The Age of Hunters, The First Hunter
I was someone who lived close to death even before the Cataclysm.
I lived with corpses by my side every single day.
Undertakers, morticians, embalmers...
Ah, I was even called a "corpse washer" at one point.
Whatever the title, the work was always the same.
Presenting the deceased in a dignified state before their grieving families.
I am doing the same work even now.
'There’s no embalming fluid... that’s a shame.'
It’s a concept somewhat unfamiliar in our country, but I studied embalming in university.
Embalming is the procedure of preserving a body in a hygienic and stable state through chemical treatment.
Now, it is a dead science.
There is no reason to preserve a corpse for a long time.
And there is no infrastructure to do so, either.
'This will have to do.'
I finished tending to the bodies of the Awakened who died today.
I stitched up the wounds and applied makeup to make their faces look lifelike.
It looks decent at a glance, but I had to skip so many procedures.
That doesn't mean my heart is light regarding the deceased.
I feel a profound sense of gratitude toward them.
They are the ones who dedicated themselves to Samira.
So, even in this harsh environment, I tried my best to maintain the dignity of the departed as hygienically as possible.
"Lee Hyun-nim. Thank you for your hard work."
Three hours have passed since we arrived at the land of Samira.
I finished the work by dressing them in the clothes they loved most in life.
This is the first time I’ve finished a job so quickly.
When I stepped out, Sujeong-ajumma was waiting for me, looking much tidier than before.
"What about the other preparations?"
"The venue is ready... we prepared as diligently as we could."
It was very late.
I left the remaining tasks to my companions and hurried to prepare myself.
And so, late at night.
I stood before all the members of Samira.
Behind me were two living people and five corpses.
"Today, we defeated the enemy that threatened Samira."
Everyone had a long and arduous day.
Yet, I gathered everyone in the middle of this late night.
It was to talk about two things.
I spoke to those filled with exhaustion.
About who we fought and what sacrifices were made in the process.
After explaining what happened during the expedition.
"These two people disgraced Samira for their own greed."
First, I dragged the two living people forward.
The Scarf-ajumma and her son.
Both were naked, their hands and feet bound.
They were gagged, and their eyes were covered.
"They wanted to get ahead of all of you before even dedicating themselves to Samira."
The kind of petty conduct like cutting in line or barging in.
The kind of behavior where one thinks, 'It's fine if it's just me,' but others frown upon.
The Scarf-ajumma’s solicitation was in the same vein.
The people's anger grew.
"I warned them. And I am warning them once again."
In truth, these two might feel wronged.
They probably don't think they committed a crime worthy of death.
They were just trying to look out for their own interests.
'The problem is that they failed to grasp the situation they were in.'
They didn't realize they were on the losing side of a war.
Even after I used corpses to issue a warning, they were blinded by excessive greed.
Perhaps that was just how they lived their lives.
It might have been acceptable in the Namsan Government.
But not in Samira.
"Do not kick away the opportunities given to you. There are no second chances."
Jang Hoseop once described the dead civilians of the Namsan Government as "lacking situational awareness."
That is why they died.
That is why these two will die.
I raised my club and brought it down lightly.
Crunch.
The two lost their lives in vain.
No, not in vain.
They are helping me achieve my goal.
"I have no intention of forgiving those who disgrace Samira."
This is the first thing I wanted to say.
Through harsh sanctions, I make them wary of harboring weak and wicked hearts.
At the same time, it is a display for those who remain in Samira.
By showing them the reality of the enemy with their own eyes, I can make the bond of Samira even stronger.
"Soul Extraction."
I muttered quietly.
I extracted the magic stones from the Scarf-ajumma and her son simultaneously.
I focused my magic power to pull out even their life force.
The corpses quickly lost their vitality, and their appearances even shifted.
"They will serve Samira even in death."
This much was what I showed them last time.
It is a warning of what happens if you antagonize Samira, and a sign to the survivors that their choice was not wrong.
"And as for our comrades who left our side first..."
Now, this is the second thing I wanted to say.
"They shall find eternal rest."
Sujeong-ajumma stepped onto the podium.
She cleared away the enemy corpses and brought forward the Awakened of Samira who died during the expedition.
"From now on, we will all take time to see them off."
The show had begun.
There were five coffins here.
Inside the open coffins lay bodies that looked as comfortable as if they were sleeping.
I covered their wounds with clean clothes.
I hid their cold complexions with thick makeup and brilliant decorations.
"We are living in a world engulfed in chaos."
Sujeong-ajumma began her speech.
She relayed to the people the story that she and I had put our heads together to find.
"It is a world full of pain and suffering. But fortunately, we have encountered salvation."
The ajumma didn't look at the people.
She stood facing me, watching what I was doing.
"Now, our Savior will send the warriors of Samira to the land of eternal rest."
I used Soul Extraction.
I controlled my magic power to slowly extract the magic stones.
"There is no strife there. We will enjoy ultimate comfort and take our rest."
It was different from the Soul Extraction used on sinners.
I gathered my mana gently so as not to damage the bodies.
"The Paradise of Samira. Our Savior will see them off to the Paradise of Samira."
I finished the extraction on the first body.
I stepped aside to let the people see the face of the deceased.
Unlike the prisoners, their faces were peaceful.
"Only pure souls can enter the Paradise of Samira. You must lay down the karma accumulated in this chaotic world."
I slowly raised my hand.
I hadn't finished the Soul Extraction skill yet.
The magic stone I had just pulled from the body floated above my hand.
"To that end, Lee Hyun-nim will bestow mercy upon you. For he can hold on, or he can let go."
Soul Extraction is a skill that gathers mana that has lost its dominance.
What would happen if I scattered what I had gathered?
I sent my mana into the magic stone floating in the air.
