Chapter 56: Wolves Among the Sheep

“Young man! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations, sir!”

“Wow, what on earth did you do to start with 20,000 points?”

“Didn’t you see earlier? When Lee Eun-ho was negotiating.”

A shower of attention rained down, as if fireworks and confetti had exploded in the sky.

“Maybe I should give it a shot too?”

“If you get deleted, I won’t take responsibility.”

“True, you only got away with it because you’re you. If it were me, my head would’ve flown off, damn it.”

Pure congratulations. Simple curiosity. Envy, not even hidden.

“At least they know what’s up.”

“What?!”

But there was no jealousy or threat.

If anything, people bickered, like Yeji and the Cursing Guy.

“If it weren’t for Lee Eun-ho, they wouldn’t even have listened to you until the end, you know?”

“But at the end, it got pretty dicey.”

“Yeah, yeah. For a moment there, I thought you were going to lose!”

“Still, I thought you’d come in first, sir.”

Everyone seemed to think, ‘Makes sense.’

I’m relieved that no one is being overly greedy.

“Damn, at this rate, are you going to end up beating the administrator someday too?”

“No way!”

“I’m not so sure. That guy really could pull it off.”

…They’re praising me so much, it’s almost burdensome.

Tap! Tap!

As I brushed the clinging confetti from my hair, Ji-eun approached.

No less than the female protagonist, PD, and editor of the famous romance channel, Ji-eun.

“Um… Congratulations, Eun-ho!”

“It’s thanks to you.”

It was strange to see her approach so shyly, unlike her usual self.

Her earlobes were red, making her look embarrassed.

Well, even if it was just for a short while, pretending to be a couple with a coworker isn’t easy.

Not to mention all the editing effects and that cringey background music that had to be added.

“By the way, did the system have an editing function?”

“Yes! I asked, just in case, and it actually worked… Huh?”

Startled!

Ji-eun stopped mid-sentence, her face flushing.

“Wha—what?!”

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she pointed at me with wide eyes.

“How did you know about that, Eun-ho…?”

She clamped a hand over her mouth in shock.

Ah, slipped up.

“I mean, what I meant was…”

I asked her, acting as if I knew nothing, like a rabbit caught in a snare.

“Was it… hosting? You know, when the observers all rushed in after the broadcast ended.”

Ji-eun turned away, pressed her lips together, and sighed softly.

She seemed to be calming her pounding heart.

“Are you okay? You look uncomfortable.”

“Of course! I mean… I’m fine! There’s no reason I’d suddenly be uncomfortable with you, Eun-ho! I’m more comfortable now than anywhere else, really!”

Oh dear.

It must have been awkward for Ji-eun, even if it was just a performance for the mission.

‘I absolutely can’t let this get out.’

Let’s keep it an eternal secret. No need to make things weird.

I had just made up my mind and was about to change the subject when—

“Hyung!”

Jae-hyuk came running, out of breath.

“Back on my channel… Oof!”

Whap!

“Mmmpf! Mmmph-mmph!”

“Eun-ho! What are you doing?”

With one hand clamped firmly over Jae-hyuk’s mouth, I spoke seriously.

“There’s a problem.”

“A problem all of a sudden… But, didn’t Jae-hyuk just say something important?”

“That’s not what matters right now.”

“Mmmph! Mmmpf?!”

“The situation isn’t good.”

“What?”

Ji-eun didn’t even have time to tilt her head in confusion. I spoke with utmost seriousness.

“You saw the screen earlier, right?”

“The awards ceremony? Of course, your face was all over it, Eun-ho!”

“That’s the problem. Not only my face, but the whole background was broadcasted.”

“Ah!”

“Mmm!”

It’s not an empty concern.

It really isn’t a good situation.

Current location, face, and even the donation rankings with my name constantly displayed.

My personal info and location were revealed to every survivor in Yongsan District.

Which means—

“We might attract a swarm of flies.”

“Ah! Like during the last hunting mission?”

The hunting mission, where we had to hunt down a target and fill our ranks.

Back then, every lowlife in town came after my bounty.

It’s similar, but…

“This time, it’ll be a bit different.”

“What do you mean?”

I could twist the mission rules if I had to.

