Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 298: Hunters

TL: FoodieMonster007

SHWAAAA!

The relentless downpour continued as two figures approached with killing intent. One was a large and heavily muscled, while the other was slender and much shorter.

Both were fully equipped for the rain, with straw raincoats draped over their shoulders and broad-brimmed straw hats on their heads. Swords hung from their waists, and short spears were slung diagonally across their backs. In their hands, each carried a bow with a nocked arrow, the string half drawn, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Baek Suryong frowned. For martial artists, their choice of weapons are rather unusual.

When they were about ten paces away, Namgung Su infused his voice with inner qi and warned, "Stop. Identify yourselves or we will consider you enemies."

"And who are you to trespass into someone else's cave?" the giant roared back in retaliation.

Baek Suryong narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the duo's every move. Unlike Namgung Su, the man had not infused his voice with inner qi.

They don't seem like they're from the Blood Cult, but I can't be certain.

"Do you own this cave? If so, I apologize for trespassing, but we're just traveling martial artists who came here to take shelter from the rain," Baek Suryong explained.

"M-Martial artists, you say? Damn…" the man muttered anxiously.

Baek Suryong narrowed his eyes. If he's acting, then he must be an assassin or a spy.

"We're hunters. The cave you're in is indeed ours," the slender individual said, poking the large man in the ribs to silence him.

Baek Suryong's eyes flickered. That's a woman's voice. I can't see her face beneath her hat, but I can still sense her killing intent.

"Do you have proof that this cave belongs to you?" he asked warily.

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"There should be cooking utensils and animal hides inside. Those belong to us," the woman replied without hesitation.

Baek Suryong and Namgung Su exchanged glances.

[What do you think, Baek Suryong?]

[They don't seem like they came here looking for us.]

[I don't sense anything suspicious either.]

[…For now, anyway.]

If these two were really just ordinary hunters, and if this cave was a resting place they used regularly, then technically it was their group that had intruded. ℟äŊＯΒЕ𝐒

From their point of view, strangers have occupied their shelter, so it makes sense for them to be hostile.

That said, setting up camp in the storm wasn't an option either.

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Gesturing for Namgung Su to ease up, Baek Suryong said, "The rain is coming down hard. Why don't you come inside first?"

"A trespasser is inviting us into our own cave? Hah!"

"Well, would you rather camp outside in this weather? Besides, it's not like you officially bought this cave, is it?" Baek Suryong scoffed, then stepped deeper into the cave with Namgung Su to make way for the duo.

The hunters hesitated. Trekking or camping outdoors in this torrential rain was unrealistic. Their body temperatures were already dropping, and even seasoned hunters could get lost or stranded in a storm like this.

Looking at it that way, they didn't exactly have much of a choice.

The large hunter loudly declared, "Don't try anything funny! We know martial arts too. If a fight breaks out, you won't get away unscathed."

Having given their warning, he and his companion entered cautiously, taking off their hats and raincoats and placing them on the ground.

Still, neither side let their guard down for even a second.

Baek Suryong observed the hunters keenly. As he had guessed, they were a man and a woman. Judging by their close relationship, they were either siblings or a married couple.

As for their strengths… although they know martial arts, they're nothing special. Second-rate at best. Strong for hunters, but not strong enough to threaten us.

"Is it just the two of you?" the male hunter asked.

"No, we have two more companions inside."

The hunters' expressions stiffened. Learning that the other group outnumbered them two to one visibly unsettled them.

Baek Suryong paid close attention to their every expression and reaction.

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Is this really just a coincidence?

The hunters' acting skills were too clumsy for them to be spies, and they were too weak to be assassins. Honestly, even if they launched a sneak attack while he was sleeping, he could fend them off without so much as a scratch.

I'll give them one last test. If they agree too easily to my request, I'll reconsider my suspicions.

