Duel in the Hall of Honor
Kim Se-wi stroked Yoo Min-jeong's cheek.
"Get that hand away!"
Choi Muhyun said.
He was in the same helpless state as Yoo Min-jeong, his acupoints struck and frozen in place. Magic Creepers blanketed his legs, waist, shoulders, and arms.
A smile crept across Kim Se-wi's lips.
"Could it be... you like Min-jeong?"
"Why? Can't I?"
"No, you can't. You'll never catch her father's eye. Stick to being colleagues. And besides..."
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Kim Se-wi staggered back, mustering every ounce of strength to hold his ground. Fortunately, he avoided collapsing in an unsightly heap.
"...I'm listening, Coordinator."
"My apologies."
"In progress now."
"Understood."
Kim Se-wi sensed something off inside.
The core of this plan was Investigation Director Seo Yunhyeong, not Kim Jun. Ma Jung-hyeon himself had emphasized that point multiple times.
Why bring up Kim Jun all of a sudden?
"That will never happen."
The heavy pressure in his head lifted, leaving clarity. Message magic never got easier, no matter how hard he tried. Irritated, he struck the mute acupoints on Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun to silence them.
Then, he sensed a presence.
Turning, Kim Se-wi spotted Go Cheolmin entering the Honor Hall.
Trailing behind was that insolent carrier brat, wearing familiar sunglasses and a suit that looked oddly recognizable.
Even more shocking: dirt swirling around Kim Jun like a living shield.
Kim Se-wi grasped the implication.
Jeong Taeksu lost? To that punk? No way. Taeksu wouldn't fall to a carrier. And Spitera stolen? Impossible. It has to be Go Cheolmin. That bastard crushed Taeksu, handed the item to the carrier just to piss me off. To rile up Taeksu... no, me.
Reaching his own conclusion, Kim Se-wi glared daggers at the approaching Go Cheolmin.
Go Cheolmin's eyes narrowed at the sight of Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun, but he suppressed his emotions.
"What a regrettable way to reunite."
"Hahahaha! Kuhahahaha!"
Kim Se-wi suddenly erupted into mad laughter.
The sound snapped Yoo Gwan-ho from his daze. He reached for his jackknife and strode to Kim Se-wi's side.
As Go Cheolmin unleashed Mokhonbo Po and charged toward Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun, Kim Se-wi vanished like a mirage and blocked his path.
A single jackknife intercepted Kim Jun from another angle. Yoo Gwan-ho stood three meters behind it.
"Want to save them? Stay still. Unless you don't mind the Angry Roots burrowing in."
Mana surged from Kim Se-wi's outstretched hand. The chaotic Magic Creepers stirred to life, raising sharp tendrils toward Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun's skin—only for Kim Se-wi to revert them to chaos once more.
Their movements grew sluggish.
The Magic Creepers began crawling slowly across the pair's bodies. Go Cheolmin gritted his teeth and retreated, signaling Kim Jun with his eyes.
Kim Jun had no choice but to fall back as well.
"Don't lose hope. There is a way to save them. I'm generous enough to offer a chance even to you—the man who killed a Medici Team tanker and stole his item."
"Killed?"
"Oh ho, playing innocent? Excellent posture. You've come a long way, Cheolmin-ssi. A proper guild master now. You could pass for a con artist with lies like that."
"I have no idea what you're—"
"Enough! If that carrier brat beats the Medici Team dealer and proves his worth, I'll release your precious dealer and tanker. Deal?"
Kim Se-wi pointed at Kim Jun.
"...You want a fresh awakening test passer to fight a DM5 raider? Ju Shin's prized Medici Team dealer, no less?"
Go Cheolmin was floored. Yoo Gwan-ho had been notorious even before joining Ju Shin.
"If not, tough luck."
Kim Se-wi reached toward Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun. The Angry Roots covering them froze mid-motion.
Kim Jun cut in.
"Wait. If I fight and win, do you promise to release my friends?"
"On my honor as a raider, I swear it."
Kim Se-wi vowed solemnly.
Go Cheolmin approached, and Kim Jun spoke first.
"Tell me everything you know about that raider."
Yoo Gwan-ho never appeared in any of the seven hundred videos.
"...Very well."
Go Cheolmin realized he couldn't dissuade Kim Jun.
There was no safe way to rescue Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun right now. They had to buy time somehow.
"Yoo Gwan-ho's a dealer who wields his jackknife with total freedom. His ability's impressive, but his true power shines when he grips it himself. His footwork is blindingly fast and devastating—called TBwalk. Excels at lateral movement. Got it? Quick side-to-side means his attacks are unpredictable."
Kim Jun stepped forward after hearing the rundown, Spitera trailing behind.
Yoo Gwan-ho advanced with his jackknife.
The blade targeted Kim Jun's heart first. Spitera coiled around it, deflecting the strike.
Kim Jun glanced at his friends, frozen like statues behind Yoo Gwan-ho.
They looked uncomfortable, but no blood trailed from wounds.
Their expressions held no agony—just regret for being hostages, mingled with fury at Kim Se-wi.
Kim Jun flashed a wide grin on purpose.
A glint sparked in Choi Muhyun's eyes. Sentimental guy, despite his bulk.
Kim Jun tilted his head slightly toward the Medici Team leader.
Subduing those two without a scratch? Meant he was terrifyingly strong.
