“Well, it’s not like they’re investigating the number of participants or anything, right?”

When Seo Suji asked curiously, Kim Yeonju answered firmly.

“But Ageha, who was serving a life sentence, suddenly got released on special pardon for being a model prisoner or whatever. It’s obvious what they’re aiming for.”

It really is obvious.

“…No.”

Seo Suji was at a loss for words and closed her mouth.

Even so, what’s that special treatment for, to release even a murderer…?

Ageha is an S-class hunter nearly reaching SS-class, and has already obtained an item from the ‘Great Beings’ once before.

He’s a terrifying existence even for hunters to deal with, so how would it sound to ordinary citizens?

“…Why are they going that far? It’s not like the item would belong to the country even if they obtain it.”

“I don’t know the details, but there must have been some kind of deal. Maybe they promised to hand over the ‘Laurel Crown’ to the Japanese government if pardoned. It’s likely that kind of contract.”

“…I really don’t know what to say.”

When Seo Suji fell silent, deep in thought, the other two team members also kept quiet, seemingly in a similar state.

No one knows what the items of the ‘Great Beings’ might be.

They could be the key to revealing the secrets of this entire system, or they might simply be items that enhance an individual’s power.

They didn’t want to lose such things to another country.

Kim Yeonju closed her eyes tightly.

The atmosphere had been so lively and fun just moments ago.

If possible, she hoped Seo Suji wouldn’t have to step up. But, as always, the world doesn’t go the way you want it to.

Slowly opening her eyes, she looked once again at the heavy atmosphere that had settled, and stood up from her seat.

“…I’m not trying to push you to go. I’m not in a position to force anything. I’m just a supporter, after all. I just thought that if I were Daphne, I’d want to know this information in advance and decide for myself.”

“I don’t think you’re pushing us. Thank you, aunt.”

“I should probably get going now. I’ll just be a burden while you’re making your decision.”

Seo Suji stood up along with Kim Yeonju, but Kim Yeonju waved her hand as if to stop her.

“You don’t need to see me off. The past few days have been like a dream, really enjoyable. If it’s alright, I’ll come again.”

“Oh, of course it’s alright.”

Seo Suji dropped the formalities and saw Kim Yeonju off from where she stood.

The other two hunters standing beside her also gave polite greetings, showing respect to their senior hunter.

But none of them made any superficial attempts to ask Kim Yeonju not to leave.

That’s how much everyone knew that this was a situation where the team members needed to discuss among themselves.

Only after Kim Yeonju had completely left the gate did Seo Suji look at her team members’ faces again.

Everyone was lost in their own thoughts, not saying a word.

But just thinking wouldn’t lead to a conclusion.

If they were really going to go, there were many things they needed to prepare in advance. So it was better to make a decision as soon as possible.

“Shall we go around and share our opinions? We’ve already heard Elaine’s thoughts, so I’d like to hear what others think.”

Pis, who had been standing stiffly like a frozen statue without even thinking of sitting down, finally sat down upon hearing the team leader’s voice.

Then, after heaving a big sigh, he messed up his dark green hair.

“…To be honest, I think we should go. At least I should.”

Despite his thoughtful expression, it was somewhat surprising how clear his opinion was.

Seo Suji asked with wide eyes.

“Can you tell me why?”

“Actually, until just now, I thought we didn’t have to go… but if that bastard is participating, it’s a different story. There will be mass killings. I don’t think I can stand it unless I go there myself and wring his neck.”

Pis answered with a smile as usual, but somehow the atmosphere was heavy.

Above all, the way he referred to Ageha as ‘that bastard’ sounded like it was mixed with personal emotions, unlike the usual hatred towards murderers.

Pis is 31 years old this year.

Twenty years ago, he was 11.

At that age, he was really young, so it couldn’t be…

“…You don’t happen to have some kind of connection, do you?”

Seo Suji hesitated before carefully asking.

Pis pulled one corner of his mouth into a twisted smile, then shrugged and confessed.

“Among the people that bastard killed, there was a friend of mine.”

Seo Suji was so shocked she couldn’t even respond.

