Chapter 19

The Strongest Bodyguard in History

[Item: Traces of the Ancient Desert]

[Grade: B]

[Type: Medium]

[Description: This is a key that can uncover the secrets of a hidden ruin.]

[Effect 1: Can open the dungeon, 'Ancient Desert'.]

[Effect 2: Item belongs to the Hunter, 'Joo Dong hoon'.]

"Hmm?"

With my lips tightly sealed, I repeatedly reading the description of the item. 

There were four noticeable words:

Medium, Key, Ancient Desert, and Belongs.

At a glance, it seemed like a linked dungeon... Or, something like that? 

In truth, I didn't really know what it was. 

It wasn't covered in the mass media,.

and guilds wouldn't release anything that clearly smelled something like "hidden treasure" to the public.

"Sigh."

It's sad to be on my own. 

I have to unravel these pieces of information one by one. 

I wish someone would tell me about these things.

I needed a senior. 

In other words, someone like a Ranker who had gone through all these processes.

"Hmm?"

As if the heavens responded to my burning desire someone appeared in front of me.

*Whoosh!*

His hair Fluttering in the wind, a sweet peony fragrance wafting from there. 

Also, the familiar aura of death emanating from him.

"Amje-Nim?"

I blinked my eyes wide open. 

Why was Kisoyul here? I thought the Shadow folks were seeing things.

Did she really come?

"Hehe, it's been a while."

Kisoyul and my eyes met directly. 

At that moment, a shiver ran down my spine.

'Ah, she's definitely different.'

As the saying goes, you see as much as you know. 

She looked even more imposing than before because I knew a bit about her.

Even if dozens of A-rank Hunters gathered, they wouldn't stand a chance against this powerhouse. 

A Ranker!

"I said I'd give you some time to sort things out, didn't I? 

I figured you'd finished exploring the dungeon to some extent, so I came to find you. 

If you didn't show up, I was prepared to keep looking until the end."

"I... I see."

I nodded slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. 'What should I do?'

In reality, I hadn't decided yet. 

Should I tell her the truth or maybe deceive her a little? 

And if I did decide to deceive, how much?

'Or maybe not?'

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind. 'Is there really a need to deceive her?'

Kisoyul is a powerhouse, ranked within the top 1,000 among all the hunters in this world. 

She's a Ranker. 

Whether a hunter like me gains "Enlightenment" or not, it wouldn't make much of a difference to her. 

She could handle it with just one finger.

'what If I were to deceive her, and got caught?'

I shuddered at the thought. 

She's Amje. 

The Empress the of assassins. 

I could be kidnapped and tortured all night somewhere. 

Or worse, I could have my throat slit without a sound while asleep.

"...."

And look at that expression. 

It may be expressionless, but it looks quite ruthless!

"Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that again? You did the same last time."

Kisoyul's forehead narrowed.

"Huh? How do I look?"

I asked while breaking out in cold sweat.

"I don't know about the details, but your expression looks rather impure. Well, whatever you're thinking... it would be wise to make a good judgment."

Something like a half threat was in her response. 

I shrugged my shoulders, flustered.

Seeing my reaction, Kisoyul let out a small sigh.

"There's a saying Life begins with encounters and ends with partings. Depending on the connections you build, the quality of your journey will change. Just be sure to make wise judgments about which connections you're forging."

Given that she, a Ranker, was showing respect to someone like me, a newbie.

it was clear that the message was to be good judge when dealing with different situations.

Depending on the response.

it could imply that my life might take a more positive turn.

Of course, it could be negative as well.

"I've only observed you for a short period, but I remember you weren't a foolish person. My intuition must be right, correct?"

"Yes?"

"To put it simply, I hope you make wise decisions."

"...."

Indeed. 

Where on earth a could Ranker Making threats in such high class manner.

*Gulp.* 

I swallowed hard. 

I've made up my mind. 

'I'll just be honest, that's probably more advantageous.'

Currently, in the hunter world, I'm the greenest of the green. 

I know nothing. 

I'm like a chick that could die if brushed past. 

If I have the opportunity to form a connection with a Ranker...

'I absolutely have to seize it.'

I instinctively Conviced.

Kisoyul is a hunter with strong determination. 

If there's an unsolved problem, she'll try to solve it no matter what. 

If there's an opportunity to get stronger, she'll stick to it more tenaciously than anyone else.

Knowing that the martial arts old man is by my side, she will try to maintain some kind of relationship with me.

"Alright, Amje-nim."

I nodded, then opened my mouth.

"About how I cleared that dungeon and what the rewards were, you were curious, right?"

"Yes."

"I'll tell you everything."

"Good choice. It seems you have excellent comprehension skills, and that's fortunate."

She looked satisfied.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"But."

"But?"

"I have a condition."

"...?"

The corner of Kisoyul mouth went down again.

However, I wasn't intimidated. 

Come to think of it, there's no need to be afraid. 

At least, She won't kill me until 'The Reward' information comes out of my mouth.

"First, please protect me until I grow stronger."

"Protect? Is it because you owe a debt or something?"

"No, it's just that there are people who bother me."

The A-rank Shadow Breaker members who fled. 

Criminals like them probably wouldn't give up on me easily.

"...."

Kisoyul fell silent for a moment.

"...What's next? Since you said 'first,' there must be a second."

"Hmm."

"I can't give you a definite answer until I hear everything. I don't have a habit of breaking promises."

I nodded slightly.

I admit it.

Her strong determination to only say what she wants was actually reassuring.

