Chapter 10

BACKTICK`CHAPTER_TITLE: The Hunter Waits at the Rendezvous Spot

Seonghyun stood at the meeting spot, waiting for Dojin. It had been several days since the last message from Dojin, who now requested another dungeon raid. But…

“……This couldn’t have been mere coincidence, could it?”

Several days earlier, the day Dojin had requested Dojin to scout an empty dungeon after a brief rest. That same evening, a fire erupted in the heart of Seoul along with a missing person report. It had happened at Red Capital, a company operated by the Red Circle Guild, one of Korea’s most infamous loan shark firms. A growing sense of unease filled Seonghyun, yet he maintained a calm facade as he waited for Dojin. And at the promised time. Just as if on cue, Dojin appeared before him. “Hyung-nim!” “Where must we go today?” “Ah, it’s… a dungeon in Gwacheon today.” “One?” “Yes.” Seonghyun hesitated awkwardly. “After clearing today’s dungeon, I was requested to visit the guild briefly. Could you… handle this?” It was an unplanned schedule. At Seonghyun’s words, Dojin silently studied him. Was he angry? Soon Dojin spoke. “From now on, please inform me of such matters beforehand.” “Yes, of course. My apologies…” “Then, let’s finish quickly and head in.” Dojin had an idea of what the matter might be, yet nodded. His expression brightened. “Thank you, Hyung-nim!” “By the way, I’ve been curious.” “W-what is it?” Seonghyun asked cautiously. Dojin addressed him directly. “Why do you keep stuttering?” “Y-yes?” “Even now.” “……” “Do you stutter by nature?” ‘No way.’ Seonghyun nearly stuttered again, then answered inwardly. On reflection, he seemed overly tense whenever speaking with Dojin. Seonghyun scratched his head silently. He simply didn’t know what to say. But then… “Relax. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It’s fine. The more comfortable you are, the easier it will be to work together.” “Th-that’s… Hyung-nim are you really comfortable with me?” Seonghyun asked with a tense expression. Dojin subtly curved his lips into a smile. “Let’s go.” “H-Hyung-nim! Aren’t you going to answer?!” Seeing Dojin already seated in the passenger seat, Seonghyun rushed to the driver’s side. * * * Kwang! With a tremendous explosion, six orcs were blasted away in all directions. The two closest to them were instantly killed, while the other four were critically wounded. “……Impressive.” Dojin sighed in pure admiration. The Assassin class had its share of clear advantages and drawbacks. Namely, the one-hit kill. A powerful instant kill that could end an opponent’s life—that was a massive edge for an assassin. But conversely, fighting multiple enemies left them extremely vulnerable. Unlike other classes, while one could obtain stealth and escape techniques, skill limits at every fifty levels meant many lacked them entirely. Yet Dark Absorption perfectly compensated for the assassin’s shortcomings. Dojin surveyed his surroundings. ‘These orcs, who possess the blood of warriors, are terrified of me.’ In dungeons where orcs appeared, lower ranks were certain to be cleared. Had he made an exception for the sudden schedule change? ‘It doesn’t matter.’ After all, the experience points were what counted. Dojin began moving toward the orcs he couldn’t approach. ‘Time Distortion.’ The moment the skill activated, the orcs’ movements slowed dramatically. Puk! [Reset condition met. Time Distortion cooldown has been reset.] Still, it remained easy to land critical hits on them. Dojin swiftly used Time Distortion to eliminate the orcs. [152000 experience points acquired.] [152000 experience points acquired.] [152000 experience points acquired.] [Level increased.] ‘……It’s slowing down.’ This was the first level-up in the dungeon after entering. The pace that had risen steadily before was now hindered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at the 50-level threshold. ‘Right, if I level up like this, I’ll reach 100 immediately, beast or no.’ The dividing line between C-rank and B-rank was precisely 100 levels. While experience and skill clearly mattered, basic stats could not be ignored. Even this was fast level-upping. Dojin walked toward the newly opened exit, satisfied. Swish. “Hyung-nim!” As Dojin emerged, Seonghyun ran over with a bottle of water. “Thank you for your hard work. Were you not tired?” “Not really. Is this the guild now?” “Yes. If you’re resting, I will escort you safely and swiftly.” Thanks to the conversation before arriving here, Seonghyun’s expression had brightened. He no longer stuttered. Dojin nodded. “Then, let’s depart.” “Yes, but Hyung-nim, speak comfortably. It’s you, after all!” Seonghyun spoke with spirited determination. Dojin turned his head to the opposite window. “I’m younger than you…” “Huh?” “Let’s go.” At Dojin’s answer, Seonghyun’s face fell as he began driving. * * * The Firebird Guild office. As befitted a guild with a proper name, it occupied an entire building. “This way.” Having parked the car, Seonghyun led Dojin to the Master’s office on the fifth floor—the highest floor, housing the office of the Guild Master and executives. Dojin passed through the clean lobby toward the Firebird Guild Master’s office. Knock knock. “Master, I have returned with your guest.” “Enter.” Inside, the familiar faces of two people awaited. Firebird Guild Master Lee Hyejin. Park Seonggwang, Head of the Scout Operations Team. Both sat waiting for Dojin. “You cleared the orc dungeon, I see. Was it worthwhile?” “It was decent.” “Clear one mid-tier dungeon alone.” Hyejin offered a faint smile. With that, one could assume he was at least level seventy to eighty. Hyejin looked at Dojin. “This isn’t about the dungeon. I called you here for something else. First, have a seat.” Dojin sat. Then