Clang!

The staff and sword collided. Moon Hyunah, standing guard before the asset owners, swung her staff like a tennis racket. The officer, unable to withstand the force, was knocked backward. The hunter who’d failed to strike the asset owners scowled.

“We need to snatch the gold coins first—!”

“Asset owners’ contracts are mutual agreements.”

Evelyn spat disdainfully.

“The police may try to interfere, but no one here will cooperate under threats. It’s not our lives on the line, and the whole world is watching.”

She slowly surveyed the asset owners before continuing.

“If a hunter were so pathetic, they wouldn’t have made it this far.”

Two asset owners nodded absently. Having heard that, they were even less inclined to team up with us—better to drop out cleanly, they thought.

└ This is literally a catastrophe

Indeed. Even now, the outlaws’ victory was drawing near. The officers called away by the Chief of Police wouldn’t hold out long; even skilled S-Ranks suffer from the no-first-strike penalty.

Several officers turned their gaze to the thieves. Better to catch thieves, they seemed to think. I quickly spoke up.

“Thieves have stealth skills! None have used them all yet. If any of you make a misstep, every thief here will vanish in an instant.”

“So you want us to just stand by and watch?”

Sssrk—someone drew a weapon. The asset owners readied themselves to resist, too.

“Better to catch one than stand dumbly.”

“Hey, asset owners—try pulling out your gold coins.”

“Is that a cop or a damned thief?”

“There really is a master thief here? We’ll steal it all at once.”

“You couldn’t even catch a monster, and now you’re bragging?”

└ Even S-Ranks’ trash talk is ordinary

└ It’s gonna be a mess soon

└ Let’s smash everything!!! Group projects always end in ruin!!!

By all looks, the scene was about to erupt into chaos. Even unawakened people would seize any chance for profit; these were top-rank hunters, hardly stiff, but none would hesitate to turn on each other. Few had bowed to anyone since awakening.

“Let’s catch the asset owners, then chase down the thieves! Who cares about the Chief of Police—weaklings go first.”

An officer snarled that cooperation was pointless. A few others nodded in agreement. Better to act than stand off without resolution. Noah quietly approached me, ready to pull me out if needed. Kang Soyeong edged toward Riette.

Thud!

Moon Hyunah slammed her staff into the ground again.

“Police, act like police—protect the civilians.”

At her command, three officers scowled.

“Think you’re real cops now?”

“In this fake-not-fake game, failing your role is the bigger shame.”

Moon Hyunah’s lips curved as she continued.

“If anyone plans to attack the asset owners, come at me first.”

The officer who’d stepped forward hesitated. The police looked puzzled—so did most asset owners.

“You said you’d coerce cooperation by force.”

Evelyn remarked. Moon Hyunah, without turning, replied over her shoulder.

“Minimizing harm through enforced coordination is also a police duty. If conversation solved every problem, we wouldn’t need laws or police. So—”

Between asset owners and police, her voice rang out:

“I will block anyone who impedes a joint victory.”

At her firm declaration, Evelyn shrugged. I expected more pushback, but Evelyn fell silent. Instead, other asset owners and thieves voiced distrust. How could they believe that?

└ Trust Moon Hyunah!!!

└ If she betrays us at the end, thieves will be screwed

└ If I were police I’d eliminate everyone except one thief—one asset owner suffices

└ One asset owner is enough—no trust, just kill all: one policeman, one asset owner, one thief is optimal

└ Outlaws have it easy—everyone else dies, just wreck everything lol

└ Let Han Yujin win—I have a $100 bet with a friend

Well, I’ll try my best. Speaking of bets, that reminded me of Hwang-rim. If he wagered on my solo win, sorry: this time I really can’t manage it alone. Amid the suspicious glances, I spoke up.

“I trust Hunter Moon Hyunah. And I have the slave. We’re ready—why not at least try?”

Better than wasting time here. Riette shot her hand up.

“I’m on Hyunah’s side! Everyone, attack!”

“Me too, sister!”

“I’ll help, too. I’m on Moon Hyunah’s team.”

