The Hunted Demons, The Hunting Demons
“Oh my. Look at these guys.”
Go Yeon-ju, who had been pressing her palm against the ground, stood up, dusting off her hands. Everyone turned to look at her.
With a wry smile, she spoke.
“They’re really riled up, aren’t they? The air is thick with malice… It seems like a tracking party. No, I’m sure of it.”
As Go Yeon-ju spoke with certainty, a heavy silence fell over the group. Just as she and I had sensed, a band of vagrants was on our trail. I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, unsure whether to laugh or cry. The thoughts I’d been mulling over by the campfire had suddenly become reality.
“What do we do? Shouldn’t we run away quickly?”
“Yes! Let’s get out of here before those vagrants catch us!”
Fearful voices began to rise from all around. Having experienced the vagrants’ massacres firsthand in Mule, their terror was deeply ingrained. But Go Yeon-ju shook her head at their cries.
“Running won’t help. They already know we’re here.”
“But…”
“They’re closing in fast. Even if we run now, they’ll catch up eventually.”
It was the judgment of none other than the Shadow Queen. The woman who first suggested fleeing looked despondent.
Go Yeon-ju was right. Assuming the vagrants had organized a proper tracking party, it was a miracle we hadn’t been caught yet. Even if we turned and ran now, the slower members would likely be overtaken. It was only a matter of time.
But more importantly, I had no intention of running. I was starved for information, and here they were, practically offering themselves up. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
“So, are we… going to die here?”
A voice, filled with despair, echoed from somewhere. Just when they thought they’d survived, the prospect of death loomed again, bringing a wave of self-reproach. As the atmosphere threatened to turn bleak, I stepped forward.
“User Go Yeon-ju, can you estimate the distance and number of the tracking party?”
“When I first sensed them, they were 800 meters away… Ah, they’re closer now. I can’t be sure of the exact number, but it seems like about forty.”
“Forty, huh.”
“That’s fewer than the number we faced in the square. It might be more manageable than we thought.”
“Yes… It’s been a while since we reminded the vagrants of the Shadow Queen’s reputation. Hoho.”
Go Yeon-ju seemed about to say something else but changed her words at my signal. A glimmer of hope appeared on some of the previously despondent faces. Those who had seen me in action in the square would remember how I had overwhelmed dozens of vagrants. With the Shadow Queen, one of the top ten, by my side, their thoughts shifted from “We’re doomed” to “Wait, maybe we can do this.”
And that shift in thinking was exactly what I was aiming for.
In any battle, morale plays a crucial role. I could guess what Go Yeon-ju had been about to say, even if I hadn’t heard it.
It was unlikely the vagrants had sent just anyone. We had already taken down over sixty of them in the square. Sending forty now suggested this tracking party was no ordinary group. They might even have included some highly skilled individuals.
“You’re right. I’ve lost precious comrades to those vagrants. It’s too unjust to die quietly here. Even a worm will squirm when stepped on, so I’ll put up a fight.”
“Yeah, those bastards! Let them come. I’ve lost my left arm, but my right one is still here. If I’m going down, I’m taking at least one of them with me.”
Jo Seung-woo chimed in at the right moment. He seemed to understand my intent to boost morale, winking slightly. The man next to him appeared simply angry about his lost arm, but the effect was the same.
I calmly surveyed the users around me.
Including myself and the newly joined members of the Mercenary Clan, we numbered fifteen. In terms of class distribution, there were six melee fighters, two archers, five mages, and two priests. It was fortunate that everyone was a combat user, but none stood out as particularly exceptional.
Strictly speaking, apart from Go Yeon-ju and me, the rest were outmatched by the vagrants who had attacked Mule. Only about seven of them were likely to be of any help in battle, with the rest, including the injured, being more of a liability. But I didn’t voice this. Even if they weren’t much help in combat, they could at least serve as meat shields.
‘What should I do…’
Lost in thought, I suddenly felt the prickling sensation of eyes on me. Everyone was looking at me expectantly. With our forces so mismatched, the range of strategies was limited. I even considered just having Go Yeon-ju act as a keeper while I fought alone.
