When Did They Get So Strong?
"…When did you two climb up there?"
Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i stared up at me blankly from below the tree. I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. I had no choice but to climb up here to get a good look at your abilities. …Not for any other reason."
"Ah, I see."
They nodded as if convinced.
…So straightforward.
"I need to gauge exactly how strong you two are now. That way, I can respond more flexibly in future battles."
"Understood."
It wasn't just empty talk. It had been ages since they'd last fought seriously. Time to reorganize and get back into shape.
"Alright, then. Ignore me and just fight with everything you've got."
"Yes."
"Now, show these mangy wolves who's boss!"
"Yes!"
The moment they charged, the wolves bared their fangs and lunged.
Geum Taeyang struck first.
"Raaah!!"
He barreled forward like a bull, shield out front.
"Sigh."
I couldn't help sighing. What was he thinking, diving straight into the enemy pack? He'd get swarmed again for sure.
The wolf gaped wide, welcoming him in. Those razor-sharp teeth embedded in its massive jaws looked terrifying. It seemed ready to chomp shield and all.
…But Taeyang's got tough hide, so he won't die, right?
I watched as they collided.
Crack—
"…Huh?"
The wolf's fangs shattered against Geum Taeyang's shield, crumbling like dry twigs.
Yelp!
It yelped in pain and tried to back off, but Geum Taeyang swung his shield, smashing the wolf's face.
Thud—
The sound of its facial bones caving in.
Snap—
Its neck vertebrae breaking.
And just like that, the wolf dropped dead.
"…Eh?"
Geum Taeyang himself looked stunned, staring dazedly at his handiwork.
"Hyaah!"
Meanwhile, Tteoksoon-i whipped her blood-red threads menacingly.
The wolves, eyeing the seemingly easier prey, mostly surrounded her.
"Eek!"
In response, she flung her threads in a wide circle.
The wolves either didn't see them or dismissed them as harmless and charged all at once.
Flash—
The threads gleamed crimson in the air.
Slice—
The wolves leaping toward her froze mid-air. Then they crashed to the ground in unison—their bodies sliced into chunks of meat.
Thump-thump-thump—
Dull thuds echoed like meat being tenderized. The cutting power was insane.
"…Huh?"
Tteoksoon-i blinked wide-eyed at the scattered corpses around her.
I was shocked too.
…When did these kids get this strong?
They didn't seem like weak monsters, either.
No, but why are they surprised at their own power? Even if it's been ages since they fought properly, how do they not know they've gotten stronger?
Then a menacing growl came from below.
Grrrrowl—
Looking down, one wolf glared up at me, scraping the tree trunk furiously with its front paws. Drool dripped from its jaws—probably eyeing me as a tasty snack. It wanted to climb.
"What're you looking at?"
Grrrrowl—
"Wanna come up?"
Scrape-scrape-scrape—
Its claws gouged the bark.
"Maybe rub some sesame oil on your paws first."
"……."
"Ebebebeb—"
I taunted it vigorously, flicking my tongue. Enraged, it sprang up.
Snarl!
Its massive maw closed in instantly.
This crazy—!
"Kyak!"
I barely blocked its bite on my leg with the Moonlight Frying Pan. No low leap—this beast was huge and springy, propelling itself like a coiled spring.
This guy's no pushover, I tell you!
"Eek! Get lost! I said get!"
I swung the Moonlight Frying Pan wildly to threaten it, but it just growled louder.
It crouched on its hind legs and leaped again like a pogo stick.
"Whoa!"
"Master!"
Tteoksoon-i's voice rang out. A red thread flashed, slicing the wolf's belly open in an instant.
"Whoa!"
But the thread didn't stop—it sheared right through the tree I was on.
"Gyaah!"
Hey! Don't cut the tree too!
As the trunk toppled, sending me plummeting, someone caught me gently—thud.
Peeking through barely open eyes, the Crying Priest smiled warmly.
"Ah, thank you. That was close."
"……."
But his smile felt oddly meaningful. Just my imagination?
Probably.
The priest spoke.
"Unofficial ranker, huh…"
"…!"
"Or not?"
His smile brimmed with certainty. I forced an awkward grin.
"Ha… haha… You saw the video?"
* * *
Dahyun paced the room restlessly, biting her nails and suddenly clutching her head.
"Ughhh!"
Sebastian, lounging on the bed, yawned at her fretting.
Finally, Dahyun called Sera.
Ring-ring—
—Hello?
"Unnie!"
Dahyun called out desperately.
—Hey, Dahyun. What's up?
"Didn't you say Customer-nim has no girl friends?"
—Huh? He doesn't?
"He does though?"
—He does?
"He totally does!"
—No way.
"I saw her!"
—…For real?
"I saaaaw her!"
Dahyun wailed.
"I went to the snack shop today, and there she was."
The moment she'd spotted Ji-hyun, alarms blared in her head. She'd played it cool in person, even winning the staring contest against that sharp-nosed rival, but Dahyun's heart wasn't at ease.
Ji-hyun was too pretty. Honestly, the prettiest person Dahyun had ever seen—prettier than most celebrities.
Dahyun had dolled up to the max, but she'd lost big-time to Ji-hyun's casual tracksuit and haphazard cap. At least, that's how Dahyun saw it.
