Chapter 6 - Killing in the Nigh (2/2)

‘Did it get him?’

Although there hadn’t been any further movement, one couldn’t be sure unless they verified it in person.

An arrow appeared just as Jang Taeseok was about to make a move.

“Kuluk”

His subordinate which held the short bow spat out some blood, his stomach pierced by an arrow which came from behind.

‘It has to be.’

The only way one could move freely in such darkness was by wielding the black machete, and there would only be one such person per camp.

‘I have no choice but to go out.’

He had to go by himself and deal with this threat before the casualties got any worse. He already knew his opponent’s approximate position due to the arrow’s flight, so as long as he was careful about the ranged attacks, he had good odds of coming out on top.

“Kuhuk”

“Plea...se”

The screaming came from his own group as he left them to hunt down this threat on his own.

Jang Taeseok frowned

‘He is picking us off one by one.’

He was determined to kill this guy, as he continued his search for Woohyuk. But ever since he had begun actively looking, a stillness pervaded the forest

‘Where are you?’

He had looked around so carefully but found nothing.

‘Still can’t find...what if...’

Jang Taeseok broke out in a cold sweat. No, it couldn’t be.

It was impossible for a single person to have taken care of his entire party.

As he was thinking about what he should do, a man’s voice rang out from behind him.

“And now you’re all alone, Jang Taeseok.”

“...”

He spun around with a heavy look, to see Woohyuk staring back at him holding a bloody machete.

“I regret not finishing you off that one time when we battled in the valley. That time you led a special strike force and had given me quite a hard time. You even went ahead and put a bounty on my head after surviving from that Devil world. ”

“What…”

“In the end you were caught and cut up by one of my retainers, but I had always imagined how it would feel to kill you with my own hands.”

After finishing his sentence, he went ahead and sever both of Jang Taeseok’s arms. He fell to his knees and screamed out in agony.

“Ahhhh!”

Blood spurted out as an unbearable pain overcame him.

The machete moved so fast that he had never seen it coming.

‘Just too much of a difference in stats.’

An incredible gap had been created between them in a span of just two days.

He had also trained very hard, but it had all been for naught. Jang Taeseok looked up at him in complete despair, as the shadow of death loomed over him.

* * *

“I’m so glad that Chun Woohyuk is part of our camp.”

Ma Gwangpil said as he continued to pull out the feathers. Park Gunwoo nodded beside him.

“He’s quiet, but a good person. He even provides us with food.”

All the survivors were holding a birds wing, which they received from Woo Hyuk in exchange for helping pull out all the feathers.

“Why don’t you tell us something about yourself? You don’t talk much but everyone is curious about you, Chun Woohyuk.”

Woohyuk’s face turned furrowed in annoyance.

‘This guy again again....’

Still, looking at the faces of those around, he realised that he would still have to explain himself. At the very least he didn’t want some strange rumors to start spreading.

“Actually this is my second time here, that’s why I know more than you guys.”

“Could you share some important information with us? As you can see after tonight’s raid on the camp, everyone is on edge, and many haven’t yet adjusted to the strange forest.”

‘This sneaky guy.’

After carefully considering it. Woohyuk finally answered.

“If you follow me tomorrow, I’ll teach you guys a few things.”

“Where do you plan on going?”

“The Central lake.”

The expression on many survivors, including Ma Gwangpil’s immediately stiffened. The mere mention of the name brought up some bad memories.

“It’s too dangerous, please reconsider.”

“The choice is up to you.”

“Can you ensure our safety.”

“Everyone’s lives are their own.”

An awkward silence ensued as Woohyuk would only let out a bitter smile.

‘Was it too forceful?’

For those that were ignorant of the facts, it would sound like a sure death. Naturally he had a plan, but even he wasn’t sure if they would be able to handle it.

‘Maybe one or two of them will choose to follow.’

In the past there were still a few that had courage and would be useful. Although some things in the timeline had changed, it shouldn’t have affected their very nature. Woohyuk decided to wait a while longer.

“I will go.”

It was Lee Jaesung who stood up and broke the silence. He confidently met Woohyuk’s gaze, clearly having made up his mind.

“Is there anyone else?”

In response to his question, a few more volunteered for a total of ten. Among them there was even a highschooler and a nine year old girl.

‘That’s a bit surprising.’

They couldn’t have been very impactful in the past since he had no memory of them. Maybe they had previously died during this very raid or even stayed in hiding until the end.

‘I won’t stop them.’

They could actually turn out to be useful subordinates, that is unless they run away at the first sign of danger.

“Okay, I’ll lead this many people.”

It would instead be a burden if there were too many and tomorrow was going to be a bit unusual.

‘My stats are still way too low.’

Hunting as a group can work if there is a good leader.

It could help him avoid certain dangers but still challenge high level hunting areas.

‘They will actually be doing physical labor more than anything.’

Woohyuk began to roast his red feathered bird skewers over the fire, as Jaesung approached him and asked.

“Can you let me know what you have planned?”

“Don’t forget the Flute.”

“What? Are you....?”

Woohyuk nodded back to him, causing Lee’s expression to stiffen.

“It doesn’t sound like a good idea…”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

He didn’t want to give an in-depth explanation since that would only bring up even more questions. Also any information wouldn’t be helpful for them at this point anyways..

“...Okay.”

“There is one thing I can tell you”

Woohyuk spoke to Lee Jaesung who looked disappointed.

“If you return tomorrow, you’ll be able to deal with your own problems.”

Their eyes met as Lee Jaesung responded.