Having made up his mind, Baek Suryong suggested, "The weather isn't letting up. Looks like we'll have to share this place for the night. Since there are many of us, how about we take turns keeping watch?"

"…No, we're leaving as soon as the rain lets up."

Instead of agreeing, the hunters warily declined and eyed Baek Suryong with even more caution.

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Baek Suryong's doubts largely subsided. Okay, maybe they really aren't suspicious…

For the past few days, his group had avoided contact with others, traveling exclusively through mountain paths.

They did this partly to save time, but the real reason was because the Blood Cult had likely designated both Baek Suryong and Namgung Su as high-priority targets. If their whereabouts were exposed, assassins could be sent after them, or worse.

Consequently, their first response to the hunters' approach was to be suspicious.

If they were from the Blood Cult, they wouldn't have approached in such a sloppy way. An assassins' guild might try this, but… Anyway, from the duo's clothing, weapons, and skills, they really do seem like hunters.

Still, whether they were good or bad hunters was another question.

"We'll be taking back our belongings from inside the cave," the female hunter declared sharply. Then, without waiting for an answer, she slowly walked toward the interior of the cave, keeping one hand on the hilt of her sword.

Moments later, she spotted Jaegal Soyeong and Namgung Mi, who had already woken up and was peeking out from behind Jaegal Soyeong.

The female hunter's sharp gaze softened. "A child? How old are you?"

"…Ten," Namgung Mi replied shyly.

Baek Suryong sighed in relief. The instant the female hunter saw Namgung Mi, she had loosened her grip on her sword.

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"Sorry for waking you up. I didn't mean to startle you," the female hunter added gently.

"……"

"It's pouring outside, so we wanted to rest here for a while. Is that okay with you?"

The female hunter smiled. Immediately, her demeanor, which had seemed ferocious and wary, became kind and ordinary.

Turning to the man at the entrance, she called out, "Honey! There's a child here! Put your sword away!"

"…Really? Alright."

The male hunter, who had been locked in a tense standoff with Namgung Su, slowly sheathed his sword.

Namgung Mi's presence had changed the atmosphere instantly. For the hunters, just the sight of a neatly dressed child without a single bruise or sign of mistreatment was proof enough that Baek Suryong's group was not dangerous.

Baek Suryong chuckled wryly. Lowering their guard just because of a child… I guess they're simple folks.

Having dealt with the worst scum of the Blood Cult in his past life, he found the hunters' innocence almost laughable.

The male hunter scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry for the misunderstanding. The world's been dangerous lately…"

"No need to apologize. We'd have done the same in your shoes."

A short while later, with tensions eased, they all sat around the campfire. Baek Suryong's group gave the hunters obviously fake names, but it didn't bother them. They had no intention of ever meeting again.

"Thank you for letting us rest in your shelter."

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"Oh my, not at all. This cave has long been a refuge for hunters during storms. Honestly, it's a bit of a stretch to call it ours."

Unlike before, the hunter couple spoke in a more subdued tone. Now that they were closer, both sides could clearly see each other's faces and clothing.

Baek Suryong's group wore fine garments, were exceptionally handsome or beautiful, and carried expensive-looking swords. Even to those unfamiliar with the murim, it was evident that they were no ordinary travelers.

Naturally, the flow of conversation shifted in Baek Suryong's favor.

"Are you husband and wife?" he asked.

"Ah, yes. We are."

The couple explained that they had lived in the area for a long time and made a living hunting wild game.

As Baek Suryong listened to their story, he suddenly asked, "Do you have any children?"

"……" It was a simple question, but the woman's expression hardened.

Noticing his wife's reaction, the husband smiled bitterly. "We had a daughter, but she got sick and died when she was very young."

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"I apologize. I shouldn't have brought up the subject."

"It's okay. It was a long time ago. If our daughter was alive, she'd be about that young lady's age by now. Haha, though of course she wouldn't be as pretty. After all, she took after me," the husband chuckled, trying to laugh off the matter.

