The Hounds Are Unleashed
After leaving the mountain stronghold, Hyun-woo walked for a long time before finally stopping at the lakeshore below the mountain. He took off his shoes, rolled up his pants, and waded into the water to catch fish.
“What the hell is that bastard doing?”
“Why’s he suddenly fishing?”
“So it really was just a walk……”
The three men were dumbfounded. Their expectations had been so thoroughly crushed that all their energy drained away. Hyun-woo’s actions were utterly mundane. When the fish wouldn’t bite, he quickly gave up, climbed back onto the shore, lay down on the ground, and dozed for about an hour. Then he stood up and returned straight to the stronghold.
The three men, left looking like dogs that had chased a chicken only to stare at the roof, returned to the Fourth Squad’s barracks and tilted their heads in confusion.
“What’s going on? Don’t tell me he noticed us tailing him?”
“He didn’t look like he noticed anything. Maybe he’s just lying low for a few days because of what Freyr did yesterday?”
Kembuk and Dobar shot suspicious glances at Freyr at the same time.
“You handled yesterday properly, right?”
“You two aren’t in on this together, are you? You’re not secretly working with him?”
“What are you talking about?” Freyr waved his hands frantically, looking appalled. “That’s impossible. Brothers, don’t you trust me? I’m a member of the Fourth Squad. The squad comes before friends, and you, my brothers who live and breathe together, come first. Why would I betray you? I’m prepared to bury my bones here.”
That same evening, the three men set out to tail him again. This time Hyun-woo went to a hill not far from the stronghold, sat down, and simply stared blankly at the night sky. Thirty minutes, an hour, two hours—Kembuk, Dobar, and Freyr grew increasingly sore and stiff the longer they watched in silence. Finally, Kembuk, who had been observing from a distance, couldn’t hold back his complaints.
“For crying out loud, what’s he doing out here at this hour? It’s not like he came to look at the stars.”
“I think approaching him the other night was a mistake. To lower his guard, we probably need to watch quietly for a few more days.”
“You’re right. Let’s see who wins this game.”
Even though they had gained nothing, they had no intention of stopping after just one or two days. They continued tailing Hyun-woo the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that—three days in a row. Yet they still came away empty-handed, clicking their tongues in frustration. Meanwhile, Vick, the Fourth Squad leader, who had been itching to find some dirt on Hyun-woo, was rapidly reaching the limits of his patience.
On the afternoon of the fifth day of surveillance, the female leader prepared to leave the stronghold with Ision and Bernhardt to attend the bandit leaders’ meeting that evening. The squad leaders lined up at the entrance to see her off.
“Have a safe trip!”
At their hearty shouts, the female leader smiled lightly and nodded from atop her horse. As she slowly rode past the leaders standing on either side, her gaze settled on Hyun-woo, who stood behind Marcus, and she brought her horse to a halt.
“Marcus. I heard you want to step down as squad leader.”
“That’s right, my lady. My body isn’t what it used to be, and the work has become difficult. I was hoping to appoint Hyun-woo as my successor, but the squad leaders’ meeting hasn’t reached a unanimous decision.”
Even as she spoke with Marcus, the female leader’s eyes remained fixed on Hyun-woo.
“Hyun-woo.”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to become a squad leader?”
“I do.”
“Are you confident you can lead the Fifteenth Squad well?”
“I’m confident I can lead it better than Marcus, who was said to be the best at his job in our bandit group.”
At his bold reply, Marcus let out a dry laugh and glanced at the female leader’s expression. She smiled and turned to Bernhardt.
“Bernhardt.”
“Yes!”
“Hyun-woo’s loyalty and ability, befitting a squad leader’s position, have already been proven through his outstanding achievements. We can’t leave the Fifteenth Squad in limbo any longer. Appoint Hyun-woo as the official leader of the Fifteenth Squad tomorrow morning.”
“Yes! I will do as you command! Wahahaha!”
Bernhardt’s booming laughter filled the area, and the gathered leaders erupted into commotion. Never before had the female leader directly appointed a squad leader while bypassing the leaders’ meeting. The one most shocked by her drastic personnel decision was Vick, the Fourth Squad leader. He had been the only one among the fifteen squad leaders to oppose Hyun-woo’s appointment, contributing greatly to keeping him from the position—until now, when all his efforts had come to nothing.
