Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Park Yoon-sung looked at Na Ye-rim in disbelief.

The Association had been suspected of conducting biological experiments on hunters until recently. Although the Association denied the allegations, they delegated some of their authority to the guilds, and the bio-experimentation controversy gradually buried.

Suddenly, a hypothesis came to Park Yoon-sung's mind. He wondered if the Laufey Guild had been handling all the Association's dirty work while the Association covered it up. The corners of Park Yoon-sung's eyes twitched.

"Guildmaster Park Yoon-sung."

A low voice snapped Park Yoon-sung out of his thoughts. The cold, doll-like face spoke calmly.

"The Association will do anything to protect the world."

"..."

"Whatever it may be."

Park Yoon-sung subconsciously clenched his fists.

By the time the raid team finally moved again, quite a lot of time had already been delayed. For some reason, the vice-master of the Tyr Guild, Seo Ha-joon, who was supposed to lead the raid team, didn't seem to be in good condition, and his guild members just noticed it.

Meanwhile, Hunter Sung Yoo-bin who led the combat unit chased after Hunter Kang Yoo-hyun and they ended up straying far from the raid team.

Even though they tried not to say anything, the raid team members' anxiety was palpable. They questioned whether they could complete the raid in their current state. Their sense of reality seemed to fade away under the hot sun.

"Hey, high schooler."

"...?"

Eden, who moved to the front of the team, tapped Kang Soo-hyun on the shoulder. Kang Soo-hyun's face contorted. He seemed reluctant to speak to Eden, but aware of the people around him, he finally opened his mouth.

"What?"

"You still haven't found Han Yi-jin?"

"Sigh..."

Kang Soo-hyun let out a short sigh and shook his head. Eden persistently questioned him as if it were his responsibility, which began to grate on his nerves. Kang Soo-hyun had always found Eden annoying, even just looking at his face. Kang Soo-hyun muttered curses under his breath as he answered.

"No, I still haven’t found him."

"Maybe you're not competent enough?"

"Sigh..."

If it had been a sarcastic comment, he might have retorted, but Eden muttered with a serious expression that left him speechless. Kang Soo-hyun shook his head.

“I'm following Yoo-hyun hyung for now. Don't bother me and just leave.”

“Didn't Kang Yoo-hyun also follow that ugly reptile? Can you find him by following him?"

"Are you suggesting that we do nothing? Say something reasonable..."

“That reptile didn't even change into its adult form this time. Are you also going to follow him recklessly?”

"..."

Although Kang Soo-hyun wanted to shut him up, Eden's words hit the mark. That's because Kang Soo-hyun was also worried about that inwardly. He just didn't show it.

Because he didn't want to face someone he didn't like for too long, Kang Soo-hyun tried to open his mouth once again with a serious face. But at that moment, a resonant system’s voice resonated throughout the raid team.

[Muspelheim-SS207. The hidden area, ‘Realm of Fire,' will temporarily be accessible as an open zone.]

[Muspelheim-SS207. Due to the merging of areas, changes will occur to the boss monster.]

"What?"

"What is this?"

The murmuring voices grew louder. The previously hidden area was being converted into a public area, and the boss monster was changed. While others couldn't quite grasp the situation, Kang Soo-hyun had a realisation when he heard the system’s voice and he immediately used his skill.

"It's working!"

I spoke lightly and held Sung Yoo-bin's hand tightly. Our clasped hands quickly became hot. After using my skill on Sung Yoo-bin, I immediately turned my head.

"Kang Yoo-hyun."

"..."

"Kang Yoo-hyun?"

Kang Yoo-hyun stared at me in silence. His expressionless face made it look like he was glaring at me. I froze awkwardly as I stretched out my hand.

Why is he so scary again? Kang Yoo-hyun—continuing to stare at me that way—sighed deeply and then grabbed my hand roughly.

"Tell me later."

"Huh..."

"About what happened, everything."

His blue eyes glistened as he scanned my face. I could only swallow my saliva and nod my head.

"Phew."

After casting my skill and sending Kang Yoo-hyun and Sung Yoo-bin away, I finally caught my breath. I clenched my still-hot hands tightly. Now—once Kang Yoo-hyun and Sung Yoo-bin defeat the boss monster—the dungeon will be cleared. Then—a portal will open—and we can rejoin the raid team before it closes...

"Ugh."

The bracelet Baek Si-hoo put on tightened around my wrist. It seemed staying away from him for too long triggered this reaction. If I didn't go back to him, he would have cut my wrists.

What should I do? Should I use the removal item now? After all, I've met Kang Yoo-hyun and Sung Yoo-bin, and this place called the ‘Realm of Fire' has merged with the Muspelheim Dungeon. There's no need to find the way. Perhaps the raid team already knows my location and is heading this way.

"Alright, let’s use it now."

I made up my mind and immediately searched my inventory. I actually had an S-grade removal item given to me by Sim Dante. I had wondered when I would use it, but I hadn't expected it to be now.

"I found it."

I stared at the item I had taken out of my inventory. It was a white—square item that looked like an eraser with a small note attached to it.

[Able to erase everything.]

“...”

The handwriting seemed like it was written by Sim Dante himself. His handwriting was very bad, almost needing to interpret it first rather than read it. Clicking my tongue inwardly, I brought the removal item closer to the bracelet.

Boom!

“Whoa!"

Damn it, the aftermath of the battle was too much. I frowned and lay flat on the ground. A piece of broken rock passed over my head. Maybe I should get out of here and use the next item.

"Ugh, Yong-sik...”

"Kkyau!"

I called for Yong-sik to get away from the battlefield—but he was glaring elsewhere—bristling his spikes. My eyes widened when I saw a man approaching me.

"Baek Si-hoo..."

"..."

Baek Si-hoo stared at me with an even paler complexion. As he approached, the force constricting my wrist weakened.

"I need to check something."

"What?"

I tried to step back, but Baek Si-hoo's hand caught me. His big hand gripped my neck.

"Ugh...!"

Suddenly, my vision went dark.