenon of dimensional fractures. Unlike the 'one-in-one-out' passage-structure of a dungeon, the entrance/ exit points of a Gate are more numerous and chaotic. The surface area of a gate usually has a radius of about 1km, and the range of the Mercury Field covers all danger-zones."
The 1km range became a reference point. If a gate is created within a dungeon (or similar enclosed environment), you only have to attack the confined space. Still, a gate in the open follows no distinct pattern - every access point must surround the 1km range.
Suseongjeon was the immediate reaction to the appearance of a gate. The Golden Time (regarding response) was calculated to be about fifteen minutes between the first alert and full defense. The first five minutes would be spent summoning a single, local hunter.
The next ten were committed to spreading the word, gathering hunters, and forming a strong defensive line. A gate with a fifteen-minute delay was manageable, but there was a particular type of gate - the red gate - known to manifest without notice. It was categorized as a natural disaster. The monsters that passed through the red gate tended to be class A; because of this, local hunters alone would not suffice. It was imperative to involve regional hunters to control the disaster.
The students awaited the call to action.
The Orcs clambered through an artificial passageway, rubble crumbling at the edges of the crevasse. There was little time for them to exhibit surprise - or any emotion, for that matter, as the sharp-toothed, fetid mouths of a horde of Orcs poured forth toward them.
Lee Jang-hoo, who stood at a safe distance, ran his dry tongue around his dry mouth and gulped.
"So...that's a gate."
It was the first time he'd seen one. They had studied the field tirelessly, but the theory is only a shadow of practice. It would be a part of daily life for a graduated hunter, but it was intense for Jang-hoo. His heart pounded loud in his chest. Kang Min-hyuk had ordered the formation of the defense line, and his presence instilled certain, unspoken confidence within the group, but a sense of unease was inevitable.
Group three wondered whether the statistics they'd been given were true. Would most monsters flock to the North? A lot of ground had to be covered, but instead of even distribution, Kang Min-hyuk chose a selection method and concentration method.
"The North contains five passages. Two are narrow roads, so a car can be used to block them. Three reinforced warriors will cover the other two - these are the Guerilla Forces, and they never fight head-on. If an Orc enters, it should be treated as an ambush. If anybody gets out of their depth, request support - in case of emergency, we'll blow both buildings up using a magic bomb."
For a group of seventeen-year-old students, they had a dangerous weapon. Demolition wasn't a desirable outcome...if a building were destroyed every time a monster appeared, there'd be no structures left for humans to inhabit. Demolition was the last bastion.
Jang Lee-hoo asked, "We're putting all of our troops in the largest aisle. How do you know the Orcs will get there?"
It was a sensible enough query.
The path, flanked by low buildings, was easy to defend. Nobody could be sure that the Orcs would pass through as planned, but Kang Min-hyuk's solution to this confusion was simple.
He would make sure of it.
He'd do this by using bait.
"Let's go."
At Kang Min-hyuk's order, a group of students held up a sealed, transparent sack full of crimson fluid. It was a blood transfusion pack that had been prepared in anticipation of the training.
"If the Orcs want blood and slaughter, let them have it."
Crrrrrckk
The metallic, fishy stench of blood oozed out, as the floor was drenched in red. The eyes of the Orcs, who had been stumbling aimlessly about, were immediately focused and wild. Lee Jang-hoo was relieved the plan worked, but his hands didn't agree and were covered in a layer of cold sweat at the image of Orcs pushing through the streets like waves.
* * *
Kang Min-hyuk's instructions were concise. If you want to maintain a defense line for a minimum of ten minutes, the method can't be complicated or time-consuming.
"Agggghhh! I!"
Orcs ran swiftly toward them. The first attack came from the wizards, from atop a four-story building.
"Fireball!"
"Fireball!"
Baptism by fire. Kang Min-hyuk and Jeong Sang-hoon's dual attack was powerful, engulfing five or six Orcs at once, but that wasn't enough to meaningfully impact their numbers. The front-line of warriors became aglow with the aura spewing from their swords. The Orcs and the swordsmen collided: violently intertwined.
"Hah!!"
"Kill it!"
