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T/N: Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! May your holidays be full of cheeer!

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What a joke. Jiho’s assumption that Chun Hui Lim was unaffected was a huge mistake on Jiho’s part. It looks like the thrill from the buff fully aroused him.

The reason Chun Hui Lim didn’t react when they were outside the dungeon but waited to grab Jiho as soon as they were in the dungeon is probably… because if he did it outside, it would leave evidence. Whether that be through CCTV footage or post-investigation. 

But inside the dungeon? As long as Hui Lim silences everyone here, all of the evidence will disappear at the end of the dungeon raid.

“I said what are you.”

Hui Lim growled dangerously when Jiho didn’t answer. His growl sounded closer a muttering out of his own confusion.

An S-rank hunter that’s been strengthened by [Blessing of the Star] is dangerous enough to kill with their presence alone. On top of that, the hand gripping Jiho’s throat was cutting off his airway. 

Jiho clenched his staff. Unfortunately for Jiho, though he made Chun Hui Lim many times stronger than before, he doesn’t have a way to defend himself.

‘If only I had just one combat skill!’

Then he would’ve kicked that arrogant face and taught that ungrateful bastard a lesson. 

At that time, the system window, as if reacting to Jiho’s desperate thoughts, appeared.

System Management

Among your hidden abilities is a combat skill.

System Management

Currently, however, your will to attack the other person is too weak. As you have not met the condition yet, you cannot awaken the hidden skill.

…The system didn’t appear to give him a skill but to mock him. 

How does it make sense that he lacks the will to attack the other person when he’s about to die from strangulation right now? Jiho found it ridiculous, but there were no signs of that hidden ability or whatnot showing itself.

Instead, he heard a loud explosion beside him.

“What are you doing, Chun Hui Lim!”

Chun Hui Seong’s voice, which had sounded composed outside, was now filled with alarm. His voice sounds slightly shaky, as if he’s moving.

“Guildmaster-nim.”

“Stop it, Guildmaster-nim!”

Hearing the voices of people trying to stop Chun Hui Lim as well as the explosions, Jiho felt relieved. 

 ‘It looks like Heaven’s guildmaster and vice-guildmaster aren’t working together to bury me.’

It makes sense, after all, unless they’re crazy, there’s no way Heaven Guild would kill Jiho. Just because they get rid of the evidence doesn’t mean they can completely escape people’s suspicions. 

Still being strangled, Jiho shifted his eyes to look around. A large boulder separated the two from everyone else.

That’s no normal boulder. That’s a wall made from Chun Hui Lim’s specialty, [The One Who Links Taurus]. 

It seems that those outside the wall are working hard, as the wall, which doesn’t easily succumb to pressure, was starting to make sounds and crack. Of course, if Chun Hui Lim wanted to, he could continue to erect walls until all of Heaven’s guildmembers gave up.

Which side will win?

“Everyone’s being so loud….”

Thankfully, it looks like he’s not planning to go all the way. Chun Hui Lim slowly released the pressure from his hand. At the same time, he dropped the rock wall.

Since Hui Lim calmed down, the attacks stopped too, but Jiho was still being held by the throat. Upon receiving nervous glances, the corners of Chun Hui Lim’s lips rose in a smirk.

“Hyung, what have you been doing instead of recruiting a guy like this? You’re just going to give this up to a bastard like Joo Yiwon?”

“…Hunter Shin Jiho has always been part of Chungram. Stop speaking nonsense and let him go.”

“Isn’t your family known for not caring about familial ties? Why are you being so careful?”

Chun Hui Seong frowned at the obvious provocation, but he held it in and let out a frustrated sigh.

“Chairman Shin Joong Ho-nim is different from our chairman, so it’d be difficult to appease him the way we usually do. That’s why you should let him go now. It’s not like he’ll drop into our guild just because you keep holding him.”

“Why, isn’t your family known for destroying anything that doesn’t join us?”

“I’m not sure when you started being so invested in our family’s matters, but…. Our family doesn’t just let others own what we want. We have to look good in front of them first.”

The more Jiho listened to them, the more dumbfounded he grew.

Although Chun Hui Seong sounds respectful, he talks about Jiho as if he’s an object that can be owned by someone. Realizing this, Chun Hui Lim showed a mean smirk.

Chun Hui Lim didn’t stop Chun Hui Seong from coming closer. Probably assuming that the situation was under control, Hui Seong approached slowly as if his alarm from before was all an act.

Chun Hui Seong and Chun Hui Lim. Though their names are similar, when they’re standing next to each other, their appearances clash.

