episode_0042

The night when the two of them were shattered and defeated by Mahana.

Approaching the two who were seething with anger in the hospital, the silver-haired figure identified herself as ‘Pyodokju.’

At the same time, she introduced herself as a figure from the other world who acts as a Class Hunter.

Pyodokju made a proposal to the two.

She would kill the woman named Mahana.

In return, they had to cooperate in capturing the man.

Normally, they would have rejected it outright.

Even if they were rotten, they were hunters.

It was their duty not to join hands with the mines and villains that disrupt and threaten the world.

“But now, anything goes!”

If they could only seek revenge, they wouldn’t care about the circumstances at all.

Even if one person died and another was kidnapped, it would be concluded that they fell victim to a wrong route in the unsolved case.

The disappearance case in the dungeon was not easy to find evidence for.

Naturally, it would end without any significant results.

“…So there’s no problem at all.”

They just had to get rid of the tangled mess and return to their original lives.

They could gather money again and take the test, and that would be the end of it.

“…It’s hard to believe even when I look at it again.”

Pyodokju, shaking her head, looked again at the file handed to her by the green-haired figure.

“Is that handsome man really ‘Geomseong’?”

“According to the document sent by the employee, there is no mistake.”

“Hmm, so the gods give classes based on appearance. That’s quite biased.”

“…Hey.”

“What is it?”

“…You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”

At those words, Pyodokju furrowed her brow.

“You’re persistent. You two left that woman from the cat tribe half dead, and the deal was that you would bring Geomseong by subduing him, right?”

“W-Well, yes. But that… isn’t it a waste to just send off that man so nicely?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“…That’s what I mean.”

The disgusting explanation from the green-haired figure continued.

What she aimed for was to humiliate Yuseha in front of the powerless Mahana, saying ‘Your man is great, huh?’

Just killing him wasn’t enough.

She had to do that to feel satisfied.

“……Tsk.”

Pyodokju couldn’t believe how despicable her desire was.

She wasn’t some bitch in heat, why would she entertain such thoughts.

‘She’s beyond pathetic.’

Frowning, Pyodokju reluctantly nodded at the continuing words of the green-haired figure.

It was thanks to the cooperation of these two that they had come this far.

She had an obligation to fulfill any reasonable request.

“…Fine. But everything ends when we go out of the gate. Got it?”

“Hehe, of course.”

Pyodokju licked her lips as she looked at the two she liked.

Joining hands with such trash didn’t fit her creed.

‘But there’s nothing I can do.’

For the sake of her dream, she had to endure.

With a final check, she raised her telescope.

Mahana, who was busy fighting the undead in place of Yuseha, who was not taking any action.

Of course, Pyodokju was more impressed by Mahana.

‘Surely these trash that can’t even be recycled will fall.’

She had mentioned the Guardian class.

As a tank, Mahana’s tanking ability was above average even in Pyodokju’s eyes.

It was doubtful whether the person who had been evaluated as a dropout just a few weeks ago was the right one.

Especially surprising was the speed.

Even carrying a large shield, Mahana’s movements were almost as fast as a speed-specialized dealer.

‘It seems like her field of vision is wide.’

Mahana minimized the clutter in her movements, acted efficiently, and blocked the enemy’s attacks.

Pyodokju was secretly disappointed by that sight.

“…That woman seems like she’ll sell for a high price.”

The Mysterious Race, a popular sub-race known as the class.

Even their appearance was half and half.

Despite lacking compared to the neighboring Yuseha, their item value was more than enough.

But being greedy for more than this is just being excessive.

Even if the two next to her are trash, they are still hunters active in the Yangji area.

“…There’s no need to scratch just to leave a mark.”

Granting the earlier request was an extension of this.

That aside…

Is the man from really not going to do anything?

“I want to see him swing his sword at least once.”

Since earlier, he had been standing still like a stone, seemingly doing nothing.

At first, it seemed like he was using some skills, but at some point, even that stopped.

No matter what, a Geomseong is a Geomseong.

There was no doubt that his talent and understanding of the sword were unmatched.

As he carefully observed, thinking that nothing would catch his attention…

In a flash―

“…?!”

In a moment, he met eyes with Yuseha.

Internally startled, Podeokju quickly lowered his binoculars.

Raising them again, he looked.

