A cold wind blew through the open bars of the window. A man lying on a cheap bed stared blankly at the moon beyond the window.
It was Yoosaki, the man who had held the greatest power in Japan as the president of the Japan Hunter Association until just a few days ago.
He clenched his fists and ground his teeth.
“…Damn it.”
If he had just stayed quiet, he would have lived a normal life enjoying his power. But he had been possessed by the desire to place the entire world under Japan’s feet and made the wrong choice.
He didn’t regret the choice itself. However, his anger wouldn’t subside when he thought of the Apostles who had started such a massive project as if something big would happen, only to disappear into thin air.
The one who called himself a messenger of God. Those bastards had vanished from this world without even being able to handle a single Dokkaebi, let alone acting like gods.
It was all because of them that things ended up like this.
Grumble.
His stomach sent a signal that it was hungry, and his body trembled at the sea breeze coming through the window. Warm food came to mind. Warm clothes came to mind. A warm house came to mind. It felt like he was going crazy because the things he had enjoyed to his heart’s content just a few days ago had vanished in an instant.
Moreover, this was no ordinary prison. It was a special prison where Hunters who committed crimes were locked up.
‘Varteng Prison.’
It was a prison built on an artificial island in the middle of the sea, surrounded by thirty-two watchtowers that monitored the facility. Furthermore, S-rank Hunters were on standby at all times, and a powerful law existed where execution was the penalty for any escape attempt. There had even been an incident where several criminal organizations came to this prison to rescue their leaders, only to be completely annihilated.
This was information unknown to the general public, but as Yoosaki had held the position of Association President, he knew a lot about this prison.
“…Dammit.”
If it were a normal prison, he would have received favors through high-ranking Japanese officials.
But because this place was completely isolated from the outside world, that was impossible.
Even the guards looked at him with disdain since he had come here on the grounds of trying to destroy the world.
Grind.
The more he thought, the angrier he became.
“Those sons of bitches.”
“Isn’t it about time you accepted it?”
Yoosaki flared up at the voice of the Chinese Association President, Joo Wonseong, coming from beside him.
“Accept what?! We’re ruined because of them!”
“We were just bewitched by people who were like nine-tailed foxes. We were used and thrown away. Accept it now. Getting annoyed won’t change a thing.”
China had already suffered before Japan did. Joo Wonseong had also been angry, fuming, and annoyed like Yoosaki, but that didn’t change much. Seeing Joo Wonseong’s resigned appearance, Yoosaki bit his lip hard.
“Is there no way to get out of here alive?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“I heard there are still Apostles remaining. Do you know anything?”
“I was bewitched by someone of a lower rank than you, so I don’t know much.”
“Damn it.”
Seeing Joo Wonseong’s lack of communication, Yoosaki gave up on everything and lay back down on the bed. Just as he was trying to go to sleep while suppressing his anger in the cold wind, a warm heat flowed into the cell.
“Don’t you want revenge?”
“I do. But didn’t you say there’s no answer?”
Yoosaki furrowed his brows and turned toward the wall. He had just resigned himself as if he had given up on everything, but now he was suddenly bringing up revenge.
‘Has he gone senile in his old age?’
Thinking that, he tried to go back to sleep, but when he thought about it carefully, the voice was unfamiliar. When he turned his body to the other side, there was a person wearing a black hood. He didn’t know how the person had entered the cell, but they were standing inside the cell, looking down at him.
“Shall I give you a chance?”
The black-hooded figure reached out a hand toward Yoosaki. Yoosaki, who didn’t answer readily, looked at the figure and twisted his lips. There was only one type of being capable of such a thing.
An Apostle.
Unless it was them, no one would offer such a proposal in a place like this. That was why he couldn’t just grab the outstretched hand.
‘…A chance?’
Until now, the hands of the Apostles he had grabbed thinking they were opportunities had been direct paths to the abyss.
“You said you wanted revenge. Was that all a lie?”
“…”
“Ah, you don’t trust us. I understand. Those pathetic fools got beaten without even being able to catch a single dragon brat.”
“Are you different?”
At that, the black-hooded figure shrugged and laughed.
“At least I’m not to be compared to those guys. I have far more authority.”
“…Can you kill the Dokkaebi?”
“Well. The first one left a huge mess, so I came to clean it up. If you guys help, it’ll be a bit easier, right?”
“You guys?”
When Yoosaki questioned him, the black-hooded figure pointed behind him. As he shifted his gaze, he saw the Chinese Association President shimmering with a black aura. Joo Wonseong was trembling and laughing.
“…This is no joke. With this, I think I could even kill the Cheonma.”
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Of course I’m okay. It’s a completely new world, being able to handle this kind of power.”
As Joo Wonseong reached forward and clenched his fist toward the wall — crunch — the wall crumbled and shattered just like that. It looked as easy as crushing tofu. Yoosaki could clearly feel the intense desire reflected in Joo Wonseong’s eyes.
“Hahahahaha! This is the best!”
“How about it? Do you want to help me catch the Dokkaebi?”
Yoosaki narrowed his eyes at the proposal.
“I’d like to hear the plan first.”
“I don’t need someone who’s going to be vague and test the waters — “
“I need certainty.”
“Well, if that’s the case.”