With his hair in a neat pomade, dull eyes unbefitting of the situation, a combat suit that looks like a suit, and a watch on his wrist, Chun Hui Seong doesn’t look like he belongs in dungeons. He looks like someone you’d find in the midst of a forest of skyscrapers in a large city.

Contrarily, Chun Hui Lim looks a lot more rugged. The famous item he’s wearing, [Pitch-Black Dragon’s Leather Jacket], isn’t old, but it looks vintage. His faded jeans and scarred blocky hands all juxtapose those of his brother. This man looks way too rough for a guildmaster of a large guild.

In spite of their contrasting looks, their personalities are somewhat similar. Though it’s hard to put a finger on what exactly sets them apart, both of their fundamental personalities are crooked and stray from that of normal people.

To sum it up, both of these guys are a**holes.

The slightly more socialized a**hole whispered to Jiho.

“What do you think, Shin Jiho-ssi? Would you like to join Heaven Guild?”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, I’m too afraid of Joo Yiwon to hurt you, however….”

Chun Hui Seong looked Jiho up and down like Jiho was a piece of prey before grinning. His narrowed eyes glinted with leisure as if he had captured the moment his prey can’t escape.

“But well, doesn’t it hurt your pride? To live under Joo Yiwon’s shadow for the rest of your life.”

“…”

This bastard’s really getting under his skin.

If they were outside, he wouldn’t have even dared to act so rude to him…. This just goes to show that dungeons operate outside of common sense. Jiho could feel the burning looks from Heaven’s nervous guildmembers, unable to do anything to their guildmaster and vice-guildmaster.

“Stop now.”

At that moment, another voice stepped in. 

Someone that Jiho can trust is here. A comrade who’s fought alongside him for the past year, No Name’s vice-guildmaster.

Lim Seung Joo held his sword out and aimed it at Chun Hui Lim. Seeing this, Hui Lim scoffed at Seung Joo.

“Are you really going to attack?”

“…”

“It’s questionable whether you can even beat me, but aren’t you forgetting something?”

Jiho’s body swung. He was originally being grabbed by the throat, but when Jiho realized, he was being held by the scruff of his neck. Hui Lim gripped Jiho’s neck like it’s a handle and held him in front of himself like a shield.

“What are you doing right now?”

“I’m using you as a shield since your vice-guildmaster is trying to kill me.”

“Even still, how can you treat a person like luggage….”

“Why, do you feel dirty? That’s just how I survive.”

“More than dirty, this feels petty.”

“You’re right, it is petty.”  

Chun Hui Lim wasn’t affected by Jiho’s insult. Naturally, if he was someone who listened to reason, a situation like this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

“What are you going to do? Throw that sword away, A-rank.”

“What if I don’t? Are you going to kill all of us?”

“Probably not? But the raid might be harder for you guys.”

“…”

“Of course, we won’t use any violence.”

Chun Hui Lim acted magnanimous. But it might’ve been better if he had used violence instead. If Heaven refuses to share supplies or heal them… No Name’s guildmembers, which only make up three members of the thirty-member raid team, would spend the next few days silenced, barely holding onto life.

Despite this threat, Lim Seung Joo didn’t back down. Instead, he came out even stronger. 

“Is hiding behind our guildmaster and making threats all you can do?”

“Hm, do you have to get hit in order to understand?”

“Why do you think I’d let you hit me? I could always beat you.”

Chun Hui Lim burst into laughter. After all, the idea’s ridiculous. There’s a reason why there’s hundreds of A-rank hunters but only a handful of S-ranks. That’s because there’s an undeniable gap between them.

On top of that, that gap between Lim Seung Joo and Chun Hui Lim is currently wider thanks to [Blessing of the Star].

It makes sense that Chun Hui Lim would sneer.

“If you win, I’ll let your guildmaster go. If you lose, I’ll be carrying him around.”

“Good.”

Although the deal is absurd, the person who accepted it was Jiho himself. Chun Hui Lim pulled his hand back and checked the tranquil look on Jiho’s face. 

“What. Do you like being manhandled like this?”

“It’s better than not taking the gamble.”

“Ha.”

“Isn’t the reason there’s no condition for if you lose because you’re afraid of losing? I understand. After all, when you’re leading a guild, you have to minimize losses.”

For the first time, Hui Lim’s expression contorted under Jiho’s sincere taunt. His eyes flared as if he couldn’t wait to trample and crush Jiho.

Anxious about how agitated his guildmaster was, Chun Hui Seong reminded him.

