Chapter 33

Seoul Oseong

At that moment.

“Hehe.””

Dark Shadow Unit Leader, Nick Zakan, chuckled lowly.

“Indeed, worthy of the Archery Master. Not easy.”

Dozens of blue hellfire balls spun around him.

Each one possessed tremendous firepower, rivaling the skill ‘Hell Fire’ (S-Rank).

“Are you also reaching the realm of a monster?”

Not all Rankers are created equal.

If all those within the top 1,000 are called Rankers.

Those within the top 100 are commonly referred to as ‘monsters,’ not ‘humans.’

They were truly one-person natural disasters.

“…….”

Archery Master, Gi Parang, silently stared at Nick Zakan.

His expression remained largely unchanged as he drew the bowstring.

And then, Gi Parang’s lips parted.

“Hellhound.”

“What.”

“Did you think you could covet Parang with just one Diamond in tow?”

The Diamond, Favreau.

A Ranker from Canada.

An S-Rank mercenary ranked 301st overall.

“Khehehe, I know, right? What a fool. Called him a Rank 301st Tank, and he couldn’t even handle one Dark Emperor. Tsk.”

Zakan looked to the side with an annoyed expression.

Swish! Swish!

There, Gi So-yul, moving at an invisible speed, was fighting against the sturdy Favreau.

Dark Emperor, Gi So-yul’s current ranking was 380th.

Despite her lower ranking, she showed no signs of being pushed back.

Zakan turned his gaze back to Gi Parang.

“Heh, but Archery Master.”

“…….”

“You only know one thing and not the other. Do you really think my goal is the downfall of your Parang? Why would a group like mine, lurking in the shadows, try to bring down you guys in the light?”

“I don’t feel the need to answer.”

Peeng!

The bowstring was released from the Archery Master’s hand.

Instant Death Arrow.

A skill named so because it was guaranteed to hit when fired.

And guaranteed to kill upon impact.

‘Damn it.’

Zakan’s face contorted.

It was a skill with an outrageously arrogant name, but he had to admit it.

Even if he tried his best to dodge and create a barrier of fire.

Thwack!

The fired arrow ended up piercing his calf.

He couldn’t even follow it with his eyes.

There was no time to calculate any countermeasures.

“Keueueu, indeed… a remarkable skill.”

Perhaps if his ranking were just a bit lower.

Wouldn’t he have died instantly, just like the skill’s name suggested?

His calf was numb.

But it was bearable.

After all, that skill consumed a tremendous amount of energy.

“I’ll show you too. Why Hellhound is called Hell.”

Wooowoong!

A stream of fire shot out from his hand.

Hwareureuk!

It was as if a fire dragon was flying towards them.

“…….”

The Archery Master also twitched his brow and leaped into the air.

Ping! Ping! Peeng!

He fired three arrows in rapid succession at the same time.

Hwareuk!

They were all swallowed by the gaping mouth of the fire dragon.

Hellhound, ranked 92nd.

He was also a hunter with a level worthy of being called a monster.

Dodge.

Engage.

Showcase each other’s skills.

Kwagagagang!

In a Dungeon in Seoul, two monsters clashed with all their might.

If this were Earth, it would have been a spectacle of intense skills that could have destroyed a city.

How many minutes had passed like that?

“…….”

Gi Parang’s expression changed as he evaded Zakan’s skills.

Because he sensed something was wrong.

‘He’s not usually like this.’

Hellhound.

The criminal whom Berserker called ‘Fire Dog’ was definitely not the type to confront head-on.

How else could just one Ranker.

Have been able to run the underground organization called ‘Dark Shadow Unit’ for so long?

Wasn’t it because of his meticulous and devious personality?

“Could it be.”

“Keukeuk, Archery Master. It was fun.”

“Are you trying to escape?”

“You’re quick on the uptake as expected. Farewell. Thanks to you stalling for 30 minutes, it seems my goal has been achieved.”

“Goal?”

Gi Parang wore a strange expression.

‘That guy.’

It seemed like he was misunderstanding something.

He seemed to have no idea that the Rankers Gi So-yul sent had gone to Seonyudo.

Hwareureureuk!

Streams of fire blazed in various places around them.

Behind where Zakan was, a red Portal appeared.

It seemed like he was going to use the teleportation escape skill he possessed.

“Hmm.”

Gi Parang clicked his tongue.

He wanted to catch Zakan.

But to do so, he had to leave those streams of fire alone.

