Chapter 177: Providing Support for the Zootopia Guild

"Do Dungeon Breaks happen frequently in major cities?" Kei asked quietly, glancing at Kai walking right beside him.

Kai still kept him firmly within arm’s reach, his eyes sweeping unceasingly across the rooftops and darkened alleys.

"In cities housing hazardous Dungeons, they can’t be entirely avoided."

Kai scratched the back of his head and added:

"But don’t worry. Civilians have already been evacuated to shelters, and the guilds are holding the critical sectors down. With me around here, the situation will stabilize in no time."

Kai spoke with absolute confidence, as though his mere appearance guaranteed that half the problem was already solved.

Kei didn’t reply immediately. He looked down the far end of the street, where a plume of dark smoke billowed behind some distant rooftops.

They had journeyed to Ji-pong to track down Thunder and deliver the blueprints to the Zootopia Guild. Kei hadn’t anticipated that this trip would kick off with a Dungeon Break.

Kai tightened his grip on his hand just a fraction.

"Kei... Don’t go wandering off anywhere!"

"You just focus on the frontline," Kei looked at him. "I’ll be careful."

Kai didn’t answer, merely quickening his pace to shield him like a living bulwark ahead.

Up ahead, sirens wailed in the distance, and squads of hunters rushed out from temporarily erected tent encampments, every single one of them wearing an expression of grim severity.

Kei spotted the group of hunters heading toward them even before Kai spoke up.

The man leading the pack possessed slate-gray hair and an arm wrapped in white bandages, it was Lucas.

Lucas strode swiftly down the avenue, his gaze scanning his surroundings as he walked. The instant his eyes locked onto Kei, his steps halted abruptly.

"Kei-nim? What are you doing in Ji-pong City?"

The astonishment etched across Lucas’s face lasted only a fleeting second before melting into sheer confusion as he noticed Kai standing right beside him. Kai’s hand was still gripping Kei’s, and his body blocked most of the front, radiating an aura suggesting he’d pounce and bite anyone who dared take another step forward.

Lucas looked between the two of them, then dropped his gaze down to their tightly clasped hands.

"What brings you here, Kei-nim?"

"We came looking for Thunder," Kei glanced down at Lucas’s bandaged arm. "But heard he had left Dong-San City for Ji-pong, so we followed him here. Afterward, we learned Ji-pong was dealing with a Dungeon Break incident, so we wanted to come help."

"You’re planning to pitch in with defensive support, too?"

Lucas still looked thoroughly astounded.

Previously, Moon So Yeon had mentioned that Kei kept company with a slew of high-rank hunters. Lucas had assumed she was simply exaggerating. But seeing Kai practically glued to Kei’s side, he suddenly realized her words hadn’t been exaggerated in the slightest.

Kei acted as though he hadn’t noticed Lucas’s piercing stare. Leaning forward slightly, he introduced his companion:

"This is Kai, guild master of the Black Dragon Guild. He’ll be supporting the frontline. As for me, I’m a Craftsman, so I can only help out in the logistics sector."

"The Black Dragon Guild Master is here, too?"

A hunter standing behind Lucas let out a soft exclamation. The rest of the group immediately buzzed with activity. The exhaustion etched across their faces eased slightly, replaced by an unmistakable glimmer of hope.

Lucas exhaled a ragged breath, a genuine smile breaking across his features.

"Thank you, both of you. The situation remains tense, and we desperately need more reinforcements."

"We’ll do our best," Kei replied.

Kai said nothing, though his fingers stubbornly refused to let go; he was still visibly displeased about Kei attempting to detach himself from him.

Lucas glanced down at his injured arm before turning to issue new directives to the surrounding hunters:

"Escort Hunter Kai to the eastern frontline. That sector is currently in the most urgent need of reinforcement."

Kai’s brow knitted instantly.

"What about Kei?"

"He’ll be escorted to the logistics zone," Lucas said. "That’s where the Craftsman and support teams are stationed."

"But—"

Kai scowled with an unmistakable expression of annoyance.

"Kai," Kei called out softly. "Come back here."

Kai pivoted to face him. Kei reached out with his free hand to gently pat the back of his hand.

"Go help them out. I’ll be in the logistics area, there are people stationed there to oversee and protect us, so it’s completely safe. We just talked about this."

Kai pressed his lips into a thin line, clearly still reluctant to part ways. Yet all around them, the hunters were waiting for him to mobilize. Ultimately, he released Kei’s hand and trudged slowly after Lucas.

After walking a few paces, Kai whipped his head back and bellowed:

"Kei, don’t go walking off anywhere else!"

"Got it."

"And if anything happens, call me immediately!"

Kei let out a soft, amused chuckle.

"Yeah."

Kai lingered for a fraction longer as though itching to say more, but Lucas placed a hand firmly upon his shoulder, urging him forward. The squad of hunters rapidly surged toward the frontline.

Kei watched them go until Kai’s silhouette vanished around the street corner.

"Sorry for making him tear himself away from you, Kei-nim," Lucas apologized. "But we genuinely need Kai’s strength."

The prowess of the Zootopia Guild went without saying, but this particular Dungeon Break had erupted with ferocious intensity while Hwang Do Hyun was currently absent, leaving the remaining Zootopia hunters stretched painfully thin.

"It’s fine. He understands."

Kei spoke the words, yet a lingering thread of anxiety remained as he stared down the path Kai had just taken. Lucas seemed to catch onto that unease, though he offered no commentary. He simply pivoted to address a female hunter standing nearby.

"Linda, could you escort Kei to the logistics zone? The area where the Craftsmen are gathering."

"Sure."

The young woman gave a firm nod before turning her attention to Kei.

"I’m Linda, an E-rank hunter. I handle odds and ends in the logistics sector. Follow me, please."