[ Special-Grade Bait (3) ]
The first place I visited after finalizing the abduction plan was none other than a shabby little hamster shop called “Happy Hamster Haven.” It didn’t look like a place that saw much business. Inside, I found Do Hamin.
Apparently, his main job was running the pet shop, with the private investigation business on the side. Even though his side gig was profitable, the pet shop was eating it all up. Inside, the store was surprisingly neat, with everything arranged around hamster needs. I easily managed to get hold of Do Hamin.
“I was just helping people find others, that’s all!”
It wasn’t hard to coax him. Unlike the Do Hamin I knew before the regression, this one was much softer, timid even, perhaps because he hadn’t suffered as much yet.
“You’ve already drawn too much attention. If things keep going this way, you’ll soon have to worry about your life.”
When I mentioned the names of people who might start targeting him—based on what he’d told me before the regression—his face turned pale. I offered him protection, a steady salary, and a chance to work under me, and he didn’t take long to nod in agreement.
“If you let me set up my pet shop in your building.”
While I mentioned that regular folks wouldn’t be able to access it, he shrugged it off, saying most of his business was online anyway. Apparently, he sold hamster products at near-wholesale prices. After that, Do Hamin relaxed and spent a long time passionately lecturing me about the charms of various types of hamsters. It was tedious, but in the end, I managed to secure his loyalty without much trouble.
“Would you like some of this?”
Right now, I was pretty sure Do Hamin was tracking my location as we spoke. Pointing to the lunch box Myungwoo had brought during a visit, I offered some to Song Taewon.
“I’ll pass.”
“It’s good, though.”
I’d already had dinner, and there were only a few snacks left. I’d eaten half of them already, but everything Myungwoo made was delicious. His yakgwa especially was amazing. Maybe if I fed Song Taewon some, it’d melt that stone-cold face of his a bit.
“You look remarkably relaxed. Even though your abduction is the objective, and they’re unlikely to harm you directly, don’t let your guard down.”
“Are you worried about me? You probably have a lot of grievances toward me, yet you’re so considerate.”
“I hold no grievances. Given my position, it’s only natural for me to be concerned about your safety.”
It was a wooden, almost robotic response. Since our conversation in the interrogation room, he seemed to act even more rigidly around me. Song Taewon left after delivering his cautious reminder with his usual polite, business-like demeanor.
I was chewing on the last yakgwa and working on a crossword puzzle when the door unexpectedly opened again. What’s a phrase for “words with hidden meanings”?
“Hunter Han Yujin, due to external circumstances, you’re being transferred to another detention facility.”
The man who entered was wearing a detention facility uniform, indicating he was one of the facility’s hunters.
“Too bad, I was just getting attached to this room. Working late at this hour, are you?”
“Crimes don’t observe day or night.”
“You must have a tough job.”
Setting down my pen, I stood up. The man held out handcuffs for me. I cooperatively extended my hands and spoke.
“My younger brother, Haeyeon Guild Leader Han Yuhyun, is blood type AB. I’m type B. What’s your blood type?”
The man looked at me as if I were talking nonsense, and then I felt my Curse Resistance skill activate. It was a signal—telling others Yuhyun’s blood type was forbidden under the first contract condition.
The meaning of breaking Contract #1 was: “The kidnappers have arrived.”
I had used the contracts as a communication method based on Curse Resistance, so that I could inform Yuhyun of my situation even when phone contact wasn’t possible. I had even written down a list of contract conditions and stored it in my inventory just in case I forgot. And since Curse Resistance bypassed the inventory lock, I could always access it.
‘I feel like I’ve used a lifetime’s worth of contracts for this…’
To avoid compounding the consequences, I’d tied all sorts of random conditions to them.
“Let’s go.”
As I was led out, I encountered other hunters, but none of them reacted. The detention center was lightly guarded since it was meant for hunters, but it was odd that no one reacted at all. Had they been told a lie that I was being transferred? Or were they all in on it?
