I Awakened as a Dark History - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49
In the end, I managed to secure travel expenses.
More precisely, I would be traveling alongside members of the Hunter Association.
I was genuinely delighted about not having to pay for train fare, but I couldn’t let it show.
My Synchronization Rate might drop if I did.
“Ahem.”
I cleared my throat and stood before the Hunter Association building.
Several hunters from the Association were gathered there besides me.
A good number of them looked familiar.
Apparently the Dungeon Wave Response Team was understaffed, so they’d called in support from other branches.
“Hello, Hunter.”
“It’s good to see you again.”
The Association staff—or civil servant hunters, as one might call them—came across more as bureaucrats than hunters.
They greeted me with genuine warmth and politeness.
I kept my expression carefully neutral and replied curtly.
“It’s good to see you too.”
Fortunately, my Synchronization Rate ticked up slightly at the corner of my vision.
I glanced around the area.
One face that should have been there was nowhere to be seen.
“The Association Director isn’t here?”
“Ah, we’re waiting to escort someone. They should be arriving any moment now.”
Someone to escort?
Was Baek Mun-il coming?
I tilted my head with curiosity.
At that, one of the Association hunters pointed toward the interior of the building with his finger.
“Ah, there they come now.”
Through the glass doors, I saw Seo Il-hak approaching with long strides.
And beside him was Yu Ho-yeon.
I asked reflexively.
“Is he going too?”
Several hunters around me drew sharp breaths at my question.
Among them, Seo Yeon-hu, a hunter I’d had dealings with before, quickly stepped forward.
“Ah, we heard about that incident with your friend. But since then his Skill Control has improved considerably, and given that he’s S-rank, his abilities are quite formidable. We decided to bring him along for safety’s sake.”
I hadn’t meant anything negative, but they scrambled to explain themselves.
Had my reputation really gotten that bad?
“No, I don’t dislike it. I was just curious since I hadn’t heard beforehand.”
“That’s a relief. Yu Ho-yeon’s Skill Control has improved greatly lately, so you can rest easy. If anything goes wrong, I’ll protect him.”
Seo Yeon-hu flashed his sword as if showing off.
‘Right, I remember. This one didn’t use a Debuff Skill. He seemed like an offensive hunter.’
Instead of replying, I acknowledged his gesture with a brief nod.
At that, he released a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Yu Ho-yeon and Seo Il-hak approached us.
Seo Il-hak greeted me immediately.
“Thank you for coming, Hunter. I look forward to working with you on this operation.”
“Of course.”
I replied briefly and gave a small bow.
Yu Ho-yeon did not greet me and turned away.
Last time he seemed considerate, but now his attitude had changed again.
‘What’s his problem?’
I suppressed the urge to confront him and simply turned as well.
With perfect timing, Seo Il-hak began leading us forward.
“We’ll be taking the train and getting off at Pohang Station. From there, we’ll split up and travel in separate vehicles.”
“Understood!”
The Association hunters seemed accustomed to these instructions and showed no hesitation.
Seo Il-hak then added an explanation for my benefit.
“Since you haven’t heard the operation briefing beforehand, you can travel with me. I’ll relay the strategy and orders to you in real time.”
“I appreciate that.”
It seemed we didn’t need to be cautious during the move from Seoul.
A chartered minibus pulled up in front of us.
“We’re departing now.”
Seo Il-hak climbed into the passenger seat, and the other hunters found their places in the vehicle.
“Here, please sit near the door.”
The hunters graciously offered me one of the best positions.
And I wasn’t the only one who received such consideration.
“Hunter Yu Ho-yeon, please sit comfortably here as well. You’ll need to exert yourself once we arrive.”
“Of course.”
As a result, Yu Ho-yeon and I ended up sitting beside each other.
I awkwardly cast my gaze out the window.
Yu Ho-yeon didn’t know what was going through my mind, but I couldn’t help feeling out of place around him.
‘No. To be honest, I’m not even sure if he doesn’t know. He seems to have something like Precognition—how could he not notice anything about me?’
I folded my arms across my chest, gauging his reaction.
It was a way to cut off conversation.
And there was one additional benefit to this approach.
[Current Synchronization Rate]
32%
The advantage of my Synchronization Rate rising.
Behind us, the Association hunters chattered noisily among themselves.
Only the three hunters seated in front and the driver remained quiet.
I caught a glimpse of Yu Ho-yeon and Seo Il-hak reflected in the window.
Seo Il-hak was busy checking a Tablet, apparently reviewing the operation plan.
And Yu Ho-yeon was…
‘Why is he looking at me?’
He was staring directly at me, for some reason.
I rolled my eyes, following his gaze.
I could soon figure out what he was doing.
