Chapter 153. How Ironic

Kim Do-Joon suspected the “king” to be Gao Lin, who wielded the power of shadows.

So, he was originally a Hunter of the Black Dragon Guild...

However, Li Weipeng had turned on his allies, attacking them with brutal efficiency, as if he were a completely different person.

Kim Do-Joon didn’t know the man, so he couldn’t tell the difference. Nevertheless, he was certain this entity was no longer human.

They mentioned that other Hunters of the Black Dragon had fallen prey to some unknown force. Maybe Gao Lin’s body was also stolen?

Kim Do-Joon speculated grimly.

Gao Lin was at the heart of that black coffin, possessed by the so-called “king.”

“Did you steal that body?” Kim Do-Joon asked flatly, his expression unreadable.

However, the creature didn’t reply. Instead, it clenched the shaft of Kim Do-Joon’s spear with immense force, as if to crush it. Kim Do-Joon tightened his grip in response. The pressure was immense that the veins in his arm bulged.

What a strength...!

Kim Do-Joon thought, his brows furrowing.

It wasn’t magical power but pure, raw strength, second only to Jecheon Seong.

— Aaah!

Let go! Let go, you brute!

Karlish, who was usually dormant inside the inventory, screamed. Kim Do-Joon paid no heed because he couldn’t afford to relent. The opponent wasn’t holding back, either. The creature’s eyes glimmered faintly as it observed the spear.

“This weapon... it’s no ordinary tool," said the creature.

After all, the weapon didn’t even bend, let alone break. The creature was surprised—and then even more so.

This man...

Despite his overwhelming power, the spear remained steady in the human’s grip.

An ordinary human wielding an extraordinary weapon would have been overwhelmed already. But this one... he's more than that.

“An extraordinary human, fitting for such an extraordinary weapon," the creature mused, nodding to himself.

Kim Do-Joon’s lips twisted in irritation as he noticed the creature’s contemplative expression. Without a word, he twisted the spear sharply, generating enough force to make the creature lose his grip.

Kalish whined in relief as he raised a question.

— Who is this?

“The enemy of this dungeon,” Kim Do-Joon replied silently.

— Dungeon? This looks more like a hotel!

It is.

Which made it even worse. In a normal dungeon, collateral damage wouldn’t have been a concern. However, these beings could manifest outside the dungeon’s confines, elevating the threat to an entirely new level.

From across the room, Yang Huai snarled, tightening his grip on his sword until his knuckles turned white.

“Who are you? What have you done to Li Weipeng?” Yang Huai shouted.

"Didn’t that man just tell you? I’ve taken his body," the creature laughed. “Though, I don’t know too much yet because I’m new to this dimension.”

Yang Huai gritted his teeth as veins bulged along his temple. Without hesitation, he surged forward, his sword wreathed in flickering magic.

The blade slashed through the air like a viper, aiming to sever the creature’s neck with its speed.

However, the creature caught the blade mid-strike.

Crack.

With a slight squeeze, the sword shattered into splinters, its fragments clattering to the carpeted floor.

Yang Huai froze, momentarily stunned. However, he quickly recovered, attempting to retreat and reevaluate. However, he was too late.

"One thing remains constant across all worlds," the creature growled.

“What?”

As soon as Yang Huai replied, the creature’s gauntleted fist slammed into Yang Huai’s face.

Thwack!

It was a blow powerful enough to make an ordinary person's head explode.

Swoosh—!

“

Eek!

”

The blow sent Yang Huai flying, smashing into little things here and there. Right before him, the Public Security chief, sneaking out quietly, fell flat in shock as Yang Huai hurtled toward him like a ragdoll.

"Nothing withstands violence for long. Don’t you agree?" the figure asked.

Kim Do-Joon’s expression darkened. Yang Huai was one of China’s most renowned Hunters, yet he didn’t stand a chance in the slightest.

Kim Do-Joon sighed, weighing his options. He glanced at the trembling Public Security Bureau chief. The best course of action was to get the man out of this room before the creature turned its attention to him.

"Let me ask you just once," the creature said, his voice rumbling with menace. "Explain yourself. Why do you carry the scent of a king?"

Kim Do-Joon exhaled slowly, his gaze unwavering. The scent of a king? He had an idea of what it meant.

Thorn of Searshader...

The next moment, Kim Do-Joon’s shadow thickened and stretched across the floor. From it emerged jagged, glowing spikes. The black-armored creature’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hey, you...!"

Kim Do-Joon did not wait for a reaction. A spike shot forward, piercing straight through the creature’s chest.

"This is...!" the creature gasped.

It couldn’t even comprehend what was happening, let alone evade. The spike was not just similar to the power of its king, but one and the same!

Then, Kim Do-Joon’s voice cut through the air.

“Nothing resists violence, right?”

With a swift motion, he swung his spear in a wide arc, clearing away the remaining obstacles in the room. The weapon struck the figure’s side with explosive force.

Baaam—!

“

Keugh!

”

The black armor shattered almost entirely, its pieces scattering across the floor. Watching itself being torn apart, the creature’s gaze trembled violently. Then, it collapsed to its knees, shaking uncontrollably.

“How ironic,” Kim Do-Joon said coldly, as another spike emerged from his shadow and impaled the creature from behind.

Thud.

The figure was made to kneel before Kim Do-Joon.

B-but how... how could a mere human do this...?

The creature was rendered powerless against the overwhelming force. It couldn’t even muster the strength to look up and take a glimpse of its killer.

How can such a person even exist...?

The next moment, Kim Do-Joon’s spear plunged into the creature. The spear, infused with ice mana, not only froze the figure's body but also engulfed the entire hotel room.

"

Eek

!"

In that instant, Kim Do-Joon locked eyes with the Public Security Bureau chief. The man trembled, before dragging the unconscious Yang Huai and bolting out of the room.

Left behind were only Kim Do-Joon, the shattered remnants of the black armor, and the frigid corpse of Li Weipeng. Reflected in Li Weipeng’s cold, unseeing eyes, was Kim Do-Joon’s feet and the shadow trailing behind them.

***

Earlier on, the first to notice the anomaly were the Chinese soldiers stationed around the black coffin.

“What’s that?”

“That’s...”

“Something’s coming out!”

From within the ominous black coffin, something stirred and began to emerge. It was a procession of shadow soldiers, their bodies pitch black like living silhouettes.

“Fire! Fire quickly!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

The soldiers opened fire, their rifles roaring in unison. Dozens, then hundreds of bullets tore through the air, piercing the approaching figures. The shadowy beings staggered momentarily under the barrage, but they didn’t fall.

No blood spilled from the holes punched in their forms. Instead, dark liquid dripped briefly before the wounds mended themselves almost instantly.

“

Aaah!

”

“They’re unstoppable!”

That day marked the moment the dormant Branch awakened in full force.

***

A single line in the report—“Monsters emerged from the branch”—sent shockwaves around the world.

The Chinese government, the one holding the closest ties to the branch, had the most to lose. Until now, their silence was strategic. By keeping the events under wraps and denying all information requests, they believed they could monopolize the situation and control the Branch’s mysteries—even if it meant abandoning Shanghai’s initial victims.

However, that strategy was no longer viable.

“Help us!”

“Somebody, please!”

“Please save us!”

In the heart of the bustling city, chaos erupted. Civilians fell by the dozens as shadow soldiers rampaged through the streets. Though soldiers and elite Hunters of the Eight Dragons Association rushed in to respond, their efforts proved futile against the overwhelming tide.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Even seasoned Hunters fell victim, their weapons and skills meaningless against the encroaching shadowy tide.

“Mr. Jang! Mr. Jang! Oh shit!”

And worse, the defeated weren’t simply killed. They were engulfed by shadows, swallowed whole by a dark miasma. Moments later, they rose again as shadow soldiers.

The tragedy wasn’t limited to strangers. Familiar faces including the shopkeepers, neighbors, and beloved teachers were being transformed into the enemy. The sight of a once-friendly butcher chasing customers down the street as a shadowy monstrosity was a nightmare etched into many minds.

“

Huff... Huff...

”

A lone man sprinted through a narrow alley, heart pounding as he tried to escape the carnage.

It was like a scene ripped from a horror movie. However, unlike the slow, shambling zombies of Hollywood fame, these shadow soldiers moved with deadly precision and ferocity, cutting down fleeing civilians with terrifying efficiency. Moreover, their numbers only seemed to grow.

“This way! Over here!”

A voice called out from nearby. The man glanced up to see someone gesturing frantically from a doorway. A group of people had gathered inside the building, seeking refuge.

Could it be safe?

The man hesitated, his thoughts racing.

If they’re still alive, it must be safe. But why is it safe?

