Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Hunters (2)
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“What?”
“People die if they go out into the Red Zone, don't they? I still remember those who couldn't escape in time, their bodies being burned away…”
At Lee Do-hyeon's words, the twins tilted their heads at the exact same moment.
As expected of twins.
Choi Yeon-soo, on the other hand, stroked his chin in brief admiration.
“I see. That’s another approach. A method that doesn't rely on completing the mission at all.”
“That seems more realistic.”
Choi Yeon-soo and Jeong Ha-yeon nodded in agreement.
Of course, others had considered this direction as well.
[What's he talking about? Does he have a death wish?]
Besial peeked out.
He’s been showing up whenever he pleases lately.
I shot him a light glare, and Besial vanished with a sullen look.
“I think I know what you mean.”
“Huh? What is it? Tell me, too.”
“Even for Min-woo and me, the Red Zone didn't feel all that threatening. Since we handle fire, the intense heat didn't affect us that much. It was more like, ‘This is manageable.’ Couldn't we just increase our resistance to flames?”
Jo Min-ah made a valid point.
The fact that the heat wasn't overwhelming was also because I had used the 'Veil of Niflheim'.
However, even without it, the twins would have been able to endure it to some extent.
I had only used it to be extra safe.
“That could be a way.”
“That's right. If possible, that would be a solution. It was the first thing that came to my mind as well, but…”
Lee Do-hyeon's expression soon turned negative.
“The method of increasing flame resistance itself became the problem. Buying and distributing flame resistance potions would require a significant amount of coins, and would players willingly pay that much for free? I judged it to be impossible. Even if we solved that issue, the resistance gained from potions wouldn't be enough for ordinary people, with their already weak bodies, to withstand the Red Zone.”
“Ah…”
“Are there no other methods besides potions?”
“Only equipment items.”
“...That's even less likely than potions. There aren't many equipment items to begin with, and to get enough for all the civilians…”
“Didn't you say the major guilds have people who can craft equipment? Would it be possible to ask them?”
Several opinions were exchanged in an instant.
But none of them seemed very feasible.
As the conversation continued, their expressions grew grim, but one person was different.
“It seems you’ve found another way, Mr. Lee Do-hyeon.”
At my words, the chatter stopped abruptly, and all eyes turned to Lee Do-hyeon.
Lee Do-hyeon's expression hadn't been dark from the start.
He knew a way.
One of the methods I knew, one he managed to discover thanks to the overwhelming support and backing of a certain archangel.
“That's right. It's a method that's not only possible but also simple, as long as the players help just a little. Just a little.”
“There's something like that?”
“I found out by chance myself. Ahem. First, we need this.”
Lee Do-hyeon fumbled in his pocket and pulled out something that looked like a large coin.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
It was something no one here could fail to recognize.
It was none other than a Mark.
There was no way Lee Do-hyeon could have obtained it on his own; he must have picked it up after a player who deemed it useless discarded it.
“That's a Mark, isn't it? We've been collecting them, but why...?”
“Because if you hold a Mark within the Red Zone and say 'Use,' a 'Self Safety Zone' will activate around you for ten minutes, allowing you to avoid all dangers of the Red Zone. Whether it's the heat or the monsters.”
“The Marks had a function like that?”
“It took me a while to figure it out. There’s one more thing. I don't know the exact criteria, but certain gates leave behind a transparent circle where they were cleared. If you enter that circle, hold a Mark, and say 'Prove qualification,' you become immune to the effects of the Red Zone.”
Gates with hidden dungeons.
That was the reason I had only been clearing those types of gates.
If no one had cleared the hidden dungeons, Lee Do-hyeon would never have discovered this method.
And if Lee Do-hyeon didn't discover this method, my own plans would be disrupted.
Because Lee Do-hyeon had to discover this method and then 'leak it to others'.
“In other words, we just need to give the civilians Marks beforehand and tell them what to do. The Marks will accumulate naturally as we do missions, and since they don't have much other use, players will probably be willing to part with them.”
“A method like that…”
Sincere exclamations of awe erupted from various people.
What Lee Do-hyeon said was mostly correct.
The only downsides were that it still required some help from existing players, and the time when people's perception of the Marks' uselessness would change was not far off.
However, even if all those issues were resolved, we would never use the method Lee Do-hyeon described.
I maintained my expression while sharing the senses of my soldiers hidden in the vicinity.
