A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 169

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 169: Tea Party (1)

 

“A concerning point?”

 

Yoo-kyung asked back. Then Heo Gil cleared his throat and began to explain.

 

“There are a total of five Goemin Sect churches domestically. It’s a number that can’t be called widespread by any stretch of the imagination. But the believers’ loyalty is tremendous. You could say it’s a religion where one person does the work of a hundred.”

 

His five fingers spread out.

 

“But among these, excluding the largest church—the one we’ll be visiting with an arrest warrant—the remaining four places are…”

 

“…”

 

“Recently expanding their influence noticeably. As if preparing for something, they’re putting effort into evangelism.”

 

Heo Gil’s finger folded down, and the remaining four moved.

 

“The Goemin Sect wasn’t originally a religion that staked its life on increasing believers. They prefer to raise one believer well and sweep everything away in one blow, like what happened at Blue Dragon Guild or the incident at the illegal auction house.”

 

He concluded.

 

“I think the bishops have caught onto something. Of course, they can’t know our entire operation. But they might have realized that ‘something is coming’ and are preparing for it. By increasing believers at other churches.”

 

Silence fell over the garden for a moment. Yoo-kyung stroked her chin in thought, and Lee Cheong-ryu also had an interested look in his eyes.

 

‘They suddenly started actively evangelizing…’

 

Like building castle walls in preparation for an attack.

 

“Haven’t you considered that it might be a stretch? It’s not that strange for a religion to want to expand its influence. There’s a chance it’s just needless speculation.”

 

Yoo-kyung said. Well, it made sense what she said, since focusing on uncertain matters could easily cause us to miss what’s truly important.

 

However…

 

“No. I think it’s quite a plausible opinion.”

 

I had actually seen the bishops and had conversations with them.

 

‘I know well how cunning those bastards are.’

 

“They’re fox-like bastards. They’re absolutely not the type to let their guard down. If they’re suddenly expanding their influence… whatever it is, there’s a high probability they’ve caught onto part of our operation and are preparing for it.”

 

“…”

 

“Even if that’s not the case, there’s no reason not to be concerned about it.”

 

As my opinion gained weight, Yoo-kyung began to change her expression. She wasn’t someone who would overlook even such small details in the first place.

 

Soon after, Yoo-kyung nodded.

 

“Alright. Let’s plan our operation on the premise that the Goemin Sect might come at us stronger than expected.”

 

Heo Gil crossed his arms.

 

“This will make things more difficult.”

 

“I think it’ll become more interesting though?”

 

Lee Cheong-ryu smiled like someone holding a difficult word puzzle. Yoo-kyung retorted.

 

“It’ll be interesting. Though not in a positive sense. Anyway, it’s quite irritating… The fact that they might know our operation through some method. It’s unpleasant.”

 

“Since they’re not a normal group, they must have used some means. What’s important is that we’ve even discovered that fact. It would be better to focus more on the strategy we’ll discuss today.”

 

“…Right.”

 

Experience was an element that couldn’t be ignored. Heo Gil clarified the purpose of today’s meeting and organized the atmosphere.

 

In the meantime, Yeon Na-yeon spoke up.

 

“It seems like it’s time to talk about the investigation Butterfly has conducted…”

 

“…”

 

“To confirm that, Red Dog would need to be here. Anyway, I tracked all the believers and found out about their illegal activities, then passed the information to Red Dog. It should have been enough to obtain an arrest warrant.”

 

Yeon Na-yeon took a sip of black tea.

 

“Illegal fund management, tax evasion, confinement and threats… They did every single thing that pseudo-religions typically do without exception. But still… what stood out the most was that.”

 

“…”

 

“Human sacrifice.”

 

Flinch.

 

When that word came out, my shoulders trembled without me realizing it.

 

“Why, do you know something about it?”

 

Not missing even the slightest gap, Yeon Na-yeon asked. I hesitated slightly.

 

“I’m not sure if it’s okay to know this, but…”

 

“Just tell us everything you know. It could become a clue. And regarding human sacrifice, we haven’t found clear evidence yet… We should consider it as just ‘circumstantial evidence’ for now.”

 

“…I only have circumstantial evidence too. You could call it a stretch and I’d have nothing to say. But it feels too unsettling to just pass over.”

 

The Elf Dungeon.

 

‘The story about ‘sacrifices’ that the Lord and Josephine kept muttering about.’

 

It was time to bring that up.

