Chapter 13
[1. Blood-Red Claws: Mutates the fingernails to be sharp, enhancing penetration.]
[2. Shadow Step: Hides the body in shadows to evade attacks and move quickly.]
[3. Blood Veil: Coagulates blood to deploy a solid defensive barrier.]
[Please select a blessing!]
What? I can give a blessing to a Retainer?
I urgently examined the three options that appeared before my eyes.
Number 1, Blood-Red Claws, was an attack Skill.
Number 2, Shadow Step, and Number 3, Blood Veil, looked like an evasion Skill and a defense Skill, respectively.
Then which one should I choose for her?
The biggest characteristic of the monster Si-Yeon is currently facing is its overwhelming Physical Defense.
An evasion or defense Skill might buy some time, but since chipping away at such a sturdy opponent wouldn’t work, it was obvious that Si-Yeon would be at a disadvantage the longer the battle dragged on.
If so, of course…
“If the opponent is a Defense Tank, what should you raise?”
Armor Penetration, of course!
I exercised my Gamer’s Intuition to make a quick judgment and selected the first option, [Blood-Red Claws].
Click.
The blessing “Blood-Red Claws” is bestowed upon Retainer Yu Si-Yeon.
Armor Penetration, of course!
Click.
[The blessing “Blood-Red Claws” is bestowed upon Retainer Yu Si-Yeon.]
* * *
“…Is this it?”
Si-Yeon heaved rough breaths.
The bizarre monster is hiding inside the Sorcerer’s body.
Its strength was beyond imagination.
She had stabbed and slashed dozens of times - Yeon.]
* * *
“…Is this it?”
Si-Yeon heaved rough breaths.
The bizarre monster hiding inside the Sorcerer’s body.
Its strength was beyond imagination.
She had stabbed and slashed dozens of times, but not a single Scratch appeared on its tough hide.
On the other hand, her own body was a wreck.
Her suit was torn away, and deep wounds were gouged all over her skin.
Her stamina was also gradually dropping, so the frequency of allowing attacks kept increasing.
However,
“No. Master willingly bestowed a new life and name upon me…”
I cannot die like this so vainly.
To perish without even being able to repay the Savior who pulled her out of Hell.
To die without avenging her grudge.
What a shameful thing this is.
At that moment, she forcefully squeezed out her strength and adjusted her grip on her daggers again.
“…Ugh?”
Suddenly, a scorching heat spread from around her heart.
[Yu, Si-Yeon…]
At the same time, a voice echoed in her head.
Si-Yeon immediately focused and listened closely to that voice.
The Great Blood slumbering inside her body was calling out to her.
'Master…?'
[Accept… the power…]
Si-Yeon closed her eyes and completely entrusted her body to the guidance of the Great Blood.
Then.
Twitch!
She once again felt that electrifying sensation she had experienced when she first received Master’s blood.
The sensation of every single cell in her entire body being instantaneously reconstructed.
‘I’ve gotten stronger?’
An instinctive realization flashed through her mind.
'No. This isn’t just on the level of getting stronger.'
Right now.
Her existence had “evolved” one step further.
Si-Yeon felt a tickling sensation at her fingertips.
Perhaps, it felt like she could do something.
Thud-.
She dropped the two daggers she was holding in her hands to the floor without lingering attachment.
“Keukeukeu. Have you finally given up your desperate struggle?”
The monster occupying the Sorcerer’s body approached with a sneer.
It seemed to be thinking she had given up, seeing her standing barehanded after even throwing away her weapons.
“Taking over your body wouldn’t be bad either! Become my vessel obediently!”
The bastard lunged forward, violently swinging its tentacles.
However, Si-Yeon did not dodge.
Instead, she kicked off the floor strongly and dug straight into its Embrace.
“Goodness, me. To have such a lack of Learning Ability.”
The monster ridiculed.
“That’s why I said human attacks are usel… huh?”
In an instant, the monster’s sneer turned into astonishment.
Si-Yeon had spread both her hands wide open.
Because the fingernails at the tips of her ten fingers had grown long, dyed red like blood.
And.
Slaaash - !
The tough outer shell it had boasted would never be pierced was torn apart like a sheet of paper before Si-Yeon’s fingernails.
“Kuaaaagh!!”
Along with a terrible scream, the Sorcerer’s torso split wide open.
Si-Yeon mercilessly swung her Claw Hands in rapid succession.
Every time her attacks landed, chunks of the guy’s body were sliced off.
“Y-You toy bitch, how dare you…!!”
Having eventually reached its limit, the Sorcerer’s physical body split wide open, and the hideous main body that had been parasitizing inside it revealed itself.
A bizarre black parasite had dozens of eyeballs and tentacles attached to it.
But there was not a hint of wavering in Si-Yeon’s Blood-red Eyes.
‘This is definitely Master’s arrangement.’
This power was undoubtedly a miracle bestowed by Master.
