Chapter 38: Stronger Than I Thought (3)

‘The battle is already over! What happened?’

Jo Paengseok of the Under Dog Guild interrogated his younger brother Jo Paenghyeon with a sharp look.

‘It just started! Really! Damn it, what happened?’

Jo Paenghyeon gave an unjust, pleading look.

It was only natural.

He had truly retreated the moment the fight began.

Moreover, the monsters Suho’s party faced numbered four.

For Suho’s party of three, it was a number they couldn’t handle all at once.

‘Damn, no choice. Plan B.’

Jo Paengseok gave his brother a sly wink.

This was a team that had committed Murderer acts multiple times before.

They even had a contingency plan ready if things went wrong.

‘Alright.’

Understanding the signal, Jo Paenghyeon quietly backed away.

Jo Paengseok trembled nervously as he spoke.

“Oh dear, this is tough again. Did we take the wrong path? Or maybe there was a deep connection in a past life? Heh heh.”

“Cut the crap!”

Song Jaegoo shouted in objection.

He took a step back and raised his bow.

Since the archer stepped back, they were preparing for battle.

‘Damn, it’s not working. It’s not like I’m an idiot.’

Jo Paengseok cursed internally.

After all, the archer had shown quite some skill since the first ambush.

‘It’s okay. Just need to buy a little time.’

While Jo Paengseok muttered useless words, Jo Paenghyeon circled around the battlefield.

He was in a state of [Translucent].

‘Let’s just kill one guy and start.’

That would guarantee victory.

It was six versus three after all.

Killing one and then starting made everything extremely favorable.

“Cut the crap? We shouldn’t be so hostile among Hunters of similar levels. We’ll probably meet often on the way. Though our Under Dog Guild is small…”

Jo Paengseok’s rambling was heard.

‘Brother’s buying time well. Now’s good.’

Jo Paenghyeon smiled with satisfaction.

It was because they had reached the position where the target’s back was visible.

‘Die.’

Jo Paenghyeon jumped out from the bushes.

The opponent wouldn’t even notice and would die.

But unfortunately for Jo Paenghyeon, the opponent was prepared for such an ambush.

No one in the arena could evade Suho’s senses.

Naturally, they read Jo Paenghyeon’s movements like an open book.

‘If you come close, we’ll handle you first.’

If the opponent intended to ambush, they would shatter that and start fighting immediately.

That would also be advantageous for morale.

Swish—

Jo Paenghyeon’s blade slashed at Suho’s back.

Suho had already spun around.

“What?”

Jo Paenghyeon blurted out in surprise even as he attacked.

That became his final words.

Kraang—!

Jo Paenghyeon’s chest was struck and he was sent flying backward.

Suho barely tilted his head to avoid the blade.

Then, he struck Jo Paenghyeon’s chest with Flame Strike.

“Paenghyeon! Damn it! Kill that bastard, kill him!”

Jo Paengseok shouted with rage.

The Murderers from Under Dog Guild charged in with military-grade weapons.

But—

Whoosh—

Song Jaegoo’s arrow shot faster by one step.

Snap.

Kim Jinseong also revealed his true face.

“W-what the hell is that?”

“A werewolf…!”

The sudden transformation made the Murderers flinch.

In that moment, a shadow moved like lightning.

‘Flame Strike!’

Suho, having charged in, slashed his sword at the Murderers.

“Arrgh!”

The Murderer was like a domino.

This time, two strikes were enough.

“Holy shit…”

Only then did Jo Paengseok realize.

The archer wasn’t the core of that party.

There was someone else.

“To think such a freak was mixed in.”

He had misjudged just by looking at the sleek armor.

That was no wealthy heir.

He was a true powerhouse matching his armor.

Forgetting his brother’s death, the intense sense of crisis seized Jo Paengseok’s body.

Damn, but we can still win.

Jo Paengseok searched his pockets.

Among the money gathered from Murderer activities was a secret weapon.

[Blade Shower Scroll] appeared.

A scroll containing offensive magic, and of high grade.

“Stop dazing and kill!”

Jo Paengseok shouted at his subordinates and retreated slightly.

Sizzle—

The scroll ignited.

