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Chapter – 06
It didn’t take long for Tae-woon and Jain to track down Mikhail, who had been possessed by the Red Man’s wraith.
The problem, however, was that the wax mask that should have been on his face was nowhere to be seen.
Come to think of it… even in the first run—!
The Red Man Tae-woon had faced back then hadn’t been wearing a mask either.
Which meant he must have already hidden it somewhere by that point.
“…I think I understand now.”
“Understand what?”
“He’s a wraith to begin with. It’s possible he was never wearing a real wax mask. Our eyes may have simply been deceived.”
What nonsense is that?
It sounded vague and abstract, but Jain was a member of a secret society with real expertise. He didn’t seem like the type to spout nonsense in a critical situation.
“Explain it so I can actually understand.”
“There is a real mask somewhere else! And I believe it’s in the stone chamber along the hidden passage!”
“…Got it.”
As Tae-woon tensed his body and recalled the path to the chamber, Jain stepped in front of the Red Man and drew a luxurious silver dagger from inside his coat.
“Go. I’ll hold him off.”
“You? Honestly, that seems like too much for you.”
“This is the moment all my long efforts bear fruit. Some risk is necessary.”
Jain of the Dawn Assembly.
Tae-woon couldn’t help wishing the man had revealed himself sooner—but still, he was undeniably impressive.
Answering his resolve, Tae-woon sprinted away toward the hidden passage.
“Baron Werick?”
“…No time.”
A butler carrying a lantern tried to stop him in the hallway, but Tae-woon ignored him and rushed ahead.
It was here… you twist it sideways.
Creak— creak—
Rumble!
The mechanism activated correctly, revealing the entrance he had seen earlier.
Without slowing, Tae-woon ran to the stone chamber. His eyes twitched at Wilson’s corpse on the floor before turning deeper inside.
“…This way?”
Pulling aside the veil farther in, a stronger metallic stench of blood assaulted his nose.
An altar soaked in someone’s blood.
And within a pool of crimson— a red wax mask.
Splash.
Creak.
The moment he picked it up, a strange sensation surged through his mind.
His body trembled as if seized by cold, chills racing up his spine, teeth clattering.
Damn it— get a grip!
Tae-woon was a hunter. He couldn’t be cowed by a cursed mask of all things.
He steadied his breathing, focused his will, and the chill faded.
Gripping the mask tightly, he rushed back toward the second floor.
Slip— thud!
That bastard Jain!
At the spot where Jain had confronted the Red Man, Tae-woon saw him collapsed on the blood-soaked floor.
Just as feared—he hadn’t even managed to buy time.
Then what am I supposed to do now?!
There was only one path. Nowhere to run.
The Red Man turned his gaze toward the mask and slowly approached.
Creak— creak—
“Damn it— stay back!”
The bandages had already been undone, exposing his face.
Tae-woon avoided looking directly at him, stepping sideways in panic.
Slash!
Clang!
“Urgh!”
The Red Man vanished and reappeared behind him. Tae-woon barely dodged—but dropped the mask.
In that desperate instant, his eyes caught Jain’s dagger—Saint’s Claw.
Yes! If I use that—!
Tap!
He sprinted, grabbed it, and charged while locking his vision on the Red Man’s lower body.
“Bastard! I’ve memorized that movement now!”
Though still a trainee hunter, Tae-woon’s speed far surpassed even elite athletes.
“Take this!”
Slice—!
The Red Man vanished again—just as expected.
Tae-woon slashed upward at the perfect moment.
The dagger glowed faintly, mystical cracks spreading across the wound.
Whooom!
Crack— crack!
…Got him!
Rolling across the floor, Tae-woon snatched up the mask and ran toward the banquet hall.
Footsteps thundered beside him.
“This way!”
“Jain? How are you alive?”
“I have protective tools as well—though far weaker than the dagger. The curse was stronger than expected.”
In other words—he’d played dead.
Typical secret-society survival instincts.
They burst into the hall.
“Does anyone here have parents or grandparents with red hair?! This is critical!”
Most stared at Jain like he was insane.
But—
“My grandparents were from Köln. And… I’m the only one in my family with it too.”
Mary stepped forward, showing red roots beneath dyed hair.
So that’s why he forced eye contact back then…
Tae-woon cursed himself for not noticing sooner.
“How is it?”
“Almost certain. She matches the Holstein bloodline traits.”
But they still needed time.
Tae-woon felt the Red Man drawing closer.
“He’s coming. I’ll stall—explain everything to her.”
“Can you handle it?!”
“Better than you.”
And he was right.
Since awakening his trait, something had changed.
His body moved better. Faster.
I really am a hunter now.
The Red Man emerged.
“Want this back?”
Tae-woon tossed the mask across the floor.
The wraith barely reacted.
“So that’s all you are.”
They clashed again—Tae-woon dominating.
But…
The dagger’s effect is weakening.
The wraith was adapting.
Then—
“We’re ready!”
Mary was guided forward.
She lifted the mask—
Smash!
Slamming it onto the Red Man’s face.
Another hidden wax mask surfaced—distorting.
“Again!”
Smash!
Crack— crack!
The mask shattered into black mist.
The Red Man dissolved completely.
Silence.
“…Is it over?”
“Yes. Thanks to Mary.”
A chime rang.
【Congratulations! You have cleared the ‘Red Man’ Theater!】
【Returning to entrance in 30 seconds】
Light engulfed Tae-woon.
Jain smiled calmly.
“Meeting and parting are like flowing water for our Assembly.”
“…That’s memorable.”
“Memories remain. We will meet again.”
Flash—
【You have perfectly cleared the theater and obtained a ticket!】
【First perfect clear achieved! Bonus rewards granted!】
At last—
The suffering was worth it.