“Chun Hui Lim.”

“Fine. If that guy somehow wins, I’ll hand you the ownership rights to one of Heaven Guild’s dungeons.”

“Chun Hui Lim!”

“It’s alright, Hyung-nim. I just have to win. That guy’s an A-rank, and I’m an S-rank. Did you forget? Did you lose brain cells because of how much you work?”

“…”

Not seeing anything wrong with Chun Hui Lim’s logic, Chun Hui Seong acquiesced and stepped aside.

While Chun Hui Lim is rude and difficult to handle, his skills have been proven. Chun Hui Seong knows best how strong Chun Hui Lim, who overcame all sorts of struggles, is. 

Even though the victor is obvious, even Heaven’s guildmembers were nervous. They worried for Shin Jiho and Lim Seung Joo, and also how this will affect their relationship with Chungram. 

While everyone expected No Name’s loss, Lim Seung Joo solemnly nodded his head.

“Add one more condition to if I win.”

“More?”

Seemingly annoyed by Seung Joo’s request, Hui Lim scowled before nodding. 

“Sure, whatever. It won’t matter anyways.”

“If I win, you will kneel in front of our guildmaster and apologize.”

Hui Lim’s eyes slowly widened when he saw that Seung Joo was serious in his request. Chun Hui Lim doubted his ears for a second before bursting in a fit of laughter.

“Ha, haha! HAHAHAHA!”

Chun Hui Lim loosened the hand that was holding Jiho as he laughed. The person who supported Jiho as he stumbled was Hui Seong. Finally ceasing his laughter, Hui Lim dramatically pretended to wipe tears from his eyes.

“Ah, it’s been a while since I laughed like that…. Sure. If I win, I’ll drop my head to the ground and apologize.”

“Since you promised that with your own mouth, you better keep it.”

“Of course.”

Even though everyone was sending him worried and contemptuous looks, Lim Seung Joo carefully pointed his sword at Chun Hui Lim, who stood leisurely like a champion.

Lim Seung Joo is the only one who looks resolute here. No matter his noble purpose, to everyone else, he just looks like a reckless moth jumping into the flames.

Observing that Chun Hui Lim doesn’t plan to make the first move, Lim Seung Joo slowed his breathing.

His gallant statement of victory had come from his heart. 

Of course, the person he’s fighting is way too strong for Lim Seung Joo to go up against. In normal situations, he also would’ve expected his loss. Especially if this was a few months back–he wouldn’t have even thought to raise his sword. 

Naturally, Lim Seung Joo is completely different now than he was a few months ago. He’s incomparably stronger than before. 

After that raid with Chungram, Lim Seung Joo had spent all of his break on training. Going over the fights from the dungeon and the senses he felt….

He had worked hard to make all of those experiences his own, and that training bore fruit. The time to show off those sharply honed skills is now.

For Shin Jiho, who greatly accelerated the time it would’ve taken him to get to this point.

Every single muscle in his body tensed. Lim Seung Joo slowed his breathing and concentrated all of his senses on this very moment. 

When he reached the height of his concentration….

Though it was just a second, Lim Seung Joo leaped past his limits. Past his limits as a human, as an A-rank; all of the words that define him. Lim Seung Joo was once human, but now he was one with his sword, moving as a weapon.

Tak.

There was only the sound of Lim Seung Joo hitting the floor before the strike.

The determined sword struck.

In slow-mo, the move was a simple thrust forward. But the result was anything but shabby.

“…”

No one made a sound. Of course, that included Chun Hui Lim, who had been so sure of himself.

Not a single person had been able to follow Lim Seung Joo’s move with their eyes. Not only could they not see it, but they only realized he had moved when they saw the result. 

The sword had moved at the speed of light.

By the time everyone noticed, Lim Seung Joo’s sword had already reached his target.

Chun Hui Lim’s neck.

In just one move. 

Lim Seung Joo won as soon as the fight started.

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LaZ Bird Corner

I’m so proud of NoNo (இ///இ`｡)

I wanted to leave this note because I saw that someone had changed this novel’s genre to yaoi recently. This is SHOUNEN AI. There is absolutely ZERO mature content (sexual or other mature themes) besides the few innuendos here and there. On Ridi, this is for audiences 15 and over.

I’m just reiterating this because I don’t want anyone to read BH expecting anything. As a chronic NU user, I know how annoying wrong tags can be. Now, there IS explicit content in the extras, but that will be very clearly marked when we get to it in another 200 or so chapters.

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