With Lan’s help, I had quite a long chat with Yeon-hee.
But it was just a moment of everyday talk, and eventually, we ended up discussing Dark Space.
“It’s impossible for me to navigate there alone. At that time, I think I opened the door in a real hurry, but now it’s hard even to summon that door again.”
*Clap, Clap, Clap…*
Dark Space is such a mysterious place that I can’t even sense what kind of world it’s connected to. Just opening a door that leads to Earth from such a place is astonishing, so it’s not strange to have difficulties reactivating it.
‘Then I better prepare for when I use the earring artifact to cross over to Dark Space later.’
“Yeah… I’ll try to practice whenever I have time!”
‘I’d appreciate that.’
Yeon-hee snuggled into my arms and began to breathe in my scent. It was her way of pouting, but today, instead of being filled with desire, I just felt a little sorry for her and wanted to hug her tight.
“So, are we resting today?”
‘I might step out for a bit at night, but for now, it’s a rest day. Don’t our companions need some maintenance too?’
“You’re going out? So, that’s why you’re not using [Disguise]? Where are you going? Don’t tell me it’s Hwang Tae-wook?”
‘I’m not entirely sure, but judging by their reactions… By the way, have you heard from Helen?’
“Ah?!”
Yeon-hee hurriedly checked her phone, and as expected, she received a lot of messages from Helen regarding Hwang Tae-wook.
“Just as I thought… as expected.”
‘He must be hiding?’
The Great Evil One Hwang Tae-wook and the Grim Reaper seemed to have gone missing since yesterday.
“We’ve cleared all the places mentioned in the information we received, so it would be strange if they didn’t react. But it’s not like Yeon-su’s support team is a cakewalk either.”
‘There were four locations, right…?’
“Could there be more factories?”
‘From what I know, there are likely even more places than the ones we’ve blown up. Considering the amount of Evolved Creatures they spread, there must be a much larger factory somewhere…’
In the end, it seems the only way to find Hwang Tae-wook is to activate the [Disguise] skill.
‘Even if I meet the Grim Reaper, there won’t be a self-detonation. Even if I die fighting, I’ll find a way to break through with my own strength.’
I sat down in the yard and ran several simulations in my head. Then, I summoned my minions and the three ‘Traces’: Ainz, Zweihander, and Dry, along with Jim and Gori.
‘I’ll try to do as much as I can on my own, but in the end, I’ll need your help. Let’s synchronize our moves first.’
Jim and Gori would only reset their levels if they died during combat, but the ‘Traces’ would be gone forever if they died. Since the Traces grew rapidly, it’d be wise to save them for now.
Currently, Ainz and Zweihander were already promoted to [Skeleton Soldier].
It was surprising that even Zweihander, born with as many as fifteen lives, had evolved into the most basic form of Skeleton Soldier, but the quick growth explained that choice.
Surprisingly, my traces seemed eager to grow quickly to support me.
‘What will you choose?’
“Clap?”
Though it was born recently, Dry had already received promotion options after a few battles, but it was still pondering.
‘Dry is certainly cautious. This is interesting.’
However, Dry ultimately decided to continue as a Skeleton Soldier. It didn’t seem like it wanted to take risks with different choices.
“Then— I’ll mix in five Ogres and alpha-level summoned creatures with flying types.”
We trained, matching teamwork with Yeon-hee’s higher-level summons. After training that continued until evening and completing some meditation, I finally set off to hunt the Great Evil One Hwang Tae-wook.
[Disguise]
—
*Phew… Well, here I am at the factory again.*
When I regained my senses, it wasn’t the same factory where I first spied on those guys. After all, that was on the discard list.
*The scale is enormous. Just as expected, this must be the main factory.*
As I extended my senses, I detected the horrific horrors being committed by them on a wide scale. Various monster babies were being used as test subjects, including many non-human types like Lesser Dire Wolves. Even the Cliff Worm, which had given me the [Burrow Destroyer] skill, was being utilized as a test subject.
*What kind of cranky variety show is this? Ugh…*
I sighed, but first, finding Hwang Tae-wook was the priority.
Enveloped in Lightning Armor to disguise my human form, I searched through corners and easily found a suspicious spot.
*Hmm… Is this it?*
In the very corner of the underground factory, there was an area surrounded by a powerful barrier that dulled my senses.
*Nice and easy to find.*
If it had been other hunters, they would have difficulty detecting its presence, but for me, it might as well have been a big sign saying, “I’m here.”
I ran towards it while planting Skeleton Bombs everywhere. Burying bombs using [Burrow Destroyer] was a piece of cake, so it didn’t take long.
Reaching the place where I expected them to be, I silently cheered.
*The Grim Reaper is absent!*
Inside the dimly sensed office sat Hwang Tae-wook and a female sorceress named ‘Mari.’ There was also another guy whom I assumed to be their subordinate.
*Can you imagine what would happen if the Grim Reaper got any ideas?*
*Hmph! That guy could never let me go! You know, right? Without me, the empty recipe can’t be filled.*
*I know that the Evolved Creatures you create are impossible without you, but there are still various methods to concoct Evolved Creatures.*
*So Hwang Tae-wook can create Evolved Creatures… Does that mean he has alchemist-like abilities? I thought he was a melee fighter. Hm…*
No wonder the Grim Reaper didn’t treat Hwang Tae-wook lightly—he wasn’t just a manager, but was also heavily involved in the work.
