SSS-Class Sui**de Hunter - Chapter 26

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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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Episode 26. The Chosen Ones (2)
“…conversation?”
“Yes, to be honest, I’m quite bewildered.”
Alhyeon Hall. A twelve-story Stage modeled after the palace of some ancient Empire. My voice trailed away from its very center.
“I don’t understand why you’re attacking me, Geomseong. You’re meeting me for the first time, but I’ve long admired your noble swordcraft. Yet you drew your blade without a word, so I’m rather at a loss.”
Geomseong’s expression hardened.
Even though I was speaking nothing but truth.
‘There’s no help for it.’
The old man’s face had turned rigid for a reason.
The night we first met, Geomseong had long since forgotten—he had fixed me with these very words the moment he saw me.
“Did you think I wouldn’t recognize you as the elite assassin Black Dragon sent?”
“Whether the Witch of Black Dragon dispatched you or someone else hired you, I’ll strike you down with all my strength!”
He had suspected me of being an assassin.
‘An assassin raised by Black Dragon, no less.’
Even now, Geomseong would harbor the same suspicion—that I was an assassin who had taken on subcontracts from Black Dragon, my hands stained with countless deaths. Or perhaps he suspected even more grimly.
‘That I was some elite assassin secretly cultivated by the Five Major Guilds themselves.’
“Well, yes.”
Bae Hu-ryeong nodded in agreement.
“From a third party’s perspective, you really are something strange, Zombie.”
‘That’s exactly it.’
A Hero who appeared suddenly at a moment no one anticipated!
An E-Rank Hunter who conquered an impregnable Stage. The moment that conquest ended, he signed a pact with the Five Major Guilds and secured treatment equal to that of Guild Masters themselves……
‘It’s far too suspicious.’
“Right. To old Marcus here, you’re not a self-made Hunter. You’re a fake Hero fabricated by the major Guilds in collusion. Tsk.”
Bae Hu-ryeong clicked his tongue.
“Zombie, you said your Kill Count was roughly 4,090, didn’t you?”
‘It’s probably showing as 4,093 by now, I’d wager?’
“Right. From old Marcus’s perspective, that number—4,093—isn’t simply the heads of humans you’ve killed. Because you’re not a Hunter operating alone. You were raised thoroughly as a tool of the major Guilds.”
From Geomseong’s viewpoint, he could only see it that way.
“In other words……”
‘Yes.’
Complicit.
‘The major Guilds appear to have assassinated through me—all those 4,093 people.’
The major Guilds that ruled atop the Tower.
They would seem to have assassinated at least 4,093 humans across all this time.
It was mere misunderstanding, nothing but a mistake—and yet it painted a picture most repugnant to this old gentleman.
“Hah.”
If Geomseong had been even slightly less righteous, he would have withdrawn here.
“Whether it’s the Outside World or Babylon, there’s little difference between them.”
But Geomseong knew no compromise.
He refused it even when he understood.
“Since entering this Tower, you’ve made your advances on me without pause. Telling me to join your Guilds. But I refused firmly. Do you know why?”
Geomseong tightened his grip on the sword’s hilt. The old man’s hands were aged. Flesh had loosened. Yet the veins that stood out beneath the skin had lost nothing of their vitality.
A lion’s mane may gray, but a lion’s fangs remain sharp.
“I sought to show that in this Tower—in this new world—one could reign at the summit alone.”
Geomseong fixed the assembled crowd with eyes that were cool and unsettling.
“Blood ties. Nationality. Origins. Unlike the Outside World, which reeks and writhes in the grip of such things, here alone is a single blade enough. Here, one can stand alone through talent and effort alone.”
“……”
“It was to kindle such hope in the hearts of countless others that I remained without a faction until now. But what are you doing?”
Geomseong leveled his sword’s point.
“You are no different from stagnant, putrid mud.”
The Guild Masters stirred.
Anger. Shame. Resentment.
Dark emotions roiled across the faces of the Guild Masters. What Geomseong had just uttered was a declaration of war. Some, like the Inquisitor, smiled as though unbothered, but most of the Guild Masters’ expressions contorted.
“Geomseong. Whatever others might think, you of all people shouldn’t say such things……”
“Ha! Have you already forgotten how you vanished entirely when we were conquering the 5th Stage? Old fool. It seems senility has scrambled your wits!”