She was this team’s leader.

She didn’t take her position as ‘team leader’ lightly.

Even if it seemed like just a nominal title, there were clear responsibilities and benefits that came with the position.

Her opinion was ultimately the most reflected in distributing items, gathering team members, or devising strategies.

Therefore, she considered it her duty to know her team members well.

To fulfill this duty, whenever she had time, she would study her team members’ skills, characteristics, and abilities, and research the most efficient ways to utilize them.

It was also her job to check if they needed any items, or if the equipment they were currently using was truly optimal for them.

But, it’s strange, isn’t it?

In these leisurely few days here, Seo Suji learned more about her team members than in all that long time before.

She didn’t know there were so many stories they hadn’t shared even in situations where they might die soon.

“…It must have been a huge shock for you.”

Pis grinned and shook his head.

“There’s no need to comfort me. I didn’t bring it up to hear that. It’s just that I personally want to teach him a lesson, but I feel bad about causing trouble for the team leader.”

But Seo Suji analyzed coldly.

As long as Ageha had an item from the ‘Great Beings’, Pis had no chance of winning against him.

She wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but it must be an item that dramatically increases a hunter’s power.

If Pis had an overwhelming skill advantage over Ageha, it might be different, but that wasn’t the case.

“If Pis goes, I’m going too. If I don’t go, Pis doesn’t go either. So just think about moving as a team.”

“Team leader…”

Pis was about to say something excitedly, but seeing Daphne’s determined expression, he shrugged as if he had no choice.

“…Alright. I’ll follow the consensus for now. Hey, rabbit head. You’re next.”

Saint usually bristled when called ‘rabbit head’ and would snap back at Pis calling him ‘old man’, but now he just stared at his device with a serious expression and answered.

“I… I’m not sure anymore.”

When Seo Suji silently urged Saint to say more with her gaze, Saint hesitated for a long time, seemingly frustrated, before finally opening his mouth.

“Ah, it’s so annoying to say this. Honestly, when I see people talking on the internet, I wonder why we should go there and do something good for others.”

“And?”

“But the majority living ordinary lives are more important than a few people talking there. Despite everything, I think it’s fortunate that I have the ability to protect people now… So if I can prevent such a big incident, I want to. Otherwise, I’ll regret it. I don’t want to live with regret for the rest of my life.”

Saint finished speaking with a sigh, looking as if he didn’t like his own opinion.

Seo Suji nodded, thinking that Saint’s opinion was quite valid.

Saint covered his device as if he couldn’t stand the sight of it anymore, and looked directly at Seo Suji.

“Elaine seems to be against it… Now it’s 2:1, so… I think the team leader’s opinion will be important.”

“Even if I say we shouldn’t go, it would be 2:2. We’d be back to square one.”

“No. I know what I said sounds like cheap righteousness. It’s true that whatever happens there isn’t our responsibility. So, if you really think my opinion is wrong, I’ll follow yours. And you usually have about three votes in situations like this, don’t you?”

Saint always had his own opinion, but he always placed it second to others’ opinions.

She had somewhat expected him to say this again this time.

Seo Suji nodded heavily at the decision left to her.

Among all the decisions she had made since becoming team leader, not a single one had been easy.

Whether to head to the next floor or not. How to combine skills. Who will stand at the front of the formation, and who will take the rear.

On top of that, today’s decision wasn’t easy either.

As she didn’t answer immediately and remained silent for a long time, Saint said he would give her space and poked Pis in the side to make him get up.

With that, Pis and Saint disappeared towards the building, bickering.

Left alone, Seo Suji was lost in thought for a long time before suddenly realizing how dark it had become around her.

She opened her inventory and took out the ‘Breathing Fire’, placing it between the log chairs.

It looked like an ordinary campfire on the surface, but none of the items Seo Suji possessed were ordinary.

Even that was actually a 9-tier item called ‘Breathing Fire’.

That item, which maintains a flame even underwater, was a reward item obtained from clearing the 72nd floor of the tower for the first time, and was a precious object with only one in the entire world.