Chapter 15

Settle it however you want

“… …”

In the silence.

Kang Jae-ho smirked and rummaged through his pockets.

Then, he stuck a cigarette in his mouth.

Flick!

The cigarette butt burning in the middle of the desert looked very sinister.

“Th-there…”

It was then that the man who appeared to be the older of the porter siblings stepped forward.

He sent his younger sister behind him and asked cautiously, even as he trembled.

“Are you… Party Leader Kang Jae-ho?”

“Huh?”

“The boss type… what does that mean?”

[In order to break the seal of the Ancient Desert Scorpion King, a sacrifice must be made.]

[Place the sacrifice on the two magic circles inscribed.]

[The sacrifice must be a living hunter of F-rank or higher.]

The information for the new stage was displayed to all party members.

Kang Jae-ho chuckled.

“What does it mean? Can’t you tell by looking?”

“Pardon?”

“It says to offer a sacrifice. Two living hunters of F-rank or higher. Can’t you understand?”

“I understand that, but…”

“Oh, you understand? Then that’s settled. What are you doing? Why aren’t you going up there?”

Kang Jae-ho pointed to the altar and said.

“…Pardon?”

The male porter was flustered.

But Kang Jae-ho was just taking his time, as if enjoying the situation.

“Hehe, what a clueless guy?”

“Right, how can he be so oblivious?”

The hunters next to him were also snickering.

The porter shouted.

“A-are you guys crazy?”

“Crazy? Hmm… well, if it’s easier for you to think that way, then it’s better to think that way.”

“Wh-what is this? Why are you doing this to us!”

The younger sister behind him also stepped forward.

“Don’t tell me you guys! Were you planning this from the start?”

“Oh my, what’s the point of saying it.”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t you think it was strange? Why would we use trash like you with a higher reward than usual? Common sense says that a high reward comes with a high price. Didn’t you know?”

The porters gritted their teeth at Kang Jae-ho’s true colors.

I was also dumbfounded.

‘To be so brazen in front of me.’

There was only one answer.

That they were confident in overpowering me with their skills.

Swish.

Unable to watch any longer, I stepped forward in front of Kang Jae-ho.

“Hmm? You don’t need to get involved, do you? We’re only planning to make them the sacrifices.”

“… …”

I stared at Kang Jae-ho without a word.

A person who treats the lives of others like flies.

The world calls such people ‘villains.’

And I.

I had no desire to compromise with ‘villains’ for the sake of my goals.

“Oh, oh. Looks like you’re more of a romantic than I thought. Or a scholar?”

“Shut up. What’s your purpose?”

I asked.

“Purpose? What purpose?”

“The purpose of going all the way to the mercenary guild to bring me here.”

“Hehe, so you’re not clueless after all?”

“Speak.”

Kang Jae-ho’s expression hardened.

It was because my aura was different from what he expected.

I wasn’t that strong, but there was something chilling about it?

“Indeed, that Dungeon. So you didn’t clear it by luck?”

Kang Jae-ho’s mouth twisted.

“That’s right, you probably expected it. That we’re curious about the ‘Myriad skills.’ I don’t know how you managed to win over that Ranker bitch, but because of that, we had to go through the trouble of bringing you all the way to the Dungeon.”

He brandished the sword he was holding.

The other hunters also drew their weapons and formed a battle formation.

“But keep this in mind. We don’t want to be hostile with you.”

“You don’t want to be hostile?”

“That’s right, that’s why we showed you.”

Kang Jae-ho glanced at the trembling porters.

“We’re these kinds of people, and we’re asking if you want to join us. Of course, if you want to join us, you’ll have to share some of the Myriad skills. Our team is fair when it comes to distribution.”

“Crazy.”

To summarize their words:

I’m a villain, wanna join?

If you want to join, hand over the ‘reward.’

Yeah, go screw yourself.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The arrows fired by Bone Three flew with terrifying speed.

The surprised hunters quickly raised their arms.

Ting!

Kang Jae-ho quickly deflected them.

“Hoo, is that your answer? You’ll regret it?”

“I don’t have a hobby of teaming up with beast bastards.”

My gaze was firm.

In my standards.

They are not people.

Rather, they are closer to monsters in the shape of humans.

‘Monsters are best when hunted.’

Even if I were to lose.

I couldn’t back down here.

Because the Ranker I dream of is not an ‘evil’ Ranker.

‘And above all.’

It’s nothing compared to when I was facing the Old Man.

It actually feels doable?

“… …”

Having made my decision, I charged forward with the Skeletons leading the way.

“Did you think you’d suddenly become strong just because you got a Myriad skills? You were just a porter a few days ago!”

Kang Jae-ho, realizing that the negotiation had failed, cursed.

But I didn’t bother to respond.

Their shouts sounded like ‘Screech!’ or ‘Gwaaak!’ to my ears.

[‘Bone Five’ uses the skill, Air Shield (Lv.1).]

After using a basic defense skill, I collided with them with all my might.

“Hoo, hoo!”

My gaze was fixed solely on Kang Jae-ho.

My breathing was rough.

The Skeletons, except for Bone One, were engaged in a fierce battle with the remaining hunters—

Only Bone One and Kang Jae-ho were reading each other, watching for an opening.

‘He’s stronger than I thought.’

He was a C-rank hunter, but he seemed to be close to B-rank in strength.

He was much stronger than the scorpions I had faced so far.

‘But.’

That’s why it was even better.

Just a few days ago, I was struggling against D-rank Orcs.

Now, it meant that I had grown enough to fight even a top-tier C-rank hunter.

“Hehe.”

