Chapter 260
Chapter 260
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 260
Chapter Title: Dark Map Headquarters
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The next day, he woke up with a splitting headache.
They could have blown away the drunkenness with mana or cured their hangovers, but the three chose not to. It was a rare reunion, and they wanted to savor the feeling of being properly drunk.
"Ugh..."
"Uuuugh..."
"Cold water... some cold water..."
Watching the three sprawled on the floor like corpses, clutching their upset stomachs, Unhyang wore a strange expression.
She briefly wondered if these were really the people she'd so admired.
"Can't you just fix it with mana?"
Unhyang asked, genuinely puzzled, and Ye-ryeong barely lifted her head to look at Si-woo and Soo-hyuk.
"You guys look awful... Why not just give up?"
"You... look like you're about to puke yourself."
"...Your breath reeks of puke. Shut up. Urp-."
Unhyang sighed at the three who refused to listen.
'It's a pride contest.'
A battle of pride over who would dispel the alcohol poisoning with mana first. Rather than clearing the booze from their systems, they'd chosen to suffer through the hangover.
"Cold water... please, some cold water."
"...Just wait. I'll bring it right away."
Unhyang fetched three glasses of water from the kitchen at Soo-hyuk's desperate plea.
Just as they reached to drink...
"...?"
The water wouldn't go into their mouths. Looking closely, two glasses were frozen solid.
"Hey! Kim Si... woo... ugh!"
Ye-ryeong, who'd yelled, clamped her mouth shut and bolted up from her seat. Si-woo gave a thumbs-up as she dashed to the bathroom.
The winner and loser of this childish battle had been decided.
A bump had formed on Si-woo's head. Having blasted away his hangover with mana, he grinned from ear to ear for some reason.
"What'd you freeze?"
"You're still a sneaky bastard after twenty years."
"Sorry, sorry."
Ye-ryeong and Soo-hyuk gulped down the water. The stuff Si-woo had frozen was half-melted, perfect ice water now.
The three had gathered in the room where Hyo-min lay.
"Let's talk now."
Ye-ryeong's expression, which had been glaring daggers at Si-woo, suddenly changed.
Si-woo asked,
"Adolf said he's the Poison King?"
Poison King.
The room's atmosphere shifted at the name.
Ye-ryeong nodded and declared,
"I'll handle the Poison King."
"Figured you'd say that."
It was the expected response.
Poison King. Sacheon Tang Clan Head, Tang Pae-gun.
He wasn't just skilled in poisons. The Tang Clan had long been renowned for their expertise in both poisons and dark arts across generations.
And among the people Soo-hyuk and Si-woo knew, Ye-ryeong was the top player in dark arts.
"Si-woo, you stay here and guard Hyo-min."
"And you?"
"Gotta go with Ye-ryeong."
Si-woo's face filled with dissatisfaction at Soo-hyuk's answer.
But there was no helping it. At least one of them needed to stay by Hyo-min's side.
And for guarding, Si-woo was far better than Ye-ryeong. Her skills were specialized for killing, not protecting.
"How should we do it? Sneak in and take him out quick?"
"Then what? Will that wake Hyo-min?"
"Uh... kidnap him first, then?"
"Better for making the antidote, yeah. Problem is, they'll be on guard."
As Si-woo and Ye-ryeong huddled together...
"One thing we need to address first."
"Yeah?"
"You two don't need to hide anymore, right?"
Si-woo and Ye-ryeong simultaneously turned to face each other at Soo-hyuk's question.
Their eyes widened in surprise.
"Y-You're right?"
"Now that I think about it..."
They'd hidden for so long that it had become second nature, even taking for granted that the world had forgotten them.
But things had changed.
Hyo-min was here now. She was out cold from poison, but no harm would come to her.
There was no reason to keep handling things in hiding.
"S-So what do we do?"
"Why are you nervous?"
"We've hidden too long... My brain's not working."
Soo-hyuk shook his head at the oddly anxious Ye-ryeong.
"No need to worry. We're just going back to the old days."
Ye-ryeong's face brightened a bit at his words.
"So, what's the plan?"
Soo-hyuk shrugged at Si-woo's question.
"What good's racking our brains? We know nothing."
"Can't be helped. We've been hiding all this time."
"We had no choice until now. But from here on, we do."
Mormelrn, classified as a lawless city, drew in all sorts of black money.
From illicit item trades to hiring swords-for-hire and assassination requests.
And information was one of the traded commodities.
"Finally here."