If he did, his one and only sister, Gi So-yul, could be harmed.

It was that deadly of an area-of-effect skill.

‘Perhaps, that was even a calculated move.’

From the direction where Zakan was disappearing.

“Khahaha, stretch well so you don’t get a stiff neck later. Oh, and I’ll give that stupid Diamond as a gift, so roast him or boil him, do whatever you want!”

Hellhound’s voice, laughing maniacally with a confident tone, echoed like a reverberation.

“…….”

You’re the stupid one.

Gi Parang let out a faint sigh.

He could already picture Zakan clutching the back of his neck and collapsing later.

Now that his friend Berserker had gone.

The chances of that guy achieving his goal were close to zero.

Swish.

Gi Parang picked up his bow again.

It was time to finish things.

Gooooooo!

The wind roared and swirled around the bow.

“…….”

Gi So-yul, having noticed that Hellhound had escaped, quickly backed away.

“Hiek?”

At the brow of the panicking Tank, Diamond.

Thwoong!

Gi Parang’s arrow neatly pierced through.

“……Ugh!”

Favreau, unable to even finish his scream, fell backward.

His defense had already been greatly reduced by Gi So-yul, so he couldn’t withstand Gi Parang’s attack.

The anticlimactic end of the Rank 301st.

“Hoo.”

Gi Parang exhaled the breath he had been holding in.

Thud!

Gi So-yul’s figure landed next to him.

“Brother.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Other than being a bit stiff from moving around a lot.”

“Hmm, why on earth is Hellhound pushing himself this hard?”

Gi Parang couldn’t understand.

Hellhound, and his sister too.

‘Especially my sister.’

Gi So-yul was someone who usually had no interest in anything other than hunting.

But lately, he had been hearing things.

That she kept sticking around someone named Ju Dong-hoon?

This incident was also ultimately caused by that man, wasn’t it?

“It’s nothing.”

“Parang was attacked because of that man, and you say it’s nothing?”

Gi Parang frowned.

“It’s not because of that person. If you think about it, it’s because of me.”

“So, why is that……”

“I’ll explain it slowly later.”

Gi Parang stared intently at Gi So-yul.

She had an expression of certainty.

How long had it been since he had seen So-yul like that?

So.

He just smiled.

Whatever it was.

He preferred seeing his sister full of life rather than expressionless.

“Alright, whatever. I’m sure you’ll do well.”

[Ding!]

[The rankings have been updated.]

[Please refer to the World Ranking Board.]

“Hoo.”

Berserker, Jang Dae-ung’s eyes curved upward.

“Someone among the Rankers……”

“Seems to have died!”

Black Sword Lee Seon-ah also reacted to the new message.

“Heh, seeing that I’ve become 829th, it seems like the guy in front of me died? I wonder who it is?”

Munch, munch.

Baekdon, Yoo Sang-don, who had cleaned up the situation, took out an instant hamburger from his bag and chewed on it.

“Eeya? Mr. Baekdon! You’re amazing! You have to eat something as soon as the battle ends!”

“Shut up. Do you know this pain? I can only recover the energy I used by eating.”

Skill, ‘Gluttony.’

It was a fraudulent passive skill that made Yoo Sang-don a Ranker.

He regained energy the more he ate?

“I see! So eating is a painful thing! Anyway, I also! Rose to 509th! What about Berserker?”

“Me? I’m still 20th, hahaha.”

“…….”

I blankly stared at their conversation.

Apparently, the 「World Ranking Board」 had been updated.

But I couldn’t see anything in my field of vision.

The status message announcing the update at the beginning of each month could be seen by any Hunter.

But other than that, the changes that occurred when a Ranker died.

Seemed to be a privilege only given to Rankers.

Swish.

I habitually took out my smartphone.

Because I was curious about the situation.

[Breaking News! Ranker System Update!]

[Who could have died? According to the World Association’s response, it is presumed to be the death of the current 301st Ranker!]

[301st, The Diamond from Canada, currently unresponsive! The World Association investigation team has launched an investigation…….]

[Breaking News! A new Ranker has appeared on the board! Abdulaziz, Tyrant from Uzbekistan! Who is he, having joined the ranks at 1,000th this time…….]

As expected.

Articles with incredible speed were pouring out, befitting the information age.

“…….”

And next to me.

Was Kim Jun-seo, who still had his mouth wide open, not understanding the situation.

