Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Hair-Trigger Situation
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A situation on the brink of explosion.
A subtle tension flowed between the two of us.
As Hanjo drew his sword, his subordinates encircled us, forming a ring.
They were blocking off my escape routes in advance.
“Kim Cheonjae. This is the Land of Ruin. If you want something, take it by force.”
“……You won’t regret this?”
“Not at all. By the way… if you don’t want to die, you’d better call your subordinates quick.”
“My subordinates?”
“Yeah, the ones you used when you stole my castle from me.”
I was puzzled.
It would be easier for them to win by attacking me alone, so why was he telling me to summon my minions?
The question didn’t last long.
The answer came to me as I thought through the people moving with him one by one.
“……I see.”
“What?”
“They’re here, aren’t they? That guy.”
Suspicious, I shifted my gaze far away to scan the surroundings.
‘……There they are.’
Behind Hanjo’s group, in front of the Gyeongseong Government Office, I spotted several players in robes.
Three men radiating unusual auras. One of them had to be Lee Yanghun.
He was wielding a scythe bigger than himself—I couldn’t miss that.
‘They plan to strike from behind and steal my summons.’
As my eyes turned toward Lee Yanghun, Hanjo swung his sword through empty air.
Whoosh—.
“Where are you looking?”
“……So that’s your plan. Have that guy steal my summons.”
“You’re quick on the uptake.”
“Heh… Your acting’s too sloppy. If you want to fool me, practice more.”
Hanjo hissed air through his gritted teeth.
“Hoo— Sigh. Fine, change of plans. If you want your friends to live, come quietly with me.”
“……What?”
“I’ve ordered my men to cut your friends’ throats the moment you try anything. Better not resist.”
Hanjo flashed a sleazy grin.
I’d expected him to resort to dirty tricks and use hostages to threaten me.
Even so, a flame seemed to ignite inside me, fury boiling up.
“……You cowardly bastard.”
“Cowardly? Kahaha… Yeah. For victory, I don’t hesitate to play dirty.”
A tough opponent.
He felt no shame in cowardice and harbored malicious intent.
“Why go this far to catch me? Is it because I beat you in the fourth round?”
“……I’ll explain later. For now, come along—if you don’t want your friends dead.”
I shrugged.
“If I do, you’ll let my friends go?”
“Who knows. But one thing’s certain. Refuse, and your friends die right now.”
His firm reply and expression.
Hanjo and Lee Yanghun.
Both were the type to kill without hesitation.
Since they’d follow through, to save Jeongwoo, I had no choice but to go with Hanjo.
‘……Guess I have to trust Jo Younggi.’
* * * * *
In the direction Hanjo led, three robed players were waiting.
As we neared the government office, I saw foreign players who’d come from all over for the auction.
Not just Asians—Europeans and American server players too.
To think they’d posted my wanted poster in a place crawling with foreigners. Suddenly, I felt embarrassed.
‘Ugh… If I hadn’t handled it myself, players worldwide would’ve been gunning for me.’
Damn you, Lee Yanghun.
When we arrived in front of the office under Hanjo’s guidance, Lee Yanghun held out his palm.
“Stop. That’s far enough. Don’t come any closer.”
At his word, all the soldiers halted.
‘What’s this?’
Hanjo replied with an annoyed look.
“Why? I brought the Kim Cheonjae you wanted.”
“We don’t know what abilities he has. Better not enter each other’s range.”
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
He was no one to underestimate.
In truth, I’d planned to use a curse once their key members were all within my ‘Iron Maiden’ range.
He’d seen right through it.
One of the many strategies I’d prepared before coming here.
‘Yeah… This is what it takes to be called my rival.’
You’ve got to read a move or two ahead for it to be fun.
Hanjo furrowed his brow.
“If he had dangerous abilities, he would’ve attacked me earlier, right?”
“No, Necromancer skills are mostly AoE. He might’ve been waiting for us all to group up.”
“……Really?”
“Yeah. He’s the type who could wipe us all out in one go, so stay sharp.”
Hanjo scratched his nose awkwardly.
I clapped toward Lee Yanghun.
An average Necromancer wouldn’t think of this until things went south.
Lee Yanghun glanced at me and took another step back.
“Kim Cheonjae, long time no see?”
“Likewise.”
“I don’t know how much I suffered hunting for you after the Daeho incident. Heard you fled to the fifth round?”
“Fled? I just moved forward.”
I sighed heavily and shrugged.
“Didn’t you skip to the next round to avoid me?”
“Think what you want.”
“……Fine. So where’s Daeho?”
