Chapter 77

“Boss, be careful on your way. If it gets dangerous, just ditch everything…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going alone, so it’s fine.”

I gently touched Mina’s cheek, who kept expressing her worries. Mina didn’t shy away from my touch and leaned her face into my hand.

Soft and warm.

“You’ll come back, right?”

“Of course. I don’t want to die either.”

“But you keep diving into dangerous situations. I can’t help but watch with a nervous heart every time.”

“Well, I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.”

There’s nothing in this world that isn’t dangerous.

Even Seoul, which is supposed to be safe, is filled with all sorts of risks. This place feels like a shantytown built on top of an apocalypse.

Though the level of civilization here is slightly better…

“And… you’ll be watching anyway, right?”

“…I’ll be watching.”

“Then, I’ll be back.”

“Okay, come back safely.”

“Oppaaaa! Come back safely!”

“Don’t lean out the window! You’ll fall!”

I waved at Seolhwa, who was waving her arm so fast it left an afterimage, and then turned around.

It was time to leave.

As someone hired, I had to keep my time commitments.

Feeling the weight of the heavy bag, I started walking.

—————–

Wow, so many people.

I saw people lined up at the exit leading to the gray forest.

There were quite a few familiar faces, but most were people I’d only seen in passing.

Some were hired like me, but most were members of the Crocodile Birds.

When I glanced up, I could see the leader of the Crocodile Birds standing on a platform.

Are they going to give a speech before leaving? How annoying.

As I leaned against a nearby building wall and waited, the Boss’s voice began to echo.

“First, I want to thank everyone for participating in this operation.”

Somewhere, a voice shouted, “Not at all!” It sounded like a military chant.

They must want to show off their leader’s presence.

I half-listened to the speech while thinking nonsense.

It wasn’t exactly a nutritious speech anyway.

Most of it was about rewards, safety, and such.

Important, sure, but most hunters have heard it a million times, and the details were already settled.

This was just a formality.

A means for the leader of a group ruling the Swamp Area to leave a mark on history.

Leaders of such groups need this kind of process.

“…I’ve gone on too long. This expedition is crucial, so I’m being overly cautious. Please understand. Now… let’s depart.”

Finally, we’re moving.

I pushed myself off the wall and stood at the end of the line.

The Crocodile Bird hunters would handle clearing the path and moving forward. I’ll just hang back.

I probably won’t need to exert myself much, so staying in the back shouldn’t be a problem.

It’d look weird if I, an outsider, took the lead over the Crocodile Birds.

I’ll just provide rear support and earn my pay.

Though once we reach the heart of the gray forest, I’ll have to step up…

The core of the gray forest is filled with dangers that even veteran hunters could easily die from.

The Swamp Area is on the outskirts, so mutated wild dogs are the main threat, but as you go deeper, the twisted animals increase.

All of this is the legacy of the witch who created the gray forest.

Whether the witch was an animal lover or it just happened that way, I’ll be fighting non-stop if I take the lead.

While I was lost in thought, the hunters at the front started moving.

Guess it’s time to go.

Just as I was leisurely finishing my thoughts, someone approached me.

“Long time no see~”

“Why are you here?”

“I got a request too, you know?”

“From the Vipers?”

“Aren’t the Vipers Swamp Area residents?”

Ina replied with a suspicious smile to my question.

Guess they pulled in anyone with decent skills.

The gray forest expedition is essential for the Swamp Area’s stability.

“At least the journey won’t be boring.”

“I’ll probably just get tired.”

“Aw, come on, between us?”

“What’s between us?”

We’re not even close. What’s between us?

A boss suffering from a nuisance customer?

The amount of coffee she’s drunk at our office alone is worth a fortune.

I might seem stingy, but I can’t help it.

Coffee’s damn expensive here.

“We’ve spent nights together, so we’re pretty close, right?”

“Close, my foot.”

Ina closed the distance as I responded indifferently.

From a distance where I’d have to stretch my arm to reach her, she leaned in close enough that our lips could almost touch.

Ina’s green eyes stared straight into my face.

Eyes hard to read.

Is she acting, or is she serious?

One thing’s for sure—she’s testing me.

I’ll just ignore her.

As I pushed her away with my ability without changing my expression, Ina pouted and complained.

“You’re so cold, Isaac.”

“Do I have a reason to be kind?”

“Getting along with your business partner is important.”

“Were we partners?”

It’s surprising she even has a hunter’s license.

“I thought we’ve done a lot together.”

“Really?”

“Despite how I act, I kinda like you, you know?”

“Kinda? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Such an ambiguous level of affection.

“Haha, it’s not easy to get a ‘kinda’ from me, you know?”

“Sure.”

“To be more direct, since we see each other often, why not take our relationship deeper?”

“I’m not looking to add more lovers.”

“Capable men usually have two or three lovers, you know.”

This isn’t Seoul, where people are strict about such things.

Especially not in a criminal group like the Vipers.

In a world where survival is the priority, who has time to worry about that?

It’s not like polygamy is the norm, but it’s an open-minded world where if you can handle it, why not?

Outside of Seoul, where the law works, this world is lawless.

The apocalypse has its own social norms.

“Too much trouble.”

“You’re such a wall. A woman comes at you like this, and you reject her outright…”

“Don’t act sad.”

Where’s this acting quality coming from?

Realizing there was no point, Ina backed off slightly and gave a seductive smile.

“Did I get caught? But half of it was genuine… Oh, is it that you prefer younger ones?”

“Now you’re making me sound like some pervert.”

“Don’t both men and women like younger ones?”

I distanced myself from Ina.

“Don’t show off your Viper side here.”

“Haha, your reactions are so fun.”

Ina smiled meaningfully and looked ahead.

The marching speed had increased.

Whether they were pushing hard or just felt it was safe to speed up, no one complained.

We chatted for a few hours until we reached the first camp.

“The Crocodile Birds’ requests are the best.”

“They even prepared the camp in advance.”

Setting this up must’ve taken a lot of time and resources.

The Swamp Area’s ruling force is indeed different.

“Isaac, want to share?”

“No thanks.”

I’ll sleep alone.

Looking around, people were already scrambling for good tents.

Some were even setting up their own.

Since the Crocodile Birds had prepared for me, I went to their leader to confirm my tent’s location.

“That tent is yours.”

Oh, not bad.

It’s big enough for two people.

“Meals will be distributed in about an hour, so rest until then.”

I like this.

I dropped my stuff in the tent and lay down. How long had I been there when the tent entrance rustled open.

“Nice tent you’ve got.”

“Jealous?”

Ina tilted her head and replied.

“Why would I be? I’ll just sleep here with you.”

“What?”

“I’m a delicate woman, and the night scares me~”

I wanted to sleep comfortably, but she’s being a nuisance.

I had a feeling she’d do this since she didn’t actively look for a tent.

“Delicate, my foot.”

A lawless criminal from the Vipers being delicate? Despite my indifferent reaction, she lay down next to me and stared.

“Wouldn’t it be better to spend the night with a beautiful woman than alone, Isaac?”

“Are you calling yourself beautiful now?”

“Don’t you think so?”

She’s a beauty, but…

Talking to her is exhausting.

I sat up abruptly and leaned close to Ina.

“If you’re going to sleep, just sleep quietly.”

“T-too close…”

She’s acting shy now after being so forward.

I ignored Ina’s fake shyness and lay back down.

I’ll catch some sleep.

I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off.

Until the sudden commotion outside woke me up.