ALL NOVEL Chapter 8
After the previous dungeon incident, I started to ponder one fundamental question.
‘…….’
The question was simple.
Is my power truly all gone?
‘It’s strange, you know.’
At the time, I didn’t think deeply about it. The fact that I could temporarily summon the Halloween Knight in the dungeon, and that I was able to defeat the Devourer, Revenant, and Skeleton Archers in an instant, I assumed it was all due to my own prowess.
That didn’t seem like a particularly odd thought. My skills as a Necromancer were, without a doubt, impressive.
However, now that I think back, there remain questionable aspects.
‘No matter how talented I might be, is it really possible to do that with just a handful of resources given to me by a rookie Necromancer?’
It was a matter of resources, not skill.
Thinking rationally, it would make more sense to consider that there was another factor at play.
As a result, I formulated a hypothesis.
“What if my power hasn’t actually disappeared?”
What if it’s just in a state where I can’t perceive or use it?
‘…….’
For example, let’s say there’s a canvas covered in white paint, and that represents my power.
Now, imagine it’s been covered in black paint, making it invisible and imperceptible.
I think I’ve gone through something similar to that.
Of course, this could just be conjecture. But I didn’t want to dismiss the possibility entirely.
‘It’s weirder to think such power could vanish without a trace.’
What I couldn’t understand was that aspect.
For whatever reason, is it really easy to erase such immense power in an instant?
Absolutely not.
If so, it could mean some sort of trick or deceit was involved.
Once I progressed to that conclusion, it became easy to draw a conclusion.
‘…That makes sense.’
I nodded while still wrapped up in my blanket.
It was a thought I had while dealing with my failure to advance, but it was a hypothesis I could understand.
What I needed to do now was simple.
Degururu.
“Well, what’s the point? Nothing changes in the end.”
In truth, even if I considered it, it would be meaningless if I couldn’t find a way to erase that overlaid paint.
With a gloomy expression, I turned my computer back on.
Kkook.
Wiiing.
‘But…….’
There was one thing I was certain of.
‘If I were to awaken.’
Then recognizing my original state beneath that overlaid paint would definitely be possible.
#
“Thank you for your hard work today!”
“You’re really amazing. I’ve never cleared a dungeon this comfortably before.”
“Hehe. It’s nothing.”
Baek Eun Ha’s online disciple, Song Ha Yeon, had recently been gaining quite a bit of fame.
Murmuring.
“That’s her.”
“Wow, again cleared in four hours?”
“At this rate, she’ll be entering B rank dungeons soon….”
In just three months, she had already reached C Rank from being an apprentice. Rumor had it that the association was considering her a provisional B Rank due to her lack of achievements.
Additionally, as a rare Summoner in Korea, interest in her was even greater.
[C Rank Hunter Song Ha Yeon! Surpassed 50 dungeon clears!]
[Terrifying growth rate, something’s up.]
[Comparatively analyzing with current S Rank Hunters’ low-rank periods?]
Some impatient experts had already boldly declared that she would reach A Rank, and eventually S Rank.
‘Even so, I think that’s overestimating her….’
Song Ha Yeon herself honestly found all this attention rather bewildering.
It was hard to believe that the genius or talent people spoke of truly applied to her.
‘It’s all thanks to him.’
The teachings of the Hell Lord were truly remarkable.
Now, with some time having passed since she requested to learn, she had a vague idea of where he stood.
‘He must have skills beyond comprehension.’
The more she learned about Necromancy, the more certain she became that he was an unimaginably powerful being.
Honestly, Song Ha Yeon had now come to firmly believe in the identity of the Hell Lord.
“S Rank Hunter. Helena.”
Named after the Norse mythological goddess of hell, she was probably the Hell Lord.
‘There’s no other Summoner with such power.’
Thus, Song Ha Yeon truly had no choice but to be bewildered.
Bam bam ba bam!
[Helena has donated 80,000,000 won!]
“Wow! Thank you……huh?”
The next day, during a streamed break, an unexpected figure appeared.
“Umm? No way, how much is this…… No, is that really her?”
Honestly, it was hard to believe at first, but the viewers confirmed that she was indeed Helena.
And Helena, seemingly flustered, spoke to the bewildered Song Ha Yeon.
