Chapter 31

“Are you a PK?”

 

At those words,

 

The trio from Solomon Guild froze.

The crossroads of choice.

Choi Gyu-shik thought.

His opponent was someone who is immune to ‘Disease’.

At this point, he didn’t know what to do. But one thing was for sure, they would not be able to kill her right now even if the three of them gang up on her.

 

‘We can’t die here.’

 

His eyes portrayed much of his anxiety.

He had to find a way to live.

At that time, Choi Gyu-shik’s gaze directed at Do-jun.

 

‘Why is he so relaxed?’

 

PK.

Player Killer.

In a sense, they are more horrifying than monsters.

However, the civil servant in front of him was not frightened at all.

No, rather the corner of his mouth was slightly raised.

As if he knew it from the beginning.

Suddenly, the words Cha Yeji said crossed Choi Gyu-shik’s mind.

 

– If manager says it’s to the left, then we’ll go to the left.

– Instead, can you stay farther away from us?

 

They went to the left at the first intersection, following what Do-jun said.

And in just 10 minutes they reached the boss room using a shortcut they didn’t even know about.

At some point, he wondered if there was something special about the civil servant.

In addition, Cha Yeji also often told him to not leave her side.

It must’ve meant that his body was too weak and out of shape!

 

‘We’re taking him hostage.’

 

And…

Offer him as a sacrifice to open up the reward chest.

 

‘Sharktooth is a B-class Boss Monster, so the reward chest must be at least worth an A-class or something even greater!

 

A chance to turn the tables.

It was the only chance left for Choi Gyu-shik and his party.

And when he finished planning in his head.

Choi Gyu-shik acted quickly.

 

Sprint!

 

He kicked the ground and ran towards Do-jun.

Then…

 

Swoosh.

 

“Don’t move. Or I’ll kill him.”

 

He blocked movement from behind.

And put a dagger on Do-jun’s neck.

 

“M-Manager!”

 

Cha Yeji’s complexion turned pale.

Her body began to tremble lightly.

She was caught off guard.

When Disease was cast on her, she should’ve guarded Do-jun first.

However, the first thought that came to her mind was that she had a chance of winning even in a 3 vs 1 battle.

She hadn’t even thought of Do-jun’s safety because of her pride.

 

“……”

 

Do-jun glanced at the dagger that was aimed at his neck.

And with a seemingly “shocked” expression, he confirmed his prediction when he saw Cha Yeji’s pale face.

In fact, Do-jun had roughly expected Choi Gyu-shik would resort to this.

But he is letting it go for now and see where this is going.

Do-jun knew he couldn’t make a single scratch on him so he decided to go along with it for a while.

 

“What are you going to do with me?”

 

His tone was as if he was simply reading a Korean book.

Choi Gyu-shik was a bit puzzled by Do-jun’s reaction which seemed unfazed, but he didn’t care much for it.

What mattered was Cha Yeji’s reaction.

 

“If you want to save this guy, just wait quietly here.”

“…N-No. Mana… ger.”

 

Why didn’t she notice it earlier?

Why couldn’t she have dealt with it more wisely?

The pressure tightened her heart.

And regret.

 

Clink.

 

Choi Gyu-shik still didn’t put down the dagger on Do-jun’s neck.

He then opened the bronze door and entered the boss room with the rest of his team.

 

Thud!

 

The door closed.

And Cha Yeji dropped down on the spot.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Thud!

 

Choi Gyu-shik closed the door behind him and laughed hysterically.

The boss monster, Sharktooth, was swimming around the air 50 meters above them.

It wouldn’t attack them unless they crossed the red line on the floor.

Or at least, it should’ve been that way.

 

Chwaaa!

 

Realizing that four challengers have entered its territory, Sharktooth charged towards them at a rapid pace.

No, it suddenly made a U-turn and started running away.

Do-jun smirked as he watched Sharktooth run away with its tail curled up.

 

“W-What just happened?”

 

Kim Hong-yeop murmured, as he put forward his shield in surprise.

 

‘Sharktooth will not be able to go beyond the red line.’

 

But apparently, Sharktooth had approached them near the bronze door just now.

 

“…The red line is gone.”

 

Choi Gyu-shik’s eyes grew wide open.

And he urgently checked the quest list.

 

“…What the hell?”

 

[Special Quest – Sacrifice]

[This quest has already been completed.]

 

He immediately turned his head to check the reward chest.

And Choi Gyu-shik found that the reward chest was already opened.

 

“How did this happen!?”