Magic power surged, then hundreds of blades formed in midair.

That was when Suho noticed the change.

‘A scroll? Magic? Offensive magic!’

Understanding the situation, Suho leapt forward.

Hundreds of blades would soon cover the entire battlefield.

Maybe Kim Jinseong could endure.

But Song Jaegoo was at least severely wounded.

‘Block it!’

Suho cast 【Haste】.

Blade Shower was fully activated then.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh—

The blades came pouring down like a hailstorm.

I can see it. I can do this!

In Suho’s vision, countless blades moved in slow motion.

Suho held up his shield and sword.

His arms moved smoothly.

The world hadn’t actually slowed down.

‘Muscle Amplification!’

Suho even activated Muscle Amplification.

Just a bit more speed.

Just a bit more strength.

The doubled muscle power answered his command.

Blades struck the shield.

Thud.

They were deflected.

With heavy thuds, Suho moved his hands rapidly in succession.

Thud-thud, thunk—

Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thunk—

“Th-this is insane!”

Jo Paengseok stood dumbfounded, mouth agape.

It made no sense.

If he had dodged, he could understand.

If he hid behind the shield, it would be convincing.

“He blocked hundreds of blades?”

Yet he deflected every single blade that poured like a hailstorm.

Jo Paengseok muttered in disbelief.

“This is really… impossible.”

Is this a dream?

Closing his eyes tight, Jo Paengseok tried to believe otherwise.

In the meantime, the blade hail ceased.

A cold voice whispered into Jo Paengseok’s ear.

“It is possible. A world where scum like you live exists.”

It was Suho.

Exploiting a slight crack in Jo Paengseok’s guard, Suho appeared right beside him.

“W-wait! Let’s talk first…!”

Jo Paengseok shouted as he backed away.

His will to fight had vanished into thin air, leaving only fear behind.

Suho did not stop.

Kraaaang—!

“Grrr-!”

Frozen in fear, Jo Paengseok couldn’t react and met his end.

What followed was swift and decisive.

“Damn, I surrender! I surrender!”

“P-please spare me! I didn’t mean it!”

“Please, please save me!”

The remaining Murderers threw their weapons to the ground.

Whether they had been defeated by Kim Jinseong and Song Jaegoo as well, none of them looked dazed.

The Murderers, heads bowed to the floor.

Song Jaegoo stared at them, then raised his gaze.

At the tip was Suho.

Chiiiiiik—

Breathing heavily to recover his worn muscles, Suho exhaled white breath.

“Heh heh, did I just go full power?”

Song Jaegoo muttered without realizing it.

***

“C’mon, I can do this. I can.”

Midway up the Balangkar Mountains.

A Dwarf muttered through clenched teeth.

A broken shield.

Armor stained with blood and sweat.

No part of his body was unscathed.

“I have to arrive. The gods, the gods said so. It has to be here.”

He was a warrior of the Blue Jewel Tribe.

Carrying a special mission for the tribe’s fate on his back, he climbed the Balangkar Mountain Range.

“It has to be here. The hope of the Dwarves…”

Oracle.

The divine voice that promised this place was the only paradise where Dwarves could survive.

Betting on that hope, the warrior braved countless trials to reach this place.

One last bend.

After climbing the steep slope, the summit of the Balangkar Mountains finally came into view.

The warrior squeezed out his remaining strength and crossed the ridge.

Hope welled up in his eyes.

“A castle. It’s a castle. It really exists!”

The solid Barrier Wall was visible.

A miraculous energy coursed through the warrior’s body.

He ran.

He shouted.

“Save the Blue Jewel! Save the Blue Jewel Tribe!”

***

Outside the Dungeon, at the Hunter Association’s checkpoint building.

Suho was there.

“Took quite a while.”

After dragging the surrendered Murderers out and handing them over to the Association staff, he waited for the procedures to finish.

A boring time, but Suho’s mood was good.

He had obtained what he came for in this Dungeon.

‘Since I confirmed I can handle things alone, the secondary goal is achieved.’

Up to Second-Rank (2 star) Dungeons, Suho could handle opponents alone without strain.

If he deployed the Balryong, he could even deal with irregulars.

