Ch.10937. To the Stronghold of Yeongdo (2)

“What did you just say?”

Soso’s expression froze. Seeing her reaction, Jeong Yu-ha was internally horrified.

‘Am I crazy?! What did I just blurt out!’

Jeong Yu-ha had always been bad at hiding her true feelings. She was also the type who couldn’t contain her curiosity once it arose.

And right now, they were heading to Yeongdo, the stronghold of Dead Arms.

Even during hunter conflicts, murder was still illegal in Korea. That’s why hunters from the Union Guild only used force in self-defense. But Dead Arms were cruel individuals.

Not only that, but Lee Seon-woo, the Hell Blood Demon infamous even within the Cheonma Divine Sect, might be there. They might all die today anyway.

So Yu-ha, momentarily overcome by emotion, had thoughtlessly voiced what was on her mind.

‘I’m insane. I should have been more careful about who I asked!’

Soso’s black eyes met hers.

Though they had become quite close over the past three months, Yu-ha was just an unknown hunter from the provinces—not someone who should be so casual with Soso.

Of course, Yu-ha wasn’t completely unknown as an A-rank hunter.

But compared to Yeon Soso, who was not only the young leader of the Cheonma Divine Sect but also an S-rank hunter in her own right, the gap between them was enormous.

An S-rank hunter was powerful enough to easily rank within the top 1000 hunters worldwide.

Moreover, within the Union Guild’s hierarchy and even within Flame where the Red Breakers belonged, she was the raid team leader.

So despite being two years younger than Yu-ha, Soso was someone Yu-ha looked up to immensely.

‘If it were work-related, that would be one thing, but asking such a personal question… I’m so tactless!’

If Soso’s reaction had been positive, it might have been different. But it seemed she had asked a bad question.

Anyone could see that Soso was interested in Lee Min-su. And the way they spent time together did look like a couple.

But Soso was the daughter of a prestigious family of high status. Such a question might be considered insulting.

That stern expression on her face was surely evidence that Yu-ha’s question had offended her.

“I asked what you just said.”

When the flustered Yu-ha didn’t answer, Soso spoke again. Yu-ha was startled again internally, but the damage was already done.

She couldn’t ignore Soso’s words. With the feeling of facing punishment, Yu-ha answered.

“I… I asked if you… if the Young Leader was dating Deputy Director Lee Min-su.”

“I see… So that’s what you asked. Whether I’m dating Min-su.”

Soso repeated the words thoughtfully. Yu-ha broke into a cold sweat.

‘It was definitely a rude question. At this rate… I might be expelled from the Cheonma Divine Sect!’

Although Yu-ha wasn’t from Muguk but Korean, the Cheonma Divine Sect was her life. If she were expelled and had to give up the sect’s sword…

It would essentially mean the end of her life as a hunter. Soso fell into thought after her answer.

That moment felt like an eternity. Yu-ha anxiously waited for Soso’s response.

Finally, Soso spoke.

“We… we might be dating?”

As she said this, Soso slightly averted her gaze. And her usually expressionless face had turned strangely red.

It definitely wasn’t a negative reaction. Above all, Yu-ha clearly saw the corners of Soso’s mouth slightly turned up.

‘Wait, “might be dating”?’

Yu-ha had thought that even if they were dating, Soso would keep it secret from a Union Guild member like herself. But Soso had readily revealed her relationship with Min-su.

‘She really is dating him. More importantly… I might have earned the Young Leader’s favor more than I thought!’

The moment she saw Soso’s expression, Yu-ha was certain. Soso couldn’t control her expression. While Soso was beautiful enough to turn heads…

Right now, she was wearing a dazed, happy smile. Soso continued speaking.

“I see. So you’re saying… Min-su and I look like a very well-matched couple. Like we’re soulmates destined by heaven, a loving couple who could even be married.”

Yu-ha hadn’t said anything like that, but Soso seemed to be in a good mood. Yu-ha quickly nodded vigorously.

“Yes, that’s right, unni! You make such a great couple. I’m dying of envy!”

She had accidentally called Soso “unni” despite being two years older.

But Soso didn’t mind at all and tightly grasped Yu-ha’s hands.

“Indeed, Team Leader Jeong is a remarkable swordswoman. You have keen eyes that see through the truth of the world.”

At Soso’s unexpected high praise, Yu-ha couldn’t help but blush.

***

The car soon arrived at the dock near Yongho-dong. Specifically, they arrived at the pier used to travel to and from Oryukdo, a small uninhabited island nearby.

On the way there, they had been constantly discussing future plans with Pyo Seong-hun, leaving no time to rest.

Still, with about 20 minutes to spare, they had been able to recover some of the mana used to capture the demon.

‘Even using the spells embedded in Wind Cutter consumes mana.’

The heavy rain continued unabated. Though it wasn’t a typhoon, the boats docked at the pier swayed violently as if they were in the middle of one.

The group hurriedly got out of the car and gathered at the pier. A pre-arranged boat was waiting for them.

“Launching a boat in this weather is crazy, but Yeongdo is just a stone’s throw away. And as hunters, even if you fall into the sea, you won’t die of hypothermia. Let’s move quickly.”

I nodded at Pyo Seong-hun’s words. The Union Guild hunters who had traveled together in the car hurriedly boarded the tour boat and smaller boats.

I quickly climbed aboard as well.

Whoooosh—

Due to the relentless rain, many hunters wore raincoats. But Wind Cutter was creating a wind barrier that blocked all the raindrops falling toward me.

‘Wind Cutter. It seems quite favorable to me.’

Though it had the nickname of a gear that devours its master, I had built a decent bond with Wind Cutter by now.

