Chapter 74
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: SS급 비명헌터-74화
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Hide-and-Seek
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'The gate's position has changed!'
Did it shift when Cha Do-yun Hunter entered too? That would explain why he couldn't escape.
Clack.
'Damn it.'
Before I knew it, the 'Gentleman' had appeared in front of me, good as new, blocking the stairs—the only way down from this hallway to the first floor.
'No avoiding close combat now.'
I ground my teeth in annoyance at the hassle and pulled Ego's trigger toward him first.
Bang, bang, bang!
With explosive bursts, the pristine white sound bullets flew out, but the Gentleman twisted his body fluidly to dodge, closing the distance in an instant.
Screeech.
The sharp tip of his cane clashed against my large shield, producing a grating friction sound.
'This is seriously unexpected.'
With no finesse, just brute-blocking with the shield, my arm trembled violently.
"Hah!"
I dodged his attack, shoving the entire shield sideways to throw off his balance, then fired a sound bullet—but he slipped away from it just as easily as before. I hooked my finger on the trigger and held it down long, unleashing a wave of pure white sound waves that reverberated through the entire air.
Whooooosh—
The Gentleman, struck full-body by the sound, staggered wildly and spewed black blood from his gaping maw.
'Hide first and think later.'
While he writhed in agony, I leaped toward the base of the stairs. Bounding through the air, I raced down to the first floor toward the direction 'The One Who Lights the Way' indicated.
Does the space feel even bigger than before? Am I imagining it?
I crossed the massive living room and reached the first-floor hallway. Four rooms here—one of them holds the gate.
Holding the ring like a compass, I slowly turned my body, and the arrow began spinning wildly once more.
"...You're kidding me?"
The One Who Lights the Way now pointed back to the second floor. It seemed the dungeon redesigned itself every time the Gentleman spotted me, shifting the gate's location.
Clack, clack.
Persistent bastard.
The moment I heard his footsteps, I slipped into the nearest room. I carefully closed the door and pressed my ear against it, focusing on the hallway sounds.
Creak, creak.
His footsteps grew louder, approaching steadily. He'd 100% heard the door close—he'd probably check every door in here.
Better hide again.
I stepped away from the door and scanned the room. Under the bedcovers, inside the wardrobe, beneath the desk...
"Hide tight now. Don't let your hair show."
He's right outside!
No time to think. I dashed into the wardrobe and crammed myself in. The pile of clothes at my feet kept making me wobble, so I grabbed the hanger above with one hand to steady myself.
Creak.
The door opened. Through the wardrobe slats, I saw his feet pacing back and forth.
Slash, stab.
The Gentleman prodded and jabbed around the room with his cane but kept hitting air. Finally, he stopped right in front of the wardrobe where I hid. Through the narrow gap, I glimpsed the mass of hands covering his face and the black blood dripping from his lips.
"Hide tight now. Don't let your hair show."
'Did he spot me?'
My hairs stood on end, heart pounding like a drum. I held my breath, terrified of discovery, but my heartbeat felt loud enough to give me away. Keeping still, I rolled my eyes to track his shadow.
Creeeak.
The shadow stood motionless for a long while before retreating, then left the room entirely.
I slowly exhaled the breath I'd held, then drew in a deep one.
'Thought I was done for...'
I'd shaken him off somehow. I released the hanger, slumped slightly onto the clothes pile, and wiped the sweat from my forehead.
It had been quite the commotion—Se-bin must know a fight broke out by now. Hopefully she'd found someone in the time I'd bought.
The mansion was so huge I hadn't even caught a glimpse of Se-bin's coat hem, let alone run into her.
'Hope nothing happened to her...'
"...Huh?"
I turned my head unconsciously and spotted what looked almost like a human shape amid the clothes pile beside me. The wardrobe was dim, so I couldn't make it out clearly, but as I leaned closer, a thick stench of blood assaulted my nose.
'No way...'
A bad feeling rising, I pulled my phone from inventory, flicked on the flashlight, and cautiously illuminated the spot next to me.
A white T-shirt soaked in crimson blood, streaks of it running down the face, long eyelashes—all jumped into view. It took mere seconds after seeing the face to realize who this person crammed beside me was.
"Cha, Cha Do-yun Hunter!"
'Damn, he's not dead, is he?'
I shone the phone light over Cha Do-yun Hunter, checking his condition. Holding my hand near his face, I felt faint breath. At least he was still alive.
Cha Do-yun Hunter slumped against the wardrobe wall, head lolled, skin ice-cold. His face had only minor scratches and looked intact otherwise; neck and head seemed fine too...
I lowered the phone light down his body, revealing his abdomen stained deep red.
'Stabbed in the gut.'
Blood still hadn't clotted; it pooled wetly. Good thing I'd packed hemostatic agent from the Hunter Market—just the right moment.
Click.
