Chapter 19
[Ice Coffee: Really? Why do you think so?]
[Jin-Yu: Hmm… Just a feeling!]
[Ice Coffee: Lol what. I thought you had some special reason.]
[Ice Coffee: Anyway, good job today. Get some good rest.]
[Jin-Yu: Good night to you too]
And with that, the conversation with my friend concluded.
[They probably wouldn’t even dream that I’m the True Ancestor, right?]
I had no intention of telling them, and even if I did, they wouldn’t believe me.
Though I was a little curious about how they’d react if they ever found out.
[…I’m really surprised. To think you’re the True Ancestor.]
Would they say something like that?
Their usual chatting style was different from the typical internet slang of people in their twenties or thirties.
They rarely used profanity and were quite strict about keeping proper spelling and grammar.
Are they silver spoons, sheltered in a good family?
Or maybe an older man than I thought.
Well, no matter who was sitting behind the monitor, it didn’t change the fact that we were friends.
['Let’s just go to sleep now.']
I dismissed those thoughts and headed for the bed.
“Let us all sleep.”
“Yes, Liege Lord.”
“Yes. Master.”
“Whose turn was it to sleep in the bed today?”
“I-It is I. Liege Lord.”
“Right. Lie down here.”
Lying on my side, I patted the empty space next to me on the bed.
“…Thank you for granting me this honor again today.”
Katarina replied shyly, her cheeks flushing.
What’s so honorable about something like this?
Originally, both Retainers had insisted on sleeping on the floor, asking how they dared to sleep in the same place as their Master.
But it somehow weighed on my mind to use the soft, nice bed all by myself while making the kids sleep on the floor.
So, we were taking turns, with one of them sleeping with me each day.
It was a king-sized bed anyway, so there was plenty of space even with two people lying down.
If my retainers increased later on, I’d have to move to a bigger house.
Even now, the studio apartment feels a bit cramped for three people to live in.
After the lights went out, I fell into thought for a moment.
['Anyway, how should I live from now on?']
Just a few weeks ago, before I awakened, I thought it would be enough not to have to worry about making a living.
But now that such a modest goal had been fulfilled so easily, I was having slightly different thoughts.
['First of all… I want to keep climbing the Tower.']
Hunting monsters in the Tower, leveling up to get new skills or equipment - things like that felt like a game and were fun.
People cheering for me and showing interest wasn’t as bad as I thought either.
Though having too much interest was a bit burdensome.
And above all.
['My Retainers.']
Before I knew it, they felt like my family too.
I had molded Katarina directly with my blood, so I was practically her parent.
And Si-Yeon was a kid I picked up from the unfortunate environment of a Dark Guild.
For the sake of these kids who only looked at me, I wanted to become a cool Master.
['Of course, only on the premise that it’s safe!']
It wasn’t like I harbored some grand ambition.
If it seemed like it would get hard or dangerous, I would just give up immediately.
Self-Preservation. Safety First!
But as long as it was within the bounds of what I could do safely from my home base…
Yeah. Let’s try getting as strong as possible.
Squeeze.
I clenched my small fists tightly under the covers.
The next morning, after resolving to safely become stronger, he began.
- WEEEEEE-OOOOOO!!!
A gate opened near my house.
* * *
['That startled me…!']
I woke up from my sleep, startled by the sound of the siren.
Actually, it wasn’t that rare for a gate to appear in the neighborhood.
In the past, people would make a huge fuss as if the world was ending every time a gate opened, but nowadays, with more Hunters and systematized response manuals, it’s at the level of just quietly sending out a disaster alert text.
Only occasionally, when a gate wasn’t cleared in time and the monsters inside spilled out in a 'Gate Break' accident, would it make big news.
But right now, just the fact that a gate had opened was enough to have loud sirens blaring all over the neighborhood, causing a massive uproar.
The reason was:
- An A-rank Gate has appeared in the Seollim-dong area of Gwanak-gu, Capital.
Nearby residents are advised to evacuate to a safe shelter immediately.
We repeat.
An A-rank Gate has appeared in the Seollim-dong area of Gwanak-gu, Capital…
['An A-rank?']
It was because a whopping A-rank Gate had opened right in the middle of the city.
How did this happen?
I urgently turned on my smartphone and accessed the Hunter Gallery.
The gallery was already burning up with real-time breaking news.
<Domestic Hunter Gallery>
[Title: Breaking News: A-rank Gate Opens in Seollim-dong! This is Crazy!]
Poster: News Wrecker
(On-site photo attached)
News just dropped.
They say it opened right in the middle of Seollim-dong. If a Gate Break happens, the surrounding neighborhoods will probably be completely wiped out dd
- Crazy! That’s an area densely packed with studio apartments.
- I live near there, and the sirens are blaring. It’s total chaos. I’m packing my bags, fuck.
['Whoa. It really is our neighborhood.']
When I looked at the photo of the gate, there were so many familiar buildings that it was way too close to my house in terms of distance.
Moreover, the serious problem lay elsewhere.
