Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: How the Rank 1 Hero Protects the World
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And just like that, as I kept putting off my worries day after day for tomorrow's me to deal with... a whole week had passed before I knew it!
If I had to make an excuse, it had been way too long since I'd taken it this easy. I hadn't properly rested for even a single day in the past ten years, and sleeping safely in such a fluffy bed had just... happened.
The good news was that the hotel had a gym inside. It didn't have any fancy equipment, but for me right now, a treadmill was all I needed.
So my routine lately had been like this.
Whenever I was awake, I'd head straight to the gym and run for hours on end. Once I was so exhausted I couldn't even walk anymore, I'd drag myself back to my room, shower, and crash.
When I got hungry, I'd hit up a nearby restaurant for a meal.
And on the day that marked exactly one week of this indulgent lifestyle...
My body fat percentage had barely budged—just a speck's worth of progress—but I deserved a reward for not skipping my workouts.
So after finishing my morning run and grabbing lunch, I headed to a little hole-in-the-wall cafe tucked away in the back alleys near Gangnam Station, which I'd made my temporary base at the hotel.
For the record, today's lunch was the stone pot bibimbap set from a local diner near the hotel, certified as a must-try by the internet.
Korean cuisine is the pinnacle of gastronomy.
This place was a dessert spot I'd dug up from online community reviews over the past week. The part-timer, now familiar with my face, gave me a quick bow as I walked in.
"Welcome. What can I get for you?"
"Hmm... Got any recommendations?"
"I always go for the mocha frappuccino—it's the best."
"Then I'll have one of those. And a green tea macaron, too."
"Whip on the frappuccino?"
"Yeah, load it up."
The part-timer grabbed a plump green tea macaron from the display case. I took my frappuccino and macaron and made my way to my usual window seat from the past week.
My condition today was, in a word, perfect.
The sunlight was great, and I'd slept like a rock. Who knew when I'd last savored this kind of leisure? Plus, the macaron was delicious with one bite, and the chocolate whipped cream on the mocha frappuccino was divine.
These desserts, stuffed so full their original shapes were unrecognizable... They weren't foreign treats anymore. At this point, they were straight-up K-desserts!
I was deep into enjoying my frappuccino and treats when the part-timer came over to chat. No other customers around, so she must've been bored.
"Um, do you work nearby? You've been coming here the past few days."
"Nah, not working nearby. Pretty much unemployed."
Before her gaze could turn to pity or sympathy, I added,
"I just work when I need to."
"Whoa, lucky. Don't you travel? I'm saving up for a trip."
"Oh, yeah. I've done plenty of far-off travels. Kinda burned out on it now."
"No way. Super jealous."
She seemed bored enough to start grilling me on my travel spots, so I smiled, picked up my cup, and stood.
"See you next time."
Stepping outside, a cold wind brushed my cheek. Full-on winter now.
Sunlight streamed down, lining both sides of Gangnam's bustling streets with shops boasting huge glass windows.
It was a weekday afternoon.
Salarymen hurried by in droves, and the occasional Hunter decked out in gear was just part of the everyday scenery.
I was sucking down the last of my frappuccino through the straw, blending into the flow, when—
"Argh!"
A sudden scream rang out. I whipped my head toward the sound in surprise.
A man walking my way had his mouth agape, pointing in horror at something behind me.
"Watch out!"
Too late—I fumbled to activate Nymph's Wind, but right then, a massive gust and roar whipped past my back.
People behind me screamed, shouted, rushed forward or fled, while those across the sidewalk shoved their phones out to record.
I finally turned around.
"Eeeeek!!"
"What the—why's that thing doing that?!"
"Call an ambulance!"
"...No way that's..."
Before I could do anything,
The truck that had barreled past me—flames licking like it was about to explode—slammed into a building and blew.
Pedestrians near the building got lucky and dodged, or unlucky and got caught in it.
The truck exploded the instant it hit.
Flames swept through in a flash, engulfing people. Their screams came a beat after the fire.
The building didn't collapse, thankfully, but its windows shattered, raining glass onto the street.
The peaceful avenue turned to hell in seconds.
I quickly checked the building the truck had hit. Thick smoke obscured it, but people were definitely hurt.
