Having briefly heard the situation from Ju Se-ah, Kang Mu-hyuk approached to check on Pyo Beom-hee''s condition.


    "Don''t get any closer. The poison asionally sshes."


    Before Kang Mu-hyuk could even reach the line drawn on the ground by Ju Se-ah, he stopped. Pyo Beom-hee''s condition was far more dire than it seemed from afar. Herplexion was ashen. The cold sweat on her forehead was far from being a few droplets but rather streaming down her cheeks to her chin.


    Her hands were ckened as if burned by fire, unable to return to their original color. The look in her eyes, fixated only on controlling the poison without even ncing at Kang Mu-hyuk, was dangerously unstable.


    "How long do you think she''llst?"


    "Hard to say. She''s already at her limit... But one thing is certain, Team Leader Pyo will copse before she can absorb all of Oopoomangbawoo''s poison."


    "Then it means we have to give up on divostok."


    Ju Se-ah hesitated for a moment before answering.


    "There is one method we could try."


    "What is it?"


    "I''ve heard about it before. S-rankers have the freedom to manipte mana, which allows them to use various techniques that couldn''t even be attempted before. The reason Team Leader Pyo is struggling now is because shecks the mana to control all the poison."


    "Are you talking about ''mana transfer''?"


    "I can''t think of any other way."


    Kang Mu-hyuk found it difficult to make a decision. Lending one''s mana to another was fraught with many dangers. There were actual cases to prove this.


    A guild in North America, a Tier-ed Guild, once conducted an experiment to maximize their mage''s powers by transferring other Hunters'' mana to a mage, but the oue was a disastrous failure.


    All the Hunters involved in the experiment ended up incapacitated, the worst possible oue. The conclusion of the experiment was that ''only S-rankers can do it.''


    ''The problem is that Guild Master Ju hasn''t been an S-ranker for long. It''s extremely difficult, or rather, dangerous, to attempt such a thing without sufficient training.''


    As Kang Mu-hyuk hesitated, Ju Se-ah made the decision for him.


    "This is what raids are like. There is always danger, no matter how weak the monster."


    "I apologize. I should have nned for the presence of the Tyrant..."


    "How could you have calcted the whims of a powerful madman? I''m prepared. We can''t let Team Leader Pyo carry the burden alone. Guild Leader Kang, you should leave the city in case of an emergency. As far away as possible."


    "I will stay as well."


    "Are you crazy? What if it fails? You''re not even a Hunt-..."


    Ju Se-ah swallowed her words. She almost made a slip of the tongue. Not awakening as a Hunter was a sore point for Kang Mu-hyuk.


    Kang Mu-hyuk continued her unspoken words.


    "Of course, I''m not a Hunter. But what kind of Guild Leader abandons their team and runs away?"


    "There are plenty of them."


    "Well, I am not one of them."


    "This isn''t the time to talk about responsibility. No one thinks you''re a coward, Guild Leader Kang. So please go somewhere safe..."


    "It''s not about responsibility. It''s the least I can do to keep fighting in the future."


    Kang Mu-hyuk''s rational mind knew that Ju Se-ah''s judgment was the right choice. But his heart was shouting not to run away.


    ''Is it the guilt of having dragged Team Leader Pyo Beom-hee back into this field? Or is it because of my own inferiorityplex from not bing a Hunter?''


    Whatever the reason, it didn''t matter.


    ''If there''s no reason, I''ll just create one,''


    Just as Ju Se-ah mentioned. If he was going to keep fighting in the future, now was not the time to avoid it.


    "Phew~ Okay. This makes my shoulders even heavier. After all, it means I have to seed somehow, right?"


    Seeing Kang Mu-hyuk''s firm resolve, Ju Se-ah could no longer dissuade him.


    ''He''s not someone who''d stopped just because someone told him anyway.''


    And it wasn''t like he was being unreasonable, that was just who Kang Mu-hyuk was. She hired him knowing the kind of person he is.


    There was no way he''d run away.


    "You will seed."


    "Of course. We have to seed if we want to avoid a disaster for our team members. Just to be safe, stay back a bit."


    Kang Mu-hyuk moved away from where Ju Se-ah turned her steps towards Pyo Beom-hee, going in the opposite direction. He was angry at Igor for creating this situation. But after carefully considering his actions, he calmed down.


    ''If what the Guild Master said is true, the Tyrant knew about Team Leader Pyo. So, he was targeting her while breaking the box. That means he wasn''t nning to destroy divostok. Why then would he go to the extent of attacking this ce and breaking the box?''


    For him to havee here just to finish the duel with Ju Se-ah, he retreated way too easily. That would be uncharacteristic of the tyrant, who is known for his pride. Suddenly, Kang Mu-hyuk realized Igor''s true intent.


    "Makar!"


    He turned around and looked at Ju Se-ah.


    If the only person who could stop the Tyrant was tied down here. Then Igor must be after-


    ''It''s not just Markar. It''s all the survivors of Nazezhinsky.''


    Kang Mu-hyuk hurriedly called Anton, but only the call waiting tone drew longer.