[Title: The reason the Seollim-dong Gate is a real emergency right now]
Poster: Active A-rank Hunter
The gate conditions just popped up in a group chat with only high-ranking Hunters, you know?
It’s an A-rank Gate, but it popped up with a 2-Person Entry Limit and a 1-hour Time Limit and shit like that.
Do you guys know what the probability is of these three overlapping at the same time?
Statistically, it’s extremely rare, not even 0.001%.
Usually, A-ranks are for large-scale raids, so multi-person entry is the national rule, but it’s limited to just 2 people here.
On top of that, there’s a Time Attack where monsters will immediately pour out if the boss isn’t killed within the Time Limit.
This is an all-time malicious gate where the system is blatantly determined to screw us over.
- 2-Person Entry Limit? That’s insane.
- How are two people supposed to break through an A-rank Gate fuck.
- If there’s even a Time Limit, it’s a real Time Attack. We’re fucked.
- Doesn’t that mean a minimum S-rank Hunter has to go in?
- Who are the S-ranks in Capital right now?
- If they don’t deploy someone fast, isn’t that neighborhood really going to be annihilated?
['Isn’t this crazy?']
A 2-Person Entry Limit for an A-rank Gate meant that it was impossible for a Large Guild to come and push through with sheer numbers.
Furthermore, there was a Time Attack, so if its timer was delayed, it could burst open immediately.
At this rate, I would have to pack my bags right now and run away to a shelter too.
But I had one fatal problem.
['Ugh, it’s broad daylight right now…!']
my room, thoroughly covered with blackout curtains, was safe, but it was broad daylight outside.
It was summer, so sunlight was blazing hot.
Because of the Vampirism Penalty, I get dizzy just from touching sunlight, and I’m supposed to push through that to get to a shelter…?
Besides, what about this super luxury room that I recently set up perfectly to my tastes!
As I was despairing,
A newly posted popular thread caught my eye.
[Title: Breaking News Just Dropped, Lol! Crisis Averted.]
Poster: Anonymous
(An article capture photo)
<'Ice Empress' Hunter Baek Eun-Seol decided to be deployed to the Seollim-dong Gate!>
They say Ice Empress noona, who just recently returned from Europe, rushed right over.
I thought we were fucked because of the 2-Person Entry Limit, but the timing is legendary.
- Kya, crazy lol! Ice Empress noona!!
- King Eun-Eun-Seol God-Eun-Seol Emperor-Seol
- As expected, the S-rank GOAT is indeed the Ice Empress Anonymous
- If it’s an S-rank Hunter, it’s a different story since a Solo Clear is totally possible.
- The kids living nearby can probably unpack their bags lol
Reply:Thank you thank you thank you I praise God Eun-Seol
['Oh…!']
As soon as I saw that news, my trembling heart quickly regained its calm.
Ice Empress. S-rank Hunter!
One of the four strongest people in Korea was being deployed.
If so, it was a relief.
No matter how malicious the conditions of the A-rank Gate were, if an S-rank Hunter stepped up personally, she would clear it without a problem and close it.
['Hehe. Thank goodness. I don’t have to evacuate!']
I heaved a sigh of relief and lay back down comfortably on the bed.
And so, the Ice Empress entered the gate.
Time passed.
5 minutes. 10 minutes. 15 minutes.
…20 minutes?
The gate, which I naturally thought would close quickly, remained exactly the same even after 20 minutes had passed for some reason.
['…Huh? What is this? An S-rank went in, so why is it taking so long?']
I slowly started getting anxious again.
The atmosphere in the gallery was also quite different from before.
[Title: Hey, isn’t this feeling fucking ominous?]
Poster: Anonymous
Hasn’t it already been 20 minutes since the Ice Empress went in?
No matter how wide the map is, if it’s an S-rank Hunter alone in an A-rank Gate, it’s normal for her to have finished the clear and come out by now.
- What, she still hasn’t come out?
- Emergency emergency super emergency!!!
- Could it be a Gate Judgment Error? If it’s an S-rank Gate, we’re fucked, right?
- The Association just doubled the evacuation range . Hun-bung-i living in that neighborhood better run fast because a Gate Break is really gonna happen.
[Title: Guys, there’s not much time left, shouldn’t they deploy backup quickly?]
Poster: Hunter Wannabe
Up to 2 people can go in,
so why isn’t one more person going in?
- Fact Bomber) right now, the other S-ranks are in a situation where they can’t come. They should deploy even an A-rank, but if someone half-baked goes in, a Gate Break is guaranteed. So, the Association seems to be cautious.
Reply:No, but they still need to hurry, fuck. What if Ice Empress noona dies?
- Are we fucked?
- An S-rank Hunter dying would be a really massive accident.
- Ah fuck, it’s close by, so I’m anxious… Should I evacuate too?
[…'Could even the Ice Empress not clear it?']
The sirens started blaring loudly again, and evacuation broadcast announcements continued to flow out.
