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“Alpha.”

As soon as the name slipped out, the crowd’s expressions froze like statues. Although it wasn’t widely known, any hunter involved with the Neverland raid would definitely recognize it.

That name—the crimson-slaying pitch-black Marang. With the tension mounting, the swordmaster, Kang Tae-jun, twisted his broken sword. Slowly, magic power began to gather at the tip.

Suddenly, something started to emerge from the ominously swaying shadow. A coat of fur darker than the shadow itself. Terrifying red eyes that seemed to suppress the soul.

“……!”

The murmuring grew louder. As Alpha’s figure fully materialized, the hunters realized they were unknowingly gripping their weapons. At a towering height of 5 meters, this creature was indeed a monster—no, a Marang.

“…….”

Someone’s breath grew heavier. The hunters, turning nervously, soon realized it was their own ragged breathing. Trembling bodies and a pounding heart. Even with countless blades pointed at it, Alpha showed no sign of disturbance.

Rather, it was the hunters who were shaken. Someone swallowed hard; the eyes of several hunters with Emotion Skills seemed to shimmer, and some even sat down with hiccups, while others wrapped their hands around their eyes, crying out in pain. Darkness had enveloped the place at some point. A creeping fog and flickering flames wrapped around the Marang. It felt like the black flame briefly revealed a ghostly visage.

Patterns surrounding the Marang’s entire body began to emit a faint glow. In a world that had turned dark, Kang Tae-jun bit his lip.

‘Is there even a chance of winning…?’

Although it’s the boss of Area 1, defeating an executioner on its own implies it’s at least a boss-level monster. And it had the intelligence to understand language. Under ideal conditions, that might not be a problem, but given the current state, even if they won, the cost would be unimaginable.

‘Was this a mistake…?’

Maybe it would have been better to just pretend not to notice. Kang Tae-jun frowned.—He wasn’t a fool. He knew that fighting Alpha, who was chasing traitors, wouldn’t bring any benefits. In fact, if one of the traitors Alpha was pursuing was his father, Kang Hun, then Alpha’s assistance was crucial. Without it, there was no way to pursue those traitors.

Still, the reason he was stubborn was that he was a hunter. For the last 50 years, monsters had been sudden invaders against the crumbling humanity. With a few special exceptions like Slimes or Fairy-types, they were pests that always needed to be eliminated. Compromising with such beings was not easy. Even if he knew they had no malice and could be of help.

—Not that he wouldn’t talk, but it meant he had to secure the upper hand. Because, like Hong Yu-ri once said, conversations should only occur after capturing Alpha first.

‘…Should I step back?’

Kang Tae-jun narrowed his eyes. Contrary to him, Alpha showed a resolute attitude, making it clear it wouldn’t back down an inch. —The wolf wouldn’t have behaved like this before. The two reasons it wouldn’t retreat were simple.

One was that the wolf’s perspective had changed. Until now, the wolf’s view was that of a weaker creature struggling to survive. However, after evolving, fighting the goat had altered its mindset. It realized that retreating or bending like before was no longer an option. It had to stand at an equal position to convey its opinion properly. So, the wolf decided not to back down.

—Now the wolf had the strength for it.

“―――.”

As a low growl resonated, several hunters lost consciousness and fell. A haunting aura seeped through the fog, instilling a primal fear. Anyone facing those red eyes inevitably imagined their own deaths.

Above all, the biggest reason the wolf couldn’t back down—or rather, wouldn’t—was that Perry hadn’t returned. If there was even the slightest chance of using Perry as a hostage, it absolutely wouldn’t retreat. —To the wolf, the young dragon was a point of no compromise. There could be no talks of negotiation.

“…….”

Feeling that determination, Kang Tae-jun sighed. When he looked around, there were only a few who hadn’t lost their fighting spirit. It wasn’t surprising. No matter how strong Area 1 was, the Marang before them was a monster among monsters that had defeated the area boss alone. They weren’t dealing with a Worg or Skull Wolf…

‘The Devourer.’

An unidentified Marang that barely glimpsed the title of a masterpiece in the square. Kang Tae-jun felt his hand holding the sword tremble. He couldn’t guarantee victory even in optimal conditions, and under the current circumstances…

‘…Was this a mistake?’

The Neverland raid had only just concluded. Exhaustion and injury had piled up. On the other hand, the creature showed no signs of fatigue or injury at all. If they fought now, the odds would be slim. …But what if it suddenly changed? What if its actions evolved after growing stronger? Was there any guarantee it wouldn’t turn against humanity like before?

‘—If it becomes as unstoppable as a purple black tiger…’

Maybe it would be better to take the risk and see this through. Leaving any chance of regret behind… Kang Tae-jun’s eyes glinted coldly. Just as his thoughts crystallized in one direction, sudden footsteps were heard. Someone boldly walked in between the Marang and the swordmaster.

