“Thud! Thud! Thud!”

A massive dragon thundered past the Hunters, shaking the ground as it charged ahead.

“Ugh!”

“Keep your eyes on it and run!”

A few Hunters, caught up in Liet’s unstoppable rush, complained. Thankfully, everyone here except me was S-rank, so no one was hurt—but she really was going all out.

“Everyone, dragons are the best! I love Comet! Unni, are you watching?!”

Kang Soyeong flashed a V sign at the following camera and yelled. The camera pretended to be a drone—but no telling if that was Chatterbox’s doing. After all, we had no idea whether this was a dungeon or just some wasteland on Earth.

I stomped the accelerator and picked up speed, but the ground leader was still Liet. The terrain wasn’t ideal for speed, plus Liet was enjoying Kang Soyeong’s stat buffs. She could go even faster, but she was pacing herself for who knew how long.

[Straight ahead! Keep going!]

The MC’s voice rang through the drones. Some Hunters could fly, but most were running. Even with flight skills, running could be more efficient—skills consumed stamina and mana.

‘Good thing I didn’t sell those stamina potions yet.’

I’d held off after the Japan demo—if they hold more races, those will sell like hotcakes. Maybe I should advertise.

Ten minutes after the start, gaps opened among the pack. The leader was still Liet, with my jeep close behind. The others slowed to preserve energy, saving their burst for the sight of the finish line.

Of course.

“That one’s running insanely fast!”

Yerim, still carrying Director Song, sounded resigned. A few Hunters were sprinting all-out—like a gamble that the finish might be closer than expected.

“Yerim, if you’re tired you can sit on the hood for a bit.”

“I’m fine! Director Song’s light!”

She must have adjusted her strength—Yerim hoisted him up like a scene from a Disney animal movie.

“Even if I lift like this—”

“…Hunter Park Yerim.”

“Easy!”

“…Hunter Park Yerim, please.”

Director Song’s quiet plea came as Yerim struggled not to hinder her teammate. At this rate, she’d end up on Song’s blacklist after Hyunjae.

I glanced back and saw Hyunjae filming diligently on his phone. Cameras, cars, even phones working fine—definitely not a normal dungeon.

With a soft flap of wings, a shadow fell across the car—it was Noah.

“Noah, you could win this!”

Even without Yuhyun and Peace beside me, Noah’s speed could surpass me. Innate dragon breed versus flying skill. Plus he could buff himself and had riding-skill support from Hyuna—like when he rode that bike.

But the most attention would be on me riding with my “team.”

“I wanted to stay close to Hyung—it makes the biggest splash!”

Hyuna answered.

—You can speed up near the finish line.

Noah said confidently. True, Liet wasn’t far ahead. Hyuna streamed video of Director Song on her phone. I wanted to capture one too—maybe I’ll ask her later.

Evelyn on my other side pulled a small book from her handbag and began reading, as if in her own world. Hyuna frowned and urged Noah to fly higher.

“You two really get along.”

Evelyn’s teammate leaned forward.

“I’m Vanessa Bailey.”

“I’m Han Yujin.”

I’d wondered who she was—she seemed friendlier than expected. Her mirror-smile reminded me slightly of Hyuna.

“Most still doubt our relationship—me and S-rank Hunters, I mean.”

“Understandable. I wouldn’t believe it either.”

Does this get broadcast, too? They promised editing, but…

“Power differences mean it’s hard to be equal. Even boss and subordinate have clear hierarchy.”

Indeed. S-rank and F-rank are like a conglomerate president and a subcontract temp. If Yuhyun and Yerim weren’t family, eyes would be far more suspicious.

‘But this is changing.’

Prejudice was shifting. I looked up at the pursuing drones, lowered my sunglasses, and smiled. Half the S-ranks at this party were behind me. As Hyuna said, I’m the most interesting.

So enjoy the show. I’ll try to enjoy it too.

Because the roof was down I couldn’t run the AC. After a long drive, my neck was damp with sweat. Besides Yuhyun and Peace, others must be hot too—even S-ranks get thirsty.

“Hyunjae, grab the bag from under the seat!”

Hyunjae produced a large sports bag. I called out:

“Yerim, freeze it lightly—make it cool!”

“OK!”

Yerim exhaled pale mist as Hyunjae lifted the bag. A chill swept through, and the zipper opened to reveal it packed with drinks.

“Uncle Sesung—cola!”

Yerim beamed. Hyunjae tossed two cola cans to Director Song.

“Please get it open and enjoy.”

“Just pop the tab—I can manage one-handed!”

Song tried to disembark but failed. I reached back:

“Water and beer, please.”

“On it.”

“And juice for Gyeol.”

“Cola again, I see.”

“Too much carbonation isn’t good. Yuhyun, here!”

I tossed a cold water bottle to Yuhyun.

“Thanks, hyung.”

“Yerim, beer for Peace too.”

Hyuna called for beer! and Noah asked for orange juice. Evelyn and Vanessa raised their beer cans to the cameras.

