Chapter 198: The Hunt (2)


    <em>Kaboom! </em>


    The explosion madeva waves, sending it flying everywhere. Meanwhile, Gi-Gyu watched the battle with interest in hisva form.


    <em>Kersetu is pretty good, </em>he thought as Kersetu fought off the magma golem. Kersetu was the giant Lou had absorbed in the past. Now, it was a blood-made giant, busy fighting the magma golem.


    <em>I gotta admit that after I became the Ego Master, many of my skills evolved into something much more useful. </em>Gi-Gyu evaluated his improved state. Moreover, obtaining that title had changed many of Lous abilities as well. For example, Lous summoned beings could now interlock with Gi-Gyus Egos. Kersetu, a monster made of blood, could now use Bis Elemental Magma to move freely inva.


    Lou remarked,


    -They are equally matched, so the fight will never end.


    Lou seemed unsurprised, but Gi-Gyu felt differently. Kersetu was just one of Lous summoned beings, yet it was as powerful as an A-ss gate gatekeeper. Moreover, they were fighting in the magma golems home ground, which gave the monster a huge edge.


    -Magma golems are simpletons, but their attack and defense attributes are significant. As you know, any monsters in the golem category tend to be


    <em>Yup. I know. They have the best defense ability, </em>Gi-Gyu replied silently.


    <em>Boom! Boom!</em>


    The magma golem before them was proving this point. The battle between Kersetu and the magma golem was like a fight between a siege weapon and a castle gate.


    <em>Should I get involved now? </em>Gi-Gyu asked Lou expectantly.


    Earlier, Lou had advised Gi-Gyu to stay back and let Kersetu fight alone. But Gi-Gyu was beginning to feel antsy.


    Lou replied,


    -What for? You shouldnt have to waste your energy on something like that.


    <em>Then should we just leave them like this? </em>Gi-Gyu wondered if they should just leave since Kersetu was keeping the magma golem busy.


    -No, magma golems are persistent. Its best to take care of it now.


    <em>Then </em>Gi-Gyu grinned, inferring Lous implied message.


    Gi-Gyu whispered the names of Lous other summoned beings, <em>Rhodes, Choi Min-Suk.</em>


    ***


    <em>Its a</em><em>blue crystal. </em>Gi-Gyu stared down at the crystal in his hand. It was left after the magma golem was destroyed. <em></em>


    <em>I cant believe the riches the Caravan Guild must have umted. </em>Gi-Gyu could guess how wealthy this group must be. He felt certain that Andras knew the gates secret and could use them to his advantage. If one could control the gates, then


    <em>They can easily collect as many crystals as they desire. </em>


    Gi-Gyu opened Brunhearts gate and threw the crystal inside.


    Just then, he heard Old Man Hwangs voice.


    -Young man!


    <em>Sir?</em> Gi-Gyu asked anxiously. Was there a problem inside the gate?


    -Where are you right now? How This


    Old Man Hwangs sounded panicky.


    <em>Whats wrong, sir?</em>


    -When you opened the gate just now, someva flowed inside!


    Gi-Gyu almost shrieked in shock. He was still swimming inva and opened his gate without thinking. Since opening Brunhearts gate to store stuff had be second nature to him, he didnt foresee how this couldve sentva into Brunhearts gate.


    Did someone get hurt because of his mistake?


    Anxious, Gi-Gyu was about to ask the dreaded question when


    -Get me some more! No! Wait! Give me a minute!


    <em>Pardon? </em>


    -Im talking about theva you sent into the gate! Didnt you purposefully send it?


    Gi-Gyu almost replied yes. But Old Man Hwang had already taken his brief silence as affirmation.


    -Lava with such sorcerous energy Did our entire neighborhood turn into hell or something? Well, who cares?! This is perfect! You did very well! You must also have some talent for cksmithing!


    Old Man Hwang seemed thrilled as he continued,


    -Ill get ready to receive theva, so give me a moment. When I signal, can you get me some more?


