Something tensesomething unsaidhung between us; [I] looked back at my fellow guild member. Though Bae Jaemin hid his true expression well, he could not hide the tendons sticking out on his hands as he clenched his fists.

[I] was intriguedit was the first time I saw him unable to hide his angry tells. Was there a limit to his charade?

Maybe

[I] glanced down at [Beatrices Prayer] on my arm and fiddled with it, bringing attention to the accessory. Then, is it because of this?

Then, Bae Jaemins thin lips twisted.

[I] had unintentionally overheard a conversation after a previous raid Before the reward items were distributed, Bae Jaemin asked Dawon hyung, Whos going to get the [Beatrices Prayer]?

Dawon hyung immediately said [my] name, no room for reconsideration. Bae Jaemin nodded and ended the conversation, acting as if he was simply asking out of pure curiosityBut [I] clearly remembered the Priests distorted expression after he turned his back on our guild master after their short talk.

Though [I] knew that Bae Jaemin was greedy for this item, [I] accepted it without hesitation because the bracelet was something [I] needed.

Funny thing is, the day [Beatrices Prayer] was handed to [me], all the other guild members jeered and cursed, but Bae Jaemin, face shuttered like a folding screen, smiled as if to congratulate [me].

You know, if you really wanted this item, then you should have argued for itinstead of acting so gloomy behind me. Thats tiring. [I] drawled. I remembered snorting at his fake expression. Those who didnt know me probably thought I was being meanbut theyre the ones who couldnt perceive what a snake Bae Jaemin truly was.

However, instead of a full-blown argument as I had expected, Bae Jaemin kept his mocking smile intact at my words. He readied his Priest weapon, [Divine Staff], in his hands.

Though [I] thought, Is that crazy bastard really going to hit me with that? [I] wasnt particularly wary.

Dawon hyung banned the guild members from actual infighting, even as a joke. Breaking that cardinal rule would mean expulsion, and in our guild, expulsion often meant deathHes aware of that consequence, and yet hes still aiming to attack [me]?

As soon as he aimed that staff at [me], he unleashed his skills and moved with a purpose.

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He inflicted curses or status abnormalities that were the most tricky for Hunters like [me] to counter: effects that would block [my] view or disrupt [my] mobility.

It wasnt until [I] narrowly avoided death a few times that [I] realized Bae Jaemin wasnt using his skills out of rage.

These werent attacks that originated from impulsive anger.

The extremely calculated skill linksthis persistence

Have you finally gone insane? [I] shouted. Hes not just attacking mehes attacking me with the intent to kill?

It wasnt so surprising that Bae Jaemin would hate [me] so much that he couldnt think of anything else but [my] destructionbut something was so unsettling about his unguarded killing intentespecially considering that two-faced personality of his.

[I] lowered my center of gravity and kept [my] distance from him.

Bae Jaemin calmly called out to [me] while observing my cautious hesitation, Why? Afraid now that Im no longer wearing a mask? He raised his bowed headThat bastard was laughingthough the amusement did not reach his eyes. Violent temper permeated through his gaze.

What made him so confident?

[I] fixed [my] hold on [my] dagger.

The bastard added, watching [my] wary eyes, I dont think youre in a situation to be worried about me or my intentions.

Simultaneously, a burning pain climbed up [my] spine.

The sense of disharmonythe tensenessin the air, that [I] had been distracted by since earlier had been revealed.

However, before the attackers weapon could fully penetrate [my] body, [I] managed to turn around and avoid maximum damage to the internal organs. [I] pressed my hand to my solar plexus and, initiating [Stealth], decided to gain some distance.

When [I] disappeared, Bae Jaemins collaborator presented himself. Its not much fun here? I should have gone sightseeing at Seo Dawons side. The one who approached from the shadows was a large mana Warrior?with a big scar across his face.

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However, the man carried a short spear instead of a sword; it was quite peculiar for a Warrior to equip spears instead of their usual bladed wheelhouse. [I] thought I knew all of the talented Users, but his was a new face to [me].

And, there was one thing he said that unsettled me. What do you mean by Seo Dawons side? No wayAre you saying that Im not the only one being attacked but all the other guild members are also being ambushed?

Lets wrap things up quickly here and join them.

Shall we? Well, I dont think theres a particular need to stall.

The two of them, to [my] disgust, talked nonchalantly, as if they could care less where [I]ve [stealthed] myself. They acted as if [I] were already a corpse.

Jisoo noonim went in before me. 1

When familiar names were mentioned in their conversation, [I] became more shocked than angry.

.Jisoo nunim? Dont tell meLim Jisoo?

[I] swallowed the bile rising from [my] throat and opened [my] system to send an emergency message[I] needed to inform the others quickly!

However, as soon as the status window loaded with the messaging app, the unknown Warrior suddenly flung the spear in his hand.

Though [I] was sure the spear was flung in a completely random direction, the spear suddenly turned sharply and flew towards [me]. Though the [stealth] effect had not been released, the point was aimed directly at [my] neck. [I] had no choice but to endure the pain and roll on the floor.

When the spear hit the wall, the Warrior gestured with his hand. Like a boomerang, his weapon returned to his hand.

As soon as his fingers grasped at the spears shaft, he threw it again. No matter how off his aim was, the spear always turned sharply in the air and quickly rained down upon [my] location.

Fucker. What kind of item can penetrate through [my] [stealth]?

Eventually, [I] decided it was pointless to keep hidden and lifted the skill.

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Wow, its been said that its rare to see Red Lotus Jung Garams bare faceIm so lucky, the Warrior drawled.

Instead of responding to that smirking face, [I] threw my dagger at him.

However, he lightly grabbed the dagger when the blade was inches from his nose. As a show of strength, he crumpled the A-class itemsmelt using dragon scaleslike paper and threw it at his feet.

[I] spat blood mixed with spit and shouted towards Bae Jaemin standing so relaxed behind that ignorant Warrior bastard, Bae Jaemin, you son of a bitch! Are you joining hands with Lim Jisoo?

Instead of answering, Bae Jaemin lifted his [Divine Staff]. Sacred light filled the trap room.

As soon as the blinding light exploded from his weapon, [I] turned my head. As expected, the two seemed to have been waiting for a gap in [my] visiontingling pain erupted from my cheek as a spear passed through and grazed the skin there. [I] could hear a crashing sound as the spear embedded itself in the wall behind me. If [I] hadnt turned right at that moment, [my] head would have also been pierced through and staked to the wall.

This isnt good.

For the first time, [I] felt that [I] could die. Furthermore, [I] might die while being mocked by Bae Jaemin, whom I had always despised.

Of course, Dawon hyung may come to my rescue with the other guild members, but Bae Jaemin had planned this betrayal for a long time and had even garnered Lim Jisoos help. They may not be able to deal with their ambush quickly.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

In the distance, I could dimly hear the sound of the Golems self-destruction countdown.

Kyung-siks golem probably blew up. The noise was ominous because [I] couldnt tell whether the cause was a monster from the Dungeon or Lim Jisoos machinations. Lee Kyung-sik would be lucky to not become luggage; as an Alchemist, he had no means of attack after the golem disappeared.

So, I desperately needed to return to them.

It seems you have enough free time to think about other things?Said the arrogant spear-bearer. He constantly interrupted [my] efforts to get at Bae Jaemin; [I] had already received a huge blow and was on the verge of collapse.

What should [I] do?

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The more time wasted here, the more disadvantageous it would be for both [me] and the other guild members.

TN: Early updates because Im traveling this week so Im spending today on a plane!