The Assassin Hunter Stops Time
“Are you really planning to do this?”
“I will.”
A woman sat before Gu Jinmo. Though she still showed signs of incomplete recovery from her injuries—bandages wrapped tightly around her—she carried the same resolute light in her eyes. Lee Hyejin. The guild master of the Firebird Guild had made an enormous decision in this very moment: the reorganization of the guild. Or, more precisely, its acquisition by SW Technology. A guild she had nurtured from the ground up for over a decade. In recent years, hunter guilds had become mere jobs, but for her, the Firebird Guild had been her home, her entire world. And now she was willing to give it up. “If you wish, I will step down from the position of master as well.” Her words left Gu Jinmo exhaling softly. This was for Dojin’s sake, yet the lives of dozens of hunters and equally valued staff at the Firebird Guild could be upended by such a move. And… “It seems there’s no need for the master to step down. I only wish to exert influence over Dojin Hunter’s activities going forward.” “I will assist with that.” With no hesitation in her voice, Gu Jinmo’s gaze sharpened like a blade. Looking at her now… ‘This wasn’t a decision born purely from the unfavorable situation.’ There was another layer to her motives. Though the hidden intent was transparent enough not to pose a problem, Gu Jinmo asked, “Has a desire to ‘stand on the shoulders’ of Dojin Hunter arisen in you?” “Yes.” Hyejin didn’t hide it. If she had, she couldn’t have. And wasn’t this the group of people she had resolved to walk forward with? It was something that couldn’t be concealed. “I believe Dojin Hunter’s potential will explode like a supernova within the next few years. To the point where even Korea might struggle to contain it.” This woman, who had been on the brink of death from her injuries, had been forced to confront something most people would never survive. Yet instead of shrinking, she had considered the safety of the Firebird Guild and Dojin first. A faint smile crossed Gu Jinmo’s lips. ‘A woman of true steel.’ If she had been a businesswoman rather than a hunter, they might have met again in some other form. Gu Jinmo nodded. “Very well. Do it.” “I will prepare the necessary documents.” Before Gu Jinmo could accept, Kim Gyeongtaek spoke up. Hyejin looked at Gu Jinmo. “There is one question I wish to ask.” “Go ahead.” “Chairman, how do you view Dojin Hunter’s potential?” Though she wasn’t an awakened one, she had built a world-class corporation in the hunter-related field. To most people, that would mark her as unusually perceptive. “Hmm. That question doesn’t seem to hold much meaning for me.” “……Excuse me?” “I’m not supporting Dojin Hunter for his abilities. I have a great debt to him, which is why I’m doing this.” “……I see.” “That said, if you insist on asking about potential, the answer is quite simple.” At that moment, the chairman’s eyes darkened slightly, though his mouth still held a smile, his gaze remained serious. Gu Jinmo answered, “Lee Hyejin, I think of you higher than you think of yourself.” Hyejin knew exactly how she viewed Dojin. “……Higher?” She could sense how astonishing Gu Jinmo’s reply was. Hyejin rose from her seat and bowed deeply to Gu Jinmo. “I look forward to working with you, Chairman.” In response, Gu Jinmo nodded. * * * “Ha Dojin Hunter!” The mysterious group that had contacted Taesan. And the one charging to the front was none other than Yoo Seonghyun. “……Mr. Yoo Seonghyun?” “Are you hurt anywhere?” Since Hyejin had been injured, the Firebird Guild had poured every resource into monitoring Red Circle’s movements. Thanks to that, he knew Kang Seungho had gathered a sizable force and arranged a meeting with Dojin. “I… told him I had to go.” After sensing Kang Seungho’s true intent, Seonghyun had immediately contacted Gyeongtaek. But strangely, the reply came back cold and blunt. ―There was no mention of Ha Dojin Hunter’s conditions, so we can’t move. Contrary to expectation, the response was frigid. Dojin would rush out the moment he was in danger. That was why Seonghyun had convinced the Firebird Guild’s reinforcements to go. To save Dojin. And the one who agreed was Park Seonggwang. Using his authority as head of the Scout Operations Team, Seonggwang mobilized every hunter who could act within the guild. Though the numbers were few and Red Circle’s ties raised internal tensions, the situation changed the moment Master Lee Hyejin woke. ―We’re helping Dojin Hunter. The guild’s fate had been bet on it. “Are you hurt anywhere?” “……How did you know I was here?” “I’ve been tailing Kang Seungho.” “……” Does he even realize how dangerous that was? From Kang Seungho’s perspective, Seonghyun might as well have been a fly. The Firebird Guild wouldn’t have changed its behavior even if a single scout had been added… ‘That’s why I survived.’ Ultimately, it was because the Firebird Guild had been decimated that Seonghyun was still alive. Every SW Technology spy who had been deployed had lost their lives. “Don’t do anything reckless like that in the future. You nearly died.” “……I’m fine. More importantly, is Dojin Hunter okay?” “Thanks to you.” Dojin gave a faint smile. Truly the same person he had met from the beginning. Instead of worrying about his own safety, he had been thinking of the guild and Dojin. Dojin turned to Seonghyun. “Thank you. Every single time.” “……Excuse me?” For a moment, Seonghyun doubted his ears. Had Dojin always been this kind of person? But… “We’re heading back too.” As he turned away, muttering to himself, the words had barely left his lips. Shhh! “Ah!” Like a ghost, someone appeared behind him. A black mask. If there was such a thing as a modern assassin organization, this was probably what it looked like. But what was even more surprising… ‘The footsteps…’ They made no sound at all. Even though they were right in front of him, their presence was barely felt. “Everyone, are you hurt?” “Number 9… I mean, Taeho took a wound to his left arm, but it’s not serious.” Taesan called them by number, something he was used to. But now, under Dojin’s command, they were addressed by name. Dojin looked at Taeho. His eyes were still emotionless, but the coldness from before had lessened. “Good work. That wound wasn’t from your shortcomings—it was the opponent’s desperate counterattack. Don’t blame yourself.” As a shadow, he knew their thoughts better than anyone. They never blamed themselves for mistakes or failures. Of course, that fueled growth, but sometimes it tightened their throats like poison. “Rest for a while. Everyone, take a proper vacation and relax.” “Understood.” Taesan replied shortly. Dojin looked at the shadows. “When you have time to rest, rest as hard as you can. No other missions during that period.” “Understood.” With that, Dojin left the area entirely. He was grateful to the Firebird Guild members who had come this far, but there were other matters to investigate immediately. And… “Exactly as you expected.” Dojin nodded at Gyeongtaek’s answer. * * * Korea’s top corporation in hunter equipment technology, with global competitiveness. SW Technology. Until now, it had been holding back, influencing the hunter world from the sidelines. “What was the reason for acquiring the Firebird Guild this time?” “Could it be to directly interfere in the hunter world from now on?!” “Doesn’t Chairman Gu Jinmo have an official statement?!” The vast Grand Hall was packed with journalists, all frantically waving hands and shouting questions. Yet amidst the chaos, the spokesperson for SW Technology remained composed, guiding the atmosphere. “All the answers I’m giving right now are identical to Chairman Gu Jinmo’s official position.” “If you had the resolve, you could have participated directly in the hunter world long ago. Why create a guild now?” A reporter’s question. “Our SW Technology is a company that competes globally on superior technology. The issue has always been that we couldn’t take Korean hunters to the world stage.” Viewed from a slightly different angle, that was quite rude. The hunters of Korea openly lacked global competitiveness, didn’t they? If another company had said the same, they would have been torn apart. The spokesperson continued. “But things have changed. SW Technology intends to raise superior talent and turn Korea’s hunter guilds into world-class ones.” Boom! It felt like the sound of a cymbal. Silence fell over the press conference. Then… Swish. A female reporter raised her hand politely. “Then… it’s possible to understand this as a hunter with global competitiveness has appeared?” The SW Technology spokesperson smiled faintly. “That concludes today’s press conference.” “Wait a moment!” “Who is that hunter?!” “Is he connected to the Firebird Guild?!” “One more question!” The journalists’ urgent shouts followed. But the spokesperson had already left the conference room. [Korean Hunter: No Global Competitiveness!] [SW Technology, Chairman Gu: Official Statement...] [A New Revolution: A Hunter with Global Competitiveness Appears!] [The Hunter with Global Competitiveness: Who Is He?] News articles about him flooded Korean portals and media outlets, turning the country into a frenzy. And as media attention focused on SW Technology… Swish. A man moved stealthily and swiftly toward his final destination, having received word of the empty dungeon.