F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 130

The dragon looked different and was farther away, but Shin Sooah could still recognize it. She knew who the dragon was and who its owner was.

"Gangrim-ssi…!"

A dragon carrying Seo Gangrim was swiftly flying through the sky. In the cutting wind that brushed against his face, Seo Gangrim looked down below.

The other members, including Shin Sooah, were giving it their all to run towards the finish line.

'Everyone is safe.'

Confirming that other clowns were being overwhelmed, Verna quickly used an item to escape. Seo Gangrim was aware that the clowns had retreated, but there was still concern. It wasn't until he visually confirmed the safety of the members that he could finally relax.

'I can't feel the aura of death anymore.'

Seo Gangrim sighed in relief as he tightly gripped the mane of the dragon. Safety was confirmed; now it was time to move towards the next goal.

He gave instructions to the dragon, "Block the front, except for our members."

-Creak!

As soon as he finished speaking, the dragon's mouth opened wide. Flames flickered inside its mouth.

People screamed in horror as fireballs rained down from the sky.

[The ability 'Fireball' is activated!]

[The ability 'Gale' is activated!]

"Ah! Crazy, what's that dragon!"

"How do we stop that!"

There was no way to block the fireballs, and there was no one capable of attacking Seo Gangrim in the air. The leading vehicle narrowly avoided the fireballs while rushing forward. However, trying to dodge the fireballs was causing its speed to gradually decrease.

[It's only a short distance to the goal!]

The last stretch of the course, the finish line, was finally in sight. Seo Gangrim was getting closer to the leader, but he was still lagging behind. As Yorn accelerated while gritting his teeth, the announcer was shouting.

[A fierce race is underway in the air and on the ground! Seo Gangrim, it's about time for you to come down!]

To be officially recognized as finished, participants needed to cut the ribbon surrounding the finish line and enter. Seo Gangrim, flying in the sky, inevitably had to descend.

"Yorn, come down."

"Kyoong!"

As the finish line drew near, Yorn descended sharply, flying so low that its belly almost touched the ground. Amidst the intense pursuit, a thunderous noise pierced through from behind.

-Vroom!

Dokgo Jun, glancing at the rearview mirror, smirked.

"Someone else took it."

The vehicle relentlessly chasing them was none other than the Aldebaran. It was the same one that Seo Gangrim and Dokgo Jun had ridden just moments ago.

The Aldebaran was forcefully pushing aside the vehicles blocking its way as it raced forward.

[The vehicle Seo Gangrim was riding, the Aldebaran! It seems another participant has taken control of the vehicle!]

The Aldebaran's speed increased, closing in on the leaders. In no time, it was side by side with the leading participants, and Yorn was flying just above them.

Now, only a corner remained before the finish line. The leading participant, eager to be the first, pressed the pedal harder.

-Vroom!

Unable to control its speed, the vehicle collided with the car next to it. The thrown vehicle collided with Yorn, causing a chain reaction.

In an instant, the surroundings were filled with dust and smoke. Monitors and billboards were obscured by the hazy smoke.

[A collision accident has occurred right before the finish line! Will anyone manage to cross it? The winner of this year is...!]

Flames and smoke erupted from various places. The collapsed arch-shaped decoration at the finish line, the devastated course. And through it all, someone slowly stood up beyond the finish line.

He tightly grasped the torn ribbon from the finish line. Black hair and black clothing fluttered along with the ribbon.

Seo Gangrim's face appeared on the screen.

[―The player who finished first is Seo Gangrim, representing the Rat Zodiac!]

Seo Gangrim's face was displayed on the large billboard at the finish line. Following him, the other competitors started coming in one after another. The announcer shouted enthusiastically,

"The joint second place goes to Shin Sooah, Dokgo Jun, and Yu Harang. Each of them brings honor to the Tiger, Rat, and Rabbit! And now, entering in fifth place is...!"

Afterward, the rankings were determined up to twelfth place. All the members of the Biho Guild achieved a placement. While Shin Sooah was looking at Seo Gangrim with relief, Dokgo Jun tapped her shoulder.

"See? Wasn't I right?"

Dokgo Jun looked at the image of Seo Gangrim on the screen, smiling mysteriously.

"As expected, because he's the protagonist."

As if he'd heard that, Seo Gangrim turned and walked towards Dokgo Jun. However, his gaze didn't land on Dokgo Jun. Seo Gangrim quickly assessed the condition of the other members, including Shin Sooah.

"Is everyone okay?"

"Yes, we're fine. Nothing happened."

Shin Sooah spoke in a light tone. Others had minor injuries or were low on magical energy, but everyone was safe. Relieved by this fact, Seo Gangrim blinked away the tension in his eyes.

'Now, the Eyes of Vigilance' have also stopped being active.'

After the clowns withdrew, the Eyes of Vigilance vanished without a trace. Since there was no more aura of death, it was safe to be at ease. Heading towards the exit, Seo Gangrim said,

"Let's leave here first. It's better to get some treatment."