    Themand vehicle was overturned, and Hunters were strewn about the wrecked camp.


    Most were rendered incapable ofbat.


    Anton, sitting and vomiting blood, looked at the smartphone ringing on the ground.


    [Guild Leader Kang Mu-hyuk]


    ''Guild Leader Kang... It seems he has noticed Igor''s n... but this time it''s toote.''


    Crunch!


    A heavy foot stepped on the smartphone. The ringing stopped, and Anton looked up at the owner of the foot.


    "Igor Dudnik. You must know the meaning of attacking a fellow Russian guild without any reason, right?"


    "I didn''t kill anyone, did I?"


    "You put divostok at risk. The absence of the city''s protective guild leads to aw enforcement vacuum. Yet you attacked our guild? That''s treason!"


    "Isn''t this kind of disputemon in these hunting grounds? I know you guys have done simr things."


    "Do you think fights at the Gates and attacks within the city are the same?"


    "From the moment Oopoomangbawoo appeared, this city has been no different than a hunting ground. If you''re a Hunter, stop whining."


    "What''s your reason for doing this to us?!"


    "You know already. Nazezhinsky."


    "That again? What exactly happened there for you to do this?"


    Anton stood up, spitting out a mouthful of bloody phlegm. His legs had given out from the beating, but as the master of divostok''s leading guild, his pride wouldn''t allow him to remain seated.


    Even if the opponent was S-ranker, he thought he must die with dignity, for the guild''s spirit not to copse.


    "If we''re talking about culprits, your kind should have been chewed up and obliterated thousands of times over. Every single stone of your guild should have been pulled out and ground into dust."


    "Lunatic..."


    "Be thankful that the Russian government supports you. They''ll recognize your merit of having defended divostok. Soon, my brother will take over this city, or it will fall to Oopoomangbawoo if the raid fails. Either way, you''ll lose this city now."


    "Don''t think we''ll fall that easily."


    "Well. It wasn''t that hard, was it?"


    Igor looked around smugly. This had happened just three minutes after he arrived at themand camp.


    Since it was a unteral defeat, Anton had no words to retort.


    "Until now, it was a warning from Igor of the Tyrant Guild."


    "What?"


    "From now on, I speak as a Tyrant. You know Makar? Where is he? Where did you put the survivors of Nazezhinsky?"


    "Ha? Why? So you can kill them all or what?"


    "..."


    "Are you serious? Are you out of your mind?"


    "They are now ghosts of a vanished city. It''s time they disappeared. It''s not a bad offer for you. It''s good to get rid of such vengeful people."


    "Don''t be ridiculous. You think we''re murderers like you?"


    "If you won''t tell me, then you''ll see why I got the nickname ''Tyrant''."


    Igor ced his foot on the head of a Hunter who had fainted nearby.


    Anton knew well what kind of person he was, having long targeted divostok. He didn''t make idle threats about breaking things or killing people.


    "Do I need to show you for you to decide?"


    "Ugh..."


    "Well, not that I mind. It''s not like I haven''t seen blood before."


    Ultimately, Anton had no choice but to submit. The Kremlin was far away, and the fist was near.


    "Tell me what you want."


    "Huh?"


    "What''s the meaning of this?"


    "Why have you dragged us all out here?"


    People from Nazezhhinsky had gathered in the empty square, led by their former guildmates. Even though their restraints had been removed, the ominous atmosphere prevented anyone from recklessly trying to escape.


    Their oldrades had silently guided them to the square and turned away as soon as they arrived. It began to snow from the sky, but the darkness engulfed the square, making it invisible.


    Other than the sound of snow being crushed underfoot, the square was silent. Themotion in the square was due to thest person who was dragged out.


    "Makar!"


    Everyone crowded around him. The fact that Makar, who could be seen as the leader of the Nazezhinsky survivors, was safe meant that there was still hope. But no one dared to approach him after seeing the bandage tied around his right hand.


    "You, that hand..."


    Makar did not meet the eyes of his dumbstruckrades and looked out nkly over the square.


    "It''s like an execution ground."


    "What?"


    "The ce they''ve set us free. I wonder if one of us could survive if we ran now."


    "What are you saying, Makar?"


    "Seeing the daring actions you''ve taken, it looks like you have quick wits quite befitting of that."


    A somber voice echoed out of the darkness. That voice was filled with murderous intent. The survivors of Nazezhinsky immediately went into battle mode.


    "Th-the Tyrant..."


    Someone confirmed the identity of the opposite side with a trembling voice.


    The Tyrant, stepping into the light of the streetmps with his arms spread, made the Hunters feel surrounded. They instinctively knew. They would not survive this.


    Therades exchanged nces with each other.


    After that, a Hunter from the leadership of the Nazezinsky survivors approached Makar.


    "Makar, you should run. We''ll buy you time."


    "Good thing Kozlov isn''t here."


    "At least you and Kozlov need to make it out alive."


    "Sorry, but even if we scatter in all directions and run, we can''t escape from that guy. We''ll all be dead before we get out of this square."


    Makar spoke skeptically, but the Hunter gritted his teeth and desperately pleaded.