I avoided Lee Yanghun’s eyes.
“No idea.”
“……Hand him over. Then we can call this whole thing off.”
“I told you, I don’t know where he is. Maybe off taking a dump.”
“……”
“Enough chit-chat. Let’s head inside. You said you’d release my friends once I go in?”
Lee Yanghun’s lips peeked from under his robe’s hood.
The corners were curled up.
“You know what happens if you go in there?”
“If I did, would I be following?”
“You’ll see hell.”
“Hell, huh? Same as out here.”
“……You little shit.”
The key to resolving Jo Younggi’s issue has been handed to you.
Don’t be late.
* * * * *
At the entrance to the government office, Kim Juncheol’s subordinates blocked our path.
“Please present your ID.”
Shing—
The blade of the white-haired old man flashed. I knew he wasn’t ordinary, but the strike was too fast for my eyes to follow.
The guard’s head fell.
Thud.
I looked at the soldier crumpled on the ground.
“Is it okay to go this far?”
Lee Yanghun answered.
“I never planned to play nice with them anyway.”
“……Messing with government NPCs won’t end well. It’ll make progressing the rounds harder.”
“My goal is raw power. And escaping this game. I’m not interested in rounds.”
“……You know how to escape this game?”
He flashed a meaningful smile.
As if he knew the answer to my question.
“Maybe.”
A guy stuck in the third round found a way out of this game?
I couldn’t believe him.
The only clue I’d found advancing to the fifth round was the ‘Book of the Lion.’
“Liar.”
“……Maybe it is.”
A vague response.
As the talk dragged on, Hanjo pushed my back.
“I can’t stay here long. Let’s get this over with.”
Lee Yanghun nodded and entered the office.
The first floor of the lavish government office rivaled a luxury hotel lobby. Players from various countries lounged in comfort.
[You have entered the Gyeongseong Government Office.]
[Player-versus-player combat is prohibited within this building.]
No skills or aggressive actions allowed.
Why bring me here?
He said he’d show me hell, but how in a place where I can’t fight?
Pushing aside a potted plant at the lobby’s end revealed stairs leading underground.
A secret staircase, but one every decent player knew.
[Maze Entrance]
Descending under the office, a guard at the underground maze entrance tossed out a warning.
“This area is infested with monsters. Proceed with caution.”
Lee Yanghun nodded irritably.
Two guards parted their X-shaped spears, opening the way.
I scanned the surroundings.
Checking if the maze differed from what I knew.
‘Same as always.’
The whole way here, Lee Yanghun and his group kept their distance from me.
Not letting their guard down an inch.
‘Well, after what happened in our last fight….’
At the maze’s end, a swirling gate came into view. ‘Cheok Jungyeong,’ Lee Yanghun’s summon, stood guard beside it.
“Good work.”
Cheok Jungyeong bowed. His glare at me was murderous, like he’d pounce any second.
I mocked him right back.
“Good work.”
Lee Yanghun scowled.
“Don’t copy me.”
“Yeah, yeah. So why drag me here? You said you’d show me hell.”
“……Player combat is banned here.”
“I know.”
“Then fights with non-players—monsters—are fair game.”
“……Huh?”
[Sudden event triggered by player ‘Lee Yanghun’: Maze Gate Nightmare difficulty.]
[Sudden Event: Protect the Peace!]
[Block the monsters pouring from the gate for the duration.]
[Duration: 30 minutes]
Krrrackle!
Bone walls erupted, sealing off all directions. No one could escape now.
Lee Yanghun laughed loudly.
“Kahaha! Kim Cheonjae, remember what I said? I’d show you hell.”
“……”
“How about it? Hand over Daeho, and I might let you live. Wanna rethink it now?”
His face was so ridiculous, I let out a hollow laugh.
He knew I wouldn’t hand over Daeho. So this event was his real aim.
I pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and asked him.
“That why you brought me without restraints?”
“……Yeah. Wanted to see your true power. Since you won’t give up Daeho anyway.”
“……Bingo. But in a place with no corpses or summons? How do you expect to judge my strength? That’s absurd.”
Lee Yanghun nodded.
“Absurd… True. Consider it a handicap for the player who beat me.”
“Handicap? Don’t you give those to the one with the advantage?”
“That’s why I’m giving it to you, Kim Cheonjae. Or should I say… the player once called the Mortal Wielder of Dark Power!”
“……”
The smile vanished from Lee Yanghun’s face. He took a deep breath, glaring at me with sharp eyes.
“Unyielding Rank 1, the strongest Necromancer ‘High-Level Player.’ Good to see you again, my rival.”
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