Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Hunter Becomes the Hunted
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There were two main types of predatory players.
There were those like Lee Shin, who were openly predatory players.
And then there were those who were a bit more decent, but could turn into predatory players at any moment depending on the situation.
Naturally, the former were overwhelmingly more dangerous, but in contrast, the latter were far more numerous.
This tendency was especially strong in the Eteun Kingdom, where PK was an almost daily occurrence.
This was because even decent users, after fighting against other predatory players, would find themselves becoming just like them at some point.
“Should we kill him?”
These players belonged to the latter group.
If Lee Shin had been moderately successful, they might have tried to compete for contribution points fair and square...
But his hunting speed was so fast that they saw no normal way to overtake his rank.
In situations like this, eliminating the competition was the surest method.
“That's true.”
The other party members all agreed.
No one seemed particularly resistant to the idea of openly committing PK.
They were all already used to this sort of thing.
However, their familiarity also raised some concerns.
When they actually tried to figure out how to PK him, the odds didn't look good.
This was due to Lee Shin's immense power.
“But can we do it?”
“Huh?”
“He's ridiculously strong...”
PK was the surest method, but it also came with a certain degree of risk.
If they were defeated by their target, they wouldn't just fail to gain anything; they would suffer a massive loss.
Not only would the current quest be a wash, but they would also be hit with various death penalties.
In other words, if you start a fight, you absolutely have to win...
“I don't think we can guarantee a win...”
“...You're right.”
“Even if we do win, won't a few of us die?”
No one argued.
Their target was a rogue-class user with incredible physical abilities.
If they let their guard down, he could melt one or two of them—or perhaps even more—in the blink of an eye.
Of course, if someone risked their life to draw Lee Shin's attention, they might be able to take him down with minimal losses, but...
“...Hmm.”
“It is risky...”
The users just glanced at each other!
That kind of loyalty didn't exist between them in the first place.
They were only grouped together out of necessity; there was no deep sense of belonging to the party.
“So, should we just drop it?”
“...”
“Or, what about this?”
Just as the conversation was about to fizzle out.
Someone suggested another method.
“We target him last.”
“Huh?”
“Think about it. Honestly, the rest of them were nothing special. He was the one who was unusually strong. Right?”
“...That's true.”
“So, what if we take out the others first and then gang up on him? What's he going to do when we overwhelm him with numbers?”
It was common sense that even the strongest user was powerless against a coordinated group attack.
This was especially true for a melee glass cannon-style class like Lee Shin's.
“If we can surround him and focus our fire, won't we win?”
“Huh?”
“...Oh?”
It was an opinion that could only come from players who, while lacking party loyalty, had extensive PK experience.
The expressions of the other users, who had been only half-listening, turned serious in an instant.
It was a more plausible plan than they'd expected.
Of course, there were a few misunderstandings.
“Besides, for a rogue, his skills seem more specialized for hunting than for PvP.”
“You think so?”
“It has to be. He's probably around our level, so how can his hunting be that fast, no matter how good his control is? It makes no sense. He must have skills specialized for hunting.”
“Are there rogues like that?”
“What class *doesn't* exist in Avala Online? It's possible.”
“Ah, I guess so?”
...The logic itself was sound, but it wasn't the truth.
Chain Murder was indeed a skill specialized for hunting, but the rest weren't.
On the contrary, most of Lee Shin's skills were specialized for single-target burst damage and stealth.
Or self-destruction (Mark of Malice, Mutual Destruction, etc.).
They were designed to fit the characteristics of the Salseong class!
Of course, the other users had no way of knowing this, so they were instantly filled with confidence.
“It... might actually work?”
“Yeah.”
“But how do we get them to fight separately? Can we lure them without getting caught?”
“That won't be hard. During the subjugation, I saw they were already fighting separately. If we just leave them be, they'll split up on their own.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. It looks like they combined two different parties.”
The situation seemed to be smiling on them in many ways.
Strange smiles appeared on the users' faces.
“Hmm, then...”
“So we're really killing him?”
