* * *

While Doyoung shook his head in disbelief, the guild members seemed to find the display highly motivating.

“The team leader’s at it again!”

“We can’t fall behind—let’s go!”

As each member unleashed their abilities, the battle began in earnest.

Observing them all, Doyoung’s gaze shifted to the plaster mask.

He had expected the masked figure to remain aloof, merely observing with folded arms.

‘Interesting.’

Instead, the plaster mask seamlessly joined the fray, dispatching monsters among the guild members as if it had intended to participate from the start.

But something about it was puzzling.

Bang. Bang bang. Bang… bang

The sound of gunfire continued.

“I was certain they were ice-based.”

The icy aura he had sensed when threatened earlier didn’t seem like an illusion.

“Could they be concealing their true nature?”

Whatever the case, their marksmanship was exceptional—another detail that stood out to Doyoung.

“What’s up with that?”

By now, Beom Sinje, who had taken down most of the Scaphognathus swarm, hovered menacingly with his blade humming, and addressed Doyoung.

“I have no idea.”

“What?”

“I said, I don’t know. They suddenly appeared and threatened me, demanding to be guided into the dungeon.”

Doyoung spoke nonchalantly, as if it were nothing. At that, Beom Sinje’s demeanor shifted sharply.

“You should’ve told me that first!”

His roar drew the attention of the guild members, who glanced over despite their intense battle.

“Shh, quiet. You’ll break their concentration and get someone hurt.”

“Do you even hear yourself right now?”

“That’s why I’m saying it—to warn you. Honestly, I was trying to figure out their motives myself.”

While Doyoung maintained his calm, Beom Sinje’s expressions changed rapidly, the tension around him growing more severe.

Kiyaaaargh!

Fortunately, the appearance of the boss monster interrupted their argument.

Doyoung quickly identified the creature.

“Watch out for its claws and fangs; they cause paralysis. And don’t let it absorb blood—it uses that to build energy.”

As Beom Sinje drew his sword to charge at the boss, he paused to glance back at Doyoung.

“Fine. Hyung, just stay put and be helpful from afar, okay?”

“…These little punks sure know how to get under my skin.”

Earlier, Giwon had sniped at him with some strange comment, and now Beom Sinje was telling him not to cause trouble.

For a former villain leader who had once terrified the world, it was a blow to his pride.

But then came the follow-up.

“Just… don’t make me worry so much.”

“What….”

Doyoung couldn’t bring himself to apologize, so he simply shrugged.

Then, as if struck by a thought, he rummaged through his pocket.

“Here, take this.”

“Energy drink?”

“Haha….”

Doyoung chuckled as he placed the bottle in Beom Sinje’s large hand.

“That one’s for the guild members. Yours is something that’ll actually help with your powers. Drink it and be amazed.”

Though skeptical, Beom Sinje opened the bottle and downed it.

The bitterness made him grimace, and Doyoung patted him on the back.

Fleeting flashes of purple flickered in Doyoung’s eyes, unnoticed by anyone, including Beom Sinje, who was standing right beside him.

Doyoung smiled with his eyes and struck a playful pose.

“Go get ’em, Beom Sinje! Wipe them all out!”

Beom Sinje glanced at Doyoung, let out a resigned sigh, and then charged at the boss monster.

◇◆◇◆◇

“Hm?”

Beom Sinje raised an eyebrow as he swung his massive sword. His movements felt lighter than before.

‘Drink this, but don’t be too surprised.’

Doyoung’s playful remark from earlier flashed through his mind.

“Could it really have some hidden effects?”

The pharmaceutical deal ATE Pharmaceuticals signed with Chunho included 15 different drugs—12 for treatment and 3 as supplements.

The one Doyoung distributed to the guild members today was a power energy drink well-known among both domestic and international hunters.

Though treatment drugs were also being used in battle, Beom Sinje couldn’t recall any medicine providing such an immediate effect.

Screech! Screech! Screeek!

Lost in thought for a moment, Beom Sinje narrowly avoided the boss monster’s sharp fangs as it lunged at him.

Effortlessly dodging the attack, he swung his sword horizontally this time.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and their gazes locked.

Grrr…

The boss monster growled ferociously.

“This kind of opponent suits Hereun better.”

Judging by the looks of it, they seemed like a perfect match.

