The meeting point was bustling.

Every member of the special task force had gathered for resupply.

The support team had set up mobile showers and restrooms for the task force. The accompanying food truck served real meals instead of combat rations.

This resupply day, arriving once every six days, was a kind of festival.

“Ah, come on. Let’s hurry it up a bit.”

“Save water. There’s a long line.”

The shower line stretched long. They were all S-rank hunters. Every one of them looked like a paragon of beauty, yet their appearances were ragged and disheveled.

In combat, their bodies rarely got contaminated. But there was no stopping the natural buildup of waste. Six days’ worth of sweat and matted hair alone were enough to reek.

“Long time no see, Mr. Byeonggap. Here, take this. It’s the supplies for Squad C.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. It’s my job.”

Jang Yongil, from the support squad, handed over a large backpack. Go Byeonggap passed back his empty one and accepted the new bag.

Jang Yongil held out a single sheet of A4 paper. It listed the items inside.

“Check it over.”

Go Byeonggap glanced down the list. Food, potions, daily necessities—all accounted for. The important thing was the cigarettes.

‘Seventy packs. No problem.’

About ten packs were his share. The rest were for Jeong Seongyeong. Satisfied, Go Byeonggap nodded, folded the paper, and tucked it into his pocket.

“How about we go somewhere and have a smoke?”

“Sounds good.”

The two of them found a secluded spot and lit up, trading small talk as they smoked.

Is the work manageable? Any trouble? I want to go home. Just trivial things like that.

Suddenly, Jang Yongil let out a groan and switched subjects.

“Oh! I heard on my way here that some hunters got banged up pretty bad—carried out one after another.”

“Really? How many?”

“Like fifteen? I heard some are touch-and-go.”

“Damn. That means we’ve already got over fifty dropouts.”

“Around there, I guess. With this place full of mutant rifts everywhere, accidents are bound to happen.”

“Tch. Come all this way to make money, and end up getting wrecked—what a waste.”

“Tell me about it. Tsk tsk tsk.”

Jang Yongil clicked his tongue in pity.

The North Korean Peninsula Restoration Operation was divided into two sectors.

A subjugation team that advanced slowly north from the DMZ, clearing every rift in its path. And a special task force that directly engaged the monsters scattered across the northernmost regions.

Jang Yongil ran with the subjugation team, but on supply days he switched roles to support.

“Well, take care of yourself, Mr. Yongil.”

“I will. I’ve got a wife and kids. … But I’m more worried about you, Mr. Byeonggap.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Even if I died and came back, I don’t think I could camp out where there are monsters.”

“Ah.”

Go Byeonggap let out a wry laugh.

He’d been just as freaked out at first. Seriously? Pitch a tent and sleep while monsters are swarming everywhere? What if one slit his throat while he was dozing off?

The first night, he’d been so tense he couldn’t sleep a wink. Some nights, he’d sneak back to Asvillam to rest.

But who was it who said it? Humans are creatures of habit.

“Well… I thought it was insane at first too. But it turns out, it’s not as bad as I thought. We keep watch, and besides, there’s an S-rank Hunter nearby. Once you see those guys fight, Mr. Byeonggap, you’ll change your mind.”

“So S-rank Hunters really are that strong, huh?”

“Don’t even get me started. Compared to us, they’re a whole different breed.”

The two of them chuckled together for a while.

By the time his cigarette had burned down to the filter, Go Byeonggap ground the stub under his boot and said,

“Guess it’s time to head back and grab some—”

“Hey, Yongpal. So this is where you’ve been hiding to smoke, huh? You know how long I’ve been looking for you?”

“Ahk!”

Right then. A man appeared out of nowhere and smacked Jang Yongil on the back of the head.

Go Byeonggap was so dumbfounded his mind went blank.

Jang Yongil shot Go Byeonggap a sheepish glance.

“When it’s mealtime, you should be thinking about getting your share, not loafing around! The line at the food truck’s gonna get long!”

“I just stepped away for a moment to deliver some supplies.”

“And what’s that in your hands? Now you’re lying too?”

“No, I just… I was talking for a bit—”

“Talking back now, are we?”