I quickly scanned police and asset owners. Not everyone was here—Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon were absent, and Yerim as well. Those three teams likely include either the Chief of Police or the outlaw. Two of them, anyway.

“Is there anyone else who can gather at least four people who’ll trust you?”

Silence. These were guildmasters, each convinced they were best. At most, one teammate might trust them.

“Then among us, Hunter Moon Hyunah has the greatest credibility. Asset owners, what exactly are the victory conditions?”

“To own the slave for one hour. Ownership counts from the moment you deliver the slave to one of the designated locations.”

Evelyn explained. It was basically point defense.

“Employment requires mutual consent and at least one gold coin payment. Asset owners can’t enter another’s location without permission; with permission, they become partners and may win jointly. The locations lie near the south side of Central Park.”

“Let’s move before the outlaws win. Riette, help me!”

Rather than scatter, we’d cluster in case. If we separated now, someone would surely seize the chance. Riette glanced at the message chat, then flicked her gaze into empty air.

“They say using skills risks revealing identity—I don’t care!”

True, hiding Riette’s specialization was hard. She transformed.

“This can’t be! Sister!!”

Kang Soyeong screamed. Noah looked mildly surprised.

—Huh? What’s wrong?

“You’re a turtle.”

A giant land turtle. Its tail, legs, and head were all elongated, but still a turtle. It cocked its head and raised a foreleg to inspect it.

—It’s a dragon, you know.

“A turtle can be cool! There’s the Turtle Dragon too!”

Kang Soyeong cheered, “You’re still the best sister!” Love. Moon Hyunah laughed and spun her staff.

“All right, everyone aboard! Sister, where’s the slave?”

“Nearby. I’ll guide you.”

Before I could ask, Noah placed me atop the turtle’s head. Other hunters climbed onto its broad shell.

“Noah, could you scout the outlaws’ positions? If possible, identify them. If they’re acquaintances, we might negotiate.”

“On it.”

Noah flew off, casting a sideways glance at the turtle—Riette as a turtle really did look odd.

“Go straight this way, but the path’s narrow.”

—I should’ve been the outlaw!

The turtle that’d destroyed Manhattan lumbered forward. Asphalt cracked beneath its step… not exactly funny. Top-rank hunters now crowded its back……

└ Riette’s so cool, but I want to see the turtle

└ Bomb-king Yujin—can you blow up my office too? Please lol

└ Yujin, the Chief of Police is □□□□!! Why won’t they say!!

└ ㅕ이ㅑㅇㅜ ㅣㅏ￥ㄱㅇ ㅇ

└ Yujin, have you ever sold jade floor mats?

└ ㄱ ㅑㅜ ㅏV

└ Whoa whoa whoa!

└ Whoa!!!!!

Huh? Whoa? What’s above? I only saw sky. Moon Hyunah, who’d warned the police against foolishness, leapt onto the turtle’s head.

“Thanks for the support, sister.”

“I wasn’t confident I’d win alone. Trying to negotiate with the slave alone would only end in the slave being taken. But with you, Hyunah, it wouldn’t.”

Even without personal ties to Moon Hyunah, anyone who knew her would trust her. Among people here, only Hyunah and Director Song had earned that trust.

“I’ve brought everyone, but it won’t be easy. Conflict’s inevitable.”

Moon Hyunah spoke quietly. Asset owners, thieves, and police still lingered apart. Asset owners, unable to strike first, stayed together; thieves and police eyed each other warily.

“We can reach a designated location with the slave… but—”

The moment the victory condition is met, competition begins.

“Besides, police can’t kill participants, but can’t move either. Entering the designated spot lets them ignore that penalty.”

“…This will be chaos.”

Asset owners alone, thieves and police alike would try to kill each other. Some thieves would try to steal the slave. I looked back at the turtle—quiet for now. Those who dismounted followed calmly.

The calm before the storm.

Thud, rumble!

The turtle’s massive bulk soon revealed the twins’ location. Onlookers failed to register the charge properly; those caught under tail or limbs vanished in smoke just before being crushed.

