Episode 26

Gu Sangseop. How should I describe him?

A bat-like figure? Or someone who waits for an opportunity? He wasn’t outright evil. Rather, he was someone filled with ambition, looking for a chance to rise to a higher position. He was the kind of person who would do anything for his goals. He became the cornerstone of a massive plan to topple the Light Society, collaborating with the organization that helped the Rat Man—The Prodigals of Heresy. By the way, the sewer disaster was just a part of that plan.

At least, the good news is that, while he was part of the Light Society in the novel, he still appears to belong to another clan for now.

‘Could he be an unrelated person with the same name?’

That thought crossed my mind first. But how likely is it that someone with the rare name Gu Sangseop would overlap in the Gyeongsangdo region, even among the few hunters?

‘It’s probably him.’

Nine times out of ten, or rather 99 out of 100, it had to be the original Gu Sangseop. And Gu Sangseop needed to be killed now.

‘Otherwise, the Light Society will collapse.’

If the Light Society, which holds Busan together, collapses, it means chaos will be much easier to trigger.

‘This is the perfect opportunity. A chance to kill him.’

Considering that he will join the Light Society later, he needs to be killed now. Once he joins them, it will be harder to act against him.

‘He’s not an outstanding hunter.’

He’s an average hunter, not useless. I remember that in two years, he would be a C-Class hunter. Honestly, he was just a character who was briefly used, so I don’t remember him that well.

‘A C-Class hunter could probably take down an orc by themselves.’

So, he’s probably still at the D-Class level. The other two were around the same level, but the problem was whether I could take them down.

‘Impossible.’

I can’t even guarantee that I could beat an orc, so how can I take on three who defeated an orc easily?

‘Maybe I could escape.’

Escaping would be the best option. Attack once, run away, recover with Weak Regeneration, then attack again? I thought about it, but it seemed too much of a gamble. If I got caught even once, it would be over, and I wouldn’t be able to kill Gu Sangseop that way.

‘He’d probably escape before that.’

In novels, hunters carry consumables for life-saving measures. Though not the overpowered instant recovery items typical in games, potions that heal wounds and fatigue over time, and if they’re well-prepared, short-distance teleportation scrolls. Even if I knocked him down with ‘hit and run’, he could escape by using consumables.

‘What should I do?’

I don’t want to push myself and kill the other hunters. My goal is only Gu Sangseop, not the others.

‘I wish I could separate the hunters from Gu Sangseop.’

Could I separate such a well-coordinated team?

‘It’s difficult. But taking on all three is impossible.’

Let’s think it through.

An effective way to scatter them.

“Looks like it’s another bust today.”

“We were hoping since the Deputy Team Leader was here…”

After searching all day, they couldn’t find Alpha, let alone the Worg that was expected to be there. The second team that split off might have had better luck, but there was no result from Team 3’s search. They couldn’t find any trace until they disbanded.

“Gu Jin-ha. Can we talk for a second?”

Hong Yuri nudged the team leader.

“What is it?”

“I didn’t say it in front of the team, but… He’s not here.”

Not here? What did that mean?

The team leader immediately understood and frowned.

“So, you’re saying Alpha is no longer in Jirisan?”

“It’s been gone for a while.”

“…This is crazy.”

There was no need to doubt her words. Hong Yuri’s B-Class tracking ability could follow even the smallest traces.

“Think about it. Alpha has evolved, right? It wouldn’t have gotten smaller. Hiding with that size would be impossible. Have you seen any bodies or bloodstains that might be related to a Worg?”

“…….”

“At the very least, you should have found footprints. You didn’t just waste time, did you?”

“Yeah. I’ve kept the possibility open, but…”

Alpha isn’t a being trapped in Jirisan. Like the “Violet-Black Tiger,” it wouldn’t just stay in the mountain on its own will. It’s strange that, after days of searching, they couldn’t even find a single trace.

“…Still, it’s strange. Where could it have gone? If something that large moved, it should have been noticed. Unless it suddenly disappeared.”

“I don’t know either, but one thing’s for sure—Alpha isn’t here on this mountain. Or maybe it’s hibernating, hiding.”

“Hibernating in April? Even for a monster?”

“If it’s here, then that’s the only possibility. If you’re upset about it, go back up again.”

Pointing to the mountain, Hong Yuri’s finger made the team leader smile wryly.

“That’s impossible. We haven’t searched the whole of Jirisan today, right?”

“Idiot. I can tell without doing it.”

Hong Yuri crossed her arms and sighed deeply.

“Has it been about a week? Alpha’s last known whereabouts were Beopgye Temple, right?”

“Yeah. You were almost killed in the ambush at Beopgye Temple.”

“Then, let’s just go to Beopgye Temple tomorrow. I can still track it down within that range.”

“What about going now?”

“Ugh! I just got here. Let’s rest a bit. Rest! You’re causing a ruckus! You can’t boss people around. You’re such a workaholic, you know?”

