SSS-Class Suicide Hunter
chapter-297

2.

Followers began gathering in the cave’s hideout.

“Assistant Writer? You were alive? That’s surprising.”

“I heard there was a commotion at the Magic Tower yesterday. It was your doing, huh?”

Followers serving different Constellations were present. Among them were some who had lost their Constellations long ago, and others who, though not yet lost, were branded by the Magic Tower and living in hiding.

They were, so to speak, the non-mainstream of the 50th floor.

“I heard a decree of extermination has been issued by the Magic Tower. Wow! That’s amazing!”

A woman wearing a hood tapped the Assistant Writer on the shoulder.

“How much did you have to annoy those spiders to get a decree of extermination? I’m jealous. Hey, Assistant Writer. You should ditch a Constellation like Hamustra and come to us. We’ll treat you well!”

“…Not twisting your neck is the last courtesy I have as the person who invited you all. Be thankful for my sensible and elegant manners.”

“I’d better be twice as thankful, or I might lose my life. Hehe.”

The followers noisily chatted and found places to sit as they pleased. Some found flat stalagmites to sit on, others lay down, and some spread their ragged cushions.

At first glance, they seemed like a ragtag group.

It was like a bustling market.

“Hmm.”

However, my senses had been sharpening for a while.

‘They are strong… these hunters.’

-Well, they’re all vagabonds chased by the Magic Tower.

Bae Hu-ryeong crossed his arms.

-In other words, they haven’t been caught by the Magic Tower yet. Either they’re clever, extremely lucky, or just strong. If they have even one of those qualities, they’re strong.

‘Everyone here is at least on the level of the Crusader.’

I looked around. In our world, one of the top ten, maybe even top five, powerhouses would be considered [average] here.

‘As expected, the 50th floor is not to be underestimated.’

The hunters I had met in Monopolized City were not weak, but they lacked something. At best, they knew the basics of [Aura? Not bad].

But the followers gathered before me now were different.

‘There’s also an uninvited guest hiding among us.’

I glanced towards the darker part of the cave.

There was a hunter quietly observing us while concealing their presence.

Truly, a lineup worthy of the 50th floor’s reputation.

“First of all, thanks to everyone who gathered here today, even without money for food.”

The Assistant Writer stood up.

She walked to the center of the gathering. The followers looked at her, some focusing, others pretending to be disinterested.

“There are people here I haven’t seen in 10 years. And some I will never see again. I…”

“Hey, Writer lady.”

The woman who had tapped the Assistant Writer’s shoulder raised her hand. She was chewing on something.

“Sorry to interrupt your warm welcome, but…”

“…What is it?”

“I’ve been feeling very uncomfortable since a while ago. And I’m probably not the only one. Ah, don’t get me wrong. It’s not about not having chairs or cushions for us. We know you can’t afford them.”

The woman turned her gaze with a smile.

Directly towards me.

“That guy. What’s with him?”

“…….”

“My guts are churning right now. The rat tail I ate yesterday feels like it’s coming back up my throat. Writer lady. Imagine being invited to a friend’s house only to find they keep a penguin at home. And without even a metal cage. Can you swallow your food?”

Contrary to her words, the hunter’s eyes weren’t smiling.

The noisy atmosphere quieted down.

I realized it. The reason the followers weren’t focusing on the Assistant Writer wasn’t due to their rudeness. The hunters were actually paying attention to [me].

Just as I was surprised by their capabilities, they too had detected me.

“…Right. I was just about to introduce you.”

The Assistant Writer sighed.

“Let me introduce him. This person is…….”

“Hello. Nice to meet you for the first time.”

I stood up from my seat. As soon as I moved, some followers reached for their waists, ready to draw their weapons at any moment.

It couldn’t be helped. We were strangers. To convey friendliness to the people as much as possible, I broadly smiled.

“My name is Kim Gong-ja. Thank you for comparing me to a penguin. I too was curious about the texture of penguin skin when I was younger.”

“Kim Gong-ja? Hey, that’s not an alias but your real name. You’re not joking. Tell us your alias.”

“Yes. My alias is Death King.”

“……!”

The air in the cave tensed. It wasn’t a metaphor. Several followers who had been conserving their energy suddenly raised their aura.

“Death King? The one whom Mahos issued an extermination and pursuit decree against?”

“The heretical leader who devoured numerous worlds and turned countless humans into undead!”

“Assistant Writer! Why did you invite such a lich to the meeting?”

Hmm.

It seems my broad smile had no effect…

I was slightly disheartened but still kept a smile on my lips.

