Chapter 18
Big Bo couldn't understand Ja-geon's actions.
"Captain! If the remaining Black Tiger raid team comes, we're done for! We'll die!"
"We won't."
"What do you mean we won't? There's still so much food I haven't tried yet!"
"Shut your mouth, will you?"
It was a clear threat—one more word and he'd beat him half to death.
"Ugh... after doing so well until now..."
Big Bo clutched his head as he slumped down. Ja-geon's sudden actions were driving him crazy.
Ja-geon sighed as he looked at Big Bo. He didn't want to waste energy beating him up now.
"The Black Tiger's 1st squad won't come anyway. They entered a D-rank dungeon today. At their level, they'll clear it by tonight or tomorrow morning at the earliest. Until then, the Black Tiger's only forces are their reserves. Because their 2nd squad is here with us. You think I picked today randomly?"
The captured Black Tiger members' eyes widened.
'He's not just some thoughtless psycho...'
Ja-geon moved with careful calculation. He'd been waiting for the day the Black Tiger's 1st squad would enter a D-rank dungeon.
Raid teams like the Black Tigers needed constant dungeon clears. Leaving their subordinate raiders idle meant greater losses.
'A D-rank is too low-level for someone like Kim Chunsik to lead personally. He probably planned to skip raids until catching me. He'd want to crush me as soon as possible.'
If Chunsik had joined the 1st squad personally, they'd have tackled a C-rank dungeon instead. Ja-geon had accounted for even that.
He waited until the Black Tiger's 1st squad was busy with a D-rank dungeon.
"What kind of bastard is this guy?" muttered the captured Black Tigers members, equal parts angry and curious.
The Black Tiger's 2nd squad had been helpless against them. Ja-geon's skills were clearly extraordinary.
'But there's no way the boss would lose. This guy's finished soon.'
Ja-geon quietly checked his mechanical wristwatch, then muttered while looking at the hostages:
"If Kim Chunsik doesn't come within two hours, I'll kill everyone here and leave."
His tone was matter-of-fact. Chunsik might recall the 1st squad from their raid or hastily hire mercenaries. Ja-geon had accounted for that time too.
A chill ran through the hostages—they knew he wasn't joking.
'Please, please come, boss.'
The Black Tiger members prayed desperately with eyes squeezed shut. They wanted to live.
Kim Chunsik smoked outside the dungeon, chewing the filter absently. Eight reserve members stood behind him.
"Our entire 2nd squad... taken out by just two people..."
"Sorry, boss," said the sole survivor from the 2nd squad.
Chunsik didn't blame his subordinate—if his 2nd squad lost, their opponents must be skilled.
Though leading Black Tiger's weakest reserves, Chunsik himself was formidable. He was confident against Ja-geon and Big Bo.
"Let's move out," Chunsik said, raising his sword and shield. As an elite knight class, he excelled in balanced close combat.
Click
His visor lowered slightly, faint light glinting through its slits.
'I wasn't planning to kill them if they begged forgiveness... but I've changed my mind now. They're dangerous—better eliminated.'
The raid world was brutal; raiders made their living in lawless dungeons where backstabs came without warning. Best to cut down threats early.
'They set traps and even used reverse footprints as bait—tricks even I don't know well... They're experienced in dungeon fights despite being around level 40 at most? How?'
Chunsik advanced cautiously through the dungeon entrance—no room for carelessness against such cunning opponents who might try more tricks.
'From here on out: no rules apply.'
He moved slowly but soon encountered Ja-geon standing at a narrow doorway blocked by Big Bo's bulk and piled rocks on both sides. Behind them in a room were tied-up hostages.
"Hey there, Chunsik. Took you long enough," Ja-geon called from across the passageway with a vicious grin.
'Just some punk kid...'
Chunsik first checked on his men: "Where are my brothers?" Light flickered behind his visor slits as he spoke.
"Behind that door," Ja-geon pointed casually.
Sschling
Chunsik raised his sword stiffly: "If you've gone this far... you're prepared for what comes next?" Killing intent radiated from him as his reserve team drew weapons behind him.