    "That''s why we are risking our lives to hold him off! Run now!"


    Makar was pushed by the chest but still had no intention of running. Instead, he moved towards Igor. Hisrades hesitated and missed the timing to stop him.


    Igor also walked towards Makar and spoke.


    "Is your operation over now?"


    "Your patience is really something. After all the fuss about waiting 14 years for revenge and you even gave us time to n."


    "You think only those of you hiding in the Tsar Guild can do that?"


    "There''s something I want to ask before I die."


    "I''m not the type to listen tost words."


    "Why did you kill the people of Nazezinsky 14 years ago?"


    "You want to know the reason they were killed? Would knowing change anything?"


    "Why did you kill them, you bastard?!"


    Makar threw his remaining left fist. Igor didn''t even bother to block it.


    Makar''s punchnded in Igor''s abdomen. It was a blow with all his might, but Igor did not flinch.


    Igor grabbed his fist and crushed it.


    Severe pain surged, but Makar did not utter a groan.


    "Our families died. Wasn''t it because your people instigated it? The citizens'' assembly, the council, the administrative office, the guild members from Nazezinsky, all in cahoots. No one warned that a boss monster had entered the city, and they drove my father to a dead end."


    "So you killed just everyone? Just because they were citizens of Nazezhinsky?"


    "The ones running away had already received evacuation orders. But not a single one spread that information. They knew they could survive only if my father''s guild was blocking the way. Go on, tell me. Did you really not know that? Ah, or are you going to say that all of you here were too young to know at that time? If that''s the case, then what is your revenge? It seems you remember that well enough."


    None of the survivors from Nazezhinsky could reply.


    Only Makar spoke up.


    "You might be right. Let''s say, the citizens were selfish. But that doesn''t justify a massacre."


    "The Tsar Guild was selfish too. That''s what caused this mess. What about you who brought Oopoomangbawoo into this city? Aren''t you being selfish too? Conveniently interpreting things for your ownfort."


    "When you''re weak... Who''s going to make you repent? Who''s going to bring judgment on you?!"


    "Man, you sound just like my younger brother."


    "!!"


    It was then that Makar realized.


    ''What''s different between him and me?''


    He had a vague idea, but actually facing and speaking with him, it kept feeling like he was talking to a mirror.


    "As expected of the talkative ones. There''s no one who can mention a reason for revenge that''s morepelling than blood."


    Igor reached out his hand. Makar, who didn''t notice the signs, was grabbed by the cor and lifted into the air.


    "There''s no need to attach all sorts of qualifications to revenge. You just need to see blood and feel satisfied."


    "Pity. I won''t get to see your blood."


    "Just die quietly. Let me be at ease."


    "You''ll also see your blood soooon... urgh!"


    Igor snapped Makar''s neck in an instant.


    Makar copsed on the floor, and Igor stepped over him. The sound of breaking bones and bursting flesh echoed across the square.


    "Makar!!!"


    The survivors of Nazezinsky charged at Igor all at once. Even knowing the oue, their attack was fearless and resolute against an S-rank Hunter.


    "I''m tired of this. Let''s end it."


    As Igor''s body grew, snowkes whirled down from the sky.


    As the day broke.


    "It''s over."


    Watching the swirling mana calm down, Kang Mu-hyuk muttered.


    Ju Se-ah, who had been supporting Pyo Beom-hee, copsed.


    Pyo Beom-hee, too, gasped for breath as she clung to the flickering Poison Well, lying face down on the ground. Her skin, which had been ckened, had mostly returned to its original color, but the tips of her fingers remained ck.


    "Guild Master, Team Leader Pyo, are you all right?"


    Ju Se-ah just nodded weakly to Kang Mu-hyuk, who had rushed over, indicating she had no strength to reply.


    Yeom Soo-hyung and No Song-rin, who had been on guard, nodded at Kang Mu-hyuk that Pyo Beom-hee was safe.


    As Kang Mu-hyuk approached Pyo Beom-hee and saw her fingertips, he was startled.


    "Ah, this? I ''m just lucky. No need to spend money on pedicures now."


    Kang Mu-hyuk forced a smile at Po Beom-hee''s joke, knowing she was joking to reassure others.


    "You did a great job."


    "If you know we do a great job, give us plenty of vacation days at least."


    "Yes. I''ll make sure to be generous with the vacation days."


    After the Korean Hunters confirmed their safety, Dmitry cautiously approached. He and the Hunters of the Tsar Guild had also been standing guard in case of an emergency.


    "Last night, we lost Makar and all the Nazhezinsky survivors to Igor. Our members, including the Guild Master, have been injured and are undergoing treatment."


    "The oue is obvious."


    "Yes. There are no survivors."


    "We''ve ovee the crisis in divostok... Now, what remains is how to deal with the Tyrant."


    "Annoying as it is, we have no way to deal with an S-rank Hunter."


    "If not with strength, we must use something else."


    Kang Mu-hyuk clenched his teeth. Dmitry cocked his head.


    "Please convey to Darden Dudnik that we should meet."


    "What? Darden?"


    "This tiresome ill-fated rtionship. Let''s cut it off here."