Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Taming (1)
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'Unicorn's Blessing' is a skill that activates when you're trying to protect a virgin.
Which means it can't be used if there's no virgin around.
In Korea, where hymens become rarer after twenty, it's a skill you can use only under the most abysmal odds.
But its performance is rock-solid.
It let me—a guy barely scraping into E-Rank Hunter—take down a Dark Knight without breaking a sweat.
It's a skill that's nothing but good to have.
I survived thanks to Han A-ra.
That's a hard fact.
I couldn't stop Han A-ra from lashing out at Lee Ji-eun.
I'm on the side of virgins over non-virgins any day.
Han A-ra glared at Lee Ji-eun.
Her eyes were sharp as knives, demanding answers for what had just gone down.
Lee Ji-eun wouldn't have a leg to stand on, even with ten mouths.
Lee Ji-eun clamped her lips shut and averted her gaze.
"W-We survived, didn't we? That's what matters."
"Hah."
Han A-ra's face twisted in disgust.
She whipped her head away like she was pissed beyond words.
There was no more conversation after that.
The Mirage Guild was done for.
Even with two guild members absent due to personal reasons, recovery odds were zero.
They weren't on the verge of killing each other, so that was a win.
I had zero interest in playing peacemaker.
This wasn't a joke—I'd come that close to dying. Could Han A-ra forgive Lee Ji-eun?
Impossible.
Han A-ra's grudges run deeper than you'd think.
She values her life as much as she hates Lee Ji-eun now.
If she plotted revenge, I'd get it completely.
"Let's get going. I'll take point."
Should I do her outside, or right here inside?
I agonized over it.
No guarantee of a chance once we're out.
Why not just take her here?
The thought hit me, but I shoved down the urge.
Suggesting a random break would be weird.
I kept other options in mind.
I could meet Han A-ra again later.
Comrades who'd survived life and death together.
That bond wouldn't vanish easily, I figured.
We pushed out as fast as possible.
Strike while her gratitude's at its peak—let her taste fresh air.
Ride that momentum into something more.
Plus, prep for tomorrow's Milky Way Guild hunt.
I wanted a break.
"Looks like the Dark Knight was the only real threat. Nothing dangerous left."
"...Even Warriors need careful handling..."
Lee Ji-eun shot me a look.
A flicker of strange interest in her eyes.
After I killed the dungeon irregular, the 'Dark Knight,' the Skeleton Labyrinth was just another forgettable place.
A common dungeon on Tower Floor 1.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I was too strong now—Warriors barely registered.
I rummaged through skeleton remains on the way out.
Experience wasn't the only prize. Loot was cash, a precious resource.
"...How many have died to that Dark Knight..."
The labyrinth exit came into view.
Han A-ra finally relaxed, glancing back down the hall with a sigh of relief.
We hadn't gone that deep, yet six had died.
Truth be told, hunter mortality isn't that high.
A bit more common than car accidents, and tragic.
But it's 100% if it happens to you...
Everyone thinks, Not me, and gets complacent.
I was the same.
No one worries about crashes while driving.
Quitting hunting wasn't an option.
That'd be like tossing away your only ladder up.
The Mirage party just got unlucky.
Sad, sure, but not gut-wrenching.
They weren't blood kin.
Strangers I'd met today.
Dead is dead. Alive is alive.
The corpses kept flashing in my mind.
Lunch was ruined today.
We ported out through the dungeon gate.
Tower air hit me like it had been ages.
"Whoa! Ugh! We're alive!"
Once we reached the entrance, Lee Ji-eun bolted out like a shot.
She exploded all the pent-up tension.
"We're aliiiive!"
A high no normal thrill could match.
Surviving the brink felt like a drug rush, dizzying ecstasy.
Han A-ra just caught her breath beside me.
No wild sprint like Lee Ji-eun. She savored the miracle quietly.
We left the Skeleton Labyrinth for the city.
Tower Floor 1 centers on a small city, dungeons spawning in surrounding plains.