"O soul who dedicated yourself to Samira. Your final moment will burn with the blessing of Lee Hyun-nim."
The magic stone trembled.
Crack.
A fissure appeared.
"So do not fear. You will purify all the karma accumulated here and depart for the Paradise of Samira."
I wished for it in my heart.
That the dead would find rest.
That my mother would be waiting for me in paradise.
So, this was not a lie.
I truly believe that the Paradise of Samira exists.
Whoosh—
Finally, the magic stone burst.
Blue magic power soared into the air.
"Ah! Lee Hyun-nim! Thank you. We have been saved in life and in death, so we shall repay you with faith alone."
Fireworks of magic power embroidered the dark night sky.
The ajumma watched the spectacle, trembling as she shouted.
"Beautiful..."
"Sob... sniff... Ah... Lee Hyun-nim."
"Will I... also be able to go to the Paradise of Samira?"
I could hear the whispers of the people.
I looked up at the night sky where the magic power was scattering, and spread my Target Detection wide.
'Relief, joy, ecstasy.'
I lowered my head to look at the people.
The existing members were shedding tears or looking dazed.
The newly joined people had bewildered expressions.
Collective madness overwhelmed them.
"They have been saved! Death is not the end!"
I took a step.
I used Soul Extraction on the next body.
"If we dedicate ourselves with faith! The touch of Lee Hyun-nim will gladly reach us too!"
Sujeong-ajumma shouted in a voice filled with heightened emotion.
This was not a story we had fabricated.
She truly believed it.
"So, everyone. Fulfill your calling. Bless those who leave first. Lee Hyun-nim will look after us until the very end."
I sent the magic stones into the air one by one.
The people knelt and prayed as they watched the sight.
'Faith.'
I had already become such an existence.
A week had passed since the fall of the Namsan Government.
For the first time in a while, the sky was clear.
"There isn't much time left in the blank period now, either."
We were on our way to clear a gate.
Hoseop and Yuna were walking on either side of me.
The gate we were clearing today had an entry limit of two people.
I would enter with Yuna, and Hoseop had followed to use Gate Scouting.
"Hyung-nim. You're going to clear a closed-type gate next, right?"
"I have to. Why?"
During the blank period, I had cleared many of the gates near Seoul Station.
The people at the Hope Bunker should be able to handle the rest on their own.
"I'm just a little worried. Since the entry limits are so high..."
"You're right. It’s a bit unsettling because the scale changed so suddenly."
It would be good if Yuna could hit level 30 before we clear a closed-type gate.
Yuna is currently level 29.
She has the highest level in Samira after me.
I had funneled gate clears to her to get her to level 30.
Yet, her growth was slower than expected.
Watching her leveling speed made me realize once again how incredible my own experience point bonus was.
"Anyway, it's yellow, so don't worry too much."
"Yes. That's true. It's a relief that it's yellow, but..."
"There's no information posted on the Square, right?"
"Yes. I guess no one has run it yet."
I arrived at the gate while discussing the upcoming schedule with the two of them.
"Oh, right. Hyung-nim."
"Yeah."
"Namsan Government talk comes up on the Square sometimes. No, wait, talk about Yeom Ah-hyun."
"What are they saying?"
"Asking why that woman is so quiet lately."
Those who were absorbed from the Namsan Government had adapted well as applicants for Samira.
At first, they were awkward about the religious atmosphere flowing through Samira, but now they seemed to just accept it.
'Some are assimilating quickly...'
It was partly thanks to Sujeong-ajumma’s skill, but also because the living environment had improved.
The work was hard and the control was strict, but Samira was much better when it came to the basics of life.
If it were me, I could pretend to believe if someone put something in my hands.
Also, it seems the change in people's perception had an effect.
Since so many things were breaking down the existing common sense, perhaps they were accepting religious faith in me relatively easily.
"So? Did you... respond?"
"No. I just buried the bait itself with the Fluid Shadow Clone Technique."
"Huh? You buried what?"
"Ah, I mean I buried it with other topics. They forgot about it quickly, didn't they?"
It seems Jang Hoseop was handling it well on his own.
"Good job."
"Hehe, yep. Then I'll take a quick look and come out!"
Of course, not everything was going smoothly.
As the number of people increased, small and large problems were arising.
No matter how much time there was for cultivation, an individual's true nature doesn't change in an instant.
"It's a mountain terrain. There was no movement in the surroundings. And..."
Jang Hoseop quickly used Gate Scouting and came out to tell me the situation inside.
Yuna and I entered the gate shortly after.
We cleared the gate safely and came out.
We met Awakened from other countries, and their attitude was very cooperative.
'The atmosphere is gradually changing, isn't it?'
Is it the influence of the Square?
In the past, there were many people who would pick fights for no reason inside the gate or sharpen their blades out of excessive wariness.
There were even people who would take their pants off and rush at you the moment they saw a woman.
Now, there are almost no such Awakened.
Whatever their true intentions, they act politely on the outside and even reveal what type their skills are.
They are focusing on the gate clear itself.
"Yuna."
"Hing... I'm still level 29."
"Heh heh. It's okay."
I only called her name, but Yuna answered in a dejected voice.
She knew I was concerned about her level.
"There's nothing to clean up either. Let's go back quickly."
We returned to the land of Samira with the waiting personnel.
Because the gate clear speed was fast, the sun had not yet set.
But bad news was waiting for us.
"Lee Hyun-nim."
The Awakened who was on duty at the main gate guard post spoke in a serious voice.
"The personnel who were farming were attacked."
There was a problem with the team that was conducting external activities.
When I asked them to explain the situation briefly, an unexpected answer came back.
"It's not people, but monsters."
The farming team only visits areas where the zone has already been secured.
Once again, the existing laws had begun to crumble.