Declaration Of Extra Strike

 

“All the awakened receiving an S-rank party quest at once? And it’s a party quest? That makes no sense.”

 

Yeon Seung-yeon, reading my skeptical expression, spoke cautiously.

 

“Maybe it’s best if you see it for yourself.”

 

“…Quest window.”

 Main Quest #5.5 Conditions not met. 

A new Main Quest #5.5 had appeared, likely as a reward from the previous sudden quest, but there was nothing else to be found.

 

“I don’t have anything.”

 

“What?! If you don’t have it… what should we do…?”

 

“Is that true? Until now, we’ve never heard of anyone not receiving the quest.”

 

The others exchanged confused glances. As they nervously watched me, Yeon Seung-yeon hesitantly spoke.

 

“F-from what’s known, the quests are related to skills or professions.”

 

“The quest descriptions are strange—there’s no code-breaking or riddles. They’re very straightforward. Because of that, some are calling them chain quests. If that’s the case, the difficulty will keep escalating.”

 

“What kind of quests are we talking about?”

 

My question prompted everyone to eagerly share their own quests.

 

“For me, it’s about gathering ores I’ve never seen before. There’s even a map, but I can’t figure out the location.”

 

“Most combat-related ones are hunting quests. I have to kill 70 Cosmotaurs.”

 

“That’s a monster I’ve never heard of.”

 

“Ahjussi, I have to find 20 Stardustias!”

 

“You’re not going anywhere near a dungeon.”

 

“I am going!”

 

“Don’t let her go, no matter what. What about you, Seung-yeon?”

 

Ignoring Baek Da-hye’s indignant flailing, I turned to Seung-yeon, expecting her response.

 

“As I thought… it’s a potion-making quest. Honestly, I was hoping I could work on it with you, but…”

 

“Do you know what kind of potion it is?”

 

“No… The required ingredients are things I’ve never heard of, so I haven’t been able to start.”

 

“…That’s unusual.”

 

I couldn’t shake the feeling that these quests were connected in ways we couldn’t yet understand.

 

In a typical party quest, all members share the same objectives. But in this case, the quests varied depending on the recipient’s skills. This has never happened before.

 

Why hadn’t I received a party quest? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason. I could only guess that it was somehow related to the Constellation again.

 

As I mulled over the situation, I caught sight of Han Seo-jin approaching from a distance. Standing by the entrance, he gestured for me to follow him, clearly signaling that it was time to leave.

 

I wanted to stay longer, but Ha-jeong had been asleep in her father’s arms for a while now, and I had something to

discuss with Han Seo-jin anyway. Rising from my seat, I called out to the others.

 

“I’ll head out first. See you all at dinner. Seung-yeon, make sure to move your stuff.”

 

Leaving the café behind, I walked alongside Han Seo-jin and asked,

 

“Did you get a party quest too?”

 

“Yes. So, you’ve heard about it already?”

 

“What’s it about?”

 

“It’s nothing special. Just monster hunting. I’ll have to work with a Guide, so it’s going to be more of a hassle than anything.”

 

“You must have to hunt some strange monster too, huh? Everyone’s struggling to even figure out what their targets are.”

 

Standing in front of the elevator, Han Seo-jin turned to look at me.

 

“The center is gathering information and investigating the quests. Even if it’s not directly related to my assignment, I’ll probably be sent to assist wherever it’s needed.”

 

“Well, that’s typical of your style.”

 

I casually nodded, reaffirming my dislike for collective operations. As I did, Han Seo-jin tentatively asked.

 

“What about you? Can you share what kind of quest you got?”

 

“Oh, that… I…”

 

I started to reply without much thought but stopped mid-sentence. His cautious tone carried a hidden implication I couldn’t ignore.

 

‘The Guides must already have some idea about the types of quests people are getting. If he’s asking me directly…’

 

It confirmed my suspicion—Han Seo-jin had realized I wasn’t really Joo Ho-hyun. Feeling guilty, I pushed away the awkwardness and replied as casually as I could.

 

“I didn’t get a quest.”

 

“You didn’t? What do you mean?”

 

“Exactly what I said. I didn’t receive a party quest.”

 

“How is that even possible…”

 

The elevator arrived just then, and we stepped in. Han Seo-jin didn’t say another word on the way to the room, lost in his thoughts with a troubled expression.

 

Once inside, I let out Cloud and set it free to wander the room. As I approached Han Seo-jin, who was now making a call, I asked him directly.

 

“Han Seo-jin, get me a phone too.”

 

“How many times are you going to lose your phone, Hyung?”

 

“I didn’t lose it, it was taken from me. Seriously, why are there so many people after my phone? It’s driving me crazy.

Anyway, can you get me one today?”

 

When I was stuck in Nox, I had no choice, but now that I’m out, I can’t stand it anymore. This time, I need to ask Yeon Seung-yeon to install

Huntropolis

on the phone. I also need to contact Seong San-ha, who’s been completely MIA.

 

I looked at him expectantly, but Han Seo-jin’s expression wasn’t very pleased.

 

“Later.”

 

“What? But…”

 

His phone vibrated lightly, and he glanced at it before speaking in a voice with no trace of humor.

 

“You know the situation isn’t exactly great right now.”

 

“…”

 

“When things calm down, I’ll get you whatever you want. Just hang in there a little longer.”

 

As he turned to leave, I quickly grabbed the hem of his coat.

 

“Wait, then just tell me this—where is Seong San-ha?”

 

“…I don’t know. He didn’t even show up once when you were unconscious. He’ll come around when he feels like it.”