It means that she's someone you can trust.

"Since I'm a complete newbie, please let me know within reasonable limits whenever I don't understand something. Like this, for example."

I shook the golden key I obtained earlier, 'Trace of the Ancient Desert.'

Then, for the first time, her eyes widened.

Her gaze seemed to waver slightly.

"It can't be a medium?"

"Oh, you know about this?"

To the extent that a Ranker would be surprised?

I got a little excited. 

What could this really be?

"Did you obtain this from the dungeon here?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

Kisoyul, who was holding her chin, let out a contemplative hum.

Then, after a brief moment of thought, she spoke up.

"Sigh, you're really lucky."

"Lucky?"

"Yes, the probability of obtaining a medium in a normal dungeon... To put it bluntly, it's almost zero. There aren't even a hundred known in the world so far. Moreover, it's a bound item, so it can't be traded."

"..."

So, what is this?

"Hmmm, a medium is also a form of 'Opportunity.' When you delve deeper, you'll encounter chained quests," 

Kisoyul explained, while repeatedly muttering 'unbelievable'.

"And those Chain quests continuously increase in rank, eventually reaching S-rank or higher. That's been the case for all the mediums I know of."

"...S-rank?"

"It's also an item that Rankers like me search for with great interest."

"Wow."

I exclaimed. 

No wonder. 

For a dungeon that requires sacrificing someone, the rewards are extraordinary. So this was what they intended to offer.

As I stood there with my mouth agape, Kisoyul nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I accept your condition. But I have one too."

"A condition?"

"What is it?"

Instinctively, I concealed the key in my pocket. 

It didn't matter since it was bound, but still. 

Since she mentioned it was valuable, I felt compelled.

Kisoyul, who had been silently gazing at me all this while, finally spoke.

"...Allow me to monitor your training process."

Her voice was clear, as if she knew something. 

"Monitor?"

"Why not? If I'm going to protect you, shouldn't I be by your side at all times?"

"Well, does it have to be like that?"

"To be honest, I've been sensing your energy for a while now. Since you broke through from the old man's stage up until now... You've been getting exponentially stronger. Even today. I'm most curious about that. How can you get stronger so quickly?"

In her gaze upon me, there was a kind of longing and obsession.

Was it an interest in the 'old man' who inflicted a crushing defeat on her?

Or perhaps, is it the case for all Rankers?

"Instead, as I mentioned earlier, I'm willing to introduce you to many connections. People who could directly change your life."

Some sort of being tied to connections?

the idea of having a connection with a Ranker is enticing.

"...."

After a brief moment of contemplation, I spoke.

"To think I could build a connection with a Ranker with just one 'Dungeon reward.' I'm truly moved."

"So, is that a yes?"

"Yes, it's a yes."

On this day, I gained the strongest bodyguard in history.

***

As the night grew darker.

Beep beep! 

I entered the room cautiously after entering the password to unlock the door. 

The basement room was dimly lit and cramped. 

For some reason, I felt more careful than usual. 

Perhaps because there was an unfamiliar guest beside me. 

And not just any guest, but an incredibly distinguished one, completely out of place in a place like this.

"...Did you stay in place like this?"

Kisoyul's voice came from beside me. 

I swallowed hard. 

An awkward atmosphere seemed to settle in.

"It's quite shabby, isn't it? I did say there was no need for you to come..."

"No, I can't do that. A promise is a promise."

"Oh, alright..."

She surveyed my room with a cool gaze. 

The sight of scattered instant ramen wrappers and a tangled blanket made me feel somewhat embarrassed. 

Ugh, I should've cleaned up before coming out. 

Wait a minute... Who wants to follow me all the way here?

I have the right to use my room as I please. 

That's what I was nodding my head so vigorously about.

"Hmm, there doesn't seem to be any surveillance equipment or skills here. There are no hunters of grade D or higher around the building either. You're still safe."

"...You noticed that?"

"Of course."

"Wow, you're truly amazing."

Clap, clap! I mentally applauded myself. 

She truly exuded the aura of the strongest bodyguard.

"I've thoroughly checked your residence. I'll be staying on the rooftop of the building for a while. So, when it's time for training tomorrow, please be sure to let me know."

I had already explained everything about 'the reward' to her. 

From the old man's presence to the kind of training I was undergoing. 

She seemed intensely interested and showed no signs of leaving my side anytime soon. 

Did she want to observe my training step by step?

No, wait.

"Wait a minute. The rooftop of the building? You're going to stay up there?"

"Yes, occupying an area around one building is no trouble for me."

"No... Well, I guess it's expected since you're a Ranker."

No, seriously. 

Why is this woman so intense? So, while she's protecting me, she'll be camped out on the rooftop?

"Is that too inconvenient for you?"

"I'm fine with it. Well then, have a good night."

She disappeared in the blink of an eye. 

Phew. 

My head throbbed. 

To think a Ranker would go this far. 

It's too overwhelming. 

What if her brother finds out? Will he try to kill me?

"Phew."

Well, it doesn't matter. 

It's not like I asked her to camp out. 

The important thing is one thing. 

I've now secured my safety, almost perfectly.

'Shadow Breaker...'

Of course, I won't just let them be. 

'I'll give back what I received.' 

My standard is not determined by the opponent's strength. 

The moment my skeleton grow enough to compete with a Ranker... 'They're all finished.' 

Perhaps that day will be the official disbandment date of the Shadow group. 

My resolution coiled like a snake deep in my heart.

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