Chapter 28

28.

People tend to get heated when things don’t go their way.

Lee Seong-han was no exception.

He had barely survived Kang Mi-young’s not-so-subtle threats, but the fact that there was yet another emergency quest was hard to comprehend.

They don’t give you time to rest.

These guys.

“Shadow magic, huh, Lieutenant? Did you bring a flashlight?”

“No.”

Kang Mi-young, who had been waiting on the street, shook her head.

Lee Seong-han smirked as if he had expected that and casually tossed a spare flashlight and batteries from his backpack.

Kang Mi-young caught the flying items with a *thud*.

After inserting the batteries into the flashlight, she furrowed her brows, looking worried.

We can’t just leave like this.

The area around the workshop road was fortified with massive barriers during the Great War, making it nearly impossible to break through with ordinary equipment.

You could call it a fortified zone.

“You’re not thinking of breaking through with just your bare body, are you? That’s too dangerous, sir.”

“I know.”

“As your superior, I can’t allow it.”

“But we can’t just turn back, can we?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Kang Mi-young swallowed her words and replied. Despite her calm expression, there was a cold sharpness in her low voice.

Hypnotized?

Dangerous?

Every word she said was right. Lee Seong-han inwardly agreed.

It would be safer to just stick a steel fork into a plug.

Hong Seo-min, the Puppet Master.

It’s a magic commonly used by Puppet Masters.

The Hunter Association isn’t unaware of it; they’ve suffered greatly from it before.

Lee Seong-han crossed his arms and replied.

“Lieutenant, there’s no other way. Emergency quests have to be done no matter the situation, right? If we fail, who knows what kind of retaliation will follow.”

That place is already like Hong Seo-min’s sanctuary.

Lee Seong-han knows it too.

Since ancient times, it’s been common knowledge to avoid attacking the enemy’s main base unless it’s a last resort, as even the Romance of the Three Kingdoms mentions.

“It seems you’ve made up your mind, sir.”

Kang Mi-young’s meaningful remark. Lee Seong-han shook his head vigorously.

“Let’s go. Inside there.”

“…You’re insane.”

I know.

“That’s why I’m going in. Do you think I’d come up with such an idea? I need to make the most of this opportunity.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

No need for flowery words.

Being insane is a fact.

When you’ve been in the military for a long time, your body and mind start to rot.

You end up becoming a monster who only knows promotions. It’s better to handle things quickly.

Especially when it comes to someone like Hong Seong-min?

It’s not even a big deal for her to trap ordinary people. There have been recent disappearances too.

[『Emergency Quest』 has been updated.]

Lee Seong-han opened the quest window.

[『Emergency Quest: Puppet Play』]

[The Gakryeong Market was once a bustling place. It’s unclear what scheme Hong Seo-min is plotting here, but it must be stopped.]

[This quest requires ‘Kang Mi-young’.]

Damn it, why do emergency quests update so frequently?

Can’t they just add a few main quests instead?

Lee Seong-han walked into the market, thinking such thoughts.

The system’s compulsion is surprisingly light, but the results converge to some extent, whether intended or not.

Big hit.

Hit.

Medium hit.

Jackpot.

Mega jackpot!

Roughly five categories.

“This time, I can guarantee it, Lieutenant. It feels good.”

Lee Seong-han activated the leveled-up [Automatic Combat].

Having fought through battles, [Automatic Combat] had already reached level 4.

Level 1 is the default.

Level 2 is evasion.

Level 3 is information.

So, what’s level 4?

[- You can gauge the level of quest rewards.]

Vague description.

He tilted his head.

You can gauge the level of rewards? Not sure what that means.

Lee Seong-han turned his head. A flashy UI filled with all sorts of stimulating elements caught his eye, like an illegal adult ad.

Right next to the traits window, prominently displayed, were the two quests he received today.

[『Emergency Quest: Puppet Play』]

[Chance of a big hit greatly increased! An unimaginable result might be waiting!]

[『Emergency Quest』]

[Kang Mi-young’s approach temporarily halted.]

Hmm, seems reliable!

* * *

The system is the constitution of the tower.

The foundation of all nations.

Without such laws, the national organization cannot function properly.

The system is the same.

It doesn’t mix lies.

It only delivers the necessary information.

But this time, the system hinted at a mega jackpot.

Lee Seong-han licked his lips.

Why am I already looking forward to the rewards?

“Ugh, it’s so dark.”

The market was pitch black.

So dark you couldn’t see properly.

It felt like being swallowed by darkness. My head feels foggy, like I’ve taken strong cold medicine.

Lee Seong-han tightened his tie to snap out of it.

“By the way, is the market always like this? Doesn’t seem like the Gakryeong Market. Crowded, full of goods!”

Lee Seong-han subtly asked Kang Mi-young.

“Old tales, old tales. They say it’s hard to even find a corpse in the old town of Workshop Road. Pitiful.”

The market inside the gate has long been destroyed.

A desolate atmosphere lingered.

