Baiting with Blood
Yoo Min-jeong drove the point home once more.
Choi Muhyun could only scratch the back of his head, at a loss for words. In this moment, she wasn't his friend—she was the team leader.
Yoo Min-jeong turned to Kim Jun.
If I weren't the team leader, I would've done it myself.
Kim Jun met her gaze and gave a slight nod.
The distance to the moving forest, Schwarzwald, was closing in. When it was about ten meters away, Kim Jun scanned his teammates one by one.
"I'm starving. Let's wrap this up quick and get out."
"I'll buy everything once we're out."
It was Choi Muhyun.
"You promised. Don't forget."
Kim Jun broke away from the Diamond team's rear position and slipped into the Schwarzwald.
"Snake formation."
As Yoo Min-jeong issued the command and dashed forward, Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek, who had been watching Kim Jun, followed in single file.
The Pink Team vanished from sight in an instant.
Dozens of carnivorous trees resembling elms—Vera Mus—and creeping vines called Krens intertwined in the Schwarzwald, sensing prey and slowly lumbering toward Kim Jun.
At least five meters to stay safe. Ten would be even better.
Kim Jun could feel the Krens burrowing up from underground. His experience with the Absorption Tree made him hyper-aware of the ground beneath his feet.
Straying too far from the Schwarzwald would get him detected by the team's buffer. Getting too close might turn him into fertilizer for it.
Kim Jun kept checking his distance from the Schwarzwald while using the tracking hound to persistently tail the approaching team.
As they brushed past the black forest Schwarzwald, the tracking hound suddenly vanished.
Do Jin-yong, who had been charging while watching the tiny spirit, slammed to a halt, his walker kicking up dirt. He turned slowly and clicked his tongue.
That weak...
Dealer Lee Hyo-jeong, lagging about ten meters behind, arrived in decent shape. Tank Seo Sang-cheol and buffer Kim Hong-tae were a sorry sight—both staggering like they might collapse.
Do Jin-yong's grip tightened on his weapon. He'd drilled physical training into them relentlessly.
"Huff... huff... Too fast. If we keep running like this..."
Lee Hyo-jeong, collapsing and grumbling, shut her mouth. She spotted the twitching cheek of their team leader.
Do Jin-yong kicked the buffer's ass with his walker as the man hunched over, hands on knees, gasping for breath.
Kim Hong-tae tumbled forward.
"Summon the tracking hound again."
"...Yes, Team Leader."
Caked in dirt, Kim Hong-tae scrambled up and tried to summon the spirit as fast as possible. But after nonstop running, his breath ragged, and with Do Jin-yong watching with arms crossed and glaring eyes, tension made him fail three times in a row.
"Hey."
Do Jin-yong jabbed a finger into Kim Hong-tae's chest and shoved.
"...Yes."
Kim Hong-tae staggered back two steps.
"You trying to screw me over right now?"
"N-no, sir."
"Don't bullshit me. I can see it on your face. You've had gripes all along, right? I know. My temper's like a dog's. But you don't pull this shit in here."
"I-it's not like that at all."
Slap!
Do Jin-yong's palm cracked across Kim Hong-tae's cheek.
Kim Hong-tae flew back, head bowed, blood dripping from his split lip.
"Team Leader, hold it. He didn't mean it. The kid's green—lacks experience and skill."
Tank Seo Sang-cheol held Do Jin-yong back.
Panting with rage, Do Jin-yong thrust both hands toward the Schwarzwald.
A yellowish-brown aura erupted from his palms, enveloping the forest's edge. The ground flipped. Roots shot into the air; trees thick with vines and leaves plunged into pits.
To Wolbyeok.
Kim Jun, hiding behind the Schwarzwald and scouting Blue Lightning led by Do Jin-yong, leaped in shock.
His first thought: They found me. But Do Jin-yong didn't charge the forest—he turned and headed the opposite way. Ten meters closer, and Kim Jun would've been spotted.
The battered Schwarzwald slunk slowly away from Do Jin-yong.
Kim Jun ducked into the pit Do Jin-yong had upturned. His hands trembled. Not in the direct range, but he'd felt the mana storm of To Wolbyeok rip through his body—the vibrations lingered.
Level 6 tanker for sure. Magic like that. Way more experience than us. Can't underestimate him.