Beom Sinje’s gaze flickered toward the guild members engaged in battle.

A werewolf with silver fur was rampaging wildly.

The area around it looked as if a typhoon had swept through.

“What are you waiting for? Take care of it!”

“Yes, sir! On it!”

At Hereun’s growl, the guild members rushed in and dealt with the wriggling monsters.

Lightning flashed, and swords sliced through the air.

Screech! Squeal!

Beom Sinje observed the well-coordinated scene, then turned his attention to Doyoung.

“…”

With his calm demeanor, Doyoung’s face betrayed no hint of his thoughts.

“Why did you come here in the first place?”

He had a knack for making hearts skip beats in the worst way.

Beom Sinje could never fully trust his words—there had been too many incidents for that.

‘As long as he’s not planning something that harms himself again…’

A memory surged of a day when Doyoung, covered in wounds, still managed a shameless smile.

Beom Sinje’s lips tightened into a grim line.

“Never. That’s not happening.”

Even the thought sent his mood plummeting.

Meeting Beom Sinje’s gaze, Doyoung smiled slyly, oblivious to the doubt he was stirring.

Screech!

With an ear-splitting cry, the boss monster flapped its wings.

Simultaneously, its razor-sharp claws slashed toward Beom Sinje’s shoulder.

Clang!

Beom Sinje deflected the attack and took a step back.

Clink. Clank. Screech.

The claws scraped against the blade, creating an unnerving sound.

But there was no room for complacency—the boss monster began attacking with all its limbs, pressing Beom Sinje relentlessly.

As the monster’s attacks grew faster, Beom Sinje’s concentration sharpened.

With every movement, he noticed his physical abilities were slightly off from usual.

“What the hell did he give me?”

He resolved to investigate once the fight was over.

Channeling all his strength into his sword, Beom Sinje prepared for a decisive strike.

Whirrr.

The blade ignited, living up to its name as the “Sword of Flames.”

Screech!

Sensing its life in danger, the boss monster flailed its limbs and wings.

Beom Sinje braced his legs and pushed off the ground with incredible force.

“!!”

He leapt higher than usual, causing a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

The boss monster seemed to notice his hesitation, a spark of recognition glimmering in its own.

Screech!

As the monster tried to take flight, something struck the vulnerable spot between its wing and underarm.

Screech!

The monster shrieked, flailing in pain, just as Beom Sinje’s blade cleaved through its wing.

Splat!

The boss monster, now missing one wing, crashed to the ground in agony.

Beom Sinje didn’t waste the opportunity, aiming his sword at its back.

Thud.

But the monster twisted away at the last moment, leaving Beom Sinje’s sword embedded in the ground.

“To your right!”

A sudden voice made Beom Sinje pivot just as a sharp wind brushed past his ear.

The boss monster, bleeding profusely, twisted its grotesque face into a grimace.

Its fangs, glistening with venom, shone ominously.

“Vicious, isn’t it?”

Seeing the venom drip from its teeth, Doyoung clicked his tongue.

“Step back,” Beom Sinje ordered.

“I was going to anyway,” Doyoung replied, taking a measured step backward.

The battle resumed.

The boss monster, now with one wing, swung its claws.

But just as it began its attack, another projectile came flying from somewhere, halting its movement.

Screech!

It thrashed as if a pesky fly was buzzing around its face.

Thud!

Beom Sinje didn’t miss his chance, landing a kick to the monster’s side before slicing deeply with his sword.

Cough. Hack.

The bisected monster collapsed, clawing weakly at the ground, its lifeless eyes staring into the void.

Beom Sinje confirmed the monster’s death before turning his sharp gaze to Doyoung.

“What did you just do?”

“Ah, um…”

Doyoung scratched his temple, an act that only further irked Beom Sinje.

“Who told you to use your abilities recklessly?”

“This was fine—it wasn’t anything major…”

“Have you consulted a doctor?”

Before Doyoung could finish speaking, Beom Sinje interrupted him, his tone heavy with reprimand.

“I was just testing the limits, seeing how far I could push.”

“Do you even hear yourself right now?”

Beom Sinje clenched his teeth, fighting the surge of anger within him.

“Enough. Let’s go. We have a lot to discuss.”

“Alright.”

But first, they needed to confirm the boss monster’s complete defeat.

* * *