At Hong Yuri’s reasonable complaint, the team leader shrugged his shoulders.

“Seriously, whether it’s Jeon Wutaek or you, why is it that none of the hunters are normal?”

“I don’t think you’re in a position to say that.”

It was a different matter, but hearing that from Hong Yuri was really hard to tolerate for him.

“Yeah. Anyway, let’s go down now. We’ll come back tomorrow.”

As the team leader took out the car keys, Hong Yuri scoffed.

“Change your car. How many years have you been driving that? You were driving it back when I was in Team 2.”

“I changed it.”

“What kind of idiot changes to the same car? What’s so good about the XT16?”

“It’s a 2069 model. It’s a brand new car released this year. And you, you’re a garage-license holder. You’ve never even driven a car, so why are you saying this?”

“Yeah~ It’s still the XT16~”

“…Sigh.”

“It’s time.”

A gesture of tapping his wrist—His wristwatch was already pointing to 7 o’clock.

“…What? Is it already that time?”

“Yeah. Let’s head out. The search ends here for today. Just the fact that we got in first is a privilege.”

How much money was poured into the representative clan here to claim the dungeon first? A whopping 1 billion. Despite spending all the money saved up, they only got to claim it for three days. It would have been impossible without the clan’s support.

“Wait. I think something’s coming?”

“What’s coming?”

“Idiot. What could possibly be coming here? It’s a monster.”

“Shit. This one’s big. I think it’s an orc. Shouldn’t we get out of here fast?”

At the archer’s words, the warrior shook his head.

“Hey, if it’s coming anyway, let’s deal with it, right? A single orc won’t take long. At most 10 minutes. In two days, other clans will come in, you know? Tomorrow, it’ll be over. We’ll have taken full control here.”

“Still, we’re short on time…”

The archer didn’t seem enthusiastic, but Sangseop nodded.

“Fine. How long could it take for just one orc? One won’t be a problem, right? We just need to be out by 8.”

“…Alright. So, we’re only handling this one?”

“Come on, are you scared?”

“It’s here.”

After counting the beats, the silhouette of the orc appeared. It rushed forward excitedly, as if searching for something. It must have been hungry. Was he imagining things? The orc seemed confused for a moment, as if it didn’t know what was happening.

“Battle axe? Be careful.”

“If it hits, it’s scary. But those kinds are easier to dodge.”

“…Okay. Get ready!”

The orc raised its giant battle axe in one motion and swung it down. The stones flying from the impact hit the warrior.

“Kuooohh!”

The warrior dodged the orc’s charge with a deft move and quickly spun behind it. They were fast and light on their feet. They thought they had the chance to attack, but it felt like something tripped them, and their balance wavered.

‘Did their legs give out?!’

The orc’s fist slammed into the warrior’s head. The warrior was knocked back but managed to hold on, supported just barely by their 200+ health. However, their metal helmet was completely crushed. If the helmet hadn’t been there, their skull would have been shattered. Thinking that, a chill ran through their chest.

“Phew. Can’t do that twice.”

The warrior quickly threw off the crushed helmet and wiped their sweat. The orc didn’t hesitate and went for a finishing blow, but the archer’s arrow hit the orc’s leather armor with pinpoint accuracy. The orc frowned in annoyance and shifted its target. The archer dodged the orc’s attack with swift movements, and Sangseop threw aside his bow and drew the short sword he was carrying as a secondary weapon.

“What are you doing? Are you not focused?! You said you were going to deal with the orc!”

“Dammit!”

The warrior quickly uncorked a potion and drank it, distancing himself from the orc.

“Ahh!”

It wasn’t instant, but the recovery would kick in soon. The warrior took a deep breath, counting down ten seconds.

“Alright! Switch!”

As the warrior shouted “Switch!”, Sangseop nodded. He could play the tank role, but he wasn’t as seasoned as a true warrior. He had only fought briefly, but his shoulder felt sore. The shock wasn’t properly absorbed. The warrior, now refreshed from the potion, once again clung tenaciously to the orc. Sangseop quickly backed away, trying to retrieve his bow, but the bow he had thrown was nowhere to be found.

“What’s going on?”

“Sangseop! What are you doing?!”

“My bow’s gone! Damn it. Where could it have gone?”

“Are you kidding me! Get in the fight, now!”

Startled by the archer’s loud shout, Sangseop reluctantly grabbed his short sword again, unable to waste time searching for the missing bow. He needed to at least assist the warrior. But then, at that moment…

“Ku-ruuk?!”

Three kobolds blocked the path, making strange sounds. They looked strangely terrified, but then they rushed toward Sangseop. One of the kobolds was holding…

“My bow?! Damn it!”

His eyes lit up with anger. The kobolds had taken his weapon? If it were any other time, he would have killed them instantly, but the situation wasn’t good. After the orc, now there were three kobolds?

“Add?! Gu Sangseop, you fucking idiot!”

“I didn’t do it!”

“Shut up! Idiot!”

