ALL NOVEL Chapter 26
“Yes. Among the newcomers from Asia, she’s outstanding.”
At a colossal building near Cambridge in the United Kingdom, two men are engaged in conversation.
“Indeed… a rather enticing talent.”
Their eyes are fixed on a monitor displaying the combat scene of Song Ha Yeon, a Hunter from Korea.
Song Ha Yeon’s growth has been nothing short of dazzling. Within months of officially acquiring her Hunter qualifications, she has already become a B Rank Hunter. At this rate, she’s not far off from the rookie days of the current S Rank Hunters.
“Do you think she could become Helena’s rival if she keeps growing?”
Styx is known as one of the three major guilds in the UK, but it is considered the second-in-command among them.
The reason is simple: the current leader of the top guild, Calliope, is S Rank Hunter Helena, whose prowess is simply astounding.
“…I can’t say for certain. However, it’s clear she’ll become a sufficiently powerful Necromancer.”
After a moment of silence, one of the men pondered and opened his mouth again.
“If we recruit her into the guild and have her team up with Johan, it might be possible to surpass Helena in the near future.”
“Is that so…?”
Johan is a top-tier prospect cultivated by Styx. He also holds a title in the necromancy line and is a trump card intended to challenge Helena.
In other words, the man’s statement indicates that Song Ha Yeon’s talent is on par with Johan’s.
“In that case, it would be wise to take action.”
“If you grant permission, I will send Johan.”
“Directly Johan?”
The man’s suggestion was rather bold. Yet, for some reason, his intent was quite clear.
“As you guessed, if one sees a more refined talent from the same lineage, it’s only natural to feel drawn to it.”
And if Song Ha Yeon refuses to join Styx…
“Wouldn’t it be better to let the competitor know their place in advance to stomp them out?”
“…You’re still the same. Indeed, if a treasure cannot be possessed, diminishing its value could be considered a gentleman’s deed.”
Originally, showcasing overwhelming military might through powerful necromancy was Styx’s trademark.
Thus, they chose to name the guild after the river Styx, which leads to the underworld.
However, after Helena appeared and certain events transpired, that symbolism now belonged entirely to her.
Crack.
A fist clenched so tightly that the veins bulged as the elderly man spoke through gritted teeth, trying to contain his anger.
“It may take over a decade, but we must ensure that the cost is paid.”
“…I always keep that in mind.”
“Look forward to good news.”
Two days later, a Hunter boarded a plane at Cambridge Airport.
The destination? South Korea.
#
“Did you hear the news?”
“What news?”
“The bus driver who takes two hours to clear a D Rank dungeon.”
“Oh, of course I saw it. That story has been all over the community lately.”
It has been a month since I formed a two-person strategy team with Song Ha Yeon.
During that time, we have inadvertently become quite famous.
– At first, I thought it was a joke when someone posted about it.
– Seriously, where can you find a silver-haired, red-eyed beauty Hunter? Haha, I didn’t believe it at all.
– If a newbie looked like that, to be honest, I’d give them a ride too.
– What country are they from?
┗ South Korea.
┗ Seriously?
The initial attraction stemmed amusingly from the unusual duo of Song Ha Yeon and me.
Her exotic looks with silver hair and red eyes are hard to find anywhere in the world. Alongside her, Song Ha Yeon also exudes a vibrant beauty.
It was ample material to pique the public’s interest.
– I heard they cleared another dungeon today. If they keep going at that pace, their levels must be skyrocketing, right?
– Could they have already hit Level 15? I’m seriously envious. I want to ride to glory with a pretty sister too.
– But how much are they paying to have a B Rank prospect help them without leveling up? It’s beyond imagination.
Once the rumor took off, focus naturally shifted to our astonishing clearing speed.
In this month alone, we’ve tackled eleven dungeons.
All small ones, but based on normal conventions, that’s undeniably an insane number.
‘I’ve caught everything…’
But what those internet spirits thought didn’t matter much. After all, it was only the results that would stick.
“Status window.”
Ding.
【Baek Eun Ha】
▶ Title:
▶ Level: 17
There hasn’t been any change in the other sections.
The title section remains blank and the stats show no signs of change. Perhaps they might never change.
However, there was a significant change in the most crucial level section.
A whopping 17.
17.
