First, I conducted some research before heading off to catch the flying monsters. As the leader of a group, I can’t imagine going into battle without intelligence. Knowing about the enemy is the duty of a commander.
So, I sent my subordinates and some funds to gather information about the flying monsters.
“Are there only a few squads of them?”
A group made up of twenty or so creatures can be considered small or large, depending on who you ask. Their numbers are similar to those of regular bandits.
I’ve heard they’re a group of demons roaming around here and there. Apparently, their strategy is to fly away at the first sign of a strong martial artist or hunting party approaching.
So, is it just a matter of chasing them off? One might think so, but it’s not that simple. They could come back or resettle nearby, and we might face them again. That’s why I decided to carry out a purge.
It’s proof that they’re somewhat clever.
I heard there’s a leader among them, but aside from eyewitness accounts, there’s hardly any solid information available.
They just watch from the air, apparently.
Anyway, when these flying monsters spot something worth snatching, they dive down, attack, and make off with the goods. They take away the plundered items somewhere, but due to their ability to fly, no one knows where their base is.
“This is.”
Could I track them down?
I have a bloodhound locked up and, after all, I’ve gained a sense of smell, too. Even if the flying monsters try to flee, I’ll be able to find their base, right?
Maybe they’ve piled up the goods at their headquarters. If I can find that and gobble it all up, it might give our agency’s financial power a serious upgrade.
“Alright.”
Having fleshed out my strategy, I started writing down my plans to tackle this mission. Most problems here in the martial arts world can be solved by the experts.
*
“Are you planning to go in a small elite team? That makes sense. If you brought regular martial artists, they wouldn’t be much help, so picking just the three of us isn’t a bad idea.”
“Exactly! If there’s too many of us, they’ll see us as a hunting party and flee.”
Bringing along a hunting party would give the monsters a heads up to escape. So, only me and my two companions decided to go out. Though I trust my agency members, they are no match for flying demons. Bringing them along would just mean more victims, so it’s better if it’s just us.
Then there’s the Blue Jar Transport Agency.
They decided to send off some resources and personnel too.
It’s a decoy operation.
They’re using different flags to pretend to be a new transport agency that doesn’t know about the monsters and their activities. They’ve assembled a crew skilled in quick goods transport, so I have no worries there.
So, we set off on our decoy mission.
Heading towards the area occupied by the flying monsters.
“U-Um, Jeolgyu Nachal Daehyeop. Are you really okay? If things go south, we’re going to run away. We can’t deal with those flying monsters after all.”
The head of the Blue Jar Transport Agency said so.
“Don’t worry. We’ll handle the fighting. I might not be able to wipe them out, but I’m confident I can inflict significant damage. If they take a hit like that, they won’t just resettle nearby; they’ll run far away. That’s mission accomplished.”
“That’s true, but…”
The head seemed very scared of the flying monsters.
The transport crew and guards felt the same.
“It’s just a decoy operation, right? There’s no need to protect us, so run as needed. Hide, and when we signal, you guys can come out. By then, it should all be over, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“I only trust Jeolgyu Nachal Daehyeop.”
We don’t need their help.
Anyway, we continued with our decoy operation.
“Wow, but this is the first time I’m following a transport mission. How about you guys?”
“I haven’t had a chance to join a transport mission before, so I’m also a newbie.”
Serin said it was her first time.
“Well, I’ve been on several. It’s safe to tag along when going somewhere.”
Hayoung mentioned she’s been part of a transport crew a few times.
“Do monsters or bandits show up often?”
“They don’t come too frequently, but when they do, it’s usually a fight.”
“Really? If a group of bandits asks for tolls, do you pay them?”
As far as I know, the transport agencies and the bandits are inseparable in this martial arts world. Usually, when bandits show up demanding tolls, the head submits and pays to pass.
“When were you talking about? That’s old news; it’s all-out war now.”
“What do you mean?”
Hayoung explained.
Sure, there used to be a tendency like that. You could essentially pay your way through, right? It’s like saying, “I paid a toll.”
But at some point, that changed.
The reason is simple.
Bandits are all just lowlifes.
They’d demand tolls repeatedly, and it became commonplace for other thieves to show up on paths already paid for.
Of course, the transport agencies, facing damage on paths they had already paid tolls for, would seek compensation from the bandits, but bandits don’t give money; they take money.
They have no concept that by collecting tolls, they must maintain the roads and ensure safety from rogue thieves.
