Chapter 150

Chapter 150. King of the Dead (2)

I really need to move out soon or something. What kind of feng shui curse does this studio apartment have to constantly attract trouble?

"I'm doomed."

Grumbling.

Before the 'something' that appeared midair even touched the ground, I had already grasped the situation. Its aura was far too foreign to simply ignore and walk past.

Sssshkk...

At last, a black shadow descended from the sky. The figure that appeared before me landed gently on the asphalt, as if it bore no weight at all.

Crack.

f it bore no weight at all.

Crack.

A mysterious creature landed gracefully, rising from its crouched position. The sound of its shifting bones echoed like the cracking of a decayed, ancient tree.

But now wasn't the time to be indulging in such sound effects.

'What the hell is that?'

I took a step back, startled by the bizarre creature that had suddenly fallen from the sky.

'Magic?'

Soon after, the mysterious creature stretched its arm forward, as if preparing some sort of spell. I didn't approach rashly.

If it's a spell that could explode its surroundings, then it would be a big problem.

'Stay calm. I made sure to bring my magic tools today. If I just hit it with [Surprise Box!], even if it only knocks it out, I can somehow escape...'

I analyzed the monster's spell and reached into my pocket.

'That's right. After knocking it out, I'll use [Hydra] to stab its eyes. The black substance coming out of it seems like some kind of fluid. Maybe it's poisonous?'

But right after that.

An entirely unexpected event occurred in the direction of the strange creature.

"Huh?"

Whoosh—!

The monster's magical energy, which had been gathering in one spot, suddenly scattered helplessly in all directions.

"...."

....

....

What... what is this? Even after that, the situation remained the same. The monster kept trying the same spell over and over, but for some reason, the magical energy would drain away before the ritual could even be completed.

And it was happening so cleanly.

'Nothing... happened?'

Blink.

I looked at the monster for a moment to figure out the situation. But at that moment, a short memory flashed through my head.

'Ah.'

Kelumineto! That’s the monster I’ve seen before! It was the one I saw on the internet a while ago!

It was when I had just learned how to use a cellphone. I searched the word ‘soul’ on a portal site, and that’s when I ca

Kelumineto! That's the monster I've seen before! It was the one I saw on the internet a while ago!

It was when I had just learned how to use a cellphone. I searched the word 'soul' on a portal site, and that's when I came across the information about a monster that uses a skill called [Soul Strike] on Earth.

'Long live the information society.'

The monster that deals with a concept I, who was at the pinnacle of soul and magic theory, could only barely interpret at the end of my previous life.

But now that I've encountered it firsthand, I can clearly understand. As expected, the technique doesn't touch the soul directly...

'Aha.'

I observed the monster's repeated failures and grasped the true nature of its spell.

'This is [Mana Burn]!'

The technique that Earthlings called Soul Strike was actually an attack with no connection to the spiritual concept at all.

[Mana Burn].

To be exact, it was just a spell that evaporated the magic power of the magician.

That's why the boss's attack couldn't be blocked even with good armor. The magical tools found in dungeons typically provide a strong defensive barrier around the user's body. These are resistant to external shocks, but they can't prevent the things inside from leaking out.

'Phew, I really thought shamans existed on Earth...'

King of the Dead, Soul Strike... All these grand names made me unnecessarily anxious.

But when I think about it, it's not without reason. For a magician, Mana Burn is definitely a deadly technique.

'That's why I used it so often in my previous life.'

Without mana, you can't attack. The barriers surrounding your body also weaken. Mana Burn was a skill capable of simultaneously reducing both the opponent's attack power and defense in a single strike.

Now, let's say the King of the Dead, Kelumineto, burns 100 mana with each attack. For a D-rank hunter, their total mana capacity is barely around 70. So what happens if a D-rank hunter is hit by such an attack? They meet an untimely death. After all, once someone awakens, even their internal organs have evolved to utilize mana.

'A magician without mana will have their organs fail and die.'

A powerful spell capable of burning even the trace amounts of mana essential for sustaining life. From the Earthlings' perspective, it was no wonder they misunderstood it as manipulating the soul. Whenever that creature gestured, they would have felt a shock as if their very life force was being drained away.

'The evaporation caused by Mana Burn feels entirely different from the sensation of losing mana while using a skill.'

The primitive magician must have died without even knowing what was going on.