Dark Map guild member Gilot adjusted his tie and checked the mirror.
Neatly combed hair, tuxedo, shiny face. He'd dolled up big time.
Today was special.
His first day reporting to Dark Map headquarters. The day he'd lay eyes on the guild master he'd only heard about.
'They value neatness.'
Dark Map's guild master was shrouded in more mystery than most.
No one knew his looks, abilities, or even gender for sure.
A being who'd amassed immense power and wealth by controlling black information. Getting in his sights meant certain success.
"Ahem."
Gilot nodded proudly after his final appearance check.
"Good. Let's go."
His first day had his heart pounding with excitement and nerves. Gilot followed the mental map he'd memorized and started walking.
He entered an alley, weaving through maze-like buildings. A narrow path led to a spiderweb-covered shack that even beggars might abandon.
'This is it.'
No one would guess from the outside.
How many points flowed through this hovel.
Gilot opened the door and stepped in. The musty building smelled rank. He pulled out the key hidden in his sleeve.
Another door inside.
As if there was no need to hide from those who'd made it this far. It bore Dark Map's emblem.
Gilot took a deep breath and spoke.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"...?"
Gilot turned. He hadn't said that.
A sharp-looking stranger stood behind him.
'A customer?'
Maybe his first at HQ.
Gilot plastered on his friendliest smile.
"Welcome. How can I help?"
"Here to buy info. And see the boss while I'm at it."
"The boss...?"
Gilot tilted his head, then caught on.
'The guild master?'
Dark Map's guild master didn't meet just anyone. Only giant guild leaders or top high-rankers.
"Sorry, that's not possible."
"Why not?"
The man asked innocently, like he truly didn't know.
'Not joking...'
Gilot swallowed a sigh and gave the standard reply.
"The guild master doesn't meet on request. Only if he wants to see you."
Soo-hyuk smiled at Gilot's words.
"That's exactly what'll happen."
"...?"
Gilot felt two things from Soo-hyuk's cryptic grin: wariness toward the unknown guest, and the scent of money.
'Better take him in.'
Dark Map never turned away customers. He wanted to ask for ID, but they didn't pry from those who didn't volunteer it.
"Follow me."
Soo-hyuk trailed behind Gilot.
Dark Map HQ beyond the door resembled a grim underground cave. As if the building concealed it.
'Frequent visitor?'
Gilot glanced back at Soo-hyuk, who showed no tension despite it being his first time—unlike Gilot himself.
'Regular, then.'
If so, better impress him.
Someone who treated HQ like home meant points to burn. Wooing him would boost Gilot's record.
As they walked the cave path...
"Some guest treatment."
"Pardon?"
"You shove blades at customers first thing?"
"What do you... mean."
Swish-.
Gilot felt cold metal at his throat.
Blink, and masked figures wielding daggers surrounded them.
"Eek!"
"State your identity."
Gilot reeled at the masked man's demand.
'Asking a customer's ID? Dark Map?'
Was this even Dark Map?
The questions, the vibe—it felt like he'd mistaken it for an assassin guild.
But...
"Guess I should spread the word. Dark Map asks for customer IDs."
Soo-hyuk's words suggested otherwise.
This was definitely Dark Map.
Trading info, not blades.
Yet they menaced a visitor with knives.
"You're no customer."
"We are."
"N-Not me!"
The tense Gilot's shout drew the masked men's eyes.
"I'm Gilot. From Dark Map's 5th floor Murim branch, deputy manager..."
"Gilot? Oh, the new guy's first day today."
"Y-Yes! That's me!"
"Who's that? Why'd you bring him?"
"H-He said he was a customer..."
Gilot glanced at Soo-hyuk, eyes pleading for backup.
The masked man kept his blade on Gilot.
"Idiot. That entrance is guild members only. You there. How'd you know this place?"
"Here to see your guild master."
Soo-hyuk's answer sidestepped the question.
But it was bold enough to override it.
"...The guild master?"
Killing intent poured from the masked men. Gilot, already shaking, collapsed.
Unlike their rep, Dark Map treated customers decently—no threats or harm usually.
But mentioning the guild master changed everything.
"You came alone to see the guild master?"
Their reaction said it all.
No one who'd sought Dark Map's guild master had pure intentions.
And none had good ends.
"Half right."
"Half?"
"No fear, seeking the guild master—spot on."
Swish-.
Soo-hyuk's gaze shifted behind the masked men.
"But I'm not alone."
That instant.
The masked men's heads turned back.