Mist's Betrayal
Sung Min-woo finally nodded.
"If you're saying it that strongly."
"Let's go right now."
"Got it."
With the decision firmly made, Mist took the initiative. He picked up the pace toward the central area.
Even as he did, he meticulously scanned the surroundings every so often—not hunting for monsters, but checking if any users were around.
Something's definitely off.
His suspicions solidified.
"This way."
Whenever users appeared, he veered away from them.
Suspicion at 90 percent.
Now it was time to gather hard evidence.
The red dagger.
Once he confirmed that, he'd subdue and bind him on the spot.
That's when Mist halted.
"Kandera."
"Two of them."
"Yeah."
"Already at the central area. Closer than I thought."
"Tell me about it. I'll hold one off, so you two take out the other as fast as possible. Then come help me."
"You sure you'll be okay?"
"Of course."
"Alright, then we'll handle one quick."
"Perfect. Luring it in!"
Mist charged forward.
Fwosh.
He easily lured one Kandera away. Watching his retreating figure, Sung Min-woo and Mu-hyuk exchanged meaningful glances.
They approached the remaining Kandera, staging a tense hunt. They could have ended it easily but dragged it out.
"Still got a ways to go?"
"Just a bit more!"
To confirm Mist's actions.
"Not yet?"
"Almost got it!"
"Hurry up!"
"Yeah!"
Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo replied while pretending to pressure the Kandera, even staggering back as if pushed.
They were clearly gaining ground, but it looked like it would take time. Watching this, Mist finally made his move.
Creep, creep.
He edged toward Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo's position.
The two noticed Mist approaching but shared a glance, nodded, and focused on the Kandera ahead.
By then, Mist had arrived and rolled on the ground.
"Huff, pant."
He put on a show of ragged breathing.
"What happened?!"
Sung Min-woo played along.
"S-sorry. My HP suddenly bottomed out..."
"Damn."
Meanwhile, the Kandera Mist had been handling closed in. With no choice, Sung Min-woo turned to take on the approaching one.
Mu-hyuk on one, Sung Min-woo on the other.
Mist caught his breath between them.
"Hurry and recover your HP, then help!"
"Y-yeah!"
As he answered, Mist moved his hand.
Behind his shield.
He pulled out the red dagger from its hidden slot.
Then he eyed Mu-hyuk.
Archer, so low HP probably.
Kill one, then the remaining fighter.
Fwosh.
Mist kicked off the ground, but his pupils shook.
What...?
Mu-hyuk had turned his head, staring straight at him.
Sensing something wrong from the chilling vibe, but it was too late to stop his full-powered lunge.
His panic faded quickly, replaced by cold cruelty. Even if caught, it didn't matter.
Just two opponents.
He could handle them.
Red light surged.
Just before the dagger struck Mu-hyuk's armor, something suddenly blocked it.
Thud.
Dozens of skeletons filled the area, their hollow eye sockets piercing only Mist with black glares.
No advancing.
No sidestepping.
No retreating.
Skeletons everywhere.
"Wh-what...?"
"What else? Skeletons to devour you."
An Armor Knight closed in.
"Shit, fuck!"
Seeing the skeletons jogged his memory.
Tournament winner Mu-hyuk.
No wonder he looked familiar.
But why him?
"Quest?"
"Bingo."
Mu-hyuk smirked and released the bowstring.
Bang!
The arrow flew at Mist. He deflected one with his dagger, but three Armor Knights at point-blank swung down simultaneously.
Then an Armor Cavalry's spear thrust out, and the sky filled with bone arrows.
"Crazy...!"
But he wouldn't die like this.
His eyes turned red.
High infamy meant death would drop an item for sure.
Not that!
One way out.
Escape.
Create an opening.
Damn it!
Cursing inwardly, he unleashed his trump card skill.
Light from the red dagger swallowed the space around him, then burst outward.
As it enveloped dozens of skeletons, the light vanished, and red blood droplets rained like storm water.
Kaboom!
Each droplet exploded with massive force.
"Ho."
Bone Swords were all unsummoned, some Armor Mages and Armor Archers gone too. Satisfied with the destruction, Mist grinned.
"Kuhuhu."
Pathetic.
Tsk.
Mu-hyuk ordered the remaining skeletons to press.
