The pajama-wearing figure in the white baseball cap froze in place. However, the hiker and the tall young man didn’t stop—in fact, their pace quickened. What gave them this confidence? Lee Minhoon, the guard, quickly retrieved a stun gun from his inventory and placed his hand on the emergency call button as he issued another warning.

“Take one more step, and—”

But before he could finish, the hiker suddenly raised his trekking pole.

“Sic ‘em!”

“Coo-oo!”

At the sharp cry of a chicken, Minhoon reflexively turned around in confusion.

*Smack!*

“Ow!”

Something smooth, round, and heavy hit Minhoon square in …