Because He had granted her the exact power at such a precise moment.
That meant.
“Master is watching me…!”
It meant that the gaze of the Great Being was upon her.
The Esteemed One is always with her.
That fact filled Si-Yeon’s chest with overwhelming joy.
Just how far did Master’s authority reach?
“In the name of Master-.”
Thrilled once again at that unfathomable greatness, Si-Yeon coldly declared.
“From now on, I will eliminate you.”
“How daaaare you!!!!”
The monster struggled desperately and shot out its tentacles, but Si-Yeon calmly evaded all those attacks, closed the distance in a single breath, and accurately pierced the monster’s core.
Squelch - !!
Red fingernails popped out, piercing through the bastard’s torso.
“Kieeeek-!!”
With a bizarre death throe, the hideous monster shuddered and then went completely limp.
A perfect victory.
Si-Yeon let out a rough breath and withdrew her Claw Hands stained with black blood.
It was then.
Waaaail!!
The loud sound of sirens could be heard from nearby.
It seemed a nearby resident, startled by the noise of the battle, had reported it.
“…”
Si-Yeon looked down at the remains of the dead monster with cold eyes.
The Sorcerer and the Parasitic Monster.
The end of her wicked enemies was as miserable as could be.
“It’s the police!”
“Freeze!”
As flashlight beams approached along with the voices of the police, she threw her body toward the darkness outside the window.
* * *
“Kyahaa!! Our Si-Yeon did so well!!!”
I clenched my fists tightly in my chair.
The thrill was like the team I was rooting for scoring a comeback goal in the finals!
I had only pressed an evolution button for her, but seeing her shred the monster who was completely immune to attacks like tearing paper made my insides feel completely refreshed.
As expected, tearing apart a Tanker heavily plastered with defense using Armor Penetration is the best feeling.
[Your Retainer has hunted the “Parasitic Fiend Dark Oculus”.]
[Your Retainer has acquired a large number of experience points.]
[Level has increased by 3.]
On top of that, Si-Yeon’s level-up notifications popped up in succession.
In the Tower, since she entered under my name, my experience points went up, but outside, it seemed to be a structure where the Retainers themselves got stronger.
I heard that for a powerhouse of her level, even leveling up once at a time was extremely difficult, but she achieved a whopping 3 level-ups!
It seemed a lot of experience points were given because she caught a strong monster.
“Excellent.”
Not long after, Si-Yeon returned through the window.
Her clothes were frayed here and there and her entire body was covered in wounds, but her expression looked incredibly relieved.
“Master. I have completed your orders and returned.”
Si-Yeon knelt before me and bowed her head.
I approached her myself and lightly patted her head.
It was a compliment for her hard work.
“Fufu, you have worked hard, my Retainer.”
“Ah…”
At my touch, Si-Yeon’s eyes trembled slightly before she bowed her head deeply.
Si-Yeon closed her eyes and pleasantly accepted my head pats.
Katarina, who was watching that sight, had her shoulders flinch slightly.
As I stared intently at my hand resting on Si-Yeon’s head, Katarina was gently biting her lip.
Just by looking at her, it was obvious she was incredibly envious.
“Oops. Our First Familiar is jealous.”
Just as I was about to subtly withdraw my hand.
Katarina awkwardly cleared her throat and spoke.
“Ahem. For a first mission, you did quite well. I praise you for bringing a result befitting the Liege Lord’s majesty.”
She also looked at Si-Yeon with slightly admiring eyes.
“And… you have achieved another step of growth. Congratulations, Si-Yeon.”
Ooh. Acknowledging and congratulating Si-Yeon even while being jealous.
Katarina, you’ve grown up a lot!
As expected, she was worthy of being my first Retainer.
Si-Yeon, too, bowed her head deeply to Katarina as well, unlike earlier when they were having a battle of nerves.
“Thank you, Lady Katarina.”
It was a heartwarming sight of them getting along and acknowledging each other.
That night.
Thanks to Si-Yeon’s active role, the Leadership of the Black Cow completely evaporated overnight.
It was because she had taken care of the boss, the Chief Sorcerer, and all the key executives.
But I didn’t stop there.
‘My location was discovered anyway, so there’s no need to leave behind any future troubles.’
Over the course of a few days, I dispatched Katarina and Si-Yeon alternately.
I had them completely wipe out the organization’s remaining Remnants and bases.
Gangsters whose Command Structure had collapsed were no match for two Vampires.
The result was simple yet shocking.
<Domestic Hunter Gallery>
[Summary of the current mess in Gangnam (3-line summary)]
[Did Black Cow (abbr.) go under? I heard all their branches closed down]
Breaking: It’s confirmed that the Black Cow boss is dead (shiver)]
[No matter how you look at it, it seems like something fucking huge is involved in this incident]
One of the top three dark guilds that ruled the Seoul Underworld.
Had been completely annihilated in just a few days.