After organizing my thoughts, I spoke quietly.
“Let’s move to a different location first.”
A cold voice swept through the room, startling Lee Jun-seong. He turned around to see the door wide open. Standing there was a handsome man with a dark shadow over his face, exuding a chilling aura.
“Ho. Kim Yoo-hyun. Long time no see. Lee Jun-seong? Leave us.”
“Congratulations on waking up, Lee Hyo-eul. My brother is truly remarkable. Leave us, Lee Jun-seong.”
Caught between the two, Lee Jun-seong looked back and forth, unsure of what to do. But soon, he slumped his shoulders and began to walk away. As the door closed behind him, Kim Yoo-hyun approached the bed, looking down at Lee Hyo-eul. She met his gaze briefly before snorting.
“Is that all you have to say? Isn’t it a bit much to greet someone who just came back from the brink of death like that? You could at least pretend to be happy I’m awake.”
“Once again, congratulations on waking up. If it weren’t for my brother, you might not have made it. So be sure to thank Soo-hyun.”
At Kim Yoo-hyun’s calm words, Lee Hyo-eul looked momentarily taken aback. But she quickly composed herself and spoke.
“Right. What was I expecting from you? Anyway, what’s this about a brother? And what’s Mule?”
“While you were unconscious, a user named Kim Soo-hyun, who happens to be my younger brother, broke the curse of the half-dead. He treated you and then left for Mule. We haven’t been able to contact him since.”
A clear explanation. Lee Hyo-eul tilted her head, blinking a few times as if trying to process the information, then sighed softly.
“The vagrants’ attack has begun. One of the targets is Mule. The person who treated me is your brother, named Kim Soo-hyun. And your brother went to Mule. You’ve lost contact since. Correct me if I’m wrong.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“So he really is your brother… Alright. And you’re saying you plan to go to Mule to save him. If you’ve lost contact, the warp gate must be down too. So what now?”
“The warp gate to Eden is still operational. I plan to go there first.”
“So, you’re going to walk from Eden.”
Kim Yoo-hyun nodded slowly. Seeing his response, Lee Hyo-eul’s eyes narrowed sharply. Assuming no interruptions and a normal pace, the journey from Eden to Mule would take about three weeks. It was an absurd plan.
Lee Hyo-eul chewed her lip, then sighed deeply. If it were anyone else, she would have berated them for being crazy, but this was Kim Yoo-hyun. Knowing his usual behavior and demeanor, she couldn’t just laugh it off. His tone was filled with a seriousness that couldn’t be ignored.
“Kim Yoo-hyun. I won’t say much because it’s you. Just listen to these two points.”
”…”
“Even if you go to Eden, it will take at least three weeks to reach Mule. The attack will be over in two days at most. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“You’re suggesting that Soo-hyun might already be dead.”
“I’m saying that by the time you arrive, the situation will likely be over. He could be dead, or he might have escaped. It’s unfortunate about your brother, but there’s nothing you can do right now. Let’s think rationally, okay?”
Lee Hyo-eul’s argument was perfectly logical. But she overlooked one crucial fact: Kim Yoo-hyun was a doting brother to an extreme degree. In his mind, he already pictured Kim Soo-hyun, eyes brimming with tears, desperately calling out for his brother.
“You might be right.”
“Good. I’m glad you understand. Really, you surprised me. Look at the situation, will you? Before that, are you really Kim Yoo-hyun?”
“Lee Hyo-eul.”
”?”
Kim Yoo-hyun leaned in closer, reducing the distance between them. As their eyes met, Lee Hyo-eul’s face flushed, and she averted her gaze.
Then, Kim Yoo-hyun spoke softly.
“I’ll be honest. I have no idea what’s going on right now. To be precise, I don’t really care.”
“W-what?”
“Even the slightest chance that she’s alive is enough for me. My priority is getting Su-hyun back. Rational thinking and assessing the situation can come later.”
“You…!”
“Listen carefully. I’m going to save my sister. Whether she’s alive, dead, or captured, my decision won’t change. Even if it means unleashing the power of the Thunder God, I’ll find her. Take care of yourself. I don’t plan on dragging the clan members into this.”
