Chapter 30

Dark Shadow Unit (2)

“I didn’t expect them to be so blatant.”

Swish!

Gi So-yul, who had been watching the situation, appeared in the air at that moment.

“Huh?”

Kim Jun-seo’s younger sister, Kim Hye-rin, widened her eyes.

In the narrow studio apartment where only the two of them were.

Suddenly, a person appeared, so it was understandable that she was surprised.

“W-Who?”

She was momentarily flustered.

Soon, her pupils dilated even further.

“A-Amje! Gi So-yul?”

She recognized Gi So-yul’s appearance at once.

“R-Really? How is Amje here?”

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

I sighed inwardly and asked.

Meaning, was it okay for a celebrity to show up in such a shabby place?

“What does that matter? I heard someone was kidnapped.”

Gi So-yul’s eyes had already turned cold.

“The way they’re acting, it’s definitely the Dark Shadow Unit. Since I’m sticking close to Hun, they’re resorting to such low-level kidnapping.”

“I agree.”

I nodded.

The Dark Shadow Unit’s intentions were clear.

They had business with me, but.

They couldn’t come near Gi So-yul’s territory, so they were resorting to such tactics.

“Besides.”

She took out her smartphone and showed it to me.

“This text arrived just at the right time.”

[Gi Parang: Little sister.]

[Gi Parang: It seems like the second unit was attacked in the Dungeon just now.]

[Gi Parang: Judging by the strong, disgusting dog smell, it must be Hellhound… That bastard. Ugh, just as I was about to leave work, he’s being annoying.]

[Gi Parang: I’ll try to handle it as much as I can, so don’t worry.]

[Gi Parang: Just wanted you to know. It would be great if you could help when you have time.]

A text from Archery Master.

The Hellhound mentioned in the message.

Ranker ranked 92nd.

Nick Jakan.

A Ranker known as the owner of the Dark Shadow Unit.

“It’s too perfect, isn’t it? It seems like the Dark Shadow Unit guys have messed with Parang as well.”

“……Whoa.”

This was a bit unexpected.

To directly target the prestigious Parang clan for just me?

‘Is this the power of Mansul Old man?’

It was a moment to reflect on the value of the opportunity I had gained.

“…….”

Silence fell in the room.

Tension was palpable.

Kim Hye-rin seemed stunned by the fact that the person who kidnapped her brother was a bigger figure than she had thought, and she was frozen in place.

Gi So-yul was biting her lip as if she was angry.

‘She must be worried.’

No matter how much she doesn’t participate in the guild.

She can’t deny that she is part of the Parang clan.

Besides, her brother, Gi Parang, is her relative.

Would she be human if she wasn’t concerned?

‘Even so…….’

I stared at her, her lips tightly shut.

‘She’s staying here.’

Because of the promise.

Because of the promise to protect me.

She’s not someone who takes the weight of her words lightly.

“I guess there’s no choice.”

First.

I opened my mouth.

“Amje-nim, please go to Parang’s side first.”

“……?”

Gi So-yul’s shoulders twitched.

Judging from her expression, my guess seemed to be correct.

But.

“I can’t do that.”

As expected, she refused.

Her expression was firm.

“My brother is ranked 58th. He’s not weak enough to be defeated by the Dark Shadow Unit. Besides, there are Parang members there too. On the other hand, Hun is alone. I don’t know what kind of danger he might face the moment I leave.”

“Well, I admit that.”

I looked at Kim Hye-rin’s face.

Her eyes were trembling with anxiety.

“Shouldn’t we save the kidnapped person first? They’re telling me to go alone, after all.”

“It’s a trap.”

“I know. It’s 100% a trap.”

But.

There are times when you have to move even if you know it’s a trap.

If Gi So-yul is protecting me, I’ll be relatively safe.

But that might be an opportunity for the Dark Shadow Unit to defeat ‘Parang’.

Because Parang’s true power is said to come when ‘Gi Parang’ and ‘Gi So-yul’ combine.

‘Either way, Hellhound is with Gi Parang.’

Then it’s not the worst-case scenario.

Honestly, I didn’t feel any fear.

Mansul Old man.

And Tae Yang-chang.

Thinking about the trials I went through when I received their legacies, it just felt like I could handle it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy.

It’s just the way I feel.

“Hoo.”

I took a deep breath.

“I remember what Amje-nim said to me before.”

Then I turned to look at her again.

Our eyes met.

“What did I say?”

“You said that life is a journey that starts with relationships and ends with relationships.”

“…….”

“Team leader Kim Jun-seo was definitely someone I had a connection with. That person is being harmed because of my existence. I can’t just stand by and watch.”

“A sense of justice? Or a sense of duty? Is that it?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“I just don’t want to be a cowardly hunter.”

My dream is to become a Ranker.

A Ranker who can be an ‘idol’ for all hunters.

And such a Ranker retreats in the face of danger?

Runs away in fear?

Ignores injustice?

No way.

“I have to return what I’ve received.”

A simple standard I set.

I didn’t want to break that standard.

The Dark Shadow Unit clearly attacked me.

And I have to be the one to confront that attack.

“……Indeed.”

Gi So-yul had a subtle expression on her face.

She was speechless for a moment, then spoke again.

Her lips were twitching, as if she was experiencing an internal conflict.

“Okay.”

And then.

Gi So-yul slowly nodded.

Her eyes were resolute, as if she had made a decision.

“Then I’ll go to Parang first, quickly sort things out, and then join you.”

“Good choice.”

“But.”

She said.

“I told you before, right? That I’m willing to introduce you to many connections.”

“Yes?”

