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Chapter 56
Something tense–something unsaid–hung between us; [I] looked back at my fellow guild member. Though Bae Jaemin hid his true expression well, he could not hide the tendons sticking out on his hands as he clenched his fists.
[I] was intrigued–it was the first time I saw him unable to hide his angry tells. Was there a limit to his charade?
Maybe…
[I] glanced down at [Beatrice’s Prayer] on my arm and fiddled with it, bringing attention to the accessory. “Then, is it because of this?”
Then, Bae Jaemin’s thin lips twisted.
[I] had unintentionally overheard a conversation after a previous raid… Before the reward items were distributed, Bae Jaemin asked Dawon hyung, “Who’s going to get the [Beatrice’s Prayer]?”
Dawon hyung immediately said [my] name, no room for reconsideration. Bae Jaemin nodded and ended the conversation, acting as if he was simply asking out of pure curiosity…But [I] clearly remembered the Priest’s distorted expression after he turned his back on our guild master after their short talk.
Though [I] knew that Bae Jaemin was greedy for this item, [I] accepted it without hesitation because the bracelet was something [I] needed.
Funny thing is, the day [Beatrice’s Prayer] was handed to [me], all the other guild members jeered and cursed, but Bae Jaemin, face shuttered like a folding screen, smiled as if to congratulate [me].
“You know, if you really wanted this item, then you should have argued for it–instead of acting so gloomy behind me. That’s tiring.” [I] drawled. I remembered snorting at his fake expression. Those who didn’t know me probably thought I was being mean–but they’re the ones who couldn’t perceive what a snake Bae Jaemin truly was.
However, instead of a full-blown argument as I had expected, Bae Jaemin kept his mocking smile intact at my words. He readied his Priest weapon, [Divine Staff], in his hands.
Though [I] thought, ‘Is that crazy bastard really going to hit me with that?’ [I] wasn’t particularly wary.
Dawon hyung banned the guild members from actual infighting, even as a joke. Breaking that cardinal rule would mean ‘expulsion’, and in our guild, ‘expulsion’ often meant death…He’s aware of that consequence, and yet he’s still aiming to attack [me]?
As soon as he aimed that staff at [me], he unleashed his skills and moved with a purpose.
He inflicted curses or status abnormalities that were the most tricky for Hunters like [me] to counter: effects that would block [my] view or disrupt [my] mobility.
It wasn’t until [I] narrowly avoided death a few times that [I] realized Bae Jaemin wasn’t using his skills out of rage.
These weren’t attacks that originated from impulsive anger.
The extremely calculated skill links…this persistence…
“Have you finally gone insane?” [I] shouted. He’s not just attacking me–he’s attacking me with the intent to kill?
It wasn’t so surprising that Bae Jaemin would hate [me] so much that he couldn’t think of anything else but [my] destruction…but something was so unsettling about his unguarded killing intent–especially considering that two-faced personality of his.
[I] lowered my center of gravity and kept [my] distance from him.
Bae Jaemin calmly called out to [me] while observing my cautious hesitation, “Why? Afraid now that I’m no longer wearing a mask?” He raised his bowed head…That bastard was laughing–though the amusement did not reach his eyes. Violent temper permeated through his gaze.
What made him so confident?
[I] fixed [my] hold on [my] dagger.
The bastard added, watching [my] wary eyes, “I don’t think you’re in a situation to be worried about me or my intentions.”
Simultaneously, a burning pain climbed up [my] spine.
The sense of disharmony–the tenseness–in the air, that [I] had been distracted by since earlier had been revealed.
However, before the attacker’s weapon could fully penetrate [my] body, [I] managed to turn around and avoid maximum damage to the internal organs. [I] pressed my hand to my solar plexus and, initiating [Stealth], decided to gain some distance.
When [I] disappeared, Bae Jaemin’s collaborator presented himself. “It’s not much fun here? I should have gone sightseeing at Seo Dawon’s side.” The one who approached from the shadows was a large man–a Warrior?–with a big scar across his face.
