Time passed quickly. Without realizing it, this was already Minho and Hyerin's third raid today. Fatigue didn't slow Minho's movements at all. He was still as sharp as usual.
Slash!
[Damage 3]
Slash!
[Damage 23754]
Slash!
[Damage 1]
Hyerin, who had been holding back laughter from the start, finally couldn't control it anymore. "Turns out you're really unlucky, old man," Hyerin said while clutching her stomach, unable to hold it in any longer.
Minho didn't respond. But he turned around and pointed his sword toward Hyerin.
"Aaaacckk!" Hyerin screamed, realizing her head had nearly been cut off by the sword.
Minho, who was used to staying silent during every raid, finally opened his mouth. "You can die, but don't die stupidly," Minho said while pulling his sword from the dying monster that was trying to attack Hyerin.
Hyerin saw the difference in Minho's attitude between outside and inside the gate. If outside, Minho was someone you could talk to, inside the gate, he was more like a walking machine.
"Looks like that's the last one," Minho said while cleaning his sword of monster blood.
The third raid was successfully completed. Even twice as fast as the first raid.
"So Hyerin, we agreed all the drops are mine, right? But I'm a reasonable person, and I still have a heart. Here's your share, and thanks," Minho said while tossing one magic stone toward Hyerin.
Just a second ago Hyerin saw a walking machine, the next second she saw the typical mischief of an old man.
"You! You stubborn old man! How dare you mock me?"
"Hahaha. Don't be too serious, we need to joke around sometimes," Minho said, not realizing how he looked when facing monsters.
Today's raid ended successfully. Minho's expression explained everything. While carrying a bag full of magic crystals, he looked like a normal human again.
Hyerin, who saw Minho smiling all the way and occasionally complaining while rubbing his waist, could only furrow her brow. The stark contrast between inside the gate and in the real world was too obvious.
After reporting their raid and exchanging the loot for a large sum of money plus his pay for escorting Hyerin, Minho laughed broadly.
"Hahaha. Fried chicken, wait, papa's coming to get you," Minho said while shouting so loud that Hyerin had to cover her face from embarrassment.
In the midst of that euphoric happiness, two luxury cars arrived, bringing their steps to a halt. From the first car emerged a muscular man over two meters tall with a wide smile.
"So it's true what Butler Sonbin said, you're with Ranker Minho."
Minho reflexively bowed and greeted, "Mr. Kim, nice to see you."
Mr. Kim, too enthusiastic, momentarily forgot about Minho's presence before him.
"Oh, Minho-ssi, long time no see. You look sharper than before."
Minho, realizing the conversation was heading toward past stories, immediately tried to leave.
"Mr. Kim, I think I should excuse myself. I still have a bit of business to attend to."
Ranker Kim just remembered that the person who came with him in the car was too scared to get out. With a loud voice, Ranker Kim called Minho. "Minho-ssi, please wait a moment." Ranker Kim stopped Minho's steps, which were as fast as a ghost.
"Hyunwoo-ssi, come out. This might be your only chance before Minho-ssi disappears again."
The back door of the car opened, and a handsome man with yellow hair got out, then immediately bowed 90 degrees. "Minho-hyung, long time no see."
Minho saw his high school junior, who had debuted as a ranker alongside him, bowing his head, almost making Minho laugh.
"Don't be too formal. I'm not your superior," Minho said while approaching Hyunwoo and patting his shoulder.
Minho still remembered Hyunwoo, whom he often beat up for being too reckless inside the gates. But that was why Hyunwoo was still alive today and became the number one ranker in the country.
Hyunwoo trembled slightly. Fear mixed with respect made it difficult for him to speak.
"Minho-hyung, can I have a moment of your time?"
Minho, who enjoyed teasing Hyunwoo, did his usual mischief.
Pow! Kick! Slap! Pow!
A barrage of punches rained down on Hyunwoo's body, but he didn't flinch at all. "Turns out the Eagle Squad's tank has gotten even stronger."
A wide smile appeared on Hyunwoo's face, which had been tense. The atmosphere became relaxed.
Minho, who already knew and was sick of Hyunwoo's overly polite attitude, immediately opened the car door and got in.
"What are you waiting for? Come on, take me to the best restaurant. Your hyung is treating."
Hyunwoo, with a bright face, immediately opened the front door and quickly got in.
Finally, they arrived at a KFC restaurant. Hyunwoo knew Minho's character very well—he didn't care about style and luxury, and chose what he liked over what he wanted.
There was no conversation before they finished two buckets of fried chicken. As usual, Minho only wanted to talk after finishing.
"Hyunwoo, what news brings you to find me? Didn't I tell you I'm happy with my life now?"
Hyunwoo relaxed his expression a bit, took a tissue and wiped his hands of oil residue, then stood up and bowed once more to Minho. "Thank you, hyung. You saved many people."
Minho froze for a second, then was surprised by Hyunwoo's sudden movement.
"Hey, you fool, what are you doing? Don't embarrass me."
Hyunwoo, too caught up in the moment, immediately sat back down. While opening his phone, Hyunwoo said to Minho, "Thank you for still being a hero to the people who mocked you."
Minho frowned when he saw Hyunwoo's phone playing the CCTV footage from the subway station.
"Ah damn, why are so many people noticing my appearance?"
"Don't worry, hyung. I've already controlled the information."
"Thank goodness. So, is this all you wanted to tell me?"
Hyunwoo paused for a moment. "How about my offer to join our Guild? I'll handle everything."
Minho realized that Hyunwoo's character respected him greatly. He chose not to reject directly.
"I don't know. I'm happy with my life now. Don't you know I hate being bound by rules?"
Hyunwoo clenched his fists. "Hyung, you think I don't know your current situation?!"
Minho nodded, following the flow of conversation.
"Don't act as you know. My only problem is money, and I can get it very easily," Minho said while finishing the cola in his glass.
Hyunwoo ran out of words. His hyung's stubborn and tough-guy attitude confused him. While taking out a letter, he said:
"I know you're fine, hyung. So I prepared a gift you can't possibly refuse."
Minho glanced at the letter briefly and saw the Association's seal. "What's this?"
"You'll definitely like it, because I understand your personality best."
Minho then received it and immediately put it in his small bag.
The conversation between two people who hadn't met in a long time made the day pass without notice. It was already late.
It was time for them to part. From a distance, Hyunwoo just stood frozen, watching the senior who had been like a master, always his pillar of support, leave.
"I won't disappoint you," he said while watching Minho get farther away.