I carefully uncapped it and slowly poured it over Cha Do-yun Hunter's abdomen. The sticky liquid seeped into the wound and pooled blood.
"...Guh."
At the same time, Cha Do-yun Hunter exhaled sharply. His eyelids fluttered, then he blinked open slowly. To stave off hypothermia at least, I draped the clothes pile I'd been sitting on over his body.
"You with me?"
His eyes were still half-lidded, but regaining consciousness eased my mind a bit. Cha Do-yun Hunter slowly turned his head to look at me, staring blankly for a long moment.
"Shin... Ji-ui Hun, ugh!"
"Don't talk. Rest for now."
His mind seemed sharp, thankfully. I sighed in relief, capped the hemostatic, and stowed it back in inventory.
Couldn't use his healing skill 'Sky Breeze' with all that noise.
A miracle he'd clung to life this long. The bleeding was slowing; bloodstains were crusting over brownish.
I left Cha Do-yun Hunter there and cracked open the wardrobe door, slipping into the room. Ear to the door, no sounds. The Gentleman had moved on elsewhere.
Back inside, Cha Do-yun Hunter was breathing heavily with effort.
"Can you use your recovery skill?"
"......"
"If the noise draws monsters, I'll shake 'em off. Use it if you can."
His eyebrows twitched at my words, then he nodded faintly.
Whiiish—
A gentle spring breeze with a slight chill began blowing through the room, rustling my hair lightly. It enveloped Cha Do-yun Hunter, sweeping away the blood trickling down his face.
Slow recovery, but this should get him past the worst.
"Sorry for not picking up earlier."
[Awakener 'Shin Ji-ui's statement causes Awakener 'Cha Do-yun' to waver.]
[Statement result: Strong denial]
Cha Do-yun Hunter shook his head.
"You called because the gate moved on you too?"
This time, he nodded.
"Seems like it shifts every time the boss spots you."
"...Ha."
Cha Do-yun Hunter let out an incredulous breath and shoved aside the clothes I'd piled on him. Thanks to the steady Sky Breeze, his color looked somewhat better.
"Ran into the boss right after hitting the second floor. Headed straight for the gate... but..."
"It was gone."
He bowed his head silently.
"Lee Jun-su Hunter got injured mid-fight, so I played bait. Choi Jin-hyuk Hunter evacuated him in the chaos."
So those two are together, at least.
Cha Do-yun Hunter breathed far more steadily now, pulling a stamina potion from inventory and downing it. He grimaced at the foul taste.
Bzzz, bzzz.
Then The One Who Lights the Way hummed, its upward-pointing arrow spinning once before tilting slightly right.
'Someone got spotted?'
Holding my breath, ears perked, I caught faint frantic footsteps and crashing objects. Unmistakable sounds of combat.
"Kang Se-bin Hunter, probably."
"How'd you know?"
Cha Do-yun Hunter silently handed me his phone. It was open to a Hunter Net chat.
I'm on 2nd flr 3rd rm from end gate??
Where's the gate?
Branch Chief Kang Se-bin shaking off the bastard rn
The chat screamed urgency. Choi Jin-hyuk Hunter and Lee Jun-su Hunter were in the third room from the end on the second-floor hallway, and Se-bin was drawing off the enemy.
If Se-bin fully shook the Gentleman, we'd find the gate right away.
'...Gotta leave Cha Do-yun Hunter here?'
I glanced at him; he was steadying his breathing. The gut wound seemed somewhat mended, but sudden movement could reopen it.
"Stay here and heal more, Cha Do-yun Hunter. I'll find the gate."
"I'll come with."
"You're not fully healed. Just rest here."
"No, ugh!"
Cha Do-yun Hunter lurched up from the wardrobe but pitched forward, clutching his gut and collapsing back down.
"See? That's why I'm saying rest here..."
His sudden stubbornness felt out of character. Frustrated with his state, he bit his lower lip hard, turning it pale.
"Once we find the gate, this ends quick. Just hang on a bit longer."
"...I hate owing you more."
His childish grumble hit home. The unexpected petulance nearly made me laugh, but I clenched my teeth to avoid embarrassing him.
'He's finally opening up a little.'
I crouched down to meet his eyes directly. He flinched in surprise.
"That's what comrades are for."
[Eloquence increased]
[Awakener 'Shin Ji-ui's statement causes Awakener 'Cha Do-yun' to waver.]
"...Someday."
"Pardon?"
[Statement result: Motivation]
"You'll give me a chance to pay you back."
Turning thanks into something so grandiose.
Cha Do-yun Hunter finished with surprising gravity, then averted his eyes, a touch embarrassed.
'Seems quiet now.'
Leaving him behind, I approached the door and pressed my ear to it. The upstairs commotion had died down, and The One Who Lights the Way steadily pointed to one spot. Se-bin must've shaken him off.
"I'll be back. If he shows, yell or something."
I whispered, then cracked the door and slipped into the hallway.
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