All the shops had their shutters down, some hastily built structures were collapsing, and debris blocked the paths.

Even in broad daylight, it felt like night due to the rain covers. Like a scene from a horror movie.

“Are you following okay?”

“Of course.”

Kang Mi-young looked back, keeping an eye on the situation. Her worried expression was no small matter.

She took the lead, and Lee Seong-han followed closely behind, assisting.

Kang Mi-young scanned the darkness before finally replying.

“Right. It’s a mess, isn’t it? Since the gates open frequently, everyone just accepts it. It’s dangerous too. Now, if we go left into the alley, we’ll reach the central plaza.”

“Roger.”

As we entered the Gakryeong Market gate, all communication devices went dead.

It was suspicious from Workshop Road, but as soon as we arrived, everything shut down.

Now, the only support we can rely on is ourselves.

Or perhaps something unknown in Workshop Road.

“It’s like sticking your head into a tiger’s den. Don’t you think, sir? Oh, watch your step.”

“Ah, thank you. With Hong Seo-min appearing, safety isn’t guaranteed. Her target is me anyway, right?”

Lee Seong-han summarized the events to persuade Kang Mi-young.

Gradually, Kang Mi-young’s attitude softened.

“That Puppet Master’s target is you. I can’t figure out her intentions.”

“One thing’s for sure, she wants to cut off my limbs and use them somewhere.”

Kang Mi-young made a deeply contemplative face, then frowned.

“……”

“Considering she even went after the Association President’s neck, she’s not normal. She’s famous for being S-rank, but we need to deal with her.”

He didn’t need to say, “If we don’t, I’m dead.”

Smart Kang Mi-young could infer that much.

Just then, Kang Mi-young raised her arm solemnly, as if to say, “Enough.”

“Understood. As of now, official duties are in effect. Move quietly. The safe zone is… about 100 meters ahead.”

Lee Seong-han turned on the flashlight and walked along the market road.

This is said to be the starting point of Workshop Road.

Of course, it’s deserted now. But I heard there are a few craftsmen and residents.

｢Welcome to Gakryeong Market!｣

As Lee Seong-han turned the corner, he noticed a light.

At first, he thought it was an enemy.

But realizing it was sunlight coming through a collapsed ceiling, he felt relieved.

[You have entered a safe zone.]

“Let’s rest for a bit. The quest points deeper inside. Probably the center.”

“Is that so?”

“Hmm, the fountain is stopped. Probably halted due to aging. Not sure if it’ll function.”

Dust glittered in the sunlight here and there,

and the marble fountain in the center of the intersection was lifeless, completely gray.

The plaza.

Various shops were densely packed. Lee Seong-han rummaged through the closed stores for usable equipment.

“Is this all there is?”

[Mass-produced Longsword (B)]

[Ordinary Leather Armor (C-)]

[Mana Enhancement Talisman (C+)]

He picked out the decent ones. Lee Seong-han wiped the sweat from his brow.

Might as well take anything useful.

It’s better to use them properly before they’re discarded.

“Lieutenant?”

“Ah, sir. Ahem. What is it?”

Lee Seong-han sat down by the fountain.

*Creak creak*

A strange noise echoed.

[Activating ‘Automatic Combat’.]

‘What’s that?’

A black figure flew out from the shadows. Lee Seong-han quickly rolled away from where he was sitting. It felt like being bounced off.

*Thud────!*

A black afterimage brushed past where he had just been sitting.

Damn, is it Hong Seo-min?

“Enemy spotted!”

“Confirmed.”

Kang Mi-young drew her greatsword and stabbed downward. The beast hanging from the blade cried out in pain.

“Ke, kekekek!”

As the noise subsided, Kang Mi-young checked the blade.

“It’s a burrower. They usually dig tunnels underground to live.”

“It’s a monster.”

“Right. A monster. It seems this place can no longer function as a rest area.”

“We should’ve maintained the fountain more often.”

“True.”

A black-furred, four-legged beast. I heard it’s a mole transformed by magic.

They live in dark areas. No wonder they’re in Gakryeong Market.

“More are coming.”

“Got it.”

Burrowers attacked from all sides. After dealing with them, the area quieted down. Just as Lee Seong-han was catching his breath.

“Hey, over here!”

A voice echoed from afar.

A person.

There’s a person!

A woman dripping with blood approached. As she reached the fountain, Lee Seong-han carefully helped her up.

Kang Mi-young stared blankly at the scene. Probably distrustful of new people.

“Are you okay?”

“Hu, huuu. I’m okay.”

After laying the woman down by the fountain, he finished first aid. Then he checked the Hunter ID on her belt.

[Kim Seo-jeong]

Lee Seong-han read the ID for a moment, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.

‘What is it?’

He looked around. Soon, he found the source of the déjà vu.

[『■■■■ Eye (EX)』 can read the memories of objects.]

Is that why?

‘Read it.’

Lee Seong-han, reading the memories, swallowed hard and shuddered.

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