Long-Awaited Revenge
A thrill of excitement coursed through me at the prospect of revenge, now right before my eyes after a full three years.
Part of me wanted to rampage right then and there, but unfortunately, this was outside the labyrinth.
I couldn't go wild even if I wanted to.
And returning to the labyrinth wasn't an option either.
As I'd explained before, while leaving was easy, entering required strict screening. Without another identity, I had no way to get back in.
Mind Control is just for show?
'And how are you going to handle the computer systems?'
[…….]
'Looks like the real idiot is you.'
A snicker escaped me, and in my mindscape, the left head let out a savage roar.
If this were my true form, it would've torn my throat out ages ago.
Having landed a solid hit on the left head after so long, I strolled the streets in high spirits.
I wanted to experience the outside world's culture for the first time in ages.
[I'm hungry... food...]
Time to treat the right head to the beef it craved.
I'd find an all-you-can-eat place.
A problem arose.
I had no money.
I rushed back to the Black Market.
Na Yeon-seong's face twisted in shock at my return, but upon hearing my request, he gave me a peculiar look.
I felt a bit embarrassed.
I took a portion of the payment from the equipment I'd sell later.
I half-expected cash, but he handed me a card.
He apologized, saying they'd rushed to prepare it with only about 500 million won loaded... but I was the one taken aback.
It was a fortune I'd never touched as a human.
Even as a monster grown bold, the sheer scale of it humbled me a little.
I returned to the bustling district with confidence.
Even in the late dawn hours, the streets blazed like midday.
It was packed with entertainment spots for hunters.
Not just hunters—young people flocked here, filling the air with vibrant energy.
The lively atmosphere lifted my spirits too, for the first time in ages.
The left head grumbled about the noise and pulled its usual "Let's kill them all—" routine.
In the labyrinth, it would've teamed up with the labyrinth's will for chaos, but outside, it was milder than usual.
Still, I itched to mute it.
As the right head wished, I headed for beef.
Despite the money I doubted I'd spend, old human habits drew me to a 24-hour all-you-can-eat beef joint.
Thankfully, the right head stayed quiet once its belly was full.
The left head screeched for a fancy restaurant since we had cash, but I ignored it as always.
Good thing this wasn't my true form.
No risk of getting my throat bitten.
The outside world's seasonings nearly brought tears to my eyes after so long.
I sighed in ecstasy with the cola and beer we ordered.
How had I endured three years without this?
I'd feed it to Suli and Snow later for sure.
Oh, and To Soon-i too, of course.
I ordered beef.
Beef again.
More beef.
Beef...
The boss, a middle-aged man, tearfully begged me to stop.
No charge—just leave, please.
I had eaten a lot, sure.
Guests sighed at the mountain of empty plates beside me.
Even unlimited had limits—this was excessive.
The right head grumbled in regret, but we left.
The boss insisted no payment needed, but I settled up anyway.
Conscience stung too much otherwise.
Snakes have no conscience, but I'm human now—safe.
Alright, next spot.
No more all-you-can-eat; just a regular beef house.
They wouldn't mind there.
Then the new place's lady boss said they'd sold out.
Not even 100 servings in...
Both I and the right head were deeply disappointed.
She called it a record-breaker and asked for a photo.
I politely declined.
And so I toured the district's eateries like this.
Shutting them down early everywhere, earning me the nickname "Labyrinth Glutton" for a while.
Day two, I tried non-food spots: clubs, karaoke, PC bangs, arcades, bars—everything.
Nothing really hooked me.
Plenty left untried, but food tours were still best.
The right head and I cleaned out restaurant after restaurant.
Thus passed three days of lavish spending.
I visited the Black Market again.
Unlike before, in broad daylight, the back alley felt leisurely.
Though the watchful eyes started the moment I entered, same as last time.
"We've been expecting you. This way."
This time, treated like a proper guest—no wait for an escort.
Not Na Yeon-seong, but another A-rank hunter.
Guided to the building's basement again.
Through tight security, to Lisa's office.
"You can go in."
As before, I entered alone.
The office still reeked of that odd scent.
Indomitable SA has been activated.
"Welcome. Three days already."
Unlike last time, Lisa sat on the reception sofa, not her desk.
Even two cups of tea brewed—despite claiming she couldn't.
I sat opposite naturally and spoke.
"Didn't you say you couldn't brew tea?"
"I learned in the meantime."
Her beaming smile silenced me.
A sip—impossible to believe she'd mastered it in three days.
I glanced at her.
She grinned innocently, clueless.
"...So, the info?"
"Oh, straight to business? How's the tea, at least?"
"……."
[I hate this woman! Kill her—! Kill her now—!]
I furrowed my brow slightly.
Lisa waved it off.
"Okay, okay. Joking's over."
"...The tea was good."
"Aw, thanks."
Her grin returned as she slid over prepped documents.
"Listen while you read."
Her playful air vanished in a blink; she spoke calmly.
"Starting with the easy one."
"Easy?"
"Low rank, simple to handle. By our standards, anyway. At your level, anyone's easy. So..."
