Ch.58Hostage Situation Is Dangerous (2)

“U-um. T-that, that is, well……”

After the accident, Song Hayeon and I finished our examinations at the hospital and were bombarded with questions for the investigation.

Though Song Hayeon handled most of the answers, it was an extremely awkward situation for me without my ring.

Returning home completely exhausted, I frowned as I lay sprawled on my bed.

‘Hades?’

I wasn’t sure during the accident, but Jackson definitely rambled about Hades taking revenge before he died.

Simply put, it meant I had become the target of that revenge.

‘These bastards, seriously.’

Thanks to them, I’d had an extremely annoying day. I would definitely make them pay for it someday.

“Come out.”

Whoosh.

– What do you need, sir?

As Gordon appeared in his soul form, I transmitted the images of the person I saw during the accident and the street scene, then said:

“Can you find them?”

– Nothing I can’t handle.

“Good.”

Indeed, a capable subordinate. I rolled over once on the bed, lost in thought.

‘They’ll probably make a move soon.’

Considering they’ve thrown down the gauntlet like this, the opponent must be quite confident.

‘They must have something they’re relying on.’

To take such a bold stance despite knowing about the death of A-rank hunter Jackson, they definitely need to be watched carefully.

‘Until Helena gets me the item…’

Though extremely unpleasant, it seemed better to be cautious.

The next day, after telling Seoha I’d be going on a trip for a while, I called Song Hayeon and asked:

“Do you know any good hotels?”

“What? Where?”

“W-we’ll be staying separately for a while.”

Looking puzzled as she listened to my explanation, Song Hayeon eventually understood and went home to pack her things.

And so began our indefinite stay away from home.

#

Somewhere in Texas, USA.

A tall man with a solid build spoke to a red-haired woman who seemed strangely agitated.

“What’s wrong with you since yesterday? It’s not like you.”

“…I told you. That bastard definitely saw me.”

After Jackson’s recent death, Hades had managed to identify the culprit through investigation.

And Hades never lets enemies live. Baek Eunha, who killed Jackson, naturally became Hades’ target.

Thus, the Puppeteer, Trione, one of their members, had delivered a declaration of war to Baek Eunha just yesterday.

The intention was to let her know she had become their target and to let her wither away slowly in anxiety.

However, during the process, through some trick, he had briefly forced a mental synchronization and determined her location.

This was completely unprecedented for Trione.

“I heard he was a necromancer?”

“I don’t know what method he used, but one thing’s certain—he’s not an opponent to be taken lightly. There’s a reason Jackson fell so easily.”

Recalling Baek Eunha’s murderous gaze, Trione clicked her tongue and frowned.

“Since he killed Jackson, he must certainly have skills above A-rank.”

“Are there no orders from the leader?”

“I was told not to call for a while.”

“…Because of that woman?”

The S-rank hunter Helena, currently the biggest obstacle to Hades.

Due to her recent active movements, Hades’ members were being checked in various ways.

“This is troublesome. We can’t afford more obstacles. We’ll have to handle this ourselves.”

“…I know.”

After contemplating something briefly, Trione eventually smiled meaningfully and said to the large man:

“Call Wei.”

“That murderous fiend?”

“Since it’s come to this, let’s set up a proper trap.”

#

“So, how long do we have to stay like this?”

“U-until they come for us or we find them…?”

As I fiddled with my phone while rolling around on the spacious bed, Song Hayeon pressed her face close to mine with an impatient expression.

“Will they really come?”

“…They will. They’ve already exposed their names and everything.”

“Ugh, I haven’t been able to stream for three days now.”

“Y-you posted a notice. That’s an addiction. And move your face away. Ugh.”

The targets were probably both Song Hayeon and me. In this situation, separating wasn’t a good idea.

“You’d get wiped out if you fought alone anyway.”

“That’s true, but it hurts my pride…”

Still, she was handling all the miscellaneous tasks in my place while I didn’t have my ring, so Song Hayeon was definitely a necessary talent. In a different sense, I’d be in trouble without her.

I complained to Gordon, who was tinkering with equipment in a corner of the room.

“I thought you said you could find them…”

“I-it’s only been three days, sir.”

“Useless fellow.”

“……”

I had briefly hoped, but honestly, I didn’t really think we’d find them quickly. If they were that careless, they wouldn’t qualify as a secret society.

“But you’re speaking quite well without your ring these days?”

“I-I’m getting better gradually.”

“Then can I touch your hair now?”

“Do that if you want to get kicked out.”

“Tch.”

Finding it unbearably boring to stay cooped up in the room, Song Hayeon began exercising with dumbbells she’d bought nearby.