I hoped it was the former. There’s only so much rot I can tolerate.
Noah Luhir silently flew across the night sky. His brilliant golden scales didn’t lose their glow even in the darkness, but he was using his Stealth skill. One of the skills from his Dio Valsesis’s Twin title, “Dragon in the Mist,” blurred his form enough to evade the senses of even an A-rank hunter.
[He’s just left the detention center.]
Do Hamin’s voice came through the thin headset in Noah’s ear. Enshrouded in faint mist, the dragon slowly circled over the detention center. His eyes picked up a car entering the road below.
— Target sighted.
As the car accelerated, Noah easily matched its speed with a single flap of his wings. He relayed the license plate number and continued trailing the vehicle. Eventually, it stopped on a quiet roadside, and the people inside switched to a different car.
When Han Yujin emerged, Noah instinctively lowered his head a little. He could easily snatch Yujin away, but restraining himself while watching from this close made his scales itch with anxiety.
— They’ve transferred him to another car. License plate XXX XXXX. Resuming pursuit.
The car traveled for some time before arriving at the airport. It pulled up in a secluded area, where a foreign woman approached and took Yujin’s arm. As soon as she touched him, the two of them vanished.
— It appears they used a teleportation skill!
[Hold on, about 300 meters northeast. And now?]
Following Do Hamin’s directions, Noah moved. It seemed they had gone indoors, as Noah couldn’t see them from the air. He finally spotted them again by a private jet. Noah quickly reported the aircraft’s markings.
— It looks like they’re preparing for takeoff. I’ll continue following.
[Thank you, Noah.]
It was Yuhyun’s voice. The golden dragon gently perched on top of the plane.
The world makes it easy for criminals these days.
Get a good rank, awaken, gain strength and a handy skill, and there are plenty of ordinary people around to exploit. It’s no wonder some awakeners are drawn to crime.
If dungeons had never appeared and only awakeners had, it would have led to serious social problems. And while dungeons did give awakeners a place to unleash their urges, it didn’t stop them from committing crimes.
‘Teleportation really is a great skill for shady activities.’
Space-warping is ideal, but the only person I’ve seen with that is Goblin. Even short-distance teleportation is more than enough to get away with bad deeds without leaving a trace.
Just like how they’d brought me all the way to this plane.
‘I didn’t expect to be leaving the country this quickly.’
I thought they’d take me out by sea, but they’d prepped a private jet. They’d gone all out. I glanced at the female hunter seated across from me in the luxurious, spacious cabin.
“Excuse me, may I ask where we’re going?”
“Hong Kong.”
Not too far, then. Hong Kong was within the range of Yun Yun’s long-distance gate, right? Since Noah was following, I could count on him if things got dicey.
‘I also have Grace and the earring’s shield skill.’
I’d managed to keep my earring by arguing that it was a necessary precaution in case I needed a way to defend myself. I’d kept Grace in my inventory and later slipped it onto my ankle, hiding it under my clothes.
As I sat there, pretending to be subdued, the plane began to move slowly.
‘My first trip abroad, and it’s an abduction.’
No passport, and technically, an illegal entry. I had planned to be “kidnapped” for around three days, so if I got a chance, I’d like to buy some souvenirs. Maybe I could ask them to lend me some money.
The plane landed as I was trying to keep myself from nodding off.
Hong Kong was one of the places hit hardest by dungeon breaks. The main reason was that China had forcibly recruited most of Hong Kong’s high-rank hunters to the mainland. With little high-rank dungeon management, several dungeons had broken, and being a small region, each incident wreaked havoc on urban areas.
Due to the instability, their economy had also plummeted. I’d heard anti-China sentiment was much stronger than it had been before dungeons appeared. Understandable.
“Welcome, Hunter Han Yujin.”
As I stepped off the plane, a middle-aged man with a friendly face greeted me with a bright smile. I had no idea how to react as a kidnap victim. He even removed my handcuffs right away, though they did put on an inventory-locking bracelet.