When the black-hooded figure snapped his fingers, the ceiling of the prison vanished just like that. No, it was sliced off. The upper floor where the guards lived was cut clean off and crashed into the sea. He could see the building and the Hunter guards being swallowed by the ocean.
At the same time, all the handcuffs worn by the prisoners on the floor crumbled. They were special items that made it impossible to use skills. When those items disappeared, the prisoners reacted in various ways, breaking through their bars. There were guys who had made the world a grim place — slaughter, greed, and enormous desires. The prisoners shouted in joy at their chains being released.
Looking at them, the black-hooded figure reached out to Yoosaki.
“I’m planning to take those guys and invade Korea. Want to join?”
“…Korea?”
“I’m planning to erase Korea from this world, along with the Dokkaebi you hate so much.”
Someone might say, ‘Are you being fooled again?’ But this time felt different. This person had clearly shown him. He showed the power he possessed, and he showed that he could give that power to him.
“I’ll handle the Dragon myself. You guys just go around and destroy things to your heart’s content.”
Unlike the other Apostles, he stepped to the forefront and declared he would kill the Dragon. Yoosaki curled his lips at the complex emotions slowly rising within him.
“Fine. Give me that power as well.”
Bzzzzt!
I checked the contents of my vibrating cellphone, and it was about a Special Monster.
– Special Monster appeared at the southern tip of Africa.
– A request for support has been sent to the Dokkaebi.
I sent a text saying I was on my way and stepped outside. It was a luxury officetel where warm sunlight shone. As my identity was revealed, the place I lived became known, and the Association quickly found a place for me to live.
Not only that, they even found a house for my parents and younger sibling to live in and provided various conveniences so that they could live their daily lives.
‘Rather, the problem is…’
It was my parents, who were shocked that I had hidden my identity until now. It took ages to explain. But I told them just enough, persuaded them, and received permission to continue my work as a Hunter. I even placed Protection Magic and tracking magic on my parents and sibling so that I could immediately notice if they were in danger.
‘Shall I go?’
I lightly used the Mana in my Dragon Heart.
“FLY.”
Using magic, I ascended into the sky and summoned the Wyvern King.
I climbed onto its back and headed toward Africa.
I couldn’t use Teleport for places I was visiting for the first time, so I had to use a Wyvern.
There would be a slight time difference, but the Wyvern King flew so incredibly fast that arriving in 10 minutes was more than enough.
Whoooooosh!
Cutting through the wind rapidly, I arrived in Africa and saw a giant lion racing across the safari plains.
[Golden Dragon Eye is being used.]
[Status Window]
Name: Ironclad Lion (SS+)
– A monster created by some being modifying an animal of this world.
– Total Stats: SS
– Potential: SSS
– Items Held: None
– Skills Held: Hardened Armor Skin (SS), Lion’s Fear (SS), Thorny Skin (SS)… Power of Corruption (SS)
Today is the last day for Special Monsters to appear. If I catch that guy, everything will be over, and the full-scale battle with the High Apostles will begin.
I don’t know what they’ve been plotting for one week, but I wasn’t just sitting around either. Using the things I obtained while catching Boss Monsters over the past six days, I raised the rank of my Guardians and also began crafting special equipment.
The birth of many Master Dwarves.
I handed over the materials I obtained from hunting the Special Monsters this time. The order was to create equipment for the Guardians, not for me. I only needed to grow my Dragon Heart, so I didn’t need equipment.
‘It should be coming out soon, right?’
Since one day in reality is half a year in the Dragon Lair, they should have finished at least one.
‘I wonder what they made.’
‘Should I catch this quickly and go take a look?’
I gave instructions to the Wyvern King and descended to where the Ironclad Lion was. In the meantime, I prepared magic and struck it down on the Ironclad Lion’s head.
K-boom!
An explosion erupted, and the Ironclad Lion’s head was crushed. It was still breathing. To finish it off, I created a sword out of wind. I imbued that sword with swordsmanship created from wind and swung it. Containing the ultimate technique of swordsmanship within the destructive power of the wind, it split the Ironclad Lion’s body in half.
Splash!
[You have successfully subjugated the Special Monster.]
[Rewards will be distributed based on contribution.]
[1st Place: Cheon Yongje]
I’ll check the rewards later and send the carcass to the Golden Tower.
To analyze the structure of the Ironclad Lion. By figuring out what magic was used and how it worked to create this creature, I increased my proficiency in magic. I guess you could call it a good teaching aid for the Magic Tower. Once the research was over, results would even come out on how to best utilize the carcass.
“Whew, it’s over.”
I was stretching and about to head home when —
Bzzzzt!
Bzzzzt!
Cellphone alerts went off one after another.
– A Special Monster has reappeared in the United Kingdom. The UK has requested assistance.
– A Special Monster has reappeared in the United States of America.
– A Special Monster has appeared in India.
Special Monsters appeared simultaneously all over the world. Since I had already been to those places, it wasn’t difficult to move and catch them.
Bzzzzt!
Bzzzzt!
This time, it wasn’t a message, but Telepathy.
‘A large number of criminals have appeared in Korea.’
It was a message from Yoo Seolha, who had been searching for the High Apostle through the Golden Tower. Finally, the High Apostle’s plan was becoming clear.
It seems they tried to draw attention by creating Special Monsters all over the world, and in the meantime, use the prisoners to turn Korea into a mess. But that’s not going to happen.
“Let’s proceed as planned.”