Whatever else, there were set rules.

But—

“Human greed has no rules.”

“…!”

For a moment, Ji-eun’s mouth fell open.

Even after I let go, Jae-hyuk clamped his lips shut instead.

A short, heavy silence passed.

“But still…”

Ji-eun finally spoke.

“If you put everything in your inventory, wouldn’t that be safe? No one can steal it then.”

“Hmm…”

What should I say to someone whose worst-case scenario is just theft?

Should I just let it go, as usual? Is there really any need to talk about this?

…But in the end,

“Hey, Cursing Guy.”

I called him over.

“Cursing Guy? Use my real name for once…”

“The guy who died in the tunnel.”

He flinched.

“How’d you get his items?”

“!!”

The guy who died alone in the tunnel after losing his mace.

Cursing Guy had taken a whole bundle of weapons and armor the dead man left behind.

“I looted him.”

But how?

No one blacked out would kindly take things out of their inventory before dying.

‘Sora and Yeo-jin also collected weapons from the dead.’

So, items kept in your inventory…

‘Pop out when you die.’

I don’t know if it’s everything or just some, or by what standard, but…

“Then… to get items, someone might…”

“They might kill for it.”

“What…?”

Jae-hyuk’s dumbfounded words, I finished for him.

He looked like he just couldn’t believe it, or rather, didn’t want to believe it.

If he’s shocked just by the possibility…

‘If he knew how many people already do it, he’d faint.’

Ji-eun hugged herself, as if a chill ran through her.

“Should we… move somewhere else? In case someone tries anything…”

“Even if we move, it won’t help. My face is already out there.”

“Ah…”

“Then I’ll stick by your side, hyung! For 24 hours!”

Jae-hyuk clenched his fist and declared confidently.

Twenty-four hours, huh…

That’s one way.

Hiding behind others.

But if it’s something bound to happen anyway…

“I have a request.”

“Yes! Name it!”

It’s better to face it while I can still predict what might happen, and while I have even the smallest edge in information.

If so, then—

“If any strangers show up…”

Let’s prepare, and keep preparing.

*   *   *

They came.

Strange, yet somehow familiar faces.

“Help! Someone, please!”

“Aaaaagh!”

With a monster the size of a house right on their heels.

─ KWAARRRGH!

“How did a monster get here?!”

“The barrier is gone now.”

Ahh.

Namsan Tower is no longer a safe zone.

The translucent barrier surrounding the tower disappeared along with the ghosts.

Thanks to that, monsters could chase people all the way here.

[Defeat the ‘Hungry Bear’!]

Just one bear.

I was debating whether to step in, but Ji-eun acted first.

“Eun-ho, stay back. We’ll handle this…”

“No, noona! I’ll take care of it.”

“Huh? Alone?”

“Yes!”

Then Jae-hyuk stepped in front of Ji-eun.

“No, Jae-hyuk, it’s too dangerous…”

“Go on.”

“Eun-ho!”

“…He’ll be fine.”

Jae-hyuk nodded, then dashed out.

─ TAAH!

A determined look in his eyes. Lips pressed into a tight line.

He’s changed.

“Haaaah!”

…Even if his battle shout is still ridiculous.

Anyway.

─ THUD!

As long as he swings that mace properly, it’s fine.

“Take this! Uaaaaah!”

Jae-hyuk’s mace struck the bear’s leg.

The heavy weapon smashed into the monster, as if ramming through a building.

─ KWAARRRGH!

The bear screamed in pain.

Stagger.

For a moment, it looked like it might collapse, but then it righted itself.

Then, it slammed down its forepaw.

“Jae-hyuk! Watch out!”

Wham!

But this time, Jae-hyuk didn’t panic and dodge. He took the blow head-on.

And then—

“Haaaah!”

He fought back, swinging his weapon at the monster that was so much bigger, stronger, and fiercer—a monster that could kill him if he took a bad hit.

─ THUD! WHAM! THUD-!

Heavy blows traded one after another.

Blood dripped at Jae-hyuk’s feet.

“Healing… is he regenerating?”

“Super-regeneration. Nice ability.”

Jae-hyuk’s wounds closed up as if time was running backward.

Thud─!