 

With that sharp answer, Han Seo-jin left the room. The sound of him answering a call grew distant as he moved down the hallway.

 

Left alone, Cloud wandered around the room before coming to nuzzle against my leg. I absentmindedly stroked its soft fur and muttered in disbelief.

 

“Why the hell…?”

 

“Meh-ee-ee-eh!”

 

***

 

“When Seung-yeon comes, should I tell her to use this room or that room? Cloud, which one do you like?” 

 

“Meeeeeeeeeh!” 

 

“You really are my sheep.”

 

Laughing at Cloud’s quick decision to choose the bigger room, I followed behind, but then the doorbell rang.

 

“It must be Seung-yeon.”

 

I was about to go to the door when Cloud suddenly ran into the room. Normally, Cloud roams around freely when it’s just Seung-yeon, so I figured there was someone else outside.

 

When I opened the door, I met Seung-yeon’s timid gaze, and behind him was Zero, smiling.

 

“Zero!”

 

“Huhu. You seem fine. I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. I guess you were really worried?”

 

“Of course I was worried, we separated in the middle of Nox. You two came together?”

 

“Yes… we met in front of the elevator…”

 

“Come in.”

 

As I opened the door wide, Zero shook his head.

 

“By the way, don’t you plan on meeting anyone with me?”

 

“Who?”

 

“Hunter Lim Cheong. He just woke up… Oh dear.”

 

“Let’s go quickly!”

 

Before I could even finish listening to Zero’s words, I quickly put on my shoes and left. Zero, making an exaggerated gesture, stepped aside and shrugged his shoulders.

 

Seung-yeon also followed me down to the room where Cheong was. I had asked if he was hurt, but I received a vague answer, saying it wouldn’t be all that pleasant, which made me hurry my steps even more.

 

The floor where Cheong’s room was located seemed to have more people than usual. Everyone was aimlessly wandering the lobby, sitting on the couches or pacing by the windows. 

 

As I looked at them strangely, I entered the hallway, only to feel sharp stares coming from behind me. As I got closer to room 2709, where Cheong was, they finally approached and grabbed my arm to stop me. 

 

Turning around, I saw a group of people glaring at us with wary eyes, as if they were keeping us in check. There were members of the Cheon Rang Guild, a few people who seemed to be Esper members from the center, and even hotel staff.

 

“Where are you going? What’s your business?”

 

“I’m going to see a friend.”

 

At my answer, they all grabbed their stomachs and laughed.

 

“Ha ha ha, that’s a funny story. This whole area, except for one room, is all empty.”

 

“Then that must be my friend’s room.”

 

I shrugged off the arm they had grabbed and turned my back on them. They rushed after me, stomping their feet.

 

“Stop! We’re calling security!”

 

“Don’t make this a hassle! We’re all behaving properly and in order!”

 

“What’s there to keep order about in a hotel hallway?”

 

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

 

I really didn’t get it. Scratching my head, I quickly rang the bell for room 2709.

 

Ding-dong—

 

“No!!”

 

A shrill scream echoed through the hallway. However, on the faces of the people who had been blocking me, there was an unmistakable excitement and anticipation that they couldn’t hide. 

 

Their reactions, which contradicted their previous actions, made me wonder. As I observed them in confusion, Zero took a step back, hid behind me, and at that moment, the door opened.

 

“Who is it?”

 

The person who appeared when the door opened wasn’t Cheong. She was a short woman with a neat bob that ended at her jawline, and her large eyes, which were tilted upward like a cat’s, along with her small lips, reminded me of someone I had seen in an old public service advertisement with Seong San-ha.

 

“Ah! It’s Dan nim…”

 

“She’s so beautiful. Today’s my lucky day. Because of that idiot, I get to meet Dan nim…”

 

“Her left eyebrow is tilted at a fifteen-degree angle. She must be angry at that person.”

 

“She’s so cute…”

 

“See? I knew it. Trying to barge into Dan nim’s room like that, you’d bring trouble. Handsome looks aren’t everything.”

 

I could hear the murmurs of the people behind me. The incomprehensible chatter made me tilt my head in confusion.

 

Dan nim, who had been staring at me, finally opened her mouth, and an annoyed voice escaped.

 

“

Haaa

, so it’s you. You’re the main culprit who hurt Cheong, aren’t you?”

 

“What? No, wait…”

 

“Don’t ever think about seeing Cheong again. Just get lost.”

 

While I fumbled for words, I quickly stopped the door from closing. Lim Dan’s sharp eyes glanced at my hand holding the door.

 

“Do you want your fingers to break? Let go.”

 

Despite her aggressive tone, I wasn’t angry. The worry for Cheong was too strong.

 

‘If Lim Dan is this angry, how badly is Cheong hurt?’

 

I knew that if a combat-class Hunter really used their strength, they could easily overpower me and close the door, but I couldn’t just let go. I glanced into the room, which was illuminated above Lim Dan’s head, and asked:

 

“Is Cheong in there? Is he okay?”

 

“That’s no longer something you should care about.”

 

“It

is

something I should care about. I’m the boss who hired Cheong!”

 

“I’m Cheong’s sister! Get lost before I say anything more!”

 

Lim Dan tightened her grip on the door handle. As the door started to close, my fingers slipped, but just then, a gloved hand appeared above me and stopped the door. Lim Dan’s face crumpled when she looked behind me.

 

“Why are you being so difficult? You’re making our boss upset.”

Shout out to NCT 127 cuz this is Chapter 127 xDMerry Christmas everyone! (If you're reading the advanced chapters)