Chapter 48

I Am Not a Reincarnator Chapter 48

Monster Hunt (4)

"Such..."

Park Changhyun looked down at the slumped body of Park Jeongwoo with a regretful expression.

A large wound on his chest and a horrific injury where the back of his head was caved in.

Especially the injury on the back of his head was so severe that it made his spine shiver.

"Haa."

The death of an Awakened at the hands of a monster was so common that it was pointless to count, but seeing such a gruesome corpse made his heart heavy.

"Where is the other Awakened who was with him?"

"I don't know."

Oh Jin shook his head with a complicated expression.

Of course, he wasn't really clueless.

'They went that way.'

Through the Hunter's Constellation Mark, he confirmed the direction in which Choi Jongcheol and the bald man had gone.

They were heading towards the center of the city.

The direction in which the monsters were fleeing matched exactly.

"But what happened between you and this person earlier? The atmosphere was quite tense."

"We had a verbal altercation at the Association registration office once."

"Oh, I see."

"Haa. To be honest, I didn't have good feelings towards him either... but seeing him like this makes me feel heavy-hearted."

He let out a deep sigh.

Did he not expect to be killed by a monster?

He reached out to Park Jeongwoo, who had died with his eyes wide open.

"There's no situation to properly handle the body."

He closed the wide-open eyes and laid the body down on the ground.

*rumble, rumble*

A black cloud slowly crept into Park Jeongwoo's left chest.

"..."

He briefly checked if anyone around had noticed, but thanks to the 'Black Curtain' ability, no one seemed to have noticed.

'If this is the case, I could use it openly and no one would know.'

He could once again feel the incredible performance of the Black Curtain ability.

As the black cloud of the Black Heaven reached Park Jeongwoo's left chest:

['Black Heaven' absorbs the 'Scorpio Constellation Mark.']

A blue message box appeared in front of his eyes.

'Right.'

The Scorpio Constellation Mark.

It was the best mark for assassins, allowing the user to handle dozens or hundreds of poisons freely and explosively increase physical agility.

Of course, it couldn't compare to the Lyra Constellation Mark.

'The more, the better.'

It was one of the 12 zodiac marks.

There was no way it could be bad to have it.

"May you find peace."

After absorbing Park Jeongwoo's mark, he bowed his head and observed a moment of silence.

Park Changhyun followed suit, and Haeun turned her head with a complicated expression.

"...Then, let's get going again."

"Yes."

They moved forward in a somewhat darker atmosphere than before.

*Bang!*

"Karrurururuk!!"

"Oh Jin!"

"Yes!"

The monster attack resumed.

This time, it was a monster with grasshopper-like arms and four legs.

*Whirr!!*

It was also capable of flying.

"Where are you going!"

*Whirr!!*

Park Changhyun rolled his foot roughly and swung his hammer.

The Bull Constellation Mark on his left chest glowed.

*Crack!*

"Kararak?!"

A heavy shockwave struck the monster, which was about to fly into the air.

The monster was slammed headfirst into the ground.

"Since it can fly, let's finish it in one shot!"

"Okay."

Haeun ran forward and flicked her finger.

A red flame net formed and covered the monster's body.

*Crackle!*

A silver spear descended, and blue lightning burned the monster's body.

"Ki, kiruruk, kiruk!"

"These bastards are really good at running."

The injured monster staggered to its feet and started to flee, flapping its wings.

Haeun bared her teeth and reached out to the fleeing monster.

The red flame flickered as if it would explode at any moment.

"Sis, wait a moment."

"Huh? Why?"

"Let it run."

Oh Jin watched the fleeing monster intently.

'Sure enough.'

The monster was fleeing towards the center of the city.

"Let's follow it."

"What are you planning to do?"

Haeun tilted her head and followed Oh Jin.

They chased after the fleeing monster, observing its movements.

Then,

"..."

Haeun narrowed her eyes and watched the fleeing monster.

Did she notice it too?

"Isn't something off about it?"

"Right?"

The fleeing monster would slow down and twist its body from side to side when a certain distance was reached.

It was as if it was 'waiting' for Oh Jin and his group to catch up.

'Now it's clear.'

Oh Jin clicked his tongue and raised his arm to aim at the staggering monster.

*Bang!*

The wire shooter fired.

*Crackle!*

"Kirururuk!"

The staggering monster collapsed.

"Only one monster has been appearing one by one. Oh Jin, could it be...?"

"Probably what you're thinking is right."

Despite controlling the entire city, the monsters were appearing sporadically, one by one.

They would flee towards the city center when the fight became dangerous.

This was...

'They are luring us.'

Naturally, they were leading us to the city center.

'Do monsters have this level of intelligence?'

Oh Jin frowned, not understanding.

Monsters, or mutant beasts, are several times more ferocious than regular beasts.

They are powerful but less intelligent.

'But to guide us like this, as if throwing out bait?'

He had a premonition that something was amiss.

A sticky, unpleasant premonition.

"Hmm. I don't really see what's wrong."

Park Changhyun scratched his head and tilted his head.

Even he, with his extensive experience, didn't notice the meticulous and covert movements of the monsters.

Only Oh Jin, who knew all about 'deception,' and Haeun, who had once been on the front lines, could sense something was off.

'If they are doing the same to other Awakeneds...'

The Awakeneds were likely being led to the city center without realizing it.

'Is that why Choi Jongcheol went to the city center?'

The behavior of the monsters suggested that was the case.

"Oh Jin."

"Uh-huh."

He nodded, looking at Haeun, who had stiffened.