Hearing the sound of car horns honking intensely outside, I could guess without even looking that it had become a scene of chaos out there.
Running away through the midsummer sunlight was one thing.
Even so, it was a massive crisis where my precious house could be blown away.
Heavens, why are you screwing me over like this!
Inwardly, I felt like bawling my eyes out.
But since my life was the most important thing, I thought I should evacuate quickly.
Of course, because of [Exalted Dignity], I couldn’t just say let’s run away right now and had to beat around the bush.
“Haa… How noisy. To make such a fuss over a mere A-rank Gate. My Retainers. What should be done?”
Saying that, I inwardly hoped they would suggest we evacuate.
However, the answer that was returned was unexpected.
“Liege Lord. Lowly monsters are daring to attempt an invasion of the Liege Lord’s Territory.”
A blazing fighting spirit dwelled in Katarina’s eyes.
“If you send me, I shall enter the gate and clear away the trash that offends the Liege Lord’s mood.”
She said, kneeling on one knee before me.
['Katarina will handle it?']
I was tempted for a moment, but soon hesitated.
['But that’s a place where even an S-rank Hunter is struggling.']
Of course, Katarina was a Monster Beyond Specification who smashed a Nightmare-grade Tower in a single breath.
But I had never yet clearly confirmed where her limits lay.
What if something went wrong and my precious First Retainer got hurt?
More than that, the police would first be controlling the outside, so how would she even get in there?
When I asked about that part, Katarina answered confidently as if it were no problem.
“Do not worry, Liege Lord. I possess the Authority of Shadow, so I can enter while avoiding the eyes of humans.”
['She had something like that too.']
Si-Yeon was an Assassin, so she originally had a Stealth Skill, but I had wondered how Katarina managed to get around so well without being caught; it seemed she had a special ability.
If so… since she wants to go that badly, should I trust her and send her once?
Besides, I had that item.
[Book of the Dead (S)]
A cheat item that buffs a retainer’s stats by a whopping 50%.
If this was added on top,
['It might be worth a try?']
Of course, it was true that I was still worried.
Even though it would be a waste of my room, it wasn’t as precious as my retainer’s life.
Looking down at Katarina, I requested strictly and sincerely.
“I permit it. However, absolutely do not overdo it. If you judge it to be dangerous even in the slightest, you must immediately return to the Territory.”
At my words, Katarina’s shoulders flinched greatly.
She slowly raised her head and looked up at me.
Her eyes, which had been bloodthirsty just a moment ago, were suddenly filled with overwhelming emotion.
“Ah…! Liege Lord, how can you care so much for the safety of this lowly Servant…!”
[Of course you’re much more important than a house.]
“I shall engrave this grace into my heart! Even if I must risk my life, I will absolutely protect the Liege Lord’s Territory and return!”
No, don’t risk your life. I told you to run away if it’s dangerous.
I was a little anxious, but anyway, Katarina sortied like that immediately.
I immediately turned on [Sight Sharing] to check her vision.
She must have truly deployed her Stealth perfectly, as she entered the gate naturally, slipping through the strict control.
The interior of the A-rank Gate.
The place was narrower than I thought.
A heterogeneous black space about the size of a school playground.
And there was a woman with short blue hair.
['It’s the Ice Empress!']
It was the S-rank Hunter I had only seen on TV, Ice Empress Baek Eun-Seol.
However, her condition looked extremely bad.
“Haa, haa…!”
Her entire body was covered in wounds, and she was panting heavily.
Even standing seemed extremely difficult for her.
Furthermore, she was holding onto one arm as if it were badly injured.
Blood leaking through it dripped down.
But surprisingly,
what had made her like that was not an army of countless monsters.
Only one person.
“Hmm. Are these the strong among the humans of this world? They are more disappointing than I thought.”
Pale skin with absolutely no blood in it.
Ominously glowing red eyes.
He was a man who looked extremely aristocratic and arrogant.
[There’s only one monster?]
That wasn’t the only surprising thing.
Red blood was swirling above the man’s palm.
It seemed he had the ability to manipulate blood like Katarina.
['Could he be a vampire too…?!']
The gate boss is a bloodsucker?
A Vampirism Monster had appeared with such overwhelming power that an S-rank Hunter was struggling.
“I will end this now.”
The man smiled wickedly and slowly approached the Ice Empress.
The Ice Empress seemed to have already reached her limit and couldn’t even take a proper defensive stance.
['Katarina, hurry and help her!']
I inwardly shouted urgently.
And she was already stepping forward anyway.
“Hm? What are you?”
She must have released her Stealth, because the vampire looked this way.
“Wait a minute, you’re… not human.”
The man tilted his head with an intrigued expression.
He tried to add something.
However, Katarina’s next action.
Neither exchanging words with him,
Nor was it launching an attack manipulating blood like usual.
“Kneel.”
She merely spat out a single word in a cold voice.
Then.
'?!'
Thud - .
The Vampire, who had been standing so arrogantly while overwhelming even the S-rank Ice Empress.
Knelt down far too simply.