However, this time, the opponent was not in its favor. I know this because I frequently used that magic in my past life. [Mana Burn] only works effectively against magicians who are significantly weaker than the caster...

In short, it's a technique for trash mobs.

However, this time, the opponent was not in its favor. I know this because I frequently used that magic in my past life. [Mana Burn] only works effectively against magicians who are significantly weaker than the caster...

In short, it’s a technique for trash mobs.

“Hmm.”

Unfortunately, the one here is from the archmage. The ability to control mana is on an entirely different level. How could I let such a lowly beast take ownership from me?

“Ga...eugh?”

The monster’s technique didn’t work on me. Unlike the humans on Earth, I had perfect control over all my mana.

“Greuk!”

But then, the monster, shedding black tears, changed its posture.

With a thud, the gaunt creature knelt, placing both hands on the ground. Its lowered head made it seem as though it was surrendering, but in reality, it was preparing to launch an even stronger attack. By placing its hands on the ground, it could draw even more mana from the earth beneath it.

“Eurr....rrrr...!”

as surrendering, but in reality, it was preparing to launch an even stronger attack. By placing its hands on the ground, it could draw even more mana from the earth beneath it.

“Eurr....rrrr...!”

The King of the Dead, Kelumineto, groaned as it activated its third Mana Burn. Of course, that too had just been nullified.

Seeing it go through all that pointless struggle made me feel a bit sorry for it. With such a flimsy spell structure, no matter how many times it tries, the result will always be the same.

“Hmm.”

Well, anyway. I was momentarily startled by the sudden attack, but considering how this disappointing turn of events unfolded, I guess it’s a relief after all.

Srrrnk.

I drew the Hydra’s Blade from the scabbard at my side and strode forward. However, I had long since ignored the monster in front of me.

Because this wasn't a real creature...

"Yeah."

It was a servant of some sorcerer.

"Let's see what kind of b*stard this is."

The cold weight of Hydra in my hand was unmistakable. After a brief warm-up, I began to sprint at full force.

***

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

Oh my God!

Sophia was shocked.

'This can't be happening!'

The summoned monster had definitely used [Soul Strike]! Even the strongest hunters would be overwhelmed by the horrifying effect of that technique, yet it had clearly hit directly!

'My, my subordinate's attack is being ignored...?'

The blonde cold-blooded figure didn't even flinch after being struck by Kelumineto's skill. He just stood there, looking down at the monster coldly.

'Did the summoning go wrong? No, my skill was flawless. Just like always!'

Sophia, unable to believe the reality before her, gave the summoner another command. She urged the creature with all her remaining strength, signaling it to attack the man.

However, what followed was an even more shocking situation.

Thud.

As soon as the summoner's command was received, Kelumineto's response was to kneel before Kim Giryeo.

'What is this!'

The being known as the King of the Dead, who cast all hunters into despair regardless of rank. How could such a transcendent entity, who supposedly manipulated souls at will, act so pitifully?

Sophia scolded her fallen subordinate.

'What's going on? Kelumineto! Attack stronger, stronger, stronger!'

But the more she did, the closer the summoned creature got to the ground.

"Geurrrr..."

In fact, the [Summoning] magic didn't include any function that allowed communication with the summoned monster. So, Sophia couldn't understand the behavior of her subordinate. From Kelumineto's perspective, it was just following the master's command to attack with all its might. However, to humans, that posture appeared as if the monster had completely surrendered, like a defeated soldier.

//...how could this happen?"

So, Sophia couldn't understand the behavior of her subordinate. From Kelumineto's perspective, it was just following the master's command to attack with all its might. However, to humans, that posture appeared as if the monster had completely surrendered, like a defeated soldier.

'H, how could this happen?'

She had gone through so much trouble to obtain the magic stone. Sophia couldn't keep her mouth shut as she watched her summoned monster become useless.

"Huh?"

But then, at that moment, the blonde man whose image had appeared in the binocular lens suddenly turned and looked this way. It was as if he had noticed the binoculars, as he stared directly at the center of the lens.

'Hmm?'

That's really strange. Since I had been using a stealth item since a while ago, the binoculars would have become transparent as well, so he wouldn't have been able to see this.

'Is it just my feeling?'

Just as she was about to dismiss it as nothing, Kim Giryeo, who had been on the other side, suddenly started running fiercely. And he was heading straight toward Sophia's direction!

The great wizard, at least in terms of other things, had unparalleled magical power detection abilities. The moment he noticed the target was the summoned creature, he instantly recognized the magician connected to the monster as well.

