SSS-Class Sui**de Hunter - Chapter 28

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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 28. Autumn Rain is Blood (1)
1
Silence settled between us.
A quiet that existed only between Bae Hu-ryeong and me. The Demon King’s Reward. 99 layers. I’d read it over and over—the promise of being sent straight to layer 99 kept circling in my head.
-It’s a trap.
Bae Hu-ryeong spoke as though cutting through my thoughts.
-A trap, no question. Zombie, don’t fall for it. Don’t you dare.
‘I… I know. Of course it’s a trap. Obviously……’
I mumbled to myself.
The fact that the Demon King’s Reward was a trap was obvious.
Because.
‘Yeom Je would never have passed up an option like this.’
There was a precedent: Yeom Je Yu-su-ha, history’s most notorious psychopath.
‘He would’ve chosen the Demon King’s Reward without hesitation. A man who thought nothing of slaughtering other Hunters wouldn’t blink at it. And yet… he was stuck playing around layer 40, not layer 99. Which means……’
I forced myself to think through it calmly.
‘The Demon King’s Reward has to be a trap. Yeom Je probably chose it at first, realized it was a trap, and regressed. I don’t know exactly what kind of trap, but……’
And yet.
‘…I want it.’
My heart hammered against my ribs.
‘A chance to gain the 99-layer boss’s skill. That’s what this is.’
Even if the Demon King’s Reward was nothing but a trap, Yeom Je and I were fundamentally different. Unlike him, I didn’t need to actually defeat the boss.
I’d profit just from going up there and getting killed.
‘If it’s the 99-layer boss, it’d be the strongest thing here besides the 100-layer one……’
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t tempted.
‘Layer 99.’
How much time would it take to climb normally to layer 99?
A year? Five years? Ten?
Maybe more. Even Yeom Je, who killed indiscriminately like a psychopath, had only reached layer 40 in ten years. To reach—
To reach it in one go.
-Gong-ja.
Bae Hu-ryeong stared directly at me.
-Don’t do it.
His voice was nothing like his usual tone.
Bae Hu-ryeong regarded my face with genuine gravity.
-Look at me. I’m Geom-seong. I climbed to layer 99 alone and failed. So when I tell you this—it’s a trap. Disgusting. Vile. That kind of trap.
“……”
-Your current strength isn’t enough to kill the top ten Rankers. Even if it were, there’s still a problem. You’ll never break through the layer 99 wall, no matter how hard you struggle. Give it up cleanly.
I said nothing.
Perhaps because he was the only person in this tower to have broken through to layer 99, Bae Hu-ryeong’s words carried the sharp persuasiveness of steel.
‘Is the 99-layer boss really that strong?’
Bae Hu-ryeong’s expression twisted.
-It doesn’t exist.
‘What?’
-There’s no boss monster on layer 99. Instead there’s something far more vicious… Ugh. I’m spacing out. Old memories creeping back. Anyway, it’s a trap!
Bae Hu-ryeong turned away and sat down—like a kid pouting over not getting candy. I was genuinely baffled.
‘Wait, what exactly is waiting on layer 99? You’re freaking me out here. This is the first time I’ve ever seen you like this. Is it… not a monster, but something like a Demon God waiting there?’
-Hmph. I’m not telling you!
I’d misspoken.
Not like a kid—he was actually being a kid.
-I hate to admit it, but you’re doing well, Kim Zombie. Keep going the way you have been. Then you’ll clear layer 99 naturally.
“Mm.”
I fell into thought, fingers toying with the hilt of the Short Dagger at my waist. The same dagger I’d borrowed a thousand deaths from, wielded when I killed Yeom Je. A cheap blade, but touching it settled my mind.
‘Alright.’
I made my decision.
‘I’m abandoning this run.’
Bae Hu-ryeong’s ears perked up.
-Abandoning it?
‘Yes. I’m only going to take the safest route. Profit, rewards—I’m throwing it all away. For now, I just want to see how things unfold.’
-Throwing away profit and rewards… What’s this? Don’t tell me you’re not taking the Goddess’s Reward either? Why? There’s no need to go that far.
‘It’s fine. One step back for two steps forward.’
The more urgent the matter, the longer the detour must be.
I opened my mouth slowly.
“Everyone.”
The Hunters in the Hall of Audience turned toward me.
“I currently have an 11th Floor Stage Reward waiting before me.”
“Is that so? How fortunate.”
The Witch responded first. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t yet seen the Goddess’s Reward or the Demon King’s Reward. Her expression remained as emotionless as always.