“What kind of bullshit is this!”
Back in the Fourth Squad’s barracks, Vick slammed his fist on the table. The thought that the arrogant brat who had looked down on him was now his equal, that they would be addressed by the same title, scraped at his pride and was a reality he could never accept.
“What the hell have you lot been doing!”
His fury turned on the squad members who had been cowering in the corner. At Vick’s roar, Freyr, Kembuk, Dobar, and Gegengs all flinched at once.
“How many days has it been already! Why don’t you still know what that bastard’s been doing outside!”
“Squad leader, like I said, the guy just goes out for walks every day……”
“Shut up!”
Vick cut him off and kicked a chair. Kembuk flinched and swallowed the rest of his words.
“To drag him down from the squad leader position, we need evidence that proves he’s unqualified! If we can find out what he’s been doing every day outside the stronghold, that might serve as proof! If we can’t find anything, we’ll just frame him!”
Vick ground his teeth, his brows furrowed so tightly it looked as if blood might burst from his forehead. After raging and shouting for a while, he suddenly seemed to remember something and turned his head.
“This isn’t the time for that. Instead of sending you idiots, I’ll handle it myself. Dobar, Gegengs. Go bring the hunting dogs.”
“W-where are you going?” Kembuk asked cautiously, puzzled. Vick stared toward the entrance and gave a crooked smile.
“I’m taking the dogs outside the stronghold to track where that bastard goes every day. Bring me the underwear we stole from Kang Hyun-woo earlier.”
“Hey, that’s a great idea! We could’ve just used the hunting dogs from the start. No need to keep chasing his tail!”
“See, the squad leader’s on another level!”
“Freyr, Kembuk, Dobar, Gegengs. Arm yourselves. Even if the dogs find nothing, I’ll kill him tonight and settle this once and for all. I can’t stand the thought of that bastard becoming a squad leader after all the torment he deserves from me. He’ll probably go out for another walk tonight, right?”
“Most likely. He’s gone every day so far.”
“Everyone, arm yourselves properly. We’re killing him tonight for sure. We’ll throw the body to the beasts. I won’t stand by and listen to the voice of someone who hates me any longer.”
My eyes snapped open. I had been sorting supplies in the warehouse with Haida and Evynee when I immediately dropped everything, rushed back to the barracks, tightened my shoelaces, and gathered my crossbow, throwing daggers, and knife. Dana was in danger. I couldn’t drag Marcus into something this dangerous. The moment I finished preparing, I bolted out of the barracks without a word and hurried alone toward the outside of the stronghold.
‘I can’t be late.’
As I ran without rest, the thought that I might commit my first murder tonight grew stronger. I wasn’t afraid of killing for the first time. I had never liked what the Fourth Squad had been doing, and my personal resentment toward their leader had been on the verge of exploding. Hey, Vick. Your constant insults have kept me awake for days. So you want to settle this tonight? Fine. I’ll settle it for good. I’ll use every skill I have to clean out the trash that’s dragging down the quality of our bandit group. And Freyr… I just hope you don’t get caught up with those beasts. This is the first and last favor I’ll ask as your friend. Don’t come. If you do, you’ll die. The place where Dana is will be a hell from which none of you can escape alive.
“Woof! Woof! Bark bark!”
Once outside the stronghold, Vick and his men began the pursuit in earnest. They let the hunting dogs sniff Hyun-woo’s underwear and released their leashes. The dogs, finally freed, charged forward with excitement.
“Looks like they found something.”
After climbing the mountain and crossing the fourth ridge, the dogs suddenly raised their tails and stared in one direction. Vick raised a finger to his lips, signaling his men to stay silent. Rustle, rustle. Not far away, a man could be seen running up the slope. It was Hyun-woo.
“Long time no see, Kang Hyun-wooooooo!”
Vick shouted with joy, celebrating that his prediction had been correct. Hyun-woo clearly had something hidden in these mountains. Seeing the Fourth Squad members chasing him, Hyun-woo quickened his pace. The hunting dogs barked and pursued.
“The hunt begins!”
Vick drew his sword and shouted. His men grinned with mad laughter and immediately gave chase.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry! Hiding some woman, are we?”
“Let us join in the fun too!”
“Running won’t help! Ahahaha!”