Despite being minor, everyone had sustained injuries. The moment they exited the demon realm, Seo Gangrim frowned at the intense light that pierced his eyes

Dokgo Jun looked at him and chuckled.

"Seo Gangrim, things will get busier from now on."

In front of the entrance to the demon realm, numerous reporters had gathered, flashing their cameras like crazy. People were eagerly capturing the moment. News of Seo Gangrim's victory was spreading across the country.

[1st Place goes to Seo Gangrim, Representing the Rat Zodiac!]

Destiny Protection Bureau Team 1 Leader's office.

On the large monitor displayed in the room, Seo Gangrim's face was displayed. Despite the caption announcing his first-place victory, his expression remained stoic, devoid of any visible joy. Kang Dohyeon, watching this, inwardly sighed with relief.

'It's over.'

When the race started, Kang Dohyeon was anxious from the moment Seo Gangrim drew the Desert card and fell behind. Although the intrusion of the clown troupe was a significant event, Kang Dohyeon couldn't help but wonder why he was allowed to stay outside while the clown gang was present.

Even though the clown gang had appeared, he was waiting inside the Destiny Protection Bureau building. Kang Dohyeon glanced at Seomun Yongnyeo and asked, "Is it enough for our team to just wait?"

"I already told you. Team 2 will handle it on their own."

Seomun Yongnyeo sat on the sofa, leisurely watching the screen. Her eyes showed no signs of surprise even with the appearance of the clown gang.

Remaining silent for a moment, Kang Dohyeon asked, "Did Team 2 know that the clown gang was coming? Why didn't it reach us?"

While the bureau managed the situation, it was still a significant act of terrorism. It was puzzling why only Team 2 had been informed of this fact. If he had known in advance, he could have given Seo Gangrim at least a word of warning.

Seomun Yongnyeo, still staring at the monitor, said, "It was the director's order."

"Did the director, by any chance... predict the attack?"

"Yes. The director said the scale wasn't significant enough for us to intervene."

At the mention of the director's foresight, Kang Dohyeon slightly bit his lips. Precognition abilities were rare, and even if one had precognition, it was often vague and uncertain. Even if they detected danger they could only give a cautious warning, and rarely can they guess specific situations or dates.

'But the Director is different. His precognition is too accurate.'

The Director had foreseen the appearance of the clown troupe at a specific date and location. Such a powerful precognitive ability was likely only possessed by someone like the Director within the entire country.

The Director's strong precognitive ability was a crucial weapon for the Destiny Protection Bureau.

Kang Dohyeon used to think the same way, but the situation had changed now.

'Seo Gangrim is suspicious of the Director. Did Seo Gangrim get caught in the Director's foresight as well?'

He wondered how far the Director could foresee the future. If it were possible to accurately predict the future, the Director might also be aware of Seo Gangrim or himself. Kang Dohyeon briefly entertained the doubt that perhaps that was why the information wasn't relayed to Team 1.

The question lingered for a moment, and then Kang Dohyeon tried to shake it off; everything was just speculation.

At that moment, Seomun Yongnyeo spoke up.

"Just go home now. You've been anxious since the beginning of the race. Fortunately, Seo Gangrim is safe."

From the start of the race, Kang Dohyeon's face had been pale with worry. When Seomun Yongnyeo gestured for him to leave, Kang Dohyeon quietly exited the office.

His steps toward leaving were slightly heavy.

'If Baek Young is really the Director of the Destiny Protection Bureau or a key figure, it's going to be troublesome.'

It wasn't just about Baek Young; there might be a need to fight the entire Destiny Protection Bureau. He still didn't know where Baek Young was, and the worry began to accumulate.

Focusing on the present, he tried to push aside these concerns and left the building. As he walked outside, he heard a short scream from the cafe.

"Argh! Why is Seo Gangrim the first!"

People sitting on the cafe terrace were looking at the screen. Not only them, but most people were watching the live broadcast of the race.

Someone nearby commented dismissively, "The clown troupe intruded, isn't that more important?"

"It is important! I'm betting on it!"

The person seemed to remember something and suddenly exclaimed, "Since the clown troupe entered, shouldn't the bets be voided?"

"I don't think so. The dividend amount was announced earlier."

"Oh, no! I bet on the East Branch trainee, thinking they would win!"

"I bet on the Rat Zodiac and made a little profit. I designated the first place to Dokgo Jun, though..."

On the monitor, the results of the race were displayed, along with the odds. Unknown to most participants in the twelve zodiac races, there was one fact: gambling was taking place on the race's outcome, much like horse racing.

While the awakened individuals engaged in fierce battles within the demon realm, the situation outside was also akin to a war zone.

Kang Dohyeon's phone rang

[Hyung, it's me.]

Seo Gangrim's voice came from the other end. Hearing his casual tone brought relief to Kang Dohyeon, but at the same time, a subtle irritation arose.

"Are you safe?"

[I managed to escape, avoiding the reporters. By the way, Hyung.]

Seo Gangrim asked in a nonchalant tone.

[Did you bet all your money on me? How much did you win?]