Chapter 127
Chapter 127
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Blood Town
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Blood Town, a guild based in Los Angeles, USA.
While not a large-scale guild, it was a notorious one, formed primarily by gang members.
In the past, they were nothing more than thugs who preyed on ordinary non-Awakened people. But after one man became their boss, they absorbed and dismantled local gangs, becoming the most infamous gang and guild in LA.
"Why did the boss send us all the way out here to clear a dungeon?"
"You idiot. It's to mark our territory. Once we lay a claim to it, most other guilds won't dare touch it."
"Oh, is that it? But what's the point of taking over this empty piece of land? It'll just be a headache if a dungeon break happens."
"I don't know. If I knew all that, do you think I'd be sitting here?"
Lovejoy and Lou of Blood Town squatted in front of the dungeon, talking as they gazed at the stars.
Barely seventeen, they were still too new to be called gangsters, but they were satisfied just to be out on a job like this.
"Lou, what are you gonna do with the money we get this time?"
"Save it."
"Right, how much have you saved?"
"Still a long way to go. I'll probably need to save for another two or three years. What about you, Lovejoy?"
"I'm gonna use mine to make an album. Mr. Fudge from the next town over said he'd direct it for me. Hehehe."
"What? You're still in touch with that Fudge guy? I told you he seems like a con artist."
"You don't know him. Mr. Fudge is a smart, good person."
"Goddamn! You'd be better off using that money to buy your sister a bag or something!"
Lovejoy and Lou bickered to pass the time.
Poor and without prospects, they dreamed of a small future, their conversation blossoming.
Just because they'd joined a gang didn't mean they weren't allowed to dream.
"When do you think I'll get to go inside a dungeon?"
"Why don't you save up for a forced awakening instead of an album?"
"That's not what I want to do. I want to move people with my rap."
"Fuck, your rap is the worst. Who's gonna be moved by your songs? Phahaha."
Lou laughed heartily, teasing Lovejoy.
He was remembering Lovejoy's bizarre and incomprehensible songs.
But Lovejoy, who would normally get annoyed and start rapping, was silent.
"Lovejoy?"
Turning his head, Lou saw that Lovejoy was gone.
His friend, who had been laughing and chatting just a moment ago, had vanished. Lou shot to his feet, his hand plunging into his pocket.
*Click—!*
It was a firearm, a small-sized gun that fit perfectly in one hand.
"Fucking hell! Who's there!"
Lou cocked the pistol, his finger on the trigger, and aimed it around him.
Tense, he was ready to pull the trigger at any moment and riddle his opponent with bullets.
*Crash—!*
In that instant, the lantern illuminating Lou shattered, plunging the area into darkness.
The moon and stars shone brightly in the sky, but Lou's eyes, accustomed to the light, could see nothing.
"Mph!"
Just then, someone covered Lou's mouth from behind and began to choke him.
Lou struggled desperately in agony, but his assailant was as unmovable as a giant tree.
"Ghk… Gurgle…."
*Thump—.*
Lou's eyes rolled back as he went limp.
*Thud—.*
Lou fainted and collapsed on the spot. A moment later, Lovejoy's unconscious body was placed beside him.
"Sir, he's not dead, is he…?"
"Don't worry. He just fainted. Light!"
*Fwoosh—!*
A small orb of light materialized in the air, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
Only then did the figures of two men become visible.
Do-jae and Young-jin.
The two stood before the fallen Lou and Lovejoy.
"He's breathing! But sir, you look like you've done this a few times before."
"Once, a long time ago. What are you doing?"
After confirming that Lou and Lovejoy were breathing fine, Young-jin fiddled with the pistol Lou had been holding.
"I've seen them a lot in movies and dramas, but this is my first time seeing one in person."
Guns were a rare sight in South Korea.
Even in the past, when regulations were strict, it had been difficult, but now it was even harder to see a real gun.
Guns weren't very effective against monsters with strong regenerative abilities, so they fell out of use. For criminal activities, bladed weapons like swords were easier to obtain and more commonly used, which meant gunpowder weapons were almost never seen in Korea.
However, in countries like the United States, guns were still actively circulated and easy to acquire. They were particularly used for assassinating low-rank hunters or carried by non-Awakened individuals for self-defense.
High-rank hunters could read the very act of drawing and aiming a gun and react beforehand, or they could dodge long-range shots by sensing the sound or killing intent, making firearms almost useless against them. Against anyone of a lower rank, however, a gun could inflict a fatal wound.
"If you take that, it's theft."
Do-jae said to the intrigued Young-jin.
Young-jin shook his head as if he had no such intention.
"I was just curious. Besides, who's the real criminal here?"
Young-jin said, glancing between Do-jae and Lou.
But Do-jae replied with a completely straight face.
"This was the best way. And look, he pulled a gun right away."
"But you didn't know that before, did you?"
"No, I knew. So be careful. The guys inside might try to shoot first, just like these two."
*Shwook—.*
Do-jae pulled a mana stone from his subspace and tossed it to Young-jin.