Meanwhile, the bear, its bones crushed by the mace, collapsed in a heap.

“Phew…”

And that was that.

“Jae-hyuk…!”

“Well done.”

He was exhausted, but his face was shining.

“Yes, hyung!”

Beaming with a radiant smile.

*   *   *

Jae-hyuk didn’t just gain confidence from defeating the bear.

Behind him, following like loot, came a group of battered visitors.

‘Recognize some of these people from the screen.’

Not all, but I remember a few.

None of them are pleasant memories.

“Th-thank you! You saved our lives!”

“We’re alive!”

“Thank you so much! We met before, right?!”

In the crowd of panting survivors, I saw some familiar faces.

Office workers I’d met at Namsan during the ‘Hunt’ and ‘Dark Path’ missions.

“An entrance exam, seriously?”

“How many more people are they going to cut this time…”

The man who’d nearly lost his head for saying the wrong thing to Harona.

[Then I’ll just cut you. I’ll delete you.]

“That’s right! If you just delete—wait, what?”

He’d had companions back then. Looks like he’s alone now.

“You’re back.”

“Yes! We were chased here by monsters.”

Hmm?

“You’re saying you came because of monsters? That bear chased you?”

“That’s right! None of us can fight well enough on our own…”

Hmm.

So that’s it.

“These people…?”

“Oh, they’re survivors from Itaewon. We met on the way.”

Thirteen visitors in all.

Five I’d worked with on the ‘Hunt’ mission, eight strangers from Itaewon.

“It’s better up here! Below the mountain, it’s crawling with monsters!”

“I was worried since the barrier’s gone… It was really dangerous.”

“We have wounded here! Sorry, but do you have any medicine or bandages you can spare?”

Among us, there was a mix of anxiety and relief.

“At least I see some familiar faces—I feel safer now.”

But.

“I wonder.”

“Huh?”

“The bear.”

“The bear?”

The Hungry Bear they said they’d run from.

According to the reports…

“Have you ever seen a bear outside Namsan?”

“Um… I don’t think so… Why?”

Ji-eun tilted her head at my words.

She didn’t get my point.

“So far, bears have only appeared in the mountain. Below is leopard territory.”

“Right? But what does that mean?”

“If the monster that chased them here was a bear, not a leopard, that means they were already in the mountain before being attacked.”

“Huh?”

“And with the barrier gone, why would they come here of all places?”

Startled!

Ji-eun’s face hardened.

“Wait… No way…?”

There’s no telling.

Maybe the barrier’s gone and they just came back to a familiar place for the night.

But I know.

I know that person exists.

So—

“Don’t let your guard down.”

The boldness and cruelty that slaughtered others just to entertain the observers.

The greed I saw in his eyes when he saw the first-place reward.

And how he immediately grabbed a new gun and ran outside.

I had a hunch.

He’s among them. X.

The moment he saw Namsan Tower on the screen, he came running.

‘If someone else kills me first, my items might go missing.’

Maybe even getting attacked by the bear was part of his plan.

No, I’m sure of it.

The problem is…

‘Who is it?’

“Oppa… We’re safe now, right?”

“It’s okay now. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

That couple, holding each other tightly?

“My leg! My leg…!”

Or the man clutching his wounded leg, screaming in pain?

‘He looks completely harmless…’

It could be anyone.

You never know who’s hiding behind a mask.

Even innocent college students or injured people must be treated with suspicion.

As I carefully watched their faces, Sora suddenly stepped forward.

“Come here.”

She began treating the wounded.

“Ahhh…!”

“Thank you, student! Thank you so much!”

A blue light poured forth.

As her familiar healing light spread, people’s wounds disappeared as if washed away.

“Hoo…”

The more people she treated, the more sweat beaded on Sora’s forehead.

Maybe it was because she healed so many at once.

Flop!

With an exhausted look, Sora collapsed onto a bench.

‘She really is a good person, despite her cold appearance.’

She’s shy and looks stern, but at heart, she’s good-natured.

At that moment, one of the men she’d helped hesitated, then approached.

“Um… Are you all right?”

“…I’m fine.”

“You and the man who saved us… I feel bad just receiving your help.”

With the most innocent, unassuming face—

“I wish I could repay you somehow…”