*He tried to get into someone else’s pocket several times but kept failing miserably. The same will happen this time. To make Evolved Creatures so easily, why do hunters from other countries keep failing? Mari, you just have to ensure you remain vigilant. Got it? And you too!*
*Y-Yess!*
*Useless worthless scum. Despite losing four factories, they didn’t self-destruct!*
*I-I’m sorry… I’m deeply ashamed. Leader.*
*Do you really think ‘they’ will come here? Even if the other places are safekeeping setups, if this gets raided, our organization’s roots will shake.*
*No way to find us. I’ve spent so much money to keep this place hidden.*
It was clear that my original search would have led me to nowhere.
*A freaking island.*
I didn’t know exactly which island it was, but this was indeed an island. They were cleverly using an uninhabited island with ample space to run their factory while avoiding government scrutiny.
*Flame Shot…*
I couldn’t wait any longer. Countless living beings were still dying in this vast factory right now.
*WHOOSH─*
I tightly compressed my magic power into my fingertips.
*Can I pierce through?*
The barrier overtaking the office wasn’t just set up to eliminate presence. It had an extraordinary amount of defensive layers surrounding it. While I could deactivate the barrier directly, it was certain they’d escape in that moment.
Thus, I aimed to pierce through the barrier with this attack, starting with at least one of Hwang Tae-wook’s underlings.
*Let’s invest a bit more magic power.*
*WHIRRR──*
The swirling flames went wild.
The opponent I aimed at was an A-rank mid-tier with a combat power significant enough to match Hwang Tae-wook, while it would be easy for me to take out someone like the sorceress Mari next to him.
Just as I was gradually aiming my finger at the guy, suddenly…
*………….*
*………….*
The office fell silent.
*Damn it…*
It seemed Mari sensed me.
*Using magic makes it too easy for her to notice. She is definitely a skilled woman.*
*Split up!!!*
*Hmph!*
The moment those guys scattered, I projected the flames in the direction I predicted one of the subordinates would take.
*BOOM──!*
The Flame Shot, filled with 2,000 magic power, struck precisely through the layers of the barrier and struck the head of the A-rank hunter.
*CRASH BANG BANG!*
He managed to block the magic shield somehow, but the Flame Shot sent him flying far outside the barrier.
[Lightning Step]
*CRACKLE──*
I quickly dashed over and cast a slash to separate his head cleanly.
*Thud─!*
*You have obtained ‘Fragment of Corrupted Life Potion.’ (95/100)*
I managed to cut down one as planned.
But…
[Shadow Strike]
*Guh…?!*
At the precise moment I beheaded him, a strike from Hwang Tae-wook came in simultaneously and hit me square on the head.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!*
Though I instinctively activated the ultimate evasion skill [Bran], it failed. Thanks to the mysterious mucus Yeon-hee applied and various layers of armor, my health didn’t deplete, but I still incurred significant damage to my Lightning Armor.
*I’ve improved a lot, but the [Disguise] state still isn’t easy.*
When I transform into a human form using [Disguise], my total stats drop by roughly 300. Now, my total stats exceeded 9,000, and even a mere 3% drop resulted in a jarring feeling that my body struggled to adapt.
*The Bone Armor also isn’t fully harmonizing with my body. Why is the human body so delicate?*
Even as I was shoved against the factory wall, I was lost in these thoughts, quickly rising to my feet and attacking while reinitiating my fading stealth.
[Reveal Vein]
[Detect Magic]
However, before I could activate stealth, an unpleasant sensation enveloped me.
*This…! Two detection magics at the same time?!*
A red dot marked directly at the center of my heart, exposing me instantly. It seemed Mari had foreseen and activated her magic before my stealth could kick in.
“Hahaha! Finally, I can see your face, you little rat! What are you hiding under all that?”
*………..*
Even though my appearance was revealed, I had no warning bells ringing in my head. However, the sight of the sorceress contacting someone made me anxious.
*She’s calling the Grim Reaper.*
Having ripped the note of greetings, I found myself in a situation where I wouldn’t know when the Grim Reaper would arrive. Still, I readied my great sword and calmly approached them.
“Hmm? Why the silence? Cat got your tongue? Good. I’ll make you suffer until you beg me to kill you, and then I’ll learn all about your organization.”
*What a load of crap.*
He had convinced himself I was working in a team. After all, I’d raided two places simultaneously along with support from Yeon-su just yesterday, so it was a natural flow of thought.
“Huh? Wait a sec. That guy?!”
“What about him?”
“That’s Yeon-hee’s summoned creature?! I’m sure I’ve seen that armor form before!”
*…… This is why fame is exhausting.*
[Lightning Step]
[Phantom Dash]
I took the initiative and moved first. I couldn’t let them have a moment to think.
“Ahhhh!”
*Clap!*
In this extreme close-quarters combat with Hwang Tae-wook, I realized quickly.
*They are similar to me.*
He was a dark knight infused with dark attributes. Since nobody is born with dark properties, he must have turned completely black, both in body and mind, through a postnatal transformation.
It’s not an easy path to become that wicked, making him a rare class to encounter, but—
*He was one of the classes I expected.*
If he was a close-ranged fighter who caused suffering to many, taking that route wouldn’t be difficult.
*His attacks are more precise than his rank would suggest and his attack range is unnecessarily wide.*
The greatsword he wielded emitted dark energy that enlarged its attack range. A typical person would have sustained ongoing indirect damage from his darkness.
*That sort of thing doesn’t work on me.*
– I swiftly convert the dark mana scattered in the air into magic power.
Thanks to [Basic Mana Circulation], my magic power recovered much faster.
*Let’s give it our best shot.*
Despite his advantages over hunters, Hwang Tae-wook couldn’t take any of that advantage against me.
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