Clashing head-on with Blue Lightning under this team leader would've injured many badly. Kim Jun finally understood Yoo Min-jeong's judgment as leader.
Like a scout in a trench peering into enemy lines, Kim Jun lay motionless, watching Blue Lightning.
Perched on a small rock, glaring at his team, Do Jin-yong seethed again.
Those bastards are cursing me. Without thinking how weak they are.
With a sigh, he shoved a hand in his pocket. Out came a chunky ring embedded with a large green gem.
Seo Sang-cheol recognized it and approached.
"Isn't that the Domoto Ring?"
"Heh, you know it."
Do Jin-yong grinned, slipping it onto his right middle finger for smooth mana flow.
Dealer Lee Hyo-jeong and even Kim Hong-tae, still smarting from the slap, crowded in to gawk.
Savoring their stares, Do Jin-yong closed his eyes slowly. He drew in surrounding mana, compressed it, and channeled it into the ring. It warmed gradually.
The moment a balloon-like mana clump swelled over the ring, it burst—mana spreading far beyond the buffer's detection range.
Something stirred.
Do Jin-yong smirked.
There you are. Behave, and I might let you go easy.
The invisible noose tightened; it thrashed wildly. But the Domoto Ring's special mana was too much—it could only resist briefly.
Soon, it went still.
Then it approached the ring's wearer slowly.
As it entered the buffer's floating 'Light' detection zone, the team fell back.
Do Jin-yong opened his eyes.
A Haren Saurus fixed him with a predator's cold glare.
Do Jin-yong strode forward and punched its jaw. It bared teeth but couldn't overcome the Domoto Ring's control. It shut its mouth and bowed its head.
A sign of submission.
"Hahaha, that's it. I like you."
Do Jin-yong stroked its nape, chuckling.
Moments later, he mounted the Haren Saurus.
Kim Hong-tae, having finally summoned the tracking hound, climbed on behind.
"I lost it earlier."
"...No, sir. If I'd been fitter, it wouldn't have happened."
"Haha, that's the spirit? You're a man after all! We'll take those bastards down ourselves. Let's go!"
The scent-sniffing tracking hound bolted forward.
Do Jin-yong, aiming for a stylish ride, lost his grip as the Haren Saurus suddenly accelerated. Simulator and real dungeon were worlds apart.
As Do Jin-yong slid back, Kim Hong-tae tumbled off with him.
Seo Sang-cheol and Lee Hyo-jeong barely stifled their laughs.
"You little shit!"
Do Jin-yong pummeled the Haren Saurus's snout and neck.
While Do Jin-yong got used to the Haren Saurus he'd tamed with the ring, Kim Jun cautiously climbed out of the trench-like pit and started running.
A Haren Saurus meant rapid pursuit—fast travel would be useless. He had to warn them quick.
Accelerating, Kim Jun suddenly stopped.
I need time.
Dagger on his left palm. Gripping it like a fist, he glanced around, then yanked it out fast and hard.
Blood trickled onto leaves, some soaking into the soil.
Sheathing the dagger in his belt, he ran, dripping blood drops.
"Which way?"
Do Jin-yong asked boredly from atop the Haren Saurus.
"Well..."
Kim Hong-tae hesitated beside the tracking hound. It had followed the human scent perfectly—why was it dithering now?
Then he spotted a black stain on a crushed leaf.
Blood.
Kim Hong-tae placed his right hand on the hound's neck and pointed left with his left.
The hound bolted instantly.
Do Jin-yong maneuvered the Haren Saurus over, grabbing Kim Hong-tae's arm to haul him behind.
"Bulk up. You're too light."
"...Got it, Team Leader."
"Wait up, Yoo Min-jeong!"
Do Jin-yong bellowed and charged.
Kim Jun ran until his lungs burned.
Do Jin-yong wasn't stupid. An idiot couldn't be team leader. However he'd tamed the Haren Saurus, he'd soon ride it like a pro and close in.
One way to buy time: exploit Do Jin-yong's temper.
Kim Jun ran straight, veered left, then left again. Sometimes right, occasionally diagonal—all aimed at Do Jin-yong.
Sweat soaked him.
"This should do it."
He veered toward the prearranged spot.
"Hey."
"...Yes, Team Leader."
"Doesn't it feel like we've been circling this area?"