It’s all about greed.
Naturally, thinking of conducting long-term business with such incompetent individuals was impossible, and in the end, the toll-collecting culture went extinct, leaving only war behind.
“If you take tolls, then you should maintain the roads, right? If landslides happen, they should clear them, and if thieves they let through attack a transport agency, they should pay damages. But bandits have no such common sense. They just keep begging for more money, and that’s how it ended up.”
In the end, the bandits lost their regular income from tolls and now only survived by robbing.
“Hmm… So, was the transport agency the main supporter of the bandit factions? When they stopped getting paid, the bandit factions fell apart.”
That made the transport industry grow even more. Indeed, in this martial arts world, only those who fight can seize their rights.
By no longer paying tolls, the transport agencies grew larger, making more agencies in the process. As their fighting power increased, they could overpower the ever-declining bandits who were losing their income.
This led to reduced costs.
It’s a positive cycle.
“Oh, that’s an interesting perspective. A fresh idea. Geunhyeop.”
“Really? It makes sense when you think about it.”
When I mentioned it, the two nodded in agreement.
“Ah, my insights!”
I’m really quite intelligent.
“Anyway, whether they are flying monsters or bandits, we should just kill them all if they show up. Keeping them alive will only bring harm.”
“Right. Do you know how many bandits I’ve killed up to now? No matter how many I kill, it never seems to end, but if I keep at it, I guess I’ll eventually wipe them out.”
Good.
“Then let’s aim to clear out every single bandit that shows up. I’m no longer weak. Mercy is unnecessary for those guys.”
“You’ve grown.”
Just then, one of the transport crew shouted.
“Flying monsters spotted!”
“Ah…!”
One of them had been watching the sky closely. As soon as that guy yelled, everyone reacted. We all turned our eyes to the sky.
—Flap!
Out in the distance, a flying monster was cruising the air, surveying the area… A real bird-man, it seems. Sporting wings for arms, it was circling around like a bird.
“Hey! Their scouts have appeared! If they’re out there, they’ll soon bring the main forces! We need to prepare to escape!”
The head of the transport agency shouted in panic.
“Nah… There’s no need to be that scared, head. You guys are martial artists seasoned against bandits, right? There’s no need to be afraid of some flying monsters.”
“Those filthy creatures are on a whole different level! They can fly and use martial arts, how can we ever win! Do take care of me!”
The head got his crew ready to run. Meanwhile, the flying monster vanished from the sky.
Soon, they said the main forces would arrive, huh?
“Serin, can you handle this?”
“Of course! Even for them, they eventually have to come down to fight. Their aerial raids are threatening, but what’s more threatening is right here with us, isn’t it?”
Serin clanged her sword.
“Hehehe, that’s true. Well, Hayoung, you’re a sorceress after all. You can easily bring down any flying ones.”
“Yeah, of course! Absolute fact.”
“But when I give the signal, make sure to use it. If they know we have a long-range attacker, they might just run away before coming down.”
“Got it, got it. I’ve heard it several times already.”
Hayoung, being our vital strength, needs to be conserved. If the flying monsters find out we have a long-range attack, they could peruse the skies and bail early.
“There they are!”
The head shouted.
From beyond the sky, a group of flying monsters was coming.
“We’ll run!”
Then the fools from the Blue Jar Transport Agency scampered off in fear. They ran so fast, it felt like they were faster than the flying monsters.
“Hmm, I wonder if the Blue Jar Transport Agency can even survive this.”
“Same here.”
Honestly, I wonder too.
—Whooooosh!
The approaching flying monsters started circling above.
“Ka ha ha ha! Everyone ran away! All that’s left are three martial artists, huh?”
“Surrender the goods peacefully!”
“Resist, and you die!”
“Hehehe! Nah, even if you don’t resist, you’re dead! I’ll haul you up and tear you apart from the sky!”
The flying monsters mocked us, flapping their wings. Yet, it’s true… they look somewhat human, but with twisted jaws and too many fangs, they definitely feel monstrous.
Real ugly brutes.
But, ah.
—Flap flap.
There are some female flying monsters among them too; they’re curvaceous. While their faces radiate ferocity, their chests seem unnaturally perky, which is a bit distracting.
“Hey! What are you looking at!”
“You perv! Are you staring at a demon’s chest right now!”
“No!”
I’m merely assessing the enemies!
—Whooosh!
In that moment, the flying monsters surged down like a tidal wave.
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