“True enough. Kalenberry. If you’d used your connections from the Outside World to help us, we wouldn’t be suffering this food shortage now, and Sangryeon wouldn’t have……”
Uproar bubbled and frothed.
The Hunters assembled here had known each other’s faces since the Tower first opened. With so much resentment built up between them, the moment emotions collided, the air of Alhyeon Hall grew turbid in an instant.
“As the Rank 1 Hunter, you should have shown conduct befitting that station. But you’ve always been selfish. You lived for yourself alone. If you hadn’t been so keen to flaunt your superiority, how many other Hunters might you have saved?”
The Witch of Black Dragon spoke as though cursing.
“It’s not just the fifth stage. The seventh, the ninth—if your grandfather had lent his hand, the damage would’ve been cut in half!”
The Viper of Tianwumen radiated killing intent.
“A man who once held a place among the wealthy elite of the Outside World—had you lifted a finger, this regime would’ve achieved a far smoother transition. We’re rotten swamp water, then? Fine. That makes you nothing but a child without a shred of responsibility.”
The Count of Sangryeon glared with savage intensity.
A complete disaster.
Cursing, killing intent, hostile glares—Geomseong met them all with nothing more than a slight furrow of his brow. The old man’s next words only fed the flames higher.
“Enough noise.”
…….
“Grown adults, prattling away like children. Do you think I’m your grandfather? Stand down. If you want to fight, come at me with a blade.”
The air in Alhyeon Hall grew visibly hostile.
-Hah! That’s Marcus for you. My one and only disciple living up to his name.
Only Bae Hu-ryeong, oblivious to the tension, could marvel at it.
-There’s nothing I despise more than Hunters prattling on about connections and politics. If they had time to worry about such drivel, they ought to swing a blade one more time instead!
There was logic to that.
But…….
Unlike Bae Hu-ryeong, I felt something closer to pity wash over me.
“You can’t even stop fighting when there’s only ten of you in a room.”
The Hunters caught in this powder-keg moment turned to look at me.
I let out a sigh.
“Even the NPCs on the eleventh stage fought united to protect the Empire. And here you are—actually we are—pointing fingers at who’s really to blame, who’s actually at fault, who’s the villain. Don’t you think that’s a little shameful? Worse than NPCs?”
“…Hunter Kim Kong-ja.”
The Witch opened her mouth.
“This doesn’t concern you. What we’re dealing with is more serious than you think…….”
“I know, I get it. But if you’re going to call yourself a Hunter, you’ve got a job to do.”
I swept my gaze across Alhyeon Hall.
“Let’s focus on clearing the twelfth stage onward.”
…….
“Giving people hope is good, minimizing casualties while we conquer the tower is admirable, it’s all wonderful—but please, focus on clearing the stage right in front of us.”
I spoke this while looking directly at Geomseong.
“I know they’re just NPCs, but their Empire is on the verge of collapse, isn’t it? They’re asking for help. If Hunters summoned to be Heroes ignore the Empire’s fate and just bicker among themselves, what kind of pathetic mess is that?”
“You…….”
Every word had been sincere.
At this point, Geomseong couldn’t threaten my life anymore. The gap in power was too clear. So my only concern now was how to clear the twelfth stage.
The tangled emotions and political squabbles between the Hunters held no interest for me.
“What’s so special about being a Hero? If you solve what others couldn’t, you’re a Hero. We cleared the eleventh stage—let’s solve the rest.”
“Kim Kong-ja is right.”
Fortunately, one Hunter backed me up.
Sung Ki-sa.
The sub-leader of the Self-Defense Corps stepped forward.
“It’s hard to understand why Geomseong attacked Kim Kong-ja, but at least one thing is clear—this isn’t the time for us to fight among ourselves. Everyone, you’re all far too worked up.”
…….
…….
Sung Ki-sa had stepped in as mediator. But no one lowered their guard. Not Geomseong, not the Viper, not the Count, not the Inquisitor. They all held postures ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
Words alone wouldn’t convince them. Not when everyone distrusted everyone else.
Because of feelings accumulated over years and years.
“Haah.”
Sung Ki-sa released a long breath, as if she’d come to understand.
