Wolfsrein's Pursuit
After taking about a week off from hunting, using the holidays as an excuse, Park Taemin headed straight back out the next day to avoid losing his edge.
He made for the same spot where he'd first hunted. Enough time had passed that the monsters he'd killed were likely respawned by now.
Hunters still guarded the portal area, but they couldn't stop Taemin when he was invisible.
'Alright, time to get back to it.'
Having slipped inside successfully, his figure shot forward like the wind.
♦ Wolfsrein Headquarters, small conference room.
Five men and women sat around a round table, listening intently to the briefing from the executive standing before them.
"Per the chief of staff's orders, we've been monitoring our mid-level dungeons for the past two weeks. We've identified the intruder who caused massive damage in the Philadia Mountains. Take a look at the entrance here. Despite guards posted there, this man is inside the dungeon."
"How'd he get in?"
"Just wait a bit longer, and you'll see."
At the executive's words, the five turned their attention to the large monitor, focusing on the man inside.
He moved at whirlwind speed, mowing down surrounding monsters. His prowess rivaled at least an A-rank hunter—far beyond their expectations.
They had no idea why an A-rank would bother raiding a mountain range like this, but something else mattered more, so they watched in silence.
The footage played on, until the man encountered a Giant Ogre in the middle of the forest.
Right then, the executive pointed his baton at the man on screen.
"Here it is."
The moment he indicated the man, the figure vanished without a trace.
Simultaneously, the ogre's body exploded, and the man reappeared in its place.
The chief of staff and executives below him let out low groans at the sight.
"Hmph. He can turn himself invisible at will?"
"Probably something like that."
"How is this even possible? What's his class?"
"We'll need a deeper investigation, but based on analyzing his skills, no matching class exists."
"Then?"
"Likely a rare class."
"A rare class? In Korea? Hmm. So, what's the plan now?"
"We catch him."
"Got a method?"
"We'll install Sound Aura (Alarm Magic) at each dungeon entrance. When it triggers, forces from HQ will multi-portal in immediately. The guards can't hold him, and beefed-up forces might tip him off."
"Good. But what about countermeasures for that invisibility?"
"As you know, chief, treat him like a hide-type monster. Use omnidirectional detection skills or magic to pinpoint location, then bind him. Shouldn't be too hard."
The chief of staff nodded at the explanation, pointing at the man on screen.
"That movement speed... most hunters would struggle."
"Yes. That's why we'll select fast A-rank warriors."
"Understood. I'll report to the captain. But we'll need to tweak the plan."
"How so?"
"Keep the threat level conversational. No forcing anything. We don't even need to bring him here."
"What do you mean?"
"How valuable do you think that man is? There are no hunters with those skills in Korea... or the world. He's hunting solo, so no affiliation. Our best move is obvious. These are chaotic times. Even if things look stable, war could erupt anytime. What if a talent like that joins a rival guild?"
The executive nodded, realizing what he'd missed.
"My thinking was shortsighted. I understand."
"I'll leave it to you. I need to report to the captain, so that's all."
"Yes, sir."
About a week after resuming hunting, Taemin had reached level 36.
Gazing at his status window, Taemin let out a quiet sigh.
"Hit a plateau, huh."
His total EXP had already surpassed 3 million.
Considering the Philadia Mountains' average of 5,000 EXP per monster, that meant hunting around 700 to level up.
The problem? The mountains held fewer than 500 in total.
Even hunting non-stop, it'd take at least two days per level.
"Still, one level every two days... not terrible. But EXP doubles at 40, so I'll grind here till then, then move to the factory or highlands."
As usual, Taemin drove his usual route.
Upon arrival, he parked in a secluded spot and swiftly climbed the mountain.
There, amid the guards, shimmered the portal.
'Thanks for the meal today.'
About ten minutes after Taemin entered the portal, another opened beside it. Heavily armed people emerged.
The guards bowed deeply to them.
After a brief exchange, all but two vanished into the portal.
The pursuit team plunged into the dungeon, immediately tracking the intruder.
Each was a movement speed specialist. Buffed with Sorceress Haste, they bolted like lightning.
Backup followed, and soon they were mere dots in the distance.
