Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Betrayal
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"Phew, shall we rest now?"
After fighting three battles, Han-seok spoke up first.
They would normally take breaks in between for maintenance, but Ga-ryeong's magic had been incredibly effective, and Han-seok's tanking was top-notch, allowing them to handle three fights without issue.
The party found a suitable clearing in the forest and sat down in a circle.
They would need to set up defenses against stronger monsters, but it didn't seem necessary for goblins.
These guys couldn't even manage a proper ambush—what could you call that a surprise attack?
Jeong-hyeon's senses would pick them up much faster anyway.
'Three coins so far?'
They got one coin's worth each fight.
Han-seok had directed most of the mobs his way, letting Jeong-hyeon hunt more than usual.
Not a bad haul either way.
As Jeong-hyeon checked the new coins in his shop window,
"How was it?"
Han-seok asked, looking at Jeong-hyeon and Ji-yoon.
Jeong-hyeon thought for a moment before answering.
"They're pretty quick. I've only hunted zombies and skeletons until now."
No need to act tough here.
"Without Ga-ryeong's magic, it would've been tough."
The magic was impressive enough that he praised it like they did for him, and Han-seok immediately responded playfully.
"What about me?"
"Oh, of course you too, Han-seok."
The mood lightened warmly.
This time, Ga-ryeong asked Ji-yoon.
"What about you, Ji-yoon?"
"Ah... well, everyone fought so well that I didn't need to heal much..."
Ji-yoon trailed off.
She had healed some scrapes and cuts on the spot.
Even minor wounds needed a healer's touch to avoid infection.
But her contribution was lower compared to the others.
'Phew, I almost got caught because of Ji-yoon.'
It was a dilemma.
To make the fights look close, he had to take some damage, which meant sweating every time.
His 「Slight Enhancement of Physical Abilities」 trait boosted all physical capabilities, including natural healing.
"Huh? The wound's shallower than I thought. It looked pretty deep."
"Yeah? Ah... I'm agility-based, so I dodge quick. It doesn't cut as deep as it looks."
Ji-yoon tilted her head curiously.
Even in the short time after the fight while showing her the wound, it had healed somewhat.
If Ji-yoon had more experience, she might have seen through his lie, but luckily, she was a total beginner.
'Who knew natural healing was included in physical enhancement?'
Jeong-hyeon grumbled inwardly.
He still had to hide that ability.
Having heard Ji-yoon's response, Han-seok nodded a few times and changed the subject.
"Good thing. Thanks to you two, the request is going smoothly. Anyway, we need more water. Ga-ryeong, come with?"
"Water? Fine. Sure."
Ga-ryeong blinked at first like she didn't get it, stared at Han-seok, then nodded.
Jeong-hyeon asked them.
"Do you know where the water is?"
"Yeah? Ah... I've hunted here before. There's a stream that way."
Han-seok pointed in one direction.
Hunters sweat a lot from intense activity, so they drink plenty.
They bring enough when entering, but it often runs low.
Then they scavenge inside the gate.
"We'll be back."
The two soon vanished in the direction Han-seok pointed, leaving Jeong-hyeon and Ji-yoon alone in the clearing.
Ji-yoon already seemed timid, so the air grew awkward.
Jeong-hyeon had no intention of breaking it and sank into thought.
'Why just the two of them?'
This was definitely suspicious.
The party's strength was clearly centered on Han-seok and Ga-ryeong.
They should avoid moving separately.
Any experienced hunter, especially ones who'd carried this much, would know the risk—yet they casually left the two newbies behind.
Plus,
'Had Han-seok drunk that much water?'
Jeong-hyeon, who'd been keeping an eye on them, knew Han-seok hadn't drunk much.
He hadn't counted exactly, but it wasn't memorable.
Slosh—
Jeong-hyeon shook the canteen on his belt.
It was only half empty.
If his was like this, Han-seok—who'd fought more leisurely—couldn't be out.
'Maybe just topping up early.'
He couldn't voice suspicions lightly.
False villain accusations weren't legally codified but were practically taboo among hunters—career-ending.
Still, better to check awkwardly than worry all hunt.
Reaching that conclusion, Jeong-hyeon called Ji-yoon softly.
"Ji-yoon."
"Yes?"
"Do you need more water, by chance?"
She shook her canteen at his question.
Then shook her head.
"Ah, I barely drink any. Still plenty."
"Aha. Sorry, mine's almost gone... Could you come with me to get some for Han-seok and Ga-ryeong too?"
"Oh, sure!"
Ji-yoon brightened and nodded at his request.