“Fine. I’ve no choice then. I’ll make a little sacrifice.”
At the word sacrifice, the Hunters turned to look.
With every eye upon her, Sung Ki-sa spoke softly.
“Skill Card Open.”
Gleam!
A soft light rose from Sung Ki-sa’s palm. Moments later, a silver card materialized in the air.
A card no outsider could ever see unless its owner permitted it—Sung Ki-sa’s Skill Card.
“…Sub-leader.”
The Witch’s face filled with concern. Top-ranked Hunters almost never revealed their Skill Cards to anyone. A skill was a Hunter’s trump card, their secret weapon. To lay it bare before others was like handing the enemy a loaded gun.
“Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
But Sung Ki-sa turned the card over without hesitation.
“Everyone, look closely.”
+
[Lie Detector]
Rank: A-
Effect: You can discern whether your opponent is lying or telling the truth. It applies not only to humans but also to NPCs and monsters! However, what the opponent believes to be ‘truth’ may objectively be ‘false.’ Is it faith, or suspicion? The final choice always rests with you.
※However, there is no guarantee that people will believe your words.
+
My eyes went wide.
‘Lie Detector!’
That was the skill Yeom Je had once claimed to possess, fooling me. So that’s how it was — not with him, but with Sung Ki-sa.
‘A skill perfectly suited to the vice-commander of the Self-Defense Corps!’
The Self-Defense Corps was a guild that maintained order. Naturally, the Tower was crawling with criminals. Just look at the evidence — both Yeom Je and Geomseong, ranked first and second, had tried to kill me in places where no one was watching.
Such was this world. The Lie Detector would be invaluably useful for rooting out criminals.
“As you can see.”
Sung Ki-sa spoke while holding the card.
“I have the ability to discern another’s falsehoods. It’s not an exaggeration to say this skill is what raised me to vice-commander of the Self-Defense Corps. Geomseong.”
“…What is it?”
“If you will simply trust me, ask Kim Kong-ja anything you wish here and now. I will tell you whether his answers are lies or truth.”
Sung Ki-sa regarded both Geomseong and me with an impassive gaze.
“Kim Kong-ja, the same applies to you. If you will trust me, I will vouch for whether your words are false or true.”
……
“Doubt is a poison that gnaws at the human soul, and truth is the most potent antidote. We cannot recover the trust that has been lost until now, but at least we can cooperate on the 12th Stage.”
Mm……
Geomseong stroked his beard, lost in thought.
‘Wow.’
I thought the same thing.
‘This is perfect.’
It was an opportunity I hadn’t foreseen. But… this was the right answer. The reason I’d fallen under suspicion in the first place was Geomseong’s skill — what they called the Detective’s Insight. If suspicion arose from a skill, then purging it through a skill was only natural!
“I’m in.”
I answered without hesitation.
In situations like this, whoever accepts first holds the advantage.
“…So, Miss Sung Ki-sa. You are the only person here who has harmed no one. Well then. I’ll put my trust in you too.”
Geomseong spoke with meaningful words and accepted as well.
Sung Ki-sa nodded.
“I’ll take that as both your consent. Then, Geomseong, proceed with your questions to Kim Kong-ja. I swear by my own honor and the reputation of the Self-Defense Corps to arbitrate this exchange fairly.”
Mm.
Geomseong fixed me with a stare.
As if he’d been waiting for this moment alone, his face had turned resolute. Perhaps he believed he was about to expose me to the world as a monstrously evil man? In any case, his eyes gleamed with the certainty of victory.
-Alas……
Bae Hu-ryeong’s wail came from beside me.
-Alas, old man Marcus. You stubborn fossil. This is exactly why I keep telling you, and that zombie too, not to rely so much on skills. Those who live by skills are betrayed by them eventually! Alas, alas.
‘Please be quiet.’
Unfortunately, Bae Hu-ryeong’s voice couldn’t reach Geomseong. This ghost was now my ghost alone.
“Hunter Kim Kong-ja.”
“Yes.”
“You have murdered more than four thousand human beings. Is that not so?”
Bang!
The old man pointed at me with the hand that wasn’t holding his blade. How else to describe it? It was exactly as if he were crying out: ‘Behold! Now shall your heinous deeds be revealed to all the world!’