“…I’m sorry.”

The mysterious man stared at Jang Yongil for several seconds.

Then, out of nowhere, he burst into loud laughter.

“Puhahahaha! Hey, Yongpal! It’s a joke! A joke!”

He slung an arm around Jang Yongil’s shoulder.

“This guy can never tell when I’m messing around, always getting all serious. Loosen up, man.”

“Ah… yes.”

“That’s right, that’s right. I just came to get you for chow since it’s time to eat. Come on, let’s go grab some.”

“I’ll come once we’re done talking.”

“…”

For a split second, the man’s expression turned ugly. But perhaps conscious of Go Byeonggap, he quickly softened his face and said with a smile,

“Yeah, sure. Take your time and finish your chat.”

As the man pulled his arm away, his eyes met Go Byeonggap’s. Go Byeonggap was glaring at him, his brow deeply furrowed.

The man’s eyes were curved like crescent moons. But beneath the playfulness, the true look in them was cold.

The man tilted his head and nodded toward Go Byeonggap.

“Tough work, huh?”

“…”

“Heheheh. Yongpal. Come right back when you’re done. Right away.”

The man sauntered off with a swagger. Jang Yongil’s face was bright red, and he couldn’t lift his head.

Go Byeonggap stared at the spot where the man had left and then said,

“Who the hell was that guy?”

“…It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Nothing, my ass. Is that bastard insane? Why the hell is he hitting an innocent person on the head and pulling that crap?”

Jang Yongil kept his head bowed low. In a quick glance, Go Byeonggap saw his fist clenched tight, trembling with rage.

After a moment, he lifted his head. His face was twisted with humiliation.

“…”

Go Byeonggap pulled another cigarette from the pack as he spoke.

“Don’t bottle it up alone—talk to me.”

* * *

“He keeps saying it’s just a joke… Ha. It’s ridiculous I’m even stressed about this. I’m not some high schooler—I’m almost thirty.”

Jang Yongil let out a deep sigh. The story he’d unloaded was prime blood-boiling material.

In short, it was bullying disguised as joking around. The one tormenting Jang Yongil was named Jo Gwangheon.

An A-rank hunter—a man of considerable skill who apparently even held the position of squad leader.

‘Our squad leader was a goddess compared to this guy.’

Jo Gwangheon had initially approached pretending to be friendly, but at some point he’d started crossing lines. Throwing his age around to speak down to Yongil, ordering personal errands like leg rubs and fetching water. And on top of that, he’d begun laying hands on him a few days ago.

“Wait… what the hell are the other squad members doing? Don’t they step in?”

“Step in? They don’t give a damn. One of them’s on my side, but even that’s not worth much.”

“…”

Go Byeonggap’s mouth opened and shut before he hastily clamped it closed.

‘Are you just taking it like an idiot?’ The words had clawed right up to his throat. But that was something he absolutely couldn’t say.

Jang Yongil forced a smile.

“It’s fine. We won’t even be seeing each other after two months anyway. Heh heh… Feels a bit lighter getting it off my chest.”

“…Stay strong.”

“I will. Let’s head over now.”

People were eating at the tables set up in front of the food truck. A spicy aroma stirred the appetite. Was that pork bulgogi?

“Well then, enjoy your meal, Mr. Byeonggap.”

“Yes, you too, Mr. Yongil.”

The two exchanged a brief farewell and parted ways.

Go Byeonggap moved his gear to a suitable spot, then headed for the food truck. He grabbed a round tray and piled it high with the dishes laid out.

“Enjoy your meeeal—hoho-ho!”

The staff were frantically preparing food. They were ordinary cooks and housewives.

Not hunters—but they’d come to this dangerous place to donate their skills. All awakeners, of course.

Tray in hand, Go Byeonggap looked around for a spot. There weren’t enough tables; plenty of people were sitting on the ground to eat.

Go Byeonggap was about to squeeze in among them.

“Hey, Byeonggap! Over here!”

From a corner across the way, Jeong Seongyeong was waving her arms wildly. She’d clearly showered—looking fresh and clean.

Go Byeonggap obediently headed over. Song Hangil was with her.