Exit the Tower? Through the city.
The small city's called 'Start Line'—another name for Floor 1.
A massive, grand portal sits in Start Line's central square.
Gateway for F-Rank Hunters worldwide.
We bucked the flow, heading out against the crowd.
Gwanghwamun Square welcomed us.
Teeming crowds, honking cars, everyday noise—all suddenly precious.
"I-I'm heading out. You're Mirage Guild's Sub-Master, so handle the report, right?"
"......"
Lee Ji-eun blew him a quick kiss and fled.
Dumping all the hassle on Han A-ra, escape artist.
Han A-ra glared daggers at her retreating back, grinding her teeth.
"Sun-woo, thank you so much for today. For saving my life..."
"No big deal. I only survived thanks to you, A-ra."
This was sincere.
Her virginity made Unicorn's Blessing work.
If non-virgin?
Brutally slaughtered.
Though I'd have dodged danger solo.
I skipped those nitpicks.
"...Should we call it for today? I'm beat and need rest."
Han A-ra smiled awkwardly, suggesting we part.
I hid my fluster and replied.
"Yeah. We've only been in a few hours, but the party's nearly wiped."
She's just gonna bail?
Wipe her mouth clean and ghost?
Me demanding rewards first looks greedy.
Better if she offers. Feels human.
I stared at her lips.
Waiting for the next line.
"Let's grab a meal sometime. I have stuff to say too—I'll text you."
"......"
Meal later.
That's code for see ya, bye.
My hands shook.
Fire up the Taming App now?
Unicorn's whatever be damned—wreck her virgin pussy and send her packing...
"Give me your number."
Han A-ra thrust out her smartphone.
Number pad on screen.
I punched in mine casually, saved it.
Dialed myself quick to mark her phone.
"Pfft."
Han A-ra suddenly giggled.
Did I screw up? I handed it back fast.
"Free next week?"
"Sure, F-Rank Hunters have time to burn."
"You're not just any F-Rank. Schedules might clash."
"F-Rank through and through."
Leveled up to 9.
After all those Warriors, just +2 levels.
Reconfirmed my potential ceiling.
Level-wise, F-Rank fits.
F-to-E promotion needs Level 30 minimum.
But my stats passed 30.
Stat-wise, solid E-Rank.
Strongest F-Rank Hunter around.
Pride swelled; I just grinned.
"So next week works? Weekend then? I'll treat you nice—my lifesaver deserves it."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Not brushing you off with one meal. But I'll show some gratitude at least. I'm not like Lee Ji-eun."
Lee Ji-eun's name alone pissed her off.
She huffed roughly, laying it out.
"Anyway, I'll text. Don't ignore it—pick up. Got it?"
"I'll be waiting."
"Okay, heading out first."
Han A-ra waved lightly.
We were both wiped, so quick goodbyes, no fuss.
She'd cheated death—fair enough.
I had my own tasks.
Let Han A-ra go home today.
Her hymen intact.
Got home.
Showered, changed—lunchtime passed.
Mixed leftover banchan to fill up.
No time for cooking or eating out.
Delivery costs too much—saving's king.
Belly full.
Surfed net a bit, sleep crashed in.
Nap it out.
Shut eyes, opened—six PM.
Dinner soon.
Grabbed baekban outside, stocked groceries too.
Fridge bloated like my gut.
No clue when I'd eat it all, but felt good.
Time.
I equipped the Perception Impairment Mask and Voice Modulation Butterfly Tie from the Taming App.
Then called Choi Da-eun.
"Knew it, you bastard!"
Choi Da-eun charged right at me.
Armed to the teeth with her Thorn Whip.
Of course, useless against me.
I subdued her effortlessly, showing the gap.
"Fuck!"
"What do you think you're doing?"
A strange man's voice—not mine—came from my mouth.
My dick sprang hard.
Choi Da-eun's eyes dropped to my crotch.
She gnashed her teeth.