After Ten Millennia in Hell

It was obvious, even at first glance, that Baek Hwa-Yeon wasn't a normal Player. Perhaps, she'd even seen Kang-Woo cross the fence while using the Authority of Blindness.

"It is just a simple inspection, so there is no need to fret. We will leave as soon as we're done checking if any of the Players here are on the wanted list," Hwa-Yeon said.

Then, she glanced at the members of her squadron. They nodded in understanding and approached the Players.

'Thankfully, it seems like she didn't see me.' Kang-Woo sighed in relief.

It appeared that Hwa-Yeon hadn't seen him cross the fence.

'But Chaos Players, huh…?'

Kang-Woo thought of the incident with the Andras Guild and its members, the crazy demon worshipers who had used Players as sacrifices.

'Are they making their move?'

He wasn't sure yet, but the demon worshipers would have no choice but to expose their presence if they continued to perform rituals.

"Please show us your Player licenses."

Hwa-Yeon and her subordinates began inspecting the Player licenses.

When Hwa-Yeon got to Kang-Woo, she extended her hand with a handsome smile.

'She's pretty masculine.'

After giving her his Player license, Kang-Woo asked, "Do you handle inspections personally?"

"You cannot be a captain if you leave everything to your squadron members," Hwa-Yeon replied.

"That's a great mindset to have."

After that light exchange of words, Kang-Woo smoothly kept the conversation going.

"Have there been a lot of Chaos Players lately?" he queried.

"Yes. That is why we carry out surprise inspections like this."

"Hmm. Players earn more than enough money to live off by just hunting monsters, but they're stooping to murder to earn more…? How scary."

"…It is," Hwa-Yeon said, flinching slightly.

Kang-Woo did not miss that flinch.

'She's lying.'

Hwa-Yeon's flinch hadn't been in response to Kang-Woo mentioning that the number of Chaos Players had increased; it had been in response to what he'd said about Chaos Players killing people for money.

'She knows that their goal isn't money.'

Kang-Woo thought that the Hwarang Corps might be aware of the rituals that the demon worshipers were conducting.

"Could you tell me which Chaos Player you're looking for? As a Player, I want to do my part. If I ever see him, I'll report him."

"Thank you for your offer, but it is unfortunately classified. I ask for your cooperation once it becomes public."

"Oh, I see."

"Righteous young men like you are rare these days. I like that." Hwa-Yeon looked at Kang-Woo's Player license with a smile on her face. "It seems like you've just become a C-rank Player. I understand your desire to hunt at C-rank Gates, but I suggest you stay at a D-rank Gate for a bit longer. It will be safer for you to come here after leveling up a bit more. There will be an EXP penalty, but you can still level up to 25 in a D-rank Gate."

"Thank you very much."

"Oh Kang-Woo… I hope there are more Players like you."

Hwa-Yeon returned Kang-Woo his Player license and gave him a light pat of encouragement on the shoulder.

Kang-Woo smiled at her words. 'It'd be a problem if there were more people like me.'

From a moral standpoint, Kang-Woo was closer to being evil than a saint.

After his conversation with Hwa-Yeon was over, Kang-Woo glanced at Hwa-Yeon, who had gone to inspect other Players.

'Classified, huh…?'

He wanted to know if their target was Jo Deok-Hyun or some other demon worshiper.

Kang-Woo could tell with just a glance that Hwa-Yeon was a very strong Player, so there was no way he would be able to use a mind-control type of Authority like the Authority of Fear on her.

'I guess I'll have to be satisfied for the moment just by knowing that the government has begun investigating the demon worshipers.'

Moreover, Deok-Hyun was currently mobilizing his guild members to gather information on the other demon worshipers day in and day out. It seemed wiser for Kang-Woo to take a step back instead of rushing things.

"I should head back."

Kang-Woo walked away from the Hwarang Corps and went home.

***

A few days had passed by since he had hunted the boss monster. Kang-Woo continued hunting in the C-rank Gate and increasing his strength. When he heard that Han Seol-Ah had completed basic training and was ready to start hunting, he called Kang Tae-Soo.

As soon as Tae-Soo received Kang-Woo's call, he rushed to the cafe near Seol-Ah's house. He extended his hands toward Seol-Ah with his characteristically affable attitude.

"Oh, man~ It's nice to meet you. So, you're the healer that hyung-nim had mentioned!" Tae-Soo greeted.

"Oh, yes. Nice to meet you too," Seol-Ah replied.

"Wow~ You're so beautiful. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I saw you from a distance!"

"Th-Thank you very much."

Seol-Ah felt uncomfortable that a giant nearly two meters tall had approached her with sparkling eyes. She smiled awkwardly and turned toward Kang-Woo.

Tae-Soo looked at both of them and smiled.

"Hehehe. The air around you two is abnormal… What is your relationship with hyung-nim?" he asked Seol-Ah.