It might sound presumptuous, but I was confident in making Wind Cutter my gear from the start. That’s why I invested considerable time improving my wind spell skills with Wind Cutter during my three months in Busan.

‘At this rate, I should have no problem with 5th-tier wind spells.’

For any elemental magic, reaching the 5th tier means recognition as high-class, so I’ve made significant progress.

‘The theoretical studies I did at Ains are helping me now.’

Back then, I invested time in theoretical studies just to get quest rewards through the system. But now, those theoretical studies have helped me in many ways.

Even without the system’s help, that theory still remained in my memory.

‘Above all, that theoretical background allowed me to understand Secretary-General Choi Seung-hoon’s thesis.’

While I was briefly lost in thought, the boat departed for Yeongdo.

Through my earpiece, I gave instructions to the squad leaders among the Union Guild hunters.

“We plan to enter through the former university grounds. That area.”

Next to Yeongdo is a small island with abandoned university grounds—once a university but deserted after the gate incident.

After the dungeon was cleared, the university relocated elsewhere, so the place is now abandoned. For a somewhat stealthy approach, entering through there wasn’t a bad choice.

And in the remaining time before the boat arrived…

I voluntarily activated the system that I had pushed aside from my view.

***

The familiar system notification window, no, a new bright red notification window different from Ains, appeared in the corner of my vision.

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「System error」

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Error code : 1713E0529:CE

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XXX : Good job, Player!

..

..

..

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[Creating Main Quest.]

[Flame’s Expansion of Influence(SS) – Busan Arc]

..

..

..

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[Sub Quest – Defeat Demon Baron Aikeln. (Completed)]

[Sub Que&t clear reward has been act*vated.]

[Inventory reactivation is po%sible.]

[You can u# one item from your inventory.]

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‘Damn this system…’

My defeat of the Demon Baron at Busan Port had been recorded as a sub-quest in the system.

And it seems possible to receive rewards for that task. The “clear reward” phrase was clearly highlighted in green.

‘Inventory reactivation, huh.’

The system had clearly indicated that once the Busan mission was completed, I could get back some of the rewards and abilities it had taken from me.

‘This bastard takes things away and then acts generous by giving them back…’

It wasn’t a new reward. The abilities that had allowed me to rise to the rank of 1st cadet at Ains.

The system was telling me that it would allow me to use those abilities it had reclaimed, as if doing me a favor.

It’s like a demon’s trick. I know I shouldn’t fall for it, but honestly, the statement that I could use one item from my inventory was very tempting.

The system had already opened the inventory before my eyes. Though it’s a virtual space within the system, if I touch an item and activate it, it will manifest in reality.

Among the numerous items and skill scrolls in the inventory, the one that caught my eye was definitely the “Fairy Queen’s Wings.”

An S-grade rare item that enables perfect concealment. Using this item allows me to completely hide my presence for a certain period.

‘It’s completely different from concealment through spells.’

Concealment through spells cannot completely block the mana flowing from an awakened person’s body. But the Fairy Queen’s Wings, despite having a time limit, enables perfect concealment.

‘If I could get that item back, I could develop an improved combat method…’

My hand almost reached for the reward collection button, but I managed to resist.

‘Damn it. For now, I shouldn’t rely on the system. Not until I know its true nature.’

Still, I haven’t been idle since regaining my consciousness. I’ve gathered some clues about the system’s identity.

However, I put aside thoughts about the system for now and focused on the upcoming battle.

‘Those two seem to get along better than I expected. Is it because they both belong to the Cheonma Divine Sect?’

I looked at Soso and Jeong Yu-ha, who would play important roles in that battle. The two had been conversing continuously since boarding the car to the pier.

With the battle for Busan’s hegemony approaching, these two important figures in the Union Guild must have much to discuss.

Swordsmen, especially those trained in Muguk’s swordsmanship, often improve their skills through a practice called Nongeom, so I decided not to disturb them.

‘Disturbance. And that person… I’m not sure if they’ll be a disturbance or just a spectator.’

I was also closely watching the uninvited guest who had secretly boarded the tour boat. Their concealment level was so high that I almost missed their presence.

But Wind Cutter alerted me to their existence.

‘Unfortunately, that man probably doesn’t have something like the Fairy Queen’s Wings.’

I had a good guess who it might be. In Part 3 of the original work, there was someone from the Association who monitored Siwoo’s actions in every episode.

‘Probably someone from Mumyeongdae. The Association must be curious about the outcome of this conflict too.’

And that outcome will be determined soon in the battle at Yeongdo. Since they likely won’t interfere with the Union Guild’s business, I decided to ignore their presence.

The boat continued toward Yeongdo.

Shortly after, through my earpiece, reports came in simultaneously from all boats heading to Yeongdo.

“The boats can’t proceed any further!”

It was an urgent voice. Looking at the sea surface from the deck, I sensed it too.

“Yeongdo is right in front of us, but suddenly such bad weather…”

The rain grew more intense. And as if caught in a storm in the middle of the ocean, the Union Guild’s boats were being violently tossed about, at risk of running aground.

“This is strange! No matter how bad the weather… for the wind and rain to be this severe so close to land…”

Pyo Seong-hun was right. Sensing the reason, I said:

“This is clearly a magically created storm.”

As expected, Dead Arms hadn’t been sitting idle. If the boats couldn’t proceed, all our plans would be ruined.

“We can’t afford for the boats to sink here! Even if we can swim back to land, our stamina…”

“And Dead Arms might be waiting to kill us while we’re swimming with depleted energy.”

Pyo Seong-hun’s expression hardened. We were in a dilemma. But I raised my hand to calm him.

“But there’s no need to worry. I’ll handle it somehow.”

I gripped Wind Cutter’s handle tightly.