CHAPTER 21

Expansion of Power (3)

"Was there another one?"

It was undoubtedly a Red Tiger.

However, this one was slightly bigger than the one seen through the Absolute One's eyes.

Perhaps its level was even higher than the one they had just taken down.

'This is money.'

A golden opportunity had practically fallen into their lap.

And it was worth at least 40 million won.

But it wasn't a situation to celebrate just yet.

'This is dangerous.'

Sure enough, Yu Hye-rin, who had been trailing at the back, tripped over her own feet and fell.

"Kyah!"

"Hye-rin!"

At the same time, the Red Tiger's aura grew even sharper.

"Get up, quickly!"

Shaaak!

Kim Ga-young's arrow, imbued with piercing energy, flew towards the beast, but the Red Tiger easily dodged by shifting its running direction.

Using a broken tree as a stepping stone, the beast leaped high into the air, aiming precisely at the spot where Yu Hye-rin had fallen.

"Krrrraaaah—!"

Just before its sharp claws could tear into her back—

Swoosh—

Yu Hye-rin vanished.

Scrraatch—!

The Red Tiger's claws raked across the pavement, leaving a deep, menacing gouge in the concrete.

"Grrr?"

The beast looked around in confusion, trying to locate its missing prey.

"Huff, huff."

Yu Hye-rin had been teleported right beside him.

She was panting heavily, her face pale with terror.

'That was close.'

Had he been even 0.1 seconds late, the Red Tiger's claws would have left their mark on her back.

Luckily, he had used his Summon Retainer skill the moment she tripped, preventing her from meeting a grim fate.

'But at least I bought some time.'

The Red Tiger was clearly irritated at having its prey stolen at the last moment. It circled the spot where Yu Hye-rin had disappeared, its lingering attachment evident.

Meanwhile, Ha Dong-geon's group had widened the distance between themselves and the beast.

However, the gap rapidly closed as soon as the Red Tiger moved.

Swoosh!

Just then, Moon Byung-ho appeared beside him, carrying the elderly woman on his back.

He had used teleportation.

'That must have been at least a few dozen meters… He's getting better.'

It seemed the Power of Trust skill was helping him.

Since it boosted all stats, his mental strength had likely increased as well.

At that moment.

[You have detected an entity that meets the conditions to become a citizen.]

[Would you like to grant citizenship?]

'Grant it.'

Moon Byung-ho gently set the unconscious grandmother down and turned to him.

"Please take care of her."

He looked ready to charge at the Red Tiger.

But he blocked his path.

"Wait."

"What? But—"

"Can you trust me on this?"

Moon Byung-ho looked conflicted but eventually nodded.

"…Alright."

With his confirmation, he turned back toward the Red Tiger, which was chasing Ha Dong-geon's party.

'About 10 meters.'

It was within the range of his Invisible Hand.

He had already tested its strength earlier.

It was powerful enough to crush a solid metal front door in one hit and rip a locking mechanism clean off.

'This should work.'

He waited patiently.

The first to enter his range was Kang Deok-su, carrying Oh Won-joo on his back.

Next came Kim Ga-young, followed by Kim Gun, and finally, Ha Dong-geon.

They were just about to reach the safety of the Home Base zone when Ha Dong-geon turned back and fired an arrow at the Red Tiger.

Shaaak!

The beast had already closed in.

"Krrrraaaah!"

Ha Dong-geon had been watching its movements closely and had timed his attack well.

If he could stall it even slightly, the others would make it to safety.

But reality was cruel.

Instead of slowing down, the Red Tiger only accelerated.

The arrow merely grazed its hide, failing to even leave a scratch.

"Dong-geon!"

Kim Ga-young shouted in alarm as she realized the danger.

But it was too late.

The Red Tiger was already within striking distance.

"Everyone, run!"

Ha Dong-geon shouted at his team before sprinting in the opposite direction.

In that brief moment, he had realized there was no way to escape.

Instead, he chose to lure the Red Tiger away, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

'This guy's the real deal.'

A leader's responsibility.

A sharp sense of judgment.

Decisive execution.

Courage that refused to yield to fear.

People like him were rare.

'Catch it.'

Just before the Red Tiger's fangs could reach Ha Dong-geon—

"Kehek!"

An invisible grip tightened around the beast's throat.

And then it was lifted off the ground.

"Kraaaah—!"

The Red Tiger thrashed violently, its claws swiping at empty air, but the Invisible Hand held firm.

It didn't take long for its frenzied struggle to turn into desperate flailing.

"..."

"..."

Everyone stood frozen, watching in shock as the Red Tiger struggled in agony.

He spoke calmly.

"Kim Ga-young."

"Y-yes?!"

"Finish it."

"Ah."

He could have killed it himself, but that would have been wasteful.

He wouldn't receive the citizen bonus or the retainer perk.

If Kim Ga-young landed the final blow, the loot would be multiplied by four.

Understanding his intent, Kim Ga-young nocked an arrow and aimed at the Red Tiger's suspended head.

A faint glow surrounded her arrow.

Shaaak—! Thunk!

The shot pierced straight through the beast's skull.

[You have slain Red Tiger (Lv. 28).]

[You have gained a large amount of experience.]

[63,211,776 won has been deposited into the Absolute Ruler's wallet.]

As the Red Tiger's cries faded into silence, the area grew eerily still.

And then—

[Citizen Moon Byung-ho's trust level has increased.]

[Citizen Kim Ga-young's trust level has increased.]

[Citizen Kim Ga-young's loyalty has increased.]

[Citizen Yu Hye-rin's trust level has increased.]

[Citizen Yu Hye-rin's loyalty has increased.]

···

···

Ha Dong-geon's party's trust and loyalty notifications flooded in.

And then—

[Citizen Ha Dong-geon's loyalty has surpassed 30.]

[Citizen Ha Dong-geon has met the conditions for retainer registration.]

At last, Ha Dong-geon had truly accepted him.

'Register Ha Dong-geon as a retainer.'

Ding!

A green glow radiated from Kim Da-jung's hands, flowing into Oh Won-joo's bloodied side.

The severe wound quickly stopped bleeding, and new flesh began to form.

Color returned to Oh Won-joo's face as her condition improved.

'Good thing we found Kim Da-jung in time.'

The injury was more serious than expected.

Since her transformation had been undone, she couldn't rely on beastkin regeneration. She had also already exhausted her daily quests, making healing through quest rewards impossible.

Without intervention, she could have died.

He turned to Ha Dong-geon.

"What happened? What were those red tigers?"

"It seems Moon Byung-ho's grandmother's house was within their territory. We ran into one while rescuing her and managed to kill it. But there was another. That's the one that chased us."

His explanation made sense.

'That explains a lot.'

The alley had been too clean.

There were no signs of goblins anywhere.

If goblins had been around, Moon Byung-ho's grandmother wouldn't have survived.

'So that area belonged to two Red Tigers.'

Because those beasts guarded the area, no goblins had dared to intrude, allowing the grandmother to remain safe.

It was sheer luck.

But now, she was free from the goblin threat.

And with the Red Tigers dead, their territory was his to claim.