'Huh? Huuh? Huuuh?'

Sophia panicked.

How could she not be afraid? She had clearly witnessed what that fourth S-rank had done.

Kim Giryeo was the one who had instantly neutralized the King of the Dead, a being who had led countless hunters to their deaths. That boss monster had bowed its head to the ground before him. Yet now, he had dared to confront such a creature...

'If I get caught, I'll die, right?'

Damn it! Oh my! God! Sophia ran away immediately. A scream was about to escape her throat the whole time she was running.

'Aaaah! What should I do? Brooklyn, that damn b*tch! It's all because of her!'

The fear she felt now was comparable to the level of anxiety she would experience when holding a pair of twos while betting ten million dollars on the table.

Sophia ran for her life. However, her speed was strangely slow for an A-rank Hunter, because there was an unavoidable price to pay for her abilities.

'Keeeugh!'

Unfortunately, [Summon] was an ability that consumed an immense amount of mana. To put it simply, it was inefficient. Not only did she have to go through the hassle of retrieving the magic stone, but when creating a subordinate of equal rank to herself, all of the caster’s energy would be drained into the summoned creature. Naturally, this slowed her down. This was the price paid by one who mimicked creation.

Sophia soon stopped walking due to a decline in her physical functions that couldn’t be restored even with recovery potions.

“Cough, cough! Cough!”

Sophia soon stopped walking due to a decline in her physical functions that couldn't be restored even with recovery potions.

“Cough, cough! Cough!”

Her breath was heavy, and her heart was pounding. But more than anything, what terrified her was the characteristic possessed by that Oriental S-rank.

‘Presence! There’s truly no presence!’

It is said that Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo from Korea always suppresses his mana. It was even described by Enzo as feeling like he was facing an F-rank minnow. Unlike other S-rank hunters, no matter how close that man gets, no one can sense anything unusual.

His hunting style is different. Kim Giryeo is truly like a silent assassin, able to approach his enemies without a trace of presence and kill them.

‘Euuugh.’

How close could he be by now? Could he already be right behind me?

Sophia, on the verge of tears, barely managed to look back. What came into her view next was...

“Huh?”

Her eyes widened in astonishment. The blonde man had stopped at the far end of the alley. He stood there, quietly watching her, showing no intention of moving for some reason.

‘What’s that?’

Sophia was confused. But she didn’t have time to continue her thoughts. The hunter suddenly started running when their eyes met.

‘Oh my God!’

As Sophia saw him chasing after her, her mind went blank, and she bolted forward without thinking.

“Heuk, heuk!”

What she desperately needed in a moment like this was a high-speed mobility artifact, like a Whitebird. But a penniless gambler who had sold off her equipment to pay off debts could hardly have such an item! This had already been a lost cause the moment that S-rank hunter saw through her invisibility.

Heuk, heuk!

What she desperately needed in a moment like this was a high-speed mobility artifact, like a Whitebird. But a penniless gambler who had sold off her equipment to pay off debts could hardly have such an item! This had already been a lost cause the moment that S-rank hunter saw through her invisibility.

Keugh...

Thump, thump.

Sophia stopped walking. With eyes brimming like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse, she turned to check behind her. She had been running so slowly that her pursuer would have surely caught up by now, but still, she wanted to at least see with her own eyes where the blade would strike.

'Ugh?'

Wait, what on earth is this situation? As Sophia turned around, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

....

The distance between Kim Giryeo and herself was exactly the same as before. Strangely enough, the man was standing still at the end of the alley, his hand resting on his hip, quietly watching her.

'No way?'

It was only after making eye contact with Sophia that Kim Giryeo started running again. Of course, Sophia reacted to Kim Giryeo's actions and moved her legs somehow. But at this point, something about the situation felt off, and an odd sense of foreboding lingered in the air.

'No way, no way, no way...!'

A few seconds later, Sophia suddenly turned around, checking the thought that had crossed her mind. What she saw was the hunter, who had subtly stopped running. Sophia's expression hardened in an instant upon seeing this.

'Kkaaaaaaaaaah!'

It seemed she needed to retract the comparison she had made earlier. She had never felt this kind of fear, even in the gambling halls where she’d gambled between heaven and hell...!

Author's Thoughts

Hi, from now on, I will update this novel 3 chapters/week. Thank you for all your support so far:)