Taller than me, slim as can be. And that tiny face. Mom was right—it wasn't a normal person's looks. Actress face, model figure.
Unfair! Totally unfair!
Thud—thud—
Back home, Dahyun pummeled her innocent teddy bear's solar plexus with body blows.
Sebastian, who'd wagged his tail happily at her return, bolted to his house at the sight.
Ugh! Go be in showbiz! Why come here messing things up!
Dahyun, teary-eyed, asked Sera.
"What do I do, unnie? Should I buy tomorrow's meal?"
—What? You kidding? I don't know who Hura's friend is, but why would you suddenly treat? He was supposed to pay anyway.
"…You haven't seen her, unnie. She's total celebrity material. Like, actress level!"
—…Actress?
"Yeah…"
—An actress… might be tough.
"…Unnieee…"
—Kidding. I've never seen anyone as pretty and cute as you, Dahyun.
"…Really?"
—Of course! Have some confidence!
"…Okay! Got it!"
—I'll ask Hura about it later. For now, just have fun with him tomorrow as planned, alright?
"Yes."
—Don't mope around.
"Yes!"
—Unnie's on Team Dahyun. Fighting~
"Thanks!"
Click—
Dahyun pumped her fists.
"Azalazal! I can do this!"
* * *
I grinned awkwardly in the Crying Priest's arms.
"Ha… hahaha…"
He chuckled along.
"Hahaha."
I dropped the smile.
"I thought you hadn't seen it since you didn't mention it."
"Got curious and searched yesterday."
"Haha… No need to go that far."
"Heard rumors you soloed dozens of high rankers lately?"
"Eh, no way… Ridiculous. I'm not Cheon-gong or anything."
"Hahaha! Right?"
"Ha… haha! Exactly!"
The priest's laugh cut off abruptly.
"Fun."
He smirked faintly.
"…Gulp."
Whatever the process, I'd unintentionally become a powerhouse. I'd leveraged it to save myself and Baek Bal Baek Jung.
But if word spread it was all fake? Those rankers would swarm me in outrage.
I asked cautiously.
"Y-you won't tell, right?"
He just smiled silently.
"……."
Damn. No choice. I'd have to break my promise not to reveal the Crying Priest's identity if push came to shove.
A man who could boldly betray for his own safety—that's me!
Sure, it looked sleazy, but with his weakness in hand, I could blackmail—
"There."
He set me down gently.
"Why would I go around blabbing?"
"Huh?"
I blinked dumbly.
"The second you talk, I'm done for too."
"Ahem. What do you take me for? Do I look like the blackmailing type?"
"Hmm… A bit."
"How could you say that! I never even thought of anything sleazy!"
"Good to hear."
Luckily, he grasped mutual assured destruction.
But then he dropped a bombshell.
"Tough path you chose."
"Tough how?"
"Rankers are skeptical right now. Public opinion overall, not sure."
"…Why?"
"A mere producer class like a chef being that strong? Doesn't add up. Plus, no one's revealed your abilities."
"Hmm…"
"Makes me curious too. Mind telling how you took down those rankers?"
"Nope."
"Firm."
"Yup. It's my lifeline."
"Smart. Never tell, no matter who asks."
"…Yes."
This guy's alright.
"They won't strike first rashly. But given a chance, they'll test you."
"But I'm not even a ranker."
"That's a relief."
"…Ugh."
"Don't worry. When I'm around, I'll protect you."
"And when you're not?"
"Handle it yourself then."
"……."
Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i approached.
"All done."
Oh yeah, something to ask them too.
"Hey, you two."
"Yes, Master."
"Why'd you suddenly get so strong?"
They glanced at each other, then at me.
"We don't really know."
"Don't know?"
"Yes."
If you don't know, who does?
"We were surprised too."
"…Yeah, figured."
Fantasy world's growth differs from typical games with rigid leveling. No levels here—or if there are, they're meaningless.
Stats rise naturally through actions, like in reality. Train and strength grows; solve complex spells and intelligence rises.
No visible stats either—just felt intuitively. A device for deeper immersion.
That's why it's so popular.
"……."
Why'd my mind wander?
Anyway, ability boosts never happen overnight. They creep up gradually, adaptably—like real life, just faster. Not so fast you miss it.
…These guys seem outside that norm.
"Hmm…"
No way.
"…Suddenly stronger?"
The Crying Priest tilted his head, mirroring my suspicion.
I snapped a thick branch from the tree Tteoksoon-i had felled.
"Ngh…"
"Need help?"
"…Yes."
He assisted as I tried.
Crack—
"Hm. This'll do."
I swung the arm-thick branch like a bat.
"Too thin? Want thicker?"
"…Enough."
"For certainty…"
"Enough!"
"Ah, yep."
…Gotta hit the gym more.
He'd caught on to my intent.
"Geum Taeyang."
"Yes, Master."
"Arm out."
"Yes."
"Flex."
"Yes."
I smashed the branch down on his extended arm with full force.
Crunch—
"…!"
He didn't budge; the branch splintered limply. Felt like striking steel.
"You…"
I gawked at him. This wasn't his level before. He used to just groan and take beatings.
Geum Taeyang stared back blankly.
"Looks like a level-up," the Crying Priest murmured intrigued.
In a world where no one levels up… these two alone do?