Jaegal Soyeong and Namgung Mi, both highly sensitive by nature, sniffled as they wiped away tears.

Sensing the gloomy atmosphere, the man quickly changed the subject. "You folks are planning to cross the mountain, aren't you? I know a shortcut. It's a hunter's path, so it's a little dangerous, but…"

"We'd appreciate any guidance you can give us."

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As they sat together and continued their conversation, time passed quickly.

SWOOOOSH…

Soon the rain began to ease. It was still a heavy downpour, but manageable enough for experienced hunters to navigate.

"Now that we're dry, let's go."

The hunter couple stood up, glancing around carefully before picking up their raincoats and adjusting their hats. Their clothes were finally dry enough to travel again.

"Wait a moment." Namgung Su pulled a banknote out of his wallet and handed it to the couple. It was a high-value note stamped with the official seal of the Namgung Clan. "Thanks to you, we spent the night in comfort. You even shared a shortcut with us. Consider this a token of our appreciation."

"T-This is too much…"

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The hunters' eyes widened in shock. The amount offered by Namgung Su was more than they could earn in several months.

However, this wasn't just a gesture of gratitude.

"I would also like to ask you not to mention us to anyone. This is also for your own safety."

"Understood."

The hunters clutched the note tightly and nodded, understanding that the banknote wasn't simply a gift, it was hush money. A warning that speaking carelessly could lead to trouble.

"Um…" Throughout the night, the hunter's wife had often glanced at Namgung Mi. Now, as if she had made up her mind, she lowered her voice and gave a soft warning. "One more thing, please beware the mountain god."

"Darling!" The man's startled cry echoed through the cave.

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However, the woman ignored him and continued talking, "Never go near where lightning strikes, especially on rainy days like this. Many have disappeared without a trace, abducted by the mountain god. As for you, honey, be quiet!"

"I just wanted you to refrain from saying something so frightening when there's a child here," the husband protested with a sigh.

Puzzled, Baek Suryong asked, "A mountain god?"

"The mountain god is a being who controls the rain and wind and conjures lightning," the woman explained. "Many martial artists have ignored the warnings and gone in search of it, but none of them were ever seen or heard from again. If you ever come across it… run. Don't look back, just run."

The male hunter's body trembled at the mere thought of the mountain god, as if speaking of it would bring divine retribution. Gripping his wife's arm, he urged, "We should go now."

"……" Baek Suryong watched as the hunter couple hurried off.

Soon, their figures disappeared in the rain.

"They seemed like good people…" Namgung Mi murmured.

Namgung Su and Jaegal Soyeong nodded in agreement. At first, they had been suspicious of the couple, unsure of their intentions. However, in the end, they had proven to be so kind-hearted and sincere that, despite their own fears, they had warned them about the mountain god just because there was a child in the group.

"A mountain god, huh…"

"It's probably a reclusive martial artist."

Namgung Su seemed to have come to the same conclusion as Baek Suryong. A being that could manipulate wind and rain, summon lightning, and descend from the mountains to kidnap people on stormy nights?

Since neither of them believed in gods, it could only be a powerful martial artist.

Baek Suryong rolled his eyes, feeling a strange sense of foreboding.

…Why do I have a feeling that we're definitely going to run into that so-called 'mountain god'?

SHWAAA…

The rain was beginning to subside completely, meaning it would soon be time to set out again.

Translator's Note: You might have noticed the site break a few times as I messed with the javascript, but not only are things working again, there are some site improvements. For one, your browser now remembers your preferred day/night setting and favorite font size. This data is stored purely client-side and will persist as you read through the chapters so you don't have to keep clicking anymore. Second, the comment section font color for Day Mode has been fixed. Now that took more mental gymnastics than I thought, since it took me forever to figure out that the script had to be put inside the comment box script, and if I stuck it outside it would just crash and die…

Anyway, that's all for this week! See you on Friday!