Chapter 71: The Intruder (3)
“Guh...” Shadow Walker groaned in pain.
His ribs felt like they had cracked, and his internal organs were in turmoil, sending waves of agony through his body.
How... How is The Dark Empress here?
He immediately recognized who had struck him. How could he not? She was the pinnacle of assassin-type rankers, just like himself.
“...Gi Soyul?”
That made it even harder to comprehend. She had always been distant, never involved in others’ conflicts, solely focused on her growth—the ultimate role model for all assassins.
Why is she here at some little workshop run by a B-rank hunter?
Shadow Walker shook his head slowly, unable to believe the situation.
Did something happen recently?
Since becoming a mercenary for the Ohsung Group, he had been busy wasting his time in debauchery, utterly unaware of any recent news.
“Disappointing, Shadow Walker. I thought you were a decent hunter but never expected you would stoop to such dirty work.”
—Step, step.
Gi Soyul approached him slowly, her dagger darkly gleaming as she walked. Each step seemed casual, but not a single opening could be seen in her movements.
“Ugh...”
Enduring the pain, Shadow Walker gripped his sword and forced himself to stand. He had no choice. If he didn’t, she would indeed pierce his heart instantly.
“Gi Soyul... how are you here...?” he managed to say.
“What do you mean? Isn’t it natural for me to be here? I’m part of Demir’s Workshop now.”
“What?”
That was absurd. When did Gi Soyul become associated with Demir’s Workshop?
“Since when? Weren’t you always with Parang?”
Confusion clouded his thoughts. A ranker in the 300s could go anywhere and be welcomed with open arms. Why would someone like her possibly be in a tiny, barely profitable workshop like this?
“...”
—Spit.
Shadow Walker spat on the ground, staining it with blood.
Damn that brat, Shin Jongoh.
Of course, now it made sense. No wonder Shin Jongoh had thrown out such an outrageous sum of 30 billion won.
Regret washed over him like a tidal wave. If he had known Gi Soyul was involved, he wouldn’t have come for any price, let alone 30 billion. His life was more valuable than money.
—Sshk.
Gi Soyul didn’t bother answering his question. She simply adjusted her stance, raising her dark blade ever so slightly.
“W-Wait!” Shadow Walker raised his hand hurriedly.
“What is it?” Gi Soyul responded coldly.
“I’ve made a mistake. This is all just a misunderstanding. Can’t we talk this out?”
“A misunderstanding, you say...” Gi Soyul smirked. “Do you usually point a blade at someone during misunderstandings?”
“Th-That’s because of Shin Jongoh, that bastard...!”
“Don’t make excuses. You were about to take a life, and that alone is reason enough for you to die.”
Her voice dripped with icy finality. A suffocating aura of murderous intent swirled around her.
This is...
—Gulp.
Shadow Walker swallowed hard. For some reason, the Dark Empress seemed genuinely furious. It was like he had angered a mighty dragon, something no one could stop.
It seems there’s no choice.
There was no other option now. He had to fight. She might be strong, but he was still a ranker!
—Whoosh!
Shadow Walker lowered his stance and slipped into the shadows around him. In an instant, dark energy surged toward Gi Soyul from multiple directions—her flanks and her rear. It was a perfect ambush, executed with all the speed he could muster.
“...”
But Gi Soyul didn’t react. She neither flinched nor attempted to dodge. She simply flicked her wrist, waving her dagger twice. It was a clean execution, devoid of any wasteful movement.
—Shik! Slash!
The sound of something sharp slicing through the air echoed in the space.
“Guh! Urgh!”
The clone meant to attack Gi Soyul from the side vanished, while Shadow Walker, the real one, clutched his shoulder, blood dripping down.
He had twisted his body at the last second, or else it wouldn’t have been his shoulder that got cut—it would have been his throat.
—Flinch!
When I asked, she visibly tensed.
Huh?
What was that about?
Come to think of it, I’d also heard her say something about being part of Demir’s Workshop.
“Well, uh... About that. Actually...”
As she hesitated, Kim Jinah came down from the third floor, now looking calm and composed after the earlier chaos.
“Dark Empress, I’ve heard so much about you. Thank you for your help.”
“No, it’s nothing... But, uh, who are you...?” Gi Soyul scratched her cheek awkwardly, tilting her head in confusion.
For the record, this was the first time she and Kim Jinah were meeting.
“Ahaha, I’m Kim Jinah. I’ve recently taken the role of vice master of this workshop.”
“Kim Jinah...? Wait, are you the Kim Jinah from the Hunter Bank?”
“You’ve heard of me?”
“My brother’s mentioned you before. He always said you were someone Parang desperately wanted to recruit... But how did you end up here?”
“It just so happened to be. It’s a great honor that Parang evaluated me that highly.”
Kim Jinah smiled gently as if she knew her worth well. Her confidence was evident as if it was a matter of fact.
Soon, Gi Soyul turned to look at me again. “I’ll be honest... I anticipated this sort of thing happening after announcing the S-rank weapon. It just took me a little longer than expected to sort everything out.”
“I see.”
“Donghoon.”
“Yes?”
“You’re a hunter who has received the recommendation of the Five Stars of Seoul. I have an obligation to protect you.”
“...”
“Frankly, Donghoon, you’re still weak. Not as a person, but rather there’s hidden potential within you that needs to grow. And for that to bloom, you need protection. The world is a tough place.”
I understood perfectly what she was saying. She wanted to join Demir’s Workshop. That was why she had left Parang to come here. It was a sentiment I was deeply grateful for.
But...
The old man had told me once:
“That girl who once challenged me... How long do you plan on keeping her by your side?
“You’ve got someone too strong watching over you.”
I couldn’t become stronger by just hiding behind someone else. No matter how harsh the world might be, I had to face it head-on and fight.
“...Oh my gosh. Shop Master? What need is there to even think about?” Kim Jinah cut in, seeing me lost in thought. “You should be celebrating! The Dark Empress herself is offering to join! Do you even know who she is? She’s ranked 379th in the world! 379th!”
“Well, that’s true, but...”
“Oh my goodness.” Kim Jinah shook her head in disbelief before smiling brightly at Gi soyul. “Teehee, Dark Empress!”
“Y-Yes?” Gi soyul seemed slightly taken aback.
“If you’re joining us, we’ll welcome you with open arms! Come on in! Any hiring issues can be discussed with me, the vice shop master!”
“...Is that so?”
“Of course! Our shop master here tends to overthink things! Come right on up to the third floor. Let’s have a chat in the consultation room! Would you like some coffee? A sweet latte? Or maybe an iced Americano?”
Hmm.
Kim Jinah shot me a sharp look as I hesitated.
Stay quiet. If you don’t want to accept the blessings that fall into your lap, at least don’t kick them away, her eyes seemed to say.
True...
It wouldn’t hurt. The old man’s words were out of his desire for me to grow stronger. But in reality, Gi Soyul’s presence was necessary. Especially in situations like the one I’d just faced—situations beyond my control. Her involvement would undoubtedly be a huge benefit to the growth of the workshop as well.
Most importantly, my heart wanted to accept her presence. As I embraced this realization, a smile crept onto my face.
Honestly, when have I ever fully obeyed the old man?
I turned my gaze forward once again.
Gi Soyul was still quietly watching me, waiting for my response rather than Kim Jinah’s chatter. She wanted to hear it from me.
Alright then.
“Dark Empress.”
“Yes?”
One of my strengths was making decisions quickly.
“Thank you for coming. I look forward to working with you.”
And so, Demir’s Workshop gained its first ranked hunter.