Hunt Begins!
Having finished her call, Cha Eun-joo set down her phone with a relieved smile, as if she'd unburdened herself of some heavy weight from her heart. I eyed her curiously.
"You sure we can trust her?"
"Of course! She's like a little sister I've known for ages in the real world too. And she can't stand injustice, so she's extra reliable in situations like this."
"Alright then. Good enough for me." I took the phone back and slipped it into my inventory. Notifications would still come through even there.
Cha Eun-joo tilted her head at my surprisingly nonchalant reaction. Bold one, isn't she? You'd think she'd be sensitive about her identity, but she doesn't pry.
Cha Eun-joo, the world's number one Techno Master. The moment I learned who she was, I knew it—no one in this Korea could stand against me. That's why, even when she made that outrageous demand to save the country, I felt confident stepping up.
If brute force is a hassle, sure—but it's not like I couldn't handle it.
Of course, it'd be best if the plan worked smoothly. A thousand angry wasps couldn't take down a single wolverine. I'd grown stronger since my countless battles in Pandela. Physically, at least. Mentally... well, who knows. Anyway.
The trap was set. Now, just wait. Like a fisherman perched on his skiff, counting stars, patiently waiting for the fish to swim right into his net.
And the news came faster than expected.
It had only been three hours since the call. As expected of a high-ranking Hyeonwol Guild exec—her intel was lightning-fast.
Cha Eun-joo fired off replies with both thumbs flying.
Cha Eun-joo paused mid-reply, hesitating. I wiggled my fingers, signaling for the phone. She handed it over, and I messaged the person on the other end.
I was about to reply when Cha Eun-joo's hand tapped my right shoulder. Reluctantly, I handed the phone back.
A picture's worth a thousand words. Better to prove it than explain. I swapped outfits from my inventory, gearing up to move out.
With Lee So-yeon's grumbling as the finale, I took the phone back. Moments later, detailed route info for the subjugation party and the regional boss spawn point arrived.
Still about an hour till departure, but nothing to do here. Might as well head over early and wait.
"I'll go on ahead. You probably don't wanna move solo yet—want me to call Tier?"
"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks."
"Rest up."
I rode the elevator down to the first floor. The moment my foot hit the outside, my senses expanded, vision stretching wide. The absolute gap in perception. They couldn't see me—but I could see them. Like an owl spotting tiny prey from the night sky.
"...Time to go."
I tapped my shoe soles against the ground, then leaped lightly, streaking across the asphalt like lightning.
Today, the real hunt begins.
Kraaaah! The regional boss, Gatekeeper of the Eldorado Kingdom, collapsed with a final screech. Swordsman Lee Han-yul shook off his blade with a scornful snort.
"Pfft, easy. That all of 'em, Jin-cheol hyung?"
"Nah, one more left. But damn, look at this guy. Didn't even need my help."
Jang Jin-cheol's massive gauntlets clapped Lee Han-yul's shoulder. Han-yul brushed dust from his clothes, striking a pose.
"C'mon, hyung. I'm an ex-pro gamer. Can't even handle a regional boss?" He stuck out his tongue. "Too bad. Wanted to play a bit longer."
"Careful, kid, or you'll get wrecked."
Jang Jin-cheol bellowed a laugh and stepped forward to harvest the boss loot. That's when Kim Jin-woo lowered his rifle, adjusting his leather gloves as he approached.
"Huh? What're you talking about? One more and we're done for today, right?"
"Nah, let's head back quick."
Lee Han-yul shoved Kim Jin-woo's back, changing the subject. Jin-woo tilted his head, stumbling along. In that instant, Han-yul subtly stepped back, raising his sword high. Quick glances exchanged with his comrades. A wicked grin spread across his face.
That's when it came.
"Stop."
A cold voice echoed. Lee Han-yul whipped around in shock, sword dropping as he pinpointed the source. His comrades did the same. All twelve gazes locked on one spot.
And they couldn't hide their bewilderment.
"Wha... a doll mask?"
Lee Han-yul's eyes trembled as his lips quivered. A girl in a brown bear-head mask stepped casually from behind a truck, tossing her smartphone into her inventory. Her thighs stood out under her short white skirt. Hands jammed in the pockets of her khaki jumper, she spoke flatly.
"So you were gonna kill him, huh?"
Everyone but the baffled Kim Jin-woo paled. Jang Jin-cheol puffed up threateningly, face twisting in fury.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Undeterred, she continued mockingly.
"Oh, it's you. The holy knight from yesterday."
"...What?"
Jang Jin-cheol's brow twitched.
"What nonsense is this girl—"
"Yeongdong Bridge."
The word hit like thunder. Jang Jin-cheol froze stiff.
"Saw the whole fight. Think I wouldn't know?"
The girl had appeared out of nowhere, dropping a bomb. Heavy silence blanketed the area.
"Who... the hell are you?"
Jang Jin-cheol's face grew uglier. The others matched him. Only Kim Jin-woo peeked nervously at his guildmates, clueless.
The girl pressed on coolly.
"He asked me to come. He's still alive, y'know."
"Th-that's—!"
"Asked me to kill you all."
She ramped up her presence. Panicked Hyeonwol guild members drew weapons. Supporters prepped barriers. Mages raised staves, deploying elemental spells. Colorful magic circles bloomed above their heads.
Pale-faced Jang Jin-cheol bellowed.
"You know who you're messing with?!"
"Yeah. Hyeonwol Guild."
"Damn it... she won't talk! Battle stations, everyone!"
Jang Jin-cheol planted his massive shield like a wall. Tension boiled over—
Then quiet Lee Han-yul stepped forward.
"Hyung, I'll take her."
"You alone?"
"Heh—I'm a PvP junkie post-meals. I've dropped plenty. Leave this to the pro."
"Hah, fine... with healers, should be good. Go wild."
Jang Jin-cheol laughed heartily, shield down as he retreated. Han-yul advanced with heavy steps, licking his lips lewdly. How to cook this girl? Nice proportions. Should be fun to torment.
About 10 meters apart. An eerie tension settled.
Breaking the silence, Han-yul spoke.
"Lee Han-yul, PRS team pro gamer first string. You?"
"Don't need to know."
She shot back coldly. Han-yul chuckled in disbelief. Idiot. Info check'll reveal everything anyway.
He pulled up her status.
But...
[■■■■■■■■]
[Cannot retrieve information on the target.]
What the fuck...?
In Astría Online, players could hide info temporarily with items. He'd seen guildmates use them post-update. It should show [Cannot retrieve information on the target.]
Not some incomprehensible glyphs and scribbles.
Might not be a normal player.
An item even he didn't know? His guard spiked.
"Goddamn... Won't talk? Then come at me!"
Gripping his sword two-handed, he assumed stance. Her tricks'll show quick anyway.
Then the girl slowly reached into empty air. Inventory opened.
And she drew her weapon.