Catching it, Young-jin tilted his head as he looked at the mana stone.
"What's this for?"
"Just hold onto it."
With that, Do-jae entered the dungeon.
Young-jin securely tucked the mana stone into his pocket and followed Do-jae inside.
"Siiir! Wait for me!"
***
Inside the dungeon.
The members of the Blood Town guild were cackling in a smoke-filled space.
"Kekeke. Captain 2C, that crazy bastard. Doing that with a monster."
"It's fucking disgusting. Kehehe. There's no psycho like the captain."
They were smoking cigarettes made from the dried roots of a hallucinogenic plant found in field-type dungeons, watching a man named 2C.
"Khaha. That was good. Hey, Queenhavie! Give me one too."
Having enjoyed himself for a while, 2C fumbled with his pants and walked over.
Behind him, a high elf with both arms severed lay dead, a dagger embedded in its forehead.
"Looks like you were quite satisfied."
Queenhavie passed her cigarette to 2C.
Taking a deep drag, 2C smirked and replied.
"It's a high elf, isn't it? When else would I get the chance? Khaha."
"Hmph, was it more fun than me?"
Queenhavie said, grabbing 2C's crotch forcefully.
2C threw an arm around her neck and roared with laughter.
"Khahaha. Such a jealous woman. Don't worry, you're always new and exciting."
At that, Queenhavie left a bright red kiss mark on 2C's chest.
"I believe you'll take back the boss's seat."
"Just wait. Kim… I'll drag that bastard down soon enough. Khahaha."
*Flick—.*
2C tossed the cigarette, smoked down to its blackened filter.
Then he stood up and announced.
"After this, we're heading to Las Vegas."
The other guild members cheered at 2C's words.
"That's our captain!"
"It's gonna be a long night!"
"Khaha. Let's go, boys!"
Queenhavie draped a shirt over 2C's shoulders.
The current Raid Captain, 2C, was originally the Guild Master of Blood Town.
He started with a small gang of about six people, expanding its scale by branching into various illegal businesses.
But no matter what a madman 2C was, he hit a limit once the guild grew beyond a certain size.
2C had the ability to act on his own, but not the talent to stand at the top and lead.
That's when a man named Kim appeared and began to grow Blood Town.
At first, 2C was impressed by Kim's abilities and trusted him, but before long, Kim began to amass power that surpassed his own. 2C was pushed aside by Kim, demoted to the level of a Raid Captain.
To 2C, Kim was an enemy who had stolen everything from him, someone he wouldn't be satisfied with even after killing.
He was clearing dungeons with his subordinates, waiting for the day he would reclaim his position.
"Khaha! Die! Die!"
2C hunted the monsters.
His skill was Body Hardening.
When he used his skill, his body became harder than rebar, and his open palm was no different from a sword.
*Shred—!*
With crude movements, 2C tore the monsters to death.
Special techniques?
Flashy movements?
For 2C, all that mattered was getting close to the monster, stabbing it with his hands, and tearing at it with his teeth.
Despite this, 2C killed monster after monster without taking any damage.
"The boss room already? I'm in a good mood. I'll spend all the money we make today on drinks for you guys!"
"Woooah!"
"Yeah!"
Hearing his subordinates' cheers, 2C approached the boss room door.
*Thump—.*
Suddenly, 2C stopped in his tracks.
He stared into the darkness and asked.
"Who are you?"
Two men gradually emerged from the shadows.
Two black-haired Asian men appeared before the Blood Town guild.
"Would you be willing to yield this area to us?"
The older-looking of the two asked 2C.
2C snorted and replied.
"Khaha. What kind of bullshit is that? This place holds the money for my boys' food and drinks."
"We can compensate you. We don't want to cause a big scene. How much would it take?"
"How much? Khahaha. Hey boys, this bastard's asking how much. What do you think?"
2C asked, looking at his men.
A black guild member sneered.
"How about a million dollars? That's about how much we were planning to spend on food and drinks."
"Khaha, that's my boys. You heard him, right? We'll yield for about a million dollars."
"That doesn't seem like a very reasonable amount. A million dollars is a bit much…."
"Then forget it. More importantly, how'd you get past our boys outside? Do you know who we are?"
"We know. That's why we're trying to resolve this with money instead of getting into a fight."
At the man's words, 2C's eyebrow twitched.
2C hardened his body and spoke.
"A fight? Who's fighting who? Khaha… You want me to show you what a real fight is? That guy next to you, he's my type. Give him to me, and I'll consider it."
2C said with a lecherous expression, eyeing the man behind him.
The man's face turned red and purple as he scowled deeply.
"Is that so? But are you sure? This one's a handful, you know."
"Sir! What are you talking about? Are you serious? The guy looks like a total pervert."
Hearing the men's exchange, 2C burst out laughing.
He found their confidence absurd, especially since they claimed to know who he was.
Taking a liking to these Asian men, 2C spoke to his subordinates.
"Dennis, Mike! Teach these guys a lesson. Don't kill them. The rest of you, head to the boss room."