I scanned the first page with her words.
A familiar face—one I'd never forgotten.
"Kim Jun-su. Age twenty-four. Current rank E. No growth since the three years ago you mentioned. Basically done as a hunter."
"...I see."
"Veteran with experience, so he joins raids often. Temporary ones, though—his personality ensures short stays."
"……."
I silently flipped through.
Kim Jun-su's last three years laid bare.
"After the party leader and carrier vanished in the labyrinth three years ago, shock hit hard. Daily drunken stupor since. Near alcoholic now—though hunters don't get that."
"...Tough three years, huh?"
"Yes. Hardscrabble life. Most pathetic of the three you asked for."
I stared at the papers.
Kim Jun-su's life: pathetic E-rank hunter.
Experience aplenty, but hypersensitive since three years ago—kicked from temp raids constantly.
Day-labor existence, no tomorrow in sight.
"Next?"
"Hmm... Shin Jae-jun."
She glanced at me cautiously before continuing.
"Age twenty-four. Rank B. Decent growth from three years ago—average for hunters, maybe slightly better. But... his conduct's poor."
"What kind?"
"Registered with the Association, but shady dealings galore. Half in our world."
"Like illegal hunters?"
"Hung with Kim Jun-su back then... something split them. Then he dove into crime: illegal awakening broker and more."
"...Got it."
I clicked my tongue.
Illegal awakening brokers lured unawakened civilians into labyrinths with awakening myths.
Common even in my porter days three years back.
"Underage brokering, luring monsters to hunting hunters, even direct assaults."
"Scum."
"Top-tier scum. We're not saints, but he crossed lines."
I nodded, scanning his crimes.
Plenty to wrinkle even a monster's nose.
"Last: Lee Ha-na?"
"...She's special. Even for you, tricky?"
Unlike before, Lisa hesitated, groaning.
I glanced at her papers.
She explained resignedly.
"Lee Ha-na. Current rank S."
"...Impressive. Really her?"
"Yes, the one from three years ago. I double-checked—didn't expect it."
She sighed, continuing.
"Post-incident, she left for France. Skyrocketed into Lavie en Rose, France's top guild."
"...The one with an SS-rank?"
"Yes. That Lavie en Rose—with one of the world's four SS-ranks as guild master!"
She eyed me briefly.
I met her gaze steadily, checking papers.
Lee Ha-na's French exploits over three years.
"...Even you might struggle."
"Doesn't matter. Keep going."
Lisa bit her lip.
Seemed to want to say more, but sighed.
"She returned after three years in Lavie en Rose—rank S, Korea's twentieth S-rank."
"Reason?"
"Officially, for Korean hunter society. But no—she 'quit' but still backed by them."
"Setting up a Lavie en Rose branch?"
"Exactly. Just founded a new guild—feels like their Korean outpost."
"Studied abroad, came back a frontwoman."
"Yep. Traitor through and through."
She lit a cigar quietly.
Deep inhale, then exhaled smoke.
"First two are fine, but Lee Ha-na's impossible. Too risky, even for you."
"Touch her, Lavie en Rose moves."
"Yes—perfect excuse. Their SA-ranks swarm Korea like home turf. Worst case, SS guild master. Lightning bolt for Korea with only SA max."
I read silently.
Photo of grown Lee Ha-na.
Tap-tap on the paper.
Lisa spoke cautiously.
"You aren't... no, right?"
"SS-rank... Sounds fun."
"What nonsense? Korea becomes a mess!"
"What's that to me?"
She clamped her mouth, stunned.
Lip twitching, then a sigh and nod.
"True... you don't care. But SS! Even if you're near it...!"
"I know real SS power better than you."
"Knowing that, and still...!"
She yelled; I shrugged lightly.
My resolve was ironclad.
Since three years ago.
Too late for backers to matter.
"Thanks for the info. Payment taken?"
"...Fee skimmed properly. No worries."
"As long as no rip-off."
"...No plans to gouge you. Black Market runs on trust."
"...Doesn't suit you."
She chuckled softly.
"Plans now?"
"Hunt them one by one. Starting with your 'easy' one."
"...Need help?"
"Service too?"
She snickered.
"Money's money."
"...Pass."
"Aw, so stingy for a rich guy. Won't even notice a bit gone."
"...Not planning to take more, right?"
"No guts for that... Anyway, need help, say so. Cheap rates."
"Will do."
I nodded and stood.
Lisa spoke quietly.
"Hwarang gear sale might stir noise."
"Hm?"
"Even careful, tails possible. We'll hide well—no exposure. But..."
She trailed off, then plainly.
"You want them to notice?"
"Not exactly, but don't care if they do."
"...Not just dangerous—mad too. So alluring."
She murmured, then.
"Date? Partners even?"
"...No."
I shook my head, hurrying out.
"So cute," Lisa muttered behind.
I heard nothing...
[Crazy bitch! Crazy bitch—! Kill her! Kill her—!]
The left head's shrill voice rattled my mind for a while.