I smiled.
“Yes.”
“There! Hear now, you wretched conspirators! Let it be known what this child has wrought under your employ as an assassin, and I shall expose your treachery to heaven and earth……”
“It is false.”
Sung Ki-sa spoke.
“What?”
“It is false.”
Sung Ki-sa repeated flatly.
“When you posed your question just now, Kim Kong-ja answered ‘yes.’ That answer was a lie. To be precise: Kim Kong-ja has not murdered more than four thousand human beings.”
……
“Do you have further questions?”
Silence.

While Geomseong fell silent, only Sung Ki-sa tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
“But four thousand people? That’s strange. Can one person really murder that many humans? It seems nearly impossible from a rational standpoint.”
“Th-that’s because you… because you trained this young man as an elite assassin…….”
I broke into a bright smile.
“That’s right. I am an elite assassin.”
“False.”
“…….”
The elderly prosecutor’s mouth fell open in shock.
“W-wait, Miss Sung Ki-sa! I misjudged your character! I truly believed you would arbitrate all matters without deceit!”
“Whether you believe my words or not is entirely up to you.”
Sung Ki-sa replied quietly.
“Believe if you wish. Disbelieve if you wish. Didn’t I ask you both the same question from the start? Whether you would truly trust me.”
“…….”
“Now to change your tune? That’s rather petty. No—very petty. Geomseong. That’s beneath the conduct you’ve shown before.”
“W-wait!”
The old man turned to look at me urgently.
“Surely you haven’t killed a single person!”
“Ah, well. That’s true. I have killed someone before.”
Sung Ki-sa nodded.
“Truth.”
“See!”
“But only one person.”
“…What?”
Sung Ki-sa nodded again.
“Truth.”
“…….”
“Of course, killing one person doesn’t change the fact that I’m a murderer. But, Geomseong, even if I’m not entirely blameless, I can tell you this: that bastard deserved to die. Because he tried to kill me first.”
“Truth.”
“If he’d only tried to kill just me, that would be one thing. But that monster—he was a mass murderer, truly. I once witnessed him commit murder with my own eyes, burning people alive without batting an eyelash! That damned bastard!”
“Truth.”
“I don’t know how many people he killed, but easily dozens. No, surely hundreds or more. Yes. He was the type. That kind of monster—I killed him. Call me a murderer all you like. But you know what? If I could go back to the past, I’d do it again. God, there’s no way a human can be as vicious as that thing was.”
Sung Ki-sa nodded slowly.
“All truth, then.”
“…….”
Geomseong said nothing.
The old man gazed slowly around the room. His expression suggested he couldn’t grasp what was happening, though looking around probably helped him understand a bit better.
Because every guild master was staring at Geomseong with eyes that said: “What do you think you’re doing right now?”
“Ahahaha! Ahahahah!”
The Inquisitor clutched his sides, laughing uproariously.
“Kim Kong-ja the Hunter is an elite assassin of the Five Major Guilds? Now that’s an interesting notion! How I wish it were true, but Geomseong—unfortunately, we of the Five Major Guilds only met Kim Kong-ja the Hunter yesterday!”
“That’s also truth, for the record.”
“…….”
Geomseong’s silence deepened.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Those who rise by skill shall fall by skill.
Bae Hu-ryeong merely clucked his tongue.
“Well. I’ve answered all your questions anyway.”
I laughed with a carefree air.
Not a word Kong-ja had said was false.
“There was clearly a major misunderstanding on both sides. I’m grateful it was only a misunderstanding. But Geomseong, that misunderstanding did lead you to attack me, and if the guild masters hadn’t protected me, I’d probably be dead now—through no fault of my own, truly.”
“…….”
“I believe I’m owed an apology at this point. Don’t you think?”
Sung Ki-sa nodded.
“Perfectly true. Not the slightest logical leap—a flawless argument.”
“…….”
“Apologize to Kim Kong-ja now, Geomseong.”
The light drained from the old man’s face.
SSS-Rank Hunters Need to Die to Live (Serialized)
Author │ Shin No-ah
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyeok
Address │ 204, 288 Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Daelung Posttower 1st)
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Shin Noah 2019
※This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. in accordance with a contract with the copyright holder, and the content may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and the author.
Violation of this may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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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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