“Please calm down, everyone. I am not a lich.”

“What?”

“As long as you don’t attack me, I won’t attack you. I’m as safe and harmless as a penguin. Look at my smile. Do I look like a lich to you?”

“…Uh, wait. Are you saying you’re not a heretical leader?”

The casual hunter asked with a sour expression.

I answered as politely as possible.

“I do lead a small sect. But it’s not heretical.”

“…Have you never used the dead as undead?”

“The definition of undead is a bit tricky. I do have the ability to summon the dead, but I don’t use them as zombies or vampires. In fact, many have found happiness thanks to my spirit summoning skill.”

“… …Mahos said you go around killing Constellations.”

“Ah. That’s an exaggeration. Going around killing Constellations, you say.”

I shook my head.

“I’ve only killed one or two.”

“This bastard is indeed that evil undead lich, No-Life-King-Overlord!”

“What are you doing, everyone! Subdue him now! We’re in danger!”

This is troublesome.

Why does it turn out like this even though I answered kindly….

-Hey, you’re actually enjoying this, aren’t you? Right?

‘I’m being wrongfully accused. Please stop the slander and defamation.’

It’s not that I’m intentionally enjoying it. It’s just that I found an inexplicable joy in people screaming in terror, mistaking me for a fearsome villain.

“Uh-huh.”

I loosened the holy sword at my waist, sheath and all. Startled! The followers who were wary of me flinched.

While showing them I had no hostility – I slowly placed the sword sheath on the ground. I showed them my empty palms.

“Look.”

Smiling broadly.

“I don’t bite.”

“…….”

“I know [The Warhorse of the Eternal Plains] has declared me a public enemy. But really, Mahos doesn’t see me as a lord of evil. He just wanted to use me for the moment. For all of you.”

“For us? Mahos?”

The casual hunter asked back.

“He’s like a loudmouth in the Constellation world. How is he doing anything for us?”

“I heard from the Assistant Writer. The current situation here is such that if you’re not affiliated with the Magic Tower, you can’t ascend to the 51st floor. But you all don’t want to join the Magic Tower, nor do you have the power to break it.”

“…….”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm. I’m just saying that the current situation might be frustrating from the Constellations’ perspective. Perhaps Mahos thought I could be some kind of [breakthrough].”

Why did Mahos become hostile towards me as soon as I reached the 50th floor?

Was it because I took away his apostle, Lady of Golden Silk? Was that the only reason he decided to fight? It could be, but if he really wanted to kill me, gathering a group of mediocre fighters for a surprise attack wasn’t the right approach.

He should have gathered only the [real deal] hunters like the ones present here for the attack.

“Mahos wants to make me the evil boss.”

“…….”

“To replace the Magic Tower, that is.”

I said that with conviction.

“…Indeed.”

The casual hunter closed her eyes.

She hmm-ed and looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“Turn you into [a new boss] and then subdue you. Yeah. That makes sense. Like the Constellation Killer, basically making you a [seasonal event boss].”

“Yes. That’s what I suspect. A chicken for a pheasant. If you don’t have teeth, use your gums.”

The other followers murmured among themselves. Sounds of “Ah,” “Indeed…” flowed from here and there. They understood our conversation and each came to their own understanding.

I quietly smiled and looked up at the cave ceiling.

[‘The Warhorse of the Eternal Plains’ remains silent.]

Silence can sometimes be an affirmation.

“Okay, Death King. That’s a very plausible observation.”

The casual hunter stood up.

“But why tell us this? It’s hard to call it wise. It only gives us more reason to see you as an evil lich.”

She smirked, fiddling with the handle of her dagger.

“Of course, it would be easier to deal with you than to break down the Magic Tower. Right? I was getting tired of playing the beggar on the 50th floor! I’m tempted to join Mahos’ quest.”

A clear provocation.

“Ah. Of course, that’s your choice.”

I laughed and spread my palms wide open.

“But really, will it be easier to kill me than to bring down the Magic Tower?”

“What?”

“If you’re as skilled as you claim, you must have killed numerous enemies by now. You must be familiar with the dance of life and death. But, everyone.”

I smiled amicably.

“Killing someone. Isn’t it supposed to be a really difficult task?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“It’s simple. Mahos wouldn’t consider me a [substitute for the Magic Tower] without any basis. Perhaps I am indeed [as difficult to subdue as the Magic Tower itself]. Just me, one person, could be equivalent to the entire Magic Tower. Do you really think you can catch someone like me?”

Everyone, including the casual hunter, gasped.

