Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Lone Infiltration
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With just a few exchanges, Han Young-seok's facade crumbled easily.
He realized he was getting worked up and quickly shut his mouth, but the atmosphere was already beyond salvaging with a mere cough.
In the end, Han Young-seok decided to drop the pretense entirely.
When he thought about it, he'd already wasted precious new-type monster materials that he'd been eyeing, so there was no need to tiptoe around anymore.
"Tsk tsk. From the look on your face, I can tell you haven't had much success."
Han Young-seok clicked his tongue as if he genuinely felt sorry for him.
Even so, using rare materials on a common aluminum baseball bat that anyone could pick up anywhere—no one would understand that choice.
If the dwarves hadn't existed, Kang Jin-hyuk wouldn't have dreamed of such a method either.
"If you were just going to waste it like that, you should've sold it to us. You got too greedy."
Kang Jin-hyuk didn't see the point in responding to Han Young-seok's criticism.
People like that wouldn't listen no matter how much you explained.
Wasting time preaching to deaf ears was far less efficient than ignoring them outright—a hundred times less, in fact.
"Stop worrying about other people's business and focus on the operation."
"We're already fully prepared, even without you rushing us."
Before Kang Jin-hyuk arrived, the Titan guild members had been scouting the area around the Tyrant branch for their raid.
If they were really conducting human trafficking there, they had to assume heavy surveillance, so caution was key.
Just then, the three hunters assigned to reconnaissance returned with their report, and Han Young-seok hurried over to greet them.
"Did you find anything?"
"Yes."
"It looks like the tip was legit."
The hunter glanced meaningfully at Kang Jin-hyuk.
"Is Tyrant really involved in human trafficking?"
"The evidence points that way."
The phone the hunter handed to Han Young-seok was filled with photos taken during recon.
As Han Young-seok scrolled through them one by one, the hunters continued their briefing.
"We found what appeared to be human bones scattered in the woods around the building."
"They've layered three barriers to block outsiders from peeking in."
"From the presences we detected, at least twenty-five people are guarding the building."
Han Young-seok nodded slowly, as if it all made sense.
"Numerically, we're superior."
"But a frontal assault is too risky."
"I know."
Han Young-seok wasn't foolish enough to charge headlong into the enemy's lair.
Greedy as he was, he was still a Titan executive.
His position hadn't come from a game of cards—he had the chops to lead.
"First, we need someone to scout the interior. Any volunteers?"
No sooner had Han Young-seok spoken than several hunters stepped forward, eager to take the job.
Satisfied with his guildmates' bravery, Han Young-seok smiled.
"How many of us can get in?"
"Just one."
"Can't we squeeze in more?"
"This is the limit of our skills."
"The barriers are so tightly woven that sending anyone else would get us spotted immediately."
Han Young-seok didn't push further.
If the recon team was stating it so firmly, they had good reason.
"Only one person..."
The constraints were too tight, plunging Han Young-seok into thought.
Sending a lone operative into a place guarded by twenty-five or more meant they needed at least an A-rank hunter with solid stealth skills.
But those were exactly the assets he needed to save for the main assault.
Wasting them on a risky mission that could backfire was too costly.
'Aha.'
An idea struck him, and Han Young-seok's eyes lit up.
Without showing it, he turned to Kang Jin-hyuk with a troubled expression.
"Sorry to ask, but could you help us out?"
"Help with what?"
"Infiltration."
Kang Jin-hyuk had overheard the conversation with the hunters, so he knew full well how dangerous the job was.
The fact that they were asking him specifically made their intentions crystal clear without a word.
"Just say it straight. You want me to go die."
"What are you talking about? I only suggested it because I think you're the right man for it."
Kang Jin-hyuk felt an urge to punch Han Young-seok's smug smile.
"Who in their right mind would assign this to a C-rank hunter?"
"A normal C-rank, maybe."
Han Young-seok's implication was obvious.
'You took down a new-type monster solo—you're no ordinary C-rank.'
In other words, stop hiding your skills now.
'Look at him spouting that nonsense.'
When he'd insisted no C-rank could hunt a new-type monster, where was this attitude?
From Kang Jin-hyuk's perspective, it was nauseating hypocrisy.
Still, he kept his composure and politely declined.
"There are plenty of people here more skilled than me. Give it to them."
"I'd love to, but no matter how I look at it, you're the best fit."
"That's ridiculous..."
"It's not. Think about it."
Han Young-seok laid out his freshly concocted rationale with a straight face.
"You joining us would just disrupt the mood and teamwork, right?"
"..."
"Matching rhythms with some outsider is less efficient than us moving as a unit."
"So, you're saying I'm a nuisance—get lost?"