 

Choi Gyu-shik ran to the reward chest, letting go of Do-jun.

Its contents had already been emptied.

 

Thud.

 

He gritted his teeth.

Maybe other people came by chance?

No, that couldn’t be.

If so, the number of Merfolks should have decreased significantly.

They hadn’t seen a single Merfolk in the first half hour upon entering the Rift, but after that, he confirmed that the numbers were no different from what they usually encounter.

 

“……”

 

Do-jun looked at the three Hunters who were panicking with a cold gaze.

 

“You must be curious. Where on earth did it go? You’ve already sacrificed nine people’s lives for it, and now it’s gone all of a sudden.”

“What? You, h-how did you…”

 

Choi Gyu-shik’s eyes widened.

 

‘…sacrificed nine people’s lives…’

 

That fact was only known to them.

How come this civil servant who has only entered this Rift for the first time knows that?

 

“It’s now in Cha Yeji’s hands.”

“…Nonsense. So you’re saying that bitch knew about this?”

“No, I’m the one who knows. I came here once after talking to you on the phone yesterday.”

“What?”

 

He’s been here.

What did that even mean?

This was a Great Rift.

This wasn’t a place one could freely walk in and out on like someone planning a mountain hike near the neighborhood casually.

 

“The sword that Cha Yeji was holding. That’s what’s in the reward chest.”

“Quit lying, you bastard!”

 

Choi Gyu-shik’s face turned red.

Do-jun’s eyes narrowed and sank coldly.

 

“The consequence of your action just now will cost you your lives.”

 

The three Hunters flinched.

 

‘W-What kind of person has those eyes…’

 

As if they were insignificant.

It was that kind of look.

 

Tremble.

 

‘I’m scared? Me, Choi Gyu-shik?’

 

Choi Gyu-shik charged at Do-jun, clenching his dagger.

 

“DIE! YOU BASTARD!”

 

And the moment he tried to stab the dagger into the belly of the insolent civil servant in front of him…

 

Whirrr!

 

A transparent barrier stopped the dagger from touching Do-jun.

Choi Gyu-shik was flustered at the scene, puzzled.

 

“What are you doing?! Choi Gyu-shik! Hurry and kill him!”

 

His teammates watched.

And thought that Choi Gyu-shik was hesitant to stab Do-jun.

 

“The dagger could not pierce through Do-jun.”

 

Do-jun looked at Sharktooth trembling in the corner.

And gave an order.

 

“Dispose of this garbage right in front of me. Then, I’ll let you live.”

 

Watching Do-jun talk to Sharktooth,

Choi Gyu-shik burst into laughter as he perceived the scene as hilarious.

 

“PUHAHAHAHHA! I can’t believe this idiot is talking…”

 

Choi Gyu-shik couldn’t finish his sentence.

Because…

 

Rumble…! CHOMP!

 

Sharktooth appeared.

And swallowed Choi Gyu-shik.

 

Flop!

 

The remaining Hunters dropped down after seeing their teammate’s limbs dissected and killed instantly.

 

“T-That’s ridiculous…”

 

Sharktooth, who killed Choi Gyu-shik, sneaked up beside Do-jun.

Do-jun muttered while stroking Sharktooth’s body.

 

“Go.”

 

Sharktooth’s eyes glowed bright red.

 

“SSHWAAAAA!!!”

 

And rushed towards the remaining two.

 

“UUAAAAAAACK!”

 

Their screams rang inside the cave.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

“Huhu… Hic… Manager…”

 

Cha Yeji was sobbing while leaning against the bronze door.

Gazing intently at the mark on her wrist, radiating a subtle glow.

She prayed that the light would not fade.

 

Bang! Rumble!

 

– UWAAACK!!

 

Inside, a scream resonated along with a strange sound.

Fortunately, the owner of that voice wasn’t Do-jun.

Tears flowed out as her anxiety grew.

 

“It’s all my fault. All… My fault…”

 

If she had paid more attention to Do-jun.

No, she shouldn’t have let him enter this dangerous Rift in the first place.

It was already very dangerous for an ordinary person like him to enter a Great Rift.

 

“I… I should’ve protected you…”

 

At that moment,

Cha Yeji didn’t notice.

The mark of the ‘Vow’ that was engraved on her wrist began to turn red.

At the same time, a red aura began to exude from her body.

 

“I…”

 

‘I’ll kill them all.’

 

Wham!

 

The inside of the cave vibrated.

It was then,

 

Rumble.

