Chapter 16

Running Away

Do you want to hear about the stroke of good luck?

Then wait until I finish this fight!

If you don’t like that?

Too bad!

“……”

A moment of silence followed my bold declaration.

Kang Jae-ho and his group snickered as if they were dumbfounded.

The A-class assassin simply stared at me with cold eyes.

“Um, what are you going to do?”

The porter siblings grabbed my sleeve with anxious expressions.

I smiled softly and nodded.

Then, I looked straight into the assassin’s eyes.

“Please understand. I have a kind of mental illness. No matter how life-threatening it is, I can’t stand having my pride hurt. I must deal with those bastards who stabbed me in the back with my own hands……”

“Perhaps.”

Suddenly.

The assassin spoke at that moment.

His expression was still stiff.

“Perhaps, you’re not trying to pull some trick, are you?”

“Oh, come on.”

I waved my hand.

A frosty gaze was shot at me, but I tried to be confident.

“After all, this is inside a Dungeon. There’s no way I can escape from you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Even if I hid a dagger, even if I used some clever trick, could I deceive the eyes and senses of an A-class Hunter?”

“I suppose not.”

The assassin nodded.

Then, he closed his eyes.

He must be coldly calculating.

‘I think I’ve almost got him.’

These guys are criminals from a vicious group.

There’s no way they have any sense of belonging.

If they can benefit, they’re the type to stab their colleagues or subordinates in the back at any time.

So, if I refuse to talk about the ‘stroke of good luck’?

If I say I’d rather die than talk about the ‘stroke of good luck’?

Will he take care of his subordinates?

Or will he want to hear about the ‘stroke of good luck’?

“Let me be honest.”

I opened my mouth again to make it clear.

The assassin needs to see me as someone who has nothing to lose.

“I know I’m going to die anyway. Isn’t that right? With the Dark Shadow Unit right in front of me, who would dare to think about living?”

“……”

“But I can’t stand seeing those bastards get away with it? Those types who approach with a kind face and then stab you in the back. So, if you don’t want to accept it, just kill me. Or should I end my own life?”

“Wait, hold on.”

As I put Bone One’s sword to my neck, a sense of urgency appeared on the assassin’s face.

The composure he had when he threw a dagger at my neck at the beginning had disappeared.

“B-Brother? What are you thinking……? Are you going to fall for such a ridiculous trick?”

Kang Jae-ho was flustered.

“Oh, that’s quite a bold method. Using the other person’s greed. Is this what the strategy of the weak is? Hehe, I’ve learned something.”

The Old Man with his hands behind his back was watching with interest.

“Brother?”

“Shut up.”

Kang Jae-ho’s pupils widened at the assassin’s cold voice.

Ignoring him, the assassin looked at me.

“If they subdue you, what will you do?”

The point of the question is this.

It’s fine to let me fight.

But what if I lose?

“Then I’ll accept it cleanly.”

“Accept?”

“Yes, regardless of the victory or defeat, I will reveal what the stroke of good luck I obtained in that Dungeon was, and how it can help you, without hiding anything.”

“Hmm, good.”

The assassin nodded.

Then, he tapped his wristwatch.

“I’ll give you exactly 30 minutes. But, if you’re caught trying to pull any tricks in the meantime…… you’ll live in pain forever without being able to die. I have the power to do that.”

“Of course, thank you.”

As I bowed my head, the assassin pulled his dagger into his waist.

An action that cleanly accepts my proposal.

“You…….”

Kang Jae-ho’s face twisted with anger.

“Do you think you can beat me by doing that?”

“Well.”

I grinned.

At the same time, I reorganized the Skeletons.

“You won’t know until you try.”

Creak! Clatter!

The skeletons with weapons clattered.

Meaning they were ready to jump out at any time, as soon as I gave the order.

The Old Man, who was watching, also nodded.

“Good, you’ve set the stage. I should join in too. Then let’s replace this training with practical advice. Now, what should you do from now on to deal with that waiting assassin?”

‘I need to conserve as much strength as possible.’

“That’s right, getting a big effect with little power. From now on, I’ll tell you a clever way to use the opponent’s strength against them.”

‘Thank you, Old Man.’

My eyes flashed.

With the Old Man’s advice, I should be able to subdue Kang Jae-ho and his group.

Enjoying the slightly embarrassed expressions of Kang Jae-ho and his group, I.

“Wipe them out.”

I ordered the skeletons.

And so, the clash began.

‘Hmm…….’

Inside the desert Dungeon.