"Tsk tsk. Always so negative. I'm just giving you a chance to rack up some achievements."
"And if I say no?"
No sooner had Kang Jin-hyuk asked than burly hunters gathered around Han Young-seok.
They formed a circle, surrounding him—not with friendly intentions.
"Then I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of the way."
Of course, that would mean no contributions, hence no spoils, Han Young-seok added with his absurd logic.
The fact that Kang Jin-hyuk's tip had sparked the whole plan meant nothing to him.
"If that's how you want to play it..."
Han Young-seok assumed Kang Jin-hyuk would back off.
No one who valued their life would take on twenty-five Tyrant guild members solo.
But Kang Jin-hyuk's response defied expectations.
"I'll do it."
"Are you sane?"
"Didn't you set this up just to say that?"
It was par for the course with big guild types spouting nonsense.
No point arguing justice with people who wouldn't listen.
Rather than waste breath, Kang Jin-hyuk chose action.
He'd make them regret this choice forever.
By delivering the outcome they least wanted.
"But whatever I grab inside, you leave it alone."
"Of course."
Han Young-seok snorted openly, no need for subtlety.
A C-rank hunter grabbing loot from notorious Tyrant members?
By storming their branch guarded by twenty-five or more?
Han Young-seok was certain Kang Jin-hyuk wouldn't get his way, not even slightly.
He had no inkling what his words would unleash.
* * *
While the Titan guild members created a tiny gap in the barrier, Lucia quietly asked Kang Jin-hyuk.
"You're really going along with what they want?"
"No choice."
"There's always a choice."
Lucia tapped the bow and arrows in her hands.
She could take out every hunter here solo if she wanted.
"I appreciate the thought, but cleanup would be a nightmare."
Word of thirty Titan members wiped out by one person? Kang Jin-hyuk shuddered at the thought.
"I've got a plan, so just play along. Don't worry."
His confident expression made it clear he wasn't bluffing.
Lucia sighed despite herself at the sight.
"Worry? Nah, I just hate their guts."
"Ignore it. Not the first time they've pulled this."
Big guilds throwing their weight around was commonplace.
Pointless to question their nature.
Sighing about life's hardships, Lucia's eyes suddenly gleamed as she whispered so no one else could hear.
"What about the tail?"
"No issue. Everything's on track."
"Fine then, I'll shut up."
As the guild member signaled it was time, Lucia stepped back.
"If anything happens, contact me with this."
She pulled out the small crystal Kang Jin-hyuk had given her and waved it.
Amethyst-hued, it was a communication item that worked anywhere within 10km.
Low demand thanks to phones, but useful in no-signal zones—some kept them as backups.
Kang Jin-hyuk figured it was perfect for phone-illiterate Lucia.
"Ready?"
Kang Jin-hyuk nodded at the guild member's question.
"Head straight for the building from here."
The spot he pointed to had a lit-up building, despite the late hour.
It looked like an ordinary factory from outside.
"Does it have to be straight?"
"If you want to get caught, zigzag all you like."
Dead ahead, less than 50m away, lay the formidable barrier.
Even trap and barrier specialists struggled to poke a hole without detection—and it lasted mere seconds.
"More than one hole, and you're busted. One shot only."
"What if I fail?"
"We abandon you without hesitation and pull back."
"Ruthless."
Harsh, but understandable.
Truth was, Titan owed Kang Jin-hyuk no loyalty.
He was an outsider—the easiest to cut loose.
"Haven't done a 50m sprint in ages."
Fail if not at the building in 9 seconds.
Stumble midway? Fail.
Tough for civilians, but routine for hunters.
"On three, go. One, two."
Three. As the word dropped, the guild member's hand shot up.
Kang Jin-hyuk's legs exploded off the ground in sync.
No need to count to nine—he arrived in three seconds flat.
No alarm meant the barrier hadn't triggered.
"Well now..."
Inside, Kang Jin-hyuk let out a dry chuckle.
The unassuming building from outside.
Now, it looked like a prison, windows and doors barred with iron grates.
The barrier apparently hid its true appearance beyond just detecting intruders.
"Looks like all that recon was for nothing."
Even the twenty-five-plus guards might be wrong intel.
Kang Jin-hyuk swallowed hard to steady himself and moved slowly.
* * *
The Titan guild member sighed in relief as Kang Jin-hyuk slipped through unscathed.
"Whew. Guess he has some skills after all."
Turning to report back, he spotted odd marks on the ground.
"Huh?"
Four deep imprints.
Two from Kang Jin-hyuk's launch, but the other two?
"Practicing or something?"
No one around but the archer who'd come with him and himself.
The guild member shrugged it off as nothing and dropped it.
Four holes or five—irrelevant as long as the op went smooth.