But suddenly, Mist spun and slipped through the gaps in the encirclement.
A bit off-guard from his laughable sneer, but no issue.
"Where you going?!"
Sung Min-woo waited.
With 12 spirits.
The spirits swiftly filled the openings.
"Urk!"
Mist's escape blocked.
"Finish him quick and go."
"Yeah."
But dispatching Mist wasn't easy or fast. His growth with the red dagger was impressive; he held out against Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo for a while.
"Guh...!"
Of course, he couldn't survive forever.
"You bastards, if I see you alone later, I'll kill you! I'll hunt you till you quit the game!"
"Whatever."
Mu-hyuk's arrow loosed.
Stab.
Piercing the armor, ending it.
Party member 'Mist' has been killed.
Party forcibly disbanded.
User 'Mist's criminal level is high, so no infamy gained.
They hurried forward.
Pulling rope from inventory, he bound Mist's corpse.
Binding complete.
User 'Mist's corpse will not disappear.
He'd still dropped an item. One glowing on the ground—a small earring. He picked it up.
"Too bad."
"What is it?"
"Just junk."
Not truly junk by performance, but Mu-hyuk had no interest.
He handed the earring to Sung Min-woo, who equipped it immediately, citing low wisdom.
Hmm.
Gazing at the bound Mist's corpse, he thought of the red dagger.
Quite tempting.
Any way to get it?
Guess I should ask.
Not Mist, of course.
"Let's go."
Mu-hyuk summoned a warhorse, loaded the bound body, mounted another, and headed for the Hemil Empire.
*
Entering the castle with the Hemil Empire Mercenary Guild manager.
"Whoa, first time here."
"Eh, similar to Weibra."
"Still feels different."
"I guess."
Weibra felt grand, but Hemil's castle had a sturdier vibe.
As they chatted, they arrived; the manager turned.
"Here."
"Ah, yes."
The manager approached; a guard went inside.
Soon, a noble appeared.
"These guys?"
"Yes."
"And him?"
Mu-hyuk stepped aside, revealing Mist's bound corpse on the warhorse. The noble nodded approvingly and approached.
"Matches."
He glanced at Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo.
"Good work."
"Ah, yes."
The casual tone irked, but he let it slide.
Quest completed.
Gained massive experience.
Gained Hemil Empire Contribution (30 points).
Gained large amount of gold.
Messages popped up, but Mu-hyuk didn't leave.
"Um, excuse me."
"What?"
"Mind if I ask a favor?"
The noble's brow furrowed.
"Favor?"
"Yes."
"Doesn't seem like it. Be off."
"..."
He didn't want to lose the red dagger.
If permitted.
He could come every 24 hours, kill him, and keep the drops since infamy wouldn't drop.
"What're you spacing out for?"
The noble was the problem.
No chance he'd listen.
Then.
A ray of salvation descended.
"You there!"
Turning at the shout, a familiar middle-aged noble approached.
"Should've come find me first!"
"Ah, Duke Amur."
"Oh, you remember."
"Of course."
Duke Amur's sudden arrival froze the noble who'd eyed Mu-hyuk sourly. He was merely a viscount.
"Heard you entered, so I rushed out."
"Ah..."
And such familiarity.
"D-Duke."
"Ah, Viscount Kinber."
"Yes, what brings you here..."
"Oh, came to see this friend."
Viscount Kinber's eyes shook at Duke Amur's gaze on Mu-hyuk. If Mu-hyuk pressed the earlier rudeness, trouble.
He already caught flak from Duke Amur often.
"Wh-why this friend...?"
"My business. None of yours."
"Ah, yes."
"More importantly, why're you with him?"
"I have a mercenary guild request out. This... person completed it."
"I see. Provide every courtesy."
"Ah, understood."
Duke Amur turned to Mu-hyuk.
"Just came to say hi today, no pressure. Next time in the castle, find me."
"Will do."
"Busy today, so I'll go."
Viscount Kinber bowed to the departing duke.
"Safe travels."
Straightening, he approached Mu-hyuk with a stiff expression. Clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem, so."
"Yes."
"You mentioned a favor earlier?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Will you grant it?"
"If possible."
Mu-hyuk grinned.
Lucky break.
He immediately made his request regarding Mist.