Episode 111 – Rescue Operation

In the dark dawn devoid of people.

Min Do-jun and Hwang Ui-chul found an unnamed mountain.

There was a simple reason.

This was the destination Ahn Kwang-hyun had provided.

“So our Da-yeon is being held captive somewhere in these mountains…”

“Don’t worry too much, Teacher. We’ll rescue her soon.”

“How can I not worry? Thinking of that young child trembling somewhere unknown…”

Hwang Ui-chul couldn’t continue speaking.

Just thinking of his daughter made him choke up involuntarily.

‘All because of her useless father…’

Though he sighed from guilt, now wasn’t the time for sentimentality.

“Teacher, let’s stop here. Getting too close might get us detected.”

After parking at a suitable spot, Hwang Ui-chul looked at Min Do-jun.

“Are you really confident? Can you rescue our Da-yeon without her getting hurt?”

“Yes, that’s why I ran a dungeon beforehand, remember?”

Min Do-jun had run a dungeon before coming here.

It was to receive the Avatar of War buff.

“You mean that buff you get from killing that monster?”

“Yes.”

“Right. Better to get buffs beforehand.”

Min Do-jun hadn’t explained the details to Hwang Ui-chul.

He only said he needed to kill a monster beforehand to receive the buff.

‘Thanks to that I could stack Avatar of War to full.’

With the buff, Min Do-jun currently had all stats over 3,000.

He was also in a state of confidence that he could win against anyone.

‘Even if it were Shin Kyung-min.’

Therefore he wasn’t too worried about entering enemy territory alone.

‘Beating someone just over level 2,400 like Ahn Kwang-hyun won’t be difficult.’

He was confident in winning having experience killing Kim Pedro who was at a similar level.

And he had killed him at level 1,400, even lower than now.

‘Though I’m only level 1,700 now, looking at combat power I’ve surpassed S-rank.’

Since the Avatar of War trait made this possible, he couldn’t give up the buff before the operation.

“I’ll go quickly before the buff duration ends. Only 30 minutes left.”

“Wait. Are you sure you don’t need my help? Will you be okay alone?”

“Don’t worry. I told you how high my combat power is.”

“That may be true but…”

When told the combat power exceeded 800,000, Hwang Ui-chul had doubted his ears and asked again.

Each time Min Do-jun had answered with certainty.

That it really was 800,000.

‘Do-jun wouldn’t joke in this situation so it must not be a lie but…’

It was hard to believe.

How could a level 1,700’s combat power exceed 800,000?

Even he at over level 2,000 only had 350,000 combat power.

‘Lower level than me but over twice the combat power…’

Though hard to believe, if it really exceeded 800,000 then someone like Ahn Kwang-hyun wouldn’t even be a threat.

That’s why he didn’t argue further when Min Do-jun said he would rescue his daughter alone.

He desperately needed the help of someone strong in this situation.

“Do-jun, be careful, very careful. Though I’m shameless giving advice when I can’t even help, please take care of our Da-yeon…”

“I understand. Teacher, wait here. Be ready to leave anytime.”

“Alright.”

“And give me the legendary sword. We might need it for negotiation.”

“Okay.”

Hwang Ui-chul unhesitatingly took out the legendary sword he had never shown before from his inventory.

The silver gleaming blade certainly looked extraordinary.

‘So this is the legendary sword…’

Min Do-jun too had only heard about it and was seeing it for the first time.

[Legendary Sword]

– Category: Weapon

– Grade: S

– Attack: 3,000-6,000

– Effect: 30% additional damage to all monsters

– Durability: Infinite

– Requirement: Level 3,000+

– Description: A legendary weapon rare worldwide. Exhibits true power when combined with Magic Core.

Min Do-jun couldn’t help but internally admire the information window that appeared.

‘As expected of a legendary item, the damage is tremendous.’

With infinite durability, no need to worry about damage either.

‘The level requirement preventing use is a flaw but…’

Even without borrowing the sword’s power, he could annihilate Black Sea Guild easily.

After putting the sword in his inventory, Min Do-jun got out of the car and equipped his gear.

“Then I’ll bring Da-yeon back.”

With those words, Min Do-jun’s form vanished.

He had used invisibility while kicking off.

[Time remaining: 12 minutes 47 seconds]

Being night, the Trinity effect increased agility and magic power by 100.

Combined with Avatar of War’s boost, his magic power alone approached 3,900.

‘With high magic power plus Intermediate Stealth trait, getting almost 13 minutes duration.’

A time that could be short or long depending on perspective.

‘This is enough. I’ll find Da-yeon within 13 minutes.’

The plan was simple.

Use invisibility then find and extract Da-yeon as quickly as possible.

‘No one should have higher combat power than me anyway. No risk of invisibility being detected.’

Perhaps even Shin Kyung-min, ranked #1 domestically, couldn’t see Min Do-jun’s invisibility.

That’s how significant 800,000 combat power was.