But as if there was nothing happening with Yuseha, she was running towards the approaching undead.

“…Am I mistaken?”

Yes, it must be a mistake.

No matter how mediocre he may be, as a regular hunter, he was a figure who could be considered C-rank.

He wasn’t so inexperienced as to give away his presence to someone who was only F-rank.

It was the right time to execute the plan.

“The battle seems to be ending.”

Signaling to the two, Podeokju stood up from his position.

Rummaging through his pockets, he pulled out several black beads.

“You two. Crush these and scatter them on the main route.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a jamming artifact that disrupts emergency communication networks.”

Unlike ordinary dungeons, the had emergency communication artifacts scattered throughout.

In this place where electronic devices didn’t work properly, aside from skills, it was one of the few devices that could send messages to the guild.

“I can’t go to the main route because of my magic. The moment it detects magic, the bell will ring.”

“Understood.”

The two nodded at each other and disappeared with the beads in their hands.

Podeokju looked through the beads and took out a small box.

Opening it revealed a palm-sized leather pouch, filled with something resembling crushed powder.

The powder was a [Special Mana Stone] processed with the power of the mines.

It was an illegal item strictly prohibited by all groups except for the mines and villains, capable of leading to the death penalty just by possessing it, and could be used to commit heinous acts in various ways.

It was not an item that an average mine like Podeokju could obtain.

“…This was sent directly by him.”

There could be no room for failure.

Podeokju wandered around the main route, sprinkling a suitable amount of powder.

Soon, drawn by the scent emanating from the powder, a horde of undead approached.

Mostly E~D-rank zombies and skeletons, but their numbers were considerable.

The duo who returned a little later were surprised to see the gathered undead.

“Don’t be scared. It’s a powerful spell that can even affect corpses.”

“…Ah, could this be it?”

“Yes, these guys will drain the power of the prey.”

The effect of the powder wouldn’t last long.

But this should be enough.

Undoubtedly, the undead would be confused and fight or flee repeatedly as they suddenly rushed towards them.

“Their stamina and mana will naturally decrease.”

Following the sounds of battle, they moved and intervened in the middle.

“Let’s get started.”

At Podeokju’s words, the two thieves nodded with sly expressions.

Jealousy blinds the hunter from the light realm and the hunter from the dark realm begin their activities.

* * *

30 minutes.

1 hour.

And 2 hours.

The duo continued to move forward.

Guided by the occasional sounds of the undead horde, they ventured deeper into the forest.

“Huff, huff… Wait a moment!”

A green-haired figure raised their hand.

Frowning at the sight, the other hunter, Todyokju, spoke up.

“What’s the matter, getting out of breath from just this much walking? There’s no time for rest. Let’s keep tracking-”

“-No, it’s not that! Doesn’t something seem off to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“We should have reached the shrine by now.”

The orange-haired companion chimed in.

“Yes, that’s right! Huff, huff… It’s not that far. And we should be hearing sounds of battle… But there hasn’t been any noise so far.”

And then, the final blow hit Todyokju’s ears.

“Wasn’t this… the from the start?”

“…!”

Todyokju was taken aback by those words.

Pulling out the map from their pocket, they confirmed the surrounding geography.

‘…I see.’

It was only then that they realized they had strayed from the regular route.

Realizing they were in the same forest was too late.

‘…No way.’

A chilling sensation crept over them.

The sensation was soon to turn into the worst warning.

And the warning would soon put their lives in danger.

“Growl…”

“Kweh.”

The clear sound of approaching cries left Todyokju with a dismayed voice.

“Oh, damn, we’ve been had.”

“…What?”

“We’ve become the prey of our prey.”

“…What?!”

The green-haired figure couldn’t finish their sentence.

Undead creatures began pouring out from all directions.

Even the very undead horde they had initially controlled.

It had come back to haunt them.

“What in the world is happening?!”

“Instead of panicking, get ready to fight.”

“Wait a moment! We can just control them again!”

“Do you think spirit magic is some kind of cure-all? Once a creature breaks free, it’s immune. There’s no way to control them again!”

Shouting loudly, Todyokju quickly drew their weapon at the approaching threat.

Clang!

The sharp sound of metal rang out.

“Clatter!”

‘…Damn.’

Blocking the skeleton warrior’s strike, Todyokju broke out in a cold sweat.

What in the world had happened?!