No time to hesitate. I summoned my inventory right away.
*Damn. I only stocked two low-grade healing potions.*
Still, that'd be enough for basic first aid.
I chugged max doses of strength and stamina enhancers, then slipped on my half-gloves with strength-boosting effects. That'd give me at least twenty minutes for rescue ops.
As I geared up to sprint for the truck,
Some guy suddenly blocked my path. He waved off others trying to approach, just like me.
"Don't touch anything! It's dangerous!"
What, a passing paramedic? As me and a few others paused, I saw him head for the truck.
Wait, even a paramedic wouldn't—no gear on him like mine. Is he good?
"This is live!"
He suddenly raised his right hand high. In it... a camera. I froze. He turned to it dramatically.
"I was just walking when that truck suddenly veered into the building... Don't worry, ambulance is on the way! I'll check it out first!"
"What the hell's that psycho doing?"
One guy heading over to check for victims muttered it.
Thought he was holding people back to triage first... but his performance was ramping up.
"I just got my EMT cert the other day. Better if I try rescuing the driver than civilians rushing in. Oh, thanks for the 5,000 won donation, jjambbongcraver-nim. Of course, it's what anyone would do."
Who pulls this crap in a crisis?
I strode over and yanked the camera from his right hand. He yelped, mid-weird pose.
"What the—!"
"Get lost, asshole!"
I chucked the camera and clocked him square in the face.
My fist, strength maxed at 60, sent him sprawling with a crash.
"Buy some teeth with that 5,000 won, you prick."
Dealt with the idiot, I bolted for the truck. The cab was engulfed, hard to see, but a faint shadow danced inside.
"...Damn."
Driver was toast.
I gritted my teeth. Couldn't leave it like that—the truck had hit people too, probably pinned under.
I took a deep breath and shoved both hands under the truck.
- Angelus's Blessing's pain reduction weakens due to your frail body.
- Warning! Your vitality is dropping.
Nice to see you too after a week, you shitty System!
My hands burned like fire. Hell, they were in fire!
"Urk!"
I heaved the truck up. A faint groan and blood scent hit. The guy pinned underneath weakly raised an arm.
Badly hurt, but alive. Onlookers gasped.
"He's alive! He's alive!"
"Someone pull him out!"
Crowd surged, carefully avoiding flames while I held the truck, grabbing his arm and dragging him free.
I clenched my jaw, holding steady as they pulled him. Best not to think—thinking just amplified the pain.
- Piercing Talon's trait boosts your willpower. You feel only half the pain.
Thanks a bunch, System bastard.
Felt eternal to me, but it was just minutes before the guy was out safe.
"Everyone back up!"
They yelped and retreated a few steps from the truck. Confirmed safe, I finally let go.
My hands—burned raw, skin barely there—throbbed like hell. Couldn't bear to look, so eyes averted, I pulled a potion from inventory and poured it on my palms.
Sizzle.
Like cooling red-hot metal.
"Y-you okay, Hunter-nim?"
"I'm fine—use the rest on that guy..."
I'd planned to patch victims till ambulances arrived, but I trailed off.
My instincts whispered something ominous.
*This week's been too peaceful, right? Weird—you don't get that kind of break.*
Something odd caught my eye.
Shattered glass on the concrete trembled.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The ground shook.
*Ah.*
My hand went to my sword hilt.
People checking the victim started glancing around uneasily.
Come to think of it, huge crash in central Gangnam should've drawn crowds from every building nearby. But no new influx beyond initial witnesses.
*No way.*
"Where's everyone?"
"Why no ambulance yet?"
Then a foul stench hit, rotting blood and guts. People pinched noses. Ground quakes intensified. Faces paled.
"N-no, no way...!"
I gritted my teeth.
The golden System message I'd been glad to avoid all week finally floated up.
Not a personal alert—for everyone.
- Warning! Sudden Dungeon Break occurring.
Phones buzzed in unison. The eerie chorus of alarms everywhere was surreal.
Chaos erupted.
"Disaster alert!"
"Monsters! Monsters! Run!"
"Dungeon Break!"
Damn, what a clusterfuck!