“Why are you so late? I was looking all over for you.”

“Looking for me? Why? Something happen?”

“Why else? So we can eat and then smoke together.”

“Jeez.”

“Enjoy your meal, Mr. Byeonggap.”

“Ah, yes. Mr. Hangil, you enjoy your meal too.”

Go Byeonggap silently shoveled rice and soup into his mouth.

It was so delicious he couldn’t tell if the food was going down his throat or up his nose.

“What kept you?”

“Just had a chat.”

“A chat? With who?”

“Someone from another squad.”

“Oh-ho. So you know someone here?”

“Not really. Just someone I met since we got here.”

Jeong Seongyeong’s tray was already empty.

She rested her chin on her hand and stared intently at Byeonggap eating.

“What’d you talk about? A woman?”

Byeonggap slurped his bean-sprout soup and ignored the question. Then a thought struck him.

‘Would Seongyeong noona be able to sort this out?’

It wasn’t a simple problem.

‘Is this the kind of thing you fix by dragging in a tough guy to throw a scare? Even if I get him intimidated now, what if he retaliates later? And would Seongyeong noona even help in the first place?’

Byeonggap was hardly the nosy type. His own plate was full enough; he had no business poking his nose in other people’s affairs.

But thinking about Jang Yongil’s situation made his stomach churn. He wanted to help somehow.

‘Just bring it up.’

Byeonggap steeled himself and started in.

“Actually…”

The conversation ran for about ten minutes. Both Jeong Seongyeong and Song Hangil listened closely.

Byeonggap laid out Yongil’s story in full—even the fact that he was the father of a three-year-old daughter.

The reaction after the story was fiercer than he expected.

“That bastard’s a pure thug! Who is it? Who comes to work and pulls that kind of shit?”

“It’s absurd that someone so ill-mannered is on the expedition. This is a place where you have to watch every word—why would anyone want to make an enemy?”

“Who is it? What’s that bastard’s name?”

Jeong Seongyeong looked ready to storm out right then.

Byeonggap was a little surprised. He hadn’t known their sense of justice ran so deep.

“I think his name is Jo Gwangheon.”

“Jo Gwangheon? That Jo Gwangheon from Undermoon?”

“Undermoon? I don’t know if he’s with that guild.”

“See this? Isn’t this the slit-eyed son of a bitch?”

Jeong Seongyeong tugged at her own eyes to demonstrate. Song Hangil giggled at the ridiculous sight.

“How’d you know?”

“I’m from Undermoon, remember? You didn’t even know that?”

“How was I supposed to know?”

“Wow. Go Byeonggap, I’m really hurt.”

“What are you hurt about…”

“Anyway, so it’s Jo Gwangheon? Okay.”

Jeong Seongyeong stood up from her seat. Byeonggap quickly grabbed her arm.

“What are you going to do?”

“What?”

“You’re not going to him now, are you?”

“What are you talking about? I’m going to light one up. I can’t stand you anymore.”

“Ah.”

“And don’t worry too much. If I see that bastard on the road, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”

Jeong Seongyeong sauntered off. Around then, Song Hangil, done with his meal, pushed himself up from the table.

“I’ll think of ways to help your acquaintance too. I’ll take my leave now.”

Song Hangil vanished just as easily. Go Byeonggap was alone.

A strange sense of emptiness settled in.

‘What the hell? A moment ago he seemed ready to jump in and help. …Guess other people’s problems are just that — other people’s.’

Go Byeonggap let out a hollow breath and went back to shoveling rice.

His tray was emptying fast. Chewing on a chunk of stir-fried pork, he swept his gaze across the hunters.

‘For a gathering of Korea’s elite, this looks more like a construction-site mess hall.’

He was nursing that idle thought when —

Something snagged his attention.

‘Jang Yongil?’

Jang Yongil was perched on a lump of rock, eating alone. A spot cut off from everyone else.

Go Byeonggap started to call him over. But before he could, someone else walked up to Yongil.

Jo Gwangheon.

‘What are they talking about?’

Yongil and Gwangheon exchanged a few words. Too far away, too much background noise to catch any of it.

