It was a desert. In the middle of a barren sea of sand stood two waiting rooms made of transparent walls. Under the blazing sun, I slid my sunglasses up and looked beyond the wall. The two booths were about two hundred meters apart, which meant we could clearly see each other’s expressions. After all, they were S-Ranks. I had used my Mentor Skill on Yuhyun.

‘Does the environment change each time?’

From far off, two S-Ranks stared back at us. All right then. I gripped the box we’d carried here together and opened it. The expressions on the S-Ranks’ faces, who’d been watching me, flickered for a moment.

“…A rifle?”

I could even hear their voices. Item use was supposed to be disabled, but the Chatterbox service must have translated it. One of the S-Ranks sneered at the rifle in my hand.

“A bow would’ve been better.”

“Don’t get too cocky. You’re more skilled at combat support than your record suggests.”

In the past I’d have just laughed, but having taken down an SS-Rank by leading the fight in front of these S-Ranks had an unmistakable effect. Still, I couldn’t be more than support. Though even support…

‘If it were Mr. Noah, things would be different.’

I thought of Mu in the Japanese dungeon. Could Noah now build an organization like the Meds? Not easily, and he didn’t need that burden, but still.

“It’s bolt-action.”

I handed the rifle to Yuhyun. There was an automatic model too, but since it wasn’t made from dungeon byproducts, I wasn’t sure it’d function properly here, so I brought the manual one Myeongwoo made. Just ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) in case. If it ran well, next time I’d bring a machine gun and just spray.

“Director Song must’ve explained it to me.”

Yuhyun shook his head briefly.

“All I know is it’s slower than auto.”

“Is that so? Words only go so far.”

I thought Song had taught him in case we lost the rifle, but apparently not. I helped Yuhyun take aim.

“Hold it here like this. Yes. Rack and─”

The S-Ranks across from us stared as if to say What are you two doing? Even though it was me, it was stranger that an S-Rank Hunter was being taught how to shoot.

“So aim like this and shoot?”

“Yeah, you’re doing fine. Good stance. Reload here.”

I’d also given him a spare pistol and some grenades, with clear instructions on their use. Meanwhile, the ten-minute timer appeared as before, and the opposing S-Ranks began to take combat stances.

Yuhyun pulled a bow and wire from his inventory after his sword. The last time had been painful, it seemed, so he armed himself to the teeth.

“You can’t trust inventory too much.”

“Right. You never know what’ll happen. Even a dagger is better than nothing.”

Inventory was convenient but a single glitch and you were done. Ten minutes passed quickly.

[All Awakened revert to non-Awakened.]

The message window appeared. The S-Ranks preparing to charge us froze in shock.

“W-What….”

They stared at the message in disbelief, then blinked at us with dumbfounded expressions. I smiled and lifted my rifle.

“This is cheating!”

With a cry of frustration, the walls vanished. Yuhyun, already lined up, pulled the trigger. Bang! The shot rang out, striking an S-Rank Hunter squarely in the head, and he vanished on the spot. Good aim. He really can do anything. The remaining one quickly dropped prone and crawled along the ground.

“This should be easy for Yerim too.”

Even if they were fake bodies, killing someone directly still worried me. But the corpse vanished before anything gruesome showed. With sunglasses on, it looked even cleaner. Instant kill, and it was fit for a PG-13 middle school audience under guardian supervision.

Click, Yuhyun reloaded and aimed again. But the S-Rank Hunter had already hidden behind a sand dune. Quick reflexes.

“You cheaters!”

“Cheaters? Come on. The conditions were the same.”

“You knew!”

“I’m sorry, but even if you didn’t know, the result would be the same. Now, look at this. A Hunter’s rifle that fits in inventory! Its item grade is low, but it’s a user-friendly weapon usable by any rank. It fires both mana bullets and dungeon-byproduct rounds—brand-new tech~”

“….”

“Mass production will soon hit the Korean Hunter Market! Not just for Hunters—any Awakened without Hunter qualifications can use it for self-defense. Factory models are basic, but Golden Forge artisan versions will reach mid-grade! You’ll be clamoring for one.”