    <em>Oh S-sure. </em>


    <em>-</em>Im so excited! This is amazing!


    Old Man Hwang and the rest were preparing to collectva. Gi-Gyu felt silly for being nervous. He had no idea thatva was such valuable material.


    Lou exined,


    -Lava from hell is considered special. Its no wonder the cksmith likes it.


    <em>Why is it special?</em>


    -Lava with sorcerous energy is a rarity. But theva here is even more special, as it holds sorcerous energy and magic. It is the perfect material for creating incredible magic tools.


    Gi-Gyu jolted and asked, <em>Are you talking about yer items?</em>


    -Thats right. Im sure theyll produce high-quality items with theva here. Your cksmiths are going to love it.


    Lou had referred to Old Man Hwang and Hwang Chae-Il as the cksmiths.


    Old Man Hwang announced,


    -Im ready! You can open the gate!


    Gi-Gyu promptly opened Brunhearts gate.


    Gi-Gyu was still nonplussed with the turn of events, but it seemed that things were turning out in his favor.


    Before long, the elderly man was thanking Gi-Gyu.


    -Thats plenty! Thanks!


    Lou asked yfully.


    -So how do you feel? Not nervous anymore, are you?


    Gi-Gyu shook his head slowly. Indeed, his heart rate had returned to normal. Thinking about Ha Song-Su had made him a bit nervous, but the unexpectedva incident had eased his worries.


    -Well, then. Lets go.


    Lous nonchntly voice.


    Gi-Gyu knew that Lou was trying to put him at ease.


    <em>Huh? Look over there </em>Gi-Gyu finally found something other thanva here. An odd-looking modern building sat at the bottom of theva river. It almost looked like a squirming dark creature was swallowing the building.


    -Its because everything is all mixed up here.


    Lou exined and prodded Gi-Gyu to move faster.


    Gi-Gyu nodded and began swimming toward the building.


    ***


    Entering the building was much easier than expected. When Gi-Gyu got close, the building opened its mouth to wee him as if it were a living monster.


    -Haa This is so annoying.


    Meanwhile, Lou hadnt stoppedining since they had first stepped inside. He grumbled,


    -Why did you bother entering? You shouldve just destroyed it. Why do we have to keep falling into a trap on purpose?


    Lou had wanted to demolish the entire building instead of entering it. He wasnt used to his enemy dictating his every move, so he had asked Gi-Gyu to level the building, but Gi-Gyu had a different idea.


    No. Looking around the area, he exined, The Caravan Guild I know this group doesnt deserve any sympathy, but the guild has so many meless yers.


    Gi-Gyu suspected that this building was filled with such yers and that destroying the building would kill them all. He didnt feelfortable with this idea.


    And, of course, there was another reason.


    I believe there are three types of people inside the Caravan Guild. First, those who joined without knowing the truth. They are probably being used without even realizing whats going on.


    Second, those who were brainwashed.


    With determination in his eyes, Gi-Gyu continued, Third andst group, greedy bastards fully aware of the Caravan Guilds motives and methods.


    His eyes glowed, sensing the magical presences around him. Thest group certainly didnt deserve to live, as the Caravan Guilds methods werent normal by any stretch. yers were supposed to kill monsters, climb the Tower, and close the gates. And a guilds job was to help and support them.


    However, the Caravan Guild was like that. Not too long ago, Gi-Gyu had witnessed how the yers around his house were fooled into giving up their energy to maintain the barrier. He suspected that this was just the tip of the iceberg.


    I guess Ill find out more soon enough, Gi-Gyu muttered.


    Kim Gi-Gyu! one of the yers surrounding him shouted nervously.


    Gi-Gyu was standing in the buildings entrance hall, a spacious area. He was currently surrounded by yers. He had been aware of their presence and motive, but he still let them surround him.


    Gi-Gyu looked at the yers.


    Lou chuckled and said,


    -Do you really believe that? Three types of yers? Kekeke.