 

“What would you do if the Goemin Sect was obtaining sacrifices for human sacrifice from dungeons?”

 

“…Dungeons?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The sound of achievement rate dropping brushed past my ears. I filtered it out myself and spoke again.

 

“This happened at the gate I entered with Eden’s Vice Guild Leader. The monsters there were seeking ‘sacrifices.’ By reverse-hunting the hunters who entered there.”

 

“…!”

 

“We almost became victims too…”

 

The sound of red wings flapping could be heard.

 

“We were also victims.”

 

It was Hong I-jo. Hong I-jo, who had arrived late at the garden, landed gracefully next to the tea table.

 

“The 2nd Corps was captured.”

 

“For a long time in that place.”

 

His eyes were filled with deep sadness.

 

“You’re finally here. Did you get lost or something?”

 

Heo Gil greeted him. Whether it could be called a greeting was questionable, but given his personality, it meant he was glad to see him.

 

“Yeah.”

 

Hong I-jo answered simply while folding his wings and taking a seat.

 

“But… the 2nd Corps was captured? I’d like to hear a detailed explanation.”

 

“But… the 2nd Corps was captured? I’d like to hear a detailed explanation.”

 

“Permission first.”

 

He turned his gaze toward me. It was a question asking if it would be alright to talk about what happened in the elf dungeon.

 

‘I just happened to discover it, but I didn’t want to be treated like a hero, so I asked them not to talk about it publicly.’

 

But it was necessary information to proceed with the work. I nodded my head.

 

“The 2nd Corps wasn’t missing.”

 

Hong Ijo’s mouth twitched.

 

“I was trapped.”

 

It seemed like I would have to provide the explanation that followed. I picked up where he left off.

 

“….”

 

“That dungeon belonged to a monster that could open and close the entrance using telekinesis. It was extremely intelligent and even knew how to scheme and deceive humans.”

 

“And the moment you fall for that scam, you become trapped in an underground prison as their ‘sacrifice.'”

 

I fingered the handle of the teacup.

 

“Mr. Hong Yi-jo’s colleagues were trapped in a prison, and I happened to discover and rescue them. Up to this point, it would simply be a case of finding missing people in a dungeon, but….”

 

I took a sip of black tea and moistened my dry mouth.

 

“I’m bothered by the word ‘sacrifice’ they mentioned. What if the Goemin cult’s human sacrifices were sourced from there?”

 

And….

 

“Goemin . If the characters they use mean ‘strange people’—with the character ‘goe’ meaning monster or strange creature, and ‘min’ meaning people—then I believe we cannot rule out the possibility of collusion with the dungeon.”

 

“That’s a good opinion. We’ll need to conduct an interrogation.”

 

Following Yu-kyung and Heo Gil’s words, Yeon Na-yeon muttered.

 

“If it’s true… this isn’t a scale we can handle among ourselves.”

 

“Humans who can communicate with dungeons. I’d rather hope it’s just unfounded worry. Because if that’s the case, it would be truly horrific.”

 

I agreed with that sentiment as well. A pseudo-religion that uses monsters.

 

‘It’s something that shouldn’t exist in this world.’

 

This operation was a kind of revenge to capture the Goemin Sect that attacked the Association.

 

‘This is something that should never have come into the world.’

 

This operation is a kind of revenge to capture the Goemin Cult that attacked the association.

 

Contrary to the initial intention… the incident was heading in a direction that was more difficult to handle than expected.

 

“Here.”

 

At that moment, Hong Ijo set down the documents on the tea table.

 

“….”

 

Yukyung opened the document envelope and checked its contents. Then she put the papers back in and said curtly.

 

“Fortunately, we now have legitimate grounds. They’re the ones who attacked first without following the law, though it’s annoying that we’re still bound by the rules.”

 

“It can’t be helped. …Yeah, it can’t be helped. We can’t become the same kind of people as them.”

 

She leaned back in her chair.

 

“Eden’s funding is fully secured too. More than eighty percent of the money going into this operation belongs to Eden. We can always spend more money, so let’s just make sure we catch them for certain.”

 

I was curious about what role Eden took on.

 

“No problem. I’ve already set up several coordinates at that church. I should be able to enter anywhere—.”

 

Lee Cheong-ryu said with a smile.

 

It was a curiosity that was resolved very concisely.

 

“Anyway, everyone did their job properly. Lastly, what about the Blue Dragon?”

 

“No problem. I’ve already set up multiple coordinates at that church. We should be able to get in anywhere—.”