A man wearing a hood stood with his arms crossed.

He was Go Jae-young, an A-class assassin of the Dark Shadow Unit.

‘Clean movements.’

Go Jae-young carefully observed the movements of a man fighting Kang Jae-ho in front of him.

A Necromancer who controls five Skeletons as if they were his own body.

‘He’s definitely not an amateur.’

And that wasn’t all.

The way he fought was also mysterious.

Each Skeleton seemed solid, but they were soft.

As if they were using the opponent’s strength against them, they moved limply.

And they were just bones.

Go Jae-young was convinced.

‘Kang Jae-ho was right. He did get a stroke of good luck.’

He didn’t know what form the stroke of good luck took.

It could be an item, or a skill book.

Maybe it was the awakening of a new Unique Ability.

‘But.’

Kang Jae-ho had definitely told him.

That the reward of that Dungeon was the teachings of some strange Old Man who had overwhelmed Gi So-yul.

That was the only possible conclusion, given the circumstances.

‘I was surprised.’

What kind of person was Gi So-yul!

The romance and role model of Hunters.

Especially those with assassination-related abilities!

At first, he didn’t believe it.

A Dungeon boss who plays with her like a toy.

That such a Dungeon boss would seek a disciple.

‘But.’

He was convinced after seeing Parang’s ‘Confidentiality Agreement’ written by Kang Jae-ho.

Gi So-yul, who was usually famous for being chic, was making a contract to protect someone?

She was bothering to silence the survivors?

‘Maybe, it could be real.’

Hope arose.

Hope to achieve a dream he had had for a long time.

‘If I can just cut off her head……!’

Shiver.

Go Jae-young trembled once, as if excited.

To assassinate Gi So-yul, who is called the emperor as an assassin, and to steal the title of Dark Emperor.

That was Go Jae-young’s ultimate goal and dream.

And.

Finally, that opportunity came.

A man with the ‘stroke of good luck’ that Gi So-yul is hiding.

He must take that man’s ‘stroke of good luck’.

No matter what form it takes, no matter what method.

He must make it his own.

To do that, he might have to abandon his direct subordinate, Kang Jae-ho.

But what does that matter?

Thud! Bang!

“Ugh, you bug!”

“Damn it! The Skeleton is weird! Was it always like this? It’s deflecting all my attacks!”

“Party leader! It’s breaking through here! Support!”

The tide of the battle quickly turned.

Kang Jae-ho and his group were panting and making a fuss.

On the other hand, the expression of the man controlling the bones was more relaxed.

‘Oh, is he going to win after all?’

Even though his subordinates were being defeated, Go Jae-young didn’t move.

He wasn’t worried.

No matter how much the man flies and kicks, he’s just a mouse in front of a cat in front of him, an A-class.

‘He’ll have to keep his promise.’

He was about to stare at the battle with a grim expression.

‘Hmm?’

Go Jae-young raised his eyebrows.

Because he felt the presence of a colleague from the entrance of the desert Dungeon.

Another A-class Hunter of the Dark Shadow Unit who was watching outside the Dungeon.

‘Why did he enter?’

His eyes trembled slightly.

“Ugh!”

The exhausted Kang Jae-ho desperately raised his sword.

In order to finish him off, Bone One swung his sword powerfully.

Whoosh!

Along with the sound of tearing through the air.

Clang! His sword couldn’t withstand the pressure and shattered.

“Damn it!”

Bone One kicked Kang Jae-ho, who was cursing and trying to run away, with all his might.

“Aaaagh!”

The fallen guy covered his whole body with sand.

It wasn’t just Kang Jae-ho who was incapacitated.

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

Whoosh!

“B, block it!”

“Aaaagh! It’s hot!”

“That’s cheating! Where’s a Skeleton that uses magic!”

Bone Five’s fire offensive.

[‘Bone Three’ uses the skill, Low-Grade Rapid Fire (Lv.2).]

“More arrows!”

“Block them! Shield!”

Bone Three’s arrow barrage.

“Don’t just block, counterattack! After all, they’re just bones, so their defense is……!”

[‘Bone Four’ uses the skill, Low-Grade Block (Lv.1).]

“Damn it!”

The Skeletons were subduing the Hunters one by one.

Their bodies were full of scratches.

And their movements were clearly showing signs of fatigue.

“Hehe, good.”

The Old Man smiled.

“They’re too weak to be called practical experience, but you did well for your first time.”

‘The real practical experience will be with that assassin.’