However, the man carried a short spear instead of a sword; it was quite peculiar for a Warrior to equip spears instead of their usual bladed wheelhouse. [I] thought I knew all of the talented Users, but his was a new face to [me].
And, there was one thing he said that unsettled me. What do you mean by Seo Dawon’s side? No way…Are you saying that I’m not the only one being attacked but all the other guild members are also being ambushed?
“Let’s wrap things up quickly here and join them.”
“Shall we? Well, I don’t think there’s a particular need to stall….”
The two of them, to [my] disgust, talked nonchalantly, as if they could care less where [I]’ve [stealthed] myself. They acted as if [I] were already a corpse.
“Jisoo noonim went in before me.” 1
When familiar names were mentioned in their conversation, [I] became more shocked than angry.
….Jisoo nunim? Don’t tell me…Lim Jisoo?
[I] swallowed the bile rising from [my] throat and opened [my] system to send an emergency message–[I] needed to inform the others quickly!
However, as soon as the status window loaded with the messaging app, the unknown Warrior suddenly flung the spear in his hand.
Though [I] was sure the spear was flung in a completely random direction, the spear suddenly turned sharply and flew towards [me]. Though the [stealth] effect had not been released, the point was aimed directly at [my] neck. [I] had no choice but to endure the pain and roll on the floor.
When the spear hit the wall, the Warrior gestured with his hand. Like a boomerang, his weapon returned to his hand.
As soon as his fingers grasped at the spear’s shaft, he threw it again. No matter how off his aim was, the spear always turned sharply in the air and quickly rained down upon [my] location.
Fucker. What kind of item can penetrate through [my] [stealth]?
Eventually, [I] decided it was pointless to keep hidden and lifted the skill.
“Wow, it’s been said that it’s rare to see Red Lotus Jung Garam’s bare face…I’m so lucky,” the Warrior drawled.
Instead of responding to that smirking face, [I] threw my dagger at him.
However, he lightly grabbed the dagger when the blade was inches from his nose. As a show of strength, he crumpled the A-class item–smelt using dragon scales–like paper and threw it at his feet.
[I] spat blood mixed with spit and shouted towards Bae Jaemin standing so relaxed behind that ignorant Warrior bastard, “Bae Jaemin, you son of a bitch! Are you joining hands with Lim Jisoo?”
Instead of answering, Bae Jaemin lifted his [Divine Staff]. Sacred light filled the trap room.
As soon as the blinding light exploded from his weapon, [I] turned my head. As expected, the two seemed to have been waiting for a gap in [my] vision–tingling pain erupted from my cheek as a spear passed through and grazed the skin there. [I] could hear a crashing sound as the spear embedded itself in the wall behind me. If [I] hadn’t turned right at that moment, [my] head would have also been pierced through and staked to the wall.
This isn’t good.
For the first time, [I] felt that [I] could die. Furthermore, [I] might die while being mocked by Bae Jaemin, whom I had always despised.
Of course, Dawon hyung may come to my rescue with the other guild members, but Bae Jaemin had planned this betrayal for a long time and had even garnered Lim Jisoo’s help. They may not be able to deal with their ambush quickly.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
In the distance, I could dimly hear the sound of the Golem’s self-destruction countdown.
Kyung-sik’s golem probably blew up. The noise was ominous because [I] couldn’t tell whether the cause was a monster from the Dungeon or Lim Jisoo’s machinations. Lee Kyung-sik would be lucky to not become luggage; as an Alchemist, he had no means of attack after the golem disappeared.
So, I desperately needed to return to them.
“It seems you have enough free time to think about other things?”Said the arrogant spear-bearer. He constantly interrupted [my] efforts to get at Bae Jaemin; [I] had already received a huge blow and was on the verge of collapse.
What should [I] do?
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The more time wasted here, the more disadvantageous it would be for both [me] and the other guild members.
TN: Early updates because I’m traveling this week so I’m spending today on a plane!
Footnotes
Nunim is basically a respectful way to say noona. It’s a mishmash of the word Nuna/noona and the suffix -nim. I choose not to translate these out to English because I feel that indexical phrases like these really showcase the particulars of relationships and personality.