    Lous rudely continued,


    -Well, you keep dreaming. But, are you going to fight them yourself this time?


    The enemy yersrankers and higherwere closing in on Gi-Gyu anxiously. He was surprised by the number of rankers the Caravan Guild had. There was no way so many yers became rankers while in the Caravan Guild. Gi-Gyu guessed that the Caravan Guild was scouting every ranker they could seduce.


    When Gi-Gyu smirked, the yers flinched. They all knew about the magma golem protecting this building. Still, Gi-Gyu had arrived here so quickly and uninjured. Every enemy yer here knew they couldnt have defeated the magma golem on their own. This showed them how powerful Gi-Gyu was.


    <em>Gulp.</em>


    One of the yers among them swallowed loudly. They may have been rankers, but they were still human. There was a good chance they would die in this battle, so it was no wonder they were all afraid.


    On the other hand


    Gi-Gyu moved his hand, gesturing for them to make the first move. He was clearly taunting them.


    Dont let him trick you! the yer who looked like the group leader ordered. Powerful energy wafted from this yer, and his calm was infectious, subduing the unbridled anxiety of the others.


    -Hmm I guess they arentplete novices.


    Go Hyung-Chul had reported that the yers in this area were unorganized and weak. But it appeared that they were stronger than the yer paparazzo had imed. The enemy yers were currently perfecting their battle formation. It seemed that the group leader had decided to focus on defense than on offense. Or perhaps this was what someone higher up had ordered.


    Gi-Gyu took a step back, leaving a footprint on the floor.


    The enemy yers became tense as they anticipated Gi-Gyus attack.


    Gi-Gyu waved at them again and announced, Fuck it! Come and get me!


    ...?


    Gi-Gyuughed at his joke and exined, I dont watch any cartoons, but I watch movies.


    What the hell?! Get ready! We just have to stall him! Reinforcement is on its way! We just need to survive until then! the group leader yelled to reassure his men.


    Ill let you live! Gi-Gyu ignored the yers reaction and continued to blurt out famous movie lines he had heard before. To his surprise, none of the yers attacked him.


    Gi-Gyu suddenly wondered if Lou was right. Was he wrong in believing the Caravan Guild had three types of yers?


    <em>Probably not. </em>Gi-Gyu decided that there were most likely only two types: Those unaware of the Caravan Guilds dark secret; those aware and still willing to participate in such activities.


    The unaware ones would sooner orter smell out that something was wrong. When they did, they could leave the group easily. After all, the Caravan Guild didnt care about the yers leaving the group.


    But Gi-Gyu had been told that the resignation rate in the Caravan Guild was meager. It had to be because


    <em>They stayed even after learning the truth. </em>


    It had to be because the Caravan Guild paid very well. In a way, it was understandable since money made the world go round. However, that didnt make it okay. Even when Gi-Gyu was at his lowest, he didnt give up on his principles.


    Gi-Gyu announced, You shouldnt have given up your humanity like this.


    The enemy yers seemed confused by his statement.


    When none of them made a move, Gi-Gyu dered, If you aren''t going to make a move, I will.


    Suddenly, a loud sound ripped through the air.


    <em>Ta da da da!</em>


    The enemy yers seemed confused about what was happening. They looked around when suddenly, one of them mumbled, This cant be


    The yers were well prepared. They were covered in severalyers of protection magic and high-level items. And to top it all off, they were powerful high-level yers, so this didnt make any sense.


    O-our leader! Hes one of the yers whispered when he saw the group leader stuck in the wall after a single punch from Gi-Gyu. Their leader couldnt even muster up a scream before he had fainted. If not for the faint breathing, they wouldve pronounced him dead.


    <em>Ba dum.</em>


    The sound of his heartbeat spread like an infection. The heartbeats in the room became so loud that they could hear each others heartbeats. They couldnt breathe because they had forgotten how to breathe. Fear had taken over thempletely.


    Suddenly, Gi-Gyus shoes glowed in a golden hue, and he whispered, Super Rush.