Did he sense my composure?

Kang Jae-ho laughed as if he found it amusing.

“You think it’s doable just because you’re only fighting me? You’re greatly mistaken.”

“…?”

“Do you know why we recklessly wander around Dungeons of unknown rank?”

I frowned.

It was because his gaze was fixed on something.

As if he was waiting for someone.

I was about to flinch for a moment, feeling uneasy.

‘Murderous intent?’

I hastily retreated, feeling a sharp sensation as if something was about to slice my neck off.

At the same time, I shouted.

“Bone One!”

Clang!

Bone One deflected a dagger flying from the darkness.

It was terrifying.

If I had been just a little late, it would have pierced my throat.

“Kuh-uhh.”

The force was quite strong, and the impact was transmitted to me, the summoner.

‘What is it?’

My heart sank coldly.

There was no presence, and the movements were very fast.

It was definitely a hunter of considerable rank?

“Hehe.”

It was then that Kang Jae-ho laughed at my fluster and answered.

“It’s because there’s someone watching our backs. The world calls us the Dark Shadow Unit.”

“Dark Shadow Unit?!”

I shouted without realizing it.

Even I, who was an E-rank mercenary, had heard the name countless times.

A group of heinous criminals hiding in the underworld.

I heard that the Association and the guilds in the light were troubled by them.

“Hehe. Yes, you poor thing. The hunter you’re fighting right now is an A-rank assassin dispatched from the Dark Shadow Unit.”

“A-rank…”

It was devastating news.

I was barely fighting a C-rank hunter.

And now an A-rank, not even a B-rank?

The gap between the two ranks was so vast that it was difficult to hope for luck or chance.

Swish.

It was then that a hooded figure appeared from the darkness.

“Is this him? Gi So-yul, the one who cleared the Dungeon that she failed?”

He muttered in a low voice as he asked.

Kang Jae-ho bowed respectfully.

“Yes, Brother.”

The fierce battle came to a temporary halt with the appearance of a hunter with an overwhelming presence.

Behind me, the two porters stood with dejected expressions.

Behind the newly appeared assassin, five hunters wore relaxed expressions.

“Haa.”

I sighed.

Honestly, there was no answer.

A situation with no solution.

Behind me, the two porters grabbed my sleeve.

“I’m sorry. It feels like we’re causing you unnecessary harm.”

“Thank you. Sniff. Although… it seems like this is the end… but… thank you so much anyway. Sniff, I’m sorry.”

The sobs of the two young siblings.

Yes, what fault do they have?

Just because they are weak.

Is there a reason why they should be sacrifices?

I felt something boiling inside me.

Emotions flared up.

‘I don’t want to give up.’

I wanted to save them.

That’s why I racked my brain.

As a result, the only thing I could rely on now was.

‘Old Man.’

I nodded.

No matter how I thought about it, that was the only option.

The advice of a powerful super-strongman who could call an A-rank ‘mere.’

‘The cooldown is full, too.’

[Using the skill, ‘Teachings of Supreme Art’ (S-rank).]

[Consuming 20 Stamina.]

[‘Master of Supreme Art’ has appeared.]

I summoned my master here.

“Hee-eum.”

The Old Man with his hands behind his back let out a heavy sigh.

Then, he shook his head.

“Tsk, tsk, I knew it from the start when I saw a guy with no basics running around, you rascal.”

The Old Man’s form was transparent, and his voice only echoed in my head.

The hunters in front of me couldn’t perceive anything.

‘Elder, the situation is urgent. Please give me advice!’

As I shouted inwardly, the Old Man scoffed.

“Advice? Hmph, you still can’t handle those guys even if you die and come back to life. Tsk, tsk… how lamentable. That someone who claims to be my disciple is a guy who can’t even handle such trash.”

‘Don’t just lament! If I die, won’t you be unable to fulfill your wish either?’

“Then who told you to create this situation? I’m the one who’s wronged, you rascal! No matter how versed I am in Myriad skills, how can I make the impossible possible!”

‘Tsk!’

Damn it.

I frowned.

At this rate, I would have just wasted my Stamina.

“Ugh…!”

The situation was getting worse.

The murderous intent emanating from the assassin was getting stronger.

He opened his mouth.

“Since it’s our first meeting, I’ll say it nicely. What is the Myriad skills you obtained?”

“… …”

The assassin asked about the Myriad skills.

I suddenly had a glint in my eyes.

Since their purpose in bringing me here was clear.

They wouldn’t be able to easily end my life.

In other words, a deal was possible.

“Hoo, indeed, there might be such a method?”

The Old Man also muttered in agreement.

“Yes, if you only have to face that assassin, it’s not like there’s no way. Of course, I can’t guarantee a 100% success rate, but at least you can use the suicidal move. Good. Try it. If you succeed, I’ll help you.”

Suicidal move.

A desperate act of attacking with the determination to die together with the opponent.

It refers to a trump card used against a highly skilled opponent.

I glared at the assassin and opened my mouth.

“…Do you want to know about the Myriad skills?”

“That’s right.”

He nodded.

“Gi So-yul, it’s a reward Dungeon that even she couldn’t clear, so it’s bound to be tempting.”

“Then I’ll tell you. Of course, I have to tell you. You’re an A-rank hunter, after all.”

“Good choice. You’re a smarter guy than I thought.”

Just as the satisfied assassin nodded, retracting his murderous intent.

“But.”

I said.

“I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until I have a fight with those bastards who backstabbed me.”

“What?”

The assassin frowned again.

“Until then, I’ll be so wronged and upset that I won’t be able to speak. Settle it however you want.”