Meanwhile, Taemin had just sliced through a troll pack and was exiting the clearing.
Shh-shh-shk!
He froze.
An unnatural sound in the quiet mountainside.
Glancing sideways casually, Taemin's expression darkened.
A heavily armed group approached at ferocious speed from afar.
'What the hell? Bad timing?'
Taemin hesitated momentarily.
'Run?'
Seemed wise. He activated Arrainba and bolted.
A shout echoed from behind.
"Stop!"
The booming command spurred Taemin faster. Getting caught seemed disastrous.
Fully armed hunters—over ten of them. Their gear outclassed typical hunters by leagues.
They didn't belong in this dungeon.
Only one answer.
'They were waiting. Long tail gets stepped on.'
Taemin regretted his complacency. Overconfident in his abilities, he'd taken hunting here for granted.
'Haven't even cleared much, and a major guild pulls this petty crap.'
He still didn't grasp his own violation.
He just hated the unspoken rules of the elite ignoring national law.
Running at full tilt, Taemin kept glancing back.
Despite his all-out effort, the distance didn't grow.
With Arrainba, his speed neared 200—enough for upper dungeons.
That said it all about their levels.
Soon, he'd crested one mountain, heading for the next ridge.
At least they matched his pace; no catching yet.
But that didn't last.
Hunters blocked his path ahead—advance forces who'd cut him off.
Taemin veered right.
Two more waited there, swords gleaming fiercely.
Surrounded and closing in, he finally cast Invisible.
His figure vanished instantly.
Right then, a unfamiliar chime rang with light.
'Rescue of Heal' magic has been applied. HP will continuously recover for 1 minute.
+25 HP recovered.
+25 HP recovered.
+25 HP recovered.
+25 HP recovered.
+25 HP recovered.
Duration: 1 minute
'What the—?'
Before Taemin could puzzle it out, a booming voice rang from ahead.
"There he is!"
"Keep the heals coming!"
Taemin gaped at the hunters charging straight at his invisible position.
Somehow, they knew exactly where he was.
Whatever the reason, he dodged the closing net, scattering smoke grenades everywhere.
The affected hunters froze momentarily.
A brief respite.
Then a thunderous command.
"Light Vision! Now!"
With the man's shout, bluish energy rose from the healers' hands, purifying the smoke-blinded allies.
Regaining sight instantly, they resumed the chase.
'How...?'
Even smoke failed. Anxiety crept in.
Was this the high-level wall he'd only heard of?
Breath shortening, a sliver of fear rising.
After endless flight, he reached the dungeon's end: a vast, endless river.
With his back to the river, a golden ring flew at him.
A binding ring.
Taemin drew Hydeger, shattering it in two, and faced the hunters.
'Deep trouble. Now what?'
As more arrived, his mind raced.
This deep in the dungeon, no eyes reached here.
Dark thoughts flashed.
Taemin scanned left and right tensely.
If they meant to kill, he wouldn't go down easy.
His gaze settled on the women to the right. Robed—likely mages.
'That's the spot.'
At their level, direct attacks might fail.
So hit the weak point to break through.
That one shot was his last chance.
As he tensed to activate skills, the lead man sheathed his sword.
The others followed, holstering weapons.
The man facing him stepped forward, grumbling like he was risking his life.
"Whew, why run so hard? We yelled to talk."
"Pardon?"
"Ow, my back. That's at least four weeks of physio... And if you're running, why zigzag? Thought my back'd snap keeping up. Anyway, not the point."
The man, rubbing his back, extended a hand to Taemin.
"Nice to meet you. Kim Min-woo from Wolfsrein."
Taemin eyed the hand suspiciously.
Sensing it, Kim wiped it on his pants awkwardly, then turned to his team.
"Everyone, head back first."
"But you're alone..."
"It's fine. You're just a burden."
"Be careful."
At his order, the forces vanished.
Kim offered his hand again.
"I get it's suspicious, but it was necessary to talk. Forces are gone now—shake on it? My back's killing me. And honestly, one-on-one with no backup? I'd lose."
Taemin's tension eased at the banter. He clasped the hand.
"Park Taemin."