Ability Devourer
Rookie: Baek Jaesung 47
"This is just ridiculous."
Hoseok let out a hollow smile as he spoke. The screen before him and Minyoung displayed an unknown space—a pitch-black void so disorienting it was hard to tell up from down. Within that space, two parties were locked in battle against a single enigmatic entity.
"Ability absorption… As far as I know, humans can only possess one ability."
Hoseok nodded at Minyoung's words. It was common knowledge in this world, proven by history itself. No one had ever awakened more than a single ability.
"I wonder if we should be relieved or horrified that this historic event is unfolding in a Korean dungeon."
The monster on the screen was clearly wielding multiple abilities. Absorbing them from dungeon hunters was shocking enough, but operating several at once was beyond comprehension.
"No doubt about it. That thing's using Gravity Control, Acceleration, Teleport, Magic Flower… at least four abilities, minimum."
Minyoung hesitated before speaking up at Hoseok's assessment.
"Couldn't it just be the monster's innate ability?"
"That'd be easier to swallow, but… you know better than that, Chief Kim."
The monster wielded its abilities just like a dungeon hunter. Minyoung averted her gaze slightly. The academic world was about to erupt in chaos for a while.
Or perhaps the Association would clamp down on the information. Thanks to the downed U-Tube servers, this scene hadn't broadcast worldwide.
The Association wants a monopoly on abilities. If absorption is possible, it opens a sliver of hope—even for those without abilities. They'll definitely suppress this intel.
Knock knock!
The sound of knuckles on the door made both Kim Headquarters Chief and Team Leader Minyoung snap their heads around. Their nerves were on edge during this critical moment.
"Who is it?"
A bubbly voice replied to Hoseok.
"It's me!"
"Ugh!"
Discomfort flashed across Minyoung's face. That bright, sun-like cheerfulness belonged to someone she knew all too well.
The owner of the voice was a longtime friend, but not the giggling, face-to-face type most people imagined. If anything, it was a slightly awkward dynamic from Minyoung's side.
The door swung open before Hoseok could respond—a rude move, but the woman who entered had the status to pull it off.
"Oh! Minyoung's here too~!"
The blonde woman waved enthusiastically at Minyoung as she strode in. Her youthful body and childishly vibrant demeanor made it impossible to believe she was in her forties, leaving the pair flustered.
Park Seorin—the world's top multi-player, treated like a 1-rank despite her 3-rank status.
"What brings you here?"
"Come on~! No formalities between friends. I miss the old Minyoung~!"
"Ahem! This is an official setting. I thought you were deployed to the Panama Canal…."
"Just wrapped up. Whew~! What a nightmare. I hate ocean dungeons. Teamed up with America's 1-rank hunter and barely cleared it."
"That bad?"
"Totally~!"
Minyoung gave noncommittal replies while looking away. They'd gotten along fine as kids, but age had made facing Seorin awkward.
To be precise, Seorin's behavior grated on her. They were the same age, yet Minyoung felt a generational gap.
"So, what's going on here?"
"The vice president called me personally to assist with monitoring. That kid's got the same ability as me, right?"
Minyoung's eyebrow twitched at Seorin's words. She fiddled with her eyepatch emblazoned with a chrysanthemum.
"Oh yeah! Heard about that too. He's your disciple? Ah! That's why you're here!"
"Ahem! Yes."
Minyoung nodded. Seorin turned her gaze to the massive screen they'd been watching.
"That kid?"
On the screen, Baek Jaesung wielded his lightsaber in a fierce duel. The monster's array of abilities had him cornered.
Yet Jaesung held his ground in a precarious balance, like teetering on a cliff's edge. The radiant arcs of his sword illuminated the darkness, embodying humanity's stubborn defiance against the demonic foe.
"What do you make of this fight?"
Seorin suddenly asked Minyoung. Kim Minyoung clamped her mouth shut without answering. Seorin rephrased.
"Think you could win?"
"…Then let me turn it back on you. Could you win?"
Minyoung countered stiffly. Seorin grumbled in response.
