Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Clash with the Zhonghua Guild (3)
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*Shing.*
Kang Hyun-soo drew his sword.
Song Hana followed suit, pulling out her own blade, while the Fist Emperor clenched his fists, readying himself for battle.
“Ha! You punks think you can defy the Zhonghua Guild?”
Wang Jin-pyeong, leader of the Zhonghua Guild’s 6th Investigation Team, spoke in a tone of utter disbelief.
“Party leader, these guys might be connected to the disappearance of Party 8 from the 5th Team.”
“You might be right.”
At his subordinate’s words, Wang Jin-pyeong narrowed his eyes and glared at Kang Hyun-soo’s group.
No Mark of Revenge was visible, so they probably weren’t the culprits.
Still, their defiant attitude suggested some link to the perpetrator.
Even if there wasn’t, it didn’t matter.
They’d dared to hunt without permission in the Zhonghua Guild’s territory.
And not only that—they’d defied orders from Zhonghua Guild members.
Criminals guilty of such grave offenses.
‘Linked or not, we’re taking them in.’
Wang Jin-pyeong didn’t entertain the slightest thought of defeat.
The enemy numbered just three.
They had ten.
Crucially, this was a hunting ground for level 50s.
And they were all level 60s.
“Capture all three alive.”
At his command, the Zhonghua Guild’s 6th Investigation Team charged at Kang Hyun-soo’s group.
*Boom!*
A massive explosion rang out as Kang Hyun-soo’s party clashed head-on with the Zhonghua Guild players.
In an instant, magic attacks, auras, and skills flew in a fierce melee.
‘What the hell?’
Wang Jin-pyeong, who’d expected an easy win, was thrown off.
The battle wasn’t unfolding as he’d anticipated at all.
‘That guy’s definitely stronger than us.’
The one who’d drawn his weapon first was unilaterally pushing back four of his subordinates.
Overwhelmed by sheer power and speed, they were floundering in panic.
Without the healer supporting from the rear with buffs and defenses?
They might’ve fallen already.
‘Those two aren’t pushovers either.’
They didn’t display the same overwhelming dominance.
Their strength and speed were on par with his men.
But the gap in combat technique and instincts was massive.
The player who seemed like a magic swordsman combined superb swordsmanship with swordsman and mage skills.
The one who looked like a martial fighter moved as if preempting attacks, with unpredictable feints.
The silver lining?
‘Their skill ranks are relatively low. Their gear isn’t top-tier either.’
Some variables, sure.
But at this rate?
‘Once I step in, I’ll clean this up.’
*Shing.*
Wang Jin-pyeong, who’d planned to just watch, drew his weapon.
‘Take out that one first.’
Even with a tank, three melee dealers, and a healer on him, he was still holding.
Lose even one of those five?
It’d collapse immediately.
*Thud!*
Wang Jin-pyeong dashed toward Kang Hyun-soo, weapon in hand.
‘He’s finally moving.’
Kang Hyun-soo smiled at the sight of Wang Jin-pyeong charging him.
‘I took out insurance, but I was a bit worried.’
The moment combat broke out, Kang Hyun-soo had used his Mass Summon skill to encircle them with summons.
Not to join the fight.
Just ten foes.
He could handle that without them.
The issue was the risk of one bolting if the tide turned.
And though it was late, slim chance of other hunting parties.
‘There might be player parties out night hunting.’
Kang Hyun-soo treated all other players as enemies.
‘Judging by these guys’ attitude, anyone hunting here is Zhonghua Guild.’
Even if not directly affiliated, they paid tribute under Zhonghua control—effectively Guild territory.
Zhonghua members were like prime contractors; permitted hunters, subcontractors.
‘Can’t have witnesses reporting this to the Guild.’
That could bring reinforcements.
Ten elites? No sweat.
Hundreds or thousands? Even Kang Hyun-soo couldn’t manage that.
‘Not yet, anyway.’
He also had to avoid exposure.
Luzabenu was under Zhonghua dominance now.
If Kang Hyun-soo got outed?
Hunting aside, his claim on the Guopi fields there could vanish.
‘Worried this guy might run.’
The Zhonghua players fighting them weren’t scrubs.
High levels, solid combat experience.
Their leader?
Likely nearing level 700.
‘My summons are still low-level.’
Kang Hyun-soo’s were mostly level 500 monsters and players.
Factoring in reduced combat power post-summon?
‘Encircling net could break.’
Head-on, he could overwhelm with numbers.
But fleeing?
Level 500 summons couldn’t reliably stop a near-700 player.