addressed Hyejin. “This time you agreed, but I was supposed to contact you through Seonghyun, right?” “That’s correct. But this matter is a bit special.” Hyejin’s expression stiffened. “How much earlier was the empty dungeon? What happened there?” And that same evening, the office of Red Capital, operated by the Red Circle Guild, had burned down. Hyejin did not believe it was coincidence. “……Do I have to answer?” “Of course. Do you know the facts about Red Capital’s office burning down that early morning?” “Yes.” There was no reason to ignore an internet sensation. Hyejin glanced at Seonggwang. Seonggwang handed a tablet PC to Dojin. “A formal notice from the Red Circle Guild. On that day, B-rank phantom hunter Ha Sangwong went to the dungeon at that address and disappeared. Scroll the screen to the side.” Swish. Dojin scrolled. “And Ha Sangwong was the overall head of Red Capital.” Dojin had requested the empty dungeon, Ha Sangwong went there, and that early morning the Red Capital office burned, erasing all records. “Since that day, Ha Sangwong hunter has been missing.” “Can you dismiss this situation as mere coincidence?” A faint killing intent flickered in Hyejin’s eyes. Depending on the answer, things could turn dangerous. Dojin shook his head. “This has nothing to do with me.” “……Hoo.” Hyejin exhaled softly. It felt as if she was conversing with a wall. ‘I thought there was something… but this dangerous?’ Hyejin stared silently at Dojin. “……” A brief silence followed. If neither was revealing their true intentions, the conversation would never advance. Hyejin asked Dojin. “Is there nothing you can tell me?” “……I’m sorry.” Dojin apologized politely. Their alliance had been forged solely to secure smooth dungeon supply for Dojin’s plan. But digging deeper might endanger the Firebird Guild. ‘If it were her… she would make a wise judgment.’ That was why she hadn’t died. Dojin simply gazed at Hyejin. Hyejin furrowed her brows, seeming to ponder, then. “Hoo, Mr. Kim Cheolsu.” “Yes?” “It seems we must end our alliance here.” Hyejin’s face showed her regret. She couldn’t know the secret Dojin held, but his potential was real. That was why she didn’t want to lose him. But… ‘Linking with Red Circle now is quite risky.’ Not only the power disparity, but there was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠no intact method to protect the guild from Red Circle. Hyejin told Dojin. “I’m sorry. For breaking the alliance unilaterally.” Yet Dojin shook his head. It was the expected reply. And… ‘She is truly clever.’ Exactly the person who would do precisely what needed to be done from her current position. Dojin rose from his seat. “Thank you for your assistance so far. Regardless of what happens, you won’t see the Firebird Guild mentioned from my lips—please don’t worry.” “……” Hyejin’s expression was complicated. The situation of having to make this decision under external pressure was terribly displeasing. But as Guild Master, she had no choice but to prioritize the guild. Hyejin looked at Dojin. “Just a moment.” ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠“……?” Hyejin said, glancing at Seonggwang. “Bring that.” “Yes.” Seonggwang left the office, then returned with a small box. “Open this, Mr. Cheolsu.” “……?” Dojin opened the box Seonggwang had given him. Inside were a pair of gloves. Dojin instantly recognized them. ‘Black Wyvern gloves…’ The Black Wyverns were monsters from high-rank dungeons. A party of at least B-rank hunters was required for a successful raid, it was said. The leather was thin yet resilient, allowing free finger movement, yet it boasted rare high defense. Moreover, Black Wyvern leather held special properties—refining it could grant additional stats and skills. Dojin looked at Hyejin. Hyejin nodded. Dojin took the gloves from the box and checked the item. [Black Wyvern Gloves] — Gloves made from Black Wyvern wing leather. Refining status is excellent. Defense: 130 『Additional Effects』 — Agility +7. — Intelligence +2. — Skill: Acceleration. 『Restriction』 — Agility 120 or higher. “……” A high-grade item. In monetary terms, it was worth at least ten billion. Dojin’s gaze lingered on the equip condition. He could use them immediately, but… Swish. Dojin placed the gloves back in the box. “Why are you giving this to me?” “Although we must end the alliance due to the current situation, the Firebird Guild holds a very favorable sentiment toward Mr. Cheolsu.” The official relationship had ended, but the bond would continue. Dojin shook his head. “Still, this is too much. I cannot accept.” “It was obtained by Mr. Seonghyun’s request. The payment was handled by Mr. Seonghyun, so please accept it comfortably.” She closed the box and handed it to Dojin again. “It will also be necessary for Mr. Cheolsu’s future work.” “……Thank you.” Dojin nodded slowly. Hyejin then said, “Let’s meet again, Mr. Kim Cheolsu.” At last, Dojin exited the office. Seonghyun quickly followed behind. “H-Hyung-nim!” “Thank you for everything so far. And this gift too… thank you.” “What did I do?” Seonghyun’s expression betrayed his regret. The past several days spent with Dojin had been enjoyable. It wasn’t about the money. He simply liked Dojin’s company. Tap. Dojin lightly patted Seonghyun’s shoulder. Seonghyun’s eyes widened in surprise. “Let’s meet again.” “……!” At those words, Seonghyun’s pupils trembled. The very phrase he would never say—Let’s meet again. “Really? I’ll be waiting for you, Hyung-nim!” The voice echoed from behind. Dojin walked forward, already contemplating his next plan. ‘For now… this is correct.’ No need to drag others into danger. Moreover… ‘With this much, I’ve gathered enough conditions…’ Now. It was time to enter the enemy’s stronghold. Dojin’s gaze turned ice-cold.