Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Righteous Thief-1
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‘Irregular. We need to pull back for now.’
He thought that as he was about to issue the order.
“Platoon leader! Don’t move!”
Kim Min-jun had already rushed up to Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min, extending his hand forward.
Hanging from his outstretched hand was a snake glowing with a blue light.
It had all happened in the blink of an eye.
Crunch!
Kim Min-jun grabbed the thing’s tail, ripped it off, and casually stuffed it into his capture pouch.
“…What did I just see?”
“That’s an irregular monster, right?”
“He moved that fast while wearing a protective suit?”
The squad members were stunned by Kim Min-jun’s movements but quickly formed up in defensive formation against a monster attack.
“Uh… Kim Min-jun. Good work.”
The platoon leader spoke with a dazed expression.
It was an irregular monster so fast it was barely visible to the eye.
Without Kim Min-jun, they would have been done for.
“Corporal Kim Min-jun. Thank you.”
Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min’s dazed reaction didn’t last long.
“This is Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min. Secured an irregular during Snake Mine cleanup. The body has a blue glow and showed agility beyond visual tracking.”
He reported to HQ and awaited response on whether to withdraw or continue.
-That type of mine monster becomes a problem the moment it escapes the dungeon. I know it’s tough, but clean it up thoroughly before coming out.
“Yes! Understood.”
Normally, an irregular monster appearance meant immediate withdrawal.
They had abilities different from regular monsters, so the protocol was to prepare more thoroughly before re-entering.
But mine-type monsters were hard to catch once they got out.
If they escaped and evaded radar to hit civilian areas, it’d be a headache—which was why the order to continue came down.
“Tch. The company commander says finish off the monsters. We’re pushing forward. Kim Min-jun!”
“Corporal Kim Min-jun!”
“You focus solely on handling irregular monsters like that one!”
“Understood!”
The front lines, as always.
Just recently, that monster rat with demonic energy, the kobolds.
This time, a snake slower than bullets, huh.
‘Look at these guys. Three more at least?’
Would’ve been nice if they had demonic energy, but they didn’t.
The Snake Mine cleanup continued, and Kim Min-jun handled every irregular that appeared.
“Hah, huff! Corporal Kim Min-jun! Irregular monster here…”
An irregular popped up in front of Lee Dong-jin during the op.
Snap!
Before he could finish, Kim Min-jun appeared, grabbed its tail, and snapped it.
“…I couldn’t even see it, but you really are amazing.”
Was overwhelming talent like that?
Lee Dong-jin blinked a few times.
“Keep at it, and you’ll get there too. I wasn’t born amazing.”
Kim Min-jun encouraged him to build confidence, then moved to another spot.
‘Effort will get me there…’
No matter how hard you tried, there were limits.
Even if you raised stats through effort, you couldn’t surpass those born with high stats.
‘Let’s give it a shot.’
Kim Min-jun, now a corporal, was looking out for him and the other rookies.
Lee Dong-jin watched his back and steeled his resolve.
The Snake Mine removal dragged on until past 10 p.m.
“Snake Mine cleanup complete! Good work, everyone! Return to base and turn in your gear, including protective suits, right away!”
“Understood!”
“Phew…”
“Finally over…”
At Lieutenant Kim Cheol-min’s signal, the squad finally relaxed.
“Especially you, Kim Min-jun! Handled those irregulars like nothing. What’s your agility stat?”
“Corporal Kim Min-jun! My agility is 60!”
“…Hah. Knew it. You little monster.”
“Huh! Corporal Kim Min-jun’s agility is 60?”
“Crazy. How’d he snatch those fast ones?”
Hearing his agility was 60, the other hunters looked defeated.
They’d overheard from the platoon leader that his strength was 60, but agility too?
“Hey. I earned this through effort, okay? Don’t call me a talent freak.”
“Yeah right. How do you hit 60 with effort? Now I get why you got special promoted twice.”
“Min-jun, you lucky bastard. Admit you’re a talent freak? Come on?”
“No way. I raised my stats through insane effort.”
Then you guys go roll around in another world too.
As Kim Min-jun bantered with the squad.
Ding.
[Agility Enhancement skill acquired.]
‘Huh. What’s this?’
From killing monsters?
A message appeared before his eyes.
[Agility Enhancement (E): Agility stat increases by 5.]
‘65 now.’
Strength, and now agility enhancement.
Skills he hadn’t expected kept popping up.
‘Unlock some warlock skills already. Not that it’s bad without.’
Come to think of it.
How’s that idiot Lee Bong-gu doing?
‘Hey, Lee Bong-gu. Status report.’
-Kim Min-jun! Was just about to report!
Lee Bong-gu was operating around Incheon now.
-Your summon seems to have detected something. If it’s right, it can find demonic energy!
‘Yeah? If it’s in a dungeon, note the location and pull out. I’ll absorb it later.’