Now that it was clear the monsters were leading the Awakeneds to the city center:

"Mr. Changhyun. Let's head back."

"Huh?"

Park Changhyun turned to Oh Jin, puzzled.

"Already heading back? We're still in good shape..."

"The monsters have been luring us to the city center."

"Monsters have that level of intelligence?"

"It's not certain, but it's dangerous to go further just in case."

"But, there are still monsters left..."

Park Changhyun pursed his lips, looking unconvinced.

"We're not going back completely. We'll deal with the monsters on the outskirts of the city."

"Hmm."

"It's important to stop the monsters from leaving the city and attacking other cities, right?"

He gave a reasonable reason to persuade Park Changhyun.

"Hmm. You have a point, Oh Jin. Let's move to the outskirts of the city then."

Fortunately, Park Changhyun accepted the suggestion without much fuss.

"Are you going now?"

"Ah... Just a moment."

Oh Jin turned his body towards the city center.

He still had something to do.

'I can't miss the Aquarius Constellation Mark.'

He smiled bitterly.

"I'll give a heads-up to the other teams. The monsters seem to be luring the Awakeneds to the city center."

"Ah. I'll go with you."

"I'll go too."

Park Changhyun and Haeun approached.

"No, I'll go alone. If something unexpected happens, I can get out the fastest."

His overwhelming mobility with the wire shooter had been demonstrated more than enough during the battles.

There would be no objections.

"Hmm. If that's the case."

"Hmm."

As expected.

The two nodded in understanding.

"If something feels off, you'll run immediately, right?"

Haeun approached with a worried expression.

"Don't worry. I'm confident I can take care of myself."

"Okay, promise me. Come back without getting hurt."

She hooked her pinky with his.

"Sure. I'll contact you soon."

Oh Jin raised his arm and aimed at a nearby building.

*Bang!*

Using the wire shooter, he flew between the buildings.

After landing on a suitable rooftop:

*Whirr!*

He activated the Hunter's Constellation Mark.

"Sniff, sniff."

Countless smells invaded his nostrils.

He found Choi Jongcheol's scent among them.

'That way.'

He was not far away.

Oh Jin's eyes gleamed sharply.

* * *

In the center of the ruined city.

A middle-aged man surrounded by dozens of monsters had a sly smile on his face.

"Hehehe! I can't believe it, even after seeing it so many times."

He cautiously reached out to the monster, which was as unresponsive as a doll.

*Swish, swish.*

The ferocious monsters, which would normally be uncontrollable, accepted his touch like docile sheep.

"Really controlling monsters...!"

Choi Jongcheol trembled with excitement.

A sinister light emanated from the black orb in his hand.

'With this power!'

He clenched his fist and chuckled.

"Hehe. Life really is a matter of perspective."

Three months ago.

His life had hit rock bottom.

'Because of that damn kid...!'

*Crunch.*

Thinking of Oh Jin made his stomach churn.

"Hehe. Well, thanks to him, I met that person."

While wandering, having lost everything.

In a desperate attempt, he visited the Pandinus Guild office and met a man.

A man named Ashad Khan.

Choi Jongcheol recalled their meeting.

-You're looking for a place to belong?

-Yes, yes!

-Hmm.

The bronze-skinned man smiled sardonically and nodded.

-All right. But there is one condition.

-Condition?

-If you take this and follow my instructions.

He received a relic imbued with the power of the Black Star.

The relic contained the power to control ferocious monsters like obedient dogs.

'But that's just a part of its power.'

The true power of the black relic, which emitted an ominous light, was not just about controlling monsters freely.

The true value of the relic lay elsewhere.

"He. Hehehe!!"

Choi Jongcheol stroked the black orb lovingly and laughed.

-When the Black Star covers the night sky, this unjust world will meet its end.

Ashad Khan's words, recited like a spell, lingered in his mind.

They were dark and ominous.

'What does it matter?'

The Black Star or whatever was not important.

What mattered to him now was:

'Getting the chance to take revenge on that guy.'

Choi Jongcheol's eyes sparkled as he clenched the black orb.

"Monsters, continue to lure the Awakeneds to the city center!"

*Snap!*

He gave the order to the monsters, striking a pose.

"Kurururuk!"

"Karak!"

The monsters, which had been lifeless, roared ferociously and scattered in all directions.

"Mr. Jongcheol."

At that moment.

The bald man approached cautiously and asked.

Choi Jongcheol frowned and asked irritably.

"What is it?"

"Is Jeongwoo okay?"

"Again with this?"

The bald man bit his lip anxiously.

"Do you know how much money that kid owes me!"

"Haa. Haven't I explained this before?"

*Ts-ts.*

Choi Jongcheol clicked his tongue.

"To avoid suspicion, we need to have some casualties on our side."

The Pandinus Guild must not be identified as the mastermind behind the upcoming 'massacre.'

They had to complete this operation as victims.

For that:

"One or two sacrifices are necessary."

*Hmm.*

The bald man scratched the back of his head.

"Don't worry so much. I made sure he wouldn't die, just gave him some injuries."

There might be some aftereffects, but he wouldn't die.

"Che. I understand."

"Please scout the area until the Awakeneds gather at the center."

"Yes."

The bald man turned and left.

About 15 minutes later.

"Huff! Huff! Mr. Jongcheol!!"

"What is it now?"

He frowned at the bald man, who approached, panting heavily.

"He, he's dead!"

"Who's dead?"

"Jeongwoo! That kid is dead!"

"Really?"

"Why is he dead?"