A moment later, Jang Yongil set his tray down on the ground and followed Jo Gwangheon out of sight.

A bad feeling coiled in Byeonggap’s gut.

‘Damn it.’

He forgot the half-eaten meal and trailed after them.

Jo Gwangheon and Jang Yongil kept heading deeper into the shadows, seeking out the darkest corner.

They stopped at a remote hillside a good ten minutes from the camp.

And right there —

Crack!

“Hey, Yongpal. You think I’m a joke?”

“…What is it this time.”

Jang Yongil answered, rubbing his stinging cheek. Jo Gwangheon’s eyes were murderous.

“Shouldn’t you be wolfing down your food and setting up the tents? You expect me to wait around because of you?”

“No, there are other porters who—”

Crack!

“How many times do I have to tell you not to talk back before you get it?”

“D-don’t hit me!”

“Pfft! What? Say that again.”

“I said don’t hit me! I didn’t come here to be treated like this by you!”

Jang Yongil pushed back hard. For a split second, Jo Gwangheon looked genuinely caught off guard. But only for a second.

Gwangheon put on a show of friendliness, draping an arm over Yongil’s shoulder. Yongil pulled away fast.

“Hey, Yongpal, you mad? Why’re you suddenly acting up?”

“Don’t touch me. And don’t call me that. Why the hell am I Yongpal?”

“What did I do? I just gave you a shoulder hug. Yongpal’s a nickname.”

The sheer shamelessness was staggering.

Jang Yongil. Tears streamed down that good-natured man’s face, his expression soaked in shame and humiliation.

“I’ve been thinking, and I can’t take this anymore. I’m the head of a household. I can’t bear this humiliation any longer. I’ll contact the press, everyone—I’ll expose everything you’ve done to me!”

“Hey, it’s a joke. Why are you taking it so seriously?”

“A joke to you—ghk!”

“Ah, my eardrums are about to burst.”

Jo Gwangheon struck Jang Yongil’s arm with his fist. It looked like a light tap, but it was anything but.

‘That insane bastard. He wrapped his fist in karma when he hit me!’

Jang Yongil clutched his arm and groaned.

“Ugh… ughhh…”

“It’s a joke, I said. A joke. Don’t you know what a joke is, Yongpal?”

“…You son of a bitch! What kind of joke is this?!”

“Then what is a joke? Like this? Or this?”

“Agh! Ah! Heeik!”

Jang Yongil crawled across the floor, barely escaping. He was clearly terrified.

“Stay away from me! I’ll tell everyone. Help! Hel—mmph!”

“Ah, you’re really exhausting me. Did our Yongpal eat something wrong? Huhuhehe.”

Jo Gwangheon let out a chilling laugh as he clamped his hand over Jang Yongil’s mouth. Jang Yongil, a lower-ranked awakener, couldn’t resist at all.

“Yongpal. In this far-off northern land, who do you think would care if a punk like you died? I could kill you, bury you in some mountain, and no one would ever come looking. Got it?”

“Mmph!”

“I didn’t even plan to go this far, you know? But you had to go and blame an innocent person, so I had no choice. You understand what I’m saying, right? You brought this on yourself.”

“Mmph! Mph!”

Jo Gwangheon raised his arm. A fearsome surge of karma gathered at the blade of his hand.

It was as precarious as a bowstring pulled to its limit. He really intended to kill.

“It was just a joke, really.”

With that, Jo Gwangheon drove his arm forward.

And then.

At the same moment, a powerful kick slammed into Jo Gwangheon’s face.

“Kkeok!”

Jo Gwangheon’s neck snapped back as he flew through the air and crashed onto the floor.

“Kkeup! Kkeu-eok! Keu-keo-keok!”

He clutched his neck, his face twisted in agony.

Even so, he quickly scanned the direction the attack had come from. Soon, a figure entered his field of vision.

“You, it’s you from earlier!?”

“You really can’t be left alive.”

Go Byeonggap opened the gateway to Asvillam. From within, he drew a cold, longsword.

“Thank goodness you’re trash. I don’t think I’ll feel a shred of guilt killing you.”