“I was growing bored waiting for the next quest. Once you select your reward, we’ll choose in order of rank. Take your time deciding.”
“Yes. I’ve already made up my mind.”
I made my declaration before the gaze of the highest-ranked Hunters.
“I will not select any reward.”
Silence descended upon the Hall of Audience. Even the Inquisitor and Dok-sa, who had been playing with trump cards, turned to look at me. Three seconds. Two seconds. One second. After a brief moment of stillness, the Witch’s brow finally creased.
“What?”
It was already too late.
[You have declined to select a Stage Reward.]
[You will be unable to select a Special Class.]
[If you forfeit the reward, you may only select a role from Floor 13 onwards.]
[Are you certain this is acceptable?]
I answered with unwavering conviction.
“Yes. I, the Hunter Kim Gong-ja, will not select any reward.”
Crack!
The selection window hovering before my eyes shattered into fragments. But that was not all. In my mind, a sacred voice and a gloomy voice rang out in succession.
[The Goddess expresses her doubt at your choice.]
[The Demon King lets out a low chuckle.]
The Hunters’ faces went blank with shock.
“Kim Gong-ja? What in the world are you doing—”
“Hmm.”
Then Geom-seong’s brow narrowed. His seasoned eyes swept through empty air. By the ranking of those who had cleared the 11th Floor Stage, I held first place and Geom-seong held second. Now, just after me, Geom-seong had read the Goddess’s Reward and the Demon King’s Reward.
“…Indeed. I understand now. You’ve chosen the safest option.”
Geom-seong looked at me.
“But was there truly a need to forfeit the reward altogether? Young one. Forgive an old man’s meddling concern, but I worry you might become sluggish in pursuing too much caution.”
“I appreciate your concern. But I have no regrets.”
“Hmm. If you have no regrets, that’s a relief, but…”
The old man let out a sigh. The other Hunters watched in bewilderment at the exchange between us, their faces showing they understood nothing of what was being said.
“…No, actually.”
Geom-seong shook his head.
“Forfeiting the reward entirely is far too reserved a way to conduct oneself, after all. My apologies, young one. I shall select the Goddess’s Reward. And I choose to become the Commander of the Aikim Empire Knight Order.”
Squeal!
The moment Geom-seong made his decision, the great doors of the Hall of Audience swung open. A group of knights marched in with crisp precision. Resplendent silver armor. They approached the old man and knelt on one knee.
“We swear our loyalty to the empire’s greatest blade!”
“Ho ho.”
Geom-seong looked down at the knights with keen interest.
“So roles are assigned in this manner.”
“Hmm? Ah? Indeed?”
After Geom-seong came the Inquisitor’s turn. Third in the stage-clearing ranking. The Inquisitor tilted his head, then gasped “Aha!” His face showed he had finally grasped the full situation.
“I see! I understand now! Aha. This is similar to a Mafia Game.”
Of course, aside from myself, Geom-seong, and the Inquisitor, the other Hunters remained bewildered. The Witch furrowed her brow.
“…I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll explain right away!”
The Inquisitor spread both hands wide. Scrape. Scrape. Letters began to carve themselves into the smooth marble floor. The Inquisitor had channeled Aura through his fingertips to inscribe words into the stone.
“Everyone, do have a look!”
The Hunters gathered and looked down at the floor.
+
[Goddess’s Reward]
Description: The Goddess who protects the Aikim Empire has been moved by your devotion! The Goddess has decided to entrust you with an important position in the empire.
.
.
.
+
The Hunters murmured among themselves.
“What?”
“The ninety-ninth floor? Is this real……?”
When Sung-gisa read out the Goddess’s Reward, the guild masters showed little reaction. But as he moved to the Demon King’s Reward, their faces darkened visibly. The shift was unmistakable.
The Witch’s expression grew particularly grim.
“This is…….”
“Yes! It’s similar to the Mafia Game! For convenience, let’s call those who chose the Goddess’s Reward the ‘Brave,’ and those who chose the Demon King’s Reward the ‘Traitor.'”
The Inquisitor smiled brightly.
“But there’s one decisive difference. The ‘Traitor’ is far more disadvantaged than in Mafia! The ‘Brave’ number nine, while the ‘Traitor’ is at most one. And besides, we have the Deputy Commander of the Knights here!”
The Inquisitor gestured toward Sung-gisa.
Sung-gisa stared down at the marble floor with an expressionless face.
“Consider this: the Deputy Commander possesses the Lie Detection skill. Aha. In Mafia terms, it’s rather like a police role. Even if someone among us chooses the Demon King’s Reward, it doesn’t matter! The Deputy Commander can expose the ‘Traitor’ at once!”
“Hmm… that’s true.”
Sung-gisa slowly lifted his head.
“So long as you all trust what I say.”
“In any case, this is an infinitely favorable game for the ‘Brave’! Hunter Kim Gong-ja, forfeiting your reward was rather excessive caution on your part.”
The Inquisitor adjusted his hat.
“Clearing the eleventh floor in first place, yet receiving no reward at all—remarkable. I confess I find such a decision difficult to imagine. While I commend your resolve, I shall choose the role of Grand General of the Aikim Empire!”
Creeeeak.
The great doors of the Hall of Audience swung open once more. General NPCs entered, their crimson cloaks billowing. They came to a halt before the Inquisitor and saluted sharply.
“Loyalty to the Empire’s most noble banner!”
“Ah, splendid indeed. I look forward to serving alongside you all!”
The General NPCs lined up behind the Inquisitor.
It was the killing blow.
“Tch. I’m sick of all this talk about strategy. Either way, picking a reward is better, right? Then I’ll take the Commander of the Royal Guard.”
Dok-sa as well.
“Then I shall take the Foreign Minister. It seems the safest choice.”
Sung-gisa as well.
“…I’ll take the role of Chancellor. Please, I’m begging you—don’t choose the Demon King’s Reward. If no one selects it, that reward will simply vanish on its own. Letting it disappear is the wisest course. Everyone, remember this.”
The Witch as well.
“Don’t worry. Well. Naturally, I myself shall be the Minister of Finance.”
Baek-jak as well.
Every remaining hunter had claimed a reward.
The Hall of Audience quickly filled with NPCs. The murmur of voices swelled. Behind Geom-seong, who had chosen the Knight Commander, stood ranks of knights, and behind the Witch, who had chosen Chancellor, official clerks lined up in rows.
-Ahhh.
Throughout the vast Hall of Audience, there was one place alone
where no one stood behind me. It was empty.
-Man, you’re the only one who didn’t take a reward. You sure about this, Zombie? No matter what you say about throwing this round away, isn’t this a bit much?
‘No.’
I was certain.
Perhaps it was something like a hunter’s instinct.
‘This is the right choice.’
When to pounce on prey and tear into it.
When to abandon the bait and retreat quietly.
I—
[Reward settlement is complete.]
now had a gut feeling that this was the moment to hold back.
[All high-ranking clearers have completed their selections.]
[Kim Gong-ja, Geom-seong, Inquisitor, Dok-sa, Sung-gisa, Witch, Baek-jak…….]
A voice echoed through the Hall of Audience.
Each time a hunter’s name was called, they exchanged quiet glances.
[Reward forfeiter: one person.]
Everyone turned toward me. I was the only one here who had publicly declined a reward. The voice might as well have announced that I had gained no benefits whatsoever.
The hunters wore expressions of disbelief for a moment, as if to say ‘refusing a reward, truly?’
[Recipients of the Goddess’s Reward: eight persons.]
Then their faces hardened.
[Recipients of the Demon King’s Reward: one person.]
The hunters looked at one another.
[Total: ten persons.]
[All high-ranking clearers have completed their selections.]
[Let me inform you once more.]
Silence fell.
[Reward Forfeit, 1 person.]
[Goddess’s Reward received, 8 people.]
[Demon King’s Reward received, 1 person.]
[All top clearers have completed their selections.]
A long silence stretched between them.
[May fortune attend you all.]
2
Crack.
The first sound to shatter the quiet was someone grinding their teeth.
“How utterly foolish……!”
The guild master of Black Dragon. A Hunter ranked second. The Witch.
“I told you! Never choose the Demon King’s Reward. And yet you… you simpleton!”
Killing intent radiated from the Witch. Her face had abandoned its usual blankness entirely. Hatred. Contempt. Rage. Her features twisted into a grimace as she glared across the assembly.
“As I thought. Words mean nothing to fools. Very well! I, as master of Black Dragon, declare this now: Whoever—I still don’t know who—betrayed us will receive the most agonizing death I can devise.”
“Hmm. How extraordinary.”
The Inquisitor stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“A game overwhelmingly stacked against the Betrayer. Yet someone selected the Demon King’s Reward……. Truly a supremely foolish choice, as the Witch says! Ahh, though in its foolishness, it’s infinitely human, isn’t it?”