 

Lee Cheongryoo said with a smile.

 

No real surprises there. Even though he seemed a bit unhinged, he was someone who got the job done properly.

 

“So now what’s left is assigning roles for the operation.”

 

Yu-kyung casually brought up the next agenda item. This could be considered the real strategic briefing from now on.

 

“Ah, first the start date.”

 

I listened carefully.

 

“Exactly two weeks from today, there’s talk that a ‘special baptism’ will take place at the Strange People Cult’s First Church… that is, the place we’ll be infiltrating.”

 

“Special baptism?”

 

“Right. They’re dispatching a special priest from the main church to conduct the baptism, or something like that… That day will likely draw the most believers.”

 

Yu-kyung swept her platinum hair behind her ear.

 

“If you’re going to set a trap, you have to place it where the most mice gather.”

 

“I suppose the Bishop won’t come personally.”

 

“They’re not the type to easily show themselves. Recent times have been unusual.”

 

Heo Gil tapped the tea table with his finger and spoke up.

 

“However, if we cause trouble at the First Church, the Bishop will definitely show himself. Or he might already be preparing.”

 

The probability was high. They wouldn’t want to quietly watch their church being violated and their believers getting arrested.

 

Heo Gil continued with his opinion.

 

“Let’s limit the infiltration team to about three people.”

 

“Hmm, wouldn’t that be too few—?”

 

When Lee Cheong-ryu asked, he shook his head.

 

“S-ranks can’t go charging in as a group. Our power wasn’t made to fight against humans in the first place. If we unleash our full strength in such a confined space, we’ll destroy ourselves.”

 

“Ah, that’s true… Since we can’t kill and capture them like monsters, having just the right number of people would make capturing them alive easier too.”

 

“Naturally.”

 

Lee Cheong-ryu’s eyes sparkled.

 

“Then I’d like to go in.”

 

“…There’s never anything unexpected at times like this. I’m in favor. Your ability has good versatility.”

 

At Heo Gil’s positive response, the blue-haired young Hunter smiled lightly.

 

“Of course I want to fight, but that’s not the only reason. Using my ability to seal off the church comes first. We can’t let the prey we’ve caught escape.”

 

“Hmm… How?”

 

“There’s nothing my Gate can’t produce. Even if it’s prison iron bars.”

 

In other words, he meant to use his Gate to surround the church with iron bars, turning it into a prison.

 

At those words, Yu-kyung laughed heartily.

 

“Haha! I’m in favor too. That’s exactly what I was going to ask for anyway.”

 

“You’re reacting positively for once?”

 

“I always agree with useful opinions. The problem is you’re always being playful.”

 

Yu-kyung casually dismissed Lee Cheong-ryu’s proud expression.

 

“Then the next person is…”

 

Interrupting her words, I raised my hand.

 

“Huh?”

 

“I’d like to go.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

Yu-kyung forced a playful smile.

 

“You two have been seeing each other often, so your personalities have become similar too? From my perspective, this isn’t welcome.”

 

“Don’t avoid the issue. Didn’t I already tell you? I need to meet with the Bishop privately. For that to happen, I have to go to the scene and meet him. This is unavoidable.”

 

Yu-kyung hesitated. She looked like she didn’t know how to react.

 

‘She must be worried. I understand.’

 

But I couldn’t remain just a source of worry forever.

 

“If you doubt my abilities, I can prove them. Any way you want, anytime.”

 

“….”

 

“This matter is that important to me.”

 

Black eyes looked straight into Yu-kyung’s green ones. She let out a small sigh.

 

Rather than negative, it was a kind of lament.

 

“…Then…”

 

“I will.”

 

Then Heo Gil spoke up.

 

“I’d like to see it. That proof you mentioned.”

 

“….”

 

“How about testing your strength against mine? I may be an old man, but I should be sufficient as a judge.”

 

Here we go again.

 

Yu-kyung seemed to mutter those words. Then she held her forehead and shook her head as if to say ‘do whatever you want.’

 

“…Hmm.”

 

I looked back at Heo Gil.

 

[Status Window]

 

Name: Heo Gil (길)

 

Rank: S

 

[Stats]

 

Stamina: 267 Strength: 272 Agility: 277

 

Mental Power | 198 Mana | 228

 

[Skills]

 

Puppet Show (S) lv.max

 

Marionette (S) lv.max

 

Puppet Theater (S) lv.8

 

Four Pillars / Gwangui Academy

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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