“Just ahead—”

—Huh.

Riette suddenly halted mid-stride.

Crack!

Wood and debris skidded, splitting the road like a drawn line. Beyond that line, someone descended—dressed in uniform.

—The Chief of Police! Oh, can’t strike first. Charge anyway!

Riette braced herself; Moon Hyunah frowned. The Chief of Police stood, looking down at us.

“Trying to interfere? Chief of Police! Here’s Han Yujin!”

Moon Hyunah thrust me forward. Why me…?

“Is it the Young Master, Seong Hyunjae, or Yerim?”

└ Aaaah!!!!!!!! □□□!!!!!!!!!!

└ If Han Yujin guesses the Chief of Police’s identity, I’ll dance with a Peace doll on the first floor of Dodam

└ □□□□□□□□□□□□!!!!

“People say he’s handsome and kind. Could it be Director Song?”

“No, maybe it’s Yerim.”

That made sense, too.

└ Yujin, if you’re handsome you’re kind!!!!!!!

└ Yujin, stay away from stocks from now on

…That was a disaster already. The Chief of Police flicked a fingertip at Moon Hyunah. She flashed a feral smile.

“Well then, whoever you are, I won’t refuse a fight. Catching you here would make joint victory easier.”

With a light kick off the turtle’s head, Moon Hyunah leapt down. Whoosh—the staff spun, aiming at the Chief. Though he couldn’t strike first, he could counterattack. Hunters on the shell surged down to watch. Riette stamped her foot—no, pounded it.

—Save some for me!

“Who are you? Don’t you know? If you don’t answer, I’ll make trouble for Sister. Soyeong, tickle the Director!”

“Why me!”

“Now!”

“Wait, Soyeong! Soyeong!”

Tickling is unstoppable grace! Kang Soyeong climbed onto the turtle’s head, curling her fingers into claws and grinning at me.

“Soyeong, Comet! Dragons—I’ll raise these dragons!”

“Director Han, even this is underhanded!”

└ Go, Kang Soyeong!

└ Lololololol Go, Soyeong

└ If war breaks out, it’ll be because of cute Han Yujin

└ Wait, now □□□□□□! Chief of Police’s private room! □□□□□□!!

—Sweetie!

Rumble—Riette bared her teeth as someone descended behind me. Kang Soyeong’s eyes widened; she dived off the turtle’s back.

“Chief of Police!”

“Twins?”

Before I could turn, a uniformed arm shot out and grabbed me. The chat exploded; hunters’ gazes fixed on me.

“Hello.”

The Chief’s words cut off abruptly—and his identity flickered clear. Someone whose title would block calling me by name. And not in polite speech.

“…Yuhyun?”

Then could it be that the officer standing before Moon Hyunah was—

“…Peace?”

└ Lol you only just realized? Seriously?

└ Peace, pleeease squeak once!!!!!

└ I love you, Han Yuhyun!!

“Peace!”

I craned my neck to look at Peace. The Chief of Police tilted his head slightly, regarding me.

“Yes.”

…Gasp, Peace spoke. Peace!

“Peace, it’s Dad! Peace! Our Peace!”

“He can’t form words properly. His cries are merely shaped to resemble human speech.”

└ OMG Peace just squeaked!

└ Peace, Auntie loves you, show me your paws

So it wasn’t true speech—but still Peace! Peace-like Peace!

“Wait—are you in uniform, Peace? Wearing clothes?”

└ Awww so cute lol

└ Peace-daddy Peace is so cute lolol wears a hat too

I also—show me too! Chat box! Wait—then what about Rie? If Seong Hyunjae isn’t the Chief, he’s either outlaw or police. Is Rie in uniform, too? What about Yerim? And Yuhyun behind me!

“I admit Peace is adorable, sister.”

Moon Hyunah waved at me to calm down.

“We should hear the Chief’s purpose. If he’ll help us, we’re welcome.”

Ah. I tilted my head to look at Yuhyun holding me. Behind Peace, a familiar but strange face met my gaze. Yuhyun… I doubted he’d help willingly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep