Riwei's Challenge and Trigger's Return
-Huh?
-Why are you popping out from there?
-Not tackling the private zone?
-Duel villain appears.
-We're screwed. He won't let it go now.
"Back already."
"……."
Hanbit pondered as their eyes met. The impression from that brief exchange was thick with competitive fire. Just from the sudden demand for a one-on-one, he could predict how this would play out.
He'd found it suspicious that she'd backed off so easily, but he hadn't expected her to show up this quickly.
"Looks like even Cheongra's got a lot of interest in you, Black Dragon."
Avant-Garde, standing beside him, spoke warily. A massive Chinese conglomerate with three Seleade members, Cheongra. Especially Riwei—he was the type with burning passion for competition and rivalry.
Hanbit eyed the man for a moment before speaking again.
"What's your goal here? I told you if you keep bothering me, I won't share the private zone clear."
"I said it already, right? I hope we get a chance to clash next time. Oh, go ahead with the private zone however you want."
-?
-Who the hell are you, you psycho?
-Get lost.
-So what can you even do?
-Comment terrorism?
-Homepage raid?
-Viewers = Useless 0-Tier
The viewers vented their anger at Riwei's words in the chat. But those weren't empty boasts.
Tearing his eyes from the chat, Hanbit decided to try persuasion first.
"I said no to a one-on-one duel."
"I'm not doing that. The stat gap's still too wide."
-Acting all fair;
-You're a Seleade, dude.
-Fr, the gap's huge no matter what.
-Rainzer:???
-Info) Rainzer's pretty damn strong too.
-Yeah, but he didn't make the aquarium boss cut.
Viewers kept sharpening their knives at Riwei. No matter how much Black Dragon had shown, a Seleade was special. There was no way a fair fight could happen with gear and stats gaps.
"What if I refuse again?"
"I'll follow you until you accept."
Riwei's eyes burned with near-maniacal zeal. It was hard to tell if this was a game or reality.
With guys like that, it was faster to just deal with them properly.
"Hoo."
Accepting reality, Hanbit let out a sigh. He looked at Riwei, who had closed the distance in the meantime.
"Fine. What kind of duel?"
"Simple. That tough Snow Flower Deer leather you're after. First one to get it wins."
"What? Why the hell would we—"
"Then we're on!"
Thud—!
Riwei kicked off immediately and vanished into the forest. No discussion on stakes or territory splits.
-He's just going like that?
-Psycho's a psycho lol.
-Fact) Dude's still popular af.
-Is it all just cuz he's hot?
-Filthy world.
"Haa."
Even long consideration felt pointless. Hanbit sighed and turned to the snow-veiled forest.
"Let's go."
***
Thud—!
Hanbit accelerated through the forest. Win or lose, he couldn't let that special material slip away.
"An unexpectedly fun setup."
Avant-Garde, following behind, looked pleased. A Seleade's involvement was concerning, but this was new content too.
-Fun?
-Lose and it's not.
-But luck-based, so it's fine?
-Yeah, finding Snow Flower Deer is a bitch.
-Seleade luck's always good;
-Gotta take everything, huh….
Viewers saw material hunting as pure luck. Hanbit agreed, but his past knowledge lingered in his mind. Move fast, and he could claim it first.
"Hold up."
Running through the woods, Hanbit stopped at a tilted, bare tree on uneven ground. Key to quick Snow Flower Deer spotting: tracks. But fresh white snow hid them well.
"Avant-Garde, head straight that way. Make a big arc."
"Got it."
Thud—!
Avant-Garde bolted without questions. Explaining track ID now was impossible. Better to narrow the search area.
'Stream watchers won't see anyway.'
Situation aside, Riwei was dead serious about the duel. No way he'd watch the opponent's stream for intel.
Thud—!
Finishing his thoughts, Hanbit dashed deeper. His eyes scanned the snow relentlessly.
'Not this way.'
After five minutes, no tracks. He veered toward dense thickets.
Then—
Shwick—!
A sharp blade flashed from the bushes.
"……!"
The surprise triggered Hanbit's instincts.
Whoosh—!