Better than sitting awkwardly for her too.
"Thanks."
Jeong-hyeon led Ji-yoon toward where Han-seok had gone.
He naturally muffled his footsteps.
"Um... we don't need to be that quiet, right?"
"Goblins might spot us. Hard to fight two-on-two."
"Ah."
Convinced, Ji-yoon grew cautious too.
'Fooling her feels bad, but...'
The stream was real—soon, water sounds mixed with Han-seok and Ga-ryeong's voices.
"So, the guy seems suspicious, right?"
"Dunno. He still got hurt by dying goblins."
"True, but... let's be careful anyway."
He caught three fuzzy words, but enough to turn Jeong-hyeon's suspicions into certainty.
Their tone toward him was harsh—unimaginable from the friendly pair earlier.
Their talk continued.
"So we're mob-pulling on an unregistered hunter? How generous."
"Can't make it obvious. Gotta play safe to bail. I'll 'slip' a few more pretending mistake—watch him."
"Ugh, whatever. Your call. Just signal clear first. No sweat against trash like them."
Grind—
Jeong-hyeon ground his teeth unconsciously.
No wonder the terms were too good.
No favors without cost.
This cost was just brutally ruthless.
"Jeong-hyeon? What's wrong?"
Ji-yoon, missing the talk, startled at his change.
Jeong-hyeon spun, pulling her.
"We need to go back first."
"Huh? What..."
"Goblins ahead. Can't handle alone."
Hearing that, Ji-yoon followed, glancing back.
No goblin signs visible, but Jeong-hyeon always spotted monsters first, so she accepted it.
Back at the clearing urgently, Jeong-hyeon grabbed Ji-yoon and pressed.
"Ji-yoon, snap out of it from now on."
"Huh? Wait, what are you—"
Where to start.
How to handle newbie hunters whose plan was imminent.
Doubt he could even fight them, let alone explain to Ji-yoon.
Ironically, Han-seok's words calmed his mind.
'Always prepare to attack, but give no sign to enemies. Remember—this is fighting basics.'
Good he'd caught their plot early.
That gave him a crucial edge.
Not enough to close the gap fully, but...
Jeong-hyeon calmed himself and began.
"Ji-yoon, listen. Can't explain all, but next time..."
***
"Argh!"
Jeong-hyeon rolled, clutching his right arm.
A goblin spear was embedded deeply, nearly through.
"Sorry! Really sorry!"
"What do we do! Are you okay?"
Han-seok's perfect aggro slipped for a moment, sending two more goblins at Jeong-hyeon.
Seeing him fall, Han-seok hastily reformed lines. Ji-yoon dragged him to the rear and started healing.
Ga-ryeong instantly killed the stabbing goblin.
"I'll pull the spear. One, two!"
"Aaagh!"
Jeong-hyeon twisted, veins bulging.
Goblin forging couldn't smooth spearheads.
It tore flesh ragged—withdrawing was agony unspeakable.
But necessary for treatment.
"How is he? Is Jeong-hyeon okay?"
Han-seok and Ga-ryeong, finishing the rest in seconds, gathered.
The wound exposed bone, ragged and filthy.
Ji-yoon grimaced, using her healing trait, then bandaged with gauze from her pack.
"My trait can't handle it. We need proper treatment outside."
The bandage soaked red instantly.
Continued heals over it remained uncertain.
Watching pained Jeong-hyeon and frantic Ji-yoon, Han-seok and Ga-ryeong smirked.
Then, feigning worry again, they trailed off.
"What now... We haven't met the request yet. Hmm..."
"Huh? What do you..."
Ji-yoon gaped up at them.
This was life-threatening blood loss.
Casually fretting the request amid peril?
But their attitudes had shifted noticeably.
"Sorry, but leaving's tough now. You can't move much, so I'll bring goblins here. If you survive, we'll split as promised. No complaints?"
"That's ridiculous—!"
"Ga-ryeong, 'watch' these two closely? No poison stings."
"Okay."
Ji-yoon's words ignored entirely.
Han-seok vanished with a chilling grin. Ga-ryeong smirked down leisurely at them.
"We'll bus you, so stay put?"
Who could link this to the earlier kindness?
Ji-yoon paled, pouring heals into Jeong-hyeon's wound.
"Oh, Nam Ji-yoon. I've seen it before—E-rank healing won't cut it. Might heal, but can he move soon? Who knows."
Mocking tone clear.
With Jeong-hyeon—the one who could fight—down, only shaky Ji-yoon left.
Complacent? Understandable.
But complacency had no place against hunters.
"Ji-yoon, it's okay now."