The S-Rank fell silent.

“So? Shall I add you to the pre-order list?”

“N-No, I…don’t need it!”

The S-Rank yelled, though he’d sounded tempted. Well, a high-rank Hunter wouldn’t find it too useful—more for mid- and low-ranks or civilians.

I stepped forward with my automatic rifle.

“Careful, brother. Even non-Awakened, their size outweighs you.”

“They’re big. If I get caught, I’m done.”

Maybe Yuhyun’s fine, but I couldn’t match them. I could throw a grenade, but I approached instead. The S-Rank dug a trench in the sand. After a warning shot, I spoke.

“Come out peacefully.”

“You mean come out and get killed.”

“Throw a grenade? Better to try fighting back than die buried in sand.”

He grumbled as he slowly stood with arms raised, still furious.

“I thought the contract to keep this quiet was to hide combat skills.”

“That’s a combat skill too. What’s a skill? Setting the stage, luring them in, and disposing of them is a skill.”

At my words, he widened his eyes briefly, then chuckled.

“Right, it used to be so. Even a few years ago, personal force meant little.”

Nowadays S-Ranks can clear A-Rank dungeons solo, but back then battles were group fights.

“Now it’s hard to think beyond grade.”

“Strength is the most straightforward ability.”

Even in civilized times, most people instinctively bow to bigger, stronger foes and relax around the small—survival instinct.

“But to live by instinct, you’d have to strip naked and return to the wild.”

Changing thoughts completely is hard. But you can at least pretend on the outside. Even Yuhyun, who’s hardly human, socializes outwardly. Director Seong also acts gentlemanly in public. At least wear clothes. Walking around in underwear is just an eyesore.

The S-Rank stared at me.

“You might find someone like Director Han in F-Rank.”

“I’d appreciate that. High-rank Hunters underestimate lower ranks. Then they get bitten.”

“Like now.”

He nodded slightly. To a lion, a mouse’s still a mouse—until that mouse bites and makes you see mice differently. You might step aside next time just in case.

It’s hard to change overnight. But the hardest part is starting. Once the first step is taken, the rest can follow.

“If you’re interested in joining the party, let me know, Mr. Lawrence. I’ll have plenty of invites.”

Good to have someone who wouldn’t side with Chatterbox attend. I lightly pulled the trigger. The automatic rifle worked perfectly. But unlike before, we weren’t whisked back to the booth. Only Mr. Lawrence vanished, and a message window appeared.

[If both surviving team members live, each receives one gold coin. If only one survives, three coins are awarded.]

Oh no, this means…kill each other? Before I could think it through, I lunged across the sand.

Bang!

A shot rang out. The bullet passed through my previous position and buried itself in the sand. My sunglasses flew off. I rolled onto my stomach and looked up as my brother grinned and racked the bolt.

“Hey, you.”

“You hate it?”

“If you hate it, you’ll put the rifle down?”

“Sure. But you don’t hate it.”

He pushed in the bolt and then pointed the muzzle at me, confidence in his eyes. Of course.

“I’d shoot me too.”

Two coins versus three. If you trust the other, no need to hesitate. And I’d already collected mine—so it was Yuhyun’s turn. He knew that as well as I did.

After my answer, his finger pulled the trigger without hesitation. Darkness closed in.

A soft bed. No, it felt like lying on a water-logged sponge. When I blinked, I saw a pitch-black space.

‘…Huh?’

This didn’t look like a waiting room.

“Yuhyun?”

No answer. Then I saw it: a black veil drifting through the darkness, and through it floated a white mask, as if a gaunt body were pushing through mud.

Chatterbox.

Ash-like petals drifted down.

“What are you doing?”

My heart pounded, but my voice remained calm. Chatterbox bowed his head toward me. His long body curved like a lamppost.

[As agreed, I cannot interfere.]

He made a polite gesture. The thin curve of the mask’s painted mouth curved like a waning moon.

[I merely found the spectacle more amusing than expected, watching you struggle.]

“You said spectators weren’t allowed.”