“Add.”—To increase. In a combat context, this term refers to an unexpected situation where more enemies show up. And in most “Add” situations, the natural choice is to retreat.

“Run! It’s already over! Run! Run!”

“Goddammit!”

The warrior, who had briefly fought the orc, created some distance and pulled out a scroll from their pocket, tearing it. The orc didn’t lose sight of the warrior and pursued them, while the warrior deflected the orc’s massive battle axe with their shield. Still, the shield bent under the powerful strike.

“Shit!”

The warrior had to dodge. They quickly rolled on the ground, and the orc’s battle axe narrowly missed their head. As the next strike from the orc approached, the warrior disappeared, enveloped in light. Naturally, as the warrior vanished, the orc’s gaze turned to the archer nearby.

“The aggro is on me…!”

The archer, who had already torn a scroll, barely managed to escape the battlefield. In an instant, both of them disappeared from the orc’s sight, and it let out a furious roar.

“Kuooohhh!”

Sangseop, who had been busy dealing with the kobolds, took out a scroll to tear, but at that moment, something unknown snatched it from his hands.

It was something unknown—a four-legged beast. A wolf with black fur. It wasn’t an especially dangerous monster, but its appearance inspired fearful imagination in anyone, making it famous even among ordinary people. Sangseop, of course, recognized the creature immediately.

“Damn it, why is a Worg here?!”

“Idiot.”

Scattering them was impossible for me—so I decided to seek help from other monsters. With that thought, I quickly put it into action, provoking the orc I had detected.

“Kuooohhh!”

Honestly, it almost scared me when the huge creature came charging after me, but with its agility under 200, it was impossible for it to catch me. Of course, I could say that confidently because I had skills. I turned a corner, leaving the straight path blocked by the warrior, and used Stealth to vanish from its sight. Naturally, the orc followed the path in anger, and the result was—

“Battle axe? Be careful.”

“If it hits, it’s scary. But it’s actually easier to dodge those kinds.”

It seemed like the orc already knew what to expect. It didn’t try to avoid the fight.

“As expected.”

I smirked in satisfaction and reached out with my tendrils to trip the warrior by their feet from behind the orc. I intended to knock them down, but the warrior’s strength was unexpectedly solid, and I was only able to destabilize their balance.

“Disappointing, but…”

With this, the orc would be able to continue its fight. As the warrior lost their balance, the archer quickly fired an arrow that hit the orc. Enraged, the orc charged toward the archer, and Sangseop drew his short sword.

“He’s throwing his bow?”

He’s scratching where it itches. I grabbed the bow he discarded and went off to find another monster.

“An orc is a bit too much.”

I needed a weaker one. Bingo! Instead of Detection, a faint sense of smell caught a scent. Three of them—I recognized the scent immediately.

“Kobolds, huh?”

The kobolds I encountered when I first entered the dungeon. There were originally four, but I killed one, so the number adds up. I quickly approached them.

“Heeek!”

I used Threat right in front of the kobolds trying to flee. They froze in place, unable to escape, and I handed them Sangseop’s bow.

“I actually thought about breaking it, but…”

I thought it might make him angrier, so I refrained from breaking it and did that instead.

The confused kobolds looked up at me, wondering, ‘Is he sparing us?’

“Chrk—Kwahhh!”

I shouted loudly, and the kobolds fled, tears in their eyes. I felt a bit sorry for the one who tripped over a rock as they ran away.

I chased the kobolds at a suitable distance, driving them into the space where Sangseop and his group were fighting. The kobolds looked for another escape route, but I was already hiding ahead of them, blocking their way. Like true predators, their sense of smell was sharp, so even if they couldn’t see me, they could probably smell me.

“Actually, it’s the smell of kobold blood.”

As expected, the kobolds spun their eyes around and finally charged at Sangseop.

“Good.”

Having cornered him with no way out, the three kobolds successfully charged at Sangseop. One of them was decapitated by Sangseop’s short sword, but the others didn’t stop. At least to the kobolds, I was perceived as a far more terrifying presence than the hunter, Sangseop.

“…Two of them ran away.”

In the meantime, the archer and the warrior tore their scrolls and escaped. Shortly after, Sangseop skillfully knocked away the kobolds and pulled out a scroll. I didn’t miss that moment.

“Now’s the time!”

The moment Sangseop took out the scroll, I overlapped my skills and snatched it. Sangseop was clearly startled, but it seemed he wasn’t foolish enough not to realize my presence, even after losing the scroll. At that moment, I stopped using Stealth and revealed myself.

There was a brief silence. And then, afterward.

“Damn it, why is there a worg here?!”

On the side, there were two kobolds, one with a bow and another with a spear.

Behind him, an enraged orc.

And in front, blocking the path, stood a worg.

This was the worst-case scenario, at least from his perspective.

–Sangseop. Sorry, but you’ll have to leave first.

“Grrowl.”

My low growl echoed throughout the cave.