“Hey! Don’t be arrogant. If you want to face that guy with your current level, you’ll have to bet everything.”

‘I’ve been betting my life since a while ago, Old Man.’

While talking to the Old Man, I slowly walked towards Kang Jae-ho.

“D, don’t come! Save me!”

The sight of the guy falling on his butt and backing away is funny.

Is that the typical attitude of being strong against the weak and weak against the strong?

It’s completely different from the attitude he had towards the porters earlier.

‘The fight is over.’

I should finish it now.

Swish!

In response to my signal, Bone One raised his sword high.

The sunlight shining on the desert reflected the blade like a flash of light.

‘If you were going to take someone’s life, you should have been prepared to die yourself.’

Just as I was about to swing the sword down with a firm heart.

“Hmm?”

I felt something cool in my senses.

Clearly, someone with tremendous energy was approaching at tremendous speed.

“Sigh, you.”

The Old Man next to me sighed.

I asked.

‘What’s wrong?’

“What’s wrong? Another guy similar to that assassin has joined.”

‘……?!’

“I don’t know anymore. Sigh! You’re good at everything, but the problem is that you don’t have a plan.”

“Ah…….”

I was dumbfounded.

Everything was going according to plan.

What is this again!

‘Even if I don’t want to admit it.’

I had no choice but to admit it.

What confidence did I have to follow this Dungeon alone!

I should have been more suspicious.

I should have been more careful.

Because I’m still ‘weak’.

“Heh, hehehe. Hahahaha!”

Kang Jae-ho burst into laughter, as if he had noticed my situation.

“Did you think there was only one Dark Shadow Unit senior? Hehe, you little punk. Serves you right.”

Along with the guy who was sneering at me.

Swish!

Another A-class Hunter appeared in the air.

The spider-shaped Dark Shadow Unit mark was clearly engraved on the hood.

“……?”

But, his expression was strange.

Not relaxed, but very urgent.

He shouted to his colleague.

“Hey, run away! Gi So-yul is here!”

“……?”

Gi So-yul?

The Ranker, Gi So-yul is in this Dungeon?

I blinked.

The assassin tilted his head as if asking what he was talking about.

The A-class Hunter pounded his chest as if he was frustrated.

“Don’t think about it and run away! If we get caught, we’ll die too!”

“……Even if she’s a Ranker.”

“Shut up! You know it too! Rankers are different! How can we deal with a monster who only the top of the S-classes can reach!”

“I suppose so……. Ha, good. Then what about them?”

The assassin pointed to Kang Jae-ho and his group.

Then the A-class Hunter made a face as if asking what he was talking about.

“When have we ever cared about those scraps?”

“B, Brother?”

Kang Jae-ho, who was laughing happily, was flustered.

But, the reality was cold.

Swish!

Leaving him behind, the Dark Shadow Unit’s Hunters disappeared like shadows.

“…….”

The surroundings, which had been noisy, became quiet.

Only me, Kang Jae-ho and his group, and the porters who were originally in the boss stage remained.

“……What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath as if I was dumbfounded.

At the same time, I felt it.

‘Is this the power of a Ranker?’

The two Hunters, who were so strong that my heart was tingling.

They ran away in fear at the mere name of Gi So-yul.

It was definitely amazing.

“T, this. Damn it!”

Kang Jae-ho shouted in a desperate voice.

He was defeated by me alone.

And now Gi So-yul has appeared, so it’s understandable.

‘But, regardless of that.’

Step, step.

I walked towards him.

Gi So-yul is Gi So-yul.

This guy is mine.

“We still have something to talk about, right?”

My settlement hasn’t ended yet.

At that time.

In front of a C-class Dungeon.

A woman was holding her chin and thinking.

‘Hmm, am I overdoing it?’

She, who had a golden nameplate on her waist, was none other than the Ranker, Gi So-yul.

“Following him all the way here…… is too much like stalking.”

She had stayed up all night with curiosity about Ju Dong-hoon.

In the end, she had come all the way to this Dungeon with ‘Parang’s information.

She hesitated to enter in front of the Dungeon for about 10 minutes.

And the conclusion was.

“It’s not right after all.”

He had definitely said.

That it would be difficult to answer right away.

He promised to organize his thoughts and tell her after a little time.

Now that she had accepted it, it didn’t seem right to come all the way to this Dungeon.

Besides.

Doesn’t it seem like she’s clinging to him?

‘I guess I’ll have to go find him later when he comes out.’

Gi So-yul, who had been thinking for a while.

In the end, she turned her back.