‘Well, it’s understandable that he’s surprised.’

He suddenly opened his eyes to find that the global criminal organization Dark Shadow Unit had kidnapped him.

And that Rankers called the Seoul Five Stars had rescued him in one day.

“No way……”

“Hyung, are you okay?”

“What am I even looking at? What on earth is going on?”

“That’s…… I’m also confused. First, please rest for a bit.”

I patted Kim Jun-seo.

He wasn’t at fault for anything in this kidnapping.

If anything, was it getting to know me?

I felt sorry that he had been caught up in an unpleasant incident because of me.

But now wasn’t the time to talk to him.

“Euhaha, are you the person called Ju Dong-hoon? You seem very weak.”

“Hey, Berserker! I’ve told you countless times. Hunters are all about potential. You may be a crazy monster right now, but someday I might catch up to you, you know?”

“Hmm, that’s a very unrealistic statement, Baekdon.”

All the Rankers’ gazes were focused on me.

The already annihilated Dark Shadow Unit was not even on their minds.

“Um! Still!”

Sreung!

Lee Seon-ah shook the blood off the rapier and put it back into its scabbard.

“As much as the Dark Emperor wanted to introduce him! Don’t you think there’s something there?”

“That’s right! I also agree with Black Sword’s words. I saw him using a special Skeleton earlier.”

Yoo Sang-don wore an interesting expression.

“Necromancer, that in itself is a special Unique Ability, but it seems like he twisted it once more! It’s enough to pique the Dark Emperor’s interest!”

Lee Seon-ah’s eyes also sparkled.

“…….”

I shuddered as I looked at them.

That’s right.

Honestly, my whole body was stiff.

Those I had always admired as idols were talking to me in droves?

And with so much interest.

“Hoo.”

I let out a short breath.

I mustn’t be intimidated.

I had to deal with this flexibly and calmly.

‘This is an opportunity Gi So-yul has created for me.’

There’s a saying that birds of a feather flock together.

Even if I just clung to them like a leech, wouldn’t I get one step closer to becoming a Ranker?

‘More than anything.’

Even if you combined those three, they were nothing compared to the true forms of the Old Man or Tae Yang-chang.

Surprisingly, that fact calmed me down.

“Hmm.”

First, Lee Seon-ah took a step forward.

“Did you say Ju Dong-hoon? Nice to meet you! I’m Lee Seon-ah, a friend of the Dark Emperor! I’m the leader of the Black Sword Squad!”

Black Sword Squad.

It was an impossible name to not know.

One of the strongest guilds in the world, Demonic Cult’s first assault team.

For reference, Demonic Cult is the guild led by Cheonma Hasera, who is ranked 3rd in the world and 1st in the country.

Strangely enough.

When you join that guild, your alias changes to a martial arts style?

“Hey, Black Sword. Don’t be so black-hearted and cut in line. After all, shouldn’t an alias have the white ‘Baek’ in it like mine to be the real deal? I’m Baekdon, Yoo Sang-don.”

Commonly known as White Pig.

Who wouldn’t know him?

Although he was a Ranker in the 800s.

No Ranker ignored him.

He was the 3rd Vice President of the Global Hunter Confederation of Merchant.

Commonly known as the ‘National Commerce Association.’

The new company ‘Baekdon’ he created.

Was practically the top in the country when it came to the Hunter item business.

He was truly a living chaebol Ranker.

“Hmm, how ridiculous! How much more sinister and greedy would you have to be to have the character ‘Don’ in your alias?”

Lee Seon-ah countered Yoo Sang-don’s provocation.

“Hey……. Black Sword. You have to know what you’re talking about before you criticize. That’s not the ‘Don’ used when using currency units, it’s the pig ‘Don’…….”

“Ah, a pig! Oink oink! A greedy pig!”

“What? Greed? Ha, you still have such ridiculous misunderstandings. Do you know how clean and ungreedy pigs are?”

“Is that why the name of the skill you have is ‘Gluttony’? Ah, I understand!”

“Are you kidding me?”

“…….”

The two Rankers chattered non-stop.

Was it true that the closer you were, the more you bickered?

Just from the way Berserker looked at them nonchalantly.

You could tell what their usual appearance was like.

And.

In front of them, the ‘real deal’ came forward.

Ranked 20th in the world.

A madman who had no rivals to face in the country except for Cheonma Hasera.

“Hahaha, let’s leave those idiots alone and shake hands?”

He held out his hand.