Then the jackknife accelerated several times over, piercing through Spitera and hurtling toward him.
Kim Jun dodged sideways in a hurry, but the blade grazed his side. It tore his Armani special suit but left his skin intact.
The jackknife looped back.
Kim Jun summoned the Cheonroegeom.
It pierced Spitera again. Kim Jun swatted it away with the Cheonroegeom.
In that instant, a massive spark exploded outward.
* * *
The signal tone droned on endlessly.
Choi Min-su glared at the police barricading the Dungeon Association's main gate, redialing. He'd tried ten times already, but neither Intelligence Director Choi Ung nor Investigation Director Seo Yunhyeong picked up.
Busy with the lockdown?
Or something worse?
An ominous feeling stirred. He couldn't rule out a far graver incident than anticipated. Even in a second lockdown, internal comms rarely shut down this tight.
This might not be a standard lockdown.
He might have to force his way in. The cops were no obstacle—just plow through. The guards couldn't stop him either.
The real issue was the media.
Five broadcast vans idled nearby, reporters swarming the gate like bees.
Onlookers filmed everything on their phones.
A brute-force breakout would hit the airwaves live, unleashing unimaginable fallout.
Please pick up.
Choi Min-su dialed again. Still just the tone mocking his ear.
He nearly hurled the phone at the barrier.
Composing himself, he punched in Uramata Guild Master Go Cheolmin's number. Same result.
Mun Hyorin, the Moon Guild buffer, approached.
"Go Cheolmin?"
"Yeah. No answer."
"Looks like he went in."
"In where?"
"There."
Mun Hyorin nodded toward the locked-down building.
"...You sure? He's not big on Association politics."
"Bang Su-cheol the investigator went with him, probably. He stepped out just before lockdown— he's not here now. That guy's bound to know some backdoors."
"The bear finally used his head."
A faint smile tugged at Choi Min-su's lips.
"With him inside, the worst won't happen. The real problem's elsewhere."
He eyed Mun Hyorin.
When a woman bolder than most men called it the "real problem," it was no small matter.
"Word is, the target might not be Kim Jun."
"Not him? Then who?"
"Intelligence Director? Or maybe Investigation Director."
Choi Min-su's eyes widened. It could explain the radio silence.
"How'd you hear?"
"I got connections. Can't name sources, but those two have been thorns in Ju Shin's side forever. Ju Shin's at the center of this—clear as day."
Choi Min-su's face twisted. Mun Hyorin added,
"Kim Jun's just a diversion."
If the targets were the directors, it was a whole different league. Far worse than any plot against Kim Jun—they had to brace for the absolute worst.
Then commotion erupted at the gate.
Choi Min-su and Mun Hyorin headed over to see what was up.
"Everyone, calm down. I'm here personally to address your questions."
"Security Chief! Villain intrusion—true?"
A reporter shouted.
Jo Han-geun didn't even glance his way, pulling out prepared papers and reading aloud.
A villain infiltrated the Core Country but was neutralized by Security Division's prompt response. Searches and investigations for potential accomplices are underway.
A few reporters interrupted with questions midway, but Jo Han-geun ignored them and pressed on.
Broadcast cameras captured it all live.
"Are the examinees safe?"
A parent yelled.
The Security Chief looked his way.
"They're safe. Undergoing brief questioning now. Once standard lockdown protocols end, we'll release them sequentially. No need to worry."
Questions rained down from all sides, but Jo Han-geun offered no more replies.
Instead, he stared straight into the cameras.
"The Dungeon Association responds perfectly to any situation. Citizens, rest assured. We tolerate no acts of violence."
The Security Chief bowed and returned inside, flashes exploding behind him.
Then, Choi Min-su's phone buzzed.
Unknown number, but he answered immediately.
"Hello."
"Is that really you?"
Sa Yeonggyo was one of the awakening test participants.
"You okay?"
―I'm fine. Please.
The call cut off. Sharing the details, Mun Hyorin's eyes widened at the gravity.
"What now, Min-su?"
Mun Hyorin asked.
"I'm... a bit pissed."
"Then?"
"We go in."
"Gonna cause a scene."
"That's the point. Lately, my image is too tame. Everyone thinks I'm a pushover. Dare touch my client?"
Mun Hyorin blinked in surprise as Choi Min-su ground his teeth, deadly serious.
It felt like the old Choi Min-su was back—the mad raider once tipped as Yang Hee-seon's successor. Where Yang went full lunatic, Choi twisted the knife more slyly.
He eyed her.
"Wanna raise some hell for old times' sake?"
Mun Hyorin rubbed her hands in anticipation.
Then Choi Min-su bellowed at the glowing Association building.
"Villain! A villain's appeared!"
His inner power-infused voice rang crystal clear to guards, cops, reporters, and bystanders alike.
Unleashing Pacheonbo, he charged the barrier, crossing his right and left hands in a slash. A blinding white arc flew forward, carving an X through the shield.
Shattering the sturdy magic barrier, Choi Min-su dashed inside with Pacheonbo. Mun Hyorin followed, stifling laughter.
"Villain! It's a villain!"
She yelled after him.
Classic Min-su. Raiders have a duty to report, pursue, or capture villains on sight. Even if questioned later, claim you saw one—even if mistaken—and it's hard to pin blame. Brilliant. Heh heh...
Guards rushed first to seal the breach, then police. A couple reporters slipped in, only to be dragged back by guards.