"I-I'm not sure."
Kim Hong-tae thought so too but couldn't say it. Calling the hound incompetent might get him ditched.
Left alone, he'd be monster chow.
"This because of the slap?"
"N-no, absolutely not."
"Get off."
"T-team Leader?"
Do Jin-yong hurled the pale buffer down by the shoulder.
Kim Hong-tae rolled, then bolted up.
"P-please don't leave me."
His limbs shook; he even wet himself.
"Filthy punk. Hop on quick. Send that mutt packing—it can't sniff worth shit."
"...Yes, Team Leader."
Kim Hong-tae sighed in relief.
As Kim Jun finished explaining, Yoo Min-jeong spoke.
"That's a Domoto Ring."
The Japan-made ring blended trace Moderium and rare cores; one ability tamed monsters.
Injected mana or internal energy determined the monster type. Small ones needed little for two or three; mid or large required Level 5+.
"An item that tames monsters?"
Choi Muhyun's eyes widened.
"...That ring costs over 3 billion each."
Yeom Sang-taek's gaze brimmed with envy. Owning one would be dream.
"It's our chance."
Yoo Min-jeong whispered. Her low tone built tension.
"I think so too. Two of them—we can take 'em easy. Even if they underestimate us, what can a tank and buffer do?"
Choi Muhyun said.
"Me too."
Yeom Sang-taek agreed.
Kim Jun, listening, chimed in with the witnessed spell. Ground flipping, roots exposed, dirt mounds airborne—Yoo Min-jeong's face darkened.
"...That's To Wolbyeok. Blocks and kills charging monsters—an all-in-one offense-defense spell. Tough to block with normal defenses."
"We can tank two or three. That's plenty. One Fireball ends it. They're coming seriously. Can't pass without spilling blood."
Choi Muhyun said stubbornly.
"Step back once... and you'll keep retreating."
Yeom Sang-taek added.
Yoo Min-jeong eyed Choi Muhyun's fiery gaze and Yeom Sang-taek's resolute face. Their judgment was sound. The issue was visibility.
Taking Do Jin-yong and Kim Hong-tae isn't hard. But if he wields To Wolbyeok that well, Fire Arrow might not cut it. Guys like him won't buckle to intimidation. Have to fight for real to win. If Fireball hits true, that blast and heat—they might not survive. Best case, severe burns or multiple fractures—out long-term... or retired. That'd just pour fuel on the fire.
I'm the team leader. My call shapes this team's future.
Yoo Min-jeong turned slowly to Kim Jun. She wanted her advisor's take.
"I'm against it."
Kim Jun said.
"Against? Why? Scared?"
Choi Muhyun glared.
"No need to spill blood."
Kim Jun grinned, lifting an Absorption Tree vine.
Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek exchanged puzzled looks.
Yoo Min-jeong frowned, getting it—luring to Absorption Tree habitat was risky, as discussed.
But as Kim Jun explained with a smile, her worry faded.
"What do you think?"
Kim Jun asked.
"Muhyun and Sang-taek handle prep."
Yoo Min-jeong decided.
"Obviously."
Choi Muhyun rolled up his sleeves.
Kim Hong-tae felt like he was on pins and needles. Do Jin-yong brought him solely for the tracking hound to tail Pink Team. With the hound's nose failing, he was disposable anytime.
Worse, nausea from motion sickness surged. Suppressing it brought dizziness.
Do Jin-yong, whipping the Haren Saurus hard, slowed. He dismounted, scanning around. A pillar of light stood far off.
No trace of Pink Team.
He turned to the buffer.
"Hey."
"...Yes, Team Leader."
"Can't catch Pink? Your fault."
"......"
Dizzy, Kim Hong-tae tumbled off and vomited white fluid.
"Tch tch. Get ready anyway."
Do Jin-yong approached the exhausted Haren Saurus.
Stroking its nape, he stepped back—then buried it with To Wolbyeok. As it desperately clawed up through the dirt, he stabbed its crown deep with a dagger.
It stilled.
Do Jin-yong sat atop the grave, using the Domoto Ring to summon another.
Kim Hong-tae said nothing. The loyal mount's pathetic end chilled him somehow.
Soon, he realized why.
I could end up like that. Just us two. Bury me alive, claim monster attack—no one questions it.