– I’m interested, you see.
“Hmm?”
– I’m planning to visit Korea next week. Would you be able to meet me?
It was literally like a bomb about to explode.
#
“…A party?”
“Yeah, it might be a bit different, but it’s not wrong, right?”
Apparently, an event involving influential figures from various countries was taking place in Korea.
“Are you going too?”
“I didn’t want to leave home during this time, but I was asked to come….”
“…….”
It seemed that yet another trial was about to come my way.
It was midsummer, and I’d have to dispose of food waste often. My future was already looking dark.
Noticing my expression darkening, Seo Ha hurriedly began to think of something and spoke up.
“Ah, or do you want to come with me, brother?”
“…Me?”
It was definitely impossible.
If I went to a place crowded with that many people, I’d surely break down under the pressure and lose my mind.
“You could just relax in the hotel, would that be okay?”
“Hotel….”
That didn’t sound bad now that I thought about it. Living in a luxury hotel, enjoying air conditioning in peace.
As long as I had a computer and smartphone, it seemed like it could be unusually comfortable.
“…Should I go?”
“Yeah! I’ll take care of everything, so let’s go together.”
Seo Ha looked excited, as if she hadn’t expected me to accept.
And so, I headed out of the house after a long time.
Suddenly, dragged along by Seo Ha’s hand.
Murmuring.
Murmuring.
“Why am I suddenly coming here….”
“Even though you’re saying you’re not participating in the event, it feels a bit off to go like a bum, doesn’t it?”
Fortunately, it wasn’t a department store. I had refused that with my entire body when I sensed it.
However, even at a clothing store in a busy district, there were naturally many people. I had no choice but to walk while burying my face in Seo Ha’s shoulder.
Somehow, I seemed to look overly cheerful—just a feeling, right?
“I won’t be here for long, so let’s quickly get what we need and go. That should be fine, right?”
“…I won’t wear anything too flashy.”
With my face not even lifted, I chose some clothes and half-listened as the staff explained, mindlessly trying on the clothes Seo Ha handed me.
So the shopping didn’t even take 40 minutes to finish.
I wondered if I had been too unresponsive and felt sorry, but Seo Ha honestly seemed satisfied enough with this.
“Ah, there’s the car.”
Sending Seo Ha away, saying she had some things to take care of, I decided to rest in the car.
Despite everything, she was still very overprotective.
Feeling a bit disgruntled, I turned on my smartphone.
Ding.
[JP: Look at this. It looks delicious, right?]
Just then, a notification popped up on my messenger.
The only contacts I had were Seo Ha and the hospital staff, but I did have some internet friends.
Clicking on the message, I saw a very fancy parfait.
It was just typical food bragging among friends.
Tap. Tap.
As I tapped out a half-hearted reply, I couldn’t help but spot an ice cream store in the corner of my eye.
‘…….’
I really felt like having something sweet.
After a moment of hesitation, I opened the car door, pulled my hat down firmly, and headed towards the ice cream store.
I planned to get one for myself and one for Seo Ha, who had worked hard.
‘That much shouldn’t be a problem.’
I had initiated this, but my sister worried too much for her own good.
I confidently walked in and quickly placed my order.
“One pistachio and, um, a strawberry please……”
“Ah, yes! Your order has been received.”
The staff seemed to give a slight chuckle, but it was probably just my imagination.
As I walked back to the car, drained of energy, I lightly bumped into a pedestrian due to my obstructed view from the hat.
“Oof.”
It wasn’t a hard hit, but while trying to balance myself, I ended up dropping the ice cream I was holding in my right hand.
My pistachio!
In that moment, a delicate white hand reached out, catching the ice cream and steadying me.
“Are you okay?”
As I fell silent at the unexpected foreign language, the woman switched to Korean and spoke again.
“You look unique, so I wondered if you were Korean?”
“…Yes.”
With her bluish-green hair and matching eyes, I instinctively felt something as I locked eyes with this youthful yet sophisticated-looking woman.
This woman is dangerous.
‘She’s unusual.’
As I mentioned earlier, right now, I feel no Death Energy at all.
However, regardless of that, there were things that could be immediately sensed just by looking.
For instance, right now.
From the woman in front of me, I felt the echoes of lost souls.
And it was very intense.