The Unranked Monsters That I Raised

• 5 • There Is No Plan.

The plan was simple.

They were going to lure all the ground rats into one confined area to destroy them all.

"I'll create some noise and run around the tunnels while drenched in monster blood, leading them towards here."

Kim Rok Soo gestured to the abandoned station they were currently standing in.

"Once they're all gathered..."

He patted Park Jin Tae's shoulder and looked at Choi Jung Soo and Lee Soo Hyuk.

"You'll take care of them."

Realistically speaking, there wasn't much of a plan.

Kim Rok Soo recalled all the information he had recorded earlier this morning. The subway map of this particular route was on the shorter side and they were currently located at the second to last stop. They had killed a few stray rats along the way and the only ones remaining were hiding in the last station.

Similar to the previous cleanup missions, the monsters claimed one station, typically the largest, as their nesting area to house their food, offspring, and strongest warriors. Based on the reports, there should be, approximately, 30 to 40 of them, with the highest grade being 7, potentially 6.

Rather than entering their domain, it was better to face the ground rats in a narrow area they knew and controlled.

If he was alone, he wouldn't have dared to consider this plan. He hated feeling pain and would prefer to avoid being rat food.

However, he had three other people he could use.

Lee Soo Hyuk. The man who could slash through anything and was considered one of the best ability users.

Choi Jung Soo. Skilled in sword arts and was physically the strongest of the three.

And Park Jin Tae. He had the second strongest ability after their team leader and was able to blow things up.

These three strong people were on the same team as him.

"That's the plan."

Choi Jung Soo's mouth twitched as Lee Soo Hyuk placed a hand over his face. Park Jin Tae let out a snort with an expression that seemed to say, 'I was expecting this.'

"Oh, so you'd be running around in rats' blood?"

Nodding his head, Kim Rok Soo seriously replied to his team leader.

"Yes, from the monsters we've killed, I can tell that they're thinner than usual. Once they smell the blood, they'll definitely chase after me."

Monsters were like beasts. Once they run out of food to eat, they'll turn on each other to survive.

"Rok Soo-ya."

Choi Jung Soo laughed at the team leader's low voice as Park Jin Tae stopped his body from flinching as he recalled his...'training sessions.'

"Team leader. I won't get hurt."

Kim Rok Soo added on as he noticed someone else about to speak.

"I am weak, so I'll leave the killing to you, Jung Soo."

He knew his role was essential, so Park Jin Tae could only silently watch.

Kim Rok Soo ignored the baffled look on Choi Jung Soo's face as he turned towards the person that ultimately had the final say.

"Team leader, trust me."

Lee Soo Hyuk silently stared at his troublesome youngest who wouldn't back down.

Those eyes were too clear for him to deny.

"Haaaaaaaa."

And anything he said wouldn't matter. It would probably just go in and out of his ears like white noise.

Rok Soo was too stubborn of a person to consider any other plan once he had decided.

...

The station was silent.

A small pistol was held in Park Jin Tae's left hand as he waited for a certain blood-covered punk to run through the tunnels.

'He's taking longer than he predicted.'

Up ahead at the other end were his two sword-wielding teammates who were silently waiting.

'Something must have happened.'

Time seemed to pass by slowly with one of them missing. Especially when said person was acting as bait and entering the monster's den.

After what seemed like an hour, the sound of rapid footsteps began to appear.

"Heh."

Park Jin Tae started to laugh as he raised his hand.

He knew something had come up.

"Hahahaha."

The pressure he was feeling wouldn't come from some weak grade 7 monsters.

Emerging from the dark tunnel in all his glory, Kim Rok Soo ran straight ahead as he shouted out.

"There's a grade 2 ground rat!"

'Grade 2?'

Even though the monster was stronger than they expected, he was still calm.

'Only a single grade 2?'

Park Jin Tae scoffed as he loaded his gun.

He's gone through worse and survived.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

A tsunami of gray, brown, black, and white rats appeared before them. One rat in particular stood out from the bunch.

If an average ground rat was wolf-sized, then a grade 2 was like a hippo overflowing with muscles.

Reaching the end of the tunnel, Kim Rok Soo pulled something out of his pocket. Lighting it up, he threw the burning signal flare across the station, leaving behind a bright ray of light.

It was like the sun suddenly appeared in the underground station. It was so bright that his eyes burned a little.

Squeak!

The rats were stunned as their vision filled with light.

"Now!"

Even with this tense moment, Park Jin Tae couldn't help but reminisce about Orientation Day. He wondered if the others thought the same.

Bang!

Pressing the trigger, the bullet soared through the air and embedded itself into the burly neck of the grade 2 monster.

"Explode!"

Bang!

Fire shot out and chunks of flesh spread in all directions. Surrounding rats did not survive as they were pelted by the burning pieces of bone and meat.

Laughter continued to spill from his lips.

"Ah, this is so fun."

Bullets rained down on the horde as Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo attacked from behind. One slash was all that was needed to cut down multiple monsters. Similar to Rok Soo, their bodies were dyed in red blood.

It was a complete slaughter.

"Hahahaha!"

Explosions and shrieks sounded in his ears. Looking at his three vicious teammates, Kim Rok Soo held back a shudder.

***
author's note: chaos! destruction! explosion!