"Dodging with a question? Sneaky! Well, yeah, I'd probably win. Take about five minutes?"
Her eyes curved like crescent moons. Seorin watched the battle unfold with keen interest.
"Quite the confidence."
"Matchup favors me. Look—it's definitely dark-attribute. Overreacting to light attacks."
Kim Minyoung had noticed the monster's weakness to light too. That advantage was why Jaesung was holding out. Without Light Control, the fight would've ended already.
Hunter battles weren't just about raw ability power. Matchups, versatility, intel on the foe—victory hinged on countless factors.
Jaesung enduring against this monster proved power alone didn't decide fights.
"That thing's mid-5-rank at least. Kid's incredible. The real deal! Look at his responses. 9-rank? No way."
Seorin eyed Hoseok slyly. He waved his hands frantically.
"Rank assessment isn't my department. Plus, promotions require merit points…."
"I know, just kidding. To me, he's at least 6-rank."
"I agree."
Kim Minyoung concurred.
"And that movement… so unique. Crisis response is insane. See that! Teleport dodge, hitting the flower summons in openings! Every motion screams veteran savvy. That doesn't come from experience alone."
"Ahem! My disciple!"
Minyoung swelled with pride at the praise, as if it were for her.
"Wow. Facing an enemy with diverse abilities and not flinching. Moves like he's got experience."
"What experience?"
Hoseok tilted his head. Seorin grinned.
"Those who've taken hits block better. Kid's probably got a style mixing combos. Light Control is the freest ability out there! To outsiders, it'd look like multiple abilities. Heh!"
Seorin spread her right hand. A small hologram flickered above it. Mastered Light Control could craft illusions rivaling reality.
She licked her lips.
"That kid. I want him! Minyoung, if he survives, can I have him?"
Kim Minyoung shot up from her chair, pointing accusingly.
"Baek—Baek Jaesung is my disciple! Don't even dream of it!"
Chief Kim sighed at the bickering pair.
"He has to survive first. How will this fight end?"
Spurt!
The gruesome sound of flesh piercing and bones shattering echoed chillingly. Kim Sunwook stared in horror at the blood splattering his face. Before him stood his precious comrade, arms outstretched wide.
"Gah!"
"Minhyuk!"
The monster's arm had impaled Lee Minhyuk's gut. He vomited blood.
With a hole punched through his stomach, he looked like a flickering flame on the verge of extinction. Vital organs hadn't escaped the strike. He hadn't died instantly only because he was a dungeon hunter. A civilian would've been gone already.
"Guess… I'm next after Minjun… haha…!"
Lee Minhyuk forced a hollow laugh. Facing death, his mind grew strangely serene.
"Minhyuk! Why…?"
(What is this trash?)
Irritation oozed from the monster's telepathic sneer. This nobody had dared interfere—how could it not be annoyed?
Yet the blood pouring from Lee Minhyuk's wound turned green. It began corroding the monster's arm— the power of his Poison Blood ability.
"Haha… First time using it like this…."
(Do you think this pathetic struggle will work?)
The green toxin enveloping the monster's body began to fade. Jaesung confirmed it had healing skills.
Of course—among the losers in this dungeon, there'd be a healer!
Kim Sunwook couldn't process his dying comrade. It had been his turn. But Lee Minhyuk had taken it instead.
"Why…."
"Saying it out loud ruins the cool factor…."
Lee Minhyuk mustered his final strength to resist. His blood shifted from green to black, exuding deadly miasma.
The monster's recovery wasn't as potent as its offense. For a brief moment, it was restrained.
"I… I should've been the one to die!"
"Idiot…! Gonna keep taking Ls forever? I'm happy to die for a friend…! Ngh…! Live, damn it!"
Lee Minhyuk's form melted like liquid. Like a candle burning itself to light the dark, he sacrificed his body for his ultimate attack—transmuting it into black venom that engulfed the monster.
"Mr. Sunwook! Snap out of it!"
Jang Hana grabbed the shocked Kim Sunwook by the collar and yanked him back.