The Top Omega Hunter Wants a Quiet Life [BL]-Chapter 56: Ch : Next Round- Part 2

’For now, I should take a deep breath and keep walking. I should find an opening soon enough.’

I had enough experience with these traps to be able to guess what would happen next. So I kept walking and as expected, I found a source of light.

Now, that could mean two things—it was either a trap, or a way out. I was willing to take both risks.

I stepped toward that small opening when the person following me decided to step forward and grab my arm. I saw no point in dodging that so I allowed my wrist to be grabbed by that arm.

"Wait—! Stop for a second. Do you have a death wish? Why would you approach a possible trap with such confidence?"

The voice sounded familiar so I took out a flashlight from my inventory to see who had followed me.

The light illuminated Lee Minho’s face and I internally cursed my luck at placing me in the same place as him.

’Why him? Out of all the possible hunters in this stage, why did the association bastards have to place me with someone who can recognize me?’

I questioned, but even I knew that my fear was irrational. There was no way the association knew about my connection to Lee Minho, never mind manipulate my odds of being here.

This was a coincidence.

I tugged my arm out of Lee Minho’s grab and pretended to rub where he had grabbed me.

After all, the A-ranked Alpha hunter had not been subtle about hiding his strength when he had grabbed me and since I was projecting a weak low-class hunter, I should have gotten hurt by his assault.

"I...that’s the way out, right?"

I asked Lee Minho and he looked uncomfortable by my attention.

"That...may be the way out or it may not be. We will only know once we go there. However, allow me to be the one to check for traps. Someone like you should not need to check for the traps yourself."

The Alpha hunter told me and I felt enraged.

"What do you mean by that? Are you calling me incompetent?"

I asked the Alpha and he looked startled by what he said himself. His eyes widened and he suddenly collapsed his hand over his mouth to stop himself from speaking.

"I-I apologize. I did not mean to belittle you. It’s just that...there is something about you that makes me not want you to put yourself in danger...ugh, it’s difficult for me to explain in words."

The Alpha told me and he did seem to be struggling with what he needed to say.

At this point, even I felt sorry for him and decided to give him a second chance. I understood that sometimes, one’s instincts got the best of them.

Even I was guilty of that and I had trained my whole life to suppress these instincts so that they wouldn’t act up.

"Alright, I understand. You can head out first to check for a trap."

I told the Alpha and he looked relieved before he walked toward the opening and stuck his hand in it.

Nothing happened and the Alpha slipped out.

Seconds later, he came back in and gestured to me that it was safe for us to proceed. So I followed his example and went out after him.

There was silence around us and I wondered if I needed to attack Lee Minho to take him out right here and now.

’Should I take Lee Minho out now? I know I can take it, but explaining it would be a hassle...plus, it would attract too much attention and I don’t want that...’

I debated within my mind.

Had I been in this championship because I wanted to win, I would not have let this chance go. But this time, I had a better idea.

Since Lee Minho was already a top hunter, I could easily piggyback on him and reach the end of this competition. That was the best deal...for now.

"Hey, are you alright? You went too quiet. Do you...want me to go away or something?"

Lee Minho asked and he sounded like a wilted puppy when he asked me this.

I quickly replied to him, assuring him that there was no need for him to leave for now.

"No, it’s fine. We can stick around for this part of the championship. Since I don’t know who and what I would face next, having a familiar face with me would make me feel better."

I told the Alpha and I was not even lying. Having Lee Minho with me would make me feel better.

The Alpha looked relieved as well to hear me speak like that and he gave me a smile.

"I see. That makes me feel better about being here with you. Anyway...what’s making you participate in this championship? For me, it’s my duty as a top hunter to come here and maintain balance. What about you?"

The Alpha asked and I wondered whether I should lie to him or tell him the truth.

In the end, I decided to go with the truth because I felt like the Alpha deserved that much at least.

"I am here because I am curious about something. It’s nothing big but I still wanted to sate my curiosity." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

I told the Alpha and Lee Minho made an understanding noise.

"Hmm, I see. Are you here to check out dungeon #36 because it is said to be special? Don’t look so startled because you are not the only one. Initially, this championship started because of this mysterious dungeon and to explore it. But it slowly became more about power and control."

The hunter told me and I paused to think about it.

From what I could gather, the higher-ups who set this championship knew something about dungeon #36 that they wanted to explore. But they likely were not able to make it too far.

And that’s why they decided to have other hunters clear a path for them. It was another common tactic the association liked to use back in the day.

But they must have messed up somewhere for things to blow out of proportion like this and the request slowly became a championship.

"Looking at the clock, we have about half an hour before we need to be at the finish line, but we are about to reach the last stretch. From here on, you should be careful. It is going to be a rocky road ahead."

The Alpha told me and I already knew what he was talking about.

There were too many hunter signatures hiding in the shadows, waiting to jump anyone who came this way and eliminate their future competition.

"Hey, there are some powerful hunters up ahead so I might not be able to protect you. Are you sure you would be alright?"

Lee Minho asked and I nodded.

I had no intention of showing my full power here, so my plan was simple—I was going to run away from a fight as much as I could and make it to the safe zone.

After all, I doubted there was anyone here who could catch me when I was willing to actually try.