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[Rank: B]

[Type: Medium]

[Description: A key to uncover the secrets of a hidden relic.]

[Effect 1: Can unlock the dungeon ‘Ancient Desert.’]

[Effect 2: Bound to the hunter ‘Joo Donghoon.’]

“Um?”

I pursed my lips, repeatedly reading the item description.

Four keywords stood out: medium, key, ancient desert, and bound. Judging from the context, I wondered…

Is this some sort of linked dungeon…?

To be honest, I didn’t fully understand. Such things weren’t typically covered in the media. Guilds, sensitive to information, wouldn’t release anything that hinted at a ‘hidden’ element to the public.

Sigh.

This is why being alone is tough. I have to figure out all this information by myself.

I wish someone could teach me about these things.

I needed a mentor, preferably a ranker who had already navigated these processes.

“Hm?”

At that moment, it was as if the heavens had responded to my burning desire, for someone appeared before me.

—Swoosh!

Her hair fluttered in the wind, carrying a sweet peony scent and a familiar aura of death.

“Shadow Empress?”

My eyes widened. Why was Gi Soyul here? Goodness, I thought the Shadow Lurkers were hallucinating, but she did come?

“Ahem, it’s been a while.”

Our eyes met, and I shivered.

Ah, she truly is different.

The more you know, the more you see. Although I had become slightly stronger, she seemed even more colossal than before. She was a ranker who could take on dozens of A-rank hunters without breaking a sweat.

“You said to give you a little time to gather your thoughts. I figured you must have sorted things out by now since you’ve been going to dungeons. Besides, if I didn’t come, I thought you’d probably never seek me out.”

“Uh, right.” I awkwardly nodded as her comment struck a nerve.

What should I do?

In truth, I hadn’t decided yet. Should I be honest or lie a little? And if I lied, how much should I hide?

Or not…

Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.

Do I even need to lie?

Gi Soyul was among the top 1,000 hunters in the world—a ranker. She could crush me with a single finger whether I had gotten an ‘opportunity’ or not.

And if she catches me lying?

I shuddered.

She was the Shadow Empress, the queen of assassins. I could be kidnapped and tortured all night or have my throat slit in my sleep.

“…”

Besides, just look at her expression. That expressionless face was incredibly intimidating!

“Hmm? Why do you keep looking at me like that? You did the same thing last time.” Gi Soyul frowned.

“Huh? H-How am I looking at you?” I stammered, sweating.

“You look like you have some impure intentions. Whatever you’re thinking… you’d better make a wise decision,” she answered immediately.

Her response was practically a veiled threat, causing me to flinch.

Gi Soyul sighed lightly before continuing, “There’s a saying that life is a journey that begins and ends with relationships. The quality of your life will depend on the kind of relationships you build.”

She meant that while she respected me now, I needed to make the right choice. Depending on my answer, my life could improve positively—or negatively.

“I haven’t known you long, but I don’t recall you being stupid. Am I right?”

“Pardon?”

“To put it simply, I hope you make a wise choice.”

“…”

Indeed, she was a ranker. She delivered such a threat so elegantly.

—Gulp.

I swallowed hard and made up my mind.

I should just be honest. It’ll be more advantageous.

In the current hunter world, I was at the bottom of the food chain, a newbie—someone with no clue, as fragile as a chick. If I had a chance to form a connection with a ranker…

I must seize it.

Instinctively, I knew Gi Soyul was tenacious and persistent. If she ran into a problem, she would solve it no matter what. If there was a chance to become stronger, she would cling to it persistently. If she knew about the Master of All Techniques by my side, she would want to maintain a relationship with me.

“Okay, Shadow Empress.” Nodding, I said, “You want to know how I cleared that dungeon and what the reward was, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll tell you everything.”

“That’s a wise choice. I’m glad you understand.”

She looked pleased. I shrugged.

“But.”

“But?”

“There’s a condition.”

“…?”

Her smile faded slightly, but I wasn’t intimidated. I realized I had no reason to be afraid. Until I revealed information about my ‘opportunity,’ she wouldn’t kill me.

“First, I need you to protect me until I grow stronger.”

“Protect you? Do you owe someone a debt or something?”

“No, I just have some bullies after me.”

The A-rank members of the Shadow Lurkers had escaped. As criminals, they wouldn’t easily give up on me.

Gi Soyul remained silent for a moment. “…What’s next? You said ‘first,’ so there must be more.”

“Hm.”

“I can’t promise anything until I hear it all. I don’t like breaking promises.”

I nodded slightly, appreciating her integrity. I could sense her resolute spirit of keeping her promise, which I liked. She seemed trustworthy.

“I’m a rookie. So please teach me what I don’t know, within reason. Such as about this.” I waved the golden key, ‘Trace of the Ancient Desert,’ which I acquired a moment ago.