“You're amazing for figuring that out, Senior. How on earth did you find out?”
“An archangel started giving me hints a while ago. Thanks to that, I was able to figure it out somehow.”
“Se-hyeon-ssi, you told us to collect them, so we were working hard at it... Don't tell me you knew what the Marks were used for?”
“Of course not. I had no idea they could be used like this.”
“If you've gathered a lot, it will be a huge help. That's a relief.”
Lee Do-hyeon beamed.
I wonder why he thinks people would give up their Marks so readily.
Of course, if they did, the angels would shower them with support.
They'd earn a decent amount of coins.
But that's all.
'If I'm going to gain something.'
It was best to gain from both the angels and the devils.
“Well then, I'm off to tell the Guild Masters about this!”
Lee Do-hyeon disappeared with quick steps, a cheerful expression on his face.
At the same time, a faint presence I had been sensing nearby vanished.
A presence I had noticed earlier but deliberately ignored.
Under the circumstances, they must have heard our entire conversation.
It would be a problem if they hadn't. I let them listen on purpose.
'Alpha. Follow them.'
Upon receiving the command, the Army of Darkness began to move as one.
For this kind of task, the assassin-type 'Death Walker' would be more suitable than the knight-type 'Tenebris One'.
All-rounders are fine, but it's always better to have specialists for the right job at the right time.
I suppressed my slight disappointment and stretched my body.
I can just try again the next time I get a chance to summon.
“Choi Yeon-soo. Take the kids and go back.”
“Where are you off to now?”
“The kids have been through a lot. They need to rest. I still have some energy left.”
Choi Yeon-soo narrowed his eyes for a moment before promptly agreeing.
Jeong Ha-yeon looked restless, torn between the direction Lee Do-hyeon had gone and the twins.
She was worried about bounty hunters attacking the twins with only the non-combatant Choi Yeon-soo to protect them, and also worried that Lee Do-hyeon might be attacked by crazed players on his way.
Seeing her unable to let go of her worries, even after witnessing the children's capabilities, reminded me that a person's nature doesn't easily change.
“I'll follow Mr. Lee Do-hyeon. Ha-yeon-ssi, please protect the children.”
“...I'm counting on you.”
Jeong Ha-yeon nodded and followed the children.
Only after confirming that Jeong Ha-yeon was out of sight did I also pick up speed in the direction Lee Do-hyeon had gone.
With the mission's time limit approaching, the Guild Masters were busy rushing around to fend off the sudden increase in monster invasions.
There was still some distance and time before Lee Do-hyeon could meet with the Guild Masters.
There was no way those who had eavesdropped on Lee Do-hyeon's words wouldn't make a move.
'It's the perfect bait.'
This event would be the biggest turning point of this chapter.
Officially, there were two main routes, but I knew of a third, hidden one.
***
“The Guild Masters will surely agree that it's a good method.”
Perhaps this was how a mathematician felt after finally solving a problem they had struggled with for years.
Lee Do-hyeon was so happy he could jump for joy, even humming a tune as he walked with a light step.
No more sacrifices. Everyone could live.
What could be better than that?
The more he thought about it, the more Lee Do-hyeon felt like shouting for joy.
“Ha-yeon will definitely offer her Marks willingly... Still, the key is how many we'll need.”
Just as he was thinking that, Lee Do-hyeon felt a sense of unease and looked around.
Before he knew it, several shadows had surrounded him.
Their intentions were not good.
He had an immediate premonition, and he quickly took a defensive stance.
“Who are you? What business do you have with me?”
There was no answer.
They were all wearing masks, making it impossible to read their expressions or guess what they were thinking.
Lee Do-hyeon shifted his eyes, carefully observing their reactions.
“I have urgent business, so if it's not important, I'd appreciate it if you'd step aside.”
*Shing.*
The five people surrounding him each drew their weapons.
Talk was pointless. They had no intention of it.
At their actions, which seemed to convey just that, Lee Do-hyeon's face darkened once more.
Then, he spotted a figure behind them and his eyes widened.
“Y-You are?”
It was someone Lee Do-hyeon had seen before.
The person who had been giving a speech among the civilians after the succubus incident.
He remembered him because of his unique mask, but there was something more important.
'Player hunting...!'
The fact that he was the leader of the organization that hunted players.