‘Need to use invisibility’s advantage to save Da-yeon first.’

He never intended to simply comply with their deal.

Since they couldn’t be trusted, securing Da-yeon’s safety was the priority.

He ran quickly, kicking the ground with over 3,000 strength.

Yet thanks to Ghost Step Boots, no footsteps could be heard.

‘People here. Two total.’

He detected presences before they even entered his sight.

Thanks to the presence detection trait.

Passing through trees to reach the meeting place, he saw a villa.

As expected earlier, two people stood guarding in front of it.

Both were Black Sea Guild members.

‘A-rank hunters who just reached level 1,500.’

Information showed clearly through weakness detection trait.

‘Information showing means they’re weaker than me.’

True to that, even when he got close they didn’t look his way.

Completely unaware.

Natural since detecting invisibility required over 800,000 combat power.

‘Want to kill them all right here but must hold back. Securing Da-yeon’s safety is top priority.’

Min Do-jun passed by the hunters and searched the surroundings.

‘One more person inside the building.’

Someone was caught by presence detection but couldn’t be confirmed.

‘But that doesn’t mean there’s no way. Ghost wolf!’

[Woof!]

‘Someone on second floor. Go inside and check if male or female, if male remember the scent and return.’

[Woof!]

Ghost wolf disappeared passing through the wall.

Then messages appeared.

[Summon used tracking skill.]

[Summon memorized scent.]

[Tracking location in real-time.]

When ghost wolf appeared shortly after, Min Do-jun didn’t need to ask the gender.

Since it confirmed male.

‘Must have been Ahn Kwang-hyun inside.’

Being alone in the villa, likely the Black Sea Guild master.

‘Now that we have his scent memorized, can track and kill him even if he escapes.’

A measure taken in case he disappeared while rescuing Da-yeon.

‘Where is Da-yeon?’

The personnel here were just two A-rank hunters and the Black Sea Guild master.

‘Is she confined in another building?’

Looking around, he saw a cabin a short distance away.

Quickly closing the distance, three people entered his radar.

‘Two at the door, one in the basement.’

Though those at the door were Black Sea Guild members, couldn’t tell who was in the basement.

‘Ghost wolf. Go to basement and check if male or female.’

[Woof!]

Ghost wolf disappeared into the cabin and returned shortly after.

‘Once for male, twice for female.’

Then.

[Woof! Woof!]

He got the response he hoped for.

‘If female…?’

High chance it was Da-yeon.

Min Do-jun decided to infiltrate the cabin and first assessed the forces at the door.

‘Both B-rank hunters at level 1,300.’

Not difficult opponents.

Could take them out instantly with surprise attack.

‘Though I want to kill them now, the hunters at the villa would notice.’

Since not far from the villa, difficult to kill quietly.

‘Even if fighting, need to rescue Da-yeon first.’

Causing a commotion could make him miss the timing to save Da-yeon.

While looking for a chance to infiltrate the cabin.

“Going to the bathroom.”

“Yeah. Come back quick.”

An opportunity arrived.

*creak*

As the cabin door opened, Min Do-jun quickly followed the guild member inside.

Being careful not to bump, no chance of detection.

*click*

Leaving the guild member heading to the bathroom, Min Do-jun went down to the basement.

There was a woman tied hand and foot sitting in a chair under a yellow light.

Hwang Ui-chul’s daughter, Hwang Da-yeon.

‘Fortunately doesn’t seem injured.’

Min Do-jun revealed himself, canceling invisibility with slight relief.

“Da-yeon.”

“Eek!”

“Shh!”

Min Do-jun quickly covered the startled Hwang Da-yeon’s mouth.

“It’s me, Do-jun. Do you recognize me?”

About to struggle, Hwang Da-yeon belatedly recognized Min Do-jun and nodded.

When she seemed somewhat calmed, Min Do-jun removed his hand.

“Sorry. Were you very surprised?”

“O-of course.”

How could she not be surprised by someone suddenly appearing before her eyes.

“Is it really the Do-jun I know?”

“Yeah. It’s me. Long time no see? I was planning to visit sometime but didn’t expect to meet like this.”

“Ah…”

Hwang Da-yeon wasn’t particularly close with Min Do-jun.

They had only spent one day together 5 years ago when her dad brought him home saying he needed to stay due to circumstances.

Back then she had complained about having to stay with an unknown boy, but after hearing about him losing his parents she had apologized.

She hadn’t seen him since then.

Though she occasionally heard news from her dad, that one day was the only time she’d seen his face.

So there hadn’t been time to become close.

One day was too short to become friends just because they were the same age.

Still, she was glad for Min Do-jun’s appearance.

Even she hadn’t known meeting someone familiar could be so welcome in such a desperate situation.

Hwang Da-yeon looked over Min Do-jun again.

Though it was 5 years ago, she was certain of her memory of him.

“But what brings you here?”

“What do you mean what?”

Min Do-jun smiled reassuringly.

“I came to rescue you.”