“……!”

A sudden action. It’s the only explanation possible. If Alpha had intended to kill, it surely could have done so in an instant. But without hesitation, that person stepped forward and extended a hand.

“Perry is here.”

Alpha’s red eyes briefly scanned her before slowly stretching a tentacle to accept the young dragon. Gently placing the precious young dragon on its head caused the tension in the area to ease slightly. While Marang’s threatening aura persisted, the killing intent noticeably lessened.

“…Seon-ja.”

Hearing her name called like a reprimand, Seon-ja, Euna, gave a bitter smile. Just a few hours ago, she had told the dawn maiden not to do such things, yet here she was acting exactly the same way. Turning her body, she answered the swordmaster’s call.

“Yes.”

“…What have you done?”

“I’ve just done what I had to do.”

“……That act could easily be seen as betrayal against humanity. Are you aware of that?”

Upon that question, Euna nodded as if she felt relieved.

“Yes. I know.”

She had plenty to justify her actions. Yet, Euna chose not to elaborate. The swordmaster would surely know everything she needed to say before she opened her mouth.

For instance, why they shouldn’t oppose Alpha, and the fact that the Fairy-type and Alpha aided the raid party—they were in their debt.

They knew it all. But if all those actions were overshadowed by the single reason that it was a monster, wouldn’t that be an irrational decision? Adversely opposing Alpha for such a reason would be the height of folly.

‘This time, it’s our turn.’

When asked whether they could stand together, the wolf had replied to wait. And that time would be right now. Euna showed her trust through her actions. Acting on her convictions, she wouldn’t regret whatever outcome might arise. Instead of convincing anyone, she closed her eyes and awaited the decision to be made.

“Ah, you’re not wrong.”

The voice that finally rang out belonged to the swordmaster, not the swordsman. He scratched his head awkwardly and locked eyes with Kang Tae-jun.

“If it wasn’t for that creature, we would have all been trapped and dead, so why not just hear it out?”

“…You think the same, huh?”

“No harm in listening.”

Kang Tae-jun looked around again. Baek Gun-tae was nodding with his arms crossed.

“We should have fought ages ago if that was the plan. Honestly, I don’t know the whole story…”

All Baek Gun-tae felt was that if they fought in their current state, they might as well be prepared for extermination. Who could guarantee victory against a Marang that symbolized doom? If they could avoid a fight, that would be best.

“…Understood.”

This situation was already akin to admitting defeat. With a short sigh, Kang Tae-jun sheathed his sword, and the wolf also lowered its deadly aura. They could see the hunters who had collapsed from the strain. Kang Tae-ho. Baek Gun-tae. Euna. Each had nodded in agreement as leaders of their respective vanguards, raid teams, and rear guards.

“—Right here! I declare the end of the Neverland lockdown!”

As Baek Gun-tae shouted at the closed door, they proceeded with the necessary protocols like tending to the injured. Then, the wolf, having retrieved the young dragon, said.

“…Follow me.”

Following the swordmaster’s words willingly, it moved slowly. The fog and wind, shadows and flames receded, and the crowd—those hunters—maintained their gaze on the wolf, their murmurs growing louder as it vanished from sight.

“Is this really okay?”

What if something goes wrong? The hunters watched anxiously as the two figures, the swordmaster and swordsman, were together. For exactly the opposite reason, another person fidgeted.

‘Phew…’

Fearing that a conflict might arise, Euna relaxed, relieved.

‘…Glad we could resolve it through conversation.’

Since no unforeseen circumstances had occurred. The spot where Euna stood was a position she actually wanted to be in. But she knew that was not on the table. She couldn’t afford to make the same mistake again… Euna sat down with a sigh as the tension dissipated and fatigue set in.

***

Yongin City might be called the most suitable place for a conversation, a measure against any unforeseen events. With the opening of Neverland, all residents had fled. A ghost town. Now only hunters remained in Yongin City.

“Now that we’ve come this far…”

Keeping a moderate distance—not too close or too far—from the raid party, they entered what used to be a shop. It looked a bit cramped, but the wolf entered without any hesitation.

“Wow… this is amazing.”

It was much larger than the door, yet it stepped in without needing to crouch. Upon closer inspection, shadows danced around the door. One could say it had forcibly expanded the space. What entered was a place resembling a restaurant. The wolf, unsure, attempted some detection but found no signs of life.

‘It seems there are no ambushes.’

He’d expected the plateau to be waiting with a blockade, but it was surprising. Had they really not participated at all? At that moment, Kang Tae-jun turned his body, resting one hand on the sword’s hilt as he spoke up.

“…Let’s talk then.”

Leaning against one wall was Kang Tae-ho, while Euna stood opposite him. It was a somewhat cramped space. A moment was finally established for conversation between humanity and monsters.

 

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