 

The bronze door opened.

At the same time, Cha Yeji hurriedly looked back.

 

“M-Mana…ger?”

 

Do-jun looked down at Cha Yeji, whose eyes were moist.

She then jumped and hugged Do-jun.

 

“M-Ms. Yeji?”

“Hic… Hic, EUAAAAAH!”

 

Cha Yeji burst into tears.

The red aura that was emanating from Cha Yeji’s body began to fade.

And Do-jun didn’t miss that sight.

No, he couldn’t miss it.

 

‘That aura just now… What was it?’

 

Bloodlust Aura.

Do-jun looked at the mark on his wrist.

He didn’t make those changes.

Now it’s back to normal as if nothing had happened.

Apparently, just a moment ago, the mark was glowing red and he could feel a huge amount of energy at the same time.

 

Pat pat.

 

Do-jun patted Cha Yeji’s back.

Was it because of that?

Cha Yeji’s body, which was trembling slightly, calmed down.

And the menacing aura had completely died down.

 

“I’m sorry to have worried you.”

 

Cha Yeji shook her head.

She didn’t want to think of anything at that moment.

The only important thing was the fact that Do-jun was alive.

 

Sniff.

 

Cha Yeji rubbed her face against Do-jun’s chest.

Her tears, runny nose, and make-up were smeared on his white shirt.

 

“……”

“Manager.”

“Yes?”

“I will never put you in danger again in the future.”

“Of course you have to do that. That’s the purpose of the contract…”

 

Do-jun stopped what he was about to say.

Cha Yeji’s eyes were glaring at him.

And it seemed to say he was dead

So instead…

 

Flick!

 

Do-jun flicked Cha Yeji on the forehead.

 

“Ouch!”

 

Cha Yeji frowned and soothed her forehead.

 

“T-That hurt, manager.”

“That’s why I hit you. Get your act together.”

 

Was it because of the flick?

The pupils of her eyes perked up again.

 

“Yes! From now on, I’ll focus on keeping my head straight, and protect you! If anyone dares to hurt you manager, I will kill them all.”

“……”

 

Flick!

 

“Ouch! Why did you do that?”

“Just where did you get the idea of killing people? I don’t want Ms. Yeji to become a murderer. Ms. Yeji… you only need to deal with monsters.”

“…But what if the manager gets in trouble?”

 

Cha Yeji puffed up her cheeks.

Do-jun sighed and began to walk back towards the bronze door.

 

“L-Let’s walk together, manager!”

 

Cha Yeji went inside the room along with him.

There, the boss monster was swimming in the air.

And she saw the bloodstains on the floor.

 

“…What just happened?”

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

That night at 11 PM.

Do-jun was reading something in his room.

This was the optimal time for him to do other things as he is free from any obligations from work.

 

《In modern society where the use of smartphones is prevalent, the communication between fathers and their children has dwindled along the years as compared to the past, and in proportion, the bonds between parents are…》

《For a child’s emotional development, having a hobby together or enjoying a cultural life with them is essential…》

 

Do-jun underlined with a highlighter pen.

 

<50 Ways on How to Be a Good Dad>

 

The first book he brought from the bookstore after he had a daughter.

 

Knock Knock.

 

– F-Father…?

 

Tap tap tap.

 

Do-jun quickly covered the book and hid it in the desk drawer.

 

“No, what’s the matter?”

– May I come in for a moment?

“Sure.”

 

Creak.

 

The door opened slowly.

Seol Yoon-hee, who was wearing pajamas, came in carefully.

And in her hand, there was a sheet of paper.

 

“T-This is just nothing… but, I was wondering if you had time tomorrow.”

 

Swoosh.

 

He received the paper that Seol Yoon-hee gave him.

 

<2019 Hunter Festival>

 

“What’s this?”

“It’s an annual festival. Hunter equipment and supplies are sold and exhibited, and performances and competitions are also held. In addition, seasoned hunters give tips during their talk…”

 

Seol Yoon-hee hesitated as she looked at Do-jun’s eyes.

And she confirmed that Do-jun didn’t react much.

 

“Of course, it would be difficult, right? Father has to rest on weekends…”

 

《For a child’s emotional development, having a hobby together or enjoying a cultural life with them is essential…》

 

Do-jun recalled the phrase he just underlined.

 

“Let’s go.”

“R-Really?”

 

Seol Yoon-hee’s expression brightened.

Do-jun nodded and thought.

 

‘Seeing her this happy… it seems that I made the right decision.’