“It should be about time to finish.”

As Suho was getting restless, the door opened.

“Brother! It’s all done. You can leave now.”

Kim Jinseong entered and said.

The task had been handled by the Baekho Guild’s deputy, so Suho didn’t need to deal directly with the Association staff.

“Really? I can go now?”

Suho stood up from his seat.

But Kim Jinseong stopped him.

“Brother, please sit down a moment. I have something for you.”

“Something to give?”

“Here. It came from the Murderers’ belongings. Usually, such things belong to the capturer.”

Except in some special cases, items taken from Murderers were considered ‘salvage.’

It was a regulation for Murderer extermination.

Suho accepted what Kim Jinseong offered.

[Psychokinesis Scroll]

• Emits psychokinesis in the surrounding area for 3 minutes.
• Item grade: High
• Consumable item

“Oh, this?”

“This came from the Murderer leader’s belongings. It won’t help much in battle, but you can use it for disarming traps or the like.”

Psychokinesis Scrolls had low destructive power.

They couldn’t unleash the strength needed to kill monsters.

But they were quite useful for trap disarming, which sometimes appeared in Dungeons.

“I see. But can I keep it?”

“Of course. I already discussed it with Song Jaegoo. Naturally, it’s yours.”

“Alright then. I’ll make good use of it.”

Suho pocketed the scroll.

After all, if the fight was judged by contribution, he had been the main factor.

“There’s also this.”

Kim Jinseong offered another item.

A soft glow emanated from a thumb-sized vial.

[Mushroom Bongbong]

• An essence that is rarely produced inside the body of a Mushroom Boxer. It contains the concentrated magic and vitality of the Mushroom Boxer.
• Item grade: High
• Material item
• Durability 120

“Ingredients, huh. But I can keep this too?”

“Yes, brother. And we agreed to sell the minor salvaged items at our guild. When settled, we’ll bring them to your store.”

“Alright then.”

“I should be the one thanking you. I really gained a lot thanks to you.”

Suho was puzzled.

“Gained? What?”

“The strange feeling I mentioned before has disappeared.”

When Suho looked puzzled, Kim Jinseong added.

“I realized something watching you fight. Rank 1 or 2 doesn’t really matter. I’m not especially talented or anything. But after realizing that, I understood what I have to do now.”

“I’ll work hard.”

“I saw my role model right in front of me. Now it’s just effort left. I want to work really hard so I won’t fall behind you and maybe one day even surpass you.”

Suho nodded.

Though unintentional, it had a good effect on Kim Jinseong.

Well, nothing to lose.

“I’ll support you. If I want to avoid being caught, I have to work harder too.”

“Yes, if you run ahead, I chasing after you can reach higher. You too, fighting.”

“Sure.”

Suho patted Kim Jinseong on the shoulder.

Clack.

The door opened and Song Jaegoo entered.

He hesitated for a moment, then approached Suho.

“Do you have something to say?”

Suho asked, and Song Jaegoo spoke.

“Do you have any plans to join Baekho Guild?”

“No, I have no intention of belonging to any guild. If I wanted, I’d have joined Jinjak Guild.”

“Right? Well then…”

“By the way.”

“Do you plan to go on another Association Dungeon run? If it’s okay, I’d like to go with you next time… haha.”

Level 37 Hunter Song Jaegoo.

He wanted to graduate from Rank 2 quickly.

Suho before his eyes was a lifeline sent from heaven.

But the answer Song Jaegoo expected didn’t come.

“Sorry. I came alone this time, but I already have party members.”

“Oh, I see.”

Song Jaegoo’s shoulders slumped.

***

On the way home.

Suho felt good.

“Just confirming my strength was a goal, but I even got items.”

Suho smiled quietly.

“What should I ask to be made with these materials?”

Might as well develop a new mining drill while talking to Tarunga.

And get new items to sell in the shop.

While daydreaming pleasantly, the car arrived at the house.

Suho got out.

“Since Balryong is still around, this time should be fine.”

Every time he left the house, something happened.

Trying hard to shake off unease, Suho opened the door and stepped inside.

And then—

“You’re back? Hurry and look at this.”

Balryong pointed at the refrigerator with his paw.