Chapter 86 - The Last Betrayer
As dawn began to break in the early morning, diligent hunters started preparing one by one to enter the labyrinth.
A lone man quietly stepped out of the labyrinth.
Unlike its bustling peak hours, the busy street above was still tranquil, and the man walked it alone.
Then, a luxury sedan pulled up silently alongside him.
The man's gaze flicked sideways.
"Have you finished your business?"
Behind the wheel was Na Yeon-seong.
The man showed no surprise at his unexpected appearance.
He nodded nonchalantly, as if he'd known all along.
"What are you doing here?"
"Picking you up, naturally."
"...Why?"
"Didn't you make a promise?"
"...With who?"
"...The boss."
The man clamped his mouth shut.
He'd questioned diligently, but his demeanor made it clear he hadn't forgotten.
It was more like denial of reality—as if pretending not to know might make it go away.
A normal person might have glossed over it, but this was Na Yeon-seong dealing with him.
A subordinate who'd brave fire and water for his boss.
A rare loyalist in the 21st century.
He didn't budge an inch as the man's discomfort began to seep out.
"Get in. The boss is waiting."
"...I would've found my own way without the escort."
"Looks like you can lie now too. You didn't seem to have much pull there."
"...No, it's not really a—"
"Anyway, hop in. The boss reserved a famous spot."
At those calm words, the man's face twisted sharply.
As if he hadn't expected food to be the lure, he eyed Na Yeon-seong.
"You think that'll work on me?"
"By the way, it's Hanwoo beef. She said order as much as you want—no limits."
"......"
The man's eyebrow twitched.
His lips moved as if he had plenty to say, but he soon shook his head in defeat.
"You right-side bastard..."
"Pardon? What was that?"
"...Not you. My head just aches from that glutton."
He touched his forehead lightly, then climbed obediently into the car.
Only once the man settled quietly in the back did Na Yeon-seong pull away.
The restaurant they reached was elegantly antique—a traditional hanok, its neatly tiled roof especially charming.
The interior was so vast that the man, following the server's lead, looked faintly daunted.
"They open this early?"
"Boss rented the place out just for today. Normally impossible, but she knows the owner well and twisted his arm."
The man winced slightly at Na Yeon-seong's explanation as they walked. Then, rubbing his temple again, he asked quietly,
"Enough beef prepped?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes. Freshly butchered one cow—plenty with sides."
"Might not cut it. Get three more... no, five."
"...Pardon?"
"Money's no issue—I'll cover it. Make it happen."
"No, it's not that... I know you pack it away usually, but... that much?"
"...Got a glutton on our side."
"Pardon? No word on companions..."
"Our business—no need to worry. Five should cover it generously. Tell them. Please."
"...I'll pass it on."
Ignoring Na Yeon-seong's puzzled head-tilt, the man entered the room.
Lisa was already seated.
"Long time no see."
"...Yeah."
He gave a perfunctory reply to her playful wave and took the seat opposite.
"Business wrap up okay?"
"Yep."
Lisa ignored his half-hearted tone.
She kept her welcoming smile and pressed on casually.
"Things'll get noisy then."
"Why? Folks dying in the labyrinth's routine."
"Not ahead—behind the scenes. Shin Jae-jun had pull in the underworld."
"Hm. That so?"
"Not a heavyweight, mind—just connections to some big shots."
The man nodded indifferently as dishes began arriving, filling the table lavishly in moments.
He moved his hand slowly, devouring with precise, efficient motions.
Lisa watched, then grinned.
"Heard the rumors—you're a monster eater."
"...Aware. But not by choice."
"Unavoidable reason? Like fueling that combat power? Some penalty?"
True to her deductive streak from day one, Lisa eyed his eating intently.
Not just sleuthing—she was that into him.
"...Kinda."
He pondered her question, then nodded vaguely.
Resuming his chopsticks, he looked evasive; Lisa pouted lightly.
"Harsh on your meal ticket, no? All these secrets—just makes me want to dig."
Her gaze turned subtly inviting.
Midday outside? Irrelevant. One yes, and she'd bolt to the nearest hotel.
Or hell, right here if he was game...
"I'll cover the bill. Got cash—don't need handouts."
Her temptations bounced off his iron wall, of course.
"Sigh... fine. Stuff yourself."
He just nodded, no retort.
Lisa sighed softly.
"So, just Lee Ha-na left of the trio?"