Considering the struggle during my Level 1 days, that’s an unfathomable leap forward.
“Hehe.”
I’m no longer merely a leaf crumbling at a touch. I could at least be compared to a tiny hummingbird or a badger now.
‘I’ve become able to wield much more Death Energy.’
In fact, after concluding this dungeon run, I passed the assessment and my Hunter rank increased by one level.
Thus, contrary to my initial worries, I could confidently say that my growth up to this point has been very smooth.
“Book of Death.”
Boom!
Before the most recent dungeon dive, I was unable to open it at Level 14.
But now, what about now?
Holding a sense of anticipation, I slowly and cautiously picked up the cover of the book with my hand.
Crack.
Crack.
Squish!
“…Is it… slightly opening?”
It hasn’t fully opened yet.
But surely the pages have cracked open enough for the inside to barely be visible.
Here, without a doubt, I could see…
“Jack.”
Jack Callista. The last generation of the Frost Clan, who lived as an assassin before becoming Undead.
Although classified as a different species from humans, they closely resemble humans in appearance.
The medium required to summon him was resting within this page.
‘Surprisingly, he’s treated as a weakling…’
While other pages wouldn’t budge even when I tried to open them.
I directed a sympathetic gaze towards the page containing Jack’s medium.
Just as I was on the verge of comforting the poor Jack, a message arrived from Song Ha Yeon.
Ding.
[Master, good news!]
[What?]
[C5 Rank dungeon authorization has come through! The day after tomorrow, in Cheongju. You’re definitely going, right?]
It seems that due to recent performance and the rank increase, authorization for the C Rank dungeon that had previously been deemed unacceptable has finally come through.
I lay on my bed, pondering for a moment.
‘Cheongju is a bit far…’
But even if it’s the lowest rank, it’s a C Rank dungeon.
If I clear it, wouldn’t I finally reach the much-desired Level 20?
By then, using the Book of Death, even partially, should be possible.
Turning it down merely because it’s arduous feels like an irresistibly huge temptation.
Ding.
[Pick me up on time.]
[Nep. Especially this time, don’t forget your qualification certificate!]
[…Shut up.]
My journey to reclaim my heyday was gradually beginning to take shape.
#
Vroom.
Screech.
Thud.
“I feel like I’m going to die…”
Cheongju was farther than I expected. The traffic was a bit congested, and it took over four hours.
I became utterly exhausted from the combination of motion sickness and side effects. Despite trying to keep my eyes shut to ignore Song Ha Yeon, here I was, in this state.
Thump!
“You did well to hang in there.”
Song Ha Yeon closed the driver’s door, casually exclaiming.
At first, she treated me with utmost care, but these days her lack of consideration for the hard work of her master was quite infuriating.
“…Stay ten meters away.”
“Got it!”
I followed behind Song Ha Yeon, sulking as I pulled my hood down.
We arrived at the entry point, where I began the familiar verification process.
I made sure not to forget my qualification certificate and confirmed all the entry protocols for the C Rank dungeon. There should be no issues.
But then…
Ding.
“Huh? I’m sorry…”
Upon seeing the staff’s furrowed brow, an ominous feeling began to creep in.
Sure enough, the staff was looking at me.
“You’re listed as a C Rank Hunter in the database. Have you not renewed your qualification certificate?”
“Ah, um, well…”
This was a problem.
A quick glance to the side showed Song Ha Yeon, who had been driving for five hours, giving me a death glare.
“Since the qualification code matches, it shouldn’t be a problem, but let me check with the relevant department just in case. Please wait a moment.”
Fortunately, after confirming with the responsible department, the staff completed the entry registration, advising me not to forget to renew in the future.
“…”
I made a point to avoid Song Ha Yeon’s piercing gaze.
#
Once the two entered the dungeon, how much time elapsed?
Choi Tae Wook, sitting quietly as he organized related materials, suddenly felt a wave of dizziness and rubbed his head.
Thud.
Thud.
“Have I been overworking lately?”
As that thought crossed his mind, something black began to shimmer at the edge of his vision.
It was ominous and instinctively caused a feeling of repulsion as if he were a living organism.
“Uhm…”
That was the last thing Choi Tae Wook remembered.
Thud.
Step.
Step.
The figure who appeared behind the fallen Choi Tae Wook glanced at him briefly before smoothly entering the dungeon.