[I observed no meaningful information, nor did I hear any.]

My hand moved before I realized it. Though Chatterbox couldn’t touch me or any participant, I could touch him. My fingers brushed the white mask.

“It’s your struggles that brought me this far, eating transcendants one by one.”

I’d unearthed Diarma, learned of the White Bird and Snow-Falling Tree. I mastered how to forge fiends. Korea became safest for Changelings.

The Harmless King intervened, and from the altered dungeon I gained Yuhyun’s weapon, Yerim’s spirit, the Mana Spring, and more. Thanks to her mana stone…for a moment I saw my brother.

So.

“Chatterbox. If I peel every secret from you, I’ll obtain everything I desire.”

To retrieve my brother into a safe, peaceful world. I gripped the edge of the mask.

“You said you’d make me the Harmless King’s proxy. Fine. But in return, you give me everything.”

A low laugh. The mask twitched ominously. Mocking, as if pleased. Fine by me—my goal was lofty, and I needed a colossal stepping-stone.

I strained my hand and tore the mask away. The laughter grew louder. Nothing was visible—ink-black darkness scattered. When I opened my eyes, I was back in the foggy waiting room.

“Yuhyun!”

“Yeah, hyung.”

My brother was right beside me. It felt like waking from a nightmare. What was Chatterbox really after? Just stirring trouble? I sat up and looked at Yuhyun.

“How did it go?”

“He shot you, then we were moved back to the booth. You were asleep, and I got three gold coins.”

Exactly as before. The exit was open. I drew a deep breath. Yuhyun glanced at me, then, instead of asking what happened, opened his arms.

“Want a hug?”

I couldn’t help laughing. Of course.

“Did it hurt much?”

“Nope. I hardly felt it. And with my record, that’s nothing.”

At my cue to leave, Yuhyun grabbed the handles of the large box and lifted it. Outside, the two S-Ranks had already emerged and were waiting. Mr. Lawrence looked convinced, but the other wore a face full of rage.

“You tricked us!”

He stepped threateningly toward me, but Yuhyun reacted at S-Rank speed, his foot snapping out beneath the other’s knee. At the same time, his sheathed sword struck the S-Rank’s shoulder.

In an instant, the S-Rank dropped to one knee, but before he could struggle, the sword slid from its sheath, the blade pressing cool against his throat. He ground his teeth and froze.

“You say I tricked you, and I partly apologize. But even if you had attacked, the result would’ve been the same.”

“You’re still like this,” I added. His face twisted in anger. Yuhyun had always been strong, but after my private lessons his movements became even more precise. Tutor sessions really pay off.

“Let him go.”

With a clack, the sword slid back into its sheath, and Yuhyun stepped back to stand beside me. The S-Rank glared alternately at us in frustration.

“…I can’t believe Guild Leader Soyeong is acting like a tamed dog.”

He backed away, muttering. When Yuhyun didn’t react, he raised his voice.

“Showing your belly─”

“Enough.”

Mr. Lawrence grabbed the S-Rank’s shoulder and stopped him. Then he bowed slightly to us and began to lead his companion away. The S-Rank faked resistance, then, realizing he couldn’t win, turned and followed. What a clown.

“Let them go? After insulting us?”

“If you worry about your hyung, I’ll take him back.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

“Considering a dog’s nature and my relationship with him, I don’t take it as an insult. It’s just a fact. I know he insulted me.”

Funny if you think about using a dog as an insult.

“And as Guild Leader Soyeong, I’ll respond when needed.”

“So personally you don’t care.”

“Most insults are lies and don’t affect me. But I understand they might affect you. People can be influenced even by strangers…you certainly are, and I’m influenced by you, so……”

“Just be yourself. I and the Haeyeon Guild will cover what you miss.”

Even if Yuhyun slips up, Seoksi Myung will smooth it over. I grabbed both invitations from the table. Should I call it here, or drag another team out before dinner? Checking my phone, I saw a message.

[Could you come to the room?]

The number was Director Song’s, but the sender seemed to be Seong Hyunjae. Guess he still hasn’t got his new phone.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep