Chapter 107 – Life of a Low-Ranking Member

Min Do-jun never intended to spare Jang Seok-hyun’s life.

‘Though his level is low, he’s still a Black Sea Guild member.’

Black Sea Guild is an assassin guild.

He already knew they kill people as an entrance test.

There was no mercy for them.

‘A trait came in, right?’

Though he had slight hopes despite the low level, since traits could be high…

[Trait – Low-grade Resistance]

– Grade: F

– Description: Increases resistance to all attributes by 5%

‘….’

He was speechless at this trait, the most pathetic among all he’d obtained.

‘No wonder he’s a low-ranking member…’

Still, having disguised himself as planned, he brushed off the disappointment.

‘It would’ve been better if he knew the reason for following Teacher and future plans, but can’t be helped.’

Though he didn’t get information, there was no need to rush.

‘There’s one more person tailing, I can ask him.’

There were originally two followers.

One level 250 and one level 400.

He targeted the seemingly uninformed level 250 for a specific reason.

‘This one has the same build as me.’

The matching build made for easier disguise.

‘The level 400 one not only has a different build but might not reveal information.’

He targeted the level 250 because lower ranks are more likely to yield to threats.

Though he had no information.

‘Now I just need to pose as him and gather information.’

Therefore, Min Do-jun needed to appear as a Black Sea Guild member now.

That’s why he naturally monitored Hwang Ui-chul after leaving the bathroom.

‘Teacher, I’ll protect you.’

Min Do-jun, discreetly watching Hwang Ui-chul, picked up the phone.

It was the dead guild member’s phone.

‘Any information should be in here.’

Contacts, call history, photos, memos, texts, messenger logs – 

He examined everything thoroughly for information.

‘His name is Jang Seok-hyun. A low-ranking member as expected.’

While examining, a text came in.

[Hey, didn’t I tell you to hurry back? Wanna die?]

Apparently a text from the level 400 guild member.

‘Saved as Senior Kim Young-hoon.’

The name matched what he saw through weakness detection.

‘Seems he’s watching me from somewhere.’

A professional should ignore it, but Min Do-jun’s role was an clueless low-ranking member.

After looking around, he found Kim Young-hoon’s location.

Another text came.

[You idiot! Don’t look this way!]

Min Do-jun replied.

[Sorry, Senior.]

[You’ve been here 3 months and don’t know basics?]

[I’ll fix it.]

[Damn toilet boy. Just focus on surveillance.]

Imitating Jang Seok-hyun’s manner wasn’t difficult.

He’d seen the text conversations.

‘Need more information.’

Min Do-jun continued reading through the message history.

While not forgetting to monitor Hwang Ui-chul occasionally.

Disappointment showed on his face after reading everything.

‘No useful information.’

The phone contained no crucial information.

Still unclear why they were following.

‘Then I’ll have to get information as planned.’

[Senior.]

[What?]

[How long do we follow this person?]

[Kid. How would I know? Until they tell us to stop from above.]

[Why are we following him?]

[This guy’s curious about everything. When did we ever know why we follow people? Stop chatting and focus on surveillance.]

Min Do-jun felt internally disappointed while texting.

‘Does he not know the reason either?’

Seems surveillance members aren’t told more than necessary information.

‘It’ll be hard to get information this way.’

He considered dropping the disguise but changed his mind.

‘Need to maintain the current situation. At least until new orders come.’

Min Do-jun, disguised as Jang Seok-hyun, continued following.

Hwang Ui-chul and his family only headed to the parking lot after watching the night parade.

[Looks like they’re going home. Follow.]

Reading the text, Min Do-jun approached his senior guild member.

The two who’d acted like strangers all day finally met face to face.

Senior Kim Young-hoon frowned upon seeing Min Do-jun.

“Hey, why so many mistakes today? Do surveillance properly. Got it?”

“Yes…”

Though his voice was different, speaking quietly seemed to avoid notice.

With identical faces, there was no worry about being discovered.

“Follow me.”

Min Do-jun followed Kim Young-hoon to the parking lot.

The two naturally got in the car and continued following.

Min Do-jun stayed silent while Kim Young-hoon drove.

Though he stayed quiet to avoid suspicion, Kim Young-hoon also said nothing, suggesting they didn’t usually talk.

“We’re here.”

As expected, Hwang Ui-chul’s destination was home.

After parking on the street to continue surveillance, Kim Young-hoon said:

“I’ll relieve you at 6 AM, so watch carefully until then. Don’t doze off, monitor properly. Contact immediately if anything happens.”

“Yes, Senior.”

Kim Young-hoon drove away, apparently time for sleep.

‘Monitor until morning?’

Left alone, Min Do-jun looked up at Hwang Ui-chul’s apartment.

‘No choice.’

Though he sighed, he had to keep watching.

Someone might come check if he was monitoring properly.

Morning came after watching Hwang Ui-chul’s home all night.

Kim Young-hoon appeared shortly after 6 AM.

Wearing completely different clothes from yesterday.

“Relief time. Go sleep until 10. You’re dead if you come wearing the same clothes or one minute late.”

“Yes, Senior.”

10 AM meant only 4 hours of sleep.

‘What a hassle.’

Min Do-jun was experiencing low-ranking member life firsthand.

* * *

Third day of following Hwang Ui-chul.

‘Can’t take this anymore.’

Min Do-jun wore a deathly bored expression.