“Beer is always △△△! That’s our ad! For Korean Hunter ads, contact the Dodam Nursery Integrated Marketing Dept! Yuhyun.”

Yuhyun pulled a long slip of paper from inventory and held it to the camera.

“Contact info.”

We’d set up a central office to streamline dealings with these S-rank participants. Hyunjae quickly opened my beer can. If this airs, we’ll pay advertising later. Securing contracts was manager Seok Simyeong’s job—they’d legally cleared it with Chatterbox’s reps.

Director Song watched me raise my beer can with a sigh.

“Don’t try this drunk driving at home!”

Hope we don’t get fined or suspended on air. But the beer company paid more for this than any other drink.

I spotted a few Hunters ahead flagging. They weren’t slow, but clearly weary. One was the hunter who hassled me on day one in New York. Perfect.

“Rough out here, isn’t it?”

“…You!”

Under his glare, I drained my beer can and tossed it out—no littering. Then I brandished a new can. His expression twisted.

“Want one?”

“Get lost!”

“Suit yourself. Everyone, orders? Beer, cola, juice—all chilled with slush!”

“Beer!”

A Hunter running ahead slowed and approached, yelling. Canned carbonation beats lukewarm water any day—low alcohol but refreshing. I caught the can from Hyunjae and threw with all my strength. When he popped it open, frothy foam sprayed delightfully.

“Hunter Han Yujin, I’m a fan!”

Another shouted and waved. Even if insincere, I was grateful. I lobbed two more cans to the thirsty Hunters. The MC said nothing.

“Amazing! I was like this even before Awakening!”

One Hunter sipped beer and admired. How many S-ranks ever got to enjoy beer on a run? No one brings cold drinks into dungeons.

We ran on, thirst slaked, until—

Rumble—

A giant snake slithered up from afar. The MC crackled through drones:

[Just a harmless earth serpent! Keep running!]

Sure, it was half a meter thick—harmless, sure. Liet simply leapt over it. The serpent recoiled at seeing a black dragon and tried to burrow back down. Yuhyun and Noah moved closer.

“Hyung, want a lift?”

—Yujin, shall I help?

No one stops you from asking to carry them over. But it looks odd.

“I’m fine.”

I refused and produced a gold coin—time for a better plan. Even if I accept help, I’d lead and make it entertaining!

Shudder!

The serpent writhed, carving into the ground. The earth split like an earthquake, huge craters opening. The road was impassable.

“Hyunjae!”

I tossed another coin to him. He caught it midair, and just before the chasm—

Clank!

Chains shot out. At the same time, Hyunjae activated his Instructor Skill. He leapt clear of the car, winding chains around both arms. Two golden chains extended onto solid ground, anchored by his magic, able to hold the weight of the jeep.

I stomached the accelerator, riding the chains like a tightrope. I never imagined I’d drive a car on a tightrope—unlicensed. Relying on the Instructor Skill’s feedback and Mana Engraving sensitivity, I rode both chains forward.

The jeep flew over the chasm and landed on solid ground. Hyunjae released the chains and, using the rebound, soared through the air to land precisely in the back seat.

“If I weren’t driving, I’d applaud.”

“Well said.”

How much farther until the serpent? Noah, flying high, called out:

—I see the finish line!

Noah had the best eyesight. He flapped his wings at me.

—I’m heading out first!

Yuhyun followed:

“Hyung, can I go ahead?”

“Of course. But you won’t win.”

Yuhyun smacked Peace’s neck and used his reserved Sprint Skill, darting away in an instant.

“Me too, me too!”

Yerim, still clinging to Director Song, lifted him and teleported ahead. Moments later they reappeared far off. Then me.

“I need the car intact!”

I leapt from the steering wheel over the window. Hyunjae dropped forward, taking the wheel. I grabbed a coin and tossed it to Evelyn. Back and forth, zero net. Evelyn swept hair from her face and stood, bow in hand. She moved to the front, and Hyunjae closed the roof.

“Please.”

I climbed onto the roof and ate a mini cookie. A shame if it airs—but this item wouldn’t stay secret long. Evelyn tied me to an arrow. Even with fear resistance, I trembled.

“My arrow is protected by skill.”

Evelyn explained to the cameras—both to hide my boon and prevent audience misunderstanding. You can’t turn people into meat. Her skill truly did that: it could link ropes or pass small items through walls if the target wasn’t overwhelmingly strong.

Evelyn removed her glasses and ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ gazed at the distant finish line. An arrow was nocked, her shoulder and arms tense. Beneath her clothes, muscles swelled and sleeves tightened. She must feel dizzy. Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes—

Ping!

My ears rang, though the ride was surprisingly steady.

Thwack!

In an instant, the arrow flew across the distance and buried itself in the ground. Dazed and spinning, I cut the rope and returned to normal size. My vision dove and reoriented to the sparkling finish marker. The MC shouted:

“First place! Hunter Han Yujin!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep