Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 324 – Laboratory of Blood (2)

Most historical texts depicted princes fighting over the throne and even resorting to killing each other for it. However, neither Tayarana nor Mujahid seemed to covet, nor want, the Egyptian Throne, which would grant them absolute power over the country.

"To be honest, I don’t enjoy delving into politics. Dealing with dozens of cunning old foxes is a pain in the neck, and I believe my other siblings would be far more suited for it," Mujahid said before downing his strong drink and slamming the mug on the table.

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Tak!

"But we have that damned succession law, allowing only awakened beings of royal lineage to inherit the throne and become president, disqualifying all of my other siblings except for noonim."

"Hmm… I had a feeling that you would be the next president. There won’t be any backlash even if Tayarana refuses it, given that she is a woman."

Han-Yeol was right, and this was why Mujahid had been stressed lately. Tayarana was definitely going to relinquish her right to inherit the throne, leaving him no choice but to take it as the deputy heir.

Moreover, the conservative faction elders preferred a male heir for the throne, and Mujahid, being a Ra Rank Hunter, made him the perfect heir for them.

"Ah… I truly don’t want to become the president. I cherish my freedom and desire to roam various hunting grounds, battling different kinds of monsters… Blast it…"

Bam!

Mujahid slammed his fist on the table out of frustration.

“Tsk… Looks like you’ve had one too many," Han-Yeol remarked, clicking his tongue.

But was it plausible for someone of Mujahid’s caliber as a Hunter to be drunk? Absurd! Yet, with the current drink they were indulging in, it seemed possible.

All Hunters possessed immunity to intoxication. The mana within their bodies swiftly broke down any alcohol consumed, purifying it from their bloodstream. This was one of the few downsides of being a Hunter.

Both Han-Yeol and Mujahid shared this frustration of not being able to get drunk when they desired. It had reached a point where they yearned for a special kind of booze that could actually intoxicate them.

Hence, global beverage companies had dedicated extensive research to infusing mana stones into alcohol for a considerable duration. Lo and behold, the exhaustive research finally bore fruit, resulting in the commercial sale, three weeks ago, of a new, specialized type of booze capable of intoxicating Hunters.

However, the intricate production process remained so complex that mass production remained unattainable. Consequently, the price of the booze soared astronomically.

This unique beverage was exclusively available to Hunters, as its potency was fatal to ordinary individuals. The repercussions of imbibing this special drink extended far beyond alcohol poisoning. Ordinary people who consumed it would endure excruciating pain as their organs gradually melted. The pace of organ dissolution would induce agonizing suffering yet culminate in death before any treatment could be sought.

Nevertheless, Hunters enthusiastically embraced this special booze, fulfilling their long-held desire to experience inebriation.

Mujahid had brought this particular beverage to commemorate his reunion with Han-Yeol, only to find himself inebriated first.

“Sigh… I suppose it’s time to call it a night,” Han-Yeol sighed and grumbled.

It had been a long while since he had enjoyed drinking. He wished to savor this sensation a little longer, but drinking alone held no allure, especially when his drinking companion had just passed out.

***

The following day, Mujahid wrestled with a severe hangover, unable to see Han-Yeol off at the airport. Meanwhile, Han-Yeol boarded his private jet and flew to Switzerland to meet Yulia.

As he arrived at the International Hunters’ Association complex, a wave of intense hostility washed over him.

“Hm?”

“Oh?”

“Kyuu…”

Even his monster pets appeared to sense it, displaying their own reactions.

“I wonder what this feeling is?” Han-Yeol mused aloud.

The sense of hostility persisted and intensified as he neared the walls.

“Hmm… It’s too quiet, master,” Tia remarked.

"Yeah, you're right," he replied.

Her observation held true. While the International Hunters’ Association complex was generally serene, the current quietness felt abnormal. It exuded an eerie stillness, hinting at an impending sinister event.

'This level of silence doesn't add up.'

With around five hundred people typically working there, absolute silence seemed implausible, regardless of how well soundproofed the place was.

'Furthermore…'

Sniff… Sniff…

“There's a reek of blood in the air,” Tia added.

She wasn't an ordinary spider monster; an Arachnid was revered among spiders, and her senses were razor-sharp, detecting even the faintest scent of blood from afar.

"Ugh… That doesn’t sound good…"

The International Hunters’ Association wasn't an ordinary organization. Before delving further, it's important to note that this place wasn't the headquarters of the association but one of their most advanced laboratories worldwide.

Han-Yeol's actual destination lay about two kilometers away, in the main building. Yulia’s brain was securely stored in the basement of that building, a highly classified location she had disclosed during their last meeting.

“Hoho~ So, what’s the plan, master? Are we going in?” Tia inquired.

“We can't turn back now, can we? Curiosity's got the better of both of us,” Han-Yeol replied.

“Hoho~” Tia chuckled in response.

Tak!

Han-Yeol propelled himself off the ground, scaling the laboratory walls.

‘Oh? But I could've just blown a hole through this wall if he asked me to,’ Tia pondered, perplexed by his choice to scale the walls when it seemed unnecessary.

However, she decided to remain silent, feeling mischievous at the moment.

Wiiiing…!

As Han-Yeol prepared to leap over the wall, alarms began blaring incessantly.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

‘Hmm?’

He glanced sideways and noticed something emerging from the top of the walls.

‘D-Don’t tell me?!’

His instincts, unerring as always, abruptly signaled impending danger.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud…!