He twisted his body, dropping low in a slide. The blade grazed his hair and missed.
-??
-Wtf, scared me;
-Almost smashed my monitor;
-Who now?
Viewers panicked too. But no time for questions.
Shwick—!
Three shadows emerged from the bushes. Hanbit retreated, sword up in guard.
'That mark….'
Unfamiliar nicknames, but each had a red line. PK addicts, all three.
Tat-tat—!
Axe guy charged. Hanbit gripped his two-handed sword and met him head-on.
Clang—!
Weapons clashed with a sharp ring.
Screee—
Eye contact during the brief power struggle. Hanbit judged instantly.
Fwoosh—!
Blue-white flames erupted from his sword again. Not 100% post-nest, but these needed quick cleanup.
"……!"
Axe guy's eyes widened. Hanbit tilted his blade, sliding the axe off.
"Urk!"
Off-balance, the man staggered forward. Hanbit seized the gap and thrust lightly.
Puk—!
Blade pierced shoulder to neck, flames devouring him. No warmup needed for trash like this.
[7,300 EXP gained.]
Shwick—!
Flanking comrades swung scythe and sword. Hanbit leaped high.
Clang—!
Their weapons crossed empty air.
Midair, Hanbit spun, powering his grip.
He slashed downward sharply.
Slash—!
Clean, single motion. Both attackers' necks parted.
[15,300 EXP gained.]
-?
-Over?
-Trash food lol.
-Easy peasy.
No grand strategy needed. But Hanbit's Attribute Manifestation warmup had another purpose.
Shwick—!
Sharp wind-cutting sound rang out.
Ting—!
Silver needle blocked by reflexive swing. Splattering liquid: paralysis poison.
"Whoa, saw that? Dodged it again."
Familiar voice from afar. Short-haired human male.
[Trigger]
More figures beyond the bushes. Four players watching.
"…Haa."
Leading: familiar face. Edlen PK guild Nessto member, Trigger.
-Ah.
-That bastard's back;
-Brought friends this time?
-Jealous….
-??
He'd expected it eventually, but sooner than thought.
'No choice.'
Trigger in his memory: twisted beyond Nessto's nature. Not revenge-fueled, just pure kill-lust.
"Not a commission this time."
"Commission? Oh, right, that."
Trigger shrugged indifferently. Pure desire to kill Black Dragon radiated.
'Decent levels.'
His companions felt different. Weapons, armor, accessories—Hanbit recognized them. Not low-tiers. Minimum level 100.
-Isn't that Arcade?
-Huh?
-Real Arcade lol.
-Fucked.
-GG
-Logout time.
Viewers fixated on one player. Arcade overhead. Four red lines beside.
Nessto vice-guildmaster had five, right?
Ding—
[Talju sponsored 1,000 won.]
[That guy's lv160. Run]
Sponsor nailed the ominous vibe. Weaker than Rainzer, but pure intent: kill Black Dragon.
"Didn't know guildmates were that tight."
Nessto was pure individualists, he'd heard. This pack meant bad intel?
"Tight? Oh, these guys?"
Trigger glanced around, getting it. Much stronger than him. Must be for a guildmate's revenge. PK guild image and all.
Or so he thought.
"Funny misunderstanding, but I hired 'em all with my cash."
"…Hired?"
"No rule against guildmates commissioning guildmates, right? Money talks."
Trigger grinned leisurely. Subtle madness in every glance and expression.
Hiring guildmates? Unexpected, but unavoidable.
"Love that look. Makes me wanna snap and twist you."
Trigger smirked, stepping back. Arcade covered his flank.
"Start."
Two man and woman stepped forward at his word. Matching daggers—not ordinary.
Shlick—
Dark red sheen on surface. Faint purple flicker: curse enchantment.
'Cursed too.'
Rare black magic on items. Few casters or users.
"Dragging ass for one catch."
"We got paid big. Shut up and do it."
Three red lines each. Not lightweights like before.
"Hoo."
Anger edged Hanbit's breath. Annoying mess. Instigator watching amused from afar.
Sweeping hair back, he gripped his sword tighter.
"Fine. Let's do this."