I humbly smiled and scratched the back of my head.

“You haven’t even caught the Constellation Killer yet.”

A provocation met with a provocation.

That’s the way I’ve learned.

“Ha.”

The casual hunter smirked.

“That’s a good point! Let’s see if you’re really on the level of the Constellation Killer—-.”

“No. Stop it. [Berserker].”

That’s when it happened.

Someone emerged from behind me. It was a man wrapped in bandages from head to toe. There was no sound of footsteps or breathing, only his voice flowed out without any trace.

The followers seemed surprised, noticing his presence only now. The casual hunter, who was about to draw her dagger, furrowed her brows.

“…[Paparazzo]? What’s this. How long have you been hiding like a cockroach?”

“Before you all arrived.”

The bandaged hunter murmured.

“It seems my skills haven’t rusted yet. I’m pleased. None of you detected me.”

“Ha? Of course. Who could find you when you’re seriously hiding?”

“That man did.”

The bandaged hunter, Paparazzo, pointed at me. A glimpse of his hand showed, but from his fingernails to the back of his hand, it was all wrapped in bandages.

“He’s been aware and cautious of me since earlier.”

“…….”

“I also got competitive. While you all were talking, I was constantly watching for an opening to strike at that man. I even felt the urge to really sever his neck if the opportunity arose. But even when he laid down his sword, I couldn’t find a single opening.”

“That means…”

“It means he’s stronger than us. Clearly.”

The casual hunter, [Berserker], gritted her teeth.

“You mean he’s really at the level of the Magic Tower? Hey, don’t exaggerate.”

“I don’t know his exact level. But it’s clear he’s a cut above us. I don’t have the hobby of risking my life against someone stronger than me. I believe you feel the same.”

Berserker gave me another piercing look. I could feel her eyes scanning me from head to toe. Eyes filled with murderous intent, burning with competitiveness, and above all, suppressing her pride.

Right.

That’s the kind of gaze I like.

“It’s okay.”

I smiled broadly.

“I won’t kill you!”

“…….”

For some reason, Berserker clenched her fist at my reassurance. She exhaled deeply, huffing and puffing, then slowly withdrew her hand from the dagger.

‘Oh.’

Isn’t she attacking? A bit disappointing.

I was looking forward to seeing what kind of martial arts a 50th-floor powerhouse would display.

Bae Hu-ryeong chuckled at my disappointment.

-You rascal. Making a noisy entrance to your initiation.

Thanks to one person’s intrusion, we avoided an immediate crisis.

“…….”

“…….”

However, the atmosphere in the cave did not change. In fact, it became even more tense. The followers, who had been relaxed until now, started to clearly guard against me after hearing the conversation between [Berserker] and [Paparazzo].

Many followers swallowed hard.

“Uh-uhm.”

This is awkward.

I was trying to be as gentle as possible to avoid this atmosphere.

I scratched my cheek. Not everything in life can be solved with words and smiles. It’s important to think positively.

“Well. It’s fortunate that it didn’t end in a brawl. That’s a good start!”

“…….”

“The reason I asked the Assistant Writer to invite you all is simple. It’s difficult for me to bring down the Magic Tower alone… I could summon my forces, but that wouldn’t mean much. It would just be [The Second Coming of the Sword Emperor].”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Just showing [a winning stance] isn’t enough.”

I clapped my hands.

“I’m more interested in all of you winning than just me winning.”

“What?”

“Assistant Writer.”

I turned to the Assistant Writer.

“You said it yourself. You’re not [the protagonist of this story].”

The Assistant Writer remained silent.

Again, silence can convey determination, and I understood various things from it.

She wouldn’t have said that just for self-deprecation. Her words carried that much weight.

But.

“Why does it have to be that way?”

“……You.”

“It’s not just a message for the Assistant Writer.”

I looked around at the followers again.

And said,

“Contact the forgotten Constellations of this 50th floor. Those whose power has weakened and might lose their position. You are followers of such Constellations, so I believe you have the means to communicate.”

The followers looked at me suspiciously.

Even though I hadn’t done anything yet.

I felt the terrible power of prejudice but still smiled brightly without being discouraged.

“Gather [everyone’s quests]. I will unify them and help you all reach the 51st floor!”

“…….”

The hall fell silent.

Behind me, the Assistant Writer muttered softly.

“…Hey. Haven’t you heard that your smile is suspicious? If you keep smiling like that and talking, anyone would think you’re a heartless bastard, only interested in power, treating human lives like flies.”

That’s a bit harsh.

Raviel likes my smile, you know.

*****