“Ah… damn it all.”
Dok-sa scratched the back of his head vigorously.
“Right, right. I understand now. This atmosphere. This air. It’s like back when we were clearing the early stages of the Tower……. My spine and neck are ice cold. People are going to die today. Several of them.”
“Indeed. It reminds me of when the top five guilds were still the top ten.”
Baek-jak unfurled his fan. His tone was honeyed, yet the gaze that cut over the edge of the fan was cold as a predator’s.
“So many died in those days. So very many we killed. Don’t you agree?”
“Silence! All of you, quiet now. This is no time to wallow in ancient history.”
The Witch’s expression had twisted into something unrecognizable.
“Sung-gisa!”
“Yes.”
“Use Lie Detection on everyone immediately. Every single person, without exception! If even one of you refuses to answer Sung-gisa’s questions or tries to evade, I will end your life on this spot!”
Everyone knew she meant it. Killing intent poured from the Witch, shimmering on her aura like heat haze. A black hue. An aura the color of ink. The color that cursed all the light in this world.
“I had already intended to do so.”
Sung-gisa nodded quietly.
“First, let me establish that I am no Betrayer.”
And Sung-gisa turned on her heel.
The first person she approached was… none other than me.
Sung-gisa stood before me, immovable as stone.
“Hunter Kim Gong-ja.”
“Yes.”
“You forfeited your reward, so you fall outside suspicion. There may be no need to examine you at all. Yet I will ask regardless: did you, perchance, select the Demon King’s Reward?”
“No.”
The Hall of Audience fell silent.
Every Hunter watched us.
Several seconds of silence elapsed, and Sung-gisa nodded.
“Truth.”
Relieved sighs rippled through the hall.
Sung-gisa did not pause, moving on to her next subject.
Thud.
The Hall of Audience floor was laid with marble. Each of Sung-gisa’s footsteps echoed peculiarly loud against it. We tracked her progress with our eyes.
“Geom-seong.”
“Speak.”
“Did you choose the Demon King’s Reward?”
Geom-seong folded his arms.
“By all my honor. Absolutely not.”
“Truth.”
Thud.
“Inquisitor.”
“Yes! Ask me anything!”
“Did you choose the Demon King’s Reward?”
“My apologies, but—”
As the rest held their breath, the Inquisitor’s laughter spilled forth. It bounced off the marble floor and skittered across the armor worn by the knights and generals.
“It’s not me! I’ve no desire to die at the Witch’s hand just yet!”
“Truth.”
Thud.
“Dok-sa. Did you choose the Demon King’s Reward?”
“Damn it. Not me!”
“…Truth.”
Thud.
“Baek-jak. Did you select the Demon King’s Reward?”
“…Nor I, it seems.”
“Truth.”
Thud.
The air began to settle. When my innocence as a betrayer was revealed, a sigh of relief had escaped—but with each additional truth declared, one name after another, the Hall of Audience filled not with sighs but with silence.
Like water slowly rising from below.
Soon the silence had crept up to our chins.
“…….”
“…….”
Sung-gisa faced the Witch.
All the Hunters save the Witch had already been questioned. This was the final interrogation. Sung-gisa drew a deep breath before the one who commanded the Tower’s most formidable guild, ranked second only to Geom-seong among all Hunters.
She spoke.
“Witch.”
“…Yes.”
“Did you choose the Demon King’s Reward?”
Silence held.
“No… it wasn’t me.”
Silence continued.
Sung-gisa slowly parted her lips.
“…Truth.”
And so, at last, a complete silence descended.
No.
We had sunk into silence.
“Wait… then, what is it?”
Dok-sa looked about the room.
“Who is it, then?”
Geom-seong looked at the Witch. The Witch looked at the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor looked at Baek-jak, and Baek-jak looked at Dok-sa. Dok-sa cast his gaze desperately toward Sung-gisa, and Sung-gisa, silent, looked at me.
Everyone looked at everyone.
“Why does everyone deny it……?”
But no one answered.
“Damn it! Who the hell betrayed us!”
No one.
SSS-Rank: The Hunter Who Lives by Dying (Serial)
Author │ Shin Noa
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ Jayplusmedia Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ 204, 288 Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Daelung Posttower 1st)
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Shin Noa 2019
※This work is published by Jayplusmedia Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder, and the content may not be used in any form or manner without the permission of the company and author.
Violation of this restriction 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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