Big Bo trembled under the pressure: "C-captain... negotiate! Hostage exchange!"
Ja-geon patted his shoulder reassuringly: "Relax. Stick to the plan and we win."
Big Bo stood firm like a wall with dual shields raised.
Hidden behind Big Bo's massive frame, Jagun quietly chanted an incantation.
The sound of muttering spread outward.
"Let's go. Take down that pig first."
Kim Chunsik took a step forward and charged.
The Black Tiger squad members also rushed at Big Bo.
"Pour on the firepower!"
Kim Chunsik barked his command.
Mages unleashed flames and ice toward Big Bo.
Big Bo simultaneously endured the torment of scorching flesh and bones freezing solid.
"Grrrrr—"
He clenched his teeth, refusing to release his shield.
He shoved back the advancing Black Tiger members with his shield, his entire focus devoted to endurance.
The cramped space prevented the squad from swiftly overwhelming him.
Pathetic strategy, Kim Chunsik thought. They’re trying to buff that shield-bearer Big Bo and stall. But I’ve already seen through their plan.
He knew Jagun and Big Bo were skilled raiders capable of handling three or four opponents of equal level.
But mages crumble in solo combat. We just need to end this before all buffs land on Big Bo. Focus fire to take him down first.
Once Big Bo fell, Jagun would be exposed.
Kim Chunsik had already pieced it all together.
This battle is mine to control.
He swung his sword in a wide arc at Big Bo.
The shield in Big Bo’s grip shuddered.
"That pig’s reaching his limit! Press harder!"
Big Bo had lasted barely a minute—a remarkable feat given the onslaught.
"Commander... I can’t hold—"
Smoke seeped from the gaps in Big Bo’s armor, carrying the stench of searing flesh.
Is this the end? If I fall, the Commander...
His strength finally failed.
Kim Chunsik’s blade struck true, knocking the shield from Big Bo’s hands.
The rotund figure tumbled across the ground.
"Ugh—"
Big Bo groaned, attempting to rise.
Kim Chunsik gave no quarter.
He sprinted forward and kicked Big Bo’s head with a brutal crack.
The shield-bearer collapsed, neck twisted, unconscious.
"Your prized shield-bearer’s done. Ready to surrender? Your plan failed—thinking you could win by buffing this fat tank? Did you really believe such a flimsy trick could defeat me?"
Kim Chunsik and the Black Tiger squad encircled Jagun.
He lifted his visor, sneering.
Now beg for mercy, you wretched brat.
The corners of his mouth twitched upward.
"Believe in him? That bastard? Ha! You’re licking dog bones!"
Jagun raised his lowered head.
Kim Chunsik frowned.
Jagun grinned, teeth bared, eyes blazing with defiance.
"Subdue him!"
Kim Chunsik craved the sight of Jagun pleading.
The squad lunged.
I trust no one...
A faint glow emanated from Jagun’s body.
The light intensified, fracturing into prismatic hues like a shattered rainbow.
I trust only myself.
Jagun’s pupils swirled with light, his irises spinning like vortices.
He layered buffs upon himself in rapid succession, their effects intertwining chaotically.
Rainbow wings shimmered into existence behind him, rippling like heat haze.
Kreeeeee!
He drew his blade from his waist and slashed with lightning speed.
The charging Black Tiger members were flung backward.
"I didn’t even see his strike!"
"Attack! Now!"
Panic erupted among the squad.
Jagun lowered his stance and stepped forward.
Flawless swordsmanship tore through the Black Tiger ranks.
His blade slipped between armor plates, splitting bone and muscle.
Clang!
The squad crumpled like puppets with severed strings.
That’s no mage’s movement!
Kim Chunsik stared in disbelief.
Jagun’s agility surpassed even warriors of the same level.
"There were never any buffs for Big Bo. He was just buying time."
Jagun strode toward Kim Chunsik, leaving moaning soldiers in his wake.
They fell in an instant. No chance to react.
Rainbow light cascaded from Jagun’s body—a phenomenon even Kim Chunsik, with all his raid experience, had never witnessed.