“...Let's kill him!”
They reached a consensus in an instant.
As did the detailed plan of execution.
“When should we do it?”
“No reason to wait long. The quest is about to end, right? If we hesitate too much, we'll lose our chance.”
“True. Let's make our move during the next subjugation.”
“...Alright, then we'll just pretend to fight moderately, and once he's gone, we'll take care of the ones left behind.”
...But they didn't know.
That from a distance, Lee Shin was glaring at them with a peculiar look in his eyes.
* * *
‘They'll make their move soon.’
When it came to PK, Lee Shin was more of an expert than anyone else in Avala Online.
Just by looking at their atmosphere, Lee Shin could tell whether they were planning to PK or not.
However, seeing how quiet they were now, it seemed they planned to strike during the chaos when the subjugation began.
‘Then I won't be the first target.’
If they were reasonably skilled predatory players, they wouldn't target him from the start.
They would eliminate the other party members in the rear first, and then attack him together.
‘...’
Lee Shin planned to just let it happen.
He had planned to kill his party members later anyway, so it didn't matter if he killed them himself or if they died at someone else's hands.
The fact that they would target him next also didn't matter, as he figured it was bound to happen eventually, given the circumstances.
The problem was Jeong Yu-ra...
‘I've assigned Gillaim to her... but it's probably best to make sure, right?’
Lee Shin sent a whisper to Jeong Yu-ra.
He told her to just cast some buffs during the next subjugation and then fall back with Gillaim.
A reply came back immediately.
-What? Why?
-If you don't want to, then don't.
-...No, just tell me why! I need to know what's going on!
-I already told you, someone's going to target us.
-Huh? Oh, right...
Belatedly recalling the conversation, Jeong Yu-ra nodded.
Indeed, it was highly reasonable for him to tell her to back off in advance, as she would be of no help in a PK situation.
However.
There was one thing that bothered her.
-But what about the others?
-What others.
-Our party members.
-They'll die. But why does that matter.
-...What do you mean, why!? Because it's pitiful!
-That's why I'll get revenge for them.
-Revenge... No, I mean, okay...
Jeong Yu-ra replied weakly.
“Everyone, halt!”
At Walter's shout, the soldiers and users stopped.
After receiving a report from the cavalrymen who had scouted ahead, Walter continued.
“A monster settlement has been discovered up ahead. It's not far, so we will proceed to annihilate it without a break.”
“And, this will be our final subjugation before we return.”
In other words, it was the final subjugation.
At this, the users' expressions turned serious.
This subjugation was, in effect, the last chance to defend their contribution rankings or overturn them.
And for one group, the atmosphere went beyond serious to murderous.
The party currently ranked second in contribution points.
The users who were preparing to PK Lee Shin.
“...”
“...”
*Nod*.
After making eye contact, they naturally moved closer to Lee Shin's party.
They intended to strike as soon as the subjugation began and Lee Shin disappeared.
Of course, Lee Shin noticed their impure approach, but...
“Wow, it's the last one already?”
“I know, right? I didn't think it would happen, but we might actually finish in first place.”
“It's all thanks to you, Arthur...”
“Haha, not at all.”
He didn't bother to tell them.
Instead, he just subtly gave a signal to Gillaim and Jeong Yu-ra.
* * *
Lee Shin immediately began the subjugation without a break.
“Attack!”
[You possess the title <Cold-hearted Commander>.]
[Due to your title's effect, all raid members' health increases by 10%.]
[Additionally, mages' attacks are granted a chance to land a critical hit.]
*Boom!*
*Kwakwakwakwang!!*
“Give us buffs!”
“‘Unyielding Strength!’, ‘Spell of Potent Health Recovery!’ Done!”
The carpet bombing of the mages.
The warriors charging forward, empowered by the priests' buffs.
And the melee dealers mixed in among them, approaching safely.
“Kill them!”
“This is the last one!”
“Chwiik?!”
[Surprise attack successful!]
[The orc horde falls into confu...]
A charge following the surprise attack.
The battle unfolded much like the previous subjugations.
As such, just as always, the tide of victory smoothly shifted to the users' side as time passed.
Since the process didn't change, the result was similar!
However.
[A party member has died.]
[A party member has died.]
[A party member has died.]
“...”
Not everything was the same.
Death messages for his party members flooded in amidst the chaos.
Before long, every party member except Jeong Yu-ra had died.
‘...They're done over there.’
After a quick glance back.
Realizing the enemy was watching him, Lee Shin deliberately left the monster settlement and headed for a place where there were no other users.
* * *
“What, he's moving?”
“Where's he going?”
Lee Shin's departure from the hunting ground.
The users watching from the hill tilted their heads in confusion.
But it wasn't long before they shot up from their seats in surprise.
“...No, did he figure it out?! Is that why he's running away!!?”
“...Gasp!”
“Quick, after him!”
“I'll use a speed scroll!”
[Using a High-grade Speed Scroll.]
[The power of wind temporarily imbues your body.]
This was the last subjugation, so if they lost him now, there would be no other chance.
Thanks to that, the users moved urgently, even tearing scrolls they rarely used.
However, they didn't need to hurry; they caught up easily.
Their target hadn't been running away in the first place.
“You're here?”
“...Hmm?”
Their target stood still in a secluded spot, speaking as if he had been waiting for them.
Question marks appeared above the heads of the users who had followed.
...Why didn't he run?
‘????’
‘What is this...?’
...And it didn't take long for those question marks to turn into exclamation points.
* * *
*Thrust*.
[A party member has died.]
[Current Party Members: 1]
“...Wh-what.”
It wasn't a scheme, nor was it a trap.
It was simply confidence.
Their opponent was just purely strong.
This wasn't an issue of stats or a massive difference in gear.
They simply couldn't land an attack.
Conversely, their opponent's attacks zeroed in on their vitals as if drawn by a magnet.
Thanks to that, they were thrown into disarray.
By the time he barely came to his senses, everyone except him was already dead.
‘This crazy... Who the hell is he!?’
“You're the last one, huh?”
“......!!”
As he reeled in shock, his opponent approached, twirling his sword.
Despite having faced seven opponents alone and killed six of them, he showed no signs of fatigue.
Far from being tired, he even wore a smile on his face, as if he was enjoying it...
...
...
...
“...Huh?”
“Hmm?”
“You, you...! Don't tell me you're *that* Arthur!?!?”
“!!!”
His opponent shouted in astonishment as if he'd just realized something, jumping back.
Startled, Lee Shin swung his sword reflexively.
*Thrust*.
“Ah.”
And that was the end of it.
His health was already critically low.
Even though the attack had only grazed him, his opponent died instantly.
“...”
Lee Shin's expression changed subtly.
He had clearly asked, 'Are you *that* Arthur?'
‘...Did he watch my channel?’
This was bound to happen eventually.
His channel was growing more famous, and he'd even had a lucky encounter with a popular streamer.
Of course, even considering that, someone had recognized him sooner than he'd expected...
‘That's a good thing, though.’
It meant his recognition was growing rapidly, so it wasn't a bad thing at all.
...However, the problem was the grudges Lee Shin had scattered everywhere.
Lee Shin didn't realize it yet, but the time to face the disaster he had sown was drawing ever closer.
* * *
[You have received an email.]
[I know Arthur's location. (Image attached) Send the reward money, and I'll send you his location immediately.]
*Slam!*
‘...I found him!!!’
After reading the email to the end, Yu Han-seong slammed his fist on the table and let out a silent cheer.
It was a little disappointing that it wasn't Lee Si-eun, whom he had been searching for all this time, but Arthur wasn't a bad alternative.
After all, both of them were mortal enemies of the Five Star Guild.
‘Good.’
-I'll send the reward money right away!
-Can you tell me his location?
After sending the reply, Yu Han-seong kicked open the guild house door and shouted.
“Woo-jin!”
“Yes?”
“Let's go! I found one of them!”
“......!!!!”