Fallen Holy Knight (1)
"What? How the hell did that bastard find out about that?"
"Looks like someone who partied with me back when I tamed Ferari remembered it. They knew everything and whispered me, saying they'd give plenty of compensation if I just spilled your personal info honestly... It's true I was a bit careless since I hadn't revealed my ID change yet. But even so, digging up something that minor?"
"So you told them?"
"Of course I kept denying it! But they got aggressive, threatening that if I didn't cough it up, they'd slap a hit order on Yeon Woo to force her account offline. They said they didn't care if I knew or not—if I didn't hand over your info, it'd be a hit order no questions asked."
"Of course, someone might've spotted us in the Centura Volcanic Zone, or they could remember after my identity leaked. But threatening a hit order without solid proof? And it might just be an acquaintance from in-game? That's insane."
"That dog bastard! Threatening a hit without evidence? Don't worry. If shit hits the fan, I'll hook you up with exclusive hunting grounds through Phoenix. Got it?"
"If it was just me, I'd handle it. But it's not... That fucker Darius slapped hit orders on the entire Saint Guild."
Thud.
The moment those words hit, a heavy weight sank in his chest. Why he stuck to solo play. He hated dragging others down as much as he hated being screwed over himself. But now, because of him, not just Hyunjung but the whole Saint Guild was about to take the fall... Sure, it wasn't Darius's main target, but it struck right at his deepest pet peeve.
"This won't do. Just tell them you know me. Say we're old party buddies from Magnum days—even if it's bullshit. Buy time by saying you'll pry some info out of me."
"Won't work no matter what I say. They straight-up notified they'd start guild-wide hits immediately. While I was stressing over it, one of our guildies hunting got backstabbed by Taeseong—it's up in guild chat right now. I logged out and called you the second I saw."
"How do we fix this? I'm in full meltdown mode."
"Sorry, Hyunjung. This is straight-up my fuckup. I got too reckless wanting that Red Drake tame. I'll handle it somehow, so don't stress. Logging in now to whisper the bastard."
"You sure? Don't reveal your real info. Who knows what those psychos'll do if they find out."
"Don't worry, I got this."
After hanging up, he mulled over how to navigate this mess. No time to waste—he decided fast, logged in, and whispered Darius.
'Ah! I blocked him first last time, so he blocked me back.'
Pondering options, he tried whispering Il Do Yang Dan instead. Luckily, the guy hadn't blocked him.
He unblocked too and waited. Finally, Darius whispered.
Never thought he'd ditch the Holy Sword? Then why the sudden Hyunjung bullshit? Maybe dialogue could work—he toned it down and probed.
'......'
Darius's unimaginable proposal left him speechless for a beat. Not his Holy Sword—but Hellfire's Demon Sword?
Ridiculous bullshit. He went to fire back—then a wild idea sparked.
After hashing details, he ended the chat. Darius clearly cooked this petty scheme on the fly from the stream's Titan info. Titan resummon cooldown: Post-duel and Hydra raid, HP over 80% drained—they were locked out over 3 days. Normally, no field risks in this state. But to foes? Prime chance to snag the Demon Sword if they lured him out. He was same boat, but Marsh rebuild around Holy Sword, stealth, Red Drake pet—solo god even sans Titan. So Darius pivoted to Demon Sword.
"But that means... to snag the Demon Sword yourself, you gotta hit the field too!"
Even if plan worked and Hellfire dropped it, too risky letting a subordinate pick it—could Merlin-pull and bolt. Knowing that, Darius would show personally at kill time to grab it. Reverse trap opportunity.
During chat, he'd flipped it: Double-trap Darius instead. Thoughts sorted, he whispered Hellfire.
[Chief Administrator Holtein's Message: Orc Lord Sighting]
* Hunters report the Red-Maned Orc Lord's Jumbaka(!) appearing near Shifon Forest by the territory.
* Please exterminate Jumbaka(!) to protect the territory's residents.
A full day post-Titan show, familiar alert linked in Phoenix guild chat.
Kaljen Castle field boss, Orc Lord respawn—Hidden Card shared instantly. He whispered Darius right away.
Yesterday's chat ended with him joining Phoenix.
"Risky, but worth trying. Died once at coronation, but otherwise never officially killed. First guild solo kill? Huge in Tayen. King's assassination quest aside..."
"Thanks. Agree—miss this window, killing Darius gets way harder. Taeseong went dirty first, so no holds barred on our trap. Good timing."
"Prep solid... Monster catch incoming."
Spot: Orc Lord raid site. Kaljen still user-empty. Ideal for clean ambush fight sans chaos. Hellfire "joins raid," fields. Darius crew arrives on tip—he and hidden Phoenix thieves counter. Phoenix surely had Taeseong spies. Op was top-secret. Chat joiners? Pure raiders clueless. Only Last Chance's archer squad, top 10 thieves, key execs knew Darius hunt.
'Think Divine Weapons are Divine for nothing? Titanless temphack terror... Hellfire dying easy like you think?'
Darius ambush style unknown. But even boss-backstab advantage, Hellfire ex-top ranker. Protected by guildies with Demon Sword? Needs Darius plus Taeseong ranker swarm personally. Still, he underestimated. Sandro'd be right there.