Unlike his relentless pace since the food hit, she'd only nibbled; now she asked abruptly.
"Yeah. Final one."
"Hmm... just checking—no second thoughts? Her situation's worlds apart from the first two."
His chopsticks froze at her casual probe.
He took a sip of water, met her eyes squarely.
She flinched under the stare.
"Think I'll quit?"
"...Nope. Doesn't suit you."
"Good."
Calm reply; chopsticks resumed.
She watched a beat, then spoke again.
"Said it before—her backer's an SS-rank hunter. Famous French 'Charlotte Michelle.' Over twenty years at SS!"
"I know."
"...For real? Rose Sword Charlotte. 21st-century Joan of Arc, the virgin warrior—that beast."
Urgency crept into her voice; his chopsticks halted again.
He regarded her steadily.
She held his gaze.
Faint worry in her eyes; he licked his lips.
No clue why this near-stranger fretted over him, but it didn't suck.
"You haven't seen a real monster."
"...Huh?"
"SS-rank hunter versus SS-rank monster—they ain't the same."
"...Duh. Unofficial S-rank scrub here—not your league, but I strut too."
Pout at his usual vibe? He chuckled.
"Low ranks: hunters dominate. High ranks: monsters pull ahead. SS 1v1? Monster wins every time. Natural order."
"Told you I know."
"SS hunter's real power? Upper SA-rank monster level. Fight for real, hunter might edge it—but close enough. No sweat."
"...Um, lost me? Plain English?"
Grumbling, she earned another chuckle; he dug back in.
"Seen the real deal? Fakes ain't scary."
"...Sounds like you've eyed an SS-rank monster."
Cautious prod; he just smirked.
Silent feast resumed.
She furrowed her brow faintly.
"...Fine. You're confident?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. No skin off me if you're set. Glad you've got a plan."
"...I seem planless?"
Subtle glance; she chuckled now.
"Planner doesn't poke Hwarang Guild—or chow down chill with SS-rank inbound."
"......"
Stung? Mouth shut.
She giggled at the unflagging feast.
Time slipped; platters emptied.
Amazed at his grind, she piped up.
"So."
"What now?"
"...That annoyed tone? That bothersome?"
"......"
No answer; pout.
"Bad boy... hot though."
"...Spit it out."
"Dodging... whatever."
Playful; then,
"Your tie to those three?"
"...Why ask?"
"C'mon—meal's on me, spill."
"Said I'd pay..."
"No! Curious, that's all!"
Hasty shout.
Glance; calm,
"Nothing major. Simple revenge."
"...What'd they do?"
"Upended my life."
"...No offense—dug into you."
"Client gig—expected. Fine."
Relief; soft sigh.
"Thanks. So, background check... zilch."
"Figured."
Shrug.
Sigh redux.
Headshake; on,
"Checked the trio separate. Hits."
"...What?"
Casual chew, query. Watched; she spilled.
"Three years back—same raid."
"...And?"
"Wild. One gutter rat. One underworld sleaze. One Korea's Joan of Arc superstar. Same squad? Shocker. Lives that forked."
"......"
"Raid disband? Two went missing."
Quiet stare.
"D-rank leader Park Kwang-yeol. Civilian porter Yu Jun-young."
"......"
"Your new license from us? 'Yu Jun-young,' right?"
Light nod.
Face serene; she bit her lip.
"Guess my take?"
"Shoot."
"Dumped porter claws back after three years for payback. Novel cliché."
"Hm... Me, that loser?"
"Circumstantial... but absurd."
Deep sigh.
"Civilian vanishes in dungeon, pops SA-rank for revenge? Nah. You're their pal—believable."
"Sure."
Calm nod.
Laid-back no-spill; umpteenth sigh.
"Fine... secrets hot... keep teasing—I'll snap someday."
"......"
Mouth sealed; grin.
"Clams at bad spots. Cute."
"......"
"Food's dust—why chopsticks? Shy?"
Silence; belly laugh.
"Up. Dessert time."
"...Not done."
Mutter; head-tilt.
"Huh...?"
"Five cows pending."
Blank stare.
Ignored; averted eyes, poked empty plate.
"...Five cows?"
"...Yeah."
"...Not plates—cows?"
"...Yeah."
"...Insane."
"...No leftovers. Chill."
"...Insane."
"......"
Silence stretched till the five cows arrived, fully butchered.