He slowly shifted his gaze towards his group. Each of them looked defeated, yet there was something else in their eyes—determination. A need to prove that they weren't any less than the others.
Hyun Woo (clenching his fists): "We can do this."
They all turned to him, surprised by the conviction in his voice.
Mi Ra: "What do you mean?"
Hyun Woo: "We can become stronger. If we stick together, support one another—we can prove them wrong."
Lee Chan Min let out a sardonic laugh, shaking his head, but there was a spark of respect in his eyes.
Lee Chan Min: "You got guts, kid. Not many could still believe in teamwork after all this."
Mi Ra smiled, though her eyes were still filled with tears.
Mi Ra: "Maybe you're right, Hyun Woo. But it's not going to be easy."
Hyun Woo: "Nothing worth it ever is."
With those words, he looked once more at Kang Ryeo and the others. His gaze was firm, and in that moment, he made a vow to himself: one day, he would become stronger. Stronger than these people. He would prove that true strength wasn't about belittling others, but about protecting those who needed it.
The group of five drew closer to one another. Mi Ra continued treating Lee Chan Min's wounds, while the others checked their gear. They exchanged glances in silence, but in their eyes, a quiet resolve could be seen.
Mi Ra: "We should stay ready. Who knows what's waiting for us next."
Lee Chan Min: "Agreed. If that show-off Kang Ryeo missed anything, we'll be the ones dealing with it."
They glanced around once more, examining the cavern which still had a light mist lingering after the boss had been defeated. The five hunters knew that no one expected anything good from them. But it was that very fact that kept them moving forward.
Kang Ryeo slowly approached the group of five, lazily stepping over scattered stones. His movements were full of self-assurance, and his face bore a look of unconcealed contempt. Stopping directly behind Hyun Woo, he gave the boy a loud slap on the shoulder, almost making him stumble.
Kang Ryeo (smirking): "Listen, kid. No matter how hard you try, someone as limited as you will never surpass me."
He laughed, as if he'd just told the greatest joke of his life. His laughter echoed through the cavern, spurring on his guildmates, who began jeering along with their leader.
Hyun Woo gritted his teeth, looking down to stifle the fury boiling inside him. But then, Lee Chan Min intervened. He leaped to his feet, his face full of rage.
Lee Chan Min (shouting): "Enough!"
His voice cut through the echoes of laughter, silencing Kang Ryeo. The guild leader turned his head slowly, his eyes narrowing, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He extended his arm, and in an instant, his sword was in his hand. Coldly pointing the blade at Lee Chan Min, Kang Ryeo stepped forward.
Kang Ryeo (coldly): "Didn't get it the first time, huh? I told you to do only what you're told."
The tip of the blade gleamed dimly, reflecting in Lee Chan Min's eyes. He clenched his fists, his body tensing, but he understood he could do nothing. Slowly, with visible effort, he sat back down, glaring at Kang Ryeo with hatred.
Kang Ryeo smirked even wider, lowering his sword. His face twisted into an even more loathsome expression as he spoke again.
Kang Ryeo: "That's better. You're all just pathetic. Besides, there's nowhere else to go."
He waved dismissively towards the fallen boss and the crystals already stowed in their bags. The Riders had taken everything—nothing was left for the other hunters.
Kang Ryeo (lazily): "The Gate closes in two hours. If you decide to just sit here, you might end up staying forever. Maybe that's for the best—people like you shouldn't be let loose in our world."
His obnoxious laughter filled the cavern again. Raising his arm, he signaled to his men, and the Riders moved toward the exit like a pack of predators, carrying away all their spoils. Their footsteps soon faded in the corridor, leaving the five hunters in silence.
The ones left behind sat quietly. The atmosphere was heavy, as though the air had thickened, and the cavern walls began closing in on them. Lee Chan Min kept clenching his fists, his face a mix of anger and helplessness. Mi Ra looked at him, then at Hyun Woo, who still sat staring at the ground.
Mi Ra: "This is unbearable."
Lee Chan Min (roughly): "One day, he'll regret those words."
Hyun Woo slowly raised his head. There was a strange light in his eyes, no fear left—only resolve.
Hyun Woo: "One day, we'll show him just how wrong he was."
Mi Ra and Lee Chan Min looked at him, clearly surprised by his tone. Hyun Woo's words were soft, but there was strength in them that was impossible to ignore.
Mi Ra: "We will. But it's not going to be easy."
Lee Chan Min: "That time will come. But for now..."
He took a deep breath and looked at the others.
Lee Chan Min: "We better make sure we don't end up stuck here forever."
The five stood up, checking their gear. They knew they had no choice—they had to find their way out of there. The Riders had taken everything they could, but they had left behind one thing that could never be taken: hope. Five hunters, united by humiliation and shared pain, moved toward the exit, knowing that something greater awaited them ahead.