Her eyes widened for the first time, clearly shaken.

“Is that… a medium?”

“Oh, you know what this is?”

I got a bit excited. If a ranker was this surprised, this must be something big.

“Did you get that from this dungeon?”

“Yes.”

“Hm.” Gi Soyul looked pensive, stroking her chin, then said, “You’re incredibly lucky.”

“Lucky?”

“Yes, the chances of finding a medium in a regular dungeon are almost zero. There are less than 100 known in the world. Plus it’s bound, so you can’t trade it.”

“…”

So what exactly is this thing?

“Mediums are also a kind of fortuitous opportunity. As you delve into them, linked quests appear,” she explained, muttering “Unbelievable” under her breath. “And those linked quests increase in rank, eventually reaching S-rank and above. Every medium I know of has done that.”

“…S-rank?”

“Rankers, including myself, are desperately searching for these items.”

“Wow.”

I was in awe. I figured the reward for clearing the dungeon was underwhelming, considering it required sacrifices. But it turned out the reward was worth it.

Seeing my reaction, Gi Soyul nodded. “Alright, I accept your conditions. But I have one too.”

A condition…

“What is it?”

Instinctively, I hid the key in my pocket. After hearing how rare it was, I felt protective of it even though it was bound to me.

Gi Soyul said while watching me, “…Let me monitor your training.”

Her voice was clear as if she knew something.

“Monitor?”

“Why not? To protect you, I need to be around you anyway.”

“Hmm, I suppose.”

“I’ve been observing your energy since you cleared that old man’s dungeon. You’ve been exponentially growing stronger. Even today. I’m most curious about how you’re achieving this rapid growth.”

Her gaze showed a mix of yearning and obsession.

Was it her interest in the “old man” who had defeated her so thoroughly? Or were all rankers like this?

“In return, as I mentioned before, I can introduce you to many valuable connections. Ones that can directly change your life.”

Connections. That earlier comment now made sense. Connections with rankers seemed very tempting.

“…”

After a moment of contemplation, I said, “For a rookie like me to make a connection with a ranker over a single opportunity… I’m honored.”

“Then it’s a deal?”

“Yes, deal.”

That day, I gained the strongest bodyguard ever.

* * *

Reaper Scans

Translator – Dawn

Proofreader – BringTheRayn

Join our discord for updates on releases! https://discord.gg/reapercomics

* * *

Night had fallen.

—Beep, beep, beep!

I punched in the code to unlock my door. My dim, cramped basement room came into view.

Feeling oddly cautious, I entered. After all, I had an unfamiliar guest—one who didn’t fit in this dingy place.

“…Have you been living in a place like this?” Gi Soyul’s voice echoed beside me.

I swallowed nervously. The atmosphere felt awkward.

“It’s pretty shabby, right? I told you there was no need to follow me here…”

“No, I have to. A promise is a promise.”

“Ah, right…”

She scanned my room with her cold eyes.

The scattered ramen packages and messy bedding made me feel ashamed.

Ugh, I should have cleaned up.

Wait, no! Who asked her to come here? I have the right to use my room as I please.

Just as I vigorously nodded to myself…

“Hmm, there are no surveillance devices or skills activated here. And no hunters above D-rank around the building. You’re safe for now.”

“…You were checking all that?”

“Of course. What else?”

“Nothing else. You’re as incredible as ever”

Clap, clap! I applauded inwardly. Truly fitting for the strongest bodyguard.

“No need to praise me. I’ve confirmed your residence. I’ll be staying on the rooftop for the time being. So let me know when you’re going training tomorrow.”

I explained everything about the opportunity to her, from the elder’s existence to my training regime.

Her interest was so piqued that she had no intention of leaving my side. She wanted to observe my training closely.

But wait.

“Hold on. The rooftop? You’ll stay there?”

“Yes, guarding an area the size of this building is nothing for me.”

“Well, you are a ranker, but…”

Seriously, why is she so strict? That means she’ll be camping out on the rooftop to protect me.

“That makes me uncomfortable.”

“I’m okay with it, so it’s fine. Good night.”

—Swoosh!

She disappeared in an instant.

Ugh, my head throbbed. For a ranker to go this far… It’s too burdensome. Won’t her brother, Giparang, kill me if he finds out?

—Sigh.

Then again, who cares? I didn’t ask her to camp out. What matters is that my uncertain safety is now almost perfectly secured.

Shadow Lurkers…

I had no intention of leaving them alone.

Give back what you get.

My standard doesn’t depend on my opponent’s strength. Once my skeletons are strong enough to challenge rankers…

They’re all dead.

The day my skeletons could rival rankers would be the official day the Shadow Lurkers disbanded.

The vow coiled like a serpent deep in my heart.