He was looking at my shoulder again.
I stretched my arm deliberately and arched my back in a ostentatious stretch.
It was to show him my shoulder was fully healed.
‘I need to create some distance between my current self and my Dark Elf form.’
I wasn’t sure if this trick would work in front of someone who confused the future with reality.
But it seemed worth trying anyway.
I leaned against the window, feigning complete disinterest in him.
Yu Ho-yeon’s gaze finally left me.
It was clear he had no intention of starting a conversation.
Only after he closed his eyes did I finally relax.
‘Let’s just stay quiet. Quiet.’
I prayed silently.
God, Buddha, ancestors—anyone listening, hear my prayer.
* * *
Fortunately, someone seemed to have heard my prayer.
But apparently, they took a rather harsh approach to granting it.
A long drive followed by an even longer wait.
That entire time was unbearably quiet.
“Sigh.”
Tediously so.
The night view sparkled and was beautiful, but after hours of staring at it, it became thoroughly monotonous.
‘Especially since I’ve been looking at it since daylight.’
Even perched on the rooftop railing of a luxury hotel with my wings to support me, the boredom wouldn’t fade.
It would have been different if the people around me were chatty.
I glanced at my two teammates.
Seo Il-hak and Yu Ho-yeon both waited silently for the Radio Transceiver signal.
Currently, the three of us were staking out the rooftop of a luxury hotel in Pohang.
Normally, a stakeout should take place along the suspects’ predicted route, but we couldn’t do that.
The two S-rank hunters were too famous to move about openly, and I gave myself away as a hunter because of my wings.
“Yaaawn.”
A yawn I’d been holding back escaped for the second time.
A can of canned coffee suddenly appeared from beside me, prompted by the larger yawn.
“Are you tired?”
Seo Il-hak asked with concern.
I shook my head as I accepted the canned coffee.
“No, I’m fine.”
I’d slept the entire way here—in the car and on the train—so exhaustion wasn’t the problem.
Just bored, that’s all.
“Even when we enter the dungeon, I’ll have to keep watch anyway. You don’t need to worry.”
I sipped at the canned coffee.
The cold coffee was at least enough to break through the tedium.
Seo Il-hak kept his attention on me while maintaining sharp focus on the operation itself.
“We’re approaching the start time. As soon as the target appears and moves to the meeting place, we’ll move in.”
I checked the time on the analog wristwatch I’d been given earlier.
Twenty minutes remained before the operation began.
“Understood. I’ll activate my skill right away.”
Having maintained the Dark Elf form for so long, my Synchronization Rate was at a peak.
Any skill would execute smoothly at this level.
‘So what good is that? The target hasn’t even shown up yet.’
As I smacked my lips, the sweetness of the canned coffee came through.
That was when Seo Il-hak’s radio transceiver crackled to life.
Static—sharp and clear!
—Suspect’s vehicle has entered the premises.
It was a transmission from a Hunter positioned in the parking lot.
My boredom shattered in an instant, and I snapped to full alertness.
With my heart pounding, I quickly made my way back to the rooftop.
Static—
—Checked in. ……51st floor. Moving to the 51st floor suite.
Updates came in rapid succession from the Hunter in the lobby.
Just two floors below us.
I glanced briefly at Seo Il-hak to confirm.
Seo Il-hak nodded.
“You two approach via the window and block the escape route. We’ll seal off the door on this end.”
Seo Il-hak left the rooftop to us and headed down.
Yu Ho-yeon finally spoke for the first time.
“Let’s go.”
“Right.”
Whoosh.
I unfurled my wings while Yu Ho-yeon pulled two iron spheres from his coat.
“Are those items?”
“Just iron spheres.”
The spheres shifted shape fluidly in Yu Ho-yeon’s palm.
“My skill is Metal Manipulation, so I don’t need a separate weapon. A single piece of metal is all I need.”
As he spoke, the spheres transformed into thin, spear-like blades.
But to use them, we had to descend to the 51st floor.
I asked with some concern.
“Want me to help you get down?”
“……I’m fine.”
Yu Ho-yeon sent the spear-blades upward, then stepped on them as though they were stairs.
The two blades moved rapidly, continuously forming footholds beneath him.
‘Excellent skill application.’
I watched him with admiration, then moved slowly after him.
We approached the 51st floor window in silence.
The curtains hung wide open—carelessly so—and we could see straight inside.
Across a round table, they were exchanging money and file folders.
I clicked my tongue at the brazenness of it.
Tailored suits, a luxury hotel, and yet they were conducting a crime in plain sight.
“We’ll leave the main window here for our entry. I’ll seal the rest.”
Yu Ho-yeon nodded.
‘Thornbush.’
The signal to begin.

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