He knew because the archangel supporting him had secretly tipped him off.
A cold sweat ran down Lee Do-hyeon's back.
After barely managing to survive with help and even obtaining crucial information that could turn everything around, he was facing death again.
'No. Get a grip. They say you can survive even in a tiger's den if you just keep your wits about you, right?'
Lee Do-hyeon forced a smile and opened his mouth.
“It seems I'm the target this time.”
“...”
“I've found a way for all of you to survive without having to clear the mission! So trust me, and stop this kind of thing…”
“There was no need for you to find that out.”
The man Lee Do-hyeon had tried to talk to finally spoke for the first time.
Then, he gave a slight nod.
At that, the people surrounding Lee Do-hyeon charged, swinging their weapons.
'It's over.'
Lee Do-hyeon squeezed his eyes shut.
“Gah!?”
“Urk!”
However, the screams came not from Lee Do-hyeon, but from the others.
The attackers who had been rushing at him had all collapsed, clutching their arms or legs.
As soldiers in black armor appeared behind the fallen men, Lee Do-hyeon couldn't help but gasp.
“...Damn it! It's a trap!”
“Where do you think you're going?”
The man who had ordered the attack tried to flee in a hurry, but it was a futile thought.
'Huh?'
A sharp pain shot through the man's neck, and his consciousness suddenly faded.
As he collapsed to the ground, he managed to look back and saw someone who seemed to have struck the back of his neck, smirking.
'When... the hell...'
That was the last of the man's consciousness.
***
Lee Do-hyeon was a civilian, not a player.
Despite his unique ability to communicate with an archangel, he was still just a civilian.
The weakest of the weak, someone who could be dealt with effortlessly by just one of the people there.
Their actions were meant to ensure a clean kill with no variables.
Who would have known?
That it would be their own undoing.
I looked down at the subdued men.
All players from Paradise.
I had succeeded in suppressing them far more easily than expected.
“M-Mr. Kim Se-hyeon…?”
Lee Do-hyeon stammered, his mouth agape.
I gave him a faint smile.
“Mr. Lee Do-hyeon. I'm going to need your cooperation for a moment.”
From here, Lee Do-hyeon's path splits in two.
The route where he dies without delivering the information, and the route where he lives to deliver it.
Each route had its pros and cons.
When I played the game, I usually chose the route where he died, but this time was different.
I would induce the outcome that would occur if he died without delivering the information, while keeping Lee Do-hyeon himself alive.
The hidden third route, one I normally wouldn't choose because it offered few merits.
“From now on, we're going to fake your death.”
“What?”
“It will be better for you that way. The fact that you have this information and were trying to tell—or have already told—the Guild Masters. That alone will make you a constant target for them. Until you're dead. They're the type to hunt someone to the ends of the earth if that person gets in the way of their goals and isn't dead.”
Lee Do-hyeon's face turned deathly pale.
The reason the 'player hunters' could band together was that they had no other choice.
But what would happen if information spread that there was a way to survive without resorting to that?
The outcome was as clear as day.
'Paradise was the one who supported and instigated the frequent player hunts from behind the scenes.'
From Paradise's perspective, that information could absolutely not be allowed to spread.
Therefore, they would never leave Lee Do-hyeon, the one who spread it, alone.
They must have attacked him just now fully prepared to have a bounty placed on them.
After all, they were the leaders of the bounty hunters themselves.
[They have all been moved, Lord.]
“Good. Now, slap them awake.”
In the meantime, the soldiers had gathered the unconscious and bound men in one place.
Lee Do-hyeon watched the soldiers from the corner of his eye, as if fascinated, but stayed quiet, not wanting to interfere.
*Smack!*
The soldiers swung their hands in unison.
Six cheeks were slapped, yet there was only a single sound.
Impressed, I approached the men.
“Ugh…?”
“Get up. How long are you going to sleep?”
“Gah!?”
The man who met my eyes panicked and kicked out, but I caught his foot easily.
The soldiers instantly drew their swords, their eyes glinting menacingly.
The man who appeared to be the leader ground his teeth and spoke.
“Kill me. I have nothing to say.”
“Kill you? Why?”
I went to the trouble of keeping you alive.
I grabbed the man's head and forced him to meet my gaze.
[Activating skill, 'Eyes of Bewitchment'.]
“You successfully killed Lee Do-hyeon and returned. Understand?”