“I’m Henry Gregson.”
Gregson, an Asian-looking man, extended his hand for a handshake. What the heck is going on?
“Now that you’re here, please make yourself comfortable.”
“…Uh, okay.”
Make myself comfortable…? What nonsense is this? Does he want me to develop Stockholm Syndrome? There was no security check as we exited the airport, and a limousine was waiting. The chauffeur gave me a courteous smile as he opened the door.
…If I told them I wanted to sightsee, would they give me a full tour and even cover expenses? What is this? Should I pick up souvenirs for the kids?
“I have to say, I’m a bit confused. I’ve been abducted, and you, Mr. Gregson, are the kidnapper… right?”
Gregson laughed heartily as he got into the limo with me. Of course, he wasn’t alone—another hunter, likely a bodyguard, joined us.
“If you were C-rank, it wouldn’t be this cordial. But there’s no need to harass someone who’s essentially a civilian.”
Gregson then introduced himself as an “awakener manager,” someone who recruits promising awakeners in impoverished, developing countries and finds them work.
“That sounds a lot like human trafficking.”
“It’s just that the brokerage fees are a bit high. I have high hopes that Hunter Han Yujin’s fee will be the largest yet.”
I had plenty to say but nothing to say at the same time. He’s shockingly brazen. I want to kill him and go home. Resisting the urge to summon Noah on the spot, I asked him,
“Then are you the mastermind behind my abduction, Mr. Gregson?”
“Not at all. Unfortunately, I’m just a broker this time. The one who captured and delivered you is someone else.”
So it’s not him. It must be someone local tied to the Association. By now, Haeyeon and Sesung must be tracking down the trail piece by piece.
We passed through streets scarred with signs of destruction, and the limousine pulled up in front of a grand hotel. As I stepped into the gleaming lobby, I was even more dumbfounded. This wasn’t what I imagined at all. Not that I’d prefer a grim prison over a five-star hotel, but…
“Please rest well after your long journey.”
The slave trader flashed another smile and told me to ask for anything I needed. I tried asking for a smartphone with call capabilities, but that was a no-go.
He led me to a breathtaking suite with a killer view. My first stay in a five-star hotel suite, and it’s because I got kidnapped. Life is unpredictable. Yuhyun, your hyung’s going to be just fine here, so don’t worry too much.
“To ensure you’re not disturbed, we’ll station guards outside. Please feel free to enjoy the hotel’s services. You’re welcome to use the pool, fitness club, lounge, and other facilities.”
“…Uh, okay.”
Damn it, I almost thanked him. With a final instruction to rest well, the slave trader left the room. Wait, is he seriously leaving me alone? I can’t escape on my own, but still—what’s with this setup?
Wondering if Noah was nearby, I tried to head out to the terrace, but the door was securely locked. After a few futile pushes and pulls, I gave up, only to see a piece of paper pressed against the glass from the other side.
[Are you okay?]
The writing was messy, like a child just learning to write in Korean. I couldn’t see him, but it was Noah.
‘I’m okay. OK.’
Mouthing the words, I gave a nod, thinking there might be security cameras watching.
[Careful. I’m right here.]
Right here? Wait, does he plan to stay on the terrace the whole time? He should just go to bed. I couldn’t say anything to him, so I just smiled.
On the sofa, I shielded my hand with a cushion and took a twig of Tilira out of my inventory, snapping it. Not to break the Tilira twig that Yuhyun had given me—that was the fifth contract condition.
Curse Resistance activated. The meaning of this contract was simply: “I’m safe and well.”
The next morning, after a good night’s sleep in this pricey room, I had a visitor. An all-too-familiar face I didn’t expect to see here.
“…What are you doing here?”
“I’m a guest, of course.”
The Sesung Guild Leader replied.
What the hell is he talking about?
–TL Notes–
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Lmao this freaking guy