"Ah, u-um…"

"Don't say stupid things," Kang-Woo said calmly after taking a sip of the coffee he had ordered. "First, Tae-Soo, I want you to take Seol-Ah to hunt in a D-rank Gate."

Tae-Soo replied, "Of course. I should be the one making the request since she's a healer with a B-rank Trait. Sister-in-law, is your Trait only centered around healing?"

"S-Sister-in-law…?" Seol-Ah blushed.

Tae-Soo laughed loudly upon seeing her reaction. "Hahaha. It's already written on your face, so why are you getting so embarrassed? But more importantly, could you tell me more about your Trait?"

"Ngh… It's a Trait called 'Blessing of Light.' It can heal, but it can also be used to buff either strength, health, or dexterity."

"Whoa! So you can buff and heal simultaneously?"

"Yes, and I can use a few attack skills, too."

"That's amazing!" Tae-Soo exclaimed in surprise.

It was very impressive for a Player to be able to heal and buff at the same time. Most parties would consider whether they should incorporate a buffing class into their party, but that wouldn't be necessary if Seol-Ah were in their party because she could do both roles alone.

"If you can also buff, there's nothing more to say. A guild like Hanul Guild would welcome you with open arms almost immediately," Tae-Soo said.

"Haha, thank you, but I have no intentions of entering a guild for the moment."

"Haha. I'm the same. I'm thinking of making history in the world of Players along with hyung-nim!" Tae-Soo smiled naively and guzzled down the hot coffee. "Kaaah!! For coffee, you can't go wrong with an americano! Right, hyung-nim?"

'That's not beer.' Kang-Woo laughed upon seeing Tae-Soo overreact.

"So, is there anyone you have in mind regarding damage dealing?" Kang-Woo asked.

A party could not be formed with just a healer and a tank. So, a few days ago, Kang-Woo had asked Tae-Soo to find a good damage dealer.

"Of course! I found two incredible people!" Tae-Soo answered.

"Really?"

"Hehehe. I'm confident in my eye for people! They're so talented to the point that it's weird they haven't joined any guild yet."

"…How did you get to know them?" Kang-Woo asked warily.

The most important thing was if they were trustworthy; their capability came after. There were demon worshipers targeting low-level Players, so anything could happen.

Tae-Soo seemed to notice Kang-Woo's worry and said confidently, "I met them back when I was still hunting Goblins. Both of them have just gotten their Second Awakening. They're both trustworthy."

"Hmm…" Kang-Woo looked at him in complete distrust.

'I can't trust his judgment.'

After all, Tae-Soo had previously accepted two members of the Andras Guild as party members.

'I'll have to see them for myself.'

Kang-Woo cared for Tae-Soo, but Seol-Ah was especially important to him. He couldn't let her get involved in unnecessary trouble.

"Can I meet the two of them?" Kang-Woo asked.

"Of course. I'll introduce them to you tomorrow before we go hunting."

"Okay." Kang-Woo nodded and turned his head around to Seol-Ah. "Are you okay with that, Seol-Ah?"

"Of course. I trust him since you introduced him to me. Fufu. I'll try my best to level up as fast as possible so that I can party with you," Seol-Ah replied.

"You can take your time. The most important thing is your safety."

Kang-Woo's and Seol-Ah's eyes met, and an affectionate atmosphere bloomed between them.

"Hehehehehe." Tae-Soo giggled after looking at both of them. "Hyaaa, I can see the love in the air, hyung-nim."

"Urgh…" Seol-Ah's face reddened at Tae-Soo's words.

Tae-Soo found Seol-Ah's reaction funny and said with a smile, "But seriously, what is the nature of your relationship? Are you two dating?"

"N-No!" Seol-Ah denied it firmly.

The attention of the people inside the cafe centered on her because she had spoken so loudly. Noticing that everyone was looking at her, Seol-Ah blushed even harder.

Then she mumbled very quietly, "W-We aren't dating."

After that, Seol-Ah gazed at Kang-Woo, who was beside her.

"What… did you say?" Kang-Woo asked in shock.

He had an expression that looked as if he'd been hit with a hammer.

Kang-Woo trembled as he turned to face her. "Weren't we dating?"

"…Pardon?" Seol-Ah looked at him confusedly, wondering what he was talking about.

They certainly weren't dating, and the talk of dating had never even been brought up.

"You told me you would make delicious kimchi stew for me every day!" Kang-Woo exclaimed in frustration.

"No, I never said that."

"How could you do this to me after you even added instant noodles into it?!"

"I don't understand what you're saying at all, Kang-Woo," Seol-Ah replied unexpectedly calmly.

Kang-Woo's expression resembled that of a tragic female protagonist that had been betrayed by the man that she loved.

"Ah… Hm, so…" Tae-Soo bore witness to their skit with a puzzled expression. "So… are you two dating?"