-Yes! Will do.
His followers sometimes acted on impulse, especially when moving for him.
They didn’t think about their own safety, just charged in.
Knowing that, Kim Min-jun reiterated not to touch it.
‘Found it faster than I thought, though?’
Better apply for leave in advance.
**
Same time.
-As expected of Kim Min-jun’s summon! Beat me to completing the objective!
Crow… no, Lee Bong-gu was heading to the spot marked by the Night Walker.
Shhh.
The Night Walker said they’d confirmed the location, so time to withdraw.
-Withdraw? Even if it’s Kim Min-jun’s summon, I can’t obey that! He only said that for dungeons!
Shhh.
The Night Walker replied it didn’t want to get scolded by master.
-That won’t happen, so don’t worry! I’m Kim Min-jun’s right-hand man!
The place Lee Bong-gu flew to was clearly an expensive mansion.
-Is this it? Oh!
Lee Bong-gu sensed demonic energy leaking from a jar in the yard.
Up close, it was a transparent glass bottle with a gem inside.
-Such compressed demonic energy… Kim Min-jun will love this!
The gem glowed dark, infused with demonic energy.
Peck! Peck!
-Ugh! Gotta break this to take it, but.
Lee Bong-gu struggled with the jar’s unexpected durability.
“What the—? Hey! Get off that! Do you know how valuable that is?!”
-Time to retreat!
Lee Bong-gu spotted the panicking woman rushing out and fled fast.
“Ugh. Why does Dad keep leaving this here?”
The woman was Son Eun-seo, currently on leave.
**
Next day.
Kim Min-jun headed to the duty officer’s room to report for leave.
After Lee Bong-gu’s report, to absorb the demonic energy.
“Oh. Corporal power, huh.”
Normal leave needed at least three days’ notice.
But corporals could apply one day ahead, no issue.
“Sir!”
“Hey, Kim Min-jun. Another one-night two-day? You’re a corporal now—don’t you wanna cut loose?”
“Just quick business.”
“Alright. Have fun. You know training’s coming up soon?”
“Yes! I’ll be back! Sir!”
After reporting to the duty officer, Kim Min-jun headed straight to Incheon.
“Hey, Lee Bong-gu. You sure?”
-Of course, Kim Min-jun! I’ll guide you perfectly!
Lee Bong-gu was perched on his shoulder, navigating eagerly.
‘Whoa. That’s really a crow?’
Passersby kept glancing at Kim Min-jun and Lee Bong-gu.
“Man. What’s with this demonic energy? Dragon Balls or what? Scattered everywhere.”
-What’s a Dragon Ball, Kim Min-jun? Did you lose demonic energy because of Dragon Balls?!
Kim Min-jun grumbled, and Lee Bong-gu flapped, offering to go kill Dragon Balls right now.
“Calm down, you punk. Stay put.”
-My apologies. Got excited without thinking.
Following Lee Bong-gu’s lead for a bit.
-Here! Sensed it from inside!
A massive mansion loomed ahead.
“Yeah. Only feel it this close, so not in a living thing.”
-As expected, Kim Min-jun! Just like you said, it’s in a glass jar! Tougher than expected—couldn’t break it with my beak!
“Go check security cam positions and report back.”
-Kim Min-jun! Just go through the front gate and demand it!
“I’m in the military right now, you idiot. Can’t commit crimes with these stripes.”
Of course, what he was doing was a crime, but no catch, no crime.
Plus, even inanimate demonic energy buildup caused anomalies over time.
“I’m here to preemptively remove a hazard. Not a crime. Gotta dispose of dangerous stuff quick.”
Rationalizing himself, Kim Min-jun waited for Lee Bong-gu’s report.
-Checked! Six cams total! Go over this side, you’re clear!
“Okay.”
Military uniform too conspicuous, so he’d changed to civvies.
Even wore a mask for face coverage.
“Absorb quick, then hit some food spots. Waste to come to Incheon and go straight back.”
Kim Min-jun lightly jumped, vaulting the mansion’s high wall.
“Whoa. Celebrity level? Huge yard.”
Easily over 100 pyeong of open space.
And a three-story house.
“Maybe I’ll build something fancy like this once I get stripes.”
Thinking that, he approached the glass jar with demonic energy.
“Whoa. A lot. This could bump stats by 5?”
Jackpot.
The tiny gem held a massive amount of condensed demonic energy.
Absorb it, and skill unlock for sure.
“Freeze!”
As he reached out, a sharp voice rang from behind.
He’d been as quiet as possible, but caught this quick?
‘…What? You said you checked? Just one civilian, right?’
Kim Min-jun spotted the familiar woman’s face, then glared at distant Lee Bong-gu.
-…Not my fault.
Lee Bong-gu, seeing his pissed expression, blamed the Night Walker and played innocent.