So he’d held back some strength.
To make Wang Jin-pyeong choose fight over flight.
‘Just don’t kill them.’
No need to worry about the Mark of Revenge then.
Song Hana and the Fist Emperor possessed strength beyond levels.
Yet they maintained parity against two each—restraining, not killing.
Subduing without killing was trickier than outright slaying.
‘Good training for Song Hana and the Fist Emperor.’
*Boom!*
The 5v1 became 6v1.
Kang Hyun-soo deftly defended against the Zhonghua Guild’s 6th Investigation Team, calmly waiting for an opening.
‘Aim for the legs.’
Arm wounds cripple fighting.
But not fleeing.
Legs?
‘No escape.’
He’d pressured them hard.
But inflicted no injuries.
To hide Gluttony Sword’s anti-heal.
If anti-heal triggered on arm or torso wounds?
They might abandon the fight and run.
‘Gotta subdue them in a flash.’
One escapee, and it gets messy.
Kang Hyun-soo focused on defense, biding his time.
“Your skills are impressive! But you can’t surpass the Zhonghua Guild’s elites!”
Wang Jin-pyeong unleashed a barrage, shouting with brimming confidence.
“Surrender now, and I’ll spare your lives!”
He kept yapping.
Kang Hyun-soo ignored him.
Just waited patiently.
Meanwhile, Wang Jin-pyeong, now in the fray, was rattled.
Kang Hyun-soo was stronger than expected.
‘Why’s this guy holding out so well?’
He’d thought joining would end it quick.
Nope.
Even with him, it stayed even.
‘Something’s off.’
Facing a gang-up, yet the enemy’s expression was serene.
Movements brimming with leisure.
Like a superior toying with inferiors.
An eerie unease crept in.
He shouted to shake it off.
But couldn’t.
‘Battle’s even, sure.’
And they had a healer supporting.
Prolonged fight?
Any scratch on the enemy?
Advantage tilts their way.
Yet the anxiety lingered.
Plus.
‘Felt this before.’
Déjà vu.
Familiar somehow.
‘That sparring match.’
Wang Jin-pyeong recalled the source.
Once, he and subordinates had group-sparred under Iron Blood Sword, ranker and Zhonghua’s #5.
Same vibe then.
Even in a balanced—or advantageous—fight.
Felt like losing.
Indescribable.
Like the opponent was holding back, toying.
‘No way.’
That spar ended in their defeat.
Expected, though.
Opponent was a ranker, named player.
But this guy? Just a level 500 hunter.
“You think stalling flips the odds?!”
Wang Jin-pyeong amped his voice, hammering attacks.
To dispel the inexplicable dread rising within.
‘Gotta drop him fast.’
Only then could he shake this weird anxiety.
That’s when.
‘An opening?’
The opponent, who’d defended flawlessly till now, exposed a gap overhead for a split second.
*Whoosh!*
Wang Jin-pyeong lunged at it.
But he wasn’t the only one.
He and his men all targeted it.
‘Huh?’
Something felt wrong.
Perfect defense till now, yet a glaring weakness visible to all?
‘Trap?’
Too late to pull back.
‘No way.’
That gap couldn’t be a trap.
Unless immortal.
No surviving a heart strike.
‘It’s over.’
His sword connected.
Then.
*Boom!*
A huge blast as their attacks rebounded.
‘What?’
*Slash!*
Amid his shock, a blade slicing flesh rang in Wang Jin-pyeong’s ears.
“Gah!”
Agonizing pain hit.
“You bastard!”
The enemy had struck their legs.
Some had severed muscles or ligaments; others, half-severed with bone exposed.
None fully amputated.
Wang Jin-pyeong kept calm, assuming a guard.
His men too.
*Whoosh!*
Pure white light showered him and his subordinates.
The rear healer’s treatment skill.
That was their ace.
‘As long as no limbs are gone, full recovery.’
The healer could mend anything short of instant death or dismemberment.
Yet.
“What the hell?”
Wounds didn’t heal.
*Thud!*
The enemy bolted for the healer.
“Block him!”
Wang Jin-pyeong shouted, lunging.
But with shredded muscles and ligaments? No chance.
“Eek!”
The panicked healer spammed heals on Wang Jin-pyeong and the men.
No effect.
*Thwack!*
One hit, and the healer was out.
*Step, step.*
The foe approached them again.
Swung his sword.
“Eek!”
“Block!”
Wang Jin-pyeong and his men desperately tried.
But with crippled legs and mobility shot? Futile.
*Thwack! Thwack!*
Each swing felled another subordinate.