Before he could analyze further, the sound of crashing erupted behind him. A shadow soldier was smashing through walls and debris, relentless in its pursuit.

Babababam—!

He didn’t have time to second-guess. He bolted toward the building, the desperate sprint across the alley lasting for what felt like an eternity.

“Quickly! Get inside!”

At the entrance, a student-looking youth ushered him in. The youth wore an uniform emblazoned with the symbol of a dragon—marking him as a member of the Eight Dragons Association.

Relief washed over the fleeing civilian.

Thank God, it’s a Hunter. And judging by those shadow soldier corpses nearby, he’s skilled.

However, even with the apparent safety, unease lingered in him. Perhaps sensing this, the young Hunter gave a reassuring grin.

“Don’t worry! I might not look like much, but I used to be called the top rookie back in my prime! Holding this spot until reinforcements arrive is no big deal!”

With those confident words, some of the tension eased from the man’s face. Finally allowing himself to feel a wave of relief, he stepped inside. Many others inside were letting out sighs of gratitude, their hope rekindled.

“It’s okay. Just hang on a little longer. The Hunter will protect us.”

“We’re going to make it.”

“I’ve heard of him. Wasn’t he on TV a few years ago? They called him a future S-Rank. An incredible talent.”

It was a fragile strand of hope, but the citizens clung to it, offering silent thanks.

Outside, the young Hunter gripped his sword tightly. In a spot hidden from the view of the citizens, his hands trembled ever so slightly around the hilt. The reassuring smile he had given earlier was gone, replaced by an expression on the verge of tears.

Don’t show your emotion. You’re someone who saves lives. In front of those who need saving, you must never falter!

Swallowing hard, he fought back the overwhelming fear that threatened to consume him. Yet, whenever he faced the people again, he stood tall, exuding unshakable confidence.

Scenes like this played out across Shanghai. While the details differed, the essence remained the same in different places.

—So something big has happened, right?

“Yes...”

Of course, Kim Do-Joon, who stood in the middle of a luxury hotel in the heart of the city, also had that realization.

***

In Beijing, an emergency press conference was underway. The room was packed with foreign reporters, and in front of them stood the Chairman of China himself. This was a country that could no longer afford pride. Bowing his head before the gathered press, the Chairman made a desperate plea to the journalists and the governments they represented.

"Please... help us," the Chairman said.

Reporters quickly relayed his words back to their respective nations. How those governments would respond was uncertain, but the atmosphere in the room was ice-cold.

If China had prepared earlier, cooperating with other nations in anticipation of a worst-case scenario, things probably wouldn’t have spiraled this far. Shanghai, one of the world’s largest cities, had been paralyzed in the blink of an eye.

The Chairman’s face was drenched in sweat, whether from the awareness of his missteps or sheer desperation.

“Excuse me, may I ask a question?” A reporter raised his hand. “From what I understand, following your earlier announcements, many Hunters gathered in Shanghai for the S-Rank dungeon have returned to their home countries. Is that correct?”

Murmurs filled the room. Everyone there knew the truth.

“Right. If China had sought support back then, those Hunters wouldn’t have left,” someone muttered.

“The city would’ve been much better protected because it would’ve been like having elite guards at the gates.”

“Is this reporter trying to corner them? Well, China doesn’t have much of a defense right now.”

The whispers continued among the journalists, but the next question took everyone by surprise.

“I’ve heard that two of South Korea’s S-Rank Hunters, Kim Do-Joon and Jecheon Seong, haven’t returned home. Could it be that they’re still in Shanghai?”

Eyes widened at the unexpected question, and the Chairman froze.

At that moment, one of his aides hurried into the room and whispered something into his ear. “Someone... someone’s clearing out the monsters from the Branch.”

The Chairman shot to his feet. “Who is it?”

“Well...” The aide hesitated, but under the Chairman’s sharp glare, he swallowed hard and continued. “They say it’s... monsters. The monsters are killing each other. I’m talking about Orcs and Nagas!”

“What? What nonsense is this?” The Chairman’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Ah!”

“What is this?”

“What am I even watching?”

The press room erupted in chaos as reporters checked their tablets and smartphones, reacting to the bizarre reports.

One Korean journalist, who had been glued to his phone, suddenly shouted.

“Wait! Look over here! Hunter Kim Do-Joon is here!”

The room’s attention shifted immediately. It was the same journalist who had asked about the South Korean Hunters earlier.