Indeed, Hwang Ui-chul had stayed locked inside his home.

‘Never knew just watching an apartment entrance all day could be this hard…’

Though not physically taxing as a hunter, the problem was wasting time doing nothing.

‘Tomorrow should be Da-yeon’s birthday…’

Though he’d promised to come for his daughter’s birthday, at this rate he’d have to break the promise.

[Hey.]

[Yes, Senior.]

[We’re going somewhere today. Come by car.]

Min Do-jun tilted his head at his senior’s call.

‘What’s this about?’

They hadn’t taken their eyes off Hwang Ui-chul’s home for even a moment until now.

‘Ghost wolf. Stay and protect Teacher just in case.’

[Woof!]

He stationed the ghost wolf in front of Hwang Ui-chul’s home in case of danger.

Though he couldn’t give other orders when far from his summon, it would follow the order to protect Teacher.

“You’re here? Get in.”

Min Do-jun sat in the passenger seat and headed somewhere with Kim Young-hoon.

Curious about their destination, he carefully asked:

“Senior, where are we…”

“You’ll see when we get there, kid.”

“Is it okay to leave surveillance empty…”

“When ordered, just think ‘that must be why’ – why so many questions? Wanna die?”

“…”

Min Do-jun, acting intimidated, didn’t say another word.

The atmosphere felt ominous.

‘Withdrawing surveillance staff who monitored day and night? Then who’s watching Teacher?’

Min Do-jun grew anxious as the distance from Hwang Ui-chul increased.

‘I left the wolf, but it’s weaker than Teacher.’

It was funny to worry about an A-rank hunter like Hwang Ui-chul, but being targeted by Black Sea Guild meant he couldn’t be at ease.

‘The Black Sea Guild master might move.’

Though he didn’t know who the guild master was, they were clearly strong enough to kill Hwang Ui-chul.

‘Also one of my revenge targets.’

He decided not to act rashly since he didn’t understand the situation yet.

‘I’ll know where we’re going soon enough.’

After driving about an hour, the car left the city and entered mountain valleys.

Kim Young-hoon parked in the mountains and got out first, saying:

“Follow me.”

Min Do-jun followed him up the mountain path.

Past trees deep inside, a mountain lodge appeared.

Someone was waiting there, and weakness detection showed they were also from Black Sea Guild.

‘That one’s level is quite high.’

The person at the lodge was B-rank at level 750.

‘B-rank means high-ranking personnel who can use stealth, right?’

Though he didn’t know exactly how Black Sea Guild operated, stealth users likely handled important missions like assassinations.

‘He must know more than this surveillance guy.’

That also meant more information to extract, so Min Do-jun couldn’t help but feel expectant.

“Senior, we’re here.”

“Young-hoon’s here? And our youngest Seok-hyun too.”

As Kim Young-hoon bowed respectfully, Min Do-jun followed suit.

“Come in.”

The two followed the B-rank member inside.

Though there was a rest area with sofas and tables, the guild member led them elsewhere.

*creak*

“Go in first.”

He said this while opening a secret door to the basement.

Kim Young-hoon and Min Do-jun silently headed to the basement.

Min Do-jun, descending the stairs without knowing why, furrowed his brow.

‘Smells of blood.’

The basement was larger than expected.

Yet the smell of blood permeated everywhere.

‘Can guess what they did.’

At least dozens must have been killed here.

Therefore, Min Do-jun could guess what would happen next.

“Seok-hyun.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“Sorry.”

“What?”

After those words, Kim Young-hoon quietly stepped back and blocked the basement entrance.

Then the B-rank member stepped forward instead of Kim Young-hoon.

*swoosh*

Min Do-jun showed a surprised expression as the guild member suddenly summoned a dagger.

“W-why are you doing this?”

“Young-hoon, watch carefully. You’ll need to do this when you’ve been here longer.”

“Yes, Senior.”

The B-rank member didn’t answer Min Do-jun’s question.

He just emanated killing intent while holding the dagger.

‘I knew this would happen.’

It was expected.

He’d noticed when told to go in first.

But Min Do-jun still acted scared.

“S-Senior! What’s going on? Why the knife suddenly…!”

“Don’t be too scared, rookie. I’ll make it painless.”

“W-what did I do wrong?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong particularly. We just don’t need someone as weak as you in our guild. That’s all.”

As the guild member approached with the dagger, Min Do-jun begged with both hands.

“I’m sorry. I’ll work harder. Please spare me.”

“Working hard won’t change your F-rank trait to S-rank. F-rank is forever F-rank, right?”

“If this was your plan, why did you accept me as a guild member?”

“Because you’re easy to use and dispose of. Good for murder practice. Plus with an F-rank trait, not a waste to kill.”

“…”

“And we don’t usually accept new members. Can’t trust rookies.”

The guild member’s dagger came right up to his nose.

“Any more questions?”

“Why today specifically?”

“Ha! He really asks when told to ask?”

The guild member laughed incredulously then put on a scary face.

“Am I looking funny because I answered kindly?”

He waved the dagger in front of Min Do-jun’s face.

“Can’t you even see this?”

“I can.”

*grab*

In an instant, Min Do-jun snatched the dagger and threw it to the corner.

*clang*

“Now I’ll stop acting.”

Min Do-jun’s mask distorted.

“Since you won’t give information just by talking.”

His face returned to that of the man in his 40s.