Jang-hoo's sword flashed through the air and shattered an Orc's chest, but the Orc barely noticed; his ax continuing its arc to smash down strong. Lee Jang-hoo dodged the blow, and it struck a porcelain castle to his right. Kang Min-hyuk created a group of two fortress fighters - in a fierce battle, a safety formation was designed so that a companion would always have a view from behind.
Boom! Sssik!
The sword was jammed into the Orc's hard body. The monsters were decapitated in waves, a brutal expression of the warriors' capabilities. Blood fell from the sky like rain, but the warriors did not tremble. Jang-hoo's breath whooshed through his lungs in heavy bursts. Despite the battle lasting mere minutes, the intensity had reached a peak so high it was already breath-taking.
The use of a magic bomb was enticing; four had been supplied to each group, and it seemed that dealing with the Orcs would be easier if they were used.
"But he said we shouldn't..."
The strength of a magic bomb was more powerful than third circle magic. If four bombs were detonated at the same time, more than ten Orcs would bear the brunt. However, they were intended for emergencies, and although the challenge was great, Jang-hoo wasn't sure it could be classified as an emergency.
Magic bombs were scarce, and besides, they weren't really intended to be used against enemies at all. Their specialization was demolition - better as a form of defense than offense. The mission of Suseongjeon was to contain the monsters within a 1km radius. At this point, no number of magic bombs would make that happen. Other groups, however, might have a reason to use magic bombs effectively, and there were plans in place to allow for that.
Kang Min-hyuk came up with an alternative about ten minutes into the battle. He was inside a four-story building when he heard a scream of distress spill from Jang-hoo's throat. The number of monsters had increased massively. Kang Min-hyuk thought fast and used flame magic against the streams of Orcs below.
"Fireball!"
The flames burnt bright - beautiful and destructive - they flew toward a car in the middle of the street. One of the main goals of Suseongjeon was to utilize the topographical features, which was a prime example of how to do so. What was once just a car became a powerful weapon.
Pop!
Pop-pop, pop!
BssshhhhhwhPOW!
"Damn..."
Lee Jang-hoo was impressed. It was a good strategy.
A huge explosion swept the surrounding Orcs away, blasting them to the floor. Firearms are not a great defense against monsters, as they're not powerful enough to kill, even if a bullet penetrates a vital spot. Explosions can be amazingly effective, though, and this one noticeably reduced the number of Orcs. However, the gate was still open. Orcs continued to pass through.
The idea to focus the monsters in one place using blood was a good one, but they didn't have enough power to handle the onslaught. What they needed was greater firepower.
* * *
Kang Min-hyuk observed the situation from within the building.
"They're all Orcs; I can't see any flying monsters. The rooftop is a safe space."
Although he'd already received the information on the nature of the monsters of this particular gate, he chose to enter the mission blind and judge it as it progressed, as one would in real life.
D or C class Orc warriors can't climb to the roof of a four-story building. It worked as a tremendous advantage for the wizards to have a safe space to fight from.
"Sang-hoon."
"Yes?"
"Get ready."
"Yes."
Mana scattered through the air. Simultaneously, as he activated his circle, he used nature's mana and his mana 'fairy.'
"If the Warriors are going to withstand, we must continue to use strong firepower to reduce the number of Orcs."
It would have to be third circle casting. It was the only way to inflict enough damage. A sloppy response could be lethal - the only way to do it was to do it properly. This training could provide an opportunity for people to reflect upon themselves again.
Hwaahak!
Mana rose in red plumes.
It began to form as third circle flame magic...but it wasn't normal third circle magic. The power had increased because of the circle's strength, and it had become closer to the fourth circle by using the top-class magic of the third.
"Wind fist!"
Wei Ying!
Jeong Sang-hoon cast the spell. The wind is magnetized to the fist of the wind, which will be good kindling for the fire magic.
Hwaryongjeomjeong
Kang Min-hyuk finally finished casting.
"Fire burst!"
The moment the crimson mana exploded on the group of Orcs; face-melting heat showered them.
Boom!
Bbbrrrrrrrrr.
The explosion was huge. The immense heat, which was unfounded at Academy level, swept the Orcs around it. The swordsmanship students looked up at the rooftop, baffled by the strength of magic they were witnessing.
"What the hell is this?!"
"Is that a fire burst from above?!"
It was fourth-circle power, and it was colossal.
Everybody who bore witness to it was shocked.