Ten unmanned machine guns emerged atop the walls, constituting one of the defense systems safeguarding the premises. These systems were designed to detect and neutralize any intruder attempting to breach the walls—now, they targeted Han-Yeol.

Ratatatatatatatatata!

The machine guns identified Han-Yeol as an intruder and unleashed a barrage of bullets at him.

‘Damn it, I really didn’t want to damage their property…’ he grumbled inwardly.

Though he knew he could have easily destroyed the wall himself or asked Tia to do it, he refrained. He wished to avoid the hassle of dealing with any repercussions of property damage to the International Hunters’ Association.

Unfortunately, it seemed the laboratory defense system anticipated his actions, prepared for his 'intrusion'.

‘Force Shield.’

Woooong!

A sleeker-looking shield materialized in front of Han-Yeol, effortlessly deflecting the bullets shot by the unmanned machine guns. Strangely, the shield absorbed the bullets without a sound, rather than merely blocking them.

‘Is that all?’

Initially flustered by the sudden appearance of the machine guns, Han-Yeol realized they posed no real threat.

Upon reflection, it struck him as odd that they would resort to machine guns, easily countered by a single tanker-type Hunter.

Wiiiing…!

‘Huh? I-Is that a rocket launcher?!’

As Han-Yeol chuckled at the defense system, a rocket launcher emerged.

The machine guns were there to create a disturbance and concentrate fire, alerting the security forces. Yet, the system's approach was limited against an intruder capable of leaping the wall and neutralizing the machine guns, presumably impervious to ordinary firearms.

Pshwooong!

The rocket launcher fired.

Kaboom!

A formidable explosion jolted Han-Yeol’s Force Shield, yet it remained impervious. Designed to withstand assaults from boss monsters, it stood resolute against the rocket launcher's impact.

‘Time to cease the games,’ he mused, drawing his sword.

“Head Cutter!”

Chwak! Chwak! Chwak!

With three swift swings of his sword, Han-Yeol dismantled the ten machine guns and rocket launcher.

‘Is that all?’ Han-Yeol scanned his surroundings cautiously, but there was no sign of any remaining threat.

“…”

The laboratory complex fell back into an eerie silence.

‘What’s happening here…?’ He couldn't shake off the oddity of the complete absence of any reaction despite the recent chaos.

‘I have no other option. Demon eyes!’

Woooong!

As his eyes turned red, his skill activated, allowing him to immediately discern a few peculiarities.

“What's wrong, master?” Tia queried.

“Kyu?” Mavros chimed in as they joined Han-Yeol atop the walls after the swift elimination of the defense systems.

“Bodies…”

“Hmm?”

“There are dead bodies everywhere.”

“Hmm… Bodies…”

This wasn't Tia’s first visit here; she had accompanied Han-Yeol last time and remembered the place to be bustling with activity.

But why were there suddenly dead bodies scattered around?

“I sensed the stench of blood, but corpses... I didn’t anticipate this. Were they attacked?” Tia asked, her expression serious.

At that moment, Han-Yeol exclaimed, “Yulia!”

“Oh my, master, you startled me,” Tia reacted, momentarily taken aback by Han-Yeol's sudden shout, but swiftly returning to her usual demeanor with a smile. “Are you referring to that brain, master?”

“Yes, I came to see her, but it seems whoever attacked this place had their sights set on her too.”

“But how could a place housing someone so crucial be infiltrated so easily? Isn’t this among the most secure spots for the International Hunters’ Association?”

“Ugh… I have no idea. As far as I know, there are always three raid parties stationed here, each averaging C Rank…” Han-Yeol pondered aloud.

“Should we investigate?” Tia inquired.

“It seems necessary,” Han-Yeol agreed, deactivating his Demon Eyes.

Whoosh! Tak!

Both of them leaped down from the wall.

Meanwhile...

Flap! Flap! Flap! Flap!

Mavros conveniently flew down instead of leaping.

“Let's go.”

“Okay, master.”

“Kyu!”

With his monster pets by his side, Han-Yeol entered the complex.

“Ugh…”

“Omo~ This is quite gruesome.”

“Kyu!”

Beyond the walls awaited a grim scene: blood smeared across the walls and the ground littered with decomposed bodies. Among the dead lay security guards, Hunters, soldiers, cleaners, gardeners, and even civilians.

Thud… Thud… Thud…

“…”

Han-Yeol's countenance grew dark as he strode through the courtyard. Both Mavros and Tia remained silent, understanding his foul mood.

However, Tia appeared to take the situation lightly, her thoughts wandering, 'Hoho~ Master looks so attractive when he’s angry.'

Slurp!

She provocatively licked her lips while observing Han-Yeol’s back. Aware that Han-Yeol was in no mood for conversation, she refrained from speaking, feeling unusually aroused.

As an Arachnid, Tia was sensitive to emotions, and Han-Yeol's intense feelings currently thrilled her.

Thud!

‘Hmm? But I didn’t detect anything with Demon Eyes,’ Han-Yeol sensed a nearby presence.

He couldn't scan the entire complex due to several blind spots, but the realization of a survivor caught him off guard.

‘Huh?’

His surprise heightened upon noticing more than one presence, prompting him to activate Demon Eyes for a closer look.

‘Humans?’

Before him, a large group of approximately one hundred individuals ran toward him. Relief at the sight of survivors quickly shifted to concern as he observed each armed with daggers in both hands.

However, that wasn't the only noteworthy observation.