“That might happen a little sooner than expected.”

Swish.

With those words, Gi So-yul disappeared like smoke.

‘What?’

It was a questionable statement, but there was no time now.

“Hye-rin, was it?”

“Yes?”

“The place I have to go is Seonyudo, right?”

“Y-Yes! By eight o’clock! There’s not much time left! It’ll take at least 30 minutes to get there from here.”

First, let’s move.

“Finally, the time has come.”

The assassin, Go Jae-young, who was sitting on a bench in Seonyudo, a recycling ecological park floating in the middle of the Han River, grinned sinisterly.

“Ugh! Ugh!”

And in front of him.

Kim Jun-seo, the team leader of ‘Resolver’, was tied up and trembling.

“I’ve been holding back for a whole month since then.”

Until he received permission from the owner of the Dark Shadow Unit, Jakan-nim.

Go Jae-young felt regretful.

“Ju Dong-hoon, was it?”

He was ashamed of his past self, who had been too lenient with him.

“Lucky bastard. I’ll definitely catch you this time.”

This time was different.

The preparations were thorough.

Jakan-nim himself had stepped up.

And there were even higher-ranked Rankers hired by the Dark Shadow Unit itself.

‘Two Rankers attacked Parang, so Gi So-yul won’t be able to do anything.’

In addition, there were three A-grade hunters stationed here in Seonyudo.

And about ten B-grade hunters.

And that’s not all.

In case he tried to escape, they even had hunters specializing in tracking within a 10km radius of Ju Dong-hoon’s house.

“…….”

Go Jae-young looked at his wristwatch with a chilling expression.

[07:55 PM]

“He’ll be here soon.”

According to the tracking hunter’s report.

Ju Dong-hoon had left for Seonyudo.

He would be meeting him soon.

“Everyone, get ready.”

Go Jae-young’s voice, as he spoke into the radio, was particularly eerie.

“Hmm.”

I smacked my lips.

On the way back from dropping Kim Hye-rin off at the association building.

In front of the Seonyudo bridge.

I squeezed out all the remaining energy and summoned five skeletons.

Creak! Creak!

As if they knew their master’s heart?

They wielded their weapons with grim expressions and prepared themselves.

‘I wanted to call Old Man, too, but.’

The cooldown was still a long way off.

I didn’t have any energy left either.

“Tae-yangi.”

I called Tae Yangi among them.

In fact, if Bone One had been the leader until now.

Now, Tae Yangi was the leader.

The reason?

Simple.

He was stronger and spoke better.

“My lord, did you call?”

“Yes, those guys stationed here… can you sense them?”

“Yes.”

Whoosh!

Tae Yangi shook his bone spear once.

Even though it was a dark night, Tae Yangi seemed to shine brightly.

“How is it?”

“They are weak. If I had my original power, I could have dealt with them before a single breath was over.”

“Hey.”

I shrugged.

“That was then. I’m talking about now.”

“Now… it would be a bit difficult, but if you order me, I will try to handle it.”

“Is that so?”

I was surprised.

Even though Tae Yangi was still D-grade on the surface.

Were they so weak that he could overcome the overwhelming difference in power?

‘Anyway.’

I had to confront them now.

From far away.

“Ugh! Ugh!”

I could hear Kim Jun-seo’s struggling voice.

Sigh, anyway.

He’s been a handful in many ways since before.

Step, step.

I walked without hesitation towards the group in front of me.

It felt a bit reckless, but there was no choice.

If I was even a little late, Kim Jun-seo’s life could be in danger.

Besides, I had something in mind.

“You’ve come?”

The opponent in front of me, Go Jae-young, smiled at me.

It was an expression that said, “I knew you’d come.”

Did I look like such a justice-burning guy?

“Hey, hey. You really came. You’re a brave friend, aren’t you?”

“Hoo, is that the Ju Dong-hoon that Jakan-nim was talking about?”

“Judging by the Skeleton, he’s a low-level Necromancer.”

“By the way, is the opportunity that guy has that attractive? Enough for Jakan-nim to directly attack Parang?”

His A-grade hunter colleagues also threw in a word each.

‘Indeed.’

Was it still too much for me?

I felt suffocated.

Go Jae-young, who was watching the scene, opened his mouth.

“Hehe, you know better than anyone why I called you here, right?”

“No, it just… said to come in the note? You said you’d save that person if I came.”

I pretended to be innocent.

“Hmm, are you pretending not to know even though you do?”

Go Jae-young’s smile deepened.

The murderous intent emanating from the dagger in his chest was also fierce.

“I’m starting to feel disappointed, you know?”

“…….”

“Have you already forgotten? We promised. In exchange for letting you fight the guys who backstabbed you back then, you’d tell me what the opportunity is. Don’t tell me… you’re relying on Gi So-yul, that bitch?”

He raised his dagger and held it to Kim Jun-seo’s neck.

“U, ugh! Ugh! Ugh!”

It sounded like he was shouting, “[J-Ju Dong-hoon! Save me!]”

“Now, I’ll make a proposal in reverse.”

Drip!

A little blood flowed from Kim Jun-seo’s neck.

“Tell me in detail what the opportunity you obtained is… and hand it over to me. Otherwise, this guy dies.”

His gentle threat.

At the same time.

Numerous hunters surrounded me.

Some were taking out their weapons right in front of me.

Others were revealing their presence as if they were sniping from afar.

‘Hoo, I’m nervous.’

In comparison, I only had five D-grade skeletons.

‘But what to do.’

My opportunity wasn’t something I could give to anyone.

“Okay.”

For now, should I try to get out of this situation?

I nodded and swallowed.