With those words, Kim Yoo-hyun straightened up. Lee Hyo-eul stared at him in a daze before her face twisted with emotion.
“You, you idiot! What are you saying? You and your sister complex!”
“That’s what it says in the records. Personally, I’m proud of it.”
“Shut up! What do you think you can do alone? And the Thunder God? Using that power could kill you!”
“If Su-hyun is dead, I’d be in so much pain that dying wouldn’t be the worst option.”
“What about the clan members who followed you? Don’t be so reckless, you fool! Don’t go! Hey! Hey!”
Just then, as Kim Yoo-hyun was about to ignore Lee Hyo-eul’s pleas and leave, the door suddenly swung open.
“Um…”
A small voice accompanied the opening door, and Seo Ga-hee cautiously peeked in. She scanned the room with an awkward expression before speaking quietly.
“Someone from the Mercenary Clan is here.”
I ran with all my might. The forest blurred past me. Luckily, there were no vagrants faster than me, so after infiltrating the outskirts, I managed to gain some distance. But it was less than 30 meters. Behind me, I could feel the angry shouts and the presence of many pursuers.
Rustle! Rustle!
“Stop right there, you bastard!”
“Calm down! Watch out for traps!”
‘So they knew.’
A faint smile crept onto my face at the voices behind me. But it was fine. These were the kind of people who could figure this much out. My plan had accounted for that.
I intended to deliver a significant blow early on without dragging things out.
After about ten minutes of running, a massive shadow loomed ahead. At first glance, it seemed like darkness spread around the forest, but I knew what it really was. It was a ‘barrier’ formed by gathered shadows.
Once I felt I’d lured them in, I abruptly turned around. As I pointed my sword, I saw the vagrants flinch. In my hand was the softly glowing “Glory of Victoria.”
“Stop! Everyone, stop!”
“Beware of the sword’s light!”
At that moment, as the vagrants hastily halted, the gathered shadows dispersed. The users who had been hiding within revealed themselves. Remembering my instructions to give no quarter, they unleashed their prepared spells and arrows the moment the barrier fell.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Boom! Boom!
Magic, arrows, and countless shadows surged forward. But the vagrants didn’t just stand by. A dome-like barrier formed around the ones in the lead, and soon, layers of translucent shields were erected. They had been prepared.
Watching this, I activated the latent power of “Glory of Victoria,” the sword’s light.
In an instant, countless beams of light flashed before my eyes.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Oh dear. I’m about ten minutes late today. Sorry. T^T I started writing a bit late today… I tried my best, but I ended up being late. Sob.
You might have guessed the situation from the context, but there might be a few things you’re curious about. Among them, the ability of “Glory of Victoria,” the sword’s light, hasn’t been explained yet. I’ll cover its effects in the next installment. @[email protected]
PS. Kim Yoo-hyun’s lines… I initially wanted to make them like the ones from “Taken,” where he threatens to kill 100 people for a single hair of Su-hyun, but I changed it to this. Haha.
『 Reader Comments 』
Miwolya: Congratulations on being first. Oh, so this will be your last first comment, Miwolya. A legendary retirement, indeed. Well done. (?)
days0314: Recommend me a good cigarette. I usually smoke Parliament Lights. I’ve tried others, but they don’t suit my taste. ;ㅅ;
Fantasia2: My wish is to be the first comment before the series ends. Really. ㅜ.ㅠ
dbss: It’s more of a massacre than a game. (Haha) The vagrants have had their fun, now it’s time to pay the price. :)
Pineiro: Look forward to the upcoming content. Hehe. And a third or thousandth installment might be a bit much. ;ㅅ;
J.F: If Hwa-jeong is handled ‘properly,’ no user can beat Kim Su-hyun. :)
Autumn King: No, I’m always grateful just for you reading. :)
Pureblood: I’ve changed it differently. How do you like it? ‘ㅇ’?
NinthSky: Currently, Kim Su-hyun’s group doesn’t have any reliable means of communication. Yes, that’s correct.
Heavenly Blood God: Heavenly Blood God, Baek Han-gyeol is a man. Do you really want BL?
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