After some time passed, Song Hayeon, dripping with sweat, wiped herself with a towel and asked me:

“By the way, wasn’t there someone else besides Lich back then?”

“…Chae Hwain?”

“Yes. I don’t know her name, but that person.”

Chae Hwain is currently inside the Book of Death, just like Gordon was before. However, the circumstances are a bit complicated.

“T-the command structure isn’t properly established.”

“So you can’t bring her out?”

“I could, but…”

Who knows? She might regain her memories at some point and try to stab me with a knife for daring to turn her into an undead.

And besides that, Chae Hwain’s current state is a bit strange.

I’d rather not summon her if possible.

“She was really pretty and glamorous…”

“If you want one so badly, make one yourself.”

“Tch. You know very well I can’t do that yet.”

Despite her words, Song Hayeon is growing steadily. With a little help from me, she’ll probably be able to create high-level undead in the not-too-distant future.

Another day passed, and the next day, three pieces of news reached us.

First, my hunter rank had been raised to B-rank.

Second, a new returnee had appeared in Korea.

And third…

[H-help me!]

Kwak Minji, who had gone on vacation after completing a dungeon raid, had been kidnapped by Hades.

#

“Y-you said it was Chungbuk province, right?”

“……”

Based on the circumstances, it’s clear that Kwak Minji has been taken hostage. Honestly, I had expected them to come directly after us, so this was unexpected.

“What should we do?”

“I-it’s too far…”

“She was captured because of us. Is that really what you should be saying?”

Honestly, I didn’t feel much motivation to rescue her, but if they were setting up the board for us, there was no reason to refuse.

I finally headed to Chungbuk province with Song Hayeon and Gordon in tow.

Vrooom.

“By the way, the situation looks quite dangerous…”

The place we’re heading to is clearly enemy territory, and the opponent has likely made thorough preparations.

To be honest, we’re walking straight into a trap.

“No problem. Mere human rabble, I alone am sufficient.”

Gordon spoke confidently, but honestly, I couldn’t help feeling a bit anxious.

‘Surely they don’t have an S-rank or something?’

I think the probability is extremely low, but they are a secret society after all, so who knows. Even Jackson, a member, was an A-rank hunter. If there is a leader, they might possess even greater power.

“W-we’ll see when we get there.”

If worse comes to worst, I can use Gordon, who can be resurrected, as a shield and escape.

The place we arrived at was an abandoned factory with no signs of human presence.

“Y-you go first.”

“Yes, sir.”

Thud.

Creak.

Creeeak.

Gordon, who had taken human form through magic, took the lead and entered the factory.

Inside, Kwak Minji was left alone, tied up with ropes and in terrible condition.

Tap tap tap.

“Mmph! Mmmmph!”

“U-ugh, what a state she’s in.”

While Song Hayeon rushed over to untie Kwak Minji, I expanded my senses to survey the surroundings. Strangely, however, I couldn’t detect any presence.

‘What’s going on?’

Just as I was about to sink into thought, I began to sense a familiar energy from a corner of the factory.

That source was none other than the bound Kwak Minji.

“Song Hayeon. Step back.”

“What?”

At the same time, Kwak Minji’s eyes lost focus, and her body suddenly began to thrash about.

Tap tap tap.

Suspicious objects visible between the gaps in Kwak Minji’s clothes—a bomb vest straight out of a movie.

“Oh my god!”

Song Hayeon retreated in shock, but the situation wasn’t good.

I bit my lip, approached the charging Kwak Minji, and cast a spell.

And simultaneously, a powerful explosion engulfed the inside of the factory.

KABOOM—!

“Master!”

Song Hayeon screamed, but of course I was unharmed. The same went for Kwak Minji.

“Such petty tricks…”

Drip.

Drop.

“M-Master. Your arm…”

Blood was flowing from my left arm, which was burned from the shoulder down. Looking at it, I could see that the clothes in that area had been completely reduced to rags.

But it wasn’t a fatal wound. I slightly furrowed my brow at the rising pain.

“Ugh. Take her away.”

Thud.

After handing the unconscious Kwak Minji to Song Hayeon, I glared toward the factory entrance.

I could sense the presence of multiple individuals who had come running at the sound of the explosion.

Step.

Step.

“…Did you really think such an outdated hostage situation would work?”

“Kuhehe. I told you. That they would come.”

“They’re more foolish than I expected.”

Three people in total.

The red-haired woman I had seen through the connected path before, a large man, and a hooded man with a knife who wore a grotesque smile.

‘…How annoying.’

I’ve met countless people like them. Insignificant fools who fail to recognize their opponent and swarm like mayflies.

